VCU Graduates Urged to Build a Greater Future for their Communities and Country

By Tom Gresham

U.S. Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, D-Va., told students at Virginia Commonwealth University fall commencement exercises on Saturday that graduation symbolizes a turning point in their lives to become the next generation of leaders.

“The education you have worked for gives you tools to profoundly affect your life, your family and your community,” Scott said. “Your education is only a tool – what you do with it is up to you.”

As commencement speaker, Scott outlined the challenges and opportunities faced by graduates in an information and technology-based economy.  He said this is a historic and exciting time, in which graduates will need to use the tools gained through their education to solve challenges such as the economy, health care, terrorism and the environment, and “to hold elected officials accountable not only in their votes, but also in their ethics.”

Scott, who was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from VCU at the ceremony, also acknowledged VCU President Eugene P. Trani and his upcoming retirement as president at the end of the current academic year in June, 2009. Trani will remain at VCU as University Distinguished Professor.

“I want to join the great chorus thanking you, Dr. Trani, for the great and committed job you have done at VCU,” Scott said. “Not only has the university grown tremendously in students and prestige, but under your leadership, so has the community.”

Students received professional, graduate and undergraduate degrees during the ceremony at the Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. The fall commencement, which is in its eighth year at VCU, recognizes both August and December graduates of the university. The combined total of more than 2,400 graduates represented 109 counties and cities across Virginia, 25 of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 38 countries.
   
VCU President Trani praised the graduates’ dedication to service during their time at VCU. 

“The list of ways that you – our students – have given to the Richmond community is extremely long and diverse in scope,” Trani said. “Each one of the Schools and the College has a very strong commitment to service, and it is that commitment that has not only made the difference in your education but has most certainly made a difference in our community. I am extremely proud of the work our students do in this regard.”

Trani also noted that the students were graduating at a special time for VCU – its 40th anniversary, which was marked by a number of events during the fall semester.

“Our theme for the celebrations – ‘40th and Forward’ – speaks not only to our recognition of our proud past, but also to the future,” Trani said. “And looking to the future is at the core of the VCU spirit.”