Josh Ledbetter

Diving in
Josh Ledbetter has made a splash during his time at LaGrange. The senior from Sharpsburg is captain of the Panther swim team, a member of Delta Tau Delta and a co-founder of the Triathlon Club.

He was named captain during his sophomore year when swim coach Susie Brown spotted leadership potential in the quietly composed young man.

“He was elected that year, and no one wants to take his place, so he’s remained captain by quiet ascension,” Brown says. “Josh is eager to learn and eager to share what he has learned. His positive attitude has swayed the team more than once. He is dependable and takes the initiative when action is needed. I hate the thought that this is his last season.”
 
Josh says he met Brown while he was still in high school.

“I met Coach Susie my senior year when I was swimming,” he says. “My sister came here before me and I wanted to come, too. When I decided to swim with the (college) team, there were only three of us on the team, and I was the only male. I loved it right off the bat.”

Now as part of a team of 12, Josh helps the coach make T-shirts, recruits new swimmers, assists with timing other swimmers or keeps scores.  He says his coach has become a friend and a mentor.

“She’s a great coach and has always been there for me. In fact, she’s like my mom away from home.”
 
Last year, Josh joined fellow swimmer Devon James to form the Triathlon Club, a group promoting the sport that combines swimming, biking and running.

“With last year being my first triathlon, I didn’t know what it all entailed,” he says. “We got some help and ended up doing really well. All three of us made the top 10 in our age group. It was a lot of fun.”

Josh’s original plan was to study art so he could design video games and graphics but soon learned it wasn’t for him.

“I quickly found out I’m not good at concept art and drawing, so I decided to switch to computer science.”

And that was the right move for him.

“I started tinkering around with computers and I really enjoyed working with them. Dr. (Faye) Riddle and Dr. Brooks Shelhorse (now retired) were great teachers and really helped me out.”

This semester, Josh is working as an intern in the information technology department at West Georgia Health.

“We work on a ticketing system, so if someone needs help, they’ll send in a request. If it’s a phone, internet or networking thing, it will go to the networking guys. But if it is something like the blue screen of death, that would come to us.”

Josh says he’s enjoying working as an intern at the hospital.

“You get to talk to everybody – security analysts, the help desk, the personal computer technicians, the networking people. If I don’t know what to do, it’s nice to be able to ask for help, and they’re always happy to show me what to do. It’s been a great experience.”

He’s made a good impression at West Georgia Health.

“We love Josh,” says Patricia Rogers, who works in the marketing and community relations department. “Not only does he have wonderful customer service skills, but he has a can-do attitude and is always looking for solutions to problems. He’s been a joy.”


Friends for the Journey

LaGrange College attracts the best and the brightest from all over the world. For example, our most recent incoming class consisted of men and women from 19 states and 10 countries, and included:

  • 76 members of Beta Club or the National Honor Society
  • 71 members of service organizations
  • 51 team captains in varsity sports
  • 25 leaders involved in student government, with 11 presidents
  • Three students involved in school publications, one as editor
  • Two Eagle Scouts
  • 20 musicians in band or orchestra
  • 18 singers in choir
  • 31 entertainers in performing arts
  • 85 students in religious activities.

But you don’t have to be a star in high school to succeed at LaGrange. Here, you’re given the opportunity to discover the best in yourself and find your destiny – all in a caring and supportive environment.