(The following message was sent to the RMC Community from President Robert R. Lindgren on 6/16/20)

Dear Randolph-Macon College Students, Faculty and Staff,

Earlier today, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced his support to make Juneteenth, recognized annually on June 19, a paid state holiday in Virginia.  There was an additional call for Virginia’s corporate and non-profit organizations to observe the holiday this week.

Randolph-Macon College is proud to recognize Juneteenth this Friday, June 19, as a paid College holiday.  We stand in support of our Black students, alumni, faculty and staff, and Black Americans.  The College’s observation of Juneteenth will allow our community to further reflect not only on momentous current events, but also on the history of the United States, its impact especially on black communities, and importantly, on the significance of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when news finally reached enslaved people in Texas that they had been freed, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. 

Our own highly distinguished Professor of History, Dr. Alphine Jefferson, who also serves as President of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society, has been a leader and creative force in shaping the annual Juneteenth Celebrations in our region and on our Ashland campus since 2010.  Unfortunately, we are unable host the Juneteenth celebration on campus this year due to the Pandemic, but we look forward to Professor Jefferson’s organization of the 2021 Juneteenth Celebration once again on campus.

For our Staff Personnel, the holiday of Juneteenth will be paid in accordance with the Holiday Policy outlined in the Staff Handbook.  If you have any questions regarding this Policy, please contact your supervisor or Human Resources directly. 

Only essential College business, including the Virtual New Student Advising and Registration and June-term classes, will continue as planned on June 19.

Thank you for joining Randolph-Macon in our recognition and support of Juneteenth.

Sincerely,

Bob Lindgren

Robert R. Lindgren
President
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, Virginia