Carl Palladino, a 1986 graduate of University of Lynchburg, will be the 2011 commencement speaker during ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m. May 14 in the Dell. About 600 degrees are to be awarded, including 500 bachelor’s and 100 master’s.
In case of rain, a decision about moving indoors will be made by 6:30 a.m. Saturday and put on the home page of the LC website and at 434.544.SNOW (7669). Exercises will be moved into Turner Gymnasium and video streaming will be available at the following sites:
- Sydnor Performance Hall
- Snidow Chapel
- Memorial Ballroom
- Westover Room
- Classrooms or other places that have television
Palladino was chosen for his environmental work to wrap up LC’s Year of Sustainability. In 2004, he formed the Palladino Company, Inc., a small business specializing in a wide range of environmental, training, and safety consulting services to support both government and private clients in the San Francisco area. The company specializes in safety and health, radiation, hazardous materials, and instrumentation.
Prior to forming the company, Palladino did similar work for ERRG, Inc., and Ecology and Environment, Inc. In the latter position, Palladino managed a $9 million EPA environmental investigation of a cancer cluster in McFarland, Calif.
From 1989 to 1991, Palladino was a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon, Africa, where he taught chemistry and directed the NASA/Cameroon Data Exchange Project, an international environmental project between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Government of Cameroon.
After graduating from LC with a degree in chemistry and math, Palladino was a product assurance engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
His interests include running, skiing, backpacking, foreign travel (36 countries and counting), investing, African artifacts, and exotic foods.
The College will award posthumous degrees to Rebecca Kearney of Richmond, Va., and Anna Wright of Ashland, Va. Receiving honorary degrees are: George Dawson, CEO of Centra; Sharon Watkins, 2011 baccalaureate speaker; and F. Edward “Ed” Williams Jr. ’73, ’76 M.Ed., who established LC’s connection with St. Lucia.
Baccalaureate: May 13, 5 p.m., Snidow Chapel
Dr. Sharon Watkins, general minister and president of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada, and Obama’s inauguration sermon speaker, will deliver the baccalaureate address.
Check the complete commencement schedule for more information.
