Ralph B. Everett will deliver the address at Virginia State University's 2012 Fall Commencement Convocation on Saturday. Nearly 400 graduates are expected to participate in the exercises, beginning at 10 a.m. in Daniel Gymnasium. VSU will also bestow upon Everett an Honorary Doctor of Laws. The University will also present a posthumous degree to the family of Jordan Greer-Rogers and honor Dr. Rana Singh as professor emeritus.

On Jan. 1, 2007, Everett was appointed president and CEO of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, widely acknowledged as the nation's leading think tank for policy analysis and research on issues of concern to African Americans and other people of color. His visionary plan of action is centered on launching four new institutes, designed to strengthen the effectiveness and visibility of the Joint Center's work. They include Institutes on Media and Technology, Civic Engagement and Governance, Climate Change and Education Policy and Opportunity.

Read more at the Petersburg (VA) Progress-Index.