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Dr. James “Bud” Robertson Jr. ’55 |
Randolph-Macon College President Robert R. Lindgren announced that the 2011 Commencement speaker will be noted Civil War historian Dr. James “Bud” Robertson Jr. ’55.
“We are thrilled that Dr. Robertson will serve as our speaker during this important time in Virginia’s history, the 150th anniversary of the Civil War,” said Lindgren. “He is one of the most distinguished historians of the Civil War, but to R-MC, he is family and we are excited to welcome home this notable alumnus.”
Robertson is the recipient of every major award given in the Civil War field. His biography of General “Stonewall” Jackson,
Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend (Macmillan,1997), won eight national awards and was used as the basis for the mega-movie “Gods and Generals.” Robertson served as the chief historical consultant for the film. He has authored or edited more than 20 books, including
Civil War! America Becomes One Nation,
General A.P. Hill, and
Soldiers Blue and Gray.
Robertson is currently the executive director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. According to the university, Robertson’s Civil War Era course attracts 300 students per semester and is the largest of its kind in the nation. He is a charter member of Virginia’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, which was created by the General Assembly of Virginia. Born in Danville, Virginia, Robertson earned a bachelor’s degree in
history from Randolph-Macon College in 1955 and master’s and doctoral degrees from Emory University. In 1980, he was awarded the Honorary Degree Doctor of Letters from R-MC. He has also received an honorary degree from Shenandoah University.
Randolph-Macon College Commencement will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the R-MC Frank E. Brown Fountain Plaza. Click on
2011 Commencement for more information on this year’s events and activities.
Robertson will also give a public lecture, The Civil War: A Legacy for All Americans, on Saturday, May 28 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Blackwell Auditorium, R-MC Center for the Performing Arts. Seating is first come, first served. Robertson will also be available for book signings after the lecture. For media inquiries about this and other R-MC news, please contact Pam Cox at (804) 752-3712 or pamelacox@rmc.edu, or Anne Marie Lauranzon at (804) 752-7317 or alauranz@rmc.edu.