R-MA Class of 2017 has 100% college acceptance rate, commencement slated for Saturday

R-MA will hold its 125th Commencement ceremony on Sat., May 27th at 10:00 a.m. in Melton Memorial Gymnasium.

FRONT ROYAL– Randolph-Macon Academy’s Class of 2017 has continued the R-MA tradition of 100% of the class earning college acceptances, according to the school’s Director of Public Relations, Celeste M. Brooks.

 She said in a media release that the 59 seniors and two post-graduate students have earned 242 acceptances to 145 different colleges and universities, with nearly $6 million in college scholarship offers. Additionally, seven Falcon Scholars at R-MA earned admission to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Every member of the Class of 2017 has indicated that they will attend college in the fall.

R-MA will welcome Maj. Gen Mark Anthony Brown as the commencement speaker at the Academy’s 125th Graduation Ceremony, scheduled for 10:00 a.m., May 27, 2017 in Melton Memorial Gymnasium. 

According to his Air Force biography, Gen Brown “is the Vice Commander, Air Education and Training Command (AETC), Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. AETC recruits, trains and educates Air Force personnel. It includes the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered air forces and Air University, and operates 1,396 trainer, fighter and mobility aircraft, 23 wings, 12 bases, and five geographically separated groups. The command trains more than 293,000 Airmen per year with approximately 62,000 active-duty, Reserve, Guard, civilian and contractor personnel.”   

Brooks said, “Randolph-Macon Academy is excited to welcome Gen Brown as the 2017 commencement speaker.” 

In the days leading up to commencement, Class Night will be held Thursday, May 25th at 7:00 p.m. in Boggs Chapel.  At that time, the highest awards of the year will be presented and the class president and the salutatorian will give remarks to those gathered.

On Friday, May 26th, the seniors will receive a blessing during the baccalaureate service at 9:30 a.m., and then share memories in Turner Hall during the Senior Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.  The group will then celebrate their graduation from the Air Force JROTC program during the Final Parade on Riddick Field at 2:00 p.m.

Saturday morning, the Class of 2017 will gather one final time to garner wisdom from what Gen. Brown has to share and hear from their valedictorian before they march across the stage to receive their diplomas from R-MA President Brigadier General David C. Wesley, USAF, Retired.