William Monroe’s Performing Arts Center to be renamed

by Susan Gibbs
Published: June 12, 2008

Greene’s Retiring Superintendent of Schools Ray Dingledine might have thought he’d had it all after three official parties, countless unofficial parties, gifts and donations in his name.
But he got another surprise Wednesday, June 4 when the County School Board announced that the William Monroe High School Performing Arts Center would be re-named in his honor.
“Whereas Mr. Dingledine has participated in many Performing Arts Center performances during his career …,” began School Board Chair Darcy Higgins at the last School Board meeting of Dingledine’s career.
“…. And whereas Mr. Dingledine has requested that any gifts or in-kind services offered on behalf of his retirement celebration be directed to support Performing Arts Center improvements,” Higgins continued. “And whereas Mr. Dingledine was instrumental in the founding of the Greene Educational Foundation (and) the Greene Educational Foundation has prioritized a fund-raising effort to support the Performing Arts Center, therefore be it resolved that the Greene County School Board hereby dedicates the Performing Arts Center as the Raymond C. Dingledine III Performing Arts Center.
Reached after the meeting, Dingledine, who has enjoyed a 38-year career in the Greene County School Division, said, “I’m a little overwhelmed.”
Earlier this month, Dingledine told the Greene County Record that he had always been passionate about the performing arts.
He said that he had gotten into drama in 1990, “maybe ‘91” at William Monroe High School, and that he thoroughly enjoyed the performances he participated in. But without realizing it, Dingledine added, drama became an important part of his professional development.
“I’m a better public speaker now and it’s because of drama. I tell the kids … the mountain of stuff they have to memorize, then (perform) in front of people will make them … much more effective in communicating with people.”
After hearing that his name was to be bestowed upon the Performing Arts Center, Dingledine said, “It means a great deal to me as it will be utilized by the entire community as well as grades K-12.”
The Performing Arts Center has been used by the school for plays, by visiting performing artists, and for community events.
Dingledine, who will be retiring effective July 1, is a Harrisonburg native who came to the Greene schools in 1970, fresh out of James Madison University, as a sixth grade teacher. After teaching for three years, he was named principal. Four years later he was promoted again, and in 1990 was named superintendent.
A Performing Arts Center dedication ceremony will include placing commemorative plaques in the Performing Arts Center. The ceremony will be scheduled when the Greene Educational Foundation’s fund-raising effort has been completed.
And henceforth, the William Monroe High School Performing Arts Center will be known as the Raymond C. Dingledine III Performing Arts Center.
“That’s a mouthful,” Dingledine chuckled.