Randolph-Macon College celebrated Martin Luther King Day on January 15, 2020 in Blackwell Auditorium, RMC Center for the Performing Arts.

Dr. Nathaniel L. Bishop, Carilion Clinic’s senior vice president for administration and senior associate dean for diversity, inclusion, and student vitality at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, gave an inspiring keynote address. In the audience were faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members, and Sue Schick ’84, chair of RMC’s Board of Trustees.

RMC President Robert R. Lindgren welcomed guests and introduced Bishop.

Bishop talked about his career trajectory—including his role, 45 years ago, as the first African American police officer in the Christiansburg Police Department—and the tremendous influence that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had on his life. “Dr. King’s legacy provides us with so much wisdom,” he said.

He also shared some of his favorite quotes from King: “To think incisively and to think for one’s self is very difficult…we must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” And: “Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service.”

Bishop closed his talk by stressing the importance of four principles to live by: “Education, character, greatness, service…a winning combination,” he said.

Student Voices, Uplifting Music
Following Bishop’s talk, RMC’s student musical group, InTONEnation, performed “We Shall Overcome,” “I Will Make You Fishers of Men,” and “I Shall Not Be Moved.” The group is comprised of Austin Wachsmuth ’20 (director and accompanist) and singers Caroline Dwyer ’21, Andrew Geiger ’21, Beck Harrison ’21, Michelle Muratore ’22, Russell Rochte III ’20, and Chloe Walker ’22.

Nathaniel L. Bishop
Bishop most recently served as president of Jefferson College of Health Sciences, prior to its integration with Radford University last July. 

As senior associate dean at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Bishop provides leadership in working across the School of Medicine to help recruit and retain diverse students, staff and faculty while also identifying ways to enhance programs, facilities and resources to promote vitality for all students.

A significant focus area for Bishop in his new role will be to create mentoring communities to support the success of groups that are traditionally underrepresented in medicine.

Bishop began his career in health care managing continuing-care retirement communities. In 1997, he joined Carilion Clinic, where he served in successive leadership roles until being named president of Jefferson College in 2010. He earned his B.A. in sociology of law enforcement from Radford University, his M.S. in education from Virginia Tech, and his D.Min. from Wesley Theological Seminary.

Celebrating the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 
Each year, Randolph-Macon College celebrates the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by inviting a distinguished speaker to campus to commemorate King’s birthday. Previous speakers have included former Virginia Governor and Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, Pastor and Civil Rights leader Wyatt Tee Walker, former Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, entrepreneur Shelia Johnson, Secretary of Commerce and Trade in the Commonwealth of Virginia Maurice Jones, Dr. Joseph F. Johnson, former acting president at Virginia Union University, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, and The Rev. Janie M. Walker, co-pastoral director of Richmond Hill.