Goodes Honored as Outstanding Philanthropists
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Video produced by Tom Redmond
Video editing and cinematographer by Phil Wright
Susan and David Goode
Susan and David Goode are renowned throughout Coastal Virginia for their generosity to the arts and education. Their philanthropic philosophy extends far beyond the capital areas of their giving, embodying a commitment to growth, vitality, and service to the broader community to which Virginia Wesleyan University is dedicated. They are deeply invested in cultivating the arts in Virginia and ensuring the future of the arts in America. Their support is set to have a lasting impact on the University for decades to come.
David Goode
David R. Goode is the retired Chairman, President, and CEO of Norfolk Southern Corporation, a holding company principally engaged in surface transportation. His other directorships include Caterpillar Inc., Delta Air Lines, Inc., Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Norfolk Southern Railway, and Texas Instruments Incorporated. David attended Duke University and Harvard Law School. He was named Railroader of the Year by the industry trade journal *Railway Age* in 1998 and 2005.
In 2005, the former Norfolk Southern regional office building in midtown Atlanta was named in his honor. David is uniquely distinguished at VWU, holding two honorary degrees: Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, and Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
Susan S. Goode
Susan S. Goode is a community leader and a devoted advocate for education and the arts. She earned her undergraduate degree in liberal arts from Duke University. Since 2006, she has been an active member of the Virginia Wesleyan University Board of Trustees, serving three years as vice chair and three years as secretary. She chaired the Academic Affairs Committee for four years and played a major role in revising the University’s promotion and tenure policy, encouraging comprehensive curricular reform, including the four-credit curriculum, and shaping the academic elements in the 2013 strategic plan "Pathway to Prominence."
Susan supported the founding of The Truist Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery, which integrates and enhances the University’s global engagement, undergraduate research, internships, and civic learning. She also assisted in the University’s successful 10-year reaffirmation of SACSCOC accreditation and continues to encourage the University’s move into graduate level and online degree programs. She served on the President’s Advisory Council from 1998-2005 and holds a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, from VWU.
Philanthropic Impact
Susan and David recognize the critical importance of the arts and believe they are vital to a liberal arts education. They were the major benefactors for the construction of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center in 2017. In 2023, they joined Jane Batten and Joan Brock in providing funds for the construction of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at Virginia Wesleyan University, scheduled for completion in late 2025.
The Goodes have also invested in Virginia Wesleyan’s science programs through the renovation of the University’s math and natural sciences building, Blocker Hall. Their gift facilitated the creation of renovated science labs, student access to a research vessel, and STEM scholarships, sparking growth in the University’s science programs. Additionally, they have supported endowed scholarships and campus beautification programs. The Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities stands as a testament to Susan’s visionary leadership and the Goodes’ generosity.
Community Involvement
Beyond her leadership at Virginia Wesleyan, Susan serves on the boards of the Virginia Symphony, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and the Virginia Historical Society. She is also actively involved with the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk.
Susan and David Goode reside in Norfolk and have two daughters, Christina and Martha.