The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE – Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling will be the speaker for the 43rd commencement exercises at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Friday, May 14 in the Convocation Center.
The program will begin at 7 p. m.
“We are honored to have Mr. Bolling as our commencement speaker this year,” DSLCC President Dr. Richard Teaff said today. “He is a strong advocate for community colleges and acknowledges the key role that they play in developing Virginia’s workforce for current and emerging jobs. We are pleased that he has taken the time to join us as we honor the achievements of our graduates and wish them well as they enter the workforce or continue their education at a four-year college or university.”
Bolling, who is serving his second term as Virginia’s lieutenant governor, was born and raised in the coalfields and was the first member of his family to graduate from college.
He first sought elected office in 1991 and served as a member and chairman of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. While serving in local government, he also served as chairman of the Greater Richmond Economic Development partnership. Bolling was elected to the Senate of Virginia in 1995 where he has served to create a pro-businesses environment in Virginia.
He sponsored legislation to create a children’s health insurance program in Virginia and has led the fight to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.
In 2005, Bolling was elected to serve as the 40th lieutenant governor of the commonwealth. During his first term, he used his office to help focus public attention on a number of important health care issues such as obesity, cervical cancer, asthma and cardiovascular fitness.
In 2007, Bolling launched a major statewide initiative “100 Ideas for the Future of Virginia.” Through a series of Town Hall “idea raisers,” he involved the people of Virginia in developing a long term strategy for addressing the most important issues facing the state.
He was reelected to a second four-year term as lieutenant governor in 2009 running with Gov. Bob McDonnell. During his second term, Bolling’s focus will be on getting Virginia’s economy moving again and creating jobs.
