Apr 25th, 2008
Jackson, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander will deliver the keynote address as Jackson State Community College holds its 40th Commencement Exercises at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at Oman Arena. The college is concluding its 40th anniversary celebration with the graduation ceremony.
As Chairman of the Republican Conference, Alexander is the third-ranking Senate Republican leader. He is the only Tennessean ever popularly elected both governor and United States Senator and the first Tennessee Republican to serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee. He also serves on committees overseeing education, clean air, highways, science, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Alexander has been U.S. Education Secretary, University of Tennessee president, and professor at Harvard's School of Government. He chaired the National Governors Association and President Reagan's Commission on Americans Outdoors. In private life, he helped found the nation's largest provider of worksite day care.
In his campaign for governor, Lamar Alexander walked 1,000 miles across Tennessee in his now famous red-and-black-plaid shirt. Once elected, he helped Tennessee become the third largest auto producer and the first state to pay teachers more for teaching well. He started Tennessee's Governor's Schools for outstanding students.
He is a classical and country pianist and the author of seven books, including "Six Months Off," the story of his family's life in Australia after he was governor.
Lamar Alexander met Honey Buhler at a staff softball game when he worked for Senator Howard H. Baker of Tennessee and she worked for Senator John G. Tower of Texas. They were married in 1969 and have four children. He is a Presbyterian elder.
The college will confer the degrees of associate of arts, associate of science and associate of applied science to more than 500 students. More than one-third of those students will graduate with honors.
The commencement ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at Oman Arena with music to begin at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Jackson State at 424-3520.