Former Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro to Speak at Georgetown Law Commencement

Today, Georgetown University announced the individuals who will speak at its 2026 commencement exercises and receive honorary degrees. The speaker for the Georgetown Law commencement ceremony on May 17 is Morton Schapiro, who served as president of Northwestern University from 2009 to 2022. Schapiro will also receive an honorary J.D. degree.

Dr. Morton Schapiro

Schapiro, an economist and leading expert on the economics of higher education, was president of Williams College from 2000 to 2009. He began his academic career on the Williams faculty, and also spent nearly two decades as a professor and administrator at the University of Southern California. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

“Dr. Schapiro was the best teacher I had in college,” said Interim Dean Joshua C. Teitelbaum. “His Econ 101 course shaped my path in studying economics and influenced the course of my professional career. Having gone on to lead institutions of higher education, he brings a uniquely informed perspective on American society and the challenges facing colleges and universities today—including the critical work of making them more affordable. At a moment like this for higher education, there are few who can speak to it with as much clarity and insight as he can.”

Georgetown Law’s commencement ceremony will take place Sunday, May 17 at 3:30 pm on the Healy Lawn at Georgetown University’s Hilltop Campus and will be livestreamed on the university’s commencement website. Visit the Law Center’s 2026 commencement website for more information on all of Georgetown Law’s graduation-related events.