Dear Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Friends,
What comes to your mind when you think of summer? For me…it is fireworks, flip flops, picnics, ice cream, vacation, road trips and Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre.
Just like many of you, on July Fourth, I had the pleasure of watching the fireworks display locally and thinking about all of the men, women and families who have served our country. Our veterans have sacrificed so that we can have all of the opportunities that we do here in the United States. That is why I am happy to share with you that SU is in the process of creating a page on the alumni website that is dedicated to our Shenandoah veterans. This page will be similar in structure to our SU Sweethearts page. To make this page possible, we are asking all SU veterans to fill out this form connect.su.edu/vets. Let’s recognize and celebrate our veterans every day.
On July 9, The Winchester Star published an article by Amy Alonzo entitled “Continuing To Grow: SU Celebrates 25 Years As A University.” After reading the article, more specifically, that “Shenandoah University traces its origins to Shenandoah High School, which opened in 1875 in Dayton,” I really got excited about the roadtrip I am taking on Saturday, Aug. 6 to Dayton with a few members of the SU Alumni Board of Directors. We will have the opportunity to tour the old campus and have lunch at the Thomas House Restaurant, where many Dayton alumni worked and ate in the 1940s and 1950s. I can’t wait to hear all of the stories from Dayton alumni. If you are interested in attending with me, please contact the Office of Alumni Affairs for details.
Summer is about getting out and doing something fun. So, if you are still looking for some awesome summer entertainment, be sure to check out Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre as they are in their 33rd season. Click here to purchase tickets to attend “Little Shop of Horrors” showing from July 28 – Aug. 7. You won’t be disappointed!
While you and I may be on vacation, the Office of Alumni Affairs is busy with planning Homecoming and Family Weekend on Oct. 21– 23. Registration will open in early August. The theme this year is “connections” and we are using stars/constellations to represent this message. As Shenandoah alumni, you are sons and daughters of the stars. If you look up at the night sky, the stars appear numerous and random, similar to how alumni go forth from Shenandoah and end up all over the world. However, if you look closely, similar to how constellations connect the night stars, SU alumni are also all connected through Shenandoah. Reach out and touch a few stars, I mean SU friends and invite them to join you back on campus!
Enjoy the rest of your summer, now it is time to put on some flip flops and get some ice cream!
See you soon,
Becky Merriner ’01
President, SU Alumni Association