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Macon Brock Jr. '64 with wife, Joan Brock.
Effective June 30, 2009, Macon Brock Jr. ‘64 will
step down as Chairman of the R-MC
Board of Trustees. |
Randolph-Macon College president Robert R. Lindgren announced that effective June 30, 2009, Macon Brock Jr. '64 will step down as Chairman of the R-MC Board of Trustees after ten years of service.
Brock, known for his dedication and philanthropy to R-MC, helped the college rise to new heights.
"When I think of Macon I focus on his outstanding leadership abilities, his passion for this College, and his intense desire to do the right thing," said Lindgren. "He has been, as you can imagine, a wonderful mentor for me. He is a person of enormous integrity who derives his greatest satisfaction from serving others."
Macon and Joan Brock played a leading role in improving facilities on the R-MC campus, including the Brock Sports and Recreation Center and the renovation of Thomas Branch which includes the Brock Residence. Most recently, the Brocks endowed the Joan and Macon Brock Professor in Psychology which was awarded to Professor Kelly Lambert. The Brocks have also made a lead gift towards R-MC’s campaign to help finance a major new capital project.
Brock has served on the R-MC Board of Trustees since 1992 and was a former member of the College's Board of Associates and recently received the Distinguished Service Award from the Society of the Alumni acknowledging his outstanding service to R-MC. He and his wife Joan are also members of the R-MC Presidents Society and Heritage Society. Over the years, he has volunteered to help recruit new students, has served on class reunion committees and he and Joan have opened their home for events to better engage alumni in the life of the college.
A number of significant milestones transpired during Brock's tenure on the Board of Trustees. The First Year Experience program was developed; Blackwell Auditorium, Crenshaw Gymnasium and Old Chapel were renovated; 10-year old Greg Smith arrived at R-MC and drew national and international attention to the college; the college celebrated the completion of a $51 million capital campaign; athletic teams won a number of ODAC championships and achieved national rankings, Megan Silva was named as the NCAA Division III basketball player of the year and basketball coach Carroll LaHaye attained over 400 wins. The College broke fundraising and alumni giving records. R-MC also graduated the largest classes in college history and applications and enrollment reached an all-time high. In addition, Brock facilitated a successful presidential search and the seamless transition between retiring President Roger Martin and the college's 15th President, Robert Lindgren, in 2006.
In Brock's letter to the Board announcing his decision, he writes: "It has been such a pleasure and honor to serve in this role for the past ten years. It has been one of the highlights of my life. I feel as if I have received much more than I have given. And I thank you for the confidence you have shown me and for the outstanding support you have given the College during my entire tenure. We have accomplished a lot."
While at R-MC, Brock played lacrosse, won the Edwin Bowen Latin Prize, was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Latin in 1964. After graduating from R-MC, Brock went on to Quantico, Virginia for Marine Corps Officer training, served in Vietnam and was a special agent with the United States Naval Intelligence at the Norfolk Naval Station before becoming a successful entrepreneur, co-founding K and K Toys and Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.
Brock has received many awards and recognition for his outstanding business and community leadership over the years and in 2008, was named the First Citizen of Virginia Beach from the Virginia Beach Jaycees, an award he'll receive at a May ceremony. In February 2009, the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution acknowledging Brock’s lifetime contributions to his community and country.
"This College would simply not be the same had it not been for the Brocks and their significant leadership,” said Lindgren. "I am delighted to report that Macon has vowed that he and Joan are committed to staying involved with Randolph-Macon in the future – especially through our capital campaign."
The Board of Trustees has begun the process of identifying a nominee to fill this position and will discuss this at their May 2 meeting.
A special section has been posted for members of the Randolph-Macon community to share their thoughts of appreciation to Macon and Joan Brock. Please click on Submit your Comments to send a message.
For more information on this and other R-MC news, please contact Pamela Cox at pamelacox@rmc.edu or (804) 752-3712 or Anne Marie Lauranzon at alauranz@rmc.edu or (804) 752-7317.
A special web form has been posted for members of the Randolph-Macon community to share their thoughts of appreciation to Macon and Joan Brock.
For more information on this and other R-MC news, please contact Pamela Cox at pamelacox@rmc.edu or (804) 752-3712 or Anne Marie Lauranzon at alauranz@rmc.edu or (804) 752-7317.