Polly Middleton has been named director of the Marching Virginians, only the fifth director in the band’s 44-year history.

Middleton served as director of Athletics Bands at Arkansas State University for a year and another as director of Illinois State University’s marching band. She previously held the position of associate director of Athletic Bands at Virginia Tech.

Middleton earned her bachelor’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Illinois and her master’s degree from Indiana University.