Shenandoah University

The Shenandoah University Student Government Association held its inauguration on April 21 and announced the winners of the 2024 Leadership Awards. Thirteen awards were given out within three categories: individual, organization and student employment. Individual Awards Outstanding Leader of the Year - Undergraduate: Emma Shockey Outstanding Leader of the Year - Graduate: Katelyn Pomajzl Emerging Leader of the Year: Amy Oleksy Hornet Spirit Award: Victoria Hannen Community Builder Award: Kathy Evans Organization Awards Diversity Program of the Year: Shen First Gen Student Organization of the Year - Undergraduate: Alpha Psi Omega Most Innovative Program: Campus Activities Network Student Employment Awards Collaboration Award: Madison Cavalet Empowerment Award: Elizia Seymour Growth Award: Miles McKee Responsibility Award: Malori Carlson Inclusion Award: Linda Diaz-Gil

Over 131 undergraduate and graduate students presented a display of 73 projects at the 2024 Shenandoah University Research Expo. Nearly all schools at SU were represented in the expo, which featured an array of creative/portfolio, empirical and proposal/review projects across a variety of disciplines. Thirty-six faculty mentors supported these projects with an eye toward fostering scientific and creative inquiry among their students. Individual and group winners were announced in 11 categories in 2024.

Shenandoah University wrestler Dylan Weaver was named a 2024 NCAA Division III Scholar All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). Weaver is the first Hornet wrestler to earn the honor.

Shenandoah University's English department recently announced the winners of the 2024 Writing Contest. Joshua Lewis '24 won the S. Gordon Link Poetry Award for "Blossom From This Microcosm," and Axel Manica '24 won the Bruce C. Souders Fiction Award for "The Fugue Soldier."

Shenandoah Conservatory announced the winners of the 2024-25 Student Soloists Competition. Category I winners were Gabrielle Gans (violin) and Noah Alden Hardaway (piano), while Category II winners were Jean Lin (piano) and John Tuvera Lim (baritone).

Nine Shenandoah University football players were selected to the 2024 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, which is composed of college football players from all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA and sprint football who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers.

A group of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff recently traveled to Slovenia as part of the university's Global Citizenship Project during SU's spring break in March. Since its inaugural year in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent approximately 1,000 members of the university community to 71 international and domestic destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves. GCP participants are chosen by a selection committee after going through an application process. GCP trips are offered exclusively to SU students, faculty, staff and trustees annually during Shenandoah's spring break.

A group of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff recently traveled to India as part of the university's Global Citizenship Project during SU's spring break in March. Since its inaugural year in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent approximately 1,000 members of the university community to 71 international and domestic destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves. GCP participants are chosen by a selection committee after going through an application process. GCP trips are offered exclusively to SU students, faculty, staff and trustees annually during Shenandoah's spring break.

A group of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff recently traveled to Zambia as part of the university's Global Citizenship Project. Since its inaugural year in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent approximately 1,000 members of the university community to 71 international and domestic destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves. GCP participants are chosen by a selection committee after going through an application process. GCP trips are offered exclusively to SU students, faculty, staff and trustees annually during Shenandoah's spring break. To learn more, visit su.edu.

A group of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff recently traveled to Argentina as part of the university's Global Citizenship Project, which took place during SU's spring break in March. Since its inaugural year in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent approximately 1,000 members of the university community to 71 international and domestic destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves. GCP participants are chosen by a selection committee after going through an application process. GCP trips are offered exclusively to SU students, faculty, staff and trustees annually during Shenandoah's spring break. To learn more, visit su.edu.

A group of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff recently traveled to American Samoa as part of the university's Global Citizenship Project during SU's spring break in March. Since its inaugural year in 2005, the Global Citizenship Project has sent approximately 1,000 members of the university community to 71 international and domestic destinations so that each person might learn more about the world and themselves. GCP participants are chosen by a selection committee after going through an application process. GCP trips are offered exclusively to SU students, faculty, staff and trustees annually during Shenandoah's spring break.

Members of the Shenandoah Conservatory trumpet studio have advanced to the live round portion of the large group category at the National Trumpet Competition (NTC). NTC will be held at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville campus from March 8-11. They will perform "Thermal Whiplash" written by Chris Evan Hass.

Shenandoah Conservatory student Nitin Anish '26 (Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development) released the new single "Finish Line" on Feb. 23; the new song is available on all streaming platforms. The song evokes the celebratory feeling of leaving a sticky situation or relationship.

Shenandoah Conservatory graduate Caitlyn Piedra '23 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre) was cast in a new musical by Carlos Bauzys and Kim Bixler based on the life of Fernando Barba, who is the man who founded the Brazilian body percussion group The Barbatuques. Piedra is part of the Barbatuques and takes on the harder body percussion sequences in the show. The production ran at Pregones Theater in the Bronx from Friday, Feb. 23, through Sunday, Feb. 25. This Off-Broadway show is directed and choreographed by Luis Salgado, and features Valeria Cossuas as the associate director and Matthew Steffens as the associate choreographer.

Shenandoah Conservatory student Miguel Gil '25 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre) and SU graduate Drew Elhamalawy '21 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre) took part in "The Lost Boys" workshop in New York in February. The 1987 film "The Lost Boys" is being made into a musical with "Parade" director Michael Arden and musical band The Rescues. Broadway and film actors James Carpinello, Marcus Chait and Patrick Wilson will produce the show. Gil played the role of Edgar and Elhamalawy served as the assistant director.

Six students representing Shenandoah University's Office of Spiritual Life and Center for Civic Engagement joined over 100 students from colleges and universities across Virginia for the 2024 Student Advocacy Day organized by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) in Richmond, Virginia.

Seven Shenandoah University students traveled to Indianapolis on Feb. 16-18 for an experiential learning trip during the NBA's All-Star weekend. The students - Conner Long '26, Janelle Anderson '25, Sean Perry '24, Landon Russ '26, Matt Shakley '26, Kiyah Stewart '24 and Ahvyon Boothe '25 - kicked off their experience with a trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse (home of the NBA's Indiana Pacers and WNBA's Indiana Fever) to watch all-star practice on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 17. The students worked in the Volunteer HQ, and spent Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium for a round of all-star activities that included the Kia Skills Challenge, Starry 3-Point Contest, Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu 3-Point Challenge and the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest.

Shenandoah University student Jolonnie Reed '25 was commissioned in a virtual ceremony with four other student leaders from across the country as a new member of the World Student Christian Federation-US Student Leadership Team on Jan. 20. Over the course of the next year, Reed will participate in the work that the WSCF-US Student Leadership Team is doing to organize and strengthen the student Christian movement in the United States and deepen relationships with student Christian movements around the world.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) announced the Division III Scholars of Distinction Monday afternoon, and 10 Hornets have earned the honor for their hard work and dedication in the classroom as well as on the field. This distinguished program honors undergraduate student-athletes who have exhibited exceptional academic excellence, achieving a cumulative grade-point average of 3.9 or higher throughout the Fall 2023 semester. A total of 509 undergraduate student-athletes were named Division III Scholars of Distinction this academic year. The 10 Shenandoah student-athletes who earned this honor include Abby Barefoot, Camryn DeLeva, Autumn Goldsberry, Lily Kyvelos, Mairead McKibbin, Madison Short. Emily Swartzbaugh, Sidney Tucci, Mackenzie Watkins and Farren Winter.

Shenandoah University graduate student Jaylen Williams has been named to the men's basketball All-ODAC second team as announced by the conference on Feb. 21. It's the second All-ODAC honor for Williams, who was a second-team pick in 2021-2022.

Three Shenandoah University women's basketball student-athletes earned All-ODAC honors in selections announced by the conference on Feb. 21. Hornets Maddie Kimble and Terese Greene both earned All-ODAC First Team, while Shawnise Campbell made the third team.

Twelve sport management students in Shenandoah University's School of Business spent a week in Las Vegas on an experiential learning trip planned around Super Bowl LVIII, which took place at Allegiant Stadium, home to the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders, on Feb. 11. During the trip, which lasted from Feb. 6-13, students had the opportunity to meet with several sports industry professionals and organizations to gain insights into the sports management industry. These included meetings and site visits with the Las Vegas Golden Knights (NHL), University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Athletics, Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), Professional Bull Riders (PBR), the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Las Vegas Ballpark (home of the Las Vegas Aviators, the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A's). Shenandoah students also participated in a networking event at UNLV, during which they heard from a panel of sports industry executives and connected with fellow college students from other institutions who were working at the Super Bowl. On Saturday, Feb. 10, the students worked throughout the day at the NFL Fan Experience, and on Sunday, Feb. 11, they gained valuable work experience at the On Location/NFL VIP Pre-Game Parties in the morning and afternoon leading up to the Super Bowl, which ended in the Kansas City Chiefs' 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

The Shenandoah University field hockey program was recognized for academic excellence by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, landing 22 student-athletes on the association's 2023 Division III National Academic Squad. The Hornets tied for the third-most NFHCA Academic Squad honorees in the country, and only four other schools had at least 22 athletes appear on the list. Abby Barefoot, Elise Velasquez, and Farren Winter were named to the NFHCA academic squad for a fourth time. The trio is part of a group of 291 student-athletes who made a fourth appearance on the squad.

The Shenandoah University men's and women's cross country teams earned 2023 All-Academic Team honors from the USTFCCCA, while women's cross country runners Emma Madrigal and Makenna Thrush were named All-Academic Athletes by the organization. The women's team earned the award with their 3.53 team GPA in the Fall 2023 semester, while the men were recognized for their 3.40 team GPA. Madrigal, an exercise science student, has a 3.57 career GPA, while Thrush, who is studying athletic training, has a 3.78 career GPA. In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top 25% of their respective regional championship meet. For the team honor, teams must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.10.

Shenandoah University inducted 14 students into the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) national leadership honor society on Sunday, Feb. 4. Juniors, seniors, graduate students and alums were nominated by faculty and staff for excelling in both leadership and academics, and members were selected to ODK through an application process. Students selected to be a member of Omicron Delta Kappa must meet the honor society's leadership values of collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship and service. Additionally, they must be in the top 35% of their class and demonstrate leadership in at least one of the five pillars of campus life: academics, athletics, service, communications and arts. For more information about ODK, visit SU's ODK Circle webpage at su.edu.

Shenandoah University athletic training students Meghan Flaherty '28, Will Fleming '29, Rachel Pitchford '27, and Chloe Tannenbaum '28 teamed up to win the Student Quiz Bowl at the Virginia Athletic Trainers' Association (VATA) Annual Meeting on Jan. 5-7 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia. It was the second straight year that Shenandoah has won the Quiz Bowl, a "Jeopardy"-style competition featuring college athletic training programs from across Virginia.

Shenandoah University outfielder Gavin Horning was named a 2024 preseason All-American by D3baseball.com. Horning, a graduate student, earned All-America honors by both the American Baseball Coaches Association (first team) and D3baseball.com (second team) in 2023 after batting .409 with seven home runs, 17 doubles, seven triples, 60 RBIs, 61 runs scored and 22 stolen bases in 52 games.

Shenandoah University celebrates the 520 students who made the President's List for the Fall 2023 semester. To qualify for this prestigious academic recognition, students enrolled in baccalaureate degree programs must complete at least 12 semester hours and earn a semester GPA of 3.90 or higher. All President's List honorees are also recognized on the university's Dean's List, which includes students who complete at least 12 semester hours and earn a semester GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Shenandoah University recognizes the 1,126 students who made the Fall 2023 Dean's List. To qualify for the Dean's List, students enrolled in baccalaureate degree programs must complete at least 12 semester hours and earn a semester GPA of 3.50 or higher. Dean's List students who achieve a semester GPA of 3.90 or higher also qualify for the university's President's List.

Shenandoah University football players Ethan Brown, Matt Conroy, Dominic Gulli, Steven Hugney, Andre Jackson, David Munoz, Michael Sheil and Noah Temme were named to the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.50 career GPA and either start in 60% of their team's games or participate in 90% of their team's games and/or competitions.