WASHINGTON — Georgetown University has a new president. The school's board of directors unanimously voted to name Eduardo M. Peñalver as the university's 49th president. He will begin his new role on July 1, 2026.

Peñalver is currently the president of Seattle University, where he has served since 2021. He was the first layperson to lead the Catholic, Jesuit institution since its founding in 1891. He is also a Rhodes Scholar and the former dean of Cornell Law School.

Peñalver will succeed Interim President Robert M. Groves, who has led Georgetown for the past year after former President John J. DeGioia stepped down from his role in 2024 to recover from a stroke.

“We are pleased to welcome Eduardo Peñalver to Georgetown University,” said Thomas A. Reynolds, chair of the board of director

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