Mayor Lightfoot to speak at Northwestern’s virtual commencement
EVANSTON, Ill. - Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will deliver the Northwestern University commencement address, following social distancing guidelines she’s promoted — and at times enforced — because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Northwestern President Morton Schapiro announced this week that commencement will be held remotely on June 19. He said Lightfoot is the perfect choice for this year’s commencement speaker, noting the ceremony caps the university’s year-long celebration of the 150th year since women were first admitted.
Lightfoot has raised her national profile amid the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting social distancing and even patrolling the city’s streets to tell groups of people to go home. She has been the face of Chicago’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” campaign, often using humor to get her message across.
Schapiro said the university will hold an event on campus at a later, to-be-determined date to recognize graduates.