First Friday's Summer Speaker Series - Presidents Panel
Name:
First Friday's Summer Speaker Series - Presidents Panel
Date:
June 6, 2025
Time:
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT
Website:
Lexrockchamber.com
Registration:
Register Now
Event Description:
Join us for our First Friday's Summer Speaker Series Presidents Panel when we will welcome representatives from Mountain Gateway Community College, Virginia Military Institute, Washington & Lee University, and Southern Virginia University for a panel discussion. Come and learn about ways to engage with our local Universities, programs available to the public and ways we can support these relationships.
Dr. John Rainone
Dr. John Rainone serves as President of Mountain Gateway Community College, where he champions access, workforce development, and industry partnerships to meet the needs of rural communities. A nationally recognized leader in community college innovation, he has received numerous honors, including the NACCE “Entrepreneurial President of the Year” award and AACC’s “Emerging Leadership” award. A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Rainone holds degrees from Southern New Hampshire University and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. He is also a Certified Fundraising Executive and an active voice in national higher education organizations.
Brig. Gen. Robert (Bob) Moreschi
Brig. Gen. Bob Moreschi is Dean of the Faculty and Deputy Superintendent for Academics at Virginia Military Institute. With a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois, he joined VMI in 2002 after a successful career in finance. He has led the Institute’s academic programs since 2018 and played a key role in achieving AACSB accreditation for the business program. Gen. Moreschi is active in state and national academic leadership groups and has served extensively in community and professional organizations.
Dr. William C. (Will) Dudley
Dr. Will Dudley is the 27th President of Washington and Lee University. Prior to his appointment in 2017, he served as Provost and a professor of philosophy at Williams College. He earned his B.A. in mathematics and philosophy from Williams and completed his M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy at Northwestern University. A dedicated advocate for liberal arts education, Dr. Dudley serves on the boards of the Annapolis Group, the Associated Colleges of the South, and the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.
Bonnie H. Cordon
Bonnie H. Cordon is the president of Southern Virginia University and has served on various institutional and civic boards such as the Church Educational System Board of Education, BYU Broadcasting, Humanitarian XP, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Church’s Missionary Executive Council. Her focus on youth empowerment led to meaningful structural changes within the Church.
The presidents will focus on town-gown relations, including:
* Community engagement activities and events open to the public.
* Ways the community can support the institution (athletics, theater, internships, etc.).
* Current and future investments (new buildings, construction, etc.).
* Plans for the future of the school (enrollment, new majors, offerings, etc.).
Dr. John Rainone
Dr. John Rainone serves as President of Mountain Gateway Community College, where he champions access, workforce development, and industry partnerships to meet the needs of rural communities. A nationally recognized leader in community college innovation, he has received numerous honors, including the NACCE “Entrepreneurial President of the Year” award and AACC’s “Emerging Leadership” award. A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Rainone holds degrees from Southern New Hampshire University and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. He is also a Certified Fundraising Executive and an active voice in national higher education organizations.
Brig. Gen. Robert (Bob) Moreschi
Brig. Gen. Bob Moreschi is Dean of the Faculty and Deputy Superintendent for Academics at Virginia Military Institute. With a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois, he joined VMI in 2002 after a successful career in finance. He has led the Institute’s academic programs since 2018 and played a key role in achieving AACSB accreditation for the business program. Gen. Moreschi is active in state and national academic leadership groups and has served extensively in community and professional organizations.
Dr. William C. (Will) Dudley
Dr. Will Dudley is the 27th President of Washington and Lee University. Prior to his appointment in 2017, he served as Provost and a professor of philosophy at Williams College. He earned his B.A. in mathematics and philosophy from Williams and completed his M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy at Northwestern University. A dedicated advocate for liberal arts education, Dr. Dudley serves on the boards of the Annapolis Group, the Associated Colleges of the South, and the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.
Bonnie H. Cordon
Bonnie H. Cordon is the president of Southern Virginia University and has served on various institutional and civic boards such as the Church Educational System Board of Education, BYU Broadcasting, Humanitarian XP, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Church’s Missionary Executive Council. Her focus on youth empowerment led to meaningful structural changes within the Church.
Prior to her Young Women leadership, she was a counselor in the Primary General Presidency and mission leader in the Brazil Curitiba Mission. She earned a degree in education from BYU’s McKay School and began her career at Oracle before founding her own software business.
Dedicated to education and service, Cordon has also volunteered locally through PTA, community councils, and early-morning seminary teaching. She served a full-time mission in Portugal and, with her husband Derek, is the parent of four and grandparent of seven.
Event Media:
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