Congressman Ben Cline visited the Rockbridge area Oct. 6 to meet with presidents of institutions of higher education across Virginia’s 6th District and representatives from the Department of Education for an education round table and tour to discuss the challenges facing colleges, universities, and students.
Prior to the round table at Washington and Lee University, Cline toured Mountain Gateway Community College’s Rockbridge Regional Center to see firsthand how the college is developing skills and preparing students to join the local workforce in the Rockbridge region.
The round table was attended by President Ken Ruscio of Washington and Lee University, President Gary Daynes of Mary Baldwin University, President Tracy Fitzsimmons of Shenandoah University, Superintendent Lt. Gen. David Furness and Government Relations Director Col. Kim Parker of Virginia Military Institute, President Mary Dana Hinton of Hollins University, President John Rainone of Mountain Gateway Community College, Chris Peace of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, Stephanie Giesecke of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education, Dr. David Barker.
