Alumni Awards

2022 Hornet Hero Award – COVID-19: Ashley Dunbar Carson ’18

Carson graduated in 2018 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau. Her professional and career achievements include working alongside physicians in numerous healthcare centers and hospitals as well as working on COVID-19 crisis assignments providing care in IC and PCU settings to COVID-19 patients. She traveled to New York City to be an ICU float nurse, and said, “I felt pulled to help after watching how the media portrayed the NY hospitals. This is my calling, to help others. This is why I became a nurse! Thank you Shenandoah University and all my professors who have taught me at Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing. You have prepared me for this moment. I couldn’t have done it without your help!” 

2022 Hornet Hero Award: Maura Sherlach Schwartz ’06

Schwartz graduated in 2006 with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She is in her 14th year as a high school choir director/teacher. She is also the executive director of the South Jersey Chapter of Mary’s Fund, which raises awareness to aid mental health social organizations as well as scholarships for local high school students. Schwartz has presented and spoken to numerous community and school groups about her experience in losing her mother at the Sandy Hook massacre, which prompted the Mary’s Fund that was created in the aftermath of the massacre. Her mother’s life mission was to support student mental health and Schwartz is dedicated to continuing her mother’s legacy through the Mary’s Fund. 

2022 Young Career Achievement Award: Desiree S. Dabney ’14

Dabney graduated in 2014 with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting. While teaching in the Richmond Public School system she noticed that there were no theater programs offered in middle school and made it her mission to bring theater to the schools by starting a program from the ground up. Dabney later became the first black woman to join the Virginia Theater Association as a board member and also joined the Virginia Department of Education curriculum instruction and steering committee. As a professional actor, she filmed a national commercial for Google, performed in a show on Apple TV and was in the first-ever virtual showing of Dreamgirls. When the pandemic began Dabney saw the impact it had on her students and immediately began reaching out to their families to help them set up Zoom. She offered over 100 theater classes virtually, which gained attention and she was asked to teach/mentor 100 teachers in Virginia on how to teach virtually. Dabney is now the head of musical theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, creating a new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre and rewriting curriculum.

2022 Service to the Community Award: Tavan N. Mair ’04

Mair graduated from Shenandoah in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. In 2017, he started a non-profit called Connected Communities in Winchester, Virginia. Connected Communities provides mental health and community-based services to children and adults in Clarke, Frederick, Loudoun, Shenandoah, and Warren counties and the City of Winchester. Those services include TF-CBT, outpatient therapy, family therapy, mentoring, parent mentoring, residential deviation, intensive in-home services, CSOTP therapy, and psychosexual assessments. Over the last year, the organization has been able to impact the lives of more than 200 youth. For the 2021-22 school year, Mair partnered with members of the Winchester community to provide school supplies, shoes and haircuts to more than 375 youth at the Back 2 School event hosted by the Town of Middletown, Virginia, F&M Bank, and Planet Fitness. Connected Communities plans to open its second location in Front Royal, Virginia, October 2022. He is currently pursuing his MSW at Virginia Commonwealth University and has his Master’s in human services from Liberty University. Mair is also a qualified mental health provider for adults and children through the Board of Counseling and a certified sex offender treatment provider through the Board of Psychology. He also currently sits as the private provider for the Clarke County Community Policy & Management Team. 

2022 Professional Achievement Award: Mary-Colleen Hightower Ensogna ’09

Ensogna earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History from Shenandoah University in 2009. After graduating, she studied Renaissance Art and the History of Modern Italy at the Santa Reparata School of Art in Florence, Italy. Mary is the supervisory paralegal for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Middle East District.

The Middle East District is responsible for providing engineering, construction, and related services in the Middle East, Central Asia, and other areas as required. Its work includes designing and constructing facilities for use by U.S. forces, performing engineering activities for other U.S. government and foreign agencies, and providing operations and maintenance services for various customers.

Since 2009 Ensogna has held various positions within the Middle East District (TAM), including Legal Intern, Legal Assistant, Paralegal, and most recently, Supervisory Paralegal Specialist. In addition to providing paralegal support to TAM, she currently leads the Paraprofessional Facilitators Group responsible for curating paraprofessional training opportunities across USACE. From April 2010 to October 2011, Ensogna deployed to Kabul as a paralegal for the Transatlantic Afghanistan District– North, during Operation Enduring Freedom. Throughout her 13 years with the agency, she has provided support in areas including pre- and post-award contractual issues, fiscal issues, employment law, Foreign Military Sales, and other legal issues. With a  primary focus on litigation, she has supported the agency in resolving various federal contingency and non-contingency contracting issues, including bid protests, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Contract Disputes Act (CDA) compliance, requests for equitable adjustments and claims, and litigation involving the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. She continues to manage the litigation support for TAM’s cases involving multi-million dollar government agreements for U.S. Central Command, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Throughout her legal career with the USACE, she received numerous awards, including Support Staff Member of the Year, Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, and USACE Legal Services Keystone Award. Among her many accomplishments, Ensogna is most proud of formalizing the USACE Legal Internship program, providing future internship opportunities to Shenandoah students. Outside of work, she is a board member of Celebrating Patsy Cline Inc., which is responsible for preserving Patsy Cline’s historic home in Winchester, Virginia, and keeping Cline’s legacy alive.

2022 Lifetime Achievement Award: Thomas A. Wilkins ’78

Wilkins is an alumnus of Shenandoah Conservatory, graduating in 1978 with a double major in music education and voice. In 1982, he received a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from New England Conservatory of Music. Wilkins has served on the music faculties of North Park University (Chicago), the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He was appointed Music Director of the Omaha Symphony in 2005, and 2007/08 marked his second season with that orchestra – this will be his final year in that position. The 2007/08 season also marked his eighth season as Resident Conductor of the Detroit Symphony. Wilkins is also a principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and was formerly the family and youth concerts conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). In March 2020, he was promoted to a newly created position as the BSO’s artistic adviser for education and community engagement. In his new role at the BSO, Wilkins will expand his presence in the Boston Public Schools and lead master classes with students participating in a program called BEAM (Bridge to Equity and Achievement in Music), among other responsibilities. He was recognized as a Shenandoah Conservatory Alumnus of Excellence in 1998 and received a Honorary degree from SU in 2003.

2021 Young Career Achievement: Dr. Trey Kunz ’14

Kunz is an athletic trainer and physical therapist for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and the owner of Kunz Rehab and Performance Training (KRPT). KRPT offers rehabilitation and performance training consulting for professional, collegiate, and youth athletes and teams. In 2018 through KRPT, he provided rehab and performance training for adidas Nations Basketball during the 2018 EuroLeague Final Four. Kunz also traveled with and served as the physical therapist and strength and conditioning coach for a top-10 ranked tennis player during the 2017-18 tour season. Prior to his current positions, he was the rehabilitation director and assistant athletic trainer for the football program at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, and a performance physical therapist and coach at EXOS in Frisco, Texas. Kunz is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, National Athletic Trainers’ Association and National Strength and Conditioning Association. He received his Master of Science in athletic training and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees in 2014.

2021 Service to the Community: Brett R. DeVore ’98

DeVore is the owner of Kiddos’ Clubhouse, a private therapy clinic in Alpharetta, Georgia, that has been in business for more than 15 years. Kiddos’ Clubhouse provides occupational, physical and speech therapy to children with special needs. He has also built relationships with a handful of private schools in the area where he provides occupational and speech therapy. Outside of work, DeVore volunteers his time with Boy Scouts of America, and is an Eagle Scout. He helped form a new troop in his local area, and is the district chair for the largest Boy Scout district in the Atlanta Area Council. DeVore also served as a director for one of eight national pilot courses for new teaching material in a course called Wood Badge. In December 2018, he participated in an international community service project of a fellow Eagle Scout to help build therapy and sensory rooms for The Ark, a home for children with special needs in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. DeVore gave input on what equipment to use, how the equipment should be installed, and the safe use of the equipment. Once the plan was finalized, he went to Sri Lanka to help execute the building of the equipment, and to give teachers at the school some ideas on how to use the items with the children. DeVore received his Master of Science degree in occupational therapy in 1998.

2021 Service to the University: Dr. Jennifer Green-Flint ’09, ’15

Green-Flint is assistant dean of Shenandoah Conservatory and executive director of Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy. She is also an adjunct professor for Shenandoah Conservatory, as well as the Division of Education & Leadership. Green-Flint has worked for Shenandoah University for 15 years.

In her position as assistant dean, she provides senior leadership to increase student opportunities and faculty enterprise. This includes contributing creative strategic direction for major initiatives, team-leading the emergency response to COVID-19, managing operations, serving on school and institutional-level committees, planning and accompanying large group student travel and presenting and teaching nationally and internationally. In her position as executive director of the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy, she provides leadership for faculty and staff of 40+ and a student body of 1,000, in addition to industry service. She is deeply invested in mentoring student leadership in arts and non-profit arenas and loves to guide young Shenandoah University professionals as they grow their career.

Recent recognition of her service includes the 2019- 2022 prestigious National Arts Strategies Fellowship and in 2020 Shenandoah’s James R. and Mary B. Wilkins Appreciation Award. Green-Flint earned her Master of Science degree in arts management in 2009 and her Doctor of Professional Studies degree in organizational leadership in 2015.

2021 Professional Achievement: Jeremy Scott Blaustein ’06

Blaustein has been working professionally in the theatre for 22 years. He is currently the producing artistic director for Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre where he is responsible for creative oversight, fundraising, community outreach, marketing, budgeting and advertising. Prior to joining Shenandoah, Blaustein produced 17 Broadway shows, five off-Broadway productions, two West End shows and one national tour. He has worked with such notable actors as Angela Lansbury, Will Ferrell, Al Pacino, Patrick Stewart, Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss, John Lithgow and Phylicia Rashad. Blaustein has been personally nominated for two Drama Desk Awards and one Outer Critics’ Circle Award. His productions have garnered a total of seven Tony Awards, five Drama Desk Awards, seven Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, seven Theatre World Awards, two Olivier Awards, one Pulitzer Prize and one Grammy nomination. As an actor, he has been nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards (Washington, DC). His directing work has been seen all over the world, including New York, London, and Winchester, Virginia. In addition to his work in theatre, Blaustein is also a published humorist and historian. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music theatre in 2006.

2021 Lifetime Achievement: Robert J. Spiers, Jr. ’69

Spiers has dedicated his life to music. From 1963-66 he served with the U.S. Continental Army Band of Fort Monroe, Virginia, where he was assistant first hornist. In 1964, the band had the honor of serving as the funeral band for Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Spiers was valedictorian of the Shenandoah Conservatory class of 1969 and received his Master of Music degree in 1970 from West Virginia University. In 1970, Spiers began his career in music education. He taught music education to public school students in Roanoke, Henrico and Hanover counties in Virginia. On March 23, 2000, the State Department of Education and the State School Board honored Spiers with the Distinguished Music Educator’s Award for his 30 years of teaching music to students in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This marked the first time this award was presented to a music educator. Spiers received a Bachelor of Music Education degree with emphasis in French horn and a minor in organ in 1969.

2020 Young Career Achievement: Nicholas J. Ruxton ’14

Ruxton is the video and interactive media specialist for Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. Before his current position, he was a videographer for the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for six years. In this position, he primarily traveled around the state highlighting churches and their stories. The videos ranged from informational videos about events to community outreach programs. The conference has multiple mission partnerships, so Ruxton also traveled across the country and internationally to Cambodia and Mozambique to cover stories. He redeveloped the conference’s videography program after more than five years of vacancy, and has been recognized by the United Methodist Association of Communicators with seven awards for videos, three awards for photography and one award for writing. When Ruxton isn’t working, he is a pilot for the Richmond chapter of Cycling Without Age, a member and small group leader at Boulevard UMC, and a Richmond District At-Large Lay Member to Annual Conference for the Virginia Conference of the UMC. He also loves staying connected with Shenandoah through activities on- and off-campus, including participating on an alumni panel for current students of the College of Arts & Sciences. Ruxton received his Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications and a Faith Seeking Justice Certificate in Christian Leadership in 2014.

2020 Service to the Community: Molly Connor-Hall ’13, ’21

Connor-Hall is a pediatric occupational therapist with Valley Health in Winchester, Virginia. During her time at Valley Health, she has continuously worked to improve the quality of life for children with special needs in her community. Connor-Hall is co-director of a yearly, week-long day camp called Camp Follow the Leader. She also spearheads a quarterly “sensory friendly” night at the local children’s museum for families of children with physical, cognitive, emotional and sensory challenges. An average of 70+ children attend these nights each quarter. Connor-Hall leads a support group for parents of children with special needs and has organized an event to engage the community in spreading awareness about the need for universal accessibility. In 2018, she was WINC FM’s Hero of the Week. Connor-Hall received her Master of Science degree in occupational therapy in 2013 and her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree in 2021.

2020 Service to the University: Robert D. Crawford ’56

Although Crawford graduated from Shenandoah nearly 65 years ago, he is still one of the most involved alumni the university has ever had. He has served as president of the Dayton Alumni Society and has been a member of the Shenandoah University Alumni Board of Directors for more than 15 years. During his time as president of the Dayton Alumni Society, he has been involved in the creation of the Dayton Gallery (located in the lower level of the Brandt Student Center), the Dayton Alumni Scholarship (which has grossed $75,000), the Dayton Alumni Choir, the Dayton Alumni Hall of Fame and the Shenandoah University Historical Marker that will be installed in Dayton, Virginia. He also helps lead the planning and execution of the annual Dayton Alumni Weekend. When he’s not volunteering his time to Shenandoah, Crawford is the lead bass singer for St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, Maryland. Before his retirement, he was a public school band director, he worked in sales and sales management for 35 years, and was a director of music at two United Methodist Churches for 35 years. Crawford received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in voice in 1956.

2020 Professional Achievement: Robert E. Beery ’69

Beery’s career in education spanned 41 years with the Prince George’s County Public School System in Maryland. From 1969 to 1989, he was a choir teacher, first at Parkdale High School in Lanham, Maryland, and then at Largo High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. While in the classroom, Beery produced and directed the first musical at Parkdale, and 38 more plays and musicals at Largo High School. His choirs toured the mid-Atlantic region each year, singing at choral festivals and visiting schools with great success. Beery also coached outdoor track for 18 years, indoor track for nine years and football for 10 years. He moved from the classroom to administration in 1989 by becoming the activities coordinator at Forestville High School, making him the first person to hold such a position in the state of Maryland. In 1992, he transitioned into the role of assistant principal and held this position at several different schools. During his tenure, he brought about innovative ideas that allowed students to achieve their maximum potential, and his ideas helped usher in a significant reduction in school suspensions. In 2004, he was selected to spearhead a new program in Prince George’s County to assist at-risk students, and he concluded his 41 year education career with Prince George’s County Public Schools in 2010. Beery received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1969.

2020 Lifetime Achievement: James E. Mason ’74

Mason has devoted his life to music. In 2019, he retired from the Kitchner-Waterloo Symphony in Kitchner, Ontario, where he was the principal oboist for 40 years. During this time, Mason went on 10 international tours with the Canadian Chamber Ensemble. Along with his wife, Julie Baumgartel, he founded the Grand River Baroque Festival in Ayr, Ontario. When not performing, Mason was guiding the next generation of musicians by teaching music as an oboe instructor at Wilfrid Lauier University from 1979 to 2015. He has also served his community by coaching baseball and being active with Habitat for Humanity. Mason received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1974.

2019 Young Career Achievement: Shatora E. Lane ’12, ’14

Lane is the head athletic trainer at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. She works with the staff to provide on-site care for athletes who have become injured. Lane handles anything from prevention programs and postsurgical rehabilitation, to on-site acute injuries. She also stays involved with Shenandoah as an adjunct faculty member, teaching therapeutic exercise courses. She often speaks with undergraduate students who are thinking about applying to the athletic training program to answer any of their questions and/or address their concerns. Lane received her Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology in 2012 and her Master of Science degree in athletic training in 2014.

2019 Service to the Community: Victor R. Gomez ’97

In July 2018, Gomez was the first Latino to be appointed in Virginia as a district superintendent for the United Methodist Church, and he serves the Harrisonburg District. He served as senior pastor at Mount Olive United Methodist Church and Relief United Methodist Church in Winchester, Virginia, and is the president and co-founder of LUCHA Ministries in Fredericksburg, Virginia. LUCHA is a non-profit organization that upholds the rights of immigrants and their families. Gomez works with Shenandoah to help organize and direct mission trips to Jamaica, Mexico and Nicaragua. He also volunteers his time as chaplain for Frederick County and Winchester Fire and Rescue and has served on the Latino Advisory Board under two Virginia governors. Gomez received his Bachelor of Music degree in composition in 1997.

2019 Service to the University: Katelyn Miller Sanders ’11

Sanders is the director of admissions and a lecturer of pharmacy practice at Shenandoah University’s Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy. Prior to her current position, she served as an adjunct professor for the School of Pharmacy. During her time at Shenandoah, Sanders has developed an elective course called Community Pharmacy Management, spearheaded the Student Ambassador Program, revamped and now advises the Shenandoah Pre-Pharmacy Society, and serves on the School of Pharmacy’s Dean’s Advisory Board and its Technology Committee as well. She received the Shenandoah University Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate Award in 2011. Sanders also worked as a pharmacist at various Rite Aid pharmacies in the Shenandoah Valley. She received both her Master of Business Administration degree and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2011.

2019 Professional Achievement: Sue Marston Boyd ’68

For 37 years, Boyd was a member of the keyboard faculty at Shenandoah and was awarded the title of professor emerita of piano upon her retirement. Performance experiences have included numerous concerts as an accompanist and chamber musician. Some of these concert appearances have been at the Terrace Theatre of the John F. Kennedy Center, the German Embassy, and with the Shenandoah Conservatory Trio in Western Germany. Awards she has received from Shenandoah University include the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the 1996 Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to the University and the university’s Exemplary Teacher of the Year Award. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Catholic University of America and a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati. Boyd serves on the board of the Arts Chorale of Winchester, and is the organist/pianist and choir director at Relief United Methodist Church in Winchester, Virginia. She continues to actively perform chamber music recitals on the university campus and in the area. Boyd received her Bachelor of Music degree in music education and piano from Shenandoah in 1968.

2019 Lifetime Achievement: Lisa L. Doumont ’95

Doumont serves as the Commanding General of the US Army Reserve Medical Readiness and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Prior to this position, she served as the Assistant Surgeon General for mobilization, readiness, force management and reserve affairs with the Office of the Surgeon General in Falls Church, Virginia, and was dual-hatted as the deputy commanding general with the Army Reserve Medical Command in Tampa, Florida. Doumont has served the United States Army Reserve since 1993 after four years of active service. She has held various positions with units in Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and has received many military awards and decorations in her career including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medals, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and the Expert Field Medical Badge. Doumont earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, a Bachelor of Nursing degree and Master of Business Administration degree from Old Dominion University. In 1995, Doumont received her Associate of Science degree in nursing from Shenandoah, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in organizational leadership in Shenandoah’s School of Education & Leadership.

2018 Lifetime Achievement: Dolly Stevens ’77

Stevens is a drama instructor at Blue Ridge Middle School in Purcellville, Virginia. Since 1993, Stevens has taught and/or directed more than 2,000 youth of all ages. She was the co-founder and producing artistic director of Loudoun County’s premiere youth theatre, The Growing Stage, from 1994 to 2004. While at Blue Ridge, she has received numerous awards from the National Youth Arts Theatre for her musical productions. In 2015, Stevens was nominated for the Tony Awards’ Excellence in Theatre Education Award. Though busy with teaching, she still maintains an active professional life as an actress, and has appeared at SSMT in many leading roles. Stevens received her Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre degree in 1977.

2018 Professional Achievement: Alan M. Baylock ’90

Baylock is an associate professor in the division of jazz studies and the director of the One O’Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. For 20 years, Baylock worked as a staff arranger and composer for the United States Air Force Band, including 18 years as the chief arranger for The Airmen of Note. In 2013, he stepped into the newly created position of jazz composer-in-residence at Shenandoah University. During his residency, Baylock was the co-director, arranger and composer of the Conservatory Jazz Ensemble and taught jazz arranging, jazz composition and pedagogy. He led his own group, The Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, for more than 10 years. With this ensemble, he performed throughout the U.S. and released three critically-acclaimed recordings. He has also served as a guest conductor in more than 100 appearances, including 11 All-State Jazz Ensembles, and has composed and arranged 300 new works during his career, much of which is published by Alfred Music and ProJazzCharts.com. Baylock received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1990.

2018 Service to the University: Jane Danchisen Pittman ’89

Pittman is the director of development at Otterbein SeniorLife in Marblehead, Ohio. Before her current position, she worked for Shenandoah University for 28 ½ years. During her time at Shenandoah, Pittman was at the helm of hundreds of university and alumni events and started the university’s annual Homecoming Weekend celebration in the early 1990s. She worked intensively with the university’s alumni and donors and developed close-knit bonds with them, especially the Dayton alumni. In 2012, she was awarded the university’s first professional development leave and produced the Dayton Alumni Directory. In December 2017, the Jane Danchisen Pittman ’89 Legacy Scholarship was also created to honor Pittman’s service to the university. Pittman received her Master of Business Administration degree in 1989.

2018 Service to the Community: Robert Cyparksi ’12

Dr. Cyparski is a clinical pharmacy specialist at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Dr. Cyparski assists veterans with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and anticoagulation management. Dr. Cyparski joined the Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System Program in 2016 to volunteer his time to disaster areas. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, he assisted the VA Caribbean Healthcare System in dispensing prescriptions to the veterans and eliminating the enormous backlog due to the disaster. Dr. Cyparski received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2012.

 

2018 Young Career Achievement: Kyle J. Weary ’05, ’08

Weary is an elementary music specialist for West Shore School District in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Prior to this position, he worked for the Barbara Ingram School of the Arts in Maryland, where he founded the vocal music department and was director of choirs. With his dedication to the school, Weary was nominated for Washington County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year Award in 2015. While director of choirs, his students had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York, New York, with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Todd Rundgren and Eric Whitacre. In 2016, Weary was a quarter-finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award. Weary received his Bachelor of Music degree in music education in 2005 and his Master of Music degree in conducting in 2008.

2017 Lifetime Achievement: David M. McKee ’76

David M. McKee ’76 is the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Lifetime Achievement. This is the highest alumni award an alumna/alumnus can receive. It honors extraordinary accomplishments and a lifetime record of “unique and significant” service to his or her profession and the university as well as a demonstrated community engagement. McKee spent 32 years directing the Marching Virginians at Virginia Tech in hundreds of performances across the country. During his 40-year career, he also served as a conductor, teacher and mentor. In 2015, the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors named the Sochinski-McKee Marching Virginians Center in recognition of his service. McKee received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Percussion in 1976.

2017 Professional Achievement: Alan J. Lombardo ’02

Alan J. Lombardo ’02 is the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Professional Achievement. This award recognizes an alumna/alumnus who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in his or her chosen field or profession. Lombardo is the Chief Operating Officer at the McGuire Virginia Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. He has worked as a Spinal Cord Injury & Polytrauma Physical Therapist and was an American Physical

Therapy Association Board certified neurological clinical specialist from 2006 to 2016. Lombardo is also an associate professor in the Department of Health Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University. He received his Master of Physical Therapy in 2002.

2017 Service to the University: Carl D. Harris ’59

Carl D. Harris ’59 is the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Service to the University. This award recognizes an alumna/alumnus who has demonstrated ongoing dedication to the university and honors that dedication by selflessly serving the institution in an extraordinary manner. Harris served as the director of the Jefferson Choral Society in Lynchburg, Virginia for over 15 years and was the Choral Music Instructor in four high schools during his 30-year career. Harris served on the SU Alumni Board of Directors for six years and was inducted into the Dayton Alumni Hall of Fame in 2014. He was also the organizer and conductor of the SU Dayton Alumni Chorus for 10 years and SU Alumni Chorus for two years. Harris received a Bachelor of Music Education in Voice in 1959.

2017 Service to the Community: Ashley Henegar Plummer ’10

Ashley Henegar Plummer ’10 is the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Alumna Award for Service to the Community. This award recognizes an alumna/alumnus who, through voluntary or paid work, has significantly contributed to the betterment of his or her community, state, nation or the world.  Plummer is an American Physical Therapy Association

certified Pediatric Physical Therapist at Wolfson Children’s Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, Florida. In the past few years, she has organized several medical mission trips to Haiti, Romania and Mexico in order to educate the people in those areas and deliver supplies to rehabilitation clinics and hospitals. Plummer received her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2010.

2017 Young Career Achievement: Amanda Reed Carter ’09, ’10

Amanda Reed Carter ’09, ’10 is the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Alumna Award for Young Career Achievement. This award recognizes an alumna/alumnus under the age of 35 who has made significant achievements in his or her chosen field. Carter is an athletic trainer at Liberty High School in Fauquier County, Virginia. She was named to the first team in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Safe Sports School Awards from 2013 to 2016 and 2016 to 2019. She was co-awarded the SU Outstanding Research Project Award and the SU Outstanding Graduate Award in May 2010. Carter received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2009 and her Master of Science in Athletic Training in 2010.

2016 Lifetime Achievement: Tommy Joe Anderson ’69

Anderson is the president of ACA Digital Recording, Inc. His record label now has over 100 releases of classical chamber music, solo recitals, choral works and traditional jazz being distributed nationally by Albany Music Distributors with downloads distributed through The Orchard.  Dr.  Anderson is Professor Emeritus at Perimeter College/Georgia State University where he taught   piano, music theory and composition. He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Music in Performance and Piano.

 

 

2016 Professional Achievement: Gregory Wanamaker ’91

Dr. Wanamaker serves as a tenured Professor of Composition at the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York (SUNY) Potsdam where he has taught since 1997. He studied composition with William Averitt, Thomas Albert, Anthony Branker and Ladislav Kubik. Averitt credits him for combining academic excellence with a remarkable career as a composer. Several of Wanamaker’s recorded works are available on the Innova, Albany, Centaur, KCM, Mark Custom, White Pine and Summit labels.  He publishes his own music, which is available exclusively through his website. He has a Bachelor of Music in Composition.

 

2016 Service to the University: Jim Stutzman ’81

Stutzman is the President/CEO of Jim Stutzman Chevrolet Cadillac in Winchester, Virginia. He is a long-time supporter of Shenandoah Athletics and has been a member of the Shenandoah Board of Trustees since 2013. In 2004, he established the James A. Stutzman, Sr. Scholars Program to benefit local SU students. He did this in honor of his father and presented the endowment as a Christmas gift! In addition to his service to Shenandoah, he is a tremendous supporter of the Winchester community. He has a Bachelor of Science from SU.

 

 

2016 Service to the Community: Gretchen Chomas ’07, ’10

Since joining Girl Scouts in elementary school, Chomas has maintained a desire to give back. Through her work with AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America), Chomas is the perfect embodiment of this award. She states, “Service is not summed up in a few accomplishments, but more how I choose to live my life. Service doesn’t have to mean you have time and money; it can be as simple as sharing a link on your Facebook page with resources, or holding the door for someone.” Chomas graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Music and 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

 

 

2016 Young Career Achievement: Kenneth Green II ’05

Green has been a member of the Allen University Music Department since 2007 and received the 2014 Excellence in Teaching Award from South   Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. He holds a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from Shenandoah University. He has   performed with numerous ensembles throughout the United States, including the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Long Bay Symphony Orchestra and the Florence Symphony Orchestra.

2015 Lifetime Achievement: James R. Meredith ’74

Few can say they’ve had a career as illustrious as Jim Meredith. He has had a distinguished career in Lynchburg City Schools. Meredith started working as a music educator in Lynchburg in 1974 and stayed within the system for 40 years. While working at Sandusky Middle School (1983 – 2013), the band earned local, state and international recognition for its excellence in music performance. As a composer and arranger, Meredith has created over 200 marching band arrangements for high school bands in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. He has also published many works and has been commissioned to write multiple pieces for the Lynchburg Symphony. Meredith has received countless awards for his work as a teacher and composer. These include two citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, 2010 VMEA Music Educator of the Year and the 2012 John Philip Sousa “Legion Laureate” which is presented to only eight band directors nationwide.

2015 Professional Achievement: Yuling Huang-Davie ’93

Yuling Huang-Davie earned her undergraduate degree from Xi’an Conservatory of Music in China and then moved to the United States where she completed her Masters degree in Piano Performance at Shenandoah University. After leaving SU, Huang-Davie earned her doctorate from Florida State University.  Her performances have aired on National Public Radio stations in Florida and Louisiana. Huang-Davie has released an album titled “Apparitions and Whimsies” featuring contemporary selections for flute and piano. Huang-Davie has performed extensively as a recitalist and collaborative pianist at college campuses in the U.S and China. She has won awards for her musical accomplishments and was twice named the recipient of both the Marion Park Lewis Foundation for the Arts Award and the Tallahassee Music Guild Scholarship Award. Currently, Huang-Davie is the coordinator of accompanying at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

2015 Service to the University: Ronald K. Collins ’60

Ron Collins graduated in the last class from the Dayton campus. He is a dedicated volunteer, generous donor and a strong supporter of Shenandoah University. He served as Alumni Board President and Chairman of the Leadership Circle Committee. Collins made calls to fellow alumni during the phonathon, encouraged his classmates to attend reunions and made visits to alumni with the development staff. He has supported men’s and women’s basketball, the construction of the Brandt Student Center, the annual fund and various scholarship funds. In 1998, he established the Howard and Lucile Collins Scholarship in honor of his parents. Collins enjoyed a long career as a State Farm Insurance agent and served as a Berkeley County Commissioner in West Virginia.

2015 Service to the Community: Duncan Holmes ’70

Duncan Holmes graduated from Shenandoah with Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance then gained his Masters of Music Education from the University of North Texas. Holmes shares his music and Christian testimony in churches, schools, college chapel services, prisons and gatherings in private homes. As a resident of Fredericksburg, Texas, he is the pianist for the Hill Country Evangelical Free Church, and also volunteers to play the piano for nursing homes in the area.  Frequently, Holmes speaks to area schools about his blindness. He serves on the boards of Hill Country Recording for the Handicapped and Out of Sight Ministries.  He also is keyboardist for the Raggedy Cats, a ’50s music combo that frequently plays throughout the Texas Hill Country.

2015 Young Career Achievement: Dr. Kerry Ann Peterson ’05, ’07, ’11

Kerry Peterson is an assistant professor at Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Peterson’s clinical practice is in Psychiatric Mental Health at the University Counseling Center, which includes individual and group psychotherapy, screenings, consultation and crisis intervention. Peterson earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Shenandoah. Domestic violence and sexual assault prevention have been her passion.  She is currently on the Nurse-Family Partnership advisory board and a Tessa Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocacy Center volunteer. Despite moving to Colorado, Peterson has continued to stay involved with SU by teaching an online graduate nursing course and mentoring SU nursing students.

2014 Lifetime Achievement: Jordan L. Harding ’50

Few can say they’ve had a career as illustrious as Jordan L. Harding. One of SU’s esteemed Dayton alumni, he has had a distinguished career in public service at the local, state, national and international level. Harding became the mayor of New Carrollton, Maryland in 1970 — a position he held for 14 years. He has served on numerous committees and boards in Maryland, including serving as town manager of Crofton and currently is on the Maryland Committee on Aging. Harding worked for the U.S. Department of State, arranging visits of prominent leaders worldwide to the United States and in providing counsel on local government and public administration to the nations of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Poland. Harding has brought many well known speakers in the areas of public administration and government to the university, and has been a speaker himself at numerous institutions of higher learning in the U.S. and abroad. His work in the Baltic States has led him to establish exchange programs and Global Citizenship trips between Shenandoah and those nations. He has received scores of awards for his years of public service including an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Shenandoah in 2002.

2014 Professional Achievement: Sherry McKean Trocino ’96

Trocino spent her career working in higher education, including seven years at Shenandoah, where she was part of a two-person staff with Dr. Travis Sample at the SU Leesburg Center. Trocino and Sample worked to establish the center, recruit students and schedule classes. It was during this time that she completed her MBA. She served as director of development for Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing Center and was director of annual giving at Mount St. Mary’s University before taking the position of vice president of institutional advancement at Elmira College in Elmira, New York, in 2005. In this position, which she retired from in June 2013, she oversaw the offices of advancement, alumni relations and annual giving. During her tenure at Elmira, she served on numerous committees, established an alumni association, completed the school’s largest capital campaign to date, raised money for the construction of a new dormitory and the restoration of the college’s historic central building. Following her retirement, Elmira named her an honorary alu4na. Trocino now lives in Athens, Georgia, where she operates her own fundraising consulting firm, SMT Consulting.

2014 Service to the University: Paul E. Delmerico ’88

Delmerico has remained an involved alumnus since he completed his MBA in 1988. He is chair of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business Advisory Board and for the last two years, served as chair for the annual Business Symposium. Under his direction, attendance at the symposium has increased and he has brought in a number of world-renowned speakers. His work has led to more visibility for the university and the School of Business. Delmerico has served as a guest lecturer for the Business School and in 2013, participated in SU’s Future Search Conference. Delmerico has a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from the University of Bridgeport. He joined Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Inc when he moved to Winchester in 1982. While there, he earned more than 30 patent citations for new products. Since 2004, Delmerico has been a partner and general manager at SpecialMade Goods & Services, Inc., a value added distributor and product development company. He is active in the Winchester community as chair of the Board of Directors for Blue Ridge Hospice.

2014 Service to the Community: Barbara Cramer Crouse ’66

Crouse has spent much of her life in service to others. Growing up among missionaries, she has felt a strong call to God since her early teens. Her first job after college was as a fill-in music teacher for the school at the Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky. When Crouse and her husband settled in Lebanon, Ohio, they became active members of the Otterbein Home and Hope UMC. Crouse served as music minister of Hope UMC and devoted many hours volunteering within the church including vacation bible school, worship arts and group leadership. She is the accompanist for the Lebanon Area Community Chorus, which she founded in 1991. It has since grown into the Lebanon Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. A consummate musician, Crouse not only plays the piano, organ, harp and violin, she conducts and composes, too. She has spent more than 50 years working in various aspects of the church music field and has been a private piano/organ teacher. She has published two books, titled “Letting God Happen: A Story for Personal or Group Study,” and “The Whole Summer to Practice.”

2014 Young Career Achievement: Khaled O. Alshaibani ’11

Alshaibani is a program manager for Elm Company, an I.T. company in Saudi Arabia. He manages the details of project development from start to finish. He worked with the Ministry of Interior Service Centers to streamline its system, reduce service time and ease the process to meet His Royal Highness Minister of Interior. Alshaibani has worked as a business development and corporate services director for Beatona, an environmental solutions and waste management company; as a corporate services and communications manager for Miahona, a concession services and environmental management company focused on water treatment; and as a product executive for Saudi Basic Industries Corp., the largest and most profitable non-oil company in the Middle East. Alshaibani holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and an MBA from the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business.

2013 Lifetime Achievement Award: Richard P. “Dick” Bly ’58

Richard P. “Dick” Bly ’58 is a native of the Shenandoah Valley where he grew up on a farm in Strasburg. He attended the Dayton campus for two years and finished his schooling at Madison College (now James Madison University) in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and education. While at Shenandoah, he was known as the big guy on campus and was a very good basketball player. Bly had a long career in the federal government. He began as an inspector with the Food & Drug Administration. In 1966, he transferred to the newly created Bureau of Drug Abuse Control as a special agent. Bly retired in July of 1998 after 38 years of federal drug law enforcement experience. His last position was with the Drug Enforcement Administration as a deputy assistant administrator for intelligence. One of his assignments took him to a cocaine lab in the jungles of Colombia. His team was able to pinpoint exactly where the lab was located and completed one of the biggest drug busts of the time, known as Tranquilandia. Bly received many awards throughout his career, but the one he cherishes the most was the CIA Agency Seal Medallion. An excerpt reads: “Mr. Bly has long been a strong partner of the CIA in combating the grave national security threats posed by drug trafficking organizations. Mr. Bly’s integrity, dedication and unwavering spirit of interagency cooperation and visionary outlook have earned him deserved recognition from his colleagues throughout the U.S. Government, reflecting credit upon himself, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration.”

2013 Professional Achievement Award: Mary K. Tedrow ’99

Mary K. Tedrow ’99 is an educator. She embodies what it means to be a teacher of both students and other teachers. She is always looking for new and innovative ways to teach children and find effective methods and best practices. Tedrow received her Master of Science in Education, with an emphasis in teaching, from Shenandoah in 1999. She is currently the Porterfield Endowed English Chair and English Department Chair at John Handley High School.  She is the director of the Northern Virginia Writing Project Shenandoah Valley Invitational Summer Institute and a co-director of the Northern Virginia Writing Project at George Mason University. She is also an adjunct professor at both Lord Fairfax Community College and George Mason University. She received the Shenandoah University Inspiring Educator Alumni Recognition Award in 2012. Tedrow is proudest of her work on the NEA Commission on Effective Teachers and Teaching. As a part of the commission, she co-authored Transforming Teaching: Connecting Professional Responsibility with Student Learning, the 2011 recommendations for sweeping changes to the teaching profession. She was one of 21 exemplary teachers from across the U.S. who was selected to serve on the commission. Tedrow has been published over 40 times, has given dozens of presentations and is a freelance writer.

2013 Service to the University Award: Roy L. “Bo” Callahan ’58

Roy L. “Bo” Callahan ’58 will do whatever he can to promote the university. His involvement began as a student. He was vice president of the Student Government and a cheerleader for three years! Callahan served on the Alumni Board of Directors for six years and also served as president. He represented the Class of 1958 at the inauguration of President Fitzsimmons. At her request, he played the bagpipes and led the platform party into the ceremony. This began a tradition as he has led the procession and recession for each graduation ever since. Several years ago, he commissioned a bagpipe tune titled “The Shenandoah University March.” A world-renowned composer of bagpipe music from New Zealand wrote the march and Callahan plays it for graduation and the New Student Convocation. He also plays his bagpipe for the Dayton Memorial Service in the former Evangelical United Brethren Church in Dayton during the annual reunion. Callahan is the university’s official bagpiper. He also sings with the Dayton Alumni Chorus and the Shenandoah University Alumni Chorus. The Dayton Alumni Society elected him their vice president. Callahan and his wife, Sondra, live in Greensboro, N.C., but they are frequent visitors to campus.

2013 Service to the Community Award: V. Douglas Joyner ’82, ’09

Throughout his time as a student and a professional, V. Douglas Joyner ’82, ’09 has held the Winchester community close to his heart. After attending John Handley High School, Joyner transitioned to Shenandoah, graduating in 1982 with degrees in music education and history. Fortunately, he was able to teach in both academic areas during his 10-year teaching career, where he taught in the City of Winchester and in the Clarke, Frederick, Warren and Culpeper County school systems. After many years of teaching, Joyner moved into administrative leadership, where he has spent the past 20 years. From 2000-2012, Joyner was the principal of his alma mater, Handley. His passion for education and dedication to the community helped him become a very successful principal. He also directed Handley’s $72-million renovation. Professionally, Joyner was honored when Newsweek and the Washington Post added Handley High School to its list of top high schools. He takes pride in passing along traditions and thinking about those he serves—the students and community. Joyner retired as the principal of Handley in 2012. He is now the coordinator of curriculum and instruction and the federal programs coordinator for Winchester Public Schools.

2013 Young Career Achievement Award: Aimee Ruder Cloud ’07

Aimee Ruder Cloud ’07 received her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2007. While studying pharmacy, she took an interest in oncology. At the young age of 30, Cloud has done six extensive research projects, has presented these across the country and has been published three times. All of her studies, research, presentations and publications have been linked to cancer treatment. She completed her PGY-1 Residency at St. Margaret Mercy in Hammond, Ind. in 2008. She then finished her PGY-2 Specialty Residency in Hematology and Oncology at Arthur G. Games Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University in 2009. In 2010, she became a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist. She worked at James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville Hospital as an oncology pharmacist. There, she implemented clinical pharmacy services in ambulatory medical oncology clinics, initiated a now accredited PGY-2 Hematology/Oncology Specialty Residency, developed and maintained clinical trial order sets for medical oncology clinics and provided direct patient care. She now is a clinical oncology pharmacist at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Mich. She works collaboratively with community oncologists to enhance efficiency with the transition to computerized physician order entry, ensure safety with implementing DoseEdge in the pharmacy and expands clinical pharmacy services to multi-disciplinary clinics with the anticipation of the new Cowell Family Cancer Center opening in 2016. She received the 2007 Outstanding Senior Award from the SU Alumni Association and the 2011 Kentucky Pharmacists Association Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award.

2012 Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul B. Noble ’56

Paul B. Noble ’56, recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Lifetime Achievement, received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Shenandoah and has excelled in every aspect of his life. Always thinking as an entrepreneur, Noble found ways to create the best experience for the most people. After his schooling at Shenandoah, Noble became the Instrumental and Choral Music Instructor at Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, Va. There, he developed an award-winning music program that culminated with a 30-day European concert tour for students. In 1965, Noble founded the All-Student Band, U.S.A. which was an annual select ensemble that performed summer concert tours in Europe. This later expanded to include chorus, orchestra and jazz groups. Noble became the Director of Bands and the Chair of the Instrumental Department at Shenandoah. During his tenure, he founded the Shenandoah Conservatory Wind Ensemble and enrollment of Shenandoah Conservatory grew from 90 to over 500 music majors. Colleagues believe the famous All-Student Band that Noble developed gave Shenandoah Conservatory the exposure it needed and enhanced student recruitment. In 1975-1976, Governor Mills Godwin selected Noble to create and conduct the 500-member Virginia Bicentennial Marching Band and Chorus for the 200th Anniversary of the nation. After excelling in music and understanding the patterns of travel, Noble became the co-founder of Educational Tour Consultants, Inc., which created concert and special interest tours worldwide for travelers. He currently is a self-employed professional arranger, owner and creator of an online publishing business. In every aspect of his career, Noble has made his goal to be the best and influence the most people. In 1984, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Service to the University because of his great influence and impact on Shenandoah. He is married to The Rev. Mitzi M. Noble, a retired Episcopal priest. The couple resides in Moneta, Va.

2012 Professional Achievement: Michael W. McMurray ’02, ’04

Michael W. McMurray ’02, ’04, recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Professional Achievement, is a physical therapist and clinical residency faculty/mentor at the University of Virginia Healthsouth Outpatient Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center in Charlottesville, Va. One of McMurray’s most inspiring qualities is that he never stops learning. He received his Master of Physical Therapy in 2002 and his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2004. He became a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, completed a Residency Program in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy and finished the Fellowship Program in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy from The Manual Physical Therapy Institute. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists and is a published author of three articles in the Journal of Spinal Research Foundation. McMurray strives to learn each day and passes his commitment onto his students and employees. In 2010, McMurray received the Virginia Spine Institute Employee of the Year Award and was named the Virginia Therapy and Fitness Center Most Valuable Employee. McMurray resides in Annandale, Va. with his wife, Marianna Lamont McMurray ’02 and their two children.

2012 Service to the University Award: Presley R. Phillips ’61 and Caroline Bateman Phillips ’61

Presley R. Phillips ’61 and Caroline Bateman Phillips ’61, recipients of the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to the University, have been instrumental in gathering and organizing the UB/EUB Archives which are located in the Alson H. Smith, Jr. Library. (Note that prior to its affiliation with the United Methodist Church, Shenandoah was affiliated with the United Brethren Church until 1946 and the Evangelical United Brethren Church from 1946-1968.) For the past few years, the couple has taken on the responsibility of traveling to former UB/EUB churches in the Shenandoah Valley and West Virginia, photographing sites, gathering information and organizing these resources in the Archives. If not for their efforts, this crucial information would be lost to the world in just a few years. The series of notebooks they have created on the UB/EUB churches is a significant new resource for any researcher in this area. The history of the UB/EUB and its member churches is closely intertwined with Shenandoah’s early history, and the story that they are helping to tell is also the story of the university. They travel to campus on a monthly basis to volunteer in the Archives and are always willing to assist the Office of Alumni Affairs. Both Pete and Caroline are retired schoolteachers from Waynesboro Public Schools. Pete received a Bachelor of Music Education degree and Caroline received an Associate of Arts degree from Shenandoah. They are unique as they are among only a handful of alumni who were students on both the Dayton and Winchester campus and experienced the move in 1960. They have one daughter, Paige.

2012 Service to the Community Award: M. Frank Heisey ’66, ’87

M. Frank Heisey ’66, ’87, recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Service to the Community, was instrumental in advancing the Respiratory Care education program in the State of Virginia. Heisey has always been an active member in the medical field in Winchester, beginning in 1964 as a Respiratory Care Technician at Winchester Medical Center. After receiving an Associate of Science degree in Respiratory Care, his career moved forward as he took on the roles of Assistant Director of Respiratory Care and General Manager of Valley Health Services. It was during this time that Heisey earned his Bachelor of Science degree. In his role as General Manager, Heisey utilized his excellent business skills to build an entrepreneurial approach to Home Medical Equipment. He retired in 2009 as Vice President of Valley Health Systems. Concurrently, Heisey also served as Program Director of Respiratory Care at Shenandoah University from 1968-1974 and remained on the faculty until 1990. Due to his efforts, focus and outstanding teaching, Heisey built a robust and highly regarded program. It began as a hospital-based program that initially was technician level, then evolved to the Associate level when Shenandoah was incorporated into the program. It is one of the few Bachelor of Science programs in the area. Heisey lives in Winchester with his wife, Carolyn. They have three children, including alumna Cindy Shroades ’90, and two grandchildren.

2012 Young Career Achievement Award: Daniel Brian Shores ’99

Daniel Brian Shores ’99, recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Young Career Achievement, received a Bachelor of Music degree from Shenandoah. He is the Managing Director at Sono Luminus LLC, an independent record label company located in Boyce, Va. In this position, Shores oversees all aspects of the company from production of albums to staff management. Shores worked on the albums that won the Audio Engineering Society Award of Excellence as well as one GRAMMY Award and eight total GRAMMY nominations. Along with working for a professional company, Shores has given back to Shenandoah by being an adjunct professor for the mobile recording practicum class. Outside of work, he has helped lead the youth group at Braddock Street United Methodist Church since 2008, and has lead mission trips to South Dakota, North Carolina and India. Shores enjoys staying involved in the Winchester community and takes many students from the area as interns for Sono Luminus.

2011 Lifetime Achievement Award: Nicholas J. Nerangis, Sr. ’04

Nicholas J. Nerangis, Sr. ’04, recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Lifetime Achievement, is chairman of the board at Nerangis Management Corporation in Winchester, Va. He has been featured in the book, “If I Were Your Daddy, This Is What You’d Learn,” a collection of essays about fatherhood, which features anecdotes and advice from successful fathers. He is a veteran actor, with experiences in film, television and the stage. Nerangis became an official Washington Redskins “Hogette” in 2002 after being an unofficial member of the group for several years. Nerangis is serves on the Shenandoah University Board of Trustees, Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business Advisory Board, Business Symposium Planning Committee and Summer Circle Committee.

 

2011 Professional Achievement: Pauline “Tina” Barbour Anderson ’67

Pauline “Tina” Barbour Anderson ’67, recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Alumna Award for Professional Achievement, is director of the award-winning McLean Youth Orchestra, and has served in that capacity since 1983. As a performing artist, Anderson has recorded for the Williamsburg Collection, and is the founding member of Musikfest Players, a professional string quartet. She also maintains a private teaching studio. Anderson is a descendant member of the Knights of the Garter and was knighted Dame Pauline Anderson in 1996 at the College of Preachers, Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. In 1998, she received the Order of the Grand Croix from Her Highness Princess Elisabeth and Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Ysenburg and Büdningen, Germany. She has been recognized for helping to organize orchestra programs in Peru, Colombia, Haiti and Honduras.

2011 Service to the University Award: Sue C. Robinson ’85

Sue C. Robinson ’85, recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Alumna Award for Service to the University, is the managing director of Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre and administrative assistant for the Conservatory’s Theatre Division. Robinson handles the business end of theatre, and oversees contracts for shows and personnel, advertising and program sales, the front of the house and concessions, as well as general operations of business. She has served the theatre at Shenandoah University for 35 years, and works hard to raise much-needed funds for productions. In 1994, she was honored with the James R. and Mary B. Wilkins Appreciation Award.

 

2011 Service to the Community Award: Roberta Lisonbee Szoka ’74

Roberta Lisonbee Szoka ’74, recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Alumna Award for Service to the Community, is has volunteered in many different capacities throughout the years – with the Boy Scouts of America, the Red Cross, community theater, libraries, in military communities and with her church. She has performed with, led and accompanied church choirs in seven countries, helped start a gospel choir on an Army base in Japan, and played in an American Air Force community hand bell choir that toured England. She was also honored to sing at a benefit for the Sisters of Mercy, with Mother Theresa present. She and her husband, James A. Szoka III ’86, served as foster parents to a nephew for one year and have hosted numerous international exchange students. The couple is preparing for two years of service in the South Pacific island nation of Tonga, where they will volunteer to train teachers in order to improve the quality of education in that country.

2011 Young Career Achievement Award: Tiffany E. Lawrence ’06

Tiffany E. Lawrence ’06, recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Alumna Award for Young Career Achievement, is the marketing and public relations manager for Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in Charles Town, W.Va. A native of Jefferson County, W.Va., she aspires to become West Virginia’s first female governor and currently serves in the West Virginia House of Delegates where she represents the 58th Delegate  District of Jefferson County. She is the youngest female ever to be elected to the West Virginia state legislature. Lawrence won the title of Miss West Virginia in 2006, and traveled as a motivational speaker creating awareness about mental health issues and self-esteem. She serves on many charitable boards and volunteers for a number of non-profit organizations.

2010 Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Verne E. Collins ’84

Dr. Verne E. Collins ’84, recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Lifetime Achievement, is a valued educator within the Shenandoah University community and beyond. Collins, professor emeritus of arts management and business administration at Shenandoah University, is a teacher at heart. Throughout his career he has taught instrumental music in public schools, music theory at the University of Michigan and served as a faculty member at Shenandoah University for many years. Collins filled a multitude of positions throughout his span of 40 years with the university. Individuals at Shenandoah University have also benefited from both the Verne E. Collins Scholarship and the Verne E. and Charlotte A. Collins Endowed Professorship. Collins holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University, a master’s degree in trombone performance from Northwestern University, a doctoral degree in trombone performance, music education and music theory from the University of Michigan and a Master of Business Administration degree from Shenandoah University.

2010 Professional Achievement: Dr. Wendy DeLeo LeBorgne ’94

Dr. Wendy DeLeo LeBorgne ’94, recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Alumna Award for Professional Achievement, is a voice pathologist, singing voice specialist, clinical director and professor with years of experience working with various voice organizations and the University of Cincinnati. She is the director of the Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation, the Professional Voice Center of Greater Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati ENT Voice Center. LeBorgne evaluates and treats individuals with voice disorders, and offers rehabilitative vocal instruction to persons experiencing singing voice problems. She serves as a voice consultant and teaches graduate level voice disorder courses for the University of Cincinnati. LeBorgne is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA), Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSLHA), National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA).

2010 Service to the University Award: Constance Ware Payne-Stewart ’55

Constance Ware Payne-Stewart ’55, recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Alumna Award for Service to the University, is a shining example of commitment to Shenandoah University. When she was at Shenandoah, which at the time, was a junior college, she put her talents to use, writing and editing both school and alumni newspapers, singing with the church choir and attending music events. Since her days in Dayton, Payne-Stewart has continually supported alumni, theater, music and university-wide groups at Shenandoah. She is a member of the 50-Year Club and has served the SU Alumni Board of Directors as a member and secretary. She has been recognized by the university for her unending generosity through contributions to the Spirit of Shenandoah Campaign, the Forrest Racey Scholarship Fund, the EUB Archives Endowment, Leadership Circle, Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, Eugenia Evans Piano Scholarship Fund, the Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre and Ruebush Hall which bears a room named in her honor. Payne-Stewart holds her Associate of Arts degree from Shenandoah University, a Bachelor of Arts in English and Education from Fairmont State and a Master of Education degree from the College of William & Mary. She has also pursued post-graduate studies at William & Mary, as well as the University of Virginia and Old Dominion University.

2010 Service to the Community Award: Dr. Zara Risoldi Cochrane ’08

Dr. Zara Risoldi Cochrane ’08, recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Alumna Award for Service to the Community, is an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions in Omaha, Neb. Her practice interest is in public and global health. Cochrane provided pharmaceutical care to hundreds of victims of the January 2010 Haiti earthquake for 10 days. While in Haiti, she worked 12-hour overnight shifts in a makeshift hospital and trauma center. Cochrane also recently completed a three-week medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Creighton’s Institute for Latin American Concern, which sends healthcare professionals and students to rural areas to provide basic medical services. She serves the community through the Magis Clinic, which provides healthcare at no cost to underserved populations in the Omaha metro area, and with the Nebraska Mission of Mercy, a statewide, multi-day event which provides dental care at no cost to patients in need. Cochrane has been honored with the Spirit of Philanthropy Award by the American Red Cross Heartland Chapter and the Magis Award at Creighton University.

2010 Young Career Achievement Award: Mary Willis White ’98

Mary Willis White ’98, recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Alumna Award for Young Career Achievement, is the co-founder and president of Heiress Productions, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for all types of cancers through professional theatre. The group partners with charitable cancer organizations by providing free advertising space in Heiress Production playbills, and donates a portion of the proceeds from each production to a cancer organization. White has made her mark on the performing arts world as a dance instructor and choreographer, musical director and music theory and sightsinging instructor. She is a member of Alpha Chi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Sigma Alpha Iota, the National Association for Music Education (MENC) and the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA). White has also been involved extensively in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival ©. She is currently attending Brooklyn Law School and plans to graduate in 2013.

2009 Outstanding Alumni Award: Kathryn Rohlf Martin ’84

Kathryn Rohlf Martin ’84, recipient of the 2009 Outstanding Alumni Award, is an experienced arts manager, leader and collaborator with more than 20 years experience working with performing arts organizations. Her experience includes serving as general manager of La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest, a nationally-recognized chamber music festival, and as a production/facilities manager at the University of California, San Diego’s Music Department. In 2003, she became vice president of the San Diego Practice Office of the Arts Consulting Group, the leading provider of hands-on interim management, executive search, fundraising and marketing consulting, program and facilities planning, and organizational development services for the arts and culture industry.  Martin is known for her ability to create and implement action plans that result in increased earned and contributed income and organizational effectiveness. Guiding organizations through periods of strategic transition is an area of focus, and she has served as interim executive director for the San Diego Performing Arts League, Starlight Theatre, Malashock Dance and San Diego Center for Jewish Culture.

2009 Young Career Achievement Award: Dr. Jeffery W. Spray ’03

Dr. Jeffery W. Spray ’03, recipient of the 2009 Young Career Achievement Award, recently completed a postgraduate pharmacy residency with Shenandoah University and Valley Health. Since graduating from SU’s Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy in 2003, he has served as a faculty member at  Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Manchester, N. H., where he maintained a practice with Concord Hospital and the Dartmouth Family Practice Residency Program. Afterward, he returned to Winchester, maintaining a practice with Selma Medical Associates. He later transitioned to an in-patient position at Winchester Medical Center focusing on infectious disease.  He also lectured in SU’s PharmD program on a variety of topics including infectious disease pharmacotherapy module and patient assessment. In addition to publishing articles in professional trade journals, he now focuses most of his time as a clinical pharmacy specialist for Critical Care at Winchester Medical Center, where he works closely with the new intensivist program that specializes in the care and treatment of patients in intensive care.