{"id":60617,"date":"2025-10-16T13:58:43","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T17:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=60617"},"modified":"2025-10-16T14:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T18:00:00","slug":"penalver-georgetown-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/penalver-georgetown-president\/","title":{"rendered":"Alum and Former Law School Dean Named President of Georgetown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Rhodes Scholar who clerked for the U.S. Supreme Court, Eduardo Pe\u00f1alver \u201994 currently leads Seattle University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Cornellians<\/em> staff<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Big Red alum who formerly served as dean of Cornell Law School has been named the next president of Georgetown University. Eduardo Pe\u00f1alver \u201994 comes to the position from another Jesuit institution: Seattle University, where he has served as president<\/a> since departing the Law School in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Eduardo
Jason Koski \/ Cornell University<\/figcaption>
At a 2014 Law School event for admitted students.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPresident Pe\u00f1alver is an exceptional leader steeped in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition who brings a wealth of experience in higher education, a global mindset, a commitment to social justice and academic excellence, and a bold vision for Georgetown\u2019s future,\u201d Thomas Reynolds, chair of Georgetown\u2019s board of directors, said in an announcement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

President Pe\u00f1alver is an exceptional leader steeped in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition who brings a wealth of experience in higher education, a global mindset, a commitment to social justice and academic excellence, and a bold vision for Georgetown\u2019s future.<\/p>\nThomas Reynolds<\/strong>, chair of Georgetown\u2019s board of directors<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A College Scholar in Arts & Sciences as an undergrad, Pe\u00f1alver went on to study philosophy and theology at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, earn a JD from Yale, and clerk for then-U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He joined Cornell\u2019s law faculty in 2006; when he became dean in 2014 (after a stint at the University of Chicago), he was the first Latino to lead an Ivy League law school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Eduardo
Cornell University<\/figcaption>
In regalia at Big Red Commencement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Among his accomplishments as dean were increasing fundraising, doubling spending on financial aid, launching two new degree programs, and establishing new clinics including those devoted to farmworker assistance and to First Amendment protections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among his accomplishments as dean were increasing fundraising, doubling spending on financial aid, launching two new degree programs, and establishing new clinics.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Seattle University, he was both the first layperson and the first person of color to serve as president in the institution\u2019s 130-year history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pe\u00f1alver takes office as Georgetown\u2019s 49th president on July 1, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Eduardo
Jason Koski \/ Cornell University<\/figcaption>
At a 2018 panel discussion, “Celebrating 150 Years of Ezra Cornell’s Promise.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m honored to serve in this role and very aware of the deep tradition and legacy Georgetown has rooted in its Jesuit values,\u201d Pe\u00f1alver told the Washington Post<\/em><\/a> in an interview published in mid-October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat I want people to know about me: I have always been and will be committed to operating with transparency, openness, and engagement with everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Top: Portrait by Joshua Rodriguez for Georgetown University)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Published October 16, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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