A meme circulating in April 2024 claimed that Joe Biden graduated 76th academically in a class of 85 students at Syracuse University College of Law in 1968. Snopes confirmed the accuracy of this claim, which had been reported by various news outlets dating back to the late 1980s. The meme featured an old photo of Biden with the Rev. William J. Byron, the former president of the University of Scranton, taken at a commencement ceremony in 1976 where Biden received an honorary degree. Despite his low academic ranking, Biden’s career and life went on to be successful beyond his time at Syracuse.
The Syracuse University College of Law Alumni Association once published a letter acknowledging Biden’s academic ranking, noting that statistics do not always predict one’s abilities or future prospects. Although Biden claimed in the past that he finished in the “top half” of his class, the truth was that he ranked near the bottom. This misinformation, along with other false claims and a plagiarism scandal, reportedly played a role in Biden’s decision to drop out of the 1988 presidential race. Snopes reached out to the college for further records on the matter, and will update the story as needed.
The accuracy of Biden’s academic standing at Syracuse University College of Law has been confirmed multiple times over the years by various reputable sources, including The Associated Press, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. The meme that resurfaced online in April 2024 brought attention to this fact, as well as depicted an image of Biden with the Rev. William J. Byron, who had recently passed away at the age of 96. The latter part of Biden’s career and political journey saw him rise to become the President of the United States despite his academic ranking in law school.
Biden’s low finish in his graduating class at law school did not prevent him from achieving success in his life and career. The meme that circulated online served as a reminder of this fact, highlighting his journey from a student ranking near the bottom of his class to a prominent figure in American politics. Despite previous false claims and scandals that impacted his political career, Biden’s perseverance and dedication led him to become the President of the United States. The meme brought attention to his early academic history, shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of his background.
While the meme about Biden’s academic ranking drew attention to his early years at Syracuse University College of Law, it also showcased his ability to overcome challenges and achieve success in his career and public life. The viral nature of this meme brought renewed focus on Biden’s academic history and prompted discussions about the significance of one’s early academic performance in relation to future success. Despite ranking low academically in his law school class, Biden’s accomplishments in politics and leadership demonstrate that success can be achieved through hard work and determination, regardless of early setbacks or challenges.
