Roanoke College Magazine, Issue 1 2026

THE MAGAZINE FOR ROANOKE COLLEGE | ISSUE ONE | 2026

CONNECTIONS

Alumni explain how the Roanoke College network made a difference in their careers — and how they keep paying it forward to new Maroons.

ADVENTURE AWAITS

In the wild beauty of Virginia, Outdoor Adventures, a Roanoke College program now in its 30th year, guides students to grow, explore and discover the full measure of their potential.

By Alicia Petska

This heavenly view comes with a devilish name — and an adventure that feels otherworldly. Found in the federally protected wilderness of Virginia’s George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Devil’s Marbleyard invites hikers to scale an eight-acre boulder field, a geological wonder believed to have been created by prehistoric upheavals in the mountainside. On a fall weekend, students conquered the hike with Outdoor Adventures, a program now celebrating its 30th anniversary. Through weekly excursions, hands-on instructional clinics, equipment rentals and more, Outdoor Adventures encourages students of all skill levels to discover what they can do when they reach for new horizons. Surrounded by the vast outdoors, students learn resilience, leadership and teamwork. They come away with a better understanding of themselves and the world around them.

8 Paint by Numbers

Professional muralist Jon Murrill ’09 put paint cans in student hands to create a stunning red-tailed hawk mural at Maroon Village, the college’s newest housing community.

18 Maroon Connections

College connections can be a powerful force in the professional world, and plenty of Maroons have used the Roanoke College network to find internships, land interviews and secure positions that became long-term careers.

26 Roanoke’s Digital Future

New online learning opportunities at Roanoke, including an online MBA program and certificate courses, will bolster the college’s plan to become the valley’s most sought-after educational partner.

ON THE COVER

Yann Sadi, blindSALIDA, is the creative mind behind the colorful illustrations on our front cover and with our cover story, “Maroon Connections.” He especially enjoys doing infographics, mathematical diagrams and lettering, and he has collaborated with the likes of Google, Renault, Duracell, Ryanair, Honda, Chipotle, Forbes and Harvard.

Parades, professors and pluralism

ON ROANOKE’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SALEM CHRISTMAS PARADE:

“This is so fantastic! And one day, that marching band is going... to grow and become an integral part of the whole football program and the college community.”

Whit Gravely ’75

ON OUR NEW CENTER FOR CIVIC AND RELIGIOUS PLURALISM:

“So unbelievably proud of Dr. [Melanie] Trexler and Roanoke on this initiative!

Understanding and respecting people’s differences — aka a form of pluralism — is not everyone’s favorite topic (as seen in this comment section) but not only is it important to discuss this at universities, it is important to live the message in life. There are many post-grad job opportunities that will see student engagement with this center as a high-quality skillset. Keep up the good work, Roanoke College! If you need alum support, you have one here.”

Emilee O’Dell ’21

ON FAVORITE PROFESSORS:

“Denis Lape, Mike Heller (great job Mike!), Paul Hanstedt, Dana Linn Whiteside, and Dr Brevard all made a huge impact on who I am now. They definitely had their hands full.”

Lee Nixon ’08

ON THE NEW KENT SHINER ’96 SCHOLARSHIP:

“Wow, Kent Shiner, this is incredible!!

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. I’m thankful our paths have crossed and look forward to all the good this is able to continue doing for the community!”

Molly Counts Henry ’05

ON ROANOKE’S ALUMNI-OWNED BUSINESS DIRECTORY, WHICH WE PROMOTED JUST AFTER THANKSGIVING:

“Thanks for this opportunity for my travel agency. Love helping other alumni. What a great way to honor Small Business Saturday.”

Heidi (Keller) Bocianowski ’95, owner of Astonishing Travel.

Add your business to our list at roa.ke/AOB

Editor Lindsey Nair ’98, Associate Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Contributors Alicia Petska, Lily Kincaid, Anna Wehr, Mike Carpenter, Jordan Haack

Photography James France, Richard Sperry, Jason Lisk, Griffin Pivarunas ’16, Carissa Szuch Divant, Ryan Hunt ’18, Sam Harding ’29

Illustration blindSALIDA

Design & Production Mikula-Harris Printing Bison Printing

Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Rita Farlow

Mr. Malon W. Courts ’92, Chair

Mr. Kenneth J. Belton Sr. ’81, Vice Chair

Mr. James S. Frantz Jr., Secretary

Mr. David Meadows, Ex-officio, Treasurer

Dr. Frank Shushok Jr., Ex-officio, President of the College

Mr. Kirk Howard Betts

Dr. Paris D. Butler, MPH ’00

Ms. Pamela L. Cabalka ’76

Dr. M. Paul Capp ’52

Mr. Joseph H. Carpenter IV ’99

Ms. Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo ’78

Mr. W. Morgan Churchman ’65

Ms. Kimberly Davis-Riffe

Mr. Robert P. Fralin

The Rev. Harry W. Griffith

Mr. Michael P. Haley ’73

Ms. Judith B. Hall ’69

Dr. Jared J. Herr ’04, M.D.

Ms. Peggy Fintel Horn ’78

Mr. Christopher N. Merrill ’93

The Rev. Dr. Phyllis Milton, Bishop

Ms. Nancy B. Mulheren ’72

Mr. Roger A. Petersen ’81

Mr. J. Tyler Pugh ’70

Mr. David W. Robertson ’89

Mr. C. Micah Spruill ’11

Mr. Daniel E. Strelka ’89

Mr. Andrew K. Teeter ’71

Mr. Peter S. Treiber ’79

Mr. Christopher R. Turnbull ’00

Dr. Garnett B. Whitehurst

Ms. Helen Twohy Whittemore ’80

Mr. Andrew Masterman and Mrs. Cheryl Masterman (Ex-officio, Cochairs of the Parent Leadership Council)

Mr. Alexander “Sandy” Mulheren ’02 (Ex-officio, Chair of the President’s Advisory Board)

Mrs. Nicole B. Terrill ’95 (Ex-officio)

Roanoke College does not discriminate against students, employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national or ethnic origin, disability or veteran status.

Roanoke College Magazine is published twice a year by the Office of Marketing and Communications for alumni, students, parents, staff and friends of Roanoke College. Editorial rights are reserved.

Questions, comments and corrections may be sent to: Magazine Editor

Roanoke College Office of Marketing and Communications 221 College Lane Salem, VA 24153-3794 rcmagazine@roanoke.edu

Let ‘life happen’ at Roanoke

Circumstances prevent many adults from completing college in a residential setting, which is one reason Roanoke College is adapting to expand access with more flexible learning modalities.

This summer, while visiting the Virginia Department of Transportation, I met an impressive woman, likely more than twice the age of a traditional college student, who was an enthusiastic Maroon. While she had not graduated from Roanoke College, she was eager to share her unfolding story. She had attended Roanoke College for several years and had terrific success, but she interrupted her education because, as she said, “Life happened.” For many people, the college journey gets sidetracked by a health issue, financial stress, family care matters or a host of other events that emerge unexpectedly.

The Maroon I met at VDOT is still holding out hope, all these years later, for online, weekend or evening courses to complete her Roanoke College degree, and she is not alone. There are more people in America who have started college but left without earning a credential –

“While we’re being wildly creative about engaging every potential learner beyond the traditional structure, we’re still deeply committed to our historic residential liberal arts experience.”

43 million – than there are residents of California, and that number continues to grow, according to a 2025 study by the Lumina Foundation.

This is why Roanoke College has launched Roanoke College—Roanoke Valley (RC-RV), which will focus on delivering industry credentials, certificates and price-differentiated online degrees. Our efforts have been emboldened by a generous $1M gift from Peter Treiber ’79 and his wife, Irene.

RC-RV embodies the number one imperative in our strategic plan, “Imagine Roanoke”: to become Roanoke Valley’s

The first graduates of Roanoke’s MBA Program attend their hooding ceremony in Antrim Chapel in May 2024. Roanoke has introduced an asynchronous online MBA program that offers the freedom of learning on one’s own schedule.

most sought-after educational partner by industry, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. To deliver on that imperative, folks like the Maroon mentioned above are essential partners in the mission. Yes, wooing adult learners is good business when traditional-aged students are experiencing a precipitous decline, but our guiding light at Roanoke College is to serve our community. This includes making Roanoke College accessible to learners whose lives or circumstances make the traditional residential format prohibitive. We have a saying in our family, often used around the dinner table when seemingly disparate opinions need to share the space: “Two things can be true at the same time.” And so it goes at Roanoke College. While we’re being wildly creative about engaging every potential learner beyond the traditional structure, we’re still deeply committed to our historic residential liberal arts experience. That’s why our second imperative is a resounding doubling down on this commitment: “To develop an on-campus residential experience that is an exemplar of a 21st century learning laboratory—beautiful, integrated, practical, and inspiring.”

So stay tuned, stay involved, and find a way to join us as a valued partner. There’s nothing we want more at Roanoke College than to be the place where ‘life happens’ for our whole community.

With hope,

Frank Shushok Jr.

AT RIGHT: An early December storm turned Salem into a snow globe and set the scene for this lovely view of the Maroon Athletic Quad. Student Sam Harding ’29 was up early to capture this beautiful shot.

ABOVE: Students wave to crowds at the Salem Christmas Parade from a train float that was handcrafted by members of the college’s Buildings and Grounds crew. The float won Best in Show at the parade, where it was followed by the college’s new marching band.

AT RIGHT: Colin Waller ’27 does a high five for the camera with Mary Jones ’98, administrative operations and technology manager for Campus Safety. They had good reason to smile: Campus Safety staff, including Jones, helped Waller get the Homestretch Award, a scholarship that helps students with financial challenges to complete their degree at Roanoke.

AT LEFT: Sydney Catron ’28, a member of the Roanoke College Riding Team, joins forces with Picasso (a work of art himself) to recruit new members at the FOTQ activity fair.

AT RIGHT: Liz Werner, associate director of Student Engagement at Roanoke, rings the campus bell to mark the official start of move-in for the 2025-26 academic year.

ABOVE: Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera visits an Explore@RC classroom to see firsthand how the new lab school at Roanoke is opening doors for local high school students. Explore lets local 10th-12th graders take real college courses for credit — at no cost to them. “For students who may never have set foot on a college campus, being here and seeing the possibilities for yourself, it changes everything,” Guidera said.

AT RIGHT: If someone doesn’t play with the dolly during a move, what are we even doing? These students took a break for some hand-truck hijinks while helping new students on Move-In Day.

Junior running back Stephan Myrthill is congratulated by his family after the football team’s win against Virginia University of Lynchburg, the first game in the team’s inaugural ODAC season.

AT LEFT: Some say the pen is mightier than the sword, but Shannon McNeal, director of the Student Success Center, demonstrated at FOTQ that Campus Safety Director Joe Mills should also fear the pencil.

AT LEFT: Students got creative in making their own flower bouquets during the annual autumn Shushok Shindig, a Texasthemed bash that features BBQ, boots, line dancing and lots of cowboy hats.

ON THE QUAD

Paint by Numbers

Roanoke College students were invited to help professional muralist Jon Murrill ’09 create awe-inspiring art on all four sides of the Maroon Village student lounge.

By Lindsey Nair ’98

College students are not often invited to (legally) spray paint campus structures, but when the talented Jon Murrill ’09 returned to his alma mater in fall 2025, several students got to do just that.

Murrill, a professional muralist who has brought color to many corners in Southwest Virginia, invited students to help paint a red-tailed hawk mural, inspired by Rooney, on the student lounge at Maroon Village. Those who participated got a fun look at what it takes to design and execute large-scale artwork.

Murrill, who earned a degree in studio art at Roanoke and an MFA from Radford University, also delivered an October lecture about public art in Olin Recital Hall, his old stomping grounds. His mural will contribute to the beauty of Roanoke’s campus for years to come, a reminder that Roanoke has pledged to develop an on-campus residential experience that is an exemplar of a 21st century learning laboratory.

Said Jay Ellison, vice president for student success and the Roanoke experience, “It is fitting that an alumnus as talented as Jon will create a lasting visual impact on our campus.”

Market mindsets

The Student-Managed Fund, an investment portfolio run by Roanoke students, reached a major milestone last year, growing to $2 million in assets.

By Alicia Petska

Imagine a class where your homework can earn—or lose—real money. You don’t just study market forces, you live them, navigating the same stock swings, unexpected headlines and strategic decisions faced by professional investors.

And you do it all with millions on the line.

Welcome to the Student-Managed Fund, a finance course turning theory into reality by putting students in control of a real investment portfolio.

“They run the class. They vote on the trades. They make the decisions,” said Associate Professor Tim Carpenter. “Students are analyzing and responding to

“Students are analyzing and responding to events as they unfold. They interact with the world and grow to understand it better ...”

— Associate Professor Tim Carpenter

events as they unfold. They interact with the world and grow to understand it better, building their critical thinking and decision-making skills.”

Launched in 2004, the Student-Managed Fund is a blended equity/income investment account whose seed money was supplied by Roanoke College’s endowment to create a living laboratory where students get experience in market analysis, risk management and ethical stewardship.

The Student-Managed Fund is a class that convenes in West Hall and puts students at the helm of a seven-figure investment portfolio.

Students rose to the challenge and exceeded it, consistently outperforming benchmarks. In 2025, their work propelled the fund to $2 million in value — four times its original worth.

That milestone reflects years of dedication by generations of Maroons. Rick Boccard ’05, now an account executive for global tech leader Salesforce, cited the real-world experience he gained from the program as a key factor in his career path.

“It was a unique experience that gave us real autonomy,” he said. “You learn to work with money, come to a consensus as a team and make decisions based on real data. Doing that is what made me feel I could move to New York and land an internship, something that seemed like a pie-in-the-sky thing before. I really credit the Student-Managed Fund with opening doors to the experiences that led me to a career I love.”

Roanoke was an innovator in studentmanaged investing. Few such funds existed 20 years ago when most schools, if they had a program, relied on simulators that distanced students from the pressures and responsibilities of managing assets. At Roanoke, students not only make trading decisions, but learn the intricacies of upholding investment policies and fiduciary obligations.

And the fund continues to break new ground, becoming one of the first programs in the nation in 2019 to add a cryptocurrency portfolio to its assets. That was done with a generous donation from Micah Spruill ’11, co-founder and CIO of S2F Capital, a digital asset hedge fund.

The crypto fund has also grown under the students’ oversight and briefly crested at $1 million last year, a new chapter in preparing students to shape the future of finance.

Liz Satynska ’26 and Brian Schwenk ’24 spearheaded a new campuswide initiative, Pass on Hunger, that allows students to donate unused meal swipes to benefit a community nonprofit and the RC Food Pantry. During the first two months of the fall semester, students donated 695 meal swipes to help those in need. Pictured: Pass on Hunger Treasurer Moazzam Maan ’26 stocks shelves in the campus pantry. Since Roanoke added American Sign Language to its course catalog in 2024-25, the classes have been nearly full. Some students even volunteered as interpreters for Roanoke’s September 2025 football matchup with Gallaudet University, the world’s only liberal arts college for the Deaf and hard of hearing. Pictured are ASL instructor Dedi Spradlin (center) and students Lavender Oman ’26 (left) and Amelia Huggins ’26.

Stay in character

At every turn, members of the Roanoke College community are demonstrating two tenets of the college’s strategic mission: character and leadership.

Last summer, Roanoke received a grant from the Educating Character Initiative that allows the college to undergo a thorough exploration of character. The grant has opened the door to campus-wide discussions about how the Roanoke community collectively defines character and how the college can elevate character and leadership within the student experience. Those two elements — character and leadership — are cornerstones of Roanoke’s strategic plan. As the college maps out its framework for character education going forward, Maroons are already modeling character in their day-to-day lives and exemplifying what it means to be a leader through their actions and pursuits.

Students, faculty and staff took part in a fast-paced scavenger hunt and group discussions on “Community Day: Maroons on a Mission,” part of the college’s yearlong exploration of character education through a special grant from the Educating Character Initiative, a project of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University.

As 2025 drew to a close, the Religion and Philosophy Department established Roanoke’s Center for Civic and Religious Pluralism, whose mission is to equip students, staff, faculty and the community with skills to engage with one another across differences. One of the center’s first events was this coffee shop talk about memorials with history professors Rob Willingham and Jesse Bucher.

Why select native trees?

Landscape architect Trenda (Carter) Leavitt ’88, who holds a BA from Roanoke and a Masters of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech, explains why the type of tree you pick for your landscape can have a bigger impact than you might imagine.

Q: How can selection of tree species maximize ecological benefits?

Trees provide year-round environmental and aesthetic benefits for outdoor spaces. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, clean the air, provide habitat and shade, absorb and filter stormwater and much more.

You can maximize these benefits by selecting native species from your ecoregion. Native species have adapted over thousands (sometimes millions) of years to these unique conditions, and in general will be resilient when planted in a similar habitat.

A keystone species is a foundational native plant within ecoregions. They provide the maximum food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife, promote biodiversity, and support the highest number of insect and wildlife species. Many non-native cultivar trees offer minimal or no benefits to pollinators and wildlife. Find keystone, native or nativar trees that offer features you desire. Evaluate tree characteristics; disease/insect/wood issues; ultimate size, shape, sun/water needs; and root systems to determine if the tree is appropriate for your setting.

Keystone trees within the Eastern Temperate Forest are the native species of oak, cherry, birch, maple and willow. Thoughtful selection of tree species will positively transform your space and maximize environmental benefits, now and in the future.

A lasting legacy

The Kenton E. Shiner ’96 Scholarship for Excellence and Service in Disability Studies celebrates the profound impact that Shiner has had on the college and community.

By Lily Kincaid SCHOLARSHIPS

Last year, the Kenton E. Shiner ’96 Scholarship for Excellence and Service in Disability Studies was established to commemorate the impact one alumnus has had on Roanoke College and the disability community.

The scholarship will enable students to teach others about disabilities and how to build an inclusive society, which Shiner said makes it especially meaningful to him.

“To have something named for me while I’m still around and able to appreciate it, that’s special. More importantly, it’s the fact that it was named for me based on who I am as a person,” he said.

Shiner has spina bifida, a developmental disruption occurring during the formation of the spinal cord, which resulted in him being a lifelong wheelchair user. He graduated from Roanoke with a degree in health and physical education. As an alumnus, he has always demonstrated character and leadership, two abiding values of Roanoke College’s strategic plan.

Faculty and staff organized a ceremony in October to announce the scholarship, and the news came as a complete surprise to Shiner.

Frances McCutcheon ’99, lecturer and founder of the Disability Studies Program, said Shiner has been a supporter of the program since its inception.

“Long after we’re gone, Kent is still going to be here,” she said. “There’s still going to be this legacy where, from here, disability studies students are going to go and change the country and the world.”

To donate to the Kenton E. Shiner ’96 Scholarship for Excellence and Service in Disability Studies, contact Suzanne Hiner at hiner@roanoke.edu.

Road less traveled

Last fall, the City of Salem completed a new half-mile stretch of greenway on Elizabeth Campus that is open to students and the public.

By Lily Kincaid

A new half-mile stretch of greenway on Elizabeth Campus, part of a larger project that will eventually connect Main Street to Salem Stadium, was completed in the fall.

The new trail runs along Lynchburg Turnpike, wraps around the soccer fields and tennis courts, and continues along parts of Kime Lane and Idaho Street at either end.

The second phase of this project will pick up the greenway where it ends on Idaho Street and wind it through the middle of Elizabeth Campus to Salem Stadium. It will also include a designated place to cross Texas Street, City Engineer

“Allowing the Salem greenway to move forward on our campus is something that will benefit all of Salem, not just the students living on Elizabeth Campus.”

— Catherine Potter Advisor to the President/General Counsel

connecting the greenway on Elizabeth Campus to Main Street through East Hill Cemetery. Once this is completed, along with the second phase of the greenway project, there will be a designated route to walk or bike all the way from the main campus to Salem Stadium.

Imperative one of “Imagine Roanoke,” the college’s strategic plan, seeks to reenvision the campus Main Street corridor as a hub to live, learn, work and play, integrating Roanoke College with the City of Salem.

“Roanoke College is committed to being a caring and contributing neighbor to the City of Salem. Allowing the Salem greenway to move forward on our campus is something that will benefit all of Salem, not just the students living on Elizabeth Campus,” Catherine Potter, advisor to the president and general counsel, said.

The greenway is open to the public and provides nearby residents with a walking path to the YMCA, Salem Montessori School and the various other businesses that surround Elizabeth Campus.

Will Simpson said.

“We’ve enjoyed working with the college on this,” Simpson said. “It’s a mutually beneficial project for both of us, and for everybody, really.”

In the future, the city plans to install high visibility pedestrian crossings at Idaho Street and Lynchburg Turnpike,

This greenway will tie into the existing Mason Creek Greenway, a portion of which is already completed between Lynchburg Turnpike and Roanoke Boulevard. Once completed, the north end of that route will connect to Kessler Mill Road, and the south end will connect to the Roanoke River Greenway, Simpson said.

Teaming up

Roanoke College Athletics’ newest programs—women’s golf, competitive cheer and marching band—are well underway and giving Maroons fans even more to love.

By Mike Carpenter

The reintroduction of football as a varsity sport at Roanoke may have grabbed local headlines over the past year, but football is far from being the only new development in Roanoke College athletics. The Athletic Department has also added competitive cheerleading, women’s golf and marching band, expanding the wide range of offerings available at the college. Here’s an update on those exciting additions to our program lineup.

Women’s competitive cheerleading is in its second season under the guidance of Head Coach Katelyn Kaminski.

The team has a mix of 10 freshmen and 10 returners for both sideline and competition programs. The squad wrapped football season, jumped straight into basketball and competed at the Universal Cheerleaders Association College Nationals in Orlando, Florida.

“This year is extra special, as we will debut our 2-minute and 30-second routine in the Open All Girl Division for the first time in school history,” said Kaminski. “We currently have 20 athletes on the team, and our goal is to continue maintaining a roster around that size moving forward. It has proven to be an ideal number for both team culture and competitive success.”

Kaminski added that one of the team’s biggest highlights this year has been completing their competition routine earlier than ever, in October.

“We also hit our very first full-out at practice in December, which was a huge

milestone for the team,” she said, referring to completion of the entire routine at 100% competition level. “We were especially excited to host a showcase for friends and family on campus on January 14 before we headed to nationals. Following the showcase, we cheered at the men’s basketball game vs. Hampden-Sydney. Our season has been incredible so far!”

Women’s golf officially began as a varsity sport in fall 2025 and competed in three invitationals this autumn. It didn’t take long for the Maroons to make headlines as Ally Childs ’28 tied for 11th at the Golden Oaks Shootout in October and shot the first sub 80 round in Roanoke College women’s golf history.

“Beginning the program has been a great experience so far,” said head coach

Will Abdi ’24. “From starting with a couple people on campus to bringing in a first class of players, we really started from scratch. With the fall season done we have seen the things we need to improve on but for the first official season, I feel like we are on the right track.”

Abdi said the team is heading into spring with six women. “With one commit for the fall and hopefully a couple more being added to that, I am expecting to have nine in the fall.”

The Maroons have three invitationals scheduled for the spring, with the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships in late April in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Marching band has seen its numbers grow and performances improve dramati-

cally in its two seasons. The band performed halftime shows at all of the home football games this fall and on the field during pregame activities, and they marched during the Maroon Walk before the games. The dance team was integrated

into the field show and the band was in uniform during all games.

Director of Bands Chris Wilkes said the program started the fall season with 38 performers on the field, and he hopes to have 60 or more next fall. His goal is to

“We are off to a great start with the marching band program at Roanoke College. One big moment this season was performing the National Anthem with members of the Army Band at the last home game.”

— Chris Wilkes, Director of Bands

have 100 performers within a few years.

“We are off to a great start with the marching band program at Roanoke College,” Wilkes said. “One big moment this season was performing the National Anthem with members of the Army Band at the last home game. Another highlight was finishing the season in the snow by marching in the Salem Christmas Parade.”

The addition of these three programs has helped bring excitement to campus, increased opportunities for students, and gave our Maroons fans even more to enjoy.

FL AG FOOTBALL

COMING IN 2028

Roanoke College has announced plans to establish a varsity women’s flag football program effective spring 2028, following a season of action at the club level in 2027. Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with at least 65 NCAA schools sponsoring women’s flag football at either the club or varsity level in 2025 and more slated to join in 2026. Flag football also has been added as a sport for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. This move coincides with the ODAC’s plan to offer women’s flag football as a conference sport in 2028.

Changing the game

With the completion of the new Athletic Performance Center, Roanoke College’s student-athletes now have a top-notch strength and conditioning facility to train in.

By Lily Kincaid

The training experience for studentathletes at Roanoke College has changed dramatically thanks to the new Athletic Performance Center, an 8,500-square-foot facility located in Alumni Gym.

The center, completed in August, serves as a centrally located strength and conditioning facility for the college’s 28 varsity teams. Scott Bennett, head strength and conditioning coach, said that athletes who utilize the facility will automatically gain a competitive edge. Sixty-seven donors contributed to the Athletic Performance Center.

“We are so grateful to all our incredible donors who helped make the Athletic Performance Center a reality,” said Athletic

“Having a facility of this caliber will help our current students to get bigger, stronger and faster; at the same time, it enables them to reach their full potential.”

— Curtis Campbell, Athletic Director

Director Curtis Campbell. “Having a facility of this caliber will help our current students to get bigger, stronger and faster; at the same time, it enables them to reach their full potential.”

Space was always a challenge previously, but the new facility has enough room for multiple teams to train at the same time. Having a larger space also allowed Bennett and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Izzy O’Connell to expand the equipment available to athletes.

The new Athletic Performance Center, located in Alumni Gym, serves the college’s 28 varsity teams.

The facility’s most eye-catching feature—a 30-by-10-yard patch of custom maroon turf, complete with Rooney in the center—is also one of its most practical additions. The turf opens the door for athletes to do change-of-direction agility drills and more extensive warmups.

“It’s a breath of fresh air for Scott and me to come in here,” O’Connell said. “We can get creative with our programming, and we can make the most of how we provide for the athletes.”

With student-athletes making up more than one-third of enrollment at Roanoke, an upgraded facility that could better meet their needs was crucial, Bennett said.

“With how large our student-athlete population is, and how competitive the ODAC is, it was important to make sure that we have the facilities to support that job,” he said.

The Athletic Performance Center also features some technological upgrades. Bennett and O’Connell utilize an app called TeamBuildr, which allows them to send workouts directly to athletes’ phones. Through the app, they can predict maximums on specific lifts, monitor workloads, specify training intensity and modify workouts in real time.

“I think it represents the spirit of Roanoke College that if we’re going to do something for any student on this campus, we’re going to try to do it well and give them the best experience they can possibly have,” Bennett said.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

The Maroon women’s soccer team improved dramatically from a season ago, posting five more wins than the 2024 campaign and finishing 6-4 in the ODAC to secure the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament. Roanoke posted ODAC victories over Averett, Guilford, Eastern Mennonite, Randolph, Hollins and Sweet Briar.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

A young Roanoke squad earned a spot in the ODAC tournament for the 24th time in the last 27 years. The Maroons had a huge upset win over Randolph-Macon College Oct. 4 in five sets in the Cregger Center, just the second victory over the Yellow Jackets since 2002.

FOOTBALL

The Roanoke football team had a highly successful campaign in its first season of varsity competition since 1942, going 4-4 in the ODAC, including a statement win at Bridgewater College, 24-14. At season’s end, Roanoke boasted eight all-conference performers and two all-region honorees.

FIELD HOCKEY

Katherine Seal ’26 and Corinne Orlando ’29 took home Third Team All-ODAC honors. It was the second such accolade for Seal.

MEN’S SOCCER

Midfielder Ryan Pidgeon ’25 earned his second consecutive Second Team All-ODAC honor. Pidgeon joined Lucas Pace ’26 and Aidan McHugh ’26 as College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honorees.

WOMEN’S

CROSS COUNTRY

Maya Herndon ’29 grabbed Third Team All-ODAC after finishing 17th at the ODAC Championships. The team earned fifth overall at the conference championships and posted their best point total since 2016.

MEN’S

CROSS COUNTRY

Nathaniel Orban ’29 picked up First Team All-ODAC after placing sixth at the ODAC Championships. Orban also earned ODAC Rookie of the Meet and ODAC Rookie of the Year laurels. Shane Stevens ’29 made his way on to the second team after placing 13th. Jackson Coombes ’28 and Ian Fellows ’27 took third-team honors after finishing 15th and 19th, respectively. As a whole, the team finished third overall at ODACs. Additionally, Orban and Fellows grabbed All-Region honors after placing in the top 30 at the NCAA Regional Championships.

BUILDING LEADERS

Members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at Roanoke College get the chance to develop leadership skills and participate in projects that lift the whole community.

By Jordan Haack

The Roanoke College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which was created to give student-athletes a voice within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), has also given Roanoke College students leadership opportunities and a chance to contribute to the community.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committees exist at the national, conference and institutional levels, and NCAA legislation requires that every member conference and institution have a SAAC. At Roanoke College, each varsity team has two SAAC representatives, and those representatives serve as liaisons between their teams and the Athletic Department, working together to help enhance the overall student-athlete experience.

The committee provides numerous leadership opportunities to student-athletes through on-campus events and their partnership with the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and NCAA.

This past fall, Roanoke’s SAAC participated in the ODAC’s league-wide canned food drive. In the threemonth campaign, running from September through Thanksgiving, SAAC was able to collect more than 700 non-perishable items at various sporting events and the department’s annual Haunted Hallways event. All items went to the Salem/Roanoke County Food Pantry.

This spring, Roanoke’s SAAC hopes to organize more events, including celebrating DIII Week on April 6-12 and getting more involved in additional community service projects. To keep up with SAAC events and campaigns, follow them on Instagram @roanoke_saac.

CONNECTIONS

RELATIONSHIPS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CENTRAL TO THE ROANOKE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE, AND THAT CONTRIBUTES TO A ROBUST ALUMNI NETWORK THAT CAN BE A POWERFUL TOOL FOR THOSE SEEKING JOBS OR GROWING A BUSINESS.

H MAROON

aving the right connections is a key component of career development, and for new college graduates, young alumni and those looking to grow or pivot in their career, networking can be downright crucial. Whether they’re tapping the network formally or informally, plenty of Maroons have used college connections to help them find internships, score interviews and land jobs that became long-term careers — and those Maroons often pay it forward to other graduates.

“Even if it’s not somebody you know directly, they know that you’re a Maroon, so they want to give you a hand,” said Jonathan Lee ’95, senior director of student and alumni success services. “I think that makes a huge difference.”

We spoke with alumni at several different companies to find out how the network went to bat for them. How has it supported you? Share your story at rcmagazine@roanoke.edu.

DAVID ROBERTSON ’89

Robertson is vice president of Robertson Marketing Group, which his parents founded in the late 1970s. After graduating, Robertson joined the family business, completed a doctorate degree at Virginia Tech and became a part-time professor at Roanoke. That’s where his connection to students began.

“It wasn’t the original intention to go there to start a recruiting pipeline, but it’s been a wonderful outcome,” he said.

Robertson Marketing has employed many alumni throughout the years. About 15 Roanoke College graduates now work full-time for the company. Some were Robertson’s students while others landed a position at the company through other avenues of the Maroon network.

“SHE WAS ABLE TO SHOW ME WHAT I COULD BE AND HELP ME TO GET TO WHERE I AM TODAY.”

— Becca Moorman ’24

BECCA MOORMAN ’24

During a networking event, Director of Student Engagement Joe Boucher ’87 introduced Moorman to Robertson. She submitted her resume, interviewed for a position and started working at Robertson Marketing just a few short months later. She is an account services coordinator for the company. Jessica (Flippo) Mahanes ’05 was her first boss at Robertson Marketing.

“That was a huge alumni connection for me because I got to see somebody who was in the same place as me, who had the same experience, who went through the same things,” Moorman said. “She was able to show me what I could be and help me to get to where I am today.”

“IT’S CRAZY TO SEE HOW FAR ONE CONVERSATION CAN GET YOU.”

—

Alston Martin ’19

ALSTON MARTIN ’19

Martin worked for Joe Boucher during his time at Roanoke. When Boucher learned that Martin had applied for a position with Robertson Marketing, he reached out to David Robertson, a friend of his, to recommend Martin. Within 24 hours, Martin received a call for an interview, and the day after that, he was offered the job. He is now on Andrea Thomas’ team, working as a senior account manager.

“The big picture is how big of an impact one small thing in your life can make at the end of the day,” he said. “It’s crazy to see how far one conversation can get you.”

ANDREA (LILLY) THOMAS ’08

As a student, Thomas had a department-recommended internship at Robertson Marketing, and Robertson was one of the professors who sat on her senior policy panel. The internship led to part-time work during her senior year and a full-time job offer after graduation. She’s worked at the company ever since and has moved up to the role of program director.

Her advice to students and young alumni trying to make connections is simple: Don’t be afraid to reach out. “Alumni remember what it’s like to be in your shoes as a new alum coming right out of college,” she said. “I think they’re happy to share advice or maybe even help open a door if you could just take that first step to connect.”

NETWORKING TI P :

Whether you’re six months out of Roanoke College or six decades out, the Center for Purpose, Life and Career Exploration (PLACE) is prepared to help with your career searches and questions. Likewise, if you’re looking to hire, PLACE staff can share your job opportunity with current students. Simply send an email to place@roanoke.edu.

CHRIS TURNBULL ’00

The alumni network was a huge resource for Turnbull when he started out as a young professional, he said. As chief of staff at Carilion Clinic, he now makes it a mission to offer that same kind of access to other alumni — a task that he has found very fulfilling.

Turnbull initially hired Hannah (Cline) Curtis ’15 as a part-time employee but soon advocated to bring her on full time. One of the first projects the pair worked on together at Carilion was establishing an internship program.

“You can have an exponential impact if you’re willing to invest in young people and fellow alums and students,” he said. “That impact goes a long way beyond what you’ll probably ever know.”

“YOU CAN HAVE AN EXPONENTIAL IMPACT IF YOU’RE WILLING TO INVEST IN YOUNG PEOPLE AND FELLOW ALUMS AND STUDENTS.”

— Chris Turnbull ’00

JENNY (KINCAID) BOONE ’01

Boone and Hannah Curtis initially crossed paths when Curtis was a runner on the college’s cross-country team. Boone told Curtis to let her know if she ever wanted to come work with her in Roanoke College’s Office of Marketing and Communications, and a few years later, she did. Curtis said Boone was a catalyst for her journey into public relations.

Boone connected several students with Chris Turnbull for internships. She found mentoring students to be a very rewarding experience.

“A lot of times, it doesn’t take a lot of extra effort because really, you’re just sharing your own life stories,” she said. “It’s more about the lessons you learned, the things you maybe did wrong along the way, because that’s also always a good lesson.”

KATHERINE (VAUGHAN) MOULSE ’24

Moulse learned about internship opportunities at Carilion Clinic through PLACE at Roanoke College, and from there, Jonathan Lee ’95 helped her apply. While there, she was mentored by Hannah Curtis. Curtis knew when to walk her through a process step-by-step, but also when to let her tackle an assignment on her own, Moulse said. Curtis said she admired that type of leadership from Turnbull when she first started her career.

Moulse’s time at Carilion helped her develop networking skills, professionalism and general business acumen, she said. Her team also supported her in finding a full-time job at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

“There are few degrees of separation in the business world,” she said, “and that’s what makes your network so important.”

NETWORKING TI P :

Each year, Roanoke College seniors return to campus early in January to participate in Launch Lab, which offers workshops, guest speakers, networking, interview skill-building and more. Alumni who would like to participate and meet students about to enter the workforce may reach out to place@roanoke.edu.

GABBY (GERY) DECKER ’17

As she approached her senior year, Decker became interested in gaining experience in healthcare communications. She and Hannah Curtis were student workers together in Roanoke’s Office of Marketing and Communications, so Decker reached out to Curtis to express her interest in an internship at Carilion Clinic. That connection, paired with prior experience, helped open the door, Decker said. Today, she works as a senior public affairs advisor at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

“Internships give you the opportunity to explore early what you can truly see yourself doing,” she said. “Internships also help you build a strong professional network before you even graduate. I’m still connected with many of the mentors and supervisors I interned with over 10 years ago.”

PERRY DOWNING ’81

The wife of a Roanoke College professor helped Downing secure an interview that led to a 33-year career at Merrill Lynch, a company with robust Maroon representation. Downing paid the kindness forward to fellow alumni, including David Lloyd ’96, now Downing’s daughter’s business partner at Merrill Lynch.

When it came time to bring Lloyd on the team, Downing said, “the Roanoke connection was certainly helpful.” Downing says students need to build a positive reputation even before graduating. “You never know where your opportunities are going to come from. If that professor had thought poorly of me, he wouldn’t have recommended me for a job.”

“I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT ROANOKE LOOKED OUT FOR THEIR OWN.”

— Mark Gobble ’87

MARK GOBBLE ’87

Through a Maroon connection, Gobble interned at Merrill Lynch as a student. When he landed a job in the Roanoke office in 1990, he said, “I was surrounded by Maroons,” including Bill Brenton ’77, Steve Craighead ’81 and Perry Downing. As Gobble’s career grew, he provided internships for at least eight Maroons and even hired Ellie (Prosser) Hammer ’06, now his business partner, and Micah Spruill ’11, now a member of the college’s board of trustees. When it comes to the network, he said, “I have always felt that Roanoke looked out for their own.” He said students these days should meet as many alumni as possible and “gather as many business cards as you can.”

ELLIE (PROSSER) HAMMER ’06

Hammer first met Mark Gobble when they worked together on Roanoke College’s Student Managed Fund, she as a student and he as an advisor. When it came time to job hunt, she reconnected with Gobble through Professor Larry Lynch, and Gobble got her an interview and put in a good word for her. “I don’t think I would have been hired without Mark,” she mused. Gobble soon became Hammer’s mentor, and she is now his business partner. She’s extended the favor by providing internships for Roanoke students. “Roanoke College has a big presence in this area,” she said, “and making connections is helpful. I’ve never run into an alum who wasn’t willing to help.”

NETWORKING TI P :

A service called Meet a Maroon is available to Roanoke College students and alumni. After receiving a career question from a user, the service forwards the question to the top 10 alumni likely to have a helpful answer. It’s amazing how often the conversation leads to virtual chats or in-person meetings. Visit roanoke.edu/meetamaroon to get started!

JOSH MATTOX ’01

While Mattox was still a student at Roanoke, fellow Pi Kappa Phi members helped him get an internship at Merrill Lynch. After graduation, he connected with Mark Gobble for advice and secured a job at what is now Morgan Stanley. Mattox carried on the favor by offering internships to Roanoke College students and hiring Will Pratt ’18 as a Wealth Management Associate on his team.

“The RC connection was huge in his arrival at Morgan Stanley,” said Mattox, now a Managing Director at the firm. One of his former interns now has a successful career at SALESFORCE and uses Mattox as his personal financial advisor. “Being close to the college has helped me in business in so many ways,” Mattox said.

We found so many great alumni networking stories that we couldn’t fit them all in print. To read more from our interviews with the alumni included here, as well as with Jessica (Flippo) Mahanes ’05, Jordan Meador ’17, Brandon Shelton ’13, Stephen Soltis ’10, Emily Morris ’15, Tucker Brookman ’27, Hannah (Cline) Curtis ’15, Will Pratt ’18 and Rick Boccard ’05, visit roanoke.edu/ maroonconnections.

BY LINDSEY NAIR ’98

THE COLLEGE IS INTRODUCING A WEALTH OF ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY EXPANDING EDUCATIONAL ACCESS TO NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS.

When Roanoke College officials rolled into 1847 Salem in a wagon and set up in an abandoned church east of town, they could hardly imagine a reliable fountain pen—much less students learning on computer screens and seeking advice from artificial intelligence.

Much has changed in academia—and the world—since then (reliable fountain pens were invented in 1884), but Roanoke’s foundation as a residential liberal arts school remains intact.

With the strength of that foundation, the college has weighed tradition against transformation in its approach to virtual learning. It has become clear that online

technology brings essential flexibility that learners need in the modern era.

For some students, online learning is more than a niche opportunity—it is a necessity.

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 61% of American undergraduate students were enrolled in at least one distance education course in fall 2021. Twenty-one percent of all undergrads were enrolled in distance education courses exclusively, and 21% of students at private nonprofit institutions like Roanoke College were taking virtual courses exclusively.

“Even at many residential colleges like

Roanoke, most students are taking at least one course online,” said Kathy Wolfe, vice president of Academic Affairs and dean of the College. “And I think more students are working to help pay for college, and more learners have children at home. So I think it’s really a matter of flexibility and just being able to fit the learning in when it works for you.”

The benefit of offering virtual classes is two-pronged for Roanoke: Yes, it creates fresh revenue streams at a time when the number of traditional-age college students is in decline. But it also makes continuing education more accessible to the larger community, which can strengthen the local workforce and, ultimately, the entire region.

This speaks to the No. 1 imperative in “Imagine Roanoke,” the college’s strategic plan: “to become the Roanoke Valley’s most sought-after educational partner by industry, entrepreneurs and community leaders.”

PARTNERING FOR PROGRESS

RC-RV, Roanoke’s new independent, coeducational initiative, has been driving the effort behind that imperative. Lisa Stoneman, assistant vice president over RC-RV, said RC-RV representatives have met with as many as 40 regional businesses to determine their employees’ continuing education needs and design credit-bearing online courses to address those needs.

“I think it’s exciting to realize how many people will be able to access Roanoke College in a way they could not or would not have thought of doing before,” Stoneman said.

So far, RC-RV has offered certificate courses in cannabis studies, had two rounds of a Certified Pharmacy Technician course, is currently enrolling students for Leadership in the 21st Century and is designing stackable certificate courses in professional communication and entrepreneurship.

RC-RV is also making plans to offer online applied Bachelor of Science degrees in public administration and cannabis studies. These 100% online, asynchronous programs can be finished in as little as 3 years.

I THINK IT’S EXCITING TO REALIZE HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS ROANOKE COLLEGE IN A WAY THEY COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF DOING BEFORE.

— LISA STONEMAN, RC-RV

The public administration degree, which is ideal for public safety officers seeking advancement, stemmed from conversations with Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy in Roanoke.

Additional new programming will soon be developed in RC-RV, which also continues to host Summer Academy camps.

Another new addition to Roanoke College’s virtual offerings is an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program that will be flexible and asynchronous, with rolling admissions that allow

students to start the program in August or January. For just 15-20 hours per week and $1,850 per course, students can finish Roanoke’s online MBA degree in just 24 months.

DESIGNING FOR EVERYONE

At least 50 Roanoke College faculty have completed online pedagogy training, learning the many differences between designing and teaching an in-person course versus a virtual course. A few, like Spanish Lecturer Christine Stanley, already had extensive experience teaching virtual classes. To be a successful virtual teacher, Stanley said, a faculty member must be highly organized, maintain excellent communication, plan active engagement with students and offer continuous feedback. This is easier to achieve at a school like Roanoke, where online class sizes will remain small, than at schools offering massive online classes to hundreds of students at a time.

As more online courses are designed, Wolfe said, the college will continue to prioritize those one-on-one facultystudent interactions and engaging lesson plans that make Roanoke stand out as a small school with big spirit.

“You have to be so much more intentionally available to online students to keep them engaged and help them feel like they have support,” she said. “We will always be thinking about how we can do it better.”

FOREVER MAROONS

If

the shoe fits...

In her role at Rothy’s, Zoë Richards ’15 gets to combine her expertise in communication with her passion for sustainability to build the brand’s image.

By Lily Kincaid |

Yumi Matsuo

Sustainability is woven into the fabric at Rothy’s — literally.

For Zoë Richards ’15, director of communications and public relations for the footwear and accessory brand, that's an easy mission to get behind.

Shoes from Rothy’s are made from recycled plastic water bottles, and as someone who cares deeply about the planet, Richards was drawn to those thoughtful design principles and responsible manufacturing practices.

“I love working for a brand that believes great design and doing the right thing can go hand in hand; one that approaches sustainability with optimism rather than guilt,” she said. “Being part of a team that’s constantly pushing to do better while creating products people genuinely love makes the work feel meaningful every day.”

Richards uses the skills she developed during her time at Roanoke College, and in her previous public relations roles, to share the Rothy’s story with the world.

“I learned early on that you’re never done learning,” she said. “In my first roles, I paid close attention to how the people around me worked, how they handled feedback and how they built relationships, and I tried to apply those lessons myself.”

Read more at roanoke.edu/zrichards.

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1-866-RCALUMS

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1970s

Robert “Chip” Cody Jr. ’75, principal scientist with JEOL USA, was recognized in the StanfordElsevier ranking of the world’s top scientists in the categories of “single recent year impact” and “career impact.” Cody graduated from Roanoke with a degree in chemistry and earned a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Purdue University.

William “Bill” Hobbs ’76 is a wildlife journalist writing for The Times newspapers in New London, Conn., and Estuary magazine. After graduating from Roanoke, he spent 30 years in the hospitality industry before retiring and earning a master’s degree at age 60. He has also taught hospitality management at the college level. Hobbs said his time at Roanoke was interrupted by four years of service in the U.S. Navy, but some of his

Anne Roemer ’97 became William and Mary’s chief human resources officer in November after spending the previous 25 years at NASA, where she most recently served as deputy chief human capital officer. Roemer is the recipient of NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal and their Exceptional Service Medal. At Roanoke, she was a member of Chi Omega and graduated with a degree in international relations. She went on to earn a master’s degree in international administration from the University of Denver. Roemer is a member of the Cornerstone Society.

2000s

most vivid memories from his time on campus include watching athletic events, being editor of the Brackety-Ack and hearing future U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew speak to a packed gymnasium.

1990s

David Hammel ’94 was named interim principal at Waccamaw High School in Pawley’s Island, S.C., in September. Hammel previously served as principal at the same school for 10 years, from 2008-2018. Since 2018, he’s worked in the school district’s office, as a teacher at Georgetown High School and, most recently, as executive director of Teach My People, a nonprofit after-school program. At Roanoke College, Hammel obtained a B.S. in chemistry. He went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a doctorate from Liberty University.

CEO of Council of Community Services in May. Jorgensen has been with the organization for more than 20 years, holding a variety of different positions, most recently chief operating officer. The Roanoke-based organization seeks to ensure that all community members have equitable access to health, housing and resources. Jorgensen earned a B.A. in sociology at Roanoke and obtained an M.S. in nonprofit administration from Louisiana State University.

Kimberly (Humphries) Russell ’00, owner of Moda Bella Boutique, has opened the store’s first brick and mortar location in Roanoke. Originally an online boutique, Moda Bela sells trendy women’s clothing and accessories. Russell graduated from Roanoke College with a degree in sociology.

Alison (Cronise) Jorgensen ’01 was appointed president and

Matthew Schottmiller ’01, who owns his own law practice in Salem, became president of the Salem Rotary Club in July. Schottmiller holds a degree in physics from Roanoke, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha. He also holds an MBA and law degree from University of New Mexico, and he served in the U.S. Air Force. Schottmiller is currently a member of the Cornerstone Society and the Society of 1842.

Katrina (Wilhelm) Hill ’02, executive director of the Community School in Roanoke, was

continued on page 32

A group of alumni held what they’re calling “North of ’Noke,” a mini-reunion in York Harbor, Maine, in September 2025. They traveled to Maine from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New Hampshire for a weekend filled with lobster, a tugboat ride, sightseeing and lots of laughs. Top row, L-R: Mike Woods ’90, Marybeth (Taylor) Mulzoff ’89, Jamie Campbell ’89. Bottom row, L-R: Deirdre (McGlynn) Kelly ’88, Carolyn (Ewing) Woods ’91, Andrea “Bub” (Haughey) Bristol ’88, Sarah (MacLeod) Campbell ’87, Laura (Altimore) Strausbaugh ’88 and Michael “Mike” De Feo ’88.

Where everybody knows your name

Bob Rotanz ’78 and Joe Dishaw ’78, longtime co-owners of the legendary Salem restaurant Mac and Bob’s, have officially retired and sold the restaurant.

By Anna Wehr

In August 1980, New York met Southwest Virginia with the establishment of Mac and Bob’s, a restaurant that would soon be woven into the fabric of Roanoke College. What began as a 10-seat pub serving New York-style sandwiches and beer has grown into a Salem staple with an expansive menu and faithful community.

Now, after 45 years, Bob Rotanz ’78 and Joe Dishaw ’78 have officially retired and sold Mac and Bob’s. New owners Dave Magrogan and Jeff Larsen worked with Rotanz to ensure a smooth transition, and they plan to preserve the character of the restaurant. Rotanz will stay on as a consultant.

Mac and Bob’s was named after Rotanz and his original business partner, fellow Roanoke graduate and lacrosse alumnus Jim “Mac” McEnerney ’78. The original menu was a nod to Rotanz and McEnerney’s upbringings in New York, and the restaurant still serves favorite menu items like the Boston Zone or Salem Salad.

When McEnerney moved back to New York in October 1980, Rotanz bought him out and stayed with the business. It didn’t take long for Dishaw, another lacrosse alumnus and native New Yorker, to join the fold and become co-owners with Rotanz in 1981. That same year, Keith Griswold, another lacrosse teammate, was hired to be restaurant manager. He stayed with the establishment for 43 years and is recognized for contributing to the successful eatery people know and love today. Another lacrosse alumnus, Tony Reyes ’78, became a silent partner in the business in 1992.

Over the years, the restaurant has won numerous awards. The Salem-Roanoke

Under their ownership of Mac and Bob’s Restaurant, Bob Rotanz ’78 and Joe Dishaw ’78 employed scores of Roanoke College students.

County Chamber of Commerce named Mac and Bob’s Small Business of the Year in 2022 and 2024. In Roanoker Magazine’s 2024 Best of Roanoke awards, the restaurant won first place in the categories of Best Restaurant, Best Outdoor Dining and Best Waitstaff, and second in Best Bar.

As a student at Roanoke College, Rotanz majored in economics and led the men’s lacrosse team to a National Championship win. He also met his wife, Wendy E. Rotanz ’81, and has been in Salem ever since. In 1988, he was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2022, he was awarded the Roanoke College Medal, the highest honor an alumnus can receive. Rotanz is a member of the President’s Advisory Board and Presidents Society, among other alumni groups.

Dishaw studied psychology at Roanoke College and, as a member of the lacrosse team, helped bring home the 1978 National Championship. In 1985, when the partners decided to expand the restaurant and menu, Dishaw enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America and graduated with honors. Dishaw is part of the Presidents Society, the Maroon Club, the Monument Club and the Cornerstone Society at Roanoke.

Both Rotanz and Dishaw are ecstatic about the chance to soak up more time with their grandchildren in this new chapter of their lives. Congratulations to them both, and thanks for the wonderful memories!

named Educator of the Year by the Association for Middle Level Education. This national award honors Hill’s 23-year career in education as a leader and mentor, with a focus on improving the educational experiences of middle schoolers. She earned her B.A. in English from Roanoke College.

Brooke (Clark) Ladner ’02 received the McKnight’s Women of Distinction Hall of Honor award recognizing women who have made significant contributions in the senior living, skilled nursing and home care industries. Ladner is senior vice president of business development at Regency Integrated Health Services in Victoria, Texas, which manages the largest nonprofit group of nursing homes in the state, along with an Institutional Special Needs Plan, a nurse practitioner company and a pharmacy. At Roanoke, she was a member of Phi Mu and earned a degree in international relations.

Natasha Whitling ’04 ran the 2025 New York City Marathon to commemorate 10 years of being cancer-free. Ahead of the race, Citizens and New York Road Runners awarded Whiting and three other runners the inaugural “Miles That Matter Award.” The award recognized her philanthropic and advocacy work on behalf of breast cancer research. She is a senior vice president at Burson, a global communications agency. She graduated with a B.A. in English from Roanoke College.

Melissa Carr ’05 began a new role teaching at Roanoke Valley Governor’s School for the 25-26 school year. She previously taught in Roanoke County Schools for 19 years. She teaches applied chemical research and chemistry. Carr holds a degree in chemistry from Roanoke.

Amy (Baker) Perkins ’07 has been appointed dean of students at Roanoke College. She is

(L-R) Amy (Hoffman) Wehrle ’04, Jessica (Young) Schmidt ’07, Kara (Alexander) Ridenhour ’05 and Emily (Jones) Casey ’06 met as members of the women’s cross-country team at Roanoke College, where Casey earned a degree in environmental science, Ridenhour studied theology, Schmidt majored in computer science and mathematics, and Wehrle earned a degree in English. The friends, who have stayed in touch since graduation, decided that they would run four races together as they each turned 40 — and whoever celebrated a birthday that year picked the race. They ran a half-marathon in Louisville, Kentucky; the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, South Carolina; the New River Trail 10K in Fries, Virginia; and the Flying Squirrel Ten Miler in Asheville, North Carolina. They won their age groups in the New River Trail race.

the first woman in the history of the college to fill that role. Perkins earned a degree in psychology at Roanoke, where she worked as a student assistant for Dean Robert Hines. She also served as an orientation leader, a member of the Student Conduct Council and Academic Integrity Board, and as president of Chi Omega. Perkins holds a master’s in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech. Prior to her promotion, she served as assistant dean and associate dean of students at Roanoke. She previously worked as a career advisor and director of residential and Greek life at Washington and Lee University.

Richard “RJ” Warren Jr. ’07 was appointed chief of staff for Richmond City Council. In his new role, which began in June, Warren will write and amend local laws, in addition to instituting the Richmond government budget. He takes on this role after more than 17 years of public service. Warren studied history at Roanoke College and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He later attended The Federal Judicial Center in Washington, D.C., to obtain his Foundations of Management for U.S. Courts Certification.

Robert “Tre” Bart III ’08 was ordained as a transitional deacon at the Cathedral of Mary our Queen in Baltimore, MD, in May. The event marked the penultimate step in Bart’s anticipated ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood. He earned a degree in business administration at Roanoke and was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. Following Roanoke, he attended seminary at Mount St. Mary’s. Bart was formerly employed as director of development for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Catholic Community Foundation.

Amanda Pickens Nitto ’09 was named to Bloomberg Law’s “They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40” list as a 2025 honoree. Nitto, a litigation partner at Robinson Bradshaw, was the only lawyer from the Southeast to make this national list. Most notably, she  helped the Southeastern Conference obtain approval of a nearly $2.8 billiondollar class action settlement, along with the NCAA and other conferences, and represented Wake Forest University in the “Varsity Blues” scandal. At Roanoke, Nitto was President  of Phi Mu and earned her B.A. in political science. She then obtained her law degree with honors from the University of South Carolina.

2010s

Laura (Hayes) Chalk ’10 was named to Virginia Business Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 for 2025. Chalk is currently executive director of Virginia Beach Vision, a leading business advocacy organization that promotes economic growth in Virginia Beach. Chalk holds a BBA from Roanoke, where she participated in volleyball and Delta Gamma, and a Master of Public Administration from Old Dominion University. She was formerly Virginia Beach’s deputy economic development director and business development coordinator. She serves on a regional transit advisory panel and was a longtime member of the International Economic Development Council.

Kayvon Sarmadi ’10 started trading stocks at just nine years old, and now he is a financial advisor with a $1 billion book at UBS Financial Services. He was recently featured in Forbes, where continued on page 34

New reads from Maroon minds

“Avandell: Reimagining the Dementia Experience”

By Larry Carlson ’74

Carlson devoted his career to serving others through his work in eldercare administration. He retired in 2022 after 11 years as the president and CEO of United Methodist Communities.

Publisher: Tvguestpert

Overview: In this book, Carlson presents a case that there is a better way to care for individuals with dementia than the traditional, hospital-based approach.

“A Defiant Woman”

By Karen Olson ’82

Olson is an award-winning author who has penned 13 crime novels including “An Inconvenient Wife,” the prequel to this new book. She majored in English at Roanoke College.

Publisher: Pegasus Crime

Overview: In the latest novel in this genre-defying crime series, Kate Tudor’s

marriage to billionaire Hank Tudor continues to fray when his ex-wife resurfaces in the wake of their daughter’s kidnapping.

Review: “Sharp, sophisticated, utterly superb. Olson’s clever Tudor series will keep you turning the pages long into the night.”

— J. T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of “A Very Bad Thing”

“The Slow Death of the Death Penalty: Toward a Postmortem”

Edited by Todd C. Peppers, Jamie Almallen ’17, Mary Welek Atwell

Almallen is a public defender in the state of Virginia. She earned a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Peppers is a former faculty member at Roanoke College.

Publisher: NYU Press

Overview: This collection of essays examines why the death penalty is in decline across the United States. Review: “As the American death penalty has faded from our courtrooms, this

highly readable and compelling volume collects the perspectives of frontline visionaries, scholars, and lawyers, conducting an autopsy of the penalty itself.”

— Brandon L. Garrett, author of “End of Its Rope: How Killing the Death Penalty Can Revive Criminal Justice”

“Half Year, Half Light”

By Janet Sarjeant

’73

Janet (Vass) Sarjeant ’73 is a writer based in Charlotte, N.C. After graduating from Roanoke, she earned a master’s from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and taught English at Central Piedmont Community College for 25 years.

Publisher: Warren Publishing, Inc

Overview: “Half Year, Half Light” follows high school senior Edna Louise Walters as she approaches adulthood in 1969, a pivotal year in her life and the world.

he discussed the importance of making in-person connections. Sarmadi earned his business administration degree at Roanoke College while playing on the men’s soccer team. His brother, Omid Sarmadi ’18, is a financial advisor on his team at UBS.

Elizabeth (Proctor) Spurlock ’11 was recognized by Women We Admire in their list of “The Rising Star Women Leaders in Business Consulting & Services for 2025.” Spurlock is the director of consulting and delivery, workforce planning and analytics at McKesson. She graduated from Roanoke with a B.S. in psychology and was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha. She went on to earn an M.A. in industrial and organizational psychology from Austin Peay State University and a Ph.D. in the same subject from Grand Canyon University.

Andrew Howe ’12 will continue as development director of the Carolinas after the restructuring of Alliance Residential Company’s Southeast Division. Howe earned a BBA from Roanoke, where he was a member of the men’s soccer team.

Christine Winder ’15 continues to expand her writing career in the Richmond area. She currently serves as a contributing writer for The Everygirl Media Group, Real Simple and Richmond Magazine. Additionally, she is managing editor at Richmond Family Magazine and account director at Think804. She holds her B.A. in communications from Roanoke, where she was a member of Chi Omega.

Omari K. Chancellor ’17 was cast in a recurring role on the new TV series “Love Story” from Ryan Murphy. The first season of the show will explore the roman-

tic relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Bessette. Chancellor will star as Gordon Henderson, a fashion designer and close friend of Bessette’s. Chancellor earned a degree in international relations at Roanoke, where he explored filmmaking under the mentorship of Joe Boucher ’97, director of student activities and the Colket Center. You may have seen Chancellor on CBS’s “Elsbeth” or in the film “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” alongside Zac Efron and Russell Crowe.

Ty McEachern ’17 is a new academic coach and advisor in the Student Success Center at Roanoke College. He was previously communications director for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. McEachern holds a B.A. in political science from Roanoke.

Taylor Thompson ’18 has earned a master’s in library and information science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has worked at the State Library of North Carolina in Raleigh since 2019. At Roanoke, she earned a B.A. in history and was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Natalie (Parrish) Wade ’19 has earned a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from Shenandoah University. She completed her residency at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.V., with a focus in psychiatric pharmacy. She earned a B.S. in biology at Roanoke. Wade currently teaches in the pharmacy and physician assistant programs at Shenandoah with a focus on psychiatric and neurologic pharmacotherapy. She also serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents at her practice site at Winchester Medical Center.

2020s

Chuckie Tenbusch ’21 joined the staff at Roanoke College this fall as an assistant coach of the men’s soccer team. Tenbusch was a member of the team during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. After earning a B.S. in sports management, he continued his soccer career at Johnson and Wales University while earning his graduate degree. Before his return to Salem, he coached club soccer for the Virginia Reign and held the position of assistant athletic director and assistant coach for the boys’ soccer team at Bruton High School in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Bruton High School boys’ soccer team appeared in the VHSL final four in 2024 and 2025.

Will Hastings ’22 has started his own business, Hastings Fishing Co., to guide fishing trips in Yellowstone National Park. Hastings obtained a degree in communications from Roanoke and was a member of Sigma Chi.

Virginia Roberts ’23 was hired by The Prizery, an arts and cultural center in South Boston, Va., as their office and events coordinator. Roberts earned a BBA at Roanoke and was a member of Delta Gamma.

Will Abdi ’24, the first head women’s golf coach in school history, was also named interim head coach for the men’s golf team for the 2025-26 season. In the 2024-25 season, Abdi served as assistant coach for men’s golf. Abdi graduated with a sports management degree and was a member of the men’s golf team.

Wyatt Whitlow ’24 was named offensive coordinator and assistant coach of the Roanoke men’s lacrosse team. He gained multiple honors as a member of the

team during his student days, and he is regarded as one of the top offensive performers in school history. Over the years, he has also assisted with many lacrosse camps and travel teams.

Riley Boone ’25 is a financial professional with New York Life. He graduated with a BBA and said he’s thrilled to help people create strong financial futures.

Krista DeModna ’25 has returned to the Roanoke women’s field hockey team as assistant coach after four years of conference play. Her athletic career at Roanoke included playing in 58 games with 43 starts. She led the team as captain her senior year. At Roanoke, she earned a B.A. in health and exercise science.

Kylee Draper ’25 has moved off the court and to the sidelines as the newest assistant coach for the Roanoke women’s volleyball team. She also coaches for the Roanoke United Volleyball Club. Draper earned a degree in business administration from Roanoke and was a member of the volleyball team all four years.

David Reid ’25 began his role as account manager for the southeast territory with First Call Auto Parts. As a student, Reid was a member of the wrestling team. He graduated in May 2025 with a BBA.

WEDDINGS

Cassie Elverum ’12 married William Jatho on June 22, 2024, in Keswick, Virginia. The wedding was attended by a host of Roanoke alumni. The couple lives in Norfolk.

Kacie Crosswhite ’19 and Cody Breon ’22 married Aug. 9, 2025, continued on page 36

at Balcony Downs Venue and Retreat in Buena Vista, Virginia. Several Maroons were in attendance.

Blake Lutz ’25 married Samantha Gentile ’25 on May 4, 2025, two days after they graduated from Roanoke College. Blake entered the U.S. Navy in the summer of 2025.

Matthew Ferguson ’19 married Kelsey Alcaraz ’20 on May 8, 2025, in Charleston S.C. Their love story began at Roanoke College. Their first night was spent stargazing and talking until 4 a.m. They currently reside in New Castle and share an affinity for Roanoke College football.

Samantha Greiss ’19 married Richard Wagner ’17 on May 24, 2025, on the Roanoke College campus. Several alumni were in their wedding party, including Jennifer (Calascione) Messick ’19, Parker Messick ’18, and Zachary Carney ’16. The wedding was catered by Roanoke College, which was meaningful because Richard worked in Dining Services and Samantha appreciated their efforts to accommodate her food allergies. The couple resides in Tallahassee, Florida.

Joe Sokolski ’17 married Allison LePontois ’16 on Aug. 31, 2024, in Rock Stream, NY. The pair met and took part in Greek life at Roanoke, where LePontois was in Delta Gamma and Sokolski was in Kappa Alpha. They currently reside in Connecticut.

Kent Griffith ’18 and Taryn Thompson ’18 married May 23, 2025. The wedding was officiated by Roanoke College Chaplain Chris Bowen, and many Maroons were present. Bridesmaids included Hayley Moe ’18, Bailey Martin ’19, Emily (Geno) Gayle

’17 and Anita Lane ’18. Groomsmen included Brian Kerr ’18, Ben Campbell ’21, Garrett Ruggieri ’20, Reed Larson ’19, Luke Jones ’18, Francis Sy ’20 and Taryn’s brother Mitchell Thompson ’23

Ashley Briggs ’13 married Matthew Compton on Aug. 8, 2025, on top of Bent Mountain at Silver Hearth Lodge. Fellow alumnae Bekkah (Ferrier) Corkey ’12 and Amy (Markol) Romine ’12 were in attendance.

Paige Shaika ’23 and Nicholas Witt ’24 married Aug. 23, 2025, at MenNefer in Low Moor, Virginia. Bridesmaids included Elizabeth Kinkema ’22, Rickey Horton ’23, Kacie (Crosswhite) Breon ’19, Katherine Finlan ’23 and Jocelyn Snader ’24 Groomsmen included Michael Ramsey ’25, Cody Breon ’22, Wyatt Forney ’25 and current student Will Greenwood ’26.

Katherine Vaughan ’24 wed Ben Moulse on Oct. 11, 2025, in Roanoke College’s Antrim Chapel. Alumni involved in the wedding were Talia Cartafalsa ’24, Zach Kriebel ’24, Dennis Hepworth ’24, Hannah Pluim ’24 and Nora Terrill ’24. The newlyweds reside in Henrico, Virginia.

FAMILIES

Hannah (Godsey) Crouch ’15 and her husband, Brad, welcomed their second child, James Sutherland, into the world on Oct. 7, 2025. James joins brother Theodore Stuart. The Crouch family resides in Wilmington, Delaware.

Andrew Daniels ’15 and Kelsey (Smith) Daniels ’16 are the proud parents of their first baby, a boy named Thomas Cobh Daniels. Thomas was born Aug. 26, 2025. The family lives in Fredericksburg.

Penelope Davis Maxwell was born March 28, 2025, to parents Carlisle Maxwell ’19 and Kendall (Sperber) Maxwell ’21 Penelope attended her first Roanoke College football game this year! The family lives in Annandale, Virginia.

Married alumni Bradford Mills ’20 and Logan Miner ’19 expanded their family with the addition of Bradford Maddox Mills IV, born July 21, 2024. The family resides in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Kyra (Sichelstiel) Othus ’15 and her husband, Matthew Othus ’15, welcomed their son, Oliver Scott, on Sept. 4, 2025. The family currently lives in Virginia Beach.

Eryka (Darrow) Tedeschi ‘15 and her husband, Joseph, are the proud parents of a baby boy,

Varian Joel, who was born on April 21, 2025. The Tedeschis live in Chantilly, Virginia.

IN MEMORIAM

Peggy (Baker) Nall ’53, of Claremont, Cal., died June 20, 2025, at 94. Nall earned a B.A. from Roanoke, where she met her husband, Theodore “Ted” Nall Jr. ’53. They married one year after graduation. After moving to several places, including the Bahamas, they landed in California. She taught for 10 years in Covina, Calif., then moved on to work for John Anderson’s 1980 presidential campaign. In addition to pursuing her passions in civic engagement, she enjoyed writing and traveling. She was a member of Roanoke’s Cornerstone Society.

Anne (Montgomery) Wilson ’55, of Franklin County, Va., died Oct. 25, 2025, at 92. She met her husband, Richard “Dick” Wilson ’52, at Roanoke, and they were married in 1953. Wilson continued her education and graduated in 1955 with their daughter, Julie Wilson ’76, by her side. She taught elementary school and raised five children. She stayed active as an alumna, attending events in the D.C. area. She was a member of the Maroon Club and the Society of 1842.

Dr. David R. Sipes ’56, of Morehead City, N.C., died Oct. 4, 2025, at 90. Sipes earned a degree in biology from Roanoke and a dental surgery degree from the Medical College of Virginia. At Roanoke, he played on the men’s soccer team and was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. Sipes had his own private practice in Vienna, Va., for 38 years. He also served as a consultant for the Forensic Dentistry Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Later

in his career, he taught forensic dentistry at the FBI Academy, U.S Air Force Investigators School and other law enforcement schools. Sipes was a member of Roanoke’s Society of 1842.

S. Reid Warren III ’56, of Lansdowne, Pa., died Feb. 17, 2025, at 90. Warren studied American history at Roanoke, then served in the Army before earning a master’s in social work from the University of Pennsylvania. His career mainly focused on social work and mental health in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. He and his wife loved to travel and garden, and he had an affinity for woodworking.

James R. Saul ’57, of Roanoke County, Va., died June 4, 2024, at 94. Saul served in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve for six years, earning the rank of staff sergeant, before being honorably discharged. He then earned a B.A. in English from Roanoke, going on to receive a J.D. from University of Richmond. Saul began his career as a district claims manager for Allstate Insurance and went on to become a city attorney, where he continued to work until he retired.

Eleanor V. Dye ’58, of Vinton, Va., died Oct. 28, 2025, at 89.

Dye, who studied English at Roanoke, was an employee of Virginia’s Department of Corrections/Division of Youth and Family Services for 40 years, spending time as the regional manager. In her retirement, she enjoyed being in nature, teaching English as a second language and serving as a lay leader at church. She was a member and held leadership roles in both the Roanoke Bird Club and the Roanoke Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Rev. Dr. Malcolm Lee Minnick Jr. ’55, of Wayzata, Minn., died May 29, 2025, at 93. Minnick grew up in Salem and obtained his B.A. in English from Roanoke, where was heavily engaged in campus life. That included being president of the Honor Society, student body and Kappa Alpha fraternity, and a member of the track team. In 1958, he graduated from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He pastored at three Virginia churches before moving to Minnesota to establish Lutheran congregations. After a successful career, he continued to stay active in the parish ministry and worked in consulting for the Advocate Health Care System in Chicago. Roanoke College named Minnick a Distinguished Alumnus in 1992 and awarded him the Roanoke College Medal in 2005. In addition, he was a member of the Society of 1842. His son, Mark D. Minnick ’82, is a fellow Maroon.

Charles “Neal” Engers ’58, of Roanoke, Va., died July 8, 2025, at 88. He earned a B.A. in English and participated in Kappa Alpha at Roanoke. He later graduated with an M.Ed. from the University of Virginia. Engers had a long and successful career as an educator for several school systems. He also served his country in the U. S. Marine Reserves. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles L. Engers ’34, and survived by his daughter, Tamarra (Engers) Holter ’92

Ernest L. Greene ’58, of Roanoke, Va., died June 13, 2025, at 93. Greene served during the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Air Force. After graduating from Roanoke, he worked for the City of Roanoke as a probation supervisor until retirement. He was rooted in his faith and served Shenandoah Baptist Church for more than 50 years in various roles including deacon and elder. Even as his memory faded, he could still sing hymns and quote scripture.

Arthur R. Hill ’58, of Roanoke, Va., died Sept. 6, 2025, at 90. Hill earned a degree at Roanoke,

where he was in Pi Kappa Phi, before covering music and science for The Roanoke Times. He later worked for the Associated Press in Atlanta and the Houston Chronicle, which included writing about NASA. During his stint as president of the National Association for Science Editors, he was the only journalist Nixon invited to celebrations in California, Chicago and New York for the 1969 moon landing. In 1974 he began writing for IBM, and in the ‘80s, this work led him to Paris, where he covered two IBM scientists who won the Nobel Prize.

Sandra (Lucas) Curd ’59, of Rocky Mount, Va., died July 2, 2025, at 88. Before attending Roanoke, Curd worked at her late husband’s optometry practice for 15 years. Upon his passing, she earned a B.A. in education from Roanoke. She then spent 15 years teaching at Dudley Elementary School, earning recognition as Franklin County’s Teacher of Year. She was preceded in death her nephew, John L. Krippendorf ’11

George C. Barker Jr. ’61, of Salem, Va., died Sept. 16, 2025, at 86. Barker earned a B.A. in busi-

ness administration from Roanoke, where he also joined Sigma Chi and met his wife, Betsy. His family business, Barker Realty Co., is still going strong after 36 years. He was preceded in death by his son, George C. Barker III ’88

David W. Coates Jr. ’62, of Philadelphia, Pa., died May 10, 2025, at 86. While earning a B.A. at Roanoke, Coates served as both president and treasurer of Pi Kappa Phi. He later obtained his MBA from St. Joseph College and pursued a career in sales, working much of his career with John Deere. He served his community as Santa Claus for local organizations in Philadelphia during the wintertime and as treasurer for the Society of St. George. He also was an avid singer.

William H. “Bill” Bayes Jr. ’62, of Chesterfield, Va., died May 5, 2025, at 85. Bayes received a B.A. in sociology from Roanoke. He had a prosperous career at Exxon, retiring at 55. Bayes loved visiting the beach and attending UVA games.

Frank D. Breedlove ’63, of Roanoke, Va., died Oct. 3, 2025, at

92. He served in the Army and used the GI Bill to earn his degree in economics from Roanoke, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi. His professional career included working for various companies such as Taylor Evan Seed Company, Sunoco and Norfolk and Western Railroad. He was known for ending every phone call with “Let me know if you need anything.”

Shi Anne (Smith) Shimer ’63, of Hampton, Fla., died Jan. 9, 2024, at 82. After Roanoke, where she was in Chi Omega, she moved to Germany to attend Heidelberg University. She served Florida as a social worker for 29 years before retirement. She loved spending time with her family.

James S. Lough ’64, of Salem, Va., died April 23, 2025, at 85. Lough served in the National Guard and earned a B.S. from Roanoke. A talented swimmer, he set multiple records and won awards at Roanoke, including Outstanding Swimmer in ’61 and the Slater Award for Most Outstanding Athlete in ’61 and ’62. He was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1972. Lough devoted his career to education

Robert Bruce Upton ’58, of Garden City, N.Y., died June 30, 2025, at 88. Upton earned his business degree at Roanoke, where he ran track and joined Kappa Alpha. He met his late wife, Sarah (Randolph) Upton ’60, at Roanoke, and they went on to have four children, including alumni Kimberly (Upton) McAleer ’89 and Heather (Upton) Singley ’92 Upton retired early after more than 30 years as a marketing executive with Texaco, Inc., so he could devote time to Christian Ministries. He gave generously of his time and resources to Roanoke College as a member of the Associate Society for 32 years and the Society of 1842. He was recognized by the school as a Distinguished Alumnus. He and his wife emceed the Honor Guard induction for many years, in addition to his time on the Alumni Executive Council and Washington, D.C. Regional Campaign Committee.

and was known as a family man who enjoyed helping others.

Robert Lowell May ’65 , of Salem, Va., died May 6, 2025, at 84. May served in the Army before earning a degree at Roanoke. He spent his career in the fishing tackle industry. Known by many as “fish whisperer,” he was an expert fly fisher who held two world records. Of the retail businesses he created were The Crappy Hole Tackle shops and Countryside Classics. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Elmore) May ’65

John “Dick” Cochran Jr. ’65, of Hagerstown, Md., died Aug. 6, 2025, at 83. At Roanoke, where he studied economics, Cochran was a member of Pi Kappa Phi and the swim team. He served in the U.S. Army before having a successful career in banking. He was devoted to his faith and found immense joy in nature. He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Cantrell) Cochran ’66

George M. Goodridge Jr. ’67, of Norfolk, Va., died Sept. 30, 2025, at 80. He served during the Vietnam War and worked in management at AVON, Johnson & Johnson and American Tobacco. He loved golf, reading and traveling the world with his wife. He was a member of Sigma Chi at Roanoke and went on to earn a master’s from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

William “Bill” M. Rawlins ’67, of Baltimore, Md., died March 2, 2025. While at Roanoke, he received a B.A. in philosophy, participated in the men’s crosscountry team and was a member of Pi Lambda Phi. Rawlins moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he spent most of his life. He taught English to the Danish Parliament, worked for Save

the Children and was president of the Danish chapter of Republicans Abroad. Rawlins loved spending time with his wife, twin girls and friends.

Doris (Talbot) Guerrant ’68, of Englewood, N.J., died Sept. 12, 2025, at 93. Guerrant received a B.A. in psychology and went on to earn an M.S. from Radford University and a Ph.D. from the Florida Institute of Technology. In addition to lifelong learning, Guerrant loved organizing events for her friends such as movies nights, golf club outings and dinner parties. She is survived by her daughter, Margaret (Guerrant) Powers ’84

Roi C. Voelker ’68, of Englewood, N.J., died Jan. 23, 2025, at 84. After he received his B.S. from Roanoke, he went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force. He later joined the U.S. Navy, where he worked as a physicist until he retired. Voelker served as a deacon, group leader and Bible teacher in his free time, and was known for his abundant kindness.

Dan C. Watson ’68, of Callaway, Va., died Aug. 28, 2024, at 83. While at Roanoke College, he received his B.A. in English. Watson loved spending time with his family.

Reginald “Rex” Murphey Jr. ’69, of New York City, N.Y., died Oct. 24, 2024, at 77. Murphey received a B.A. in economics at Roanoke, where he was a member of the men’s lacrosse team and Sigma Chi. He went on to found Montauk Services, which later became American Pipeline Solutions. He was a member of the Society of 1842 and the Cornerstone Society at Roanoke. He enjoyed fishing, boating and manning the grill at family gatherings.

Susan (Russell) Fogerty ’69, of Gastonia, N.C., died Feb. 25, 2024, at 76. She received a B.S. in psychology and played on the women’s field hockey team at Roanoke. Over the years, Fogerty worked part time as an antiques dealer and dedicated her life to taking care of her family. She was preceded in death by her brother, Gene C. Russell ’66

Mary Louise Stoutamire ’70, of Salem, Va., died Aug. 18, 2025, at 107. After pursuing a B.A. in education and traveling with family, Stoutamire worked in Roanoke College’s Fintel Library for 17 years. After retiring, she enjoyed music, painting and singing in her church choir.

Neil A. Wilson ’71, of Roanoke, Va., died April 16, 2025, at 77. He earned his degree in chemistry from Roanoke College and spent over 40 years working for Akzo Nobel. He valiantly fought multiple sclerosis for many decades.

William O. Doherty Jr. ’74, of West Haverstraw, N.Y., died March 4, 2025, at 76. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard before marrying his wife and moving to Roanoke. In college, Doherty studied his passion, history, and earned his B.A. He spent most of his career at Cushman and Wakefield, but the Civil War was a lifelong hobby. He committed time to participating in reenactments and cataloging all Civil War veterans from Rockland County.

Vincent P. Iuliano Sr. ’74, of Springfield, Mass., died April 20, 2025, at 72. While earning his B.S. in biology, Iuliano was a member of the men’s soccer team and Kappa Alpha. He owned multiple business including Plaza Auto Clinic and American Reclamation Corporation in Massachusetts and Clean Rock in

IN MEMORIAM

A passion for education

Joyce Kipps, a 1950 graduate of Roanoke College, believed education was an opportunity that should be afforded to everyone, and she dedicated time and resources to that cause.

By Margo Boone ’26

Joyce R. Kipps ’50 came to Roanoke College to earn a degree in education and never looked back, devoting much of her life to ensuring that students of all stripes had a chance at learning and upward mobility.

Kipps died June 20, 2025, at 97.

Born in Madison County, Va., Kipps grew up on the family farm. At Roanoke, she earned degrees in both education and psychology, then started her career as a teacher at Criglersville Elementary School in Madison, Va. With a desire to teach high school math, she continued her education at University of Virginia, earning a master’s degree in special education. She taught intermediate and high school special education classes in Madison County,

In her lifetime, Joyce Kipps’ dedication to education positively impacted countless lives in her communities.

then taught education and math classes at Madison County High School.

Kipps would retire after 40 years as a teacher, but her passion for education didn’t stop there. She knew the impact of financial constraints on education, so she established the Joyce R. Kipps ’50 Endowed Scholarship which provides scholarships to full-time students attending Roanoke College. She also established the Joyce R. Kipps ’50 International Lutheran Scholarship which provides scholarships to full-time international students attending Roanoke College.

In addition, Kipps joined her classmates to establish the Class of 1950 DawsonBartlett Memorial Scholarship, which honors Dr. Charles A. Dawson and Dr. William I. Bartlett (class of 1925), two beloved Roanoke College professors.

Thanks to her many generous contributions and her membership in Roanoke groups such as the Society of 1842 and the Presidents Society, Kipps was awarded the Roanoke College Medal in 2010. It is the highest honor a Maroon can achieve.

In her free time, Kipps was active in her church, volunteered with community organizations and cherished time with her family. She especially looked forward to biennial reunions on her family farm.

Through her dedication to learning, Kipps held open the door for others so they might have a chance to follow their dreams, too.

Maryland. He loved cooking, fast cars and motorcycles.

George M. Latsko ’74, of Middletown, Del., died July 3, 2025, at age 89. He enrolled at Roanoke after serving in the U.S. Army, starting a family and beginning a job at Eli Lilly & Co. He earned his BBA while working. Latsko was also involved in organizations like St. Andrew’s Church and the Knights of Columbus. He loved traveling, visiting all 50 states over the course of his life.

The Rev. William M. Van O’Linda ’74, of Southern Pines, N.C., died April 26, 2025, at 73. At Roanoke, he earned a B.A. in sociology and met his wife, Barbara (Todd) Van O’Linda ’74, at the beginning of their freshman year. He went on to obtain an M.Div. at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and spent 30 years as a Lutheran minister. In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Christine (Van O’Linda) Huffman ’00

Lance Lewis ’75, of Salem, Va., died July 27, 2025, at 82. He earned a degree in business administration at Roanoke and spent many years running Summerell Company with his wife, Diane. He enjoyed walking, cycling, vacationing at the beach with family and driving his sports car.

Nancy (Hilchen) Murray ’75, of Long Island, N.Y., died December 30, 2024, at 71. Murray earned a B.A. in philosophy at Roanoke. She was a devoted mother to two sons and a caregiver to many relatives in her life. She loved classic cars and horses.

Lucia D. Craighead ’76, of Salem, Va., died May 8, 2025, at 74. Craighead taught at East Salem Elementary for 32 years. Outside the classroom, she was

known for her love for animals, her quick wit and nurturing spirit. Survivors include her daughter, Elizabeth (Craighead) Wills ’02

Gregory J. Leaf ’76, of Seattle, Wash., died May 28, 2025, at 70. Leaf studied chemistry at Roanoke and worked as a scientist in the forest industry for nearly 40 years. He loved music, singing and playing piano in the community.

J. Craig Schisler ’76, of Baltimore, Md., died Aug. 24, 2025, at age 70. At Roanoke, he earned a degree in history and was a proud member of Sigma Chi and manager of the men’s lacrosse team. He spent 32 years working for Kraft Foods and continued to support Roanoke for many years as a member of the Cornerstone Society, Maroon Club, Associates Society and Society of 1842. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be made to Roanoke College.

V. Leighton Rogers III ’78, of Roanoke, Va., died Sept. 17, 2025, at 70. He earned an associate’s degree from Ferrum College before completing a B.S. in biology at Roanoke. He devoted his career to the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Department as a medical officer in the jail. He enjoyed beach trips, fishing and collecting lighthouses.

Wallace “Lee” Martin ’79, of Roanoke, Va., died Feb. 6, 2025, at 73. He earned a BBA at Roanoke, later taking over his father’s sheet metal business. He was known for wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, red suspenders and Chuck Taylors.

Terri (Bittle) Ramsey ’82, of Winchester, Va., died Jan. 21, 2025, at 64. She was the daughter of two Roanoke College graduates,

John W. Bittle ’48 and Virginia (Voelker) Bittle ’48. At Roanoke, she earned a B.S. in mathematics and was a member of the women’s volleyball team. She had a successful career as an accountant for FEMA.

Frederick A. Bolden ’91, of Roanoke, Va., died Aug. 25, 2025, at 63. He earned a degree in political science from Roanoke and spent most of his career with Kroger. He was also the primary pianist and organist at his church.

Nathaniel “Nate” Shepardson ’91, of Concord, Mass., died June 8, 2025, at 55. He studied economics and computer science at Roanoke, then went on to earn his master’s in organization leadership and administration from Concordia University Ann Arbor.

FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE

Brookes D. Beistel ’98, of Roanoke, Va., died April 21, 2025, at 55. He earned a sociology degree at Roanoke and later worked as a business development manager for Better Business Bureau of Western Virginia. He loved spending time with his son and sharing their love of “Star Wars.”

Laura “Libbey” Buckley ’98, of Staunton, Va., died Sept. 7, 2025, at age 50. She was a member of Delta Gamma at Roanoke, where she earned a degree in sociology. She followed that up with a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her early career was in social work, and for the last 15 years, she supported elementary school students with special needs.

Helen Margaret Post, of Nutley, N.J., died Sept. 19, 2025, at 91. Post was led by a passion for education and a servant heart. She taught mathematics and reviewed mathematics curriculum for public schools. After her daughter, Elizabeth J. Post ’85, graduated from Roanoke with a degree in education, Helen and her husband, Richard, established a scholarship for Maroons. They were also generous supporters of children’s cancer research, earning the Excaliber Award from the American Cancer Society and founding the Indian River Memorial Hospital Post Chapel.

Elizabeth “Betty” Shannon, of Garden City, N.Y., died June 15, 2025, at 93. Shannon was married to the late John S. Shannon ’52, and they had three children. She was very generous with her time, finding countless ways to serve her community such as working with individuals with visual impairment, remaining active in her church or serving on the board of Westminster Canterbury in two Virginia cities. She was a gifted tennis player and found great joy in playing bridge. She built communities everywhere she lived and treasured time spent with her family. She was a member of the Cornerstone Society, Society of 1842 and the Presidents Society at Roanoke.

Alumni leadership enters new chapter

A newly revitalized alumni board of directors will work to help strengthen alumni involvement and philanthropic support.

As Cara (Bayersdorfer) Kenney ’98 completes her term as president of the Alumni Executive Council, the college has revitalized the association’s board of directors, which will guide efforts to strengthen alumni engagement and expand philanthropic support across generations of Maroons.

Led by co-presidents Judy Hall ’69 and Andrew Sturmfels ’05, the board includes representatives from each class decade and the Maroon Club. Together, members of the board will work to mobilize Roanoke College alumni in their network, recruit and train teams of volunteers to conduct personal outreach, and inspire deeper alumni connection and investment in the

college. Board members serve four-year terms, renewable once, and represent the highest standards of service, leadership and commitment to Roanoke’s values.

Meet the current board

Co-president Judy Hall ’69 has served on the college board of trustees since 1999 and was awarded the Roanoke College Medal in 2013. For 22 years, she’s been an Associate and a member of the Society of 1842, which she now chairs. She’s also been chapter chair for New York, president of the Alumni Council, and is an emerita member of the President’s Advisory Board. Her first love is Roanoke, and she looks

Judy Hall ’69 (left) and Andrew Sturmfels ’05, who have generously given of their time to their alma mater, will serve as co-presidents of the new board of directors.

forward to working with the new board to increase alumni engagement.

Co-president Andrew Sturmfels ’05, who earned a B.A. in political science at Roanoke, served as Student Government President, Relay for Life chair, a multipleterm class officer and secretary of Pi Kappa Alpha as a student. He later earned a master’s in public policy and public administration from California State University, Sacramento, and has taught as adjunct faculty in the MPA programs at both CSU Sacramento and Sonoma State University. Since 2022, he has proudly served on the Roanoke College President’s Advisory Board.

Board Members by Decade*

Ken Garren ’62

Sally Southard ’77

Betsy Rhodes ’78

Leah Russell ’79

Heather Coiro ’89

Perry Downing ’81

Kristen Powell ’91

Bob Spellane Sr. ’92

Doug Devine ’99

Traci Crockett ’01

Whitney Czelusniak ’05

Rich Montoni III ’09

Cathy Bonilla ’14

Shawn Perkins ’15

Senn Boswell Jr. ’21

Zoe Lampros ’25

* As of Jan. 6, 2026

RECONNEC T with R OANOKE

Legacy Scholarship

Alumni, did you know your relatives can receive a merit-based scholarship?

The legacy award of $1,000 is offered to full-time, degree-seeking students with an alumni connection as noted on their admissions application to Roanoke College. Alumni connections include a parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt or uncle who attended Roanoke College and graduated.  This award is not retroactive; it is awarded to first-time students only.

To continue this program all four years, students must satisfy the same GPA requirements as specified for Roanoke College grants and awards.

Refer a Maroon

Help Roanoke College recruit the next generation of Maroons!

Share the name(s) and contact information for any high school sophomore, junior or senior you think would make a great Maroon and be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift card to the Roanoke College Campus Store.

Every individual who submits a form (within a given month) will be entered into a raffle to win a gift card. One winner will be selected each month. Each submission counts as one raffle entry.

SCAN THE QR CODE TO PARTICIPATE.

INSPIRING IMPACT

Honoring generosity

Roanoke College invited members of the Presidents Society to Salem to recognize their dedication to current and future Maroons.

By Anna Wehr

Ifeoma Obalum ’27 and her brother, Emeka Obalum ’27, wouldn’t be able to attend Roanoke College if it wasn’t for financial support from donors like Helen Twohy Whittemore ’80, a member of the school’s Presidents Society. The Presidents Society exists to recognize donors whose cumulative giving totals $100,000 or more.

Each year, the college invites members of the Presidents Society to an evening of gratitude. On Oct. 31, 2025, members had the opportunity to see new donor signage featuring their names in the lobby of the Paul M. Capp Administration Building before traveling to Frankie Rowland’s

“You may not always see the impact of your giving, but I promise it reaches further than you can ever imagine.”

— Ifeoma Obalum ’27

Steakhouse. There, as part of the formal program, Ifeoma Obalum talked about the impact of giving on her college experience.

“What I have come to realize is that generosity does not just change circumstances; it changes perspectives,” she told society members. “It teaches you to look beyond yourself and ask, ‘How can I give back? How can I be that light for someone else?’ You may not always see the impact of your giving, but I promise it reaches further than you can ever imagine.”

Student scholarship recipient Ifeoma Obalum ’27 speaks to Presidents Society members during an evening of gratitude on Oct. 31, 2025.

Roanoke College is sustained by generosity. Four out of every five students at Roanoke receive grants and scholarships to attend, and President Frank Shushok Jr. has made student financial aid the school’s number one philanthropic priority.

Like many students, Claudia Disbrow ’26 was able to attend Roanoke because of committed donors. In a video of Disbrow’s story shared with guests that evening, she said she knew early on that she was meant to serve others, and it’s why she landed at Roanoke.

“To say you are a Maroon is to leave any judgement or ego at the door,” Disbrow said. “It’s to make a promise to add to something greater than yourself and to make a lasting impact on anyone you cross paths with.”

Shushok talked to guests about the circle of generosity, an apt representation of the culture of philanthropy that Roanoke College is committed to building.

“A circle of generosity expands every time someone enters it, and a generosity circle is the most joyful, amplifying loop there is,” he said. “Givers always end up receiving more than they invested. Receivers are astonished when they are able to give even more than they ever received. And the circle grows.”

To learn more about giving to student financial aid, contact Vice President for Advancement Nate Stewart at 540-375-2230 or nastewart@roanoke.edu.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The infinite gift

Roanoke College’s President’s 25 student scholarship initiative continues to bolster endowed funds.

Roanoke College’s President’s 25 student scholarship initiative has raised more than $2.4 million in cash and pledges, thanks to the generosity of 54 passionate households who believe in the exponential value of endowed student financial aid.

In addition to $1.4 million in cash and commitments, the fundraising total for P25's first year includes a $1 million match made by a generous anonymous donor.

The P25 program was founded in 2024 under the leadership of Frank Shushok Jr., Roanoke College’s 12th president. To join P25, individuals commit to making an annual gift of $5,000 to endowed student financial aid for five years, for a total of $25,000.

Launching Champions a big success

Roanoke College Athletics raised more than $400,000 in 36 hours, a 45% increase from last year.

The second annual Launching Champions Athletic Giving Day was a home run! The campaign rallied 1,919 donors from 42 states, raising $412,692 for our Maroon athletic teams, a 45% increase in money raised from just last year. An impressive $70,800 came from matches and challenges.

Thanks to P25 donors and an anonymous matching donor, the college has raised more than $2 million to support endowed student financial aid.

“We often think of investments in monetary terms, but the compounding effect of these gifts in the lives of students and their families is exponential,” Shushok said. “We’re so excited to invite our community to jump in and be among the next 40 P25 members.” Of the more than $36 million dollars in institutional aid awarded annually to students, only $3.6 million is currently funded through endowment proceeds, the gap being covered in the form of an unfunded discount.

“Having had the opportunity to attend Roanoke as a student was life-changing. My experiences in the classroom, on campus and on the basketball court were made possible through the generosity of donors,” said Vice President for Advancement Nate Stewart ’03. “I cannot pay those donors back for what they did for me and my fellow students, but together, we can make life-changing experiences possible for the next generation of Roanoke students!”

As the college seeks to achieve the ambitious goals outlined in the new strategic plan, “Imagine Roanoke,” endowment growth is paramount to the long-term success and viability of the college.

Maroon student athletes competed for team prizes. Bragging rights belong to the softball team, which beat their best (this year vs. last year), the men’s lacrosse team for most dollars raised and most parent donors, and the women’s lacrosse team for the most student-athlete donors.

Funds raised through this challenge directly support Roanoke College athletic teams and the essential resources they need to remain competitive, further allowing our studentathletes to shine on and off the court.

Huddling up history

A new online archive allows users to explore the history of football at Roanoke through a collection of news articles and yearbook segments.

By Lily Kincaid

As the Maroons closed out their first varsity football season since 1942, Fintel Library launched the Roanoke College Football Historical Documents Collection. This project, spearheaded by Digital Technologies & Services Librarian Dave Wiseman, offers a treasure trove of information that is expected to grow over the next few years.

The online database includes clippings about football from Roanoke College’s original yearbook, the Roentgen Rays, from 1898 – 1926; clippings from the Rawenoch yearbook from 1927 – 1943; and Brackety-Ack newspaper articles published between 1915 and 2007.

The collection follows Roanoke’s team from its creation in 1892 through the suspension of the program in 1942 because

of World War II. Transcripts in the collection were derived from text made possible by either hand-edited optical character recognition or by hand-edited text initially generated by artificial intelligence.

A quick skim through the materials within the database reveals that the debate over football continued for years after the team’s suspension. The most recent entry in the database is from the 2007 April Fools’ issue of The Brackety-Ack, in which Assistant Editor Laura (Scuffins) Connelly ’09 wrote an article titled “Football returns to Roanoke College.”

In addition to satirical articles, the database also contains a wealth of information on the football program prior to its suspension, including profiles on players, season recaps and photos dating back to 1899.

Highlights include a 1924 Roentgen Rays yearbook entry declaring that thensenior “Smiling Bill” Potter’s opponents “are never able to run a play over him. Potter is probably the best player that ever wore the Maroon jersey.” Another fun find is a poem, titled “The Scrub,” published in

the 1928 Rawenoch yearbook to show appreciation for the players’ hard work:

Give him a headguard. None to spare? Then weave him a wreath for his tousled hair;

He has won that wreath, by all that’s fair. He has plunged and tackled and played the game;

He has gone in battered and limped out lame;

He has lifted the varsity up to fame.

In addition to Wiseman, this project was made possible by Macy Smith, Dhruv Patel ’27, Juliana Chester ’26, Tekoah Bingham ’28 and Luis Henriquez ’29, as well as the Library of Virginia’s Virginia Chronicle Digital Newspaper Collection.

221 College Lane Salem, Virginia 24153-3794

From student to statesman

Before he led a national movement, Kim Kyusik walked the halls of Roanoke, part of a wave of Korean students welcomed to campus in the 1900s. He went on to become a champion for Korean independence and traveled the world for the cause. Now, in the Bank Building, the new Kim Kyusik Center for Korean Studies celebrates that journey and creates a catalyst for new generations to explore, lead and transform the future. Read more at roanoke.edu/news/KyusikCenter