Gov. Terry McAuliffe to deliver 2014 University Commencement address May 16
Continuing the tradition of inviting new Virginia governors to deliver the commencement address, new Virginia governor Terence "Terry" McAuliffe will address Virginia Tech's Class of 2014 during University Commencement exercises to be held on Friday, May 16, at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field.
The University Commencement ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. A complete schedule of commencement ceremonies and additional commencement information can be found on the commencement website.
“All new Virginia governors since 1990 have graciously accepted Virginia Tech’s invitation to speak to our graduating students,” said President Charles W. Steger. “With his impressive record of achievement in both government and business, Gov. McAuliffe will inspire our graduates and provide meaningful insights during the commencement celebration."
Since 1990, first-year Virginia governors L. Douglas Wilder, George F. Allen, James S. Gilmore III, Mark R. Warner, Timothy M. Kaine, and Robert F. McDonnell have delivered the commencement address at Virginia Tech.
McAuliffe took office as the 72nd Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia in January 2014.
A successful businessman and entrepreneur who has lived in Virginia for more than 20 years, McAuliffe previously served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005, was co-chairman of President Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign, and was chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign.
Since becoming governor, McAuliffe has worked to help grow Virginia’s economy, expand access to health care, and increase educational opportunities for students.
As Virginia's governor, McAuliffe has worked to ensure that Virginia is open and welcoming to all. On his first day in office, he signed Executive Order Number 1, which prohibits discrimination in state government based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
McAuliffe and his wife Dorothy were married in 1988 and they have five children: Dori, Jack, Mary, Sally, and Peter.
McAuliffe attended Catholic University and Georgetown Law School.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
