When it was time to get serious about college, RMC was a natural choice. An unforeseen family situation necessitated Anne working her way through RMC with the help of scholarships, financial aid, and many nights and weekends working as a waitress. This, coupled with campus jobs in the Admissions Office and serving as a Residence Assistant, made RMC financially possible. She studied hard and worked hard and she succeeded, graduating with a degree in philosophy. Several years after graduation, Anne found herself working in the commercial insurance industry and climbing the corporate ladder. She then decided a combination law degree and MBA would provide even greater opportunities in business and she was right. Anne continued in the insurance industry and rose to the Sr. VP level before deciding that she’d like to be her own boss. She approached a law firm in Richmond about opening an office in Ashland specializing in estate planning, tax, and corporate law. She has been associated with the law firm of Freed & Shepherd, P.C. ever since. 

As Anne reflects back on her youth, she attributes who she is today to her Randolph-Macon College experience and the liberal arts education she received as an undergraduate. She learned problem solving and critical thinking skills as well as valuable life skills. At the same time, she came to love the wonderfully nurturing community that is Randolph-Macon. 

Anne’s involvement in the College has been on-going. She just completed her fourth term on the Board of Trustees and currently serves on the Board’s Athletics Committee and the Building and Grounds Committee. In years past she has served on the Board of Associates and on reunion committees for the Class of ‘79.

Anne also provides an internship opportunity in her law office for an RMC student during the January Term. So, it comes as no surprise that Anne has recently received a well-deserved Randolph-Macon College Distinguished Service award. You see, Anne believes in giving back her time and resources to the College that provided so much for her. For that reason Anne and her husband, Bob, have included Randolph-Macon College in their estate plans in the form of a bequest. When asked why they decided to do this, Anne says she feels it is a “happy responsibility to give back and support the College mission so that others can have the same benefits” that she has had.