In the fall of 1983, Michael Roberson ’87 and Loralyn Davis ’85 met for the first time at a water fountain in Haley Hall. Mike, standing behind Loralyn, and always one to tease, said, “Hurry up, shorty.” She turned around, saw Mike, and replied, “Look who’s talking!” Almost forty years later, he still teases and she still sets him straight. These proud RMC alumni were married in 1990.

Mike is “Virginia born and bred,” having grown up in Hampton. He was recruited by Coach Gregg Waters to play football and baseball at RMC. Mike majored in psychology and has had a successful career in Human Resources. After attending three different high schools, Loralyn knew she wanted a small school and loved RMC’s location. She majored in mathematics and was very active in the Concert Choir and the Drama Guild. Loralyn has been employed by Capital One for twenty-three years, currently as Master System Integrator. Both Mike and Loralyn are grateful for the education they received at Randolph-Macon College. Whether in the classroom, on the football field, or at rehearsals in Blackwell Auditorium, the lessons learned have contributed to their successful and happy lives.

Since graduation, Loralyn and Mike have demonstrated their gratitude through their many gifts to RMC. Their giving reflects their experiences as students and their desire for current and future students to enjoy the opportunities they did. They have given to the Randolph-Macon Annual Fund, the Yellow Jacket Club for Football, the Multicultural Alumni Association Scholarship, the Blackwell Auditorium addition, the Building Extraordinary campaign, the Andrews Residence Hall, and more. In addition to these many gifts, Mike currently serves on the Yellow Jacket Club Advisory Board, giving of his time and talents. 

When asked what motivates them to give so generously, Mike replies, “It might sound corny, but we believe in what President Lindgren calls that ‘moment of connection’. Loralyn and I met here. Our best friends are Randolph-Macon alumni. We will always value the connections we made and continue to have with RMC.” Mike and Loralyn are frequently on campus for athletic and other events. Loralyn adds that seeing the changes to campus since their student days – Brock Commons, Andrews and Birdsong residence halls, Payne Hall, and the addition to Blackwell Auditorium, to name a few – are concrete demonstrations of what alumni gifts can do for the College. They take pride in knowing that their contributions do make a difference.