More than 6,200 students have degrees in hand and can now call themselves University of Virginia alumni. Governor Bob McDonnell delivered the commencement address Sunday at the university's 182nd final exercises. McDonnell stressed the importance of political tolerance and urged graduates to reject cynicism.
"If you work hard, if you dream big, if you be honest, if you love your neighbor, if you pursue opportunity, you can still be anything you want to be in the United States of America," he stated.
This was President Teresa Sullivan's first commencement, but the last for Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Leonard Sandridge. He's been with the university for more than 40 years. His replacement, Michael Strine, was also on hand.
