Governor Tim Kaine was the speaker and Spider support E. Claiborne Robins Jr. received the President's Medal for his service to the University community.

A Richmond businessman, philanthropist and a 1968 alumnus, Robins was honored by University President Edward L. Ayers and the board of trustees for his 40 years of service as a trustee, as well as his own and his family's leadership at the university.

The $50 million landmark gift from the Robins family to the university in 1969 was then the largest gift made to an American higher education institution by a living benefactor. Through the Robins Foundation, the family awarded $8 million in grants in 2008 to help construct an expanded on-campus, multi-purpose stadium and new Westhampton Center for women's programs.

Robins, who was named the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame's first recipient of its Distinguished Virginian Award in April, was chairman of the building committee for the Robins Center, the site of Sunday's commencement and one of the finest basketball arenas in the nation.

Robins is president and CEO of E.C. Robins International, a wine importing company. He is a former chairman of the of the board of the Virginia Historical Society and the Richmond SPCA, a life trustee and past president of Maymont Foundation, and a past trustee of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. His support of organizations in Richmond and across Virginia has helped strengthen community resources and build and sustain cultural programs and educational opportunities.