Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Emory & Henry names interim president
Emory & Henry College has named Louise “Lou” Fincher, a senior vice president at the school, to serve as interim president following the recent announcement that current president John Wells will step down next month.
Wells, who has led the college for five years, is moving to North Carolina.
Fincher will assume the role of interim president Aug. 1 and will serve until a successor for Wells is named by the board of trustees, according to a news release from the school.
Fincher came to Emory & Henry in 2014 as the founding dean of the School of Health Sciences. In 2017 she was named a vice president with administrative oversight of graduate education and research compliance. In 2020, she was named senior vice president, working with the president and provost to implement and assess the university’s strategic plan, the release said.
Fincher holds a doctor of education degree with a focus on human performance studies from the University of Alabama, a master of science in education degree with a focus on athletic training from Indiana State University, and a bachelor of science in education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Before coming to Emory & Henry, she served as professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Texas at Arlington. From 1995 to 2000 she was president and CEO of the Joe W. King Orthopedic Institute at the Texas Orthopedic Hospital.
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Danville-area entrepreneurs win grants
The Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the 2024 REV UP entrepreneur program, which provides grants to small business startups and expansions in Pittsylvania County and the city of Danville, outside of the River District.
Thirteen businesses pitched for a total of $52,500 in funding. Grant funding was provided by the city of Danville, Pittsylvania County and the Community Investment Collaborative, a Community Development Financial Institution.
The winners of the 2024 REV UP awards:
- LabeledLex, Maya Hairston: LabeledLex is a luxury handbag brand that launched in 2023. The company received $4,000 to launch a new mini lex line and a men’s line.
- Mélange Productions, Chris Harris: Mélange Productions provides audio recording and mixing, video recording and editing, photography, concert sound and lighting, and music and vocal lessons. The company received $5,000 for building and equipment upgrades.
- Caring with Compassion Nursing, Latoria Thomas: Caring with Compassion Nursing is a non-medical home care agency. The business received $8,000 for startup costs.
- Honey Hair, Addison Vaught: Honey Hair offers consultations, color techniques and extensions. The company received $8,000 for furniture and equipment.
- Little Lady Boutique, Stacia Fitzgerald: Little Lady Boutique is a women’s clothing store. It received $10,000 to help expand its clothing line to include styles for little boys.
- Sova Fitness, Katie Ingram and Molly Lunsford: Fitness is a personal training studio gym focused. It received $15,000 to help purchase additional equipment.
The Community Investment Collaborative also presented an additional award to Dungeons and Dining, owned by Tyler Moorefield. It is a retail hobby shop and full-service restaurant and received $2,500 to upgrade equipment.
The REV UP Danville Pittsylvania program is preparing for the 2024-25 cohort. For information on becoming a funder, a mentor or a participant, contact Christy Harper at 434-836-6990 or chamber@dpchamber.org.
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Mountain Lake launches ‘Dirty Dancing’ festival
Mountain Lake Lodge in Giles County, where the movie “Dirty Dancing” was filmed 38 years ago, is debuting a “Dirty Dancing” Days Summer Festival.
The inaugural event will be held Aug. 16 and 17 and will feature live music, scavenger hunts, ’80s dress-up dance competitions, dance lessons, watermelon races, a trivia contest and screenings of the movie.
Tickets for both days are $75 and are available online. The full weekend itinerary is also online.