Dr. Anthony Fauci will address MSU’s doctoral graduates at their May 5 degree ceremony, according to his special assistant, Jenn Kuzmak.

Fauci, an immunologist who directed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022 and served as chief medical advisor to the president from 2021 to 2022, rose to prominence as the face of the nation’s COVID-19 response.

In May 2022, Fauci addressed 4,100 graduates of the University of Michigan’s class of 2020 and 2021, who didn’t have traditional graduations because of the pandemic. His appearance was met with protests outside of the stadium, though his speech was met with standing applause inside.