51吃瓜网

Roger L. Gregory, a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, will serve as 51吃瓜网鈥檚 2024 Commencement speaker.

鈥淲e are thrilled and honored to have Judge Gregory back on our campus as our 2024 Commencement speaker,鈥� RMC President Robert R. Lindgren said. 鈥淗is consequential career and life, as a judge and a leader, will no doubt inspire our graduates, and I look forward to hearing his message.鈥�

Gregory is the first African American to sit on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which includes the states of Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He served a seven-year term as Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit from 2016-2023.

Gregory was nominated to the seat on the federal appellate court via a recess appointment by President Bill Clinton on Dec. 27, 2000, then was re-nominated for a lifetime appointment by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate on July 20, 2001. He is the only person in the history of the United States to be appointed to federal appellate court by two presidents of different political parties.

Gregory grew up in Petersburg, Va., and graduated from Virginia State University and the University of Michigan Law School. He was formerly a partner in the law firm of Wilder & Gregory and has held several leadership positions, including Chairman of the Industrial Development Authority of Richmond, President of the Friends Association for Children, President of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, and President of the Old Dominion Bar Association. Additionally, he is a trustee emeritus for the University of Richmond.

Throughout his accomplished career, Gregory has been honored with a variety of awards, including the National Conference of Christians and Jews Humanitarian Award, the National Bar Association鈥檚 Gertrude E. Rush and Equal Justice Awards, the Washington Bar Association鈥檚 Charles Hamilton Houston Merit Medallion, the Old Dominion Bar Association鈥檚 L. Douglas Wilder Vanguard Award, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Award of Excellence, the University of Richmond School of Law鈥檚 William Green Award for Professional Excellence, and William & Mary Law School鈥檚 William B. Spong, Jr. Award.

Gregory delivered the keynote address during RMC鈥檚 celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. in 2023. He also holds honorary degrees from Virginia Union University, Virginia State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Widener University, Saint Paul鈥檚 College, The American University, and Albright College.

RMC鈥檚 Commencement ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 26 at the Frank E. Brown Fountain Plaza. Tickets are not required for the event, which will also be live streamed.