Speeches & Addresses

President DeGioia offers reflections at a wide range of events and gatherings throughout the year. This selection of remarks and addresses represents many of the ideas and themes that have guided his leadership as Georgetown’s 48th president.

Notable Addresses

Remarks at The Corp 50th Anniversary celebration (Smithsonian American Art Museum, February 19, 2022)

Remarks at NSO Racial Justice Panel: “Confronting Racism” (Georgetown University, Virtual Convening, August 24, 2020)

Remarks at “Dreamers Making a Difference on Campuses and in Communities” (Georgetown University, October 16, 2017)

Remarks at “Liturgy of Remembrance, Contrition, and Hope” (Georgetown University, April 18, 2017)

Remarks at “Conversation on Racial Justice and Georgetown’s History with the Institution of Slavery” (Georgetown University, September 1, 2016)

Welcome remarks at “Resisting the ‘Throwaway Culture’: Protecting Human Life and Dignity” (Georgetown University, April 12, 2016)

Racial Injustice in America: A Framework for Georgetown’s Future Engagement (Georgetown University, February 4, 2016)

Reflections at a Gathering for Interfaith Solidarity (Georgetown University, December 16, 2015)

Remarks at the Freedom Hall and Remembrance Hall Ceremony (Georgetown University, December 11, 2015)

Reflections on the Life of James P.M. Walsh, S.J. (Washington, DC, July 8, 2015)

Reflections at the Goucher College Inauguration of President Jose Antonio Bowen (April 24, 2015)

Reflections Upon Receiving Sophia University’s “Esteemed Friend” Honor (November 19, 2014)

Reflections on the Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela (December 11, 2013)

Reflections on the Life and Career of Dr. Mitchell Spellman (Washington, DC, November 23, 2013)

Remarks at the Launch of ‘Designing the Future(s) of the University’ (Georgetown University, November 20, 2013)

McCourt School of Public Policy Foundation Exercises (Georgetown University, October 8, 2013)

Launch of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life (Georgetown University, October 1, 2013)

President Barack Obama’s Address on Climate Policy: Opening Remarks (Georgetown University, June 25, 2013)

Reflections on Our Way of Being an American Catholic and Jesuit University (Washington, DC, October 6, 2012)

Commonweal Conversations: Address and Award Acceptance (New York City, NY, September 27, 2012)

“Where the World Meets the Church and the Church Meets the World”: Reunion Weekend 2012 (Georgetown University, June 1, 2012)

2012 Rivier College Commencement Address (Lowell, MA, May 12, 2012)

Honorary Degree Ceremony for Chancellor Kaya Henderson (Georgetown University, April 21, 2012)

10th Anniversary of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council (U.S. Department of State, March 21, 2012)

College and University Sustainability Pledge Signing Ceremony (American University, February 29, 2012)

The Impact of Globalization on the Future of the University (Tec de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, February 15, 2011)

Building “Bridges of Understanding”: Keynote Address at the Bridges of Understanding Annual Conference (Washington, DC, December 2, 2010)

Global Partnerships and Collaboration in Higher Education: Keynote Address at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry  (New Delhi, India, November 11, 2010)

Responding to President Obama’s Challenge: Campus Compact Keynote Address (Georgetown University, October 12, 2010)

Educating our Veterans: Annual Convention of the Student Veterans Association (Georgetown University, October 1, 2010)

Globalization and the Responsibilities of the University (National University of Singapore, August 18, 2010)

Inaugural Lecture at the Gladstone Institute for Cultural and Theological Studies, Wales (St. Deiniol’s Library, Flintshire, Wales, July 6, 2010)

Defining Georgetown’s Future: A Call to Action (Boston, MA, March 4, 2010)

Loyola University Maryland Convocation: The Promise of Catholic and Jesuit Education (Baltimore, MD, September 25, 2009)

Sant’ Egidio “Prayer for Peace” International Meeting (Krakow, Poland, September 7, 2009)

Catholic Health East Conference: Reflections on Mission and Identity at Georgetown and Beyond (Ponte Verde Beach, FL, June 1, 2009)

School of Foreign Service in Qatar — Inaugural Commencement (Doha, Qatar, May 9, 2009)

Catholic and Jesuit Education in a Changing World: Lecture at Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City, Philippines, January 24, 2009)

Signing Ceremony for Center for Transnational Legal Studies — London, UK (King’s College, London, UK, October 28, 2008)

Queen’s University Belfast Honorary Degree Ceremony: The Role of the University in Fostering Interreligious Understanding (Belfast, Ireland, September 26, 2008)

Defining the Challenges, Embracing Leading Solutions: Lecture at Notre Dame’s Annual Athletic and Academic Retreat (South Bend, IN, August 18, 2008)

Yale Center for Faith & Culture Conference: Social Justice, Human Development and the Role of the Academy (New Haven, CT, July 31, 2008)

St. John’s Medical School Commencement in Bangalore, India: Globalization, Social Justice and “Care of the Soul” (Bangalore, March 4, 2008)

Security and Globalization: U.S. State Department Remarks (Washington, DC, November 14, 2007)

100 Years of Georgetown Basketball (Georgetown University, February 10, 2007)

Address on Building Diversity at Georgetown (Georgetown University, February 25, 2003)

Inaugural Address: Engaging the Tensions, Living the Questions (Washington, DC, October 13, 2001)

Service and Social Justice Launch (Georgetown University, October 11, 2001)

University Dialogues

Faculty Town Hall — Fall 2015 (new window) (Georgetown University, October 1, 2015)

Faculty Town Hall — Spring 2015 (Georgetown University, February 24, 2015)

Faculty Town Hall — Fall 2014 (Georgetown University, September 24, 2014)

Georgetown University Law Center Welcome Assembly (Georgetown University, August 29, 2014)

Georgetown University Medical Center Council of Chairs Meeting (Georgetown University Medical Center, February 7, 2014)

Faculty Town Hall — Spring 2014 (Georgetown University, January 29, 2014)

Georgetown University Law Center Faculty Luncheon — Spring 2013 (Georgetown University Law Center, March 27, 2013)

Faculty Town Hall — Spring 2013 (Georgetown University, February 7, 2013)

Faculty Town Hall — Fall 2012 (Georgetown University, September 20, 2012)

Faculty Town Hall — Spring 2012 (Georgetown University, February 3, 2012)

Student Town Hall Meeting on Satire, Diversity and Intellectual Excellence (Georgetown University, April 20, 2009)

Student Town Hall Meeting on the Financial Crisis (Georgetown University, March 2, 2009)

Remarks at Open Meeting on LGBTQ Student Resources (Georgetown University, October 24, 2007)

Campus Discussion on Access to Education in America (Georgetown University, April 19, 2005)

Student Speech and Expression Forum (Georgetown University, February 3, 2003)

Mass Reflections

Reflections on the Life of James P.M. Walsh, S.J. (Washington, DC, July 8, 2015)

Reflections at the Baccalaureate Mass (Georgetown University, May 18, 2014)

Reflections at the Jesuit Heritage Week Mass (Georgetown University, January 26, 2014)

Reflections at the Memorial Service for Professor Wayne Knoll (Georgetown University, January 15, 2014)

Reflections at the Annual Advent Mass (Georgetown University, December 8, 2013)

Reflections at the Baccalaureate Mass (Georgetown University, May 19, 2013)

Eulogy for Rev. Gerard Campbell, S.J. (Washington, DC, August 17, 2012)