Boyd Tinsley to give 2007 valediction speech

The Class of 2007 has plenty of cause to eat, drink and be merry. After starting its school year with back-to-back concerts from the Dave Matthews Band, the graduating class will finish their year with a speech from DMB violinist Boyd Tinsley.
    Tinsley accepted an invitation from UVA to deliver the keynote at the 2007 Valedictory Exercises. While a skilled stringsman and a veteran of the Charlottesville High School Orchestra, Tinsley’s commitment to education in Charlottesville suggests that he was invited to speak for more than his chops.
    The violinist’s “sincere interest in this community and humble philanthropic efforts have inspired countless members of the fourth-year class,” said Graduation Committee Chair Margaret Bolton in a September 18 press release.
    Both Charlottesville public schools and UVA received generous gifts from the Boyd Tinsley Fund during the past year. Charlottesville City Schools stand to gain $75,000 from the Boyd Tinsley Fund, according to a September 18 press release from Charlottesville City Schools. A portion of the money will benefit students of music and tennis that show a commitment to their hobbies—from instruments for CHS graudates that will pursue music in college to racquets for students that complete Tinsley-funded tennis camps.
    Tinsley’s tennis program will also support the future construction of a new tennis facility for UVA teams.