R-MC gives itself points for size
March 24, 2006 (Dena Sloan, Richmond Times Dispatch)
Located in a state with several well-respected public universities, Randolph-Macon College, a small, private liberal-arts college in Ashland, finds itself competing for students in a tough market.
So Randolph-Macon markets itself in a way that the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and the College of William and Mary can't: playing up its small size.
Randolph-Macon enrolls about 1,100 students, which officials say allows the school to focus on creating close connections between professors and students.
"There's a lot of focus today on distance education.... The real conversations among real people is how people really learn," said Bill Franz, a longtime physics professor and former associate dean of the college.
About 65 percent to 70 percent of students come from Virginia. The majority of graduates stay in the state after receiving their degrees, and most of those who leave Virginia remain in the Mid- Atlantic region.
Economics/business is the most popular major, followed by psychology, sociology and political science.
Founded in 1830 by the Methodists to educate prospective clergymen, Randolph-Macon is the oldest Methodist-affiliated college in the country. Women began enrolling as full-time students in 1971.
Randolph-Macon is the largest private employer in Ashland. Faculty and staff members number about 350 full-time and part-time employees.
Though four campus buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, there also has been a push in recent years to upgrade facilities.
The $5 million renovation of the Thomas Branch building converted the 1914 neoclassical building into residential space and offices. The college also recently spent $2.6 million to upgrade Crenshaw Gymnasium.
In addition to construction projects, a new president could spell changes for Randolph-Macon.
Before becoming the 15th president on Feb. 1, Robert R. Lindgren served for more than 10 years as the head of fundraising and alumni relations for the Johns Hopkins University and its hospital and health system. His predecessor, Roger Martin, headed Randolph-Macon for nine years.
Shortly after starting his new job, Lindgren said in an interview he was attracted to Randolph-Macon because of its location and the appeal of working in a small, liberal-arts environment.
"I like the small-town feel of Ashland." "I'm very much looking forward to spending time in Richmond [and] reminding folks there of what a great little college they have not far away, [that] they should be proud of as well."
-- Contact staff writer Dena Sloan at dsloan@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6860.
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO
MEMO: SPECIAL SECTION: EXPLORING ASHLAND
Credit: Times-Dispatch Staff Writer