The University of Notre Dame announced on March 15 that Timothy Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics International, will receive the Laetare Medal at its commencement ceremony on May 17.
The Laetare Medal is considered one of the highest honors for American Catholics and is awarded annually to a Catholic “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church and enriched the heritage of humanity.” The medal was conceived in 1883 as an American counterpart to the papal Golden Rose honor. It is traditionally announced on Laetare Sunday, which falls on the fourth Sunday in Lent.
Shriver has led Special Olympics International for three decades. During his tenure, participation grew from one million athletes to six million across more than 200 countries and territories. His leadership has been recognized for advancing inclusion and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities.
Notre Dame president Father Robert A. Dowd said in a statement: “Drawing on his deep faith, Tim has devoted his life to being a force for good. Whether through his leadership of Special Olympics, his work in education or his commitment to fostering civil discourse, he is a tireless advocate for human dignity. In awarding him the Laetare Medal, we honor his inspiring witness and his dedication to building bridges in service of a more just and compassionate world.”
In response to receiving the award, Shriver honored his parents—Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Robert Sargent Shriver—who were both previous recipients of the Laetare Medal. He said: “My parents never retired. They loved their work. They loved the Special Olympics movement… Most of all, I think they wanted confidence that whoever was going to lead the movement into the future understood it. And we have tried to maintain that same vision—to see the dignity of every human being and to stay focused on what matters most… Give them a chance, every one, no exceptions.” He added: “I look at the work of the last half century of the Special Olympics movement as largely shifting the lens from ‘What’s wrong with them?’ to ‘How much can we accomplish if it’s us… If we’re all seen as equally gifted?'”
Shriver’s background includes degrees from Yale University, The Catholic University of America, and a doctorate from University of Connecticut. He spent years working in public education—including special education—and helped pioneer social and emotional learning programs such as CASEL at Yale.
He also founded UNITE in 2018 to bridge political divides in America; its Dignity Index launched in 2022 aims to measure respectful discourse across differences.
Reflecting on receiving this recognition after both parents were honored by Notre Dame before him—and noting that President John F. Kennedy (his uncle) was also a recipient—Shriver said: “I know I don’t belong in the company of many of the people who have received this medal… It’s being given to me so that [Special Olympics] athlete who’s in a refugee camp in Tanzania running 50 meters this afternoon will somehow know that the world is paying attention… I’m grateful to be able to be that channel.”
