Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will address graduates on the Lawn May 22 as part of the University's 182nd graduation ceremony.
University President Teresa A. Sullivan officially selected McDonnell after his name was put forth by the Committee on Commencement and Convocations, which is comprised of student, staff and faculty members, University spokesperson Carol Wood said. The University traditionally invites the newly elected state governor to speak at commencement during the year of his inauguration. If not for former University President John T. Casteen, III's retirement last year, McDonnell likely would have been invited to speak at the 2010 ceremony, as he won the gubernatorial election in 2009.
"Last year the committee wanted to stray from tradition to ask Casteen to be the speaker, as it was his final year," Wood said. "We deferred the invitation to this year. It was a unanimous choice from the committee."
No one else was considered to speak at the commencement ceremony this year, said John Buttram, president of Fourth-Year Trustees and committee member.
"This was a one-nominee, unanimous year," Wood said.
The traditional process of choosing a guest speaker at Final Exercises requires each member of the Public Occasions Subcommittee at the Office of Major Events to present a list of potential speakers to the meeting, Wood said. Subcommittee Chair Alexander "Sandy" Gilliam then compiles a list of 5-10 nominations before the University president makes the final decision as to who the guest speaker will be.
Although it is customary at other institutions, the University does not give honorary degrees to commencement speakers.
"Jefferson did not believe in honorary degrees; nor do we pay for speakers to come to commencement," Wood said, adding that most commencement ceremony speakers have a relationship with the University. "It may be an [alum], a parent of a student or someone with some sort of connection with the University."
In addition to his role as governor, McDonnell is connected to the University through his twin sons, who are currently first-year students.
"The governor is honored to receive the invitation to deliver the commencement address at Mr. Jefferson's university. He has always enjoyed visiting the Grounds," McDonnell spokesperson Jeff Caldwell stated in an e-mail. "He looks forward to the opportunity to speak to the fourth-years this May"
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