Good morning!
Here’s a look at some of the stories we’ll be following today as they make headlines across Southwest Virginia:
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- Liberty University will hold commencement today. The main ceremony has been moved up to 9:30 a.m. due to the threat of severe weather later today. Gates open at 6 a.m. The student processional will begin at 8:30 a.m. Umbrellas are allowed in Williams Stadium with ponchos available on a first-come, first-served basis. All degree presentation ceremonies originally scheduled for 10 a.m. will move to 1 p.m. The Military Graduate Recognition Ceremony is now at 4 p.m. There are 23,000 students in the Class of 2022, with more than 18,000 of those enrolled in online programs.
- Averett University will hold commencement this weekend. This morning at 9 a.m. is the School of Nursing’s pinning ceremony, where nine graduates will receive their pins. At 11 a.m. there’s a ceremony for one student receiving a post-master’s certificate and two who are receiving their graduate pins. Commencement exercises will be held for everyone else tomorrow at 10 a.m.
- Radford University will celebrate its graduates. Today at 5 p.m., the College of Graduate Studies will host a hooding ceremony for students receiving their master’s and doctoral degrees. The undergraduate ceremony is set for 9 a.m. Saturday.
- Roanoke College will celebrate its graduates this weekend as well. Today at 4 p.m. is Baccalaureate. The Commencement ceremony is Saturday morning at 10 a.m. 450 students will receive their bachelor’s degrees. This is President Michael Maxey’s last commencement as he is set to retire later this summer.
- Today is the last day for the Virginia Lottery’s Thank a Teacher campaign. You can go online and send a note to your favorite teacher. Teachers who receive a thank-you note can enter a drawing for a chance to win a Virginia vacation and $2,500 in supplies for their school.
- Danville Community College will hold its third and final Presidential Candidate Forum today. The candidate will tour the campus before then taking questions from the community. The forum begins at 4 p.m. in Oliver Hall. On Tuesday, the College Advisory board will meet in an executive session to discuss the candidates.
- It’s an annual tradition for thousands in the Roanoke Valley. The Community School’s Strawberry Festival returns for its 42nd year. Enjoy a strawberry shortcake, sundae, berries & cream or chocolate-dipped strawberries. It’s Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Elmwood Park.
- Workers at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant will be wearing red today and every Friday this month in honor of Remember Everyone Deployed. BAE Systems will also make a $5,000 donation to Vittles for Vets in honor of the military community.
- If you’re driving in Roanoke over the next week, you may see some familiar faces on electronic billboards. Lamar Advertising will display the names and pictures of 115 local nurses on four billboards throughout the week for National Nurses Week.
- The Smith Mountain Lake Business Expo is this afternoon. The event gives you a chance to learn about local companies and will also serve as a mini job fair. More than 100 lake-area businesses will be in attendance. It runs from noon to 4 p.m. at EastLake Community Church.
- Gills Creek Marina will hold the annual Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Tournament. It kicks off today and runs through Sunday. Money raised from the tournament will benefit the Smith Mountain Lake Youth Athletics Organization.
Have a great Friday!
