With gratitude for their service to the college, Randolph-Macon is honoring those long-time members of our faculty and staff who retired or are retiring from the College during this academic year. Though we cannot say this goodbye in person, we want to recognize the members of our RMC family who are now (or will be soon!) enjoying their next chapter.

We are planning for a belated celebration on-campus, but here, we honor and acknowledge their lasting contributions to our campus community. 

Anne Marie Lauranzon

Director of Marketing and Communications

Years of Service: 21

Anne Marie Lauranzon is responsible for starting the College’s first marketing and communications program and has successfully led the department since 1999. While the accomplishments of the department are many, a few of those achieved during Anne Marie’s tenure include developing and implementing the College’s first marketing & communications plan to increase the College’s visibility and brand recognition. She also worked tirelessly to develop strong relationships with media to help RMC increase its name recognition and gain attention for its programs on a regional, state, and national level. These relationships served the College well as Anne Marie masterfully worked with and managed media during times of crisis. Perhaps most importantly, Anne Marie is well-known as a loyal and passionate ambassador for Randolph-Macon. Her work ethic and enthusiasm for RMC’s students, faculty and staff are unparalleled, and her deep institutional knowledge, sound judgment, and unending devotion will be greatly missed.

Becky Caldera

Alumni Web Coordinator

Years of Service: 15

Becky’s manager, Ellen Stack, described Becky’s retirement as bittersweet, “as she was my go to person to lend a helping hand!” Stack describes Becky as technologically savvy , graphically skilled and strategically sound in marketing and demographic trends regarding social media, web design, and brand attentiveness – a true master in regards to effective communications, engagement tracking for ROI, and ensuring that the College was always presented in a positive image. What many do not realize – it was Becky who established the Randolph-Macon College’s Instagram page; Twitter account; Alumni Facebook account; and Pinterest account! For years, she would be the voice of social media for the College, as that industry grew. “I miss the beautiful flowers that she brought to the office to brighten everyone’s day, her smile and her contagious positive attitude. She was a true delight to work with,” Stack said.

Betty Ann Pierce

Campus Visit Coordinator

Years of Service: 18

Betty Ann has served the RMC Admissions office for 18 years. For the past 5 years, she has been the College’s Campus Visit Coordinator, a vital role where she conveyed friendliness, warmth, and helpfulness in every interaction with our prospective students and families. Betty Ann embodies the spirit of Randolph Macon. She is friendly, cooperative and collaborative by nature and is committed to our visitors and giving them the best experience possible. We will miss her April Fool’s jokes, her competitiveness during football season (she is a Baltimore Raven’s fan through and through), but mostly the caring vibe she emanates, which made her a gem to work with each and every day.

Bruce Torrence

Professor of Mathematics

Years of Service: 28

Bruce Torrence joined the RMC faculty in 1993, receiving tenure in 1999 and being promoted to full professor in 2006. He became Chair of the Mathematics Department in 1999, having also served as Assistant Chair from 1997 to 1999 and as Co-Director of the Honors Program from 1997 to 2000. He held the Dorothy and Muscoe Garnett Professorship in Mathematics from 2009-2019. He finally stepped down as Chair of Mathematics in 2017, having effectively led the Math Department for two decades. During his career at the college, which spans more than a quarter of a century, Bruce taught almost every single mathematics course on offer, including several of his own devising. An award-winning and inspiring educator, Bruce received numerous accolades for his teaching, culminating in 2017 when his fellow faculty chose him as the recipient of the Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award.

Carol Cauthorne

Gift Processing Officer

Years of Service: 36

Carol’s position supported the information and accounting needs of the Advancement Office through the generation of computer-based financial and constituent reports and was the office liaison with the College Business Office. She excelled in these tasks, often analyzing gifts with extreme scrutiny to ensure the donor intentions were being met. Carol recognized that all aspects of the College are fundamentally tied to giving and that it was important to present a clear message to alumni when soliciting. Her colleagues admire her as a woman of strong ethical values and principles, as well as poise and confidence. Ellen Stack, Director of Advancement Services says, “Since her retirement in October, I miss the many stories of her beloved cat, Rascal, the endless K-95 Country Music coming from her cube, and the overflowing supply of M&Ms, candy corn, and black jellybeans that demonstrated her sharing and personable approach to life.I don’t think Carol has every met someone who didn’t leave her presence enriched from having engaged with her.”

Clint Glasco

Campus Safety Officer

Years of Service: 10

Officer Glasco had a steady and consistent approach, always ready to get the job done in a quick and professional manner. Clint’s knowledge base and ability to engage a conversation on just about any subject would always keep things interesting. Being a bit of a “Train Nut”, Clint was in his element here in Ashland. He would just as easily engage you with the latest professional sports news and then would somehow be able to switch gears and speak in depth about virtually any battle of WWII. In addition to trains, Clint is also a bit of a history buff, military history being one of his favorite subjects!

Dean Hindman

Systems Engineer, Technology Services 

Years of Service: 32

Dean Hindman has led a distinguished and accomplished career in Information & Technology Services. During his 32 years of service, Dean helped usher in major changes on campus, including but not limited to: installing the first campus-wide local area network, installation and adoption of personal computers, expansion of campus buildings including Day Field, Brock Commons, Birdsong Hall, Brock Jr. Science Center, just to name a few. Not to mention all of the IT Directors and Supervisors he had to train during his tenure! Dean’s signature hat was recognized and welcomed by many on campus when they needed ‘immediate’ assistance. Dedicated and loyal are two words that definitely describe his career. Never afraid to help solve technology problems or install new equipment or software under pressure, he could always be counted on to be present and lend a hand to a fellow Yellow Jacket in need.

Donna Turney

Professor of Philosophy

Years of Service: 36

Donna Turney joined the faculty in 1985. She is a passionate advocate for the liberal arts and for the application of philosophy in student’s lives. Donna’s interest in philosophy is enriched by her commitment to social justice. She has taught a dozen different courses at RMC, ranging in topic from the philosophy of science, the Enlightenment, truth and meaning, emotion, personal identity, feminist theory and disability studies. She has published and presented on logical positivism, feminist epistemology and service-learning in philosophy. Her service includes being Chair of Philosophy, for fifteen years, Chair of the Executive Committee and Director of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, which she helped to establish. Donna also played an important part in contributing to the formation of the Non-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Title IX policies the College has today.

Eve Torrence

Professor of Mathematics

Years of Service: 27

Eve Torrence joined the RMC faculty in 1994 and has been a full professor since 2008. In that time, she established herself as an award-winning teacher and a valuable contributor to Randolph-Macon College life. Eve’s deep interest in the intersection of mathematics and the visual arts inspired a number of innovative new courses at RMC, including classes on mathematical origami and the art of mathematics; indeed, her integration of mathematics and the arts was one of the factors that contributed to her receiving an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) in 2013. Her mathematical artwork has been displayed at juried art shows, both nationally and internationally, and one of her most stunning pieces—her sculpture “Sunrise”—still greets anyone who enters the lobby of the Copley Science Center … and looks up!

George Spagna

Associate Professor of Physics and Director of the Keeble Observatory

Years of Service: 35

During George Spagna’s tenure at Randolph-Macon College, he has acted as the Director of the Keeble Observatory, the facilitator of the Astrophysics Minor, the Physics Department Chair, and the Sigma Pi Sigma advisor. Throughout his career, George devoted time to increasing the public’s understanding of science. He organized weekly public viewing events at the Keeble Observatory and curated historical departmental artifacts for public displays in Copley Science Center. He is not just a physicist. He is not just an astronomer. He is an Episcopalian, who has studied the intersection of physics and theology. He is an organ donor, who gave a kidney to a colleague. He is a public servant, who served as the mayor of the town of Ashland, among many other roles. And he is a family man: a husband, a father, and now a very proud grandfather.

Jeff Conley

Lead Mail Coordinator

Years of Service:16

Jeff has served the College well for over 16 years in multiple positions within the Physical Plant department (Special Events, Print shop, Mail room). Jeff’s dedication to working professionally with others has helped him gain the reputation of being a reliable, trustworthy employee of the College. Jeff always took the time to establish a relationship with his customers so he could learn their needs and worked closely with student employees. He trained and scheduled their working hours in the Student mail room, often stepping in to cover for a student that had an unexpected schedule change. Jeff earned their trust and respect by being a steady, consistent leader. Jeff enjoys singing in the church choir and spending time with his family and friends.

Harland Stairs

Campus Safety Officer

Years of Service:10

Harland Stairs finished a stellar career with RMC’s Office of Campus Safety in the same fashion he began, as a true professional and gentleman! His dedication to his job and the passion which he put on display each and every shift was a great example for others to follow. In addition, Harland brought a wealth of information to the department, some of which we never would have learned otherwise such as raising cattle, birthing calves and what it takes to raise a successful herd! Need to know how to build a road or cut in a new driveway? Just ask Harland and he will take you to school! Sgt. Stairs was one of the most dedicated and safety conscious individuals ever to be employed by the college. His friendly, easy -going attitude and engaging personality was a huge asset to campus safety.

Saleema Ansari

Housekeeper

Years of Service: 16

Saleema joined the Randolph-Macon College community in 2004 as a Housekeeper and served the College with excellence until she retired in July of 2020. During her tenure she worked in numerous buildings and concluded her time with the College serving the Welcome Center, Copley 2nd floor and ITS. In addition to her great work, Saleema was known as a dedicated and compassionate employee never hesitating to assist those in need to include mentoring several of our students through the years. She even served as a sponsor for at least one graduating senior during commencement ceremonies. We wish her well in retirement!

Tom Inge*

Blackwell Professor of the Humanities

Years of Service: 37

Tom Inge played a notable role in the generation of scholars who discovered in popular culture a depth, complexity, and richness holding up a mirror to our selves and our society. The breadth of vision that allows him to bring out the meaning in Disney or Schultz has also informed his impressively varied work on subjects long at home in literary study, Ralph Ellison and William Carlos Williams, Willa Cather and Mark Twain, W.E.B. DuBois and W.H. Auden, Herman Melville and Ezra Pound, Truman Capote and Mo Yan. His expertise, energy, and scope earned him an international reputation, and led to his role in shaping the American Studies program at Palacky University in the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, his deep and abiding engagement in Southern studies prompted the Society for the Study of Southern Literature to award him the Richard Beale Davis Award for Lifelong Contributions to Southern Letters.

*Recognized posthumously