Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam delivered Fisk University 141th Annual Commencement Keynote Address
Governor Bill Haslam, delivered the keynote address during the Fisk University spring commencement exercise on Monday, May 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony was held at The Temple Church – 3810 Kings Lane, Nashville, TN 37209
Born and raised in Knoxville, Tenn., Haslam began serving his current term as governor on Jan. 15, 2011. A graduate of Emory University, he began his career in business, joining his father managing a small chain of gas stations. He later rose to the rank of President of Pilot Corporation, one of the fastest growing independent energy logistics companies in North America, now employing more than 24,000 people at over 650 retail locations.
In 2003, he entered into a career of politics at the urging of friends, and successfully ran for Mayor of Knoxville. Haslam served two terms from 2003 until 2011. In January 2009 he declared his candidacy for Governor. He was elected November 2, 2010, with 65 percent of the vote – winning 90 of 95 counties and securing the largest victory of any non-incumbent gubernatorial candidate in the state’s history.
Governor Haslam will be followed on the commencement program by Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Jackson has had a distinguished career that includes senior leadership positions in academia, government, industry, and research. She holds a S.B. in Physics, and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics–both from MIT. She is the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate from MIT—in any field—and has been a trailblazer throughout her career, including being the first African-American woman to lead a top-ranked research university.