Director of Operations and Physical Plant John Herron ’92 was honored with the Marilyn J. Gibbs Dedicated Service Award, the College’s highest honor for staff members, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Herron is responsible for the buildings and grounds of Randolph-Macon’s physical campus, supervising the men and women who work for RMC as well as contractors who support the smooth operation of the College. In announcing the award, President Lindgren especially noted Herron and his team’s significant accomplishments during the summer of 2024. With a record enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year, Herron led the construction of three modular residence halls known as “The Treehouses” on a rapid timeline, ensuring every student had quality housing at the beginning of the academic year.

Simultaneously, Herron and his team helped break ground on the construction of a new village of residence halls on the west side of campus, which will be open for the beginning of the 2025-2026 year, and guided the completion of renovations in Estes Dining Hall.

“He is invaluable in the planning stages of projects, the implementation, and in thinking through potential complications—and solutions,” remarked President Robert R. Lindgren. “His work is quite literally visible all over campus. We benefit tremendously from the beautiful and safe environment he helps to facilitate.” 

“But it is the way he does that work— proactively, responsively, uncomplainingly—that makes him exceptional,” Lindgren continued. “He is consistently asked to do things that seem impossible—and he simply raises an eyebrow, and then makes miracles happen.” 

The Marilyn J. Gibbs Dedicated Service was created by a generous gift from former Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Steven Nape and his wife Diane and is given annually to a staff member for outstanding service to and support of the mission of the College. The award is named in honor of Marilyn J. Gibbs, who served RMC for 18 years in a variety of roles, including as a professor of sociology and as registrar.