Barbara Niedland McCarthy, of Richmond, VA, named to Randolph College Board of Trustees

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Barbara Niedland McCarthy

LYNCHBURG, VA (10/09/2013)(readMedia)-- Barbara Niedland McCarthy '73 is no stranger to the Randolph College Board of Trustees. McCarthy, one of two alumnae recently elected to the Board, first served from 2009-12 as part of her role as president of the Alumnae and Alumni Association.

McCarthy, a psychology major from Richmond, Virginia, is the director of the Library and Resource Center for the Commonwealth's Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired.

"The College gave me the foundation upon which I built my career, developed into who I am today, started a family, and became passionate about service to others," McCarthy said. "I want other young people to have similar amazing opportunities at this wonderful College. I wish I could have another go at it!"

McCarthy earned her Master in Education from the University of Virginia and has been heavily involved with the College for years. Among other duties, she served as chair of the finance committee, the Richmond Chapter president, and as a district director.

She believes her experience in the education spectrum will serve her well on the Board, and she hopes to build relationships with fellow Board members as well as faculty and staff.

"I see blue skies ahead for Randolph College," McCarthy said. "I envision a College renowned for the integration of its liberal arts curriculum with more real life experiences and internships. I expect the size and diversity of the student body to continue to grow, but the intimate campus atmosphere will remain intact. The College's fine faculty will continue to inspire students and produce important research and projects.

"Randolph College," she added, "has grown with the times, and is, quite frankly, better than the College I attended from 1969-1973. The world is virtually smaller now, and thankfully Randolph has changed to meet the new global challenges."

McCarthy is an active volunteer in her community and has served as board president of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Vision Impaired. A long-time board member and trustee emeritus for the American Foundation for the Blind, McCarthy has also volunteered in an advisory capacity with both the American Printing House for the Blind and with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

She and her husband, Jim, have two sons, a daughter, and five grandchildren.