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.