The George Washington University will award honorary doctoral degrees to three individuals with distinguished records of achievement in their respective fields at this year’s May 18 Commencement celebration on the National Mall.
Mark D. Lerner, B.B.A. ’75, has distinguished himself in real estate, sports and community development. Mark R. Shenkman, M.B.A. ’67, is a financier, philanthropist and collector of American political history. He served on the GW Board of Trustees from 2004-2016 and is currently an emeritus member. Eleanor Holmes Norton is the long-time Democratic delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives for Washington, D.C., serving since 1990. At the Commencement ceremony, Lerner and Shenkman will be recognized as honorary Doctors of Humane Letters, and Norton will be recognized as an honorary Doctor of Public Service.
GW President Ellen M. Granberg said the achievements of these nominees show not only distinguished professional attainment but also a commitment to serving the public, making them inspirational figures for GW graduates as they begin working to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
“Mark Lerner, Eleanor Holmes Norton and Mark Shenkman exemplify the highest ideals of leadership, service, and excellence in their respective fields,” said Granberg. “Their achievements and dedication to their communities will serve as an inspiration as our graduates embark on their own journeys to create positive change in the world.”
As managing principal owner and vice chairman of the Washington Nationals, native Washingtonian Lerner led the franchise to its historic 2019 World Series championship. His leadership of the Nats has also emphasized community engagement, philanthropy and organizational excellence. Lerner credits his time at GW for providing the cornerstone for his personal and professional journey and the foundation for his varied career accomplishments.
Since graduating, he has remained deeply engaged with the university community, serving on the board of directors of GW Hillel and supporting initiatives including the Annette and Theodore Lerner Family Health and Wellness Center and the Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest and Public Service Law. Lerner, a member of a multi-generational GW family, was named a Monumental Alumnus by GW in 2021 in recognition of his contributions to the university.
In addition to his role in professional sports, Lerner is a principal of Lerner Enterprises, one of the largest and most respected private real estate development firms in the Washington, D.C., area. The company is recognized for its commitment to quality, innovation and sustainable development. Lerner was named a laureate inductee into the Washington Business Hall of Fame in 2020, celebrating his impact on the region’s private sector economy as well as his philanthropic efforts, including as vice chairman of the Annette M. Lerner and Theodore Lerner Family Foundation.
Shenkman has received multiple awards for his multifaceted contributions to the university. He was a recipient of the Alumni Outstanding Service Award in 2016 and the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award in 2019. In 2021, he was named one of GW’s Monumental Alumni, a special recognition of living alumni during GW’s bicentennial who have made an impact through their work and service and who embody the ideals of the university.
At GW, Shenkman supported the F. David Fowler Career Center and GW Career Services Enhancement Initiative as well as several programs at the School of Business. Shenkman also supported the move and expansion of GW’s Veterans Memorial Park and The Shenkman Initiative: Applying Big Data for Political Success at the Graduate School of Political Management. In 2014, Shenkman Hall was named in his honor.
With 56 years of investment experience and 48 years of high-yield investment experience, Shenkman is considered one of the pioneers of the high-yield bond and loan markets. He is the president of Shenkman Capital Management, one of the first independent high-yield investment management firms, which he founded in 1985. In 2023, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Museum of American Finance and in 2018, he was inducted into the Fixed Income Analysts Society Hall of Fame.
Since 1991, Eleanor Holmes Norton has represented the District as an elected delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she has been a tireless advocate for the passage of legislation that would grant the District of Columbia a voting representative in the House.
Early in her career, Norton worked as an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and an activist in the civil rights movement. She participated in sit-ins in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Ohio, and participated in the Mississippi Freedom Summer.
In 1965, Norton became the associate director of the American Civil Liberties Union. In 1970, she represented 60 women in a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against Newsweek, which at that time allowed only men to become reporters. As a result of her efforts, Newsweek began hiring women for the position of reporter.
She has served as the head of the New York City Human Rights Commission and, in 1977, was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to be the first female chair of the EEOC in 1977. Since taking office in 1991 as a Democratic delegate to the House of Representatives, Norton has been reelected every two years.
GW alumna Jonquel Jones, B.A. ’19, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Commencement celebration. A dominant international force in women’s sports, Jones is one of the most accomplished players in the WNBA, recognized for her exceptional athletic ability as well as her efforts to promote diversity.
Visit GW’s Commencement website for additional information about the week’s schedule and events. Registration for Commencement is now open and will close on April 23.