VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Congresswoman Elaine Luria delivered the 2019 Commencement Address at Virginia Wesleyan University on Saturday, May 18.
Virginia Wesleyan University’s 2019 Commencement Ceremony took place Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m. on the University Commons in front of the Greer Environmental Sciences Center.
I will try to leave you with a message that’s easy to remember,” Congresswoman Elaine Luria told the nearly 290 members of the Virginia Wesleyan University Class of 2019. “Be good and do good work.”
She urged graduates to do good work, regardless of the job and no matter how tedious the task.
“Show people your energy, your talents, your very best. Do good work for those employees you will eventually lead. Set the example for them to follow with not just words, but actions…Your work and potential to do good has only just begun. But for today, take a breath, enjoy it.”
Before being elected in 2018 as a representative of Virginia’s Second Congressional District, Luria served in the Navy for two decades, retiring at the rank of Commander. She served on six ships as a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, deployed to the Middle East and Western Pacific, and culminated her Navy career by commanding a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors.
Now, Luria is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. She is also the Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces.
Rep. Luria graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and received a master’s in engineering management from Old Dominion University.
Virginia Wesleyan recognized Elaine Luria and VWU Board Chair David Kaufman with honorary degrees during the Commencement Ceremony.