Anthony Fauci To Speak At Roger Williams University Commencement

BRISTOL, RI — Dr. Anthony Fauci will deliver the commencement address at Bristol's Roger Williams University next month.

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the chief medial advisor to the president, gained national celebrity for his leadership throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

University President Ioannis Miaoulis said Fauci's leadership and strength embodies the school's mission.

"The ability to synthesize vast amounts of information and to make decisions that consider health, science, cultural, legal and political implications, is the type of education we strive to offer our students," Miaoulis said. "Dr. Fauci’s experience throughout his career, but especially over the last two years, has modeled how to do this exceptionally well and provides a real-world example to our students as they enter a complex world."

While Fauci has become a household name since the start of the pandemic, he has led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades. He advised presidents across seven administrations on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other public health concerns, both global and at home.

"We are thrilled to have Dr. Fauci join our distinguished group of honorary degree recipients and address our graduates and their families," Miaoulis continued. "We cannot imagine a more ideal leader to share insights on tackling monumental challenges and to inspire our graduates on how best to thrive in today’s global society."

Fauci will deliver the keynote speech and receive an honorary degree at Roger Williams' commencement ceremony May 20. For the first time, the university will honor all graduating students — undergraduate, graduate and doctoral — in a single ceremony, with individual school ceremonies following the main ceremony in the morning.