Last month, the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business celebrated the demolition of the old Millwood Station Fire and Rescue Squad building, making way for the construction of a new home for the business school. I would like to share with you in this e-letter some highlights from the demolition ceremony as well as Winter Commencement. In the future, it will be my pleasure to invite you to the grand opening of our new facility - a high-quality environment where passion and learning intersect. As always, please stay in touch with me through e-mail, phone calls or personal visits.

Dean W. Randy Boxx

New Business School Update

The actual demolition work will begin shortly, so follow the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business over the next year as it moves from Henkel Hall to its new location, and also as it moves toward accreditation from AACSB International. The new building will occupy a prominent site on campus and feature teaching and learning spaces as well as meeting and common areas. An environment will be created for building leadership, teamwork, communication, technical and analytical skills. This construction project is a milestone for the business school and the many groups who have worked hard to make this dream a reality, including Shenandoah University President James A. Davis, the development staff, former deans, staff, alumni and trustees. The business school is also indebted to former Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. for providing his name to the school and for his support over the years.

Shenandoah University Graduates Over 200 Students at Winter Commencement

At Shenandoah’s last Winter Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 17, more than 200 students received degrees as hundreds of friends and family members gathered to watch and share in the celebration. The commencement speaker and honorary doctor of humanities degree recipient was Sandy Lerner of Upperville, Va. Lerner is one of the cofounders of Cisco Systems Inc., one of the world’s leading suppliers of networking equipment and network management for the Internet. Honorary doctor of divinity degree recipient Ken Yamada recently retired as associate general secretary of the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the Methodist Church. The President’s Award for Distinguished Service to Higher Education recipient, James C. Cherry, is the Mid-Atlantic State CEO of Wachovia Bank. He is also the 2005-06 chairman of the board of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. The Shenandoah Medal recipient, Andrew U. Ferrari, is one of the founders of Trex Company Inc., the manufacturer of Trex decking and railing and the leading brand of alternative decking lumber in North America. He is currently the president and COO of Trex and a member of Shenandoah’s board of trustees. Because of the growing number of graduates and the limited space in campus venues, this was the final December graduation at Shenandoah. In 2006, students may complete their course of study in December, but they will choose to receive their diplomas by mail or return to campus to walk at the commencement ceremony in May.

Bob Evans to Receive Entrepreneur of the Year Award in March

On March 22, Bob Evans will receive the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business. The presentation and lecture, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 4 p.m. in the Byrd Board Room, Henkel Hall. Bob Evans Farms got its start when Founder Bob Evans began making sausage on his southeastern Ohio farm in 1948. As the reputation of Bob Evans Sausage grew, Evans invited people to his farm in Rio Grande, Ohio. "There were so many people coming to the farm that we finally built a little restaurant in 1962 just to take care of them. It started out with only a dozen stools -- just a convenience place," Evans recalls. That small business venture launched decades ago has blossomed into a restaurant and food products empire with more than 35,000 employees. Evans retired as president of Bob Evans Farms on Dec. 31, 1986. He and his wife, Jewell, continue to live in southeastern Ohio, where they raised their six children. For information about this event, contact Emily Tremoulis at (540) 665-5428.