Russell Wilson, an NFL quarterback and nine-time Pro Bowl player, will deliver the Commencement speech for the Class of 2022 on June 12, the College announced on Tuesday.
Wilson, who led the Seattle Seahawks to a Superbowl victory in 2014, is also recognized for his commitment to community service. He won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2020, one of the league's most prestigious honors awarded for excellence on the field and through community impact. Wilson also founded the Why Not You Foundation in 2014 to promote children’s health and education and to reduce poverty.
Following a trade in March, Wilson will play with the Denver Broncos in the 2022-2023 season.
Wilson has numerous connections to the Big Green — his father, Harrison Wilson III ’77, played for Dartmouth as a receiver on the football team and on the baseball team, and three uncles also attended the College. In high school, Wilson was coached by Big Green head football coach Buddy Teevens ’79.
Wilson will receive an honorary degree alongside seven other individuals in physics, engineering, economics, media, business and finance and international development. Those recipients include Shobhana Bhartia, Shyam Bhartia, Claudia Goldin, Kul Chandra Gautam ’72, Charles “Ed” Haldeman ’70, Fiona Harrison ’85 and Dave Newman.
