The Roanoke Times | File 2008

Virginia Tech students process into Lane Stadium for the universitywide graduation ceremony in May 2008. This year's ceremony will be held May 15.

The governor is coming -- to Radford University, at least.

Gov. Tim Kaine will make his fifth trip to Radford since 2005 when he speaks at the May 9 commencement ceremony. Kaine has visited the campus to campaign, attend the inauguration of university President Penelope Kyle and host a town hall meeting. This will be the first time he has spoken at its commencement.

He was the keynote speaker at Virginia Tech's commencement ceremonies in 2006.

In a written statement, Kyle highlighted the long-standing relationship the university has had with Kaine and his wife, Anne Holton.

"Governor Kaine has been an exemplary public servant and advocate of higher education, and we are thrilled that he accepted our invitation in this, the final year of his administration," she wrote.

Kaine will receive an honorary degree, Doctor of Letters, from Radford during his visit. He will speak at the University of Richmond's commencement the next day.

Here's a look at speakers and other details of commencement ceremonies in Southwest Virginia this month.

Ferrum College

When: Saturday

Speaker: Belle Wheelan, president of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Number of graduates: 145

Details: 10:30 a.m. on the lawn in front of Adams Lake (rain location: Swartz Gymnasium)

Roanoke College

When: Saturday

Speaker: William Coleman, a civil rights lawyer

Number of graduates: 439

Details: 10 a.m. on the front lawn of the Salem campus (rain location: Bast Center)

Radford University

When: May 9

Speaker: Gov. Tim Kaine

Number of graduates: 1,476 undergraduates and 310 graduate students

Details: 10:30 a.m. on Moffett Lawn (rain location: Dedmon Center and Bondurant Auditorium)

Jefferson College of Health Sciences

When: May 15

Speaker: Inspirational speaker and comedian Brett Leake

Number of graduates: 229 undergraduates and 10 graduate students

Details: 11 a.m. at the Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum

Virginia Western Community College

When: May 15

Speaker: Edwin Hall, president and CEO of Hall Associates Inc.

Number of graduates: 686

Details: 6:30 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center

New River Community College

When: May 15

Speaker: Montgomery County schools Superintendent Tiffany Anderson

Number of graduates: 350

Details: 6:30 p.m. in Room 177 of Edwards Hall

Virginia Tech

When: May 15

Speakers: U.S. Air Force Gen. Lance Smith (undergraduate ceremony) and Nicholas Taubman, retired chairman and CEO of Advance Auto Parts (graduate ceremony)

Number of graduates: 3,800 undergraduates and 1,300 graduate students

Details: 3 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum for graduate ceremonies; 7:30 p.m. in Lane Stadium for undergraduates (rain location: Cassell)

Virginia Military Institute

When: May 16

Speaker: Gen. David Petraeus

Number of graduates: 260

Details: 11 a.m. in Cameron Hall

Hollins University

When: May 17

Speaker: Wyndham Robertson, a member of the Hollins class of 1958 who also serves on the school's board of trustees

Number of graduates: 178 undergraduates and 67 graduate students

Details: 10 a.m. on the Front Quadrangle of the Roanoke County campus (rain or shine)

Washington and Lee University

When: June 4

Speakers: University President Kenneth Ruscio and president of the Student Executive Committee, Richard Cleary

Number of graduates: 422 undergraduates and 144 graduates from the law school

Details: 10 a.m. on the front lawn near Lee Chapel (rain location: Cameron Hall at Virginia Military Institute)