April 17, 2026
Dear Tulane Community,
During the Unified Commencement Ceremony on May 16, 2026, Tulane University will confer honorary degrees upon three extraordinary individuals for their remarkable achievements in science, scholarship and the arts. I am delighted to announce the members of the Honorary Class of 2026.
Linda Birnbaum will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of her far‑reaching contributions to environmental health, toxicology, and public service. An internationally respected microbiologist and toxicologist, she served the public good as a federal scientist for 40 years. After 19 years in a senior leadership role at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, she served as director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program for a decade, overseeing federal research advancing understanding of how environmental exposures affect human health across the lifespan. This work laid the groundwork for a new scientific field known as exposomics. A prolific scholar with more than 700 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Birnbaum currently serves as Scholar in Residence in Environmental Sciences and Policy at Duke University. Her exceptional career has earned her numerous honors including election to the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in medicine and health.
Bruce Frier is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts in Roman legal history. He will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree for his extraordinary scholarly influence as a professor and author of groundbreaking works that explore how ancient legal systems shaped economic, social, and political life. Dr. Frier is the John and Teresa D’Arms Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Classics and Roman Law, Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies, and Professor Emeritus of Law at the University of Michigan, where he has spent over five decades crossing disciplinary boundaries to expand our understanding of Roman social and economic history. As general editor of the first English translation of the Codex of Justinian, he oversaw a team of international scholars to make this cornerstone text more accessible to students and scholars worldwide. Renowned equally as a teacher and mentor, Dr. Frier has inspired generations of students to engage deeply with the humanities and broadened our insight into the foundations of contemporary culture.
Julie Greenwald will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of her visionary leadership in the global entertainment industry. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Tulane in political science and English, Greenwald rose to become one of the most influential executives in modern music, serving for two decades as chair of Atlantic Music Group. Her bold strategic vision, marketing savvy and brilliant management skills have earned her dozens of accolades as one of the industry’s most powerful leaders, including being named the Billboard Women in Music Executive of the Year a record five times. A champion of artistic excellence and authentic expression across genres, she has helped guide the careers of some of the most impactful artists of this generation, from Bruno Mars to Coldplay to Cardi B. During a time of transformative change, she played a central role in reshaping how music is marketed, distributed, and sustained in the digital era.
Each of these honorees will inspire the Tulane Class of 2026 as they prepare to make their own mark on the world. The careers of these three remarkable individuals exemplify the power of curiosity, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership to effect meaningful change and expand human understanding. We are honored to recognize them for their exceptional accomplishments.
