President of Shenandoah University, Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D will serve as the Randolph-Macon Academy commencement speaker on Saturday, May 30th at 10:00 a.m. in Melton Memorial Gymnasium. She will celebrate with the class, their families, and their friends the success of Randolph-Macon Academy’s 59 seniors, two postgraduates, and five Falcon Scholars, who have already topped $6.5 million in college scholarships and boast a 99% college acceptance rate.
Dr. Fitzsimmons has proudly served as Shenandoah University’s 16th president since 2008. As Shenandoah University’s first female president, she leads 3,700 students, 250 full-time faculty and 475 staff. Fitzsimmons serves on the boards of Shentel (Shenandoah Telecommunications, Inc.), NAICU, Blue Ridge District BB&T Bank, and Powhatan School. Dr Fitzsimmons obtained her undergraduate degree from Princeton and her graduate degree from Stanford.
Leading up to the graduation ceremony on May 30th are a series of other events, some of which are open to the public. On Thursday afternoon the celebration begins with the Athletic Banquet (by invitation only), followed by Class Night at 7:00 pm in Boggs Chapel, in which the most prestigious honors of the year are awarded. The Class President and Salutatorian will give their addresses during Class Night, which is open to the public.
On Friday, May 29th, select seniors will share their memories of R-MA at the Senior Luncheon (by invitation only). This will be followed by the Final Parade at 1:30 pm on Riddick Field, in which the time-honored hat toss will occur. The Final Parade is open to the public.
Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), founded in 1892, is a college-preparatory, coeducational day and boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12. Students in grades 9-12 participate in R-MA’s 91st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and may also participate in an optional in-house flight program. R-MA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is located in Front Royal, VA.