Joe Biden Skips Notre Dame Speech amid Petition Criticizing His Abortion Views On 5/24/21 at 10:53 AM EDT President Joe Biden did not deliver the commencement speech at the University of Notre Dame this year, in a break from the tradition of presidents or vice presidents addressing students at the institution during their first year in the White House. Jimmy Dunne, who is a financial expert and trustee of the Indiana-based Catholic university, gave the commencement speech for graduating students on May 23. The announcement of Dunne came as a surprise as during the last three administrations, either the president or vice president has addressed graduating students in their first year in office.