Contact: Jack Bailey (304) 766-4109 Jbaile19@wvstateu.edu

INSTITUTE, W.Va. – More than 220 students will graduate from West Virginia State University (WVSU) on Saturday, May 14, during a commencement ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. in the D. Stephen and Diane H. Walker Convocation Center.
The commencement speaker is Dr. Lateef Saffore, a WVSU alumnus and president of the WVSU National Alumni Association. Saffore is a trained molecular biologist and has worked for the Cleveland Clinic for 16 years as a Research Scientist. While employed there, he mentored many other scientists and physicians on good laboratory practices and management. He has peer reviewed publications and accepted several invitations to give presentations on his research at conferences across the country.
Saffore and his wife, Yetunde, who is also a WVSU alum, own several businesses including dental practices, a nationally recognized franchise restaurant, an international cargo shipping company, rental property in Cleveland and Atlanta and a health policy consulting company.
Saffore is active in the community through his leadership and service as a member and past president of several organizations with chapters or clubs located in Cleveland. He recently chaired the Centennial Anniversary of Alpha Zeta Chapter at WVSU Homecoming in which State alumni Alphas gave out seven $1,000 scholarships and gifted $125,000 in endowed scholarships to the university.
In addition to Saffore, the commencement ceremony will feature remarks from WVSU Board of Governors Chair Charles E. Jones, Jr., WVSU President Ericke S. Cage, and WVSU Student Government Association President and graduating senior Angelica Allison.
The event will be livestreamed on WVSU’s livestream channel . WVSU holds commencement ceremonies in December and May of each year.
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