Under a bright, sunny sky, more than 100 people gathered on March 25, 2017 at Randolph-Macon College to dedicate the James E. Henry Conference Room, which is named for a beloved member of the RMC family. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees and members of the community paid homage to James E. Henry, whose service at the college spanned more than 45 years. 

Henry, who began his career at the college in 1950 as a custodian, became the founding supervisor of RMC’s print shop in 1961. He retired in 1995. The dedication and ribbon cutting were featured in an article in the March 25 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. 

A plaque that will be placed in the James E. Henry conference room reads in part: 

Mr. Henry was a beloved colleague and mentor. His life stands as a testament to virtue, dignity and dedication, which have positively impacted generations of Randolph-Macon faculty, staff and students. The James E. Henry Conference Room was joyfully dedicated in his honor on Saturday, March 25, 2017.

A Randolph-Macon Legend 
Henry, who was joined by his wife Mary, daughters Sonya, Kalenda, Jacqueline ’84, grandchildren and other family members, was visibly touched as he was lauded by scores of Randolph-Macon friends, including dozens of faculty and staff retirees. RMC Provost William T. Franz welcomed the crowd, and Rev. M. Randell Williams, from Shiloh Baptist Church, gave the opening prayer. 
RMC President Robert R. Lindgren told those gathered that Henry is a Randolph-Macon legend.

“In every institution, there are people who provide absolutely critical services and become known as ‘go-to’ people for getting the job done—and James Henry was one of those people,” said Lindgren. “He was known by everyone on our campus for his superior service and commitment, and for his deep and abiding sense of community that impacted everything he did and everyone he met. James Henry was also one of those people who transcended his job, and who, himself, became an institution at Randolph-Macon, part of the family and the community fabric here, beloved and respected by our students, our faculty and staff.”  

Lindgren also recited a quote by James from an article written about him in the Faces of Hanover section of the Hanover Herald-Progress in 1995:  

I want to be the best person I can be. You never know who’s watching you, and I come into contact with so many young men and women who are easily influenced. I’d like to think they can learn something good from my life.

After a ribbon cutting, Henry shared his thoughts on his long career, smiling as he described it as “a really wonderful trip.” The event was capped off by Rev. Darryl Fisher from Jerusalem Baptist Church in Hague, Virginia, who offered reflections and a closing prayer. 

The James E. Henry Conference Room, on the former site of the print shop he ran in Peele Hall, was made possible through the generosity of Ralph S. O’Conner, a friend of Randolph-Macon College.