Charles Harbaugh IV ’09, ’11 decided to come to Shenandoah because location was very important to him. He developed a very close relationship with Miles Davis, Dean of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business and Professor of Management, after taking a course with him. Dean Davis was a driving force in Harbaugh’s election to the Middletown Town Council in 2010. He also offered support and encouraging words of wisdom to help Harbaugh reach his full potential. Harbaugh developed a relationship with John Winn, Professor of Business Law, as well and said, “He’s been magnificent over the years and has stayed in touch.” Harbaugh has been able to learn a lot from these close relationships with his professors.
In 2012, Harbaugh was the youngest mayor to be elected in Middletown, Virginia. He is now serving his second term as mayor after the 2016 election. “Middletown is rich in history with a climatic Civil War battle being fought there and now we are the home of LFCC and several growing, thriving businesses.”
Shenandoah gave me the business acumen to succeed in business from a global standpoint.”
Harbaugh’s advice for future students is: “To live dual lives and to do multiple things. While you are going to school also work a part-time job and learn job and life skills.”