Speeches and Writings | Office of the President

Johns Hopkins UniversityEst. 1876

America’s First Research University

Office of the President

Highlighted Speeches, Articles, and Media

Advancing Research in the Life Sciences

Published on June 10, 2026

Johns Hopkins will establish a new Life Sciences Research Initiative that will invest $80 million annually, for each of the next two years, in groundbreaking basic and applied research across a wide array of life science disciplines and interests.

Research and Resilience at Hopkins

Published on June 3, 2026

The new Research Resilience Fund will earmark $60 million annually over the next two years to meet the needs of faculty, students, and research teams facing federal grant terminations or delays or experiencing the broader effects of the changed research ecosystem.

2026 Commencement ceremony

Published on May 21, 2026

President Daniels addresses the Class of 2026 at the universitywide Commencement ceremony at Homewood Field

What Universities Owe Democracy Book Cover

What Universities Owe Democracy

In new book, Johns Hopkins University President Ron Daniels argues that with democracy in danger, universities must step up

Archives

2026

Messages

Advancing Research in the Life Sciences June 10, 2026
Research and Resilience at Hopkins June 3, 2026

Speeches

2026 Commencement ceremony May 21, 2026
Introduction of NBC News Common Ground Series April 23, 2026
150th Next Conversations: Views of the Universe from the Sciences to the Humanities February 18, 2026

Writings

Get the Federal Science Money Flowing May 20, 2026

2025

Messages

More impactful financial aid support for undergraduate students November 13, 2025
On statements on external matters by departments, centers, and institutes October 27, 2025
An update on the university’s financial outlook amid federal uncertainty September 22, 2025
Updates on federal actions and budget planning June 2, 2025
Updates on federal actions April 28, 2025
Our bond at a moment of challenge March 4, 2025
Our essential research partnership with the NIH February 10, 2025
Our Johns Hopkins research enterprise February 3, 2025

Speeches

Bloomberg Student Center opening celebration October 16, 2025
Sesquicentennial kickoff celebration October 16, 2025
‘SCOTUSBlog’ Listening to the Law: On the Merits Inaugural Summit September 25, 2025
Convocation for the Class of 2029 August 25, 2025
2025 Commencement ceremony May 22, 2025
American Enterprise Institute conference on Civic Thought and Practice May 16, 2025
SAIS Europe 70th anniversary lecture February 24, 2025

2024

Media

$1 billion gift to make Johns Hopkins medical school free for most July 8, 2024

Messages

On Dialogue October 30, 2024
Our commitment to ensuring Hopkins votes October 25, 2024
Redoubling our commitment to climate action and sustainability October 17, 2024
Johns Hopkins’ continued commitment to diversity September 19, 2024
On a duty of care September 3, 2024
On institutional statements from the university August 15, 2024
Landmark $1 billion gift from alum Michael R. Bloomberg for graduate financial aid July 8, 2024
Encampment is ending May 12, 2024
Update on encampment May 10, 2024
Update on protest on campus May 2, 2024
Safe resolution of encampment at Johns Hopkins April 30, 2024

Speeches

Henrietta Lacks Building Groundbreaking October 28, 2024
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center 250th Anniversary Clinical Symposium October 7, 2024
Convocation for the Class of 2028 August 25, 2024
2024 Commencement ceremony May 23, 2024
Celebration of Fannie Gaston-Johansson Faculty of Excellence Program April 19, 2024
50th anniversary of undergraduate co-education at Johns Hopkins April 5, 2024
Installation of Rector Renaud Dehousse at SAIS Europe in Bologna January 31, 2024

Writings

To restore trust, end legacy admissions September 25, 2024

2023

Media

Johns Hopkins opens new D.C. academic center in an old museum site October 6, 2023
A ‘demographic revolution’ at Johns Hopkins August 29, 2023
Hopkins featured on NBC Nightly News for ending legacy admissions January 5, 2023

Messages

Message on violence in Israel and Gaza October 10, 2023
Announcing new School of Government and Policy October 6, 2023
Announcing the Ten for One, 10 goals for 1 University September 15, 2023
What a summer! Welcome back. September 12, 2023
Announcing a new data science and translation institute August 3, 2023
Johns Hopkins’ unwavering commitment to diversity June 29, 2023
Seeking Your Feedback on the University’s New Strategic Framework April 14, 2023

Speeches

Dedication of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center October 19, 2023
Convocation for the Class of 2027 August 29, 2023
2023 Commencement Ceremony May 25, 2023

2022

Messages

Announcing a Transformative Gift for SAIS Europe December 9, 2022
DART – Hopkins Making an Impact September 27, 2022
Welcome Back 2022-23 September 2, 2022
Major expansion of employee tuition benefit June 30, 2022
Help us dream—beyond the 10 x 20 to a new JHU strategic vision March 17, 2022
Unprovoked invasion of Ukraine March 3, 2022

Speeches

Scott Tower Dedication Ceremony September 24, 2022
Convocation for the Class of 2026 August 28, 2022
Office of Economic Development Impact Report Release June 13, 2022
2022 Commencement Ceremony May 23, 2022
Kehinde Wiley Rumors of War Installation April 22, 2022
What Universities Owe Democracy: A conversation with Ron Daniels, Brookings Institution March 31, 2022
Commencement for Class of 2020 at Alumni Weekend 2022 March 27, 2022
Roadmap on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Kickoff Event March 11, 2022
Elijah Cummings Portrait Unveiling at Henderson-Hopkins January 20, 2022
Inaugural Richard Ekman Keynote Address in Higher Education January 5, 2022

Writings

Raising regard for the academic enterprise November 16, 2022
What can universities do to protect Russian and Ukrainian academics fighting for truth? March 31, 2022
What Universities Owe Democracy March 10, 2022

2021

Messages

Second Roadmap on DEI—Final report, 24 goals, next steps December 15, 2021
Welcome back September 9, 2021
Statement on the death of Bishop Douglas Miles August 4, 2021
Juneteenth University Holiday May 17, 2021
Supporting each other in this moment April 20, 2021
Condemning Violence against Asian and Asian American Communities March 18, 2021
Update on Johns Hopkins finances February 5, 2021
Johns Hopkins investigating anti-Semitic graffiti January 26, 2021
Statement on the death of Thomas V. Mike Miller January 15, 2021
On our democracy January 6, 2021

Speeches

What Universities Owe Democracy, Ronald J. Daniels with Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Public Library November 16, 2021
Facts, equity, and democracy: The indispensable role of universities during COVID-19 and beyond November 11, 2021
Convocation for the Class of 2025 August 29, 2021
Democracy Day 2021 August 28, 2021
2021 Commencement ceremony May 27, 2021
What Universities Owe Democracy March 23, 2021

Writings

Hidden college admission factors that hurt students’ chances of acceptance October 16, 2021
Abolish Legacy Admissions Now October 7, 2021
Universities Are Shunning Their Responsibility to Democracy October 3, 2021
Why authoritarian regimes attack independent universities September 28, 2021

2020

Messages

Reexamining the history of our founder December 9, 2020
Message on the national election November 4, 2020
Spring semester plans November 2, 2020
Helping Hopkins vote October 19, 2020
Update on Johns Hopkins University finances October 15, 2020
JHU launches $6 million Innovation Fund for Community Safety September 30, 2020
Welcome to Fall 2020 September 21, 2020
Report addresses COVID pandemic’s effects on JHU junior faculty August 13, 2020
Administration reverses restrictions on international student visas July 14, 2020
Johns Hopkins files federal lawsuit in support of international students July 10, 2020
Advancing equity and inclusion at Johns Hopkins July 8, 2020
Johns Hopkins condemns racist act near campus July 3, 2020
Plans for this fall’s undergraduate experience June 30, 2020
Juneteenth time for reflection; University closes at noon June 17, 2020
Planning for fall and beyond June 16, 2020
Solidarity and reimagining public safety June 12, 2020
Planning for our future June 5, 2020
Johns Hopkins stands in solidarity against racism and inequity May 31, 2020
JHU 2020 Planning May 5, 2020
Details on the financial implications of COVID-19 for the university April 21, 2020
Our work continues April 7, 2020
Your commencement March 18, 2020
COVID-19 Update: Remote classes to continue for full semester March 18, 2020
COVID-19: Hopkins stands together March 15, 2020
Update: Classes cancelled, resume online no later than March 23 March 10, 2020

Speeches

Democracy and the University in the Age of COVID-19 November 3, 2020
First-year student Convocation 2020 August 23, 2020
2020 Commencement Ceremony May 21, 2020
Scholars at Risk 2020 Global Congress March 26, 2020
University in Liberal Democracy January 3, 2020

Writings

Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine: Universities’ Vital Role in the Pandemic Response June 7, 2020
Baltimore Sun op-ed: Coronavirus plea from Johns Hopkins: please take social distancing seriously to save lives March 24, 2020
The Atlantic: Why We Ended Legacy Admissions at Johns Hopkins January 18, 2020

2019

Messages

Remembering Congressman Elijah Cummings October 18, 2019
Welcome back September 9, 2019
Supporting our international scholars and students July 9, 2019
Johns Hopkins to Acquire Iconic Building in Washington, D.C. January 25, 2019

Speeches

SAIS 75th Anniversary Celebration October 24, 2019
Freshman Convocation 2019 August 28, 2019
Bringing Johns Hopkins to New York Alumni Gathering June 6, 2019
2019 Commencement Ceremony May 23, 2019

Writings

Washington Post op-ed: It’s colleges’ job to train citizens. Higher education isn’t rising to the challenge. December 29, 2019
Issues: Securing the Future of the US Biomedical Research Workforce December 1, 2019
Baltimore Sun op-ed: ‘Proud not only to be in Baltimore, but of Baltimore’ July 29, 2019
Washington Post Commentary: Central European University is a remarkable school. It should stay in Hungary. January 22, 2019

2018

Media

From JAMA: Supporting the Next Generation of Biomedical Researchers July 3, 2018
From The Guardian: Gentrify or die? Inside a university’s controversial plan for Baltimore April 18, 2018
From the New York Times: A Wall Street Giant Makes a $75 Million Bet on Academic Philosophy January 16, 2018

Messages

Historic $1.8 billion gift from alum Michael R. Bloomberg for undergraduate financial aid November 18, 2018
Announcing a New Johns Hopkins Building Named in Honor of Henrietta Lacks October 6, 2018
Share your input on efforts to support diversity at JHU October 2, 2018
A message from President Daniels to students on the humanities September 7, 2018
Welcome back 2018 September 4, 2018

Speeches

Rising to the Challenge Campaign Close October 11, 2018
Reinventing Our Communities: Investing In Opportunity October 1, 2018
Freshman Convocation 2018 August 29, 2018
Disrupting Polarization: The Work of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute June 20, 2018
2018 Commencement Ceremony May 24, 2018
Race and Inequality in America: The Kerner Commission at 50 February 28, 2018

Writings

Issues: Knee-Capping Excellence December 1, 2018
Washington Post Commentary: Please, students, take that ‘impractical’ humanities course. We will all benefit. September 14, 2018

2017

Media

President Daniels in The Globe and Mail: ‘Keep surgically focused on your highest priorities’ November 6, 2017
The Washington Post talks with President Daniels about the new Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute June 27, 2017
From the Washington Post: Hopkins hires hundreds in Baltimore, seeking to strengthen community March 9, 2017
‘Times Higher Education’ looks at the university as pillar of the community February 9, 2017

Messages

JHU response to DACA decision September 6, 2017
Message from President Daniels on the executive order on immigration February 1, 2017
JHU closely monitoring immigration actions January 28, 2017

Speeches

Freshman Convocation 2017 August 31, 2017
2017 Commencement Ceremony May 24, 2017

Writings

Science: A new data effort to inform career choices in biomedicine December 15, 2017

2016

Media

‘The Economist’ looks at the challenging history and strengthening future of Hopkins and Baltimore September 1, 2016
Aspen Ideas Festival July 12, 2016
Milken Institute Global Conference May 3, 2016

Messages

JHU and undocumented U.S. residents at the university December 16, 2016
Update on diversity and inclusion September 16, 2016
Johns Hopkins’ commitment to Baltimore April 13, 2016
BLocal pledges to expand economic opportunities April 4, 2016

Speeches

Freshman Convocation 2016 August 31, 2016
2016 Commencement Ceremony May 18, 2016
Bloomberg~Kimmel Cancer Immunotherapy Institute Announcement March 29, 2016
Rising to the Challenge Celebration Event March 3, 2016
Global Competitiveness Forum January 26, 2016

Writings

BloombergView Commentary: A Better Way to Help U.S. Victims of Free Trade December 2, 2016
Washington Post Commentary: Allowing guns on campus will invite tragedies, not end them October 21, 2016
Baltimore Business Journal Commentary: STEM education key to city’s future June 23, 2016
The Chronicle of Higher Education Commentary: Free the Public Universities May 6, 2016
BloombergView Commentary: To Save State Universities, Free Them From the States April 11, 2016
Baltimore Sun Commentary: A commitment to ‘BLocal’ in Baltimore April 7, 2016

2015

Media

Daniels speaks about HopkinsLocal on Dan Rodricks’ Roughly Speaking podcast November 10, 2015
In MSNBC appearance, Daniels discusses Johns Hopkins’ efforts to strengthen Baltimore November 6, 2015

Messages

President Daniels on the Black Student Forum December 3, 2015
Diversity at Johns Hopkins November 13, 2015
Our commitment to Baltimore September 3, 2015
New sexual misconduct policy August 19, 2015
Announcing a Ten by Twenty progress report and the Idea Lab March 10, 2015
A message on innovation and entrepreneurship at Johns Hopkins March 4, 2015
Announcing new Catalyst and Discovery Awards for faculty January 27, 2015

Speeches

Freshman Convocation 2015 August 27, 2015
President Daniels confirms “deep and unwavering commitment” to Baltimore June 22, 2015
2015 Commencement Ceremony May 21, 2015

2014

Media

Bollywood premiere: President Daniels performs with Masti student dance group April 24, 2014

Messages

Message on alcohol issues August 19, 2014
Johns Hopkins releases self-study report April 30, 2014

Speeches

Johns Hopkins University Leadership Summit October 17, 2014
Dean’s Symposium on Ebola October 14, 2014
Freshman Convocation 2014 August 27, 2014
University of Toronto Convocation June 6, 2014
Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2014 May 22, 2014

Writings

WSJ Commentary: How to Reverse the Graying of Scientific Research March 4, 2014

2013

Messages

Institute for Data Intensive Engineering and Science November 4, 2013
Welcome back 2013 September 3, 2013

Speeches

International Conference on Family Planning November 12, 2013
2013 Freshman Convocation September 2, 2013
2013 Commencement Ceremony May 23, 2013
Rising to the Challenge Campaign Launch May 4, 2013
Summit on Reducing Gun Violence in America January 14, 2013

2012

Messages

An Identity Initiative for Johns Hopkins University November 30, 2012
President’s Day of Service: Thank you October 31, 2012
Announcing the HCPI Report September 27, 2012
Welcome back September 4, 2012

Speeches

HCPI Press Conference December 6, 2012
Leadership Summit 2012 October 19, 2012
2012 Freshman Convocation September 2, 2012
2012 Commencement Ceremony May 24, 2012
Dedication of the Sheikh Zayed Tower and the Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center April 12, 2012

2011

Messages

Welcome back September 6, 2011
Johns Hopkins and the East Baltimore Community School August 23, 2011
Johns Hopkins and Baltimore May 11, 2011
Message on the crisis in Japan March 16, 2011
On the Soul of Johns Hopkins March 2, 2011

Speeches

OUTList Launch Celebration October 11, 2011
Leaders and Legends September 20, 2011
2011 Freshman Convocation September 19, 2011
2011 Commencement Ceremony May 26, 2011
Rising to the Challenge – San Francisco April 16, 2011
Yong Siew Toh & Peabody Conservatories Joint Degree Signing March 9, 2011

2010

Messages

Johns Hopkins promotes plan for sustainable, healthy environment March 11, 2010
Johns Hopkins Takes Time for Schools March 3, 2010

Speeches

Rededication of Gilman Hall October 23, 2010
Volunteer Summit October 22, 2010
2010 Freshman Convocation August 29, 2010
2010 Commencement Ceremony May 27, 2010
Reds Wolman Memorial April 11, 2010

2009

Messages

Letter to the Johns Hopkins community March 2, 2009

Speeches

Installation Address of President Ron Daniels September 8, 2009
2009 Freshman Convocation August 30, 2009
ROTC Commissioning Ceremony May 29, 2009
Morning Commencement Speech May 21, 2009
Dedication of the Founders’ Wall Celebration Dinner May 2, 2009