Virginia's Health and Human Resources Secretary to Speak at VCU Commencement

By Tom Gresham

Marilyn Tavenner, Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the State of Virginia, will speak during Virginia Commonwealth University's 2007 fall commencement exercises on Dec. 8.

Tavenner, who earned a bachelor's degree in Nursing and a master's degree in Health Administration from VCU, oversees 12 state agencies that employ more than 18,000 people. Prior to her appointment in 2006, Tavenner worked for 25 years for the Hospital Corporation of America.

VCU will confer more than 1,600 degrees during the commencement ceremony, which starts at 10 a.m. at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. The SiegelCenter doors will open at 9 a.m.

Media credentials are required for access to the floor of the Siegel Center. The credentials may be obtained from VCU News Services during business hours, beginning Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 816 W. Franklin St., or from a staff member at the Bowe Street entrance of the Siegel Center until 9:45 a.m. on the day of commencement.

Students will receive professional, graduate and undergraduate degrees on Saturday. More information on the commencement exercises can be found at www.vcu.edu/commencement.