Heather Bell
CHRISTIANSBURG – The Christiansburg Institute Inc.board of directors has elected Debbie Sherman-Lee as the new Chair of the Board of Directors.
Debbie Sherman-Lee has been elected the new Chair of Christiansburg Institute, Inc.
Sherman-Lee succeeds Robert Leonard, Chair of the Board since 2008. Leonard will assume the duties of Interim Treasurer through the remainder of his final board term which ends in 2019. The board of Directors voted the changes in officers at its bi-monthly meeting on May 11, 2019.
Sherman-Lee is an alumna of Christiansburg Institute, attending from 1965-1966 until the Institute was closed.
“I’m excited to be a part of this very important work for this organization,” she said Friday. “We are continuing to do fund-raising so that we can proceed forward towards the construction of the roof [of the Edgar A. Long building]. We welcome any and all donations.”
The projected cost for restoring the roof is approximately $150,000.
CI Executive Director Chris Sanchez says Sherman-Lee’s experience and enthusiasm will be a great asset tot he organization.
“Ms. Sherman-Lee has contributed her strategic vision and creativity to the CI Inc. Board since 2017”, said Sanchez. “Her over 30 years of service and dedication as an educator in Montgomery County Public Schools models the tradition and vision of Christiansburg Institute; a vision of academic excellence, civic responsibility, and community empowerment. Debbie’s leadership, tremendous enthusiasm, contagious can-do spirit, and strong connections within the community will continue to be an incredible asset during this exciting season of organizational growth and revival.”
Christiansburg Industrial Institute educated African American students in the New River Valley and beyond the valley for a century, from 1866-1966. Christiansburg Institute, Inc. is an organization formed to “continue preserving and sharing our school and history with our community and beyond,” according to information about the organization. “A restored and operational Edgar A. Long building holds the promise of being an accessible and flexible multipurpose community gathering space and a museum that honors the history of Christiansburg Institute and African Americans in the South.”
Sherman-Lee says she recalls looking down on the CI campus as a student at Friends Elementary School and looking forward to attending. A lifelong resident of Montgomery County, she taught at Christiansburg High School from 1974 – 2010. Sherman-Lee is active throughout the community, serving many different organizations: Asbury United Methodist Women, Christiansburg Ruritans, Community Group/New Mountain Climbers, Dialogue on Race, Community Housing Partners, NAACP, Montgomery County Education Foundation, and the Christiansburg High School Leadership Team. She received the MLK, Jr. Community Service award in 2017 and the Christiansburg Ruritans Community Service Award in February 2019.
“As an advocate for social justice active in local politics, Ms. Sherman-Lee attends the General Assembly on behalf of community causes,” states information released by Christiansburg Institute, Inc. Sherman-Lee joins Vice Chair Marcy Schnitzer, Secretary Evelyn Young, and Interim Treasurer Leonard as officers of the CI Inc Board. In partnership with former Executive Director, Ms. Gladys Sokolow, “Leonard and Sokolow increased institutional strength, fiscal management, and organizational vision, moving from an all volunteer organization to one that embraces and supports a professional staff and signature programming.”
