People news: St. Lawrence University names Richards VP for university communications

CANTON, N.Y. — St. Lawrence University has named Melissa Farmer Richards vice president for university communications. She will start her position on Jan. 28.

Richards most recently served as the assistant vice president for marketing and publications at Virginia Tech, where she was first hired in 2009 as the director of marketing and strategic communications before being promoted in July 2010 to lead a unit of 19 professional administrators and staff.

Richards brings 21 years of experience in marketing research and strategy, brand management, digital marketing, licensing, trademarks, special events, and strategic alliances, according to a St. Lawrence University news release.

Among her responsibilities at Virginia Tech, Richards supervises the editorial and graphic design teams that produce the quarterly Virginia Tech Magazine, plus more than 300 print materials for marketing purposes.

At St. Lawrence, Richards replaces Tom Evelyn, who left the university in May to become the associate vice president for strategic communications and marketing at the University of Florida.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Richards is completing her master of public administration degree at Virginia Tech this month, according to the release.

Founded in 1856 and located in Canton, St. Lawrence University is a private, independent liberal-arts college with about 2,500 students.