Newly Inaugurated McDonnell Set To Speak At Charter Day
Curt Mills | Associate Features Editor
Last Updated:2/3/10 Section: News
Governor Bob McDonnell has had his fair share of big time speaking slots as of late. Fresh off giving the GOP response to President Obama's State of the Union address, McDonnell later this week will give the keynote address at the College's annual Charter Day ceremony, held this year on February 5th and 6th. McDonnell is slated to speak on the 6th.
Being tapped by the Republican leadership to give the GOP's national retort to Obama was a big honor. That speaking slot is generally reserved for a party's "rising stars" (for instance, the last time the President gave a speech to a joint session of Congress, well-known Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal gave the responding speech). McDonnell's speech last week was generally considered to be a success, far better than the one given by Jindal last year that was widely ridiculed.
Despite suddenly being in the national spotlight, McDonnell's office nonetheless seemed very enthusiastic about the Governor's speech to the College. "The Governor is very excited to be speaking at William and Mary next Saturday. Charter Day is a tradition almost as great as the College itself. He loves the school and the town of Williamsburg as well. Governor McDonnell was honored to be chosen as the keynote speaker," according to a McDonnell spokeswoman reached by phone.
McDonnell's speech is expected to be relatively apolitical, considering the occasion. The Governor's speech is expected to more inspirational, than persuasive. Still, it is not out of the question that the Governor may touch on some touchy College-specific issues: budget cuts, etc.
It should be noted that McDonnell's appearance at the event is bittersweet for some. Although almost all are impressed that the Governor will be attending the event, for friends of W&M student Gus Deeds '11, it is hard not to think about what could have been. Gus Deeds is the son of McDonnell's election opponent, state senator R. Creigh Deeds.
In addition to giving the speech, McDonnell will receive an honorary degree from the College. President Reveley will give him an LL.D, or a doctor of law. As stated on Charter Day's webpage, "Honorary degrees are typically awarded by the College at Charter Day and Commencement ceremonies as well as other special events to distinguished individuals. The tradition was begun in 1756 with the granting of an honorary degree to Benjamin Franklin."
Being tapped by the Republican leadership to give the GOP's national retort to Obama was a big honor. That speaking slot is generally reserved for a party's "rising stars" (for instance, the last time the President gave a speech to a joint session of Congress, well-known Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal gave the responding speech). McDonnell's speech last week was generally considered to be a success, far better than the one given by Jindal last year that was widely ridiculed.
Despite suddenly being in the national spotlight, McDonnell's office nonetheless seemed very enthusiastic about the Governor's speech to the College. "The Governor is very excited to be speaking at William and Mary next Saturday. Charter Day is a tradition almost as great as the College itself. He loves the school and the town of Williamsburg as well. Governor McDonnell was honored to be chosen as the keynote speaker," according to a McDonnell spokeswoman reached by phone.
McDonnell's speech is expected to be relatively apolitical, considering the occasion. The Governor's speech is expected to more inspirational, than persuasive. Still, it is not out of the question that the Governor may touch on some touchy College-specific issues: budget cuts, etc.
It should be noted that McDonnell's appearance at the event is bittersweet for some. Although almost all are impressed that the Governor will be attending the event, for friends of W&M student Gus Deeds '11, it is hard not to think about what could have been. Gus Deeds is the son of McDonnell's election opponent, state senator R. Creigh Deeds.
In addition to giving the speech, McDonnell will receive an honorary degree from the College. President Reveley will give him an LL.D, or a doctor of law. As stated on Charter Day's webpage, "Honorary degrees are typically awarded by the College at Charter Day and Commencement ceremonies as well as other special events to distinguished individuals. The tradition was begun in 1756 with the granting of an honorary degree to Benjamin Franklin."
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