Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin to speak

at Marshall University’s 171^st commencement
 

Earl Ray Tomblin, the longest-serving Senate president in West Virginia history, will be the featured speaker at Marshall University’s 171^st commencement, Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp announced today.

 

Commencement begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in downtown Huntington.

 

“As both an alumnus and a respected state leader, President Tomblin is well deserving of this honor, the highest that Marshall University can bestow,” Kopp said. “He has built an enduring legacy of outstanding leadership and public service as president of the West Virginia Senate. We thank him for his dedication to the citizens of West Virginia and for being a part of this year’s commencement.”

 

Tomblin, a native of Chapmanville in Logan County, has been president of the Senate since Jan. 11, 1995, having since been reelected six times. He began his legislative career in 1974, the same year he graduated from West Virginia University. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Marshall in 1975.

 

“Marshall University has honored me with its invitation to address the 2008 graduating class at its commencement exercises this year,” Tomblin said. “I am particularly proud of the fact that this comes at a time when the Legislature gave its approval for the ‘Bucks for Brains/Bucks for Jobs’ program which will have a tremendous impact on future MU graduates.

 

“As an alumnus, it is also especially gratifying to be able to return to campus in a much different role. It is my great hope that the few words I will offer on this important day will have a significant effect on the graduates, and that they will consider committing themselves to lifetime careers in West Virginia. Our state needs their energy and intellect if we are to make the progress to which Marshall and our state government are also committed.”

 

Tomblin has held just about every major Senate post, including Chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee. During his legislative service, he has sponsored several important legislative initiatives including the School Building Authority, the state’s Rainy Day Fund, tort reform, ethics reform, coal mine safety legislation and more recently, the ‘Bucks for Brains/Bucks for Jobs’ program.

 

Tomblin began his career as a public school teacher, while also developing private business interests. A devoted family man, he is married to the former Joanne Jaeger, a distinguished Marshall alumna who serves as president of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. Their son Brent will be a senior next year at Sen. Tomblin’s alma mater, Chapmanville High School.

 

Recognized nationally as one of the country’s most capable and knowledgeable legislative leaders, Tomblin has held a number of important positions including those of chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference and chairman of the Council of State Governments.