Virginia C. "Ginger" Barfield graduated Magna Cum Laude with Departmental Honors with
a BS in Physical Education from Winthrop College in 1977. She continued her studies
at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and in 2002 completed her Ph.D. in Religious
Studies at Duke University. In 1981, her ordination was held at Oakland Baptist Church
in Rock Hill. She is currently serving as Assistant Academic Dean, Director of Baptist
Studies Program & Adjunct Professor of the New Testament and Greek at Lutheran Theological
Southern Seminary.
Dr. Barfield has received numerous honors and awards throughout her career. She was
a Fellow and Presenter at the Oxford Roundtable in 2006, is listed in the National
Register of Who's Who in Executive and Professionals, and received the Crown Polisher
Award for her contributions to the Charlotte community in 1989. She has published
Sunday School Curricula for Smyth & Helwys Publishing Co., written periodic commentary
for Baptists Today, and published various articles, book reviews and sermons. Her
volunteer work includes mentorship of at-risk students for the Richland I School District,
leader of Habitat Youth-build project that was first in the nation in 1989, and led
two relief mission trips to New York City following the attacks on the World Trade
Center in 2001.
While at Winthrop, she belonged to Phi Kappa Phi, served as Student Body President
her senior year, and Class President during her freshman and sophomore years. She
played on the Intercollegiate Golf team and continues her love affair with the game.
In 2001, T Magazine (official magazine of the LPGA) included her in an article about
women and golf. She has been an avid golf for over 30 years. Although golf has been
a passion, she began her career at Rock Hill High School as the girls' basketball
coach. In her short two year career, she was 36-10 overall. In just her second and
final year, her team lost by one point in the Upper State finals. The team had not
made it pass the first round of the conference tournament in four pervious season.