David H. Wilkins, former United States Ambassador to Canada and a native of Greenville, will deliver a motivational address to about 224 degree candidates at Lander University's December commencement ceremonies, 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, in the university's Horne Arena.
During the ceremonies, the university will confer an honorary doctorate of laws upon Wilkins.
Ambassador Wilkins is a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, where he chairs the Public Policy and International Law practice group. The group focuses primarily on representing businesses on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border and offers experience on a wide range of strategic bilateral issues.
In April 2005, Wilkins was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as the United States Ambassador to Canada, an appointment that was confirmed by the United States Senate later that year. On June 29, 2005, he became the 21st United States Ambassador to Canada, serving in that role until January of 2009.
Wilkins earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson University and his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He also served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves.
Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, Wilkins practiced law for 34 years in Greenville. A member of the South Carolina Bar Association, he has extensive experience in civil litigation and appellate practice.
Wilkins was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1980 and served there for 25 years. He quickly rose through the ranks, serving six years as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and two years as speaker pro tem before being elected speaker, a position he held for 11 years. He was the first Republican elected speaker of any legislative body in the South since the 1880s and retired as one of the longest serving speakers in the country. In 2001, Wilkins served as president of the National Speakers Association.
Wilkins served as state chairman of the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign and as co-chair of the campaign in 2000. He has served for three years on the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He currently serves as chairman of Clemson University's Board of Trustees.
Tickets are required to attend the commencement ceremony. For information, visit www.lander.edu.