Notre Dame announced Timothy Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics, will receive the 2026 Laetare Medal at its 181st commencement ceremony May 17.
The Laetare Medal is billed by Notre Dame as “the oldest and most prestigious honor given exclusively to American Catholics.” Established at Notre Dame in 1883, it recognizes individuals whose work reflects the ideals of the Catholic Church and contributes to society.
Shriver has led Special Olympics as chairman of its international board of directors, overseeing what the organization describes as its largest expansion. During his tenure, the movement has grown from approximately 1 million athletes to more than 4 million participants across over 200 countries and territories.
“Drawing on his deep faith, Tim has devoted his life to being a force for good,” University President Fr. Robert Dowd said. “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.”
Special Olympics, founded in 1968 by Shriver’s mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, aims to end discrimination against people with intellectual and physical disabilities through sports, health, education and leadership programs. Shriver’s father, Robert Sargent Shriver, also previously led the organization.
Shriver joined Special Olympics in 1996 and has expanded initiatives such as Healthy Athletes, which has provided free health screenings to more than 2 million participants in over 135 countries, and the Unified Sports initiative, which brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities.
“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, not us versus them?’” Shriver said.
Beyond Special Olympics, Shriver co-founded UNITE, a nonprofit focused on bridging political divides, and helped develop the Dignity Index, a tool designed to evaluate whether public language reflects respect or contempt.
The Laetare Medal is announced annually on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. Its name comes from the Latin word for “rejoice,” and the medal bears the inscription “Magna est veritas et praevalebit,” meaning “Truth is mighty, and it shall prevail.”
Previous recipients include Dorothy Day, Joe Biden and Sister Helen Prejean. Last year, the medal was awarded to Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA.
Shriver is the only recipient in University history whose parents also received the honor. Eunice Kennedy Shriver was awarded the medal in 1988, and Robert Sargent Shriver received it in 1968. His uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was honored in 1961.
“I know I don’t belong in the company of many of the people who have received this medal,” Shriver said. “I’m a good channel for people who deserve it, and I’m grateful to be able to be that channel.”
