LYNCHBURG—The Honorable Shannon Valentine will serve as Randolph College’s 2011 Commencement speaker Sunday, May 15.
Commencement is scheduled for 10 a.m. in The Dell.
Valentine, a Lynchburg resident, served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2006-2010. With experience as a businesswoman, political candidate and elected official, Valentine speaks across the Commonwealth on issues of ethics, integrity, open government, and effective leadership. She was chosen as Randolph’s Commencement speaker by a committee of faculty, staff, and students.
“Shannon is a charismatic leader who has a sensible approach to issues and who has done a lot for Lynchburg,” said John E. Klein, Randolph’s president. “She inspired many Randolph students, faculty, and staff to work for and help her during her recent campaign. We are proud to have her as our featured speaker.”
While Valentine’s accomplishments have focused on economic development, infrastructure and improving the delivery of health care services, she may be best known for launching Lynchburg’s Northeast Regional rail service and leading the bipartisan effort to invest in intercity passenger rail for the first time in Virginia’s history.
She currently serves on the Board of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation Board, the Lynchburg City Schools Foundation Board, the Board of Trustees for the Bloomfield Corporation serving children and young adults with physical disabilities, and a task force addressing youth violence in Virginia.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Virginia in economics, Valentine also graduated from the Sorensen Institute, and completed a four-year theology course through Sewanee University School of Theology, “Education for Ministry.”
For more information, please see Commencement
