WILLIAMSBURG — Dr. Anthony Fauci will receive an honorary degree from William & Mary and deliver virtual remarks to William & Mary’s Class of 2020 as part of the College’s in-person Commencement.
Dr. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, will receive W&M’s honorary degree of Doctor of Science.
“Dr. Fauci exemplifies the value of service that runs so deep in our university,” W&M President Katherine A. Rowe said. “He’s a public servant, who studied classics before turning to medicine. This breadth serves him well as he helps our nation navigate the challenge of our time. He is the ideal person to speak to William & Mary’s Class of 2020, who completed their degrees and launched professional lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
W&M will hold an in-person weekend celebration for the Class of 2020 graduates during the College’s Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, Oct. 7-10.
Two ceremonies will be held on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m and 2:30 p.m.
A virtual Commencement ceremony was held for the Class of 2020 in May 2020, but in-person events were prohibited due to state and university COVID-19 restrictions at the time.
Along with Dr. Fauci, Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, world-renowned expert in biodiversity and founder of “Nature” on PBS, will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Science, and Donald Patten, former rector at W&M and a renowned lawyer in asbestos liability litigation, will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
