Roger L. Gregory

The Honorable Roger L. Gregory was a fire-scarred baby with “rickety legs” and asthma when he was adopted by Virginia tobacco workers. He grew up to become the first Black judge to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He joined the majority in 2014 in Bostic v. Schaefer, which declared Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Before joining the bench, Gregory co-founded the Richmond law firm of Wilder & Gregory in 1982 with future Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder.

Gregory has served on numerous associations and boards in law, government and philanthropy. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University and his law degree from the University of Michigan School of Law.

On the anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, April 13 (known locally as Founder’s Day), the University of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello join together to present the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medals to recognize achievements of those who embrace endeavors in which Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and third U.S. president, excelled and held in high regard. These medals are the highest external honors bestowed by the University of Virginia, which grants no honorary degrees. For information on Founder’s Day, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medals and the 2024 recipients, click here.