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Array of speakers slated for commencement ceremonies

5/5/2016, 9:44 p.m.
Graduates will jump for joy, parents will beam with pride and speakers will try to inspire a generation of future …

Graduates will jump for joy, parents will beam with pride and speakers will try to inspire a generation of future leaders.

It’s graduation time at colleges and universities across Virginia and the nation.

A diverse and accomplished group of speakers will be delivering commencement addresses. They include President Obama, Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, two professors who helped expose the water contamination crisis in Flint, Mich., and political analyst and author Michael Eric Dyson.

Below is a partial listing of upcoming commencements in Richmond and nearby:

Saturday, May 7

Virginia Union University, 10 a.m., Hovey Field on campus, 1500 N. Lombardy St. Speaker: Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, 3rd District, the first African-American elected to Congress from Virginia since the 1890s.

Norfolk State University, 10 a.m., Norfolk Scope, 215 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk. Speaker: Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim.

Howard University, 10 a.m., the Upper Quadrangle of the main campus, 2400 Sixth St. NW, Washington. Speaker: President Obama.

Sunday, May 8

Hampton University, 10 a.m., Armstrong Stadium on campus, Hampton. Speaker: Author, political analyst and Georgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson.

University of Richmond, 2 p.m., Robins Center on campus. Speaker: Charlayne Hunter-Gault, an award-winning journalist who was the first African-American to enroll at the University of Georgia in 1961.

Friday, May 13

John Tyler Community College, 6:30 p.m., Midlothian campus at 800 Charter Colony Parkway. Speaker: Maurice Jones, Virginia secretary of commerce and trade.

Virginia Tech, 8:30 a.m., Lane Stadium, Blacksburg. Speakers: Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, whose research helped expose the lead contamination of the public water system in Flint, Mich.

Saturday, May 14

Virginia Commonwealth University, 10 a.m., Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St., in Downtown. Speaker: VCU alumnus Pamela El, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for the National Basketball Association.

Sunday, May 15

Virginia State University, 10 a.m., Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St., in Downtown. Speaker: VSU alumna Lashrecse Aird, who represents the 63rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates.

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, 2 p.m., Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. Speaker: Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

Sunday, May 22

University of Virginia, 9 a.m., the campus Lawn, Charlottesville. Speaker: U.Va. School of Law Dean Paul G. Mahoney.