Former Philadelphia Mayor Will Speak at University of Richmond's 171st Commencement
April 20, 2001
Former Philadelphia Mayor Edward G. Rendell will be the speaker at the University of Richmond's 171st commencement on May 13.
The ceremonies will begin at 2 p.m. in the Robins Center. Some 838 students are expected to receive degrees. James T. Laney, former president of Emory University and former U.S. ambassador to South Korea, will give the baccalaureate address at 10 a.m., also in the Robins Center.
Scott B. Parry, chairman of Training House Inc., will speak in a separate commencement ceremony for the School of Continuing Studies at 9:30 a.m. on May 12 in the Robins Center. Seventy-five students will receive degrees or certificates.
Mark R. Warner, Virginia telecommunications entrepreneur and philanthropist, will speak to 162 graduates of the T.C. Williams School of Law in the Robins Center at 2 p.m. on May 12.
As mayor of Philadelphia from 1992-2000, Rendell led the comeback of a city once derided as "the standard for municipal distress in the '90s." The New York Times described Philadelphia's transformation under Rendell's leadership as "one of the most stunning turnarounds in recent urban history."
Rendell also served as general chair of the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 presidential election. In that position, he served as his party's primary spokesperson and chief fund-raiser. Ironically, his administration successfully landed the 2000 Republican Convention that nominated George W. Bush for president. Rendell will be recognized with the honorary degree of doctor of laws.
Warner is a founding partner of Columbia Capital Corp., a technology venture capital fund based in Alexandria and one of the largest such funds in the mid-Atlantic region. He will receive the honorary degree of doctor of laws.
Parry, a psychologist, consultant and trainer, has conducted workshops for educators and training directors in Africa, Europe, South America, Asia and Australia under the sponsorship of UNESCO, the Ford Foundation and private corporations.
Ambassador to South Korea from 1993-97, Laney played a key role in defusing the 1994 nuclear crisis with North Korea. He is distinguished service professor of ethics and senior fellow in ethics at the Center for Ethics in Public Policy and the Professions at Emory. He will receive the honorary degree of doctor of laws.
Three others also will receive honorary degrees. K. Randel Everett, president of the John Leland Center for Theological Studies in Falls Church, will receive an honorary doctor of divinity degree.
William B. Graham, retired president of The Consulting Company, will receive an honorary doctor of commercial science degree. A Richmond alumnus and trustee emeritus, Graham also is retired senior vice president of The Continental Financial Services.
Neil deGrasse Tyson, who is the first occupant of the Frederick P. Rose directorship of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, will receive the honorary degree of doctor of science.
Receiving trustees' distinguished awards will be Patricia C. Harwood, dean of Westhampton College and associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences of the University of Richmond from 1986-2000; and W. Dortch Oldham, retired president of Dortch Oldham Investments. Oldham is an alumnus and trustee emeritus.
Three others who received honorary doctorates during the academic year will be noted. Comedian Lily Tomlin and former Metropolitan opera diva Roberta Peters received honorary doctor of fine arts degrees, and Paul C. Sawyer, chairman and former owner of Richmond International Raceway, received an honorary doctor of commercial science degree.