FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Steve Vehorn Phone: (804) 523-5229 E-Mail: svehorn@reynolds.edu
FORMER VIRGINIA GOVERNOR WARNER TO SPEAK AT JSRCC COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
RICHMOND, Va (April 24, 2006) - J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College will hold its 33rd Annual Commencement ceremony on Saturday May 13 at 2 p.m. at the VCU Siegel Center/ Alltel Pavilion.
The commencement speaker will be former Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner. JSRCC expects to confer approximately 1000 degrees and certificates to more than 900 students. The program will also recognize 65 students who have earned the GED through the college’s Middle College Program.
The Middle College is a Virginia Community College System initiative designed to offer a college opportunity to students between 18 and 24 who have not completed high school. This college recovery program is designed for those individuals who have had a desire to pursue college coursework, but need to attain a GED certificate first.
In 2004, Governor Warner launched the Middle College pilot programs with a portion of funds from the Workforce Investment Act. The first class had a success rate of more than 70%.
A Democrat who served as Virginia's governor from 2002 to 2006, Governor Warner led a national high school reform effort called Redesigning the American High School as chairman of the National Governors Association in 2004 and 2005. The Tax and Budget Reform effort he led in 2004 resulted in a fairer tax code, a re-affirmed Aaa bond rating for the Commonwealth, and the single largest investment in K-12 education in Virginia history—and the reversal of a decade of disinvestment in higher education.
Governor Warner was featured March 12 on the cover of The New York Times Magazine, which described him as "the bright new star in the constellation of would-be candidates" for president of the United States. He was named in 2005 by TIME magazine “One of America’s 5 Best Governors.”
Parking will be available in the parking decks located on the corner of Harrison and Broad and on the corner of Marshall and Bowe streets
For more information or to request special accommodations, please contact Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations Steve Vehorn at 804-523-5229 or svehorn@reynolds.edu.
