Gov. Kaine congratulates Class of 2009 at UVa-Wise Commencement

Gov. Timothy Kaine addresses the Class of 2009.

Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine delivered the keynote address for the 299 graduates of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and hundreds of their friends and family who gathered for the May 16 ceremony at Carl Smith Stadium.

The governor said he has learned a lot from interacting with students and others involved in education during his 15 years in public office.

“You’ve taught me to be more optimistic about tomorrow,” he said. “I see in you a public spirit. I see openness, resilience and a community spirit. I congratulate all of these graduates. Because of all the preparation, love and care you have received, we are expecting very much out of you.”

Education is the most essential thing a government can do, said Governor Kaine, who helped get a $1.6 billion bond package approved last year to improve access to public education.

In 1954, when the College opened, Virginia had a small percentage of its young people in college compared to other states, the governor said. As a result, Virginia was ranked 36th in the nation in per capita income.

Chancellor David J. Prior is surprised with a hug - instead of a traditional handshake  - from Bryan Tolbert of Richmond.

Today, Virginia has strong educational programs from kindergarten through higher education. The Commonwealth ranks fifth in the nation in per capita income, Governor Kaine said. The investment Virginia makes in higher education will keep the state strong, he said.

Virginia has succeeded in higher education, but there is room for improvement, he said. Higher education must continue to be accessible, he added.

“We have to do a lot better,” he said. “There is no successful future for us as a nation if we just basically put a ceiling on higher education. We have to get better at it. That is where UVa-Wise comes in because this school got started precisely to deal with that issue.”

UVa-Wise graduated its first software engineering program students on Saturday. Governor Kaine said the fact that the College is the only one in Virginia to offer software engineering degrees shows UVa-Wise continues in its mission to make education accessible.

Kaine’s father-in-law, Governor Linwood Holton, a native of Big Stone Gap, also attended the ceremony. Holton was governor during the College’s fledgling years. Holton told the crowd he was honored to visit the College again to see all the growth and development.

Emily Atkins of Chester receives a kiss of congratulations from her mother after Commencement.

Chancellor David J. Prior reminded the graduates that they are a part of the growing culture of education in the region, and he urged each one to pass the gift of learning to others in the community. Each graduate received a copy of the book “The Little Engine That Could” as a gift from the College and the Napoleon Hill Foundation. Prior asked the graduates to encourage a child to dream of going to college by reading the book to a youngster in the coming week.

Stephanie Ring reminded her classmates that they took different routes toward graduation, but they all arrived together at the same point and same moment in their lives. Graduation is not a day of finality, she said.

“Learning is a continuous process and experience is a great teacher, but only if you are willing to learn its lessons,” Ring said. “Look back on all that you have achieved, all that you have accomplished and be proud.”

The Class of 2009 will face more obstacles and challenges than other graduating classes in recent times, Andrew Maggard told his fellow classmates in his “Challenge to the Graduates.” An ailing economy and inadequate national leadership has resulted in fewer jobs for today’s graduates, Maggard said.

“But before we begin to criticize those who we feel have failed us, we need to realize we are the future leaders,” Maggard said. “Therefore, I challenge you to harness your anger and frustration and let it motivate you to become the kind of leader that can deliver the change that is so desperately needed.”

Posted May 16, 2009