Full Breakdown
Georgetown Law Changes Commencement Speaker After Student Protest
5/8/2026, 11:34:37 PM
Georgetown Law Commencement Speaker Change
Morton Schapiro, former president of Northwestern University, was announced as the May 17 commencement speaker for Georgetown University Law Center. Within days, a student-led petition objected to his selection, citing his public support for Israel and past remarks about campus protesters. On the basis of “a number of law students raised concerns,” interim dean Joshua Teitelbaum announced that Schapiro had withdrawn, stating he did not want his presence to distract from the ceremony. Georgetown Law subsequently named professor David Cole, a former ACLU national legal director, as the replacement speaker.
Background: Campus Debate Over Israel and Gaza
The speaker dispute unfolded amid heightened campus activism surrounding the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks and the ensuing Israel-Gaza war. Universities across the United States have faced similar controversies, including Rutgers University’s rescission of a commencement invitation to documentary producer Rami Elghandour and criticism of faculty statements at the University of Michigan. Georgetown Law itself has previously hosted events featuring a convicted member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and a Palestinian writer praising Hamas, prompting additional scrutiny of its handling of Israel-related speech.
Key Figures and Student Groups
- Morton Schapiro – Economist, former Northwestern president, author of a 2022 Jewish Journal column defending Israel.
- David Cole – Georgetown law professor, former ACLU national legal director, advocate for broad First-Amendment protections.
- Joshua Teitelbaum – Interim dean of Georgetown Law, former student of Schapiro at Williams College.
- Student petitioners – A coalition of law students, including the Georgetown Law Zionists founded by third-year student Julia Wax Vanderwiel, and individual critics such as Matt Latibashvili.
Timeline
- Early May 2024 – Georgetown Law announces Schapiro as commencement speaker.
- Following week – Petition launched; 282 signatures collected.
- Wednesday (May 8) – Teitelbaum emails the law community noting student concerns; Schapiro announces withdrawal.
- May 9 – Georgetown Law confirms David Cole as replacement speaker.
- May 17 – Scheduled commencement ceremony.
Data: Petition Signatures
The petition demanding Schapiro’s removal garnered 282 signatures from students and alumni.
Official Statements & Responses
- Interim Dean Teitelbaum emphasized that the decision responded to student concerns while reaffirming the school’s commitment to “free and open inquiry.”
- Schapiro issued a brief statement indicating he did not wish his presence to “distract from the day’s festivities.”
- Cole reiterated his opposition to campus speech restrictions, arguing that “efforts to censor speech often prove counterproductive, and undermine the very mission of the university.”
Criticism & Opposition
Students argued that Schapiro’s “controversial, Zionist, and harmful opinions” conflicted with the law school’s values. Matt Latibashvili described the selection as “an absolute shame,” while Julia Wax Vanderwiel called the university’s request for Schapiro’s withdrawal “heartbreaking” for Jewish students. Cole’s prior statements defending speech that includes “anti-Israel advocacy and even antisemitic advocacy” have drawn criticism from those who view such positions as legitimizing hate.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Given Georgetown Law’s desire to keep politics out of its commencement ceremony, I am a little surprised by their choice of a speaker to replace me.” — Morton Schapiro, former Northwestern president
- “But efforts to censor speech often prove counterproductive, and undermine the very mission of the university.” — David Cole, Georgetown law professor
- “Most criticism of Israel is not antisemitic; indeed, many Jews are deeply critical of how Israel has responded to the terrorist attacks of October 7, and of how Israel has managed its long-term conflict with the Palestinian people. Nor is defense of Hamas’s right to fight back antisemitic, even if it seeks to justify terrorist actions—just as defense of Israel’s bombing and killing of civilians in Gaza is not Islamophobic,” — David Cole
- “The selection of Morton Schapiro as our commencement speaker is an absolute shame,” — Matt Latibashvili, Georgetown Law student
- “It is beyond antisemitic of the university to do this. It’s extremely heartbreaking and devastating to the Jewish students that [Georgetown Law] respectfully asked [Schapiro] to step down because of his belief in a Jewish homeland,” — Julia Wax Vanderwiel, third-year law student, founder of Georgetown Law Zionists
What’s Next
The May 17 ceremony will proceed with David Cole delivering the keynote address. The episode adds to ongoing national debates over how universities balance free-speech protections with concerns about antisemitism and other forms of hate on campus. Georgetown Law has indicated that it will continue to monitor student-government relations and speech-policy discussions in the upcoming academic term.
