Summer dreams
Tournaments at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Events at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. A busy Oceanfront boardwalk. That was the scene in Virginia Beach during just one weekend in mid-March. And it was the perfect “prelude” to the summer travel season, says John Zirkle, general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Virginia Beach. “The […]
Return to form
In terms of business activity and economic development wins, 2021 turned out to be a stellar year for the Shenandoah Valley. “We have exceeded what we anticipated from a business activity perspective,” says Jay Langston, executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, which promotes economic development from Shenandoah County to Rockbridge County. “When government shut […]
Inspiration strikes in coworking space
It’s ironic that the Staunton Innovation Hub, a coworking center, opened its largest phase amid a global pandemic that sent many workers home, away from shared workspaces. “The pandemic certainly created its own set of challenges in terms of opening a coworking space,” says Peter Denbigh, who founded the hub with his ex-wife, Alison Denbigh. […]
Mary Baldwin alum makes $12.5M gift
A 1965 alumna of Mary Baldwin University has given her alma mater $12.5 million, which will mainly go toward unrestricted support of the private university in Staunton, MBU announced Wednesday. Paula Stephens Lambert, a Dallas resident who founded Mozzarella Co. in 1982 and introduced many European handmade cheeses to the United States market on a […]
Six Staunton apartment properties sell for $6.3M
Staunton Portfolio LLC has purchased a six-property multifamily portfolio, which includes 88 apartments for $6.3 million, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer announced Wednesday. The portfolio was sold with assumable long-term fixed-rate debt in place. The seller was LSK Properties LLC. The properties are located in Staunton at 1020 Rockaway St., 2407 Bare St., 2501 Hickory […]
Staunton senior community sells for $4.75M
A senior-living community with 62 one- and two-bedroom apartments in Staunton has sold for $4.75 million, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer announced this week. Formerly a high school built in 1926, Gypsy Hill Place was converted to apartments and commercial space in 2009. Original developer Gypsy Hill Place LLC, represented by John Pritzlaff and Jenny […]
Mary Baldwin University appoints first chief diversity officer
The Rev. Andrea Cornett-Scott has been named Mary Baldwin University‘s first chief diversity officer, effective Aug. 1. Cornett-Scott will be responsible for campuswide diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and resources. Her duties will include assessing the need for training initiatives on cultural competency, racial sensitivity, gender equity and other topics. She reports to Pamela Fox,[...]
Staunton manufacturer to expand, create 31 jobs
Ryzing Technologies LLC, a designer and manufacturer of textile-based engineering solutions, will expand its facility in Staunton, creating 31 jobs, according to an announcement Friday from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. Ryzing is investing $149,000 in the expansion of the facility, which specializes in engineered textiles, rigid inflatable structures, and rapid prototyping. Its customer base incl[...]
Mary Baldwin University announces $5 million gift
William H. “Bill” Goodwin Jr. and his wife, Alice, have made a $5 million gift to Mary Baldwin University to fund the launch of a new hybrid doctor of nursing practice degree program. The prominent Richmond philanthropic couple, who have given tens of millions of dollars to charitable causes, said in a statement that they […]
Mary Baldwin receives $1M gift to endow building
Mary Baldwin University has received a $1 million gift from the Robert Haywood Morrison Foundation to endow the building that houses the university’s Program for the Exceptionally Gifted for girls age 13 and older seeking college degrees, MBU announced Wednesday. The building will be named in honor of President Emerita Cynthia Haldenby Tyson at a […]
Saving the day
Running from police, an unremarkable bad guy with sandy hair suddenly grabs a little girl and dangles the young hostage from the third floor of a mall atrium. As a gaggle of nonplused bad guys decked out in ’80s pastels and John Oates mustaches look on, the skylight above shatters. It’s Wonder Woman, swooping into […]
Mary Baldwin names interim provost/chief academic officer
Tynisha Willingham, dean of Mary Baldwin University‘s College of Education, has been named the Staunton school’s interim provost and chief academic officer. She replaces Ty Buckman, who joined the Foundation of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture as its executive vice president this month. “I am delighted to lead and shape the academic enterprise […]