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The Honorable James W. Dyke, Jr. |
Randolph-Macon College President Robert R. Lindgren is pleased to announce that James W. Dyke, Jr. will receive the Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree at the college’s Commencement Ceremony which will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at the Frank E. Brown Fountain Plaza at R-MC.
Lindgren cited Dyke’s active leadership role in his field, in education and in his community as a “stellar example of the importance of being involved and giving back.” He continued, “We are honored to have Mr. Dyke join us for this time of celebration.”
James W. Dyke, Jr. is a partner with the law firm of McGuireWoods in McLean, Virginia. His broad practice covers corporate, legislative, education, governmental relations, and municipal law. He is highly regarded for his government service having been appointed Virginia Secretary of Education under Governor L. Douglas Wilder from 1990 - 1993, and as Domestic Policy Advisor to Vice President Walter Mondale from 1977 - 1981.
A recognized leader, Dyke serves on numerous boards and committees. He previously served as chairman of the Fairfax County, Virginia Chamber of Commerce; chairman of the Northern Virginia Community College Educational Foundation; and chairman of the Emerging Business Forum, an organization focused on enhancing minority and women entrepreneurs’ access to capital. Currently, Dyke is chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of District of Columbia in Washington, DC. and an Advisory Board Member at George Washington University, Virginia Campus. He also serves on the board of directors for Washington Gas Holding; Maryland Chamber of Commerce; the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV); and the Commission to Restructure Virginia’s Tax Structure. In 2010, he will become chairman of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, which is the largest regional business organization in the Washington, DC area.
Dyke has been listed in Washingtonian magazine’s list of “150 Most Powerful People” in the Washington, DC region and has won the J. Michael Brown award from DuPont for his accomplishments in diversity, recruiting and mentoring in the legal profession. He earned his B.A. and J.D. from Howard University and has received four honorary doctor degrees from various universities.
He and wife, Ellen, live in Northern Virginia.