This gallery of photographs shows events at Bridgewater College in spring 1980 and autumn 1981 when Bridgewater College administration, alumni and student leaders, Virginia statesmen, and the Obenshain family inaugurated the Richard D. Obenshain Memorial Scholarship Fund. A photograph of BC Student Body President Jonathan Lyle and Librarian Orland Wages hanging a portrait of Obenshain, gifted to the College by the Student Senate in the summer of 1979, is also found here.

Richard "Dick" D. Obenshain, 1935 - 1978, was a member of the Bridgewater College Class of 1956. Dedicated to a life of service, he held several offices for Bridgewater College. Among them were Student Body President from 1955 - 1956, Alumni Association President from 1971 - 1972, and Trustee of the College from 1976 - 1978.

Richard D. Obenshain was also an important Virginia politician of the mid 20th century. He served as Chairman of the Virginia Republican Party from 1972 - 1974. He was Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee from 1974 - 1976. In 1978, Obenshain emerged as Virginia's GOP senatorial candidate. Tragically, his life was cut short by an airplane crash in August of 1978.

Obenshain is remembered for his principled life of public service and his love of individual liberty and free enterprise. The donor-funded memorial scholarship honors him by awarding students excelling in leadership and aspiring to enter public service.

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