In a Sept. 16 celebration, ice-cream social and ceremony, Shenandoah University both dedicated the first building at The Village and revealed the name of the apartment-style housing community’s second, in-progress, building, which honors a member of a family whose history is deeply intertwined with the university’s life and growth in Winchester.
Twenty-four students began calling Caruthers House home in August, and many were on hand as the building was formally dedicated to Preston and the late Jeanne Caruthers.
The plaque honoring the pair and their family reads:
Caruthers House is named for Preston and Jeanne Caruthers, longtime supporters of higher education in Virginia. Preston, a prominent real estate owner and developer, grew up during the Great Depression. He is a champion of educational organizations and a devoted public servant. The Caruthers’ son, Stephen P. Caruthers, served on the Shenandoah University Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2015 and their granddaughter, Ashley Caruthers German, is a 2004 SU graduate.
The Village, located between Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall and Aikens Athletic Center is slated to eventually include five buildings and house 120 students. The second building, set to open in October 2016, received its official name at the Caruthers House dedication ceremony.
Caruthers House Dedication Live!
Posted by Shenandoah University on Friday, September 16, 2016
Shenandoah University President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., said the name was a surprise inspired by another surprise. The university helped Roni Wilkins of Winchester plan a surprise 70th birthday party for her husband James R. “Jimmy” Wilkins Jr. In return, the university was “equally happy to help Jimmy ‘get you back’ with a surprise!” Dr. Fitzsimmons said, with both Jimmy and Roni in attendance.
She then unveiled the name of the second building Roni’s Roost, and the text of plaque that will grace its interior:
Roni’s Roost is named for Roni Flett Wilkins who was born in Dublin, Ireland. She became a U.S. citizen July 4, 1975 at Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson. Roni enjoys staying active outdoors, watching wildlife and walking her dog. She likes all genres of music.
Roni’s infectious laugh and her spirit of adventure make her the life of almost any gathering. A roost is a place to comfortably establish oneself. This building is named for her in the spirit of giving both safety and flight to those who reside here.
Roni’s husband, James R. Wilkins, Jr., has served on the Board of Trustees since 1990, and her father-in-law, James R. Wilkins, Sr., was a founder of the modern-day SU.
The dedication and housewarming for Roni’s Roost is Friday, Oct. 21.
All the buildings in The Village are designed by Earl Swensson Associates (ESa) of Nashville, Tennessee, and constructed by OakCrest Companies of Winchester. The three-floor buildings are composed of two apartments per floor for a total of six apartments. Each apartment has access to its own outdoor space – a patio for ground-level apartments, a veranda for the second floor and screened porches for the third floor.
Each apartment is approximately 1,600 square feet, and includes four single-occupancy bedrooms with extra long twin beds; two bathrooms; a fully-equipped kitchen with refrigerator, dishwasher and range/stove; living and dining spaces; laundry; and an entryway coat closet. Community amenities for The Village include a sand volleyball court, outdoor grill and fire pit.