RANDOLPH, Vt. — Vermont Technical College is pleased to announce that Gordon Sprague will be delivering the commencement speech at the college’s main graduation ceremony, taking place on May 4, 2013. Born and raised on a family dairy farm in Brookfield, Vt., Mr. Sprague will also be awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Science, honoris causa. The commencement ceremony is taking place at 2 p.m. at the Shapiro Field House at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt.
“As a successful farmer and businessperson that has maintained his connection to agribusiness and Vermont, Mr. Sprague is an inspiration to our college community,” said Vermont Tech President Dr. Phil Conroy. “We are thrilled to have him address our new graduates and their families at the Vermont Tech commencement.”
Immediately following high school, Mr. Sprague intended to enroll at Vermont Tech, as was the custom for several Sprague family members, but was instead called to service in the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years. He enrolled at St. Petersburg Junior College and then moved on to Florida State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He also has a Master of Science degree from the University of North Florida.
Mr. Sprague worked in Parks and Recreation in several cities in the southern United States, and then served as the Assistant to the President for Fogelman Properties and as a Mutual Fund Money Manager for AIM in Houston.
In his “retirement,” Mr. Sprague became a NASCAR racecar driver, competing on several circuits throughout the United States. He also became a collector of antique cars, operating a museum in his home in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Mr. Sprague has advised the presidents of several colleges, including Florida State University, University of West Florida, Pensacola State College and Vermont Technical College. He is the incoming chairman of the Florida State University Alumni Association Executive Committee. He is known as a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist and farmer.
For more information about Vermont Technical College, please visit www.vtc.edu.
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About Vermont Technical College – Vermont Technical College is the only public institution of higher learning in Vermont whose mission is applied education. One of the five Vermont State Colleges, Vermont Tech serves students from throughout Vermont, New England, and beyond at its two residential campuses in Williston and Randolph Center, regional campuses in Brattleboro and Bennington and at six nursing campuses located throughout the state. Our academic programs encompass a wide range of engineering technology, agricultural, health, and business fields that are vital to producing the knowledge workers need most by employers in the state and in the region. www.vtc.edu.