Randolph-Macon College Graduates Follow the
“Red Brick Road” to Commencement
2007 Graduates to Begin New Tradition; Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources to Give Commencement Address
Ashland, VA - This year’s more than 220 Randolph-Macon College seniors will follow the “Red Brick Road” as they prepare to graduate on Saturday, June 2, at 10 a.m. at the Frank E. Brown Fountain Plaza off Henry Street. The first to begin this tradition at R-MC, each student will walk across the more than 220 new bricks lining the sidewalk near the fountain – each brick imprinted with the name of a graduating senior.
“The Randolph-Macon College Parents Association wants to honor each student in this special way,” said R-MC President Lindgren, “and also give them something to show their families and children when they return to Randolph-Macon in the future. We plan to continue this tradition for all the graduates from here forward, and we hope this shows our appreciation for what each student brought to R-MC during his or her time here.”
(Note: In the event of rain, R-MC’s 2007 commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in the Brock Recreation Center, located at 400 North Center Street.)
Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant
Will Deliver Commencement Address
R-MC graduate and the Secretary of Natural Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia, L. Preston Bryant Jr., will deliver this year’s commencement address, “Being Given Much Demands Much.”
Secretary Bryant was appointed to his post by Governor Timothy M. Kaine and was sworn into office on Jan. 15, 2006. He is the governor’s principal environmental advisor and oversees more than 2,200 employees and a budget of nearly $565 million. Secretary Bryant’s responsibilities include oversight of all state programs regulating air, water, land conservation, state parks, historic preservation, wildlife management and marine resources.
Prior to joining Governor Kaine’s cabinet, Secretary Bryant served two years on Lynchburg City Council and 10 years in the Virginia House of Delegates, where he represented the City of Lynchburg and Amherst County. Before joining Governor Kaine’s cabinet, Secretary Bryant was a partner at Hurt & Proffitt Inc., a Virginia-based engineering, surveying and planning firm that specializes in the design of major residential, commercial and industrial developments as well as transportation facilities.
Secretary Bryant was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. He earned his B.A. in English in 1986 from Randolph-Macon College, a master’s degree in the humanities in 1988 from the University of Richmond, and an M.A. in modern British literature in 1990 from Royal Holloway College, University of London. He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Richmond, Virginia.
Former Secretary of the Treasury John Snow to be Awarded Honorary Degree
John William Snow, the 73rd U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and the current chairman of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., will be awarded an honorary degree this year. Dr. Snow accepted his position at Cerberus in October 2006 and under his leadership, Cerberus most recently purchased the Chrysler group for $7.4 billion.
Dr. Snow was nominated by President George W. Bush to become the 73rd Secretary of the Treasury in 2003. He was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate and sworn into office in February 2003, and served in this role until June 2006. Prior to becoming Secretary of the Treasury, Dr. Snow was chairman and chief executive officer of CSX Corporation, the global transportation company.
His previous public service includes serving at the Department of Transportation as administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, deputy undersecretary, assistant secretary for governmental affairs, and deputy assistant secretary for policy, plans and international affairs.
An advocate for the value of higher education, Dr. Snow served on Randolph-Macon’s Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1990. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo, and his master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. He later earned his doctoral degree in economics from the University of Virginia, and also his law degree from the George Washington University.
Dr. Snow currently lives in Richmond with his wife Carolyn. They have three children and three grandchildren.
Class of 2007 Begins New Senior Gift Tradition
Each year, the senior class presents the college with a gift upon graduation. This year, the Class of 2007 will be giving money to the “The Fountain Fund,” which will serve as a resource to beautify the area around the Fountain Plaza, a stunning feature anchoring the center of Randolph-Macon’s campus. A bench with a plaque bearing the inscription “Class of 2007” will be placed in the Fountain Plaza to symbolize and commemorate this special gift to R-MC, and it is the hope of this year’s senior class that the Randolph-Macon community will enjoy this bench and special gift for years to come.
Four R-MC Faculty Honored During R-MC’s Honors Convocation Ceremony
Four dedicated R-MC faculty members were honored during the May 18 Honor’s Convocation ceremony at Randolph-Macon. Professors Chris Ryder (music) and Cathy Staples (economics and business) were awarded the Thomas Brach Awards for Excellence in Teaching; Professor Jim Doering (music) was awarded the United Methodist Church Exemplary Teaching Award; and Professor Kelly Lambert (psychology) was presented the Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award. Each of the above professors serve as excellent examples of the qualified and committed professors at R-MC, each devoted to mentoring all R-MC students to achieve their personal best, both in and out of the classroom.