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Richard and Launa Whitehead to Speak at Devotional Feb. 4
Southern Virginia University Vice President of Institutional Advancement Richard Whitehead and his wife, Launa, an assistant professor of music at Southern Virginia, will give a devotional address entitled, “Finding Yourself,” on Friday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. in the Stoddard Center.
Richard and Launa came to Southern Virginia in 2003, after presiding over the England Bristol and England Birmingham Missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Before that time, Richard served on the National Advisory Council at Dixie State College in numerous capacities, including: co-founder, president of the alumni association, member of the board of trustees, and president of the foundation.
He received an associate degree from Dixie State College, a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, and a doctorate of dental surgery from Creighton University.
Launa Whitehead previously taught music core courses at Dixie State College — where she also directed the Dixie Flute Choir — and served as director of flute studies at Southern Utah University and Tuacahn Center for the Arts. She currently directs the Southern Virginia Flute Choir.
She has three degrees in music — an associate degree from Dixie State College, a bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University, and a master’s degree, emphasizing flute performance, from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She played principal flute with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra for over fifteen years and was a featured soloist in the Temple Square Concert Series as well as at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City.
Richard Whitehead previously served as bishop of the Buena Vista University Fifth Ward. He currently serves as a high priest group leader and Launa currently serves as stake young women’s president. They have six children and 18 grandchildren, and reside in Buena Vista, Va.
Community members and Southern Virginia faculty, staff and students are invited to hear forum and devotional speakers each Friday morning at 11 a.m. in the Stoddard Center. Recordings of past forum and devotional speeches may be accessed online.