Shenandoah University

In March, Shenandoah University sent a group of 10 students and faculty members overseas to Kenya as a part of the Global Citizenship Project. The group, led by Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Katherine Bain, PhD., saw participants take part in a variety of activities, tours and experiences all geared towards immersing them in the local culture. After arriving in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, the group toured the Kenyatta International Convention Centre and the Nairobi National Museum before visiting Amref International University the following day. Then, the group toured Kibera, one of the most densely populated and impoverished urban areas in Africa. After taking a train to Voi the next day, the group toured Taita Taveta University and did a safari ride at Tsavo East National Park. Then, in Diani, the group visited the Shimoni Slave Caves, a series of tunnels used as a slave-holding port in the 17th century. Lastly, the group traveled to Mombasa, visiting the Swahilipot Hub Foundation, a non-profit youth empowerment organization focused on innovation and technology, before finishing the trip with a tour of the Jumba la Mtwana ruins. Shenandoah University's Global Citizenship Project celebrated its 21st year in 2026 and sent students, faculty and staff members to Slovakia, Saint Lucia, Kenya, Hong Kong and Ghana this spring. Since its inaugural year in 2005, GCP has sent over 1,400 students, staff, faculty, and trustees to over 70 countries and seven U.S. states and territories so that each participant might learn more about the world and themselves. To learn more about GCP, visit su.edu/gcp.

Shenandoah University sophomore Alex Schoenen earned the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's Men's Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week award on March 23. It's the second weekly ODAC award for the Hornets this season. Schoenen recorded 25 digs and registered 11.5 blocks in a 3-0 week for the Hornets last week. The middle blocker/outside hitter from Northampton, Pennsylvania, had eight solo blocks and seven block assists in the three games. In a midweek non-conference game versus Bluefield University (Virginia) on March 19, Schoenen accumulated a season-high 10 digs before setting a career-high in solo blocks (five) against Eastern Mennonite University on March 21. This year, Schoenen leads the Hornets with 54 blocks, which includes 20 solo blocks and 34 assists. Defensively, he also has a .964 reception percentage.

Shenandoah University presented the 2025 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards to recent graduates Liberty Tennyson '25 and Logan Williams '24, '28 at its Baccalaureate service on May 23. Each year, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan awards are presented to deserving individuals at over 70 colleges and universities in the U.S. First awarded in 1890, the Sullivan Awards recognize individuals of noble character who act as humble servants and place service to others above self-interest. According to the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation, the Sullivan Awards are the only national collegiate service awards in the U.S.

In January, 60 students in Shenandoah University's physician assistant studies program, accompanied by Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies Jennifer Miller, D.M.S., and Interim Director of the Division of Physician Assistant Studies Erika Francis, D.M.S., traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to participate in Lobby Day during the Virginia General Assembly's legislative session. During Lobby Day, an annual event organized by the Medical Society of Virginia and the Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants, students engaged in briefings about key issues, gained insight into the Virginia legislative process, and had the opportunity to speak directly with legislators in the Virginia State Capitol. The day concluded with a special meeting with Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, providing students with invaluable first-hand experience in advocacy and policy making. This impactful experience highlighted the critical role of legislative engagement in shaping the future of the PA profession.

Students in Shenandoah University's virtual reality design program had the opportunity to showcase some of their work at the 2024 Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), the world's largest modeling, simulation and training event held each December in Orlando, Florida. Seniors Ann Fink '25, Jacob Eisenhart '25, Michael Reynolds '25, and Zoe Grimes '25 each presented their individual projects at the prestigious conference, which had over 18,500 registrants and attracted nearly 10,000 exhibit visitors this year.

Shenandoah University student Kira Sledge '28 was crowned 2025 Miss Apple Blossom and will serve as an official hostess of the 98th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia, next spring, festival officials recently announced. As Miss Apple Blossom, Sledge, 18, will ride as festival royalty during the Firefighters' Parade on May 2, and the Grand Feature Parade on May 3. Additionally, Sledge will represent the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival at the 2025 Miss Virginia Competition in February.

Shenandoah University baseball players Pearce Bucher, Gavin Horning and Jacob Bell were named 2023 Academic All-Americans by the College Sports Communicators.

Shenandoah University has announced the 22 students who were selected as its inaugural Student Research Publications Institute summer fellows for 2023.

Shenandoah University presented the 2024 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards to recent graduates Maya Horner '24 and Gabriella Raspanti '24 and Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies Michelle Gruver, D.M.S., PA-C. Each year, the Sullivan Awards are presented to deserving individuals at over 70 colleges and universities in the U.S. First awarded in 1890, this award recognizes individuals of noble character who act as humble servants and place service to others above self-interest.

Shenandoah University student Liberty Tennyson '25 has been selected for the 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll. The ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll awards college students for doing outstanding work to advance nonpartisan democratic engagement at participating campuses.

A group of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff recently traveled to Oregon as part of the university's Global Citizenship Project. Since its debut in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent approximately 1,000 members of the Shenandoah University community to 68 different international and domestic destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves.

A group of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff recently traveled to Malaysia as part of the university's Global Citizenship Project. Since its debut in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent approximately 1,000 members of the Shenandoah University community to 68 different international and domestic destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves.

A group of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff recently traveled to Ireland as part of the university's Global Citizenship Project. Since its debut in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent approximately 1,000 members of the Shenandoah University community to 68 different international and domestic destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves.

A group of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff recently traveled to Botswana as part of the university's Global Citizenship Project. Since its debut in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent approximately 1,000 members of the Shenandoah University community to 68 different international and domestic destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves.

A group of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff recently traveled to Bosnia & Herzegovina as part of the university's Global Citizenship Project. Since its debut in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent approximately 1,000 members of the Shenandoah University community to 68 different international and domestic destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves.

Shenandoah University's Carolyn Adams, a doctoral student in the Division of Occupational Therapy, has developed a capstone project that will help Winchester-area residents learn more about aging in place and is partnering with Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity to teach a series of classes about the concept.

Shenandoah University held its annual First-Year Seminar Awards breakfast on Wednesday, Dec. 7, to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of FYS faculty, mentors and students.

Shenandoah University has announced the 50 individuals who were selected for the 2023 Global Citizenship Project (GCP). Those individuals will travel to one of five international or domestic destinations during spring break in March 2023. Participants will learn their destinations and trip leaders at Shenandoah's International Convocation on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Since its inaugural year in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent more than 900 members of the Shenandoah University community to over 60 destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves. To learn more about GCP, visit su.edu.

As part of the annual Global Citizenship Project (GCP), a group of eleven students, faculty and staff are traveling to Antigua & Barbuda. The trip links up with the family of a student who has learned virtually from home all year, and whose family manages lodging facilities. It will be the first time in more than a year that the student will see Shenandoah faces in person. Participants were chosen based on an essay they had to write that was read by a selection committee composed of university students, faculty, staff and alumni who have previously participated in GCP.

The Shenandoah University men's basketball team and six of its members have been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court in selections announced Tuesday and Wednesday by the organization. The team, which co-led the 11 men's teams this past semester with a 3.27 team GPA, earned an NABC Team Excellence Award for the second consecutive year. Six upperclassmen: Trammell Anthony, Ethan Diffee, Dylan Elliott, Zach Garrett '21, Davion Roberts, and Jaylen Williams, were named to the NABC Honors Court. To be earn that award, student-athletes must be in their junior or senior year and have at least a 3.2 career GPA.

As part of the annual Global Citizenship Project (GCP), a group of 10 students, faculty and staff traveled to Puerto Rico in late July. The trip was led by School of Business Dean Astrid Sheil, Ph.D., who has family connections to the island. The trip included the assistance of a Puerto Rican student currently living on the island. Participants were chosen based on an essay they wrote that was read by a selection committee composed of university students, faculty, staff and alumni who have previously participated in GCP.

Shenandoah University had four student-athletes and both of its outdoor track & field teams honored for academics in selections announced Thursday by the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association. Andre Jackson and John Kindig earned individual academic honors for the men with Kaitlin Measell and Emily Miller doing the same for the women.

The Shenandoah University women's lacrosse team and four of its student-athletes were honored for academic achievement in selections announced Tuesday by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association. The 28-woman squad had a 3.40 average GPA to earn All-Academic squad honors while four members: Kathleen Donovan, Megan Egan, Natalie Nichols, and Emma Stiffler, earned IWLCA Honor Roll accolades.

Shenandoah University had five student-athletes and its women's tennis team recognized for academic excellence in selections announced Wednesday by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The women, with a department-leading 3.73 team GPA, were selected as an ITA All-Academic team with five of the team members also picking up ITA Scholar-Athlete accolades. This is the sixth consecutive year that the women have earned ITA All-Academic honors. Caitlin Bennett, Jahveesha Combs, Madison Hansen, Lily Kimble, and Madison Rogers all were selected as ITA Scholar-Athletes for the second straight year. Combs led this group with a 3.98 while Bennett posted a 3.97 and Rogers 3.92.

Football star Jack Massie '21 has been named first team Academic All-America in selections announced Wednesday afternoon by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Massie was picked as a tight end. He is the 20th SU student-athlete, and fourth football player, to be named Academic All-America.

During Shenandoah University's annual May commencement ceremonies, more than 1,200 graduates received their diploma. These students graduated in May 2021, December 2020, and August 2020.

Shenandoah University had one men's lacrosse player, Jason Morgan, named Division III Scholar All-American, The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) announced late last week. The recent graduate is a career 4.0 student-athlete who majored in both biology and chemistry. In order to be evaluated for Scholar All-American honors by the Scholar AA committee, a nominee must be in his senior year academically with a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0, he must also be an All-American, a member of a North/South team, or an outstanding league or conference player. The Marlton, New Jersey native served as the Hornets team captain and a Third Team All-ODAC defender.

Shenandoah would like to honor the 962 students who made the Spring 2021 Dean's List. To be considered for the Dean's List, students must complete at least 12 semester hours and earn a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Six Shenandoah University student-athletes have earned Academic All-State honors in selections announced Thursday by the Virginia State Sports Information Directors Association.

Shenandoah celebrates the 430 students who made the President's List for the Spring 2021 semester. Students who achieved this prestigious academic recognition attained a grade point average of at least 3.90.