Provost Cyril R. Clarke to deliver fall 2025 University Commencement address
Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril R. Clarke will deliver the keynote address at Virginia Tech’s University Commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 19.
Clarke has served as the university’s provost since January 2019 after serving in an interim capacity since November 2017. During that time, he worked closely with President Tim Sands, the college deans, and university administration and governance to advance the university’s impact as a 21st century global land-grant institution. In May, Clarke announced he was stepping down from his position as provost to return to the faculty.
His leadership has been pivotal during key times for the university, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where he led the university’s academic enterprise in maintaining its educational and research mission while protecting the health and safety of the community. Clarke also co-sponsored the Task Force on Freedom of Expression and Inquiry, which outlined the university’s commitment to freedom of speech and academic freedom.
Clarke joined Virginia Tech as dean of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013, where he deepened the college’s relationship with public health approaches as part of its One Health initiative. His research in veterinary health focuses on the interactions between antibacterial agents, animal patients, and infectious microbes, for which he’s received the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence.
He has held leadership positions in numerous veterinary medicine organizations, including as president of the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology and the board of directors for the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.
Prior to Virgina Tech, Clarke served the Louis Bates Acheson Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University. He earned his professional veterinary degree from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, a Ph.D. in veterinary pharmacology from Louisiana State University, and a master’s degree in higher education from Oklahoma State University.
Information on the Graduate School commencement speakers will be announced soon.
