During halftime at the UVA-NC State basketball game on Monday, in between Justin Anderson sightings and watching the Hoos keep the JPJ Streak alive, the University announced the keynote speaker for the 2016 Valedictory Exercises at UVA by playing this video.
Yes, Sarah Drew is going to be our Valediction speaker. "Grey's Anatomy" fans, get excited, because this UVA College of Arts and Sciences Class of 2002 graduate is coming back to Charlottesville. Valedictory Exercises kicks off the first day of the Final Exercises weekend. It is the undergraduate ceremony where the Fourth Year Trustees present the Class Gift and the Class Awards.
Drew, who was onstage in a production of "Vincent in Brixton" months after graduating from the University, quickly found her groove in the acting industry. She followed her Broadway appearance with TV roles ranging from "Everwood" to "Mad Men," and joined the cast of "Grey's Anatomy" in its sixth season.
In their search for the Valediction Speaker, Jasmine Chiu, who is the chair of the Fourth Year Class's Graduation Committee, said, "My committee and I collaborated last spring and came up with a list of qualities we admire and from their chose a speaker to pursue. We were searching for a driven individual and also someone who is relatable. That search landed us Sarah Drew!"
The Committee then wrote a letter to her and Chiu received a reply from Drew saying she was interested. Chiu continued, "I was over the moon! I am excited to meet her in person in May and hear her speech. Given her clear demonstration of passion and perseverance, we believe our class will greatly benefit from her insight and advice."
One interesting aspect of UVA's approach to acquiring speakers for Final Exercises weekend is that there is not an actual budget or award offered to the speakers. Chiu explains, "While other schools pay commencement speakers and give them honorary degrees, the University of Virginia only provides travel and lodging expenses. So when someone says yes to a UVA invitation, it's extra special because they feel strongly about speaking."
Sarah Drew was very involved with the University when she was a student here, as Chiu says, "During [Drew's] time here, she was heavily involved with the drama department and starred in a few productions, including Tom Stoppard's 'Arcadia.' We believe that as an alumna, she will speak very powerfully to us as she understands UVA and the unique school culture and [how she] was able to apply experiences from the University to a professional career."
Sarah Drew joins the lineup of speakers for Final Exercises weekend, with former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove, who will address the College of Arts and Sciences on Saturday, May 21, and Dean Paul Mahoney, the dean of the School of Law at the University of Virginia, who will be addressing the graduates of the other ten schools of the University on Sunday, May 22.
Though Final Exercises have experienced several changes in the past two years, Chiu says, that "I don't think [the changes] have taken away from the grand experience. Last year was the first time they separated the College from the other schools, and it all worked out really well. Although we won't be walking together, we can all enjoy Valedictory Exercises [together]." One of the changes this year is that students will be given six tickets instead of four, which, as Chiu says, "will allow for more family and friends, and with more people, the Lawn is going to be so full of energy. The vibrant atmosphere will be hard to forget."
So we have our speakers, we get to actually walk through the Rotunda, and Cap and Gown week has come and gone. May is quickly approaching, so get ready for a weekend to remember!
