HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – (May 5, 2010) – Virginia Delegate S. Chris Jones will serve as commencement speaker for Tidewater Community College’s 50th graduation exercises on Friday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center, Norfolk. More than 1,500 students are candidates for associate degrees, certificates or diplomas.

Delegate Jones, just announced as 2010 Delegate of the Year by the Virginia State Police Association, represents the 76th District, a post he has held since 1998. He serves on the following committees: General Laws (chairman), Privileges and Elections, and Appropriations.

President and pharmacist of Bennett’s Creek Pharmacy since 1985, Jones holds memberships in numerous professional organizations including the Virginia Pharmacists Association, the National Community Pharmacist Association, and the American Pharmacists Association. He also is a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy and pharmaceuticals at the Medical College of Virginia, School of Pharmacy.

Jones, a Suffolk resident since 1961 and active in community governance for over 20 years, was mayor of the City of Suffolk from 1992 to 1996, vice mayor from1986 to 1990 and a councilman (Chuckatuck Borough) from 1986 to 1998.

His most recent accolades include: Child Advocate Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Virginia Chapter, 2009; Suffolk’s First Citizen, Suffolk Rotary Club, 2009; Service Award, Virginia Pharmacists Association, 2008; J. Paul Councill, Jr. Community Service Award, 2005; Legislator of the Year, Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education, 2004; Advocate of the Year, Western Tidewater Community Services Board Consumer & Family Advisory Council, 2004.

Delegate Jones, who has a daughter with wife Karen Hope Harrison, attended Randolph Macon College and holds a B.S. in pharmacy from the Medical College of Virginia.

TCC’s commencement celebration includes remarks by the selected Student Speaker, Naikia Cherry-Hill, who has earned her degree from the culinary arts program.

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