Ron and Janice Sink Have a Passion for Place
Ron and Janice Sink’s devotion to Bridgewater College is written on its walls. As the College evolved over the past several decades, the Sinks have generously supported the renovations of Nininger Hall, the Forrer Learning Commons (FLC) and Bowman Hall, naming the Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Center in Nininger, the Brethren Room in the FLC and the Lecture Hall in Bowman.
Their support reflects their family’s history with Bridgewater. The Sinks’ youngest daughter, Jennifer Sink McCloud ’00, came to BC in 1996 to earn her degree in sociology and Spanish. She also met her husband, Jonathan McCloud ’97, at BC. A number of family members followed, including four of the Sinks’ grandchildren. Seven of the family’s 14 college graduates are BC alumni.
Ron says he first discovered the College when he attended Roundtable, an annual church regional youth conference, as a teen. He and Janice also brought students to the College as youth directors for the Ninth Street Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va. Their daughter chose to attend BC because she knew so many other young people who were planning to come as well.
Ron served as Chair of the Parents Committee in 1998 and served on a campaign committee at the request of then-President Phil Stone, who would invite him to serve on the Board of Trustees in 2007. A life trustee of the College since 2014, Ron is also a retired treasurer of Norfolk Southern Railway and Assistant Treasurer of the Norfolk Southern Corporation following a 37-year career with the railroad company.
Ron and Janice would often come to the area in the fall, enjoying a stay in Massanutten and attending board meetings. Ron valued the opportunity to be involved, provide financial support to the College and see the campus evolve over time.
Today, the couple gives to the Storied Halls fund, which supports ongoing capital improvements and upgrades to campus facilities. Ron says they believe Bridgewater’s historic buildings and beautiful grounds are central to the College’s identity and connect current students to those of past generations. Preserving a sense of place while also providing modern teaching and learning facilities for students is something that the Sinks value and are honored to support.
“We’ve been blessed, and education is high on the list of importance to us,” he explains.
A lifelong member of the Ninth Street Church of the Brethren, Ron taught Bible studies and Sunday school for 65 years. Both Ron and Janice were active for many years at Camp Bethel, the Church of the Brethren camp and event center in Fincastle, Va., and Janice was involved in Girl Scouts. Ron also served as a past board member for the Bethany Theological Seminary and the O. Winston Link and Roanoke History Museum. Ron also served on the board of what is now the Taubman Museum of Art.
– Olivia Shifflett
Published: October 9, 2026
