2023 Commencement Speaker

Mark Murphy
President and CEO, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy will be the commencement speaker at St. Norbert College on Sunday, May 14, at 11 a.m. in the Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center on campus. In addition to giving the commencement address, Murphy will be given an honorary doctorate. Baccalaureate Mass will take place on Saturday, May 13, at 4 p.m. at the Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center.

“One of the main reasons we wanted to honor Mark is because of his lifelong commitment to higher education,” said St. Norbert College interim president Thomas Kunkel. “He believes in education, he has himself been educated at some of the best institutions of higher learning in the nation, and he and the Packers have strongly supported the educational institutions of Wisconsin, including St. Norbert College. We thank him for his support, and we salute him for his passionate and lifelong commitment to learning,” Kunkel added.

Murphy, possessor of extensive experience in professional football and sports administration, is in his 16th year as the Packers’ President and CEO. Under Mark’s guidance, the organization continues to rank as one of the NFL’s premier franchises, with highly successful operations both on and off the field. On the field, the team has compiled a 164-97-2 overall record (.627), one of the NFL’s top marks during his tenure. Additionally, the club has made 11 playoff trips, including a team-record eight straight from 2009 to 2016, advanced to five NFC Championship games and earned a victory in Super Bowl XLV.

Off the field, the club continues to perform well in its business efforts, which allows the organization to support football operations. The fan experience at Lambeau Field, a top priority for the organization, continues to be ranked among the best in sports.

In the community, the Packers Give Back program has an annual charity impact of more than $9 million. Murphy also is directing the organization’s master plan involving Lambeau Field, the Lambeau Field Atrium, the practice facilities, and property the organization owns neighboring the stadium. Approximately $500 million has been invested in the facilities during Murphy’s tenure. To the west of Lambeau Field, the Packers’ Titletown has become a destination for visitors and residents with more than $300 million ultimately expected to be invested in the mixed-use development. Murphy is also a huge proponent of higher education.

Mark and his wife, Laurie, have four children and five grandchildren.

The board of trustees at St. Norbert College approved a second honorary doctoral degree for Sister Sally Ann Brickner, OSF. A 1967 alum, Sr. Sally Ann earned masters and doctoral degrees in education from Michigan State. In 1970, she returned to the college as a faculty member in education; she would go on to chair the social sciences division and serve as the college's first associate academic dean. Sr. Sally Ann later directed the Peace & Justice Center (now known as the Norman Miller Center) and was instrumental in the creation of the college's Peace & Justice minor.