SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu on Sept. 25, 2024, presented Bob Moritz, Class of 1985, with the prestigious Presidential Medal during the inaugural Sheldon Lecture on the university’s main campus in Oswego.

The award recognizes Moritz’s profound contributions to not only his alma mater, but the global business community through his four decades with the international professional service firm, PwC, including eight as its global chairman.

“You indeed embody the qualities exemplified by our university founder, Edward Austin Sheldon,” President Nwosu said. “In recognition of your exceptional leadership, service and commitment to higher education, it is my great honor to now present you with the Presidential Medal for Distinguished Leadership and Service.”

After receiving the award, Moritz addressed the students in attendance: “For me to do all the things that I’ve done, that just tells you the world is yours to take. Just make sure you go out and take advantage of the opportunities you’re given to make this world a better place.”

Moritz retired from his position as global chairman of PwC on June 30 after serving 39 years with the firm. PwC is a professional services network of 375,000 people around the world providing audit, tax, consulting and deals services around the world to build trust and drive sustained outcomes for the world’s most pressing problems. 

As global chair, Moritz led the international network’s leadership teams, championed diversity and inclusion and the focus on digitization, set strategy and enhanced the brand of PwC through quality service to its stakeholders. He was also PwC’s representative on the Global Public Policy Committee, which brings together senior partners from the six large international accounting networks (BDO, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, KPMG and PwC) to participate constructively in matters concerning global public policy to advance the public interest and to enhance public confidence in the profession.

Prior to taking on the global role, Moritz led the U.S. firm of PwC as its chairman and senior partner for seven years. He has been with PwC his entire career, joining in 1985 and becoming a partner in 1995. He has an audit and assurance background, primarily dealing with financial services, banking and capital markets clients. During the course of his career, he spent three years with PwC Japan.

Moritz continues to chair the Global Leadership Council of Generation Unlimited and sits on its Board, a UNICEF-affiliated organization, which focuses on helping young people develop skills for the future. He was also a member of the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum, a trustee of The Conference Board, a member of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, and chairman and member of the International Business Leaders’ Advisory Council (IBLAC) to Shanghai. He serves on the Board of Directors of Walmart Inc., and is a member of the board’s Audit Committee and the Technology and eCommerce Committee.

Moritz is a member of the Oswego University Foundation Board of Directors and a graduate of Oswego’s accounting program. He is a long-time supporter of his alma mater, a 2012 recipient of the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society honorary member award and a 2018 recipient of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the State University of New York.

Prior to receiving the Presidential Medal, Moritz was the featured speaker in the inaugural Sheldon Lecture on Leadership and Service, established in 2024 by SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu as a premier event that occurs annually during Founder’s Weekend and features a notable guest speaker of exceptional accomplishment to share their experience and wisdom with the Laker community. 

The informal “fireside chat” Q&A format provides the SUNY Oswego and broader community access to a distinguished leader as well as an opportunity to be part of the conversation.

The inaugural Sheldon Lecture covered Moritz’s early years and his SUNY Oswego college experience, the developmental moments at PwC that informed his leadership style and expertise, the qualities of an effective leader, the impact of artificial intelligence on our future and the responsibility of individuals to learn about political candidates before casting a vote. He also shared a brief summary of what he planned to discuss in the United Nations Generation Unlimited (GenU) assembly on the next day, Sept. 26.

The event was part of Inauguration Week activities leading up to President Nwosu's formal inauguration on Sept. 27.

To view a recording of that conversation, visit the university’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/sunyoswegovideo.