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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Floyd business development program open for registration
Registration is open for the 10th annual Floyd C4 Business Development series, a free educational program designed to help Floyd County residents start or grow their businesses.
The series begins Sept. 9 and runs through early November. It’s organized by the Floyd County Economic Development Authority, with support from the Floyd County Board of Supervisors, according to a news release announcing the program.
Participants will have access to business counselors, study business principles and compete for cash prizes for the best business plans and pitches.
Registration is open through 4 p.m. Sept. 6. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/FloydC4-2024 or contact Tabitha Hodge at thodge@floydcova.gov or 540-745-9352.
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Youngkin announces state board appointments
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced another round of state board appointments, including several residents of Southwest and Southside:
Virginia Commission for the Arts: Alex Grabiec of Farmville, curator of exhibitions, Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, Longwood University.
Virginia STEM Education Advisory Board: Amy Stinnett White of Botetourt County, dean of STEM and workforce solutions, Virginia Western Community College; member, Botetourt County Board of Supervisors.
State Board of Health: Vickie Runk of Bedford County, CEO, Runk & Pratt Companies.
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities: Shay Ruff of Roanoke, lead trainer, The Arc of Virginia.
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Roanoke College renames president’s house in honor of Fishwick family
The building that has housed six Roanoke College presidents and their families since 1968 will be renamed in honor of the family that sold it to the college.
The Greek Revival-style Fishwick House will continue to serve as the president’s home, according to a news release from the college.
The house was built in 1937 by a local pastor named LeRoy Gresham, the release said it was later owned by attorney John P. Fishwick, a 1937 graduate of Roanoke College who later became president of the Norfolk & Western Railway.
Fishwick served on the college’s board of trustees and made donations to support the school, including the establishment of an endowed professorship in English. His first wife, Blair Wiley Fishwick, was an alumna, served on the board of trustees and established an endowed scholarship for students.
Fishwick’s second wife, Doreen Fishwick, created an endowed scholarship in her own name and left the college a bequest after her death in May.
John P. Fishwick Jr. and his wife, Jeanne, continued the family’s support through the Turk Pre-Law Program and the men’s and women’s tennis programs, among others.
In 2021, John A. “Jack” Fishwick graduated from Roanoke College and now serves as the head coach of Maroons’ men’s and women’s tennis teams.