The outgoing president of the University of Notre Dame, Fr. John Jenkins, has agreed to deliver this year’s commencement address. The Board of Trustees made the request, and Jenkins accepted the invitation to speak at the University’s 179th Commencement Ceremony in late May. Board chair Jack Brennan announced the decision in an email to the Notre Dame community on Tuesday.
Typically, the University selects a distinguished external speaker for the commencement address. However, this year the Board of Trustees believes that Fr. Jenkins’s leadership and exemplary service to the University make him the most fitting choice. The decision is a recognition and celebration of the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 and the distinguished faculty, according to Brennan.
Fr. Jenkins had previously announced in October that he would step down as president at the end of the current academic year after serving for nearly two decades. However, he will continue to contribute to the University by returning to teaching and writing.
In a news release on Tuesday, the University acknowledged Fr. Jenkins’s significant contributions in leading Notre Dame to become the country’s foremost Catholic research institution. The release highlighted how he emphasized the University’s distinctive mission, rooted in the tradition of the Congregation of Holy Cross, which focuses on educating the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — to make a positive impact in the world.
The commencement address by Fr. Jenkins will provide an opportunity for the graduating Class of 2024 to receive guidance from a leader who has played a pivotal role in shaping the University. It will be a momentous occasion, acknowledging the transformative experiences and achievements of the students and faculty during their time at Notre Dame.
As the University prepares for its 179th Commencement Ceremony in May, anticipation grows for Fr. Jenkins’s address. His wealth of experience and insights are sure to inspire and guide the graduates as they embark on new journeys beyond Notre Dame’s campus.
Fr. John Jenkins’s decision to deliver the commencement address shines a spotlight on the exceptional leadership and dedication he has demonstrated throughout his tenure at the University of Notre Dame. The impact he has made on the institution and its community will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy.
