Dear Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Friends,
On May 20, I had the pleasure of attending the Nursing Alumni Social and unveiling of the Eleanor Wade Custer portrait by Nursing Dean Kathryn M. Ganske, Ellen Custer Morgan and Linda Custer Russell. As a business major, I was in awe as I learned more about Miss Custer and how the School of Nursing came to bear her name. Miss Custer was instrumental in providing both advice and financial support to Shenandoah. She was an amazing woman and her legacy has had a lasting impact through the establishment of the Eleanor Wade Custer Nursing Endowment and the Eleanor Wade Custer Lecture Series. If you have not had the chance to take a tour of the Health & Life Sciences Building, be sure to stop by, take a tour and while you are there, visit the dean’s suite and see Miss Custer’s portrait, which is a reminder of her dedication and support of nursing.
The Alumni Association Board of Directors met on Saturday, May 21 at the Shenandoah River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield. Gene Lewis, the property manager, shared information with us about this beautiful campus. This is a summer “must see,” the grounds of Cool Spring are a perfect way to spend the day walking the trails or simply relaxing on the porch in one of SU’s adirondack chairs. During the Board of Directors meeting, we talked about “The Alumni Office of the Future.” We had detailed discussions, specifically on “what do alumni want from their alma mater” and “how can we become the go-to place for things that alumni need?” The Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Affairs are always ready to hear your ideas. Please reach out to me or the Office of Alumni Affairs and share your thoughts.
Summer for most of us is a chance to hit the reset button, which is exactly what the Career Services Office is doing. They just launched a website to offer services after graduation. Take a few minutes to check out the features and interesting facts.
The Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre brings laughter, drama, romance and excitement! We are so fortunate to be able to share the talents of our students, alumni and professional artists with our community. So, gather some friends and have an entertaining evening by attending one or all four performances scheduled for this summer. Performances include “My Fair Lady,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Enjoy your summer with your friends and family!
See you soon,
Becky Merriner ’01
President, SU Alumni Association