Randolph-Macon welcomed President Emeritus Bob Lindgren and his family to campus to unveil a presidential portrait of Lindgren painted by Randolph-Macon alumnus Claiborne Gregory, Jr. ‘72.

Lindgren joined faculty and trustees of the College, who gathered for a traditional faculty/trustee dinner on February 13. In remarks to welcome the assembled guests, President Michael E. Hill acknowledged Lindgren’s time away from campus as indicative of the former president’s thoughtfulness and humility—a theme that was oft-repeated throughout the evening.     

“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t walk this campus and feel Bob and Cheryl’s presence and all that they did here,” President Hill said. “Bob and Cheryl have been so gracious about the space to establish ourselves here. And so I want to declare tonight that the self-imposed exile is over!” 

Board of Trustees Chair Sue Schick ‘84 underscored this point with a story that centered Lindgren as the reluctant subject of the portrait she unveiled. She described how he initially rejected the idea of a portrait of all, until he was convinced of the importance of continuing a tradition started by the 14 Randolph-Macon presidents who preceded him. 

“Then, very much in character, he tried to widen the frame,” Schick said. “He said if there were going to be a portrait, it shouldn’t just be him. It should include other people who had made a difference in the life of the College: Macon Brock. Alan Rashkind. Cheryl Lindgren. The members of the cabinet. The Student Government Association. Likely the football team. Or every team. Certainly Callie. At one point, I wasn’t sure if Bob himself would actually even be in the portrait!”

In fact, the oil portrait pictures Lindgren, seated in his home library, wearing a yellow tie and a warm smile. Behind him on the shelf, there is a small clock amongst the books, which nods to Lindgren’s fascination with time pieces and repeated use of the phrase “Now is the time for Randolph-Macon.” 

Claiborne Gregory, Jr. ‘72 is a noted artist who paints marine, animal, and sporting subjects, as well as official portraits of governors, members of the judiciary, and leaders in business and academia. Both of his parents, Claiborne Gregory, Sr. ‘42 and Norine Gregory ‘44 were alumni of the college, as were his sons Bobby ’19 and Claiborne III ‘23. 

At the podium after the portrait was unveiled, Lindgren echoed the sentiments of Chair Schick with humble remarks and ample gratitude for those who helped make his presidency a success.

“If there were to be any tagline under this portrait, it should simply say this,” he said. “He was certainly blessed by an abundance of support. And indeed I was.”