Patricia Gradwohl Hanback ’75 Receives Award
Patricia Gradwohl Hanback ’75 was the recipient of the Society of Alumni’s Distinguished Service Award on October 14, 2011 during R-MC’s Homecoming Awards Luncheon. Robert Lambeth ’71 presented the award.
The Society of Alumni created the Alumni Distinguished Service Award to recognize those alumni who have made an exceptional contribution to the image of Randolph-Macon who have supported the programs that aid the college.
Hanback received her B.A. in philosophy in 1975 from Randolph-Macon College.
As one of the first women to graduate from Randolph-Macon after it went co-ed, Hanback has made her mark in the banking industry. She joined First & Merchant’s Bank in 1975 and worked her way through the ranks of what later became Nationsbank to become a vice president in 1989. Her late husband, Hunter, also had a long career at NationsBank before his death in 1992.
Hanback later joined SunTrust and as senior vice president served in their Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Newport News offices. She is currently the Virginia regional manager for RBC Centura Bank.
At Randolph-Macon, Hanback has been a tireless volunteer and advocate for the college. She was a member of the R-MC Board of Trustees for 15 years and chaired the Board’s Enrollment Committee. Hanback also served as president of the Society of Alumni from 1989-91—indeed, she was the first female president of the SOA. She has also been a faithful financial supporter of the college. Not only has she been a long-standing member of the Presidents Society and Heritage Society, she also chaired the 20th Reunion for the Class of 1975. In keeping with her dedication to her alma mater, her most recent support has been directed to the new Andrews Residence Hall and a renovated Alumni House on campus.
Hanback, the mother of two children, lives in Virginia Beach.
Randolph-Macon College is thankful to Hanback for the leadership she has given to the collge over the years and for her tangible support of the college’s mission.