11/15/2016
Dear Mary Baldwin Community,
With sadness, I write to share the news that Dr. Virginia Lester, the seventh president of Mary Baldwin College from 1976 through 1985, passed away on November 10 at the age of 85.
Under her leadership, Mary Baldwin launched the Adult Degree Program, developed the Program for the Exceptionally Gifted, and forged an alliance with Doshisha Women’s College in Kyoto, Japan. Also during her tenure, Mary Baldwin acquired the campus of the former Staunton Military Academy, significantly increasing the size of campus and building capacity for the future.
After her Mary Baldwin years, Dr. Lester earned her law degree from Stanford, became interim president at Friends World College, worked in the General Counsel office of the AARP, and taught at George Washington University.
Dr. Lester said of herself, “I accepted each opportunity as a gift of which to make the most.” She enjoyed adventure, especially travel and skiing. She loved and will be missed by her brother Edmund S Laudano (Kathleen), Pittsburgh, PA; daughters Pamela Lester Golde (Robert), Ridgefield, CT, and Valerie Lester (Geoffrey), Oak Park, IL; and grandsons Ross D. Golde (Jillian), Jericho, VT and Clayton W Golde, Washington, DC.
A memorial service is planned at Alexandria Friends Meeting, 8990 Woodlawn Rd, Alexandria, VA on Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. The family asks that donations be made to the Meeting in lieu of flowers.
Alumnae and friends are invited to post memories and thoughts to the MBU page at www.facebook.com/marybaldwinuniversity.
Sincerely,
President Fox
Mary Baldwin University equips you with the skills you need to navigate a dynamic global economy and pursue a meaningful, high-impact career. 💛🐿️