Josh Shapiro ’95

Alumnus Josh Shapiro ’95, the newly inaugurated governor of Pennsylvania, delivered the 2023 address at the University Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 12. The 173rd ceremony was held in Fauver Stadium at the Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex on the River Campus and marked the conferral of academic degrees for both undergraduate and graduate students.

“Our commencement exercises celebrate the hard work and persistence of our students who I know are going to make the world ever better,” said University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. “Josh began his political career at Rochester and has continued to embody our Meliora spirit through his leadership and career in public service. I’m thrilled that in his very busy first year as a state governor, Josh has accepted our invitation to address the Class of 2023.”

As an undergraduate political science major, Gov. Shapiro was elected to some of his first roles, starting as UR Students’ Association senator and then becoming president—notably as a first-year student. During his time on campus, he emerged as a respected student government leader, advocating for student issues, including increased lighting on campus, new food locations, additional student parking options, and improved communication between students and administrators.

Gov. Shapiro grew up in Pennsylvania watching his parents serve their community. Their example inspired him to enter into public service, and from a young age, recognize that standing up for others was how he wanted to spend his career. After marrying his high-school sweetheart, Lori, and welcoming their first child, he returned to his hometown of Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania, and successfully ran for state representative of the 153rd district. After winning this role, he helped write and pass some of the toughest ethics laws in Pennsylvania state history. His work earned him a reputation as a rare public servant willing to take on the status quo.

Then, as chairman of the Board of Commissioners in Montgomery County, he led a fiscal and ethical turnaround, put the county back on solid financial footing, took early steps to combat the heroin epidemic, and helped the first LGBTQ+ couples in Pennsylvania marry. In 2017, he was elected Pennsylvania’s attorney general and went on to serve two terms.

In November 2022, he made history as the highest vote-getter in Pennsylvania gubernatorial history, winning the election as the Democratic candidate. He was officially inaugurated as governor on January 17, 2023. He is the first Rochester alumnus elected to a state’s top executive position.

In addition to his Rochester undergraduate degree, Gov. Shapiro earned his law degree from Georgetown University.