2023 Commencement Orator

Dear Howard University Community,

It is both my honor and privilege to announce that the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 46th president of the United States, will address the Class of 2023 as the commencement orator during Howard University’s 155th Commencement Convocation on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Howard University will also confer upon President Biden the honorary Doctor of Letters.

Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the first of four children of Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden and Joseph Robinette Biden, Sr. In 1953, the Biden family moved to Claymont, Delaware. Biden married Jill Jacobs in 1977; an educator for over two decades, she has earned a doctorate in education. The Bidens raised three children: Beau, Hunter, and Ashley.

Mr. Biden is the seventh sitting U.S. president to deliver the keynote address at a Howard University commencement convocation. A graduate of the University of Delaware and Syracuse Law School, Biden became one of the youngest people ever elected to the U.S. Senate at age 29, where he worked for 36 years on some of the nation’s most important domestic and international challenges. As chairman or ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee for 17 years, Biden was recognized for his work on criminal justice issues, including the Violence Against Women Act. As chairman or ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for 12 years, Biden played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy.

In 2009, Biden became the 47th vice president of the United States. In 2017, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In 2020, Biden was elected president of the United States alongside vice presidential running mate and Howard alumna Kamala Harris; Harris thereby became the first woman, first Black American, and first person of South Asian heritage elected to the position.

Please join me in welcoming President Biden to Howard University to deliver this year’s commencement address and celebrate the graduating Class of 2023. We are excited to receive the president as our distinguished guest and recognize him for his relentless work expanding access to higher education, uplifting our communities that have been historically left behind. I look forward to honoring President Biden, our honorary degree recipients, and graduating seniors at this year’s Commencement Convocation.

Excellence in Truth and Service,

Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA
Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery
President