United States Sen. John Warner, R-Va., will join the likes of Franklin Roosevelt, Thurgood Marshall and George H.W. Bush when he delivers the University's Commencement Address May 16.
The University announced Warner's selection Wednesday. The decision was made by a group of students and faculty, although University President John T. Casteen, III had the final say in selecting the speaker, University Spokesperson Carol Wood said.
"It seemed fitting and appropriate to honor the senior senator for Virginia at this time," Wood said.
Casteen said he believes Warner illustrates many principles fostered in the University community.
"He has had a long, distinguished career of advocating government grounded in sound moral principles," Casteen said. "He represents values that we attempt to build within this community. He belongs to it, and has for a half-century or more. He has important things to say."
According to Wood, the University strives to select alumni or parents of alumni to speak at Final Exercises.
"Usually it is someone who has a relationship or connection to the University and it really is a way of our honoring, in many cases, our alumni," Wood said.
Warner is a 1953 graduate of the University Law School. He was elected to his fifth congressional term in November 2002 and is the third-longest-serving United States Senator in commonwealth history. Warner has served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps.
Student Council Vice President for Administration Will Sowers said he supports the University's efforts to have alumni speak at commencements.
"Having alumni is always a benefit at commencement," Sowers said. "They demonstrate to students exactly what they can do with their degrees and how strong our alumni are, not only in Virginia, but across the country."
Unlike many other schools, the University does not give stipends to graduation speakers, Wood said.
"It is part of the tradition and honor to speak at the graduation," she said.
Professional football player Tiki Barber, a 1997 graduate of the Commerce school, will give the Valedictory Address May 15.
The Valediction speaker is selected by students rather than a mix of faculty and students and often is an alumnus, Wood said. Past Valediction speakers include 1998 guest Christopher Reeve, who was treated at the University hospital after a near-fatal horseback riding accident resulted in his paralysis.
According to a press release, ABC News Correspondent Pierre Thomas will speak at Virginia Tech's May 14 commencement.
The College of William & Mary and James Madison University have not announced commencement speakers.
Read More
Professor and researcher Daniel Flannery discusses youth violence and prevention
By Jackie Bond | 2 hours agoDr. Daniel Flannery discussed the cycle of violence from adolescence to adulthood, and the correlation between unrestricted gun access and mass violence.
Board of Visitors ends support for racial diversity goals
By Brendon Bordwine | 14 hours agoThe newly approved resolution, titled “Advancing Free Inquiry and Viewpoint Diversity at U.Va.”, calls for efforts to create a campus environment that supports open political dialogue, constructive debate and respect for differing perspectives.
Student Council unanimously approves Summer 2025 budget
By Lauren Seeliger | 16 hours agoUtilization rates refer to the amount of money actually used within the allocated budget — increasing these rates to prevent wasted money has been a primary goal of Student Council.
