Roger Williams to give Lamar University Commencement Address
Austin, Texas – Texas 105th Secretary of State, and current Texas U.S. Senate hopeful, Roger Williams, will be the commencement speaker at Lamar University’s 2009 graduation ceremony on Saturday morning, May 16.
Williams, who is known for his motivational and inspirational speeches, will address the largest spring commencement in the University’s history. There will be nearly 1,000 graduates from 15 countries and 19 U.S. States.
Williams is one of those rare people who has been successful in professional and college sports, successful in business and successful in American politics at the highest level. Williams has been a confidant of American Presidents, Governors and business leaders. Known for his optimism, Williams will have a message of hope for graduates in a difficult economic time.
“After the stock market crash of 1929, the Americans who graduated from college in 1930 seemed to have a bleak future,” said Williams. “But those were the very people who learned from the tough times and went on 10 years later to lead and make America the most powerful nation the world has ever known. This spring’s graduates will have a similar future if they so choose. I am honored to give them a sendoff and I will be excited to watch what they achieve.”
Roger Williams announced an exploratory committee for the United States Senate on December 12, 2008. Williams is a former professional baseball player and former college head coach, he is best known for his 35 years as a successful businessman and as Texas’ 105th Secretary of State. As Secretary of State, Williams worked tirelessly to promote economic development, investment and job creation across Texas. He also served as the state’s Chief Liaison for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs as well as Chair of the state’s 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Response Strike Force. Williams’ civic activities include serving on the Board of Trustees for the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University where he co-chairs the school’s capital fundraising campaign. Williams is also a member of the Texas Christian University Board of Trustees, his alma mater. He also serves on the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors as well as serving on the Admiral Nimitz Foundation Board of Directors in Fredericksburg, Texas.