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Mr. Lewis S. Minter Jr. '49

Lewis Minter was born in Blacksburg, Virginia, graduated from Blacksburg High School and continued his education at Roanoke College where he received the Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science and History in 1949. While at Roanoke, he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and was noted for winning the state oratory contest for two years.

Minter's speaking skills were put to use in his early career when he worked as an announcer and in sales for Roanoke radio stations WSLS and WDBJ. He held other jobs in sales and advertising before he entered the Washington & Lee University School of Law. In addition to his studies, Lewis worked at a Lexington radio station during his law school days. He earned his Bachelor of Law degree from W&L in 1957.

After graduating from law school, Minter served an assistant professor of law at Washington & Lee for several years before becoming a partner in the law firm of Woodrum & Gregory in Roanoke. In 1962, Lewis joined the legal department of the C&O Railway in Richmond, Virginia, and served there for ten years. After leaving the Railway, his distinguished legal career continued when he became a member of the legal staff of the Virginia State Corporation Commission in 1972. He was elevated to SCC Solicitor General in 1988, and Lewis retired as Solicitor General in 1991, having served 19 years with the Commission.

Roanoke College continues to play an important role in Lewis's life. He and his wife, Annabelle, are members of the Roanoke College Associates, the Society of 1842, and he is a member of the Honor Guard. Lewis was instrumental in the donation of the Boehm porcelain bird collection to Roanoke College. The collection was donated by his aunt, Josephine Minter Almond, wife of J. Lindsay Almond, the 56th governor of Virginia. The collection was donated to the College in 1991 and is housed in the Fintel Library.

Lewis and Annabelle live in Richmond, Virginia. They have two sons, Ted and Jefferson.

Lewis S. Minter Jr. received the Roanoke College Medal in 2006.