Shenandoah University’s Alumni Awards Committee selected four conservatory alumni to receive Distinguished Alumni Awards during the 2016 Homecoming and Family Weekend. The following Shenandoah Conservatory alumni were recognized at the Alumni Celebration Dinner at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21, in the Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Tommy Joe Anderson ’69 is the recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Lifetime Achievement. This is the highest alumni award an alumnus/a can receive. It honors extraordinary accomplishments and a lifetime record of “unique and significant” service to his/her profession, the university and demonstrated community engagement. Anderson is the president of ACA Digital Recording, Inc. His record label now has more than 100 releases of classical chamber music, solo recitals, choral works and traditional jazz being distributed nationally by Albany Music Distributors with downloads distributed through The Orchard. Anderson is professor emeritus at Perimeter College/Georgia State University where he taught piano, music theory and composition. Anderson received his Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Shenandoah University.
SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
Gretchen Chomas ’07, ’10 is the recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Alumna Award for Service to the Community. This award recognizes an alumnus/a of Shenandoah University who, through voluntary or paid work, has significantly contributed to the betterment of his/her community, state, nation or the world. Since joining the Girl Scouts in elementary school, Chomas has maintained a desire to give back. Through her work with AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America), Chomas is the perfect embodiment of this award. She states, “Service is not summed up in a few accomplishments, but more how I choose to live my life. Service doesn’t have to mean you have time and money; it can be as simple as sharing a link on your Facebook page with resources, or holding the door for someone.” Chomas received her Bachelor of Music in 2007 and Bachelor of Science in psychology in 2010.
YOUNG CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
Kenneth Green II ’05 is the recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Young Career Achievement. This award recognizes an alumnus/a under the age of 35 who has made significant achievements in his or her chosen field. Green has been a member of the Allen University Music Department since 2007 and received the 2014 Excellence in Teaching Award from South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. He has performed with numerous ensembles throughout the United States, including the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Long Bay Symphony Orchestra and the Florence Symphony Orchestra. Green holds a Master of Music in trumpet performance from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance from Shenandoah University.
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Gregory Wanamaker ’91 is the recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Professional Achievement. This award is presented to an alumnus/a who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in his or her chosen field or profession. Wanamaker serves as professor of composition at the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York (SUNY) Potsdam, where he has taught since 1997. He studied composition with William Averitt, Thomas Albert, Anthony Branker and Ladislav Kubik. Several of Wanamaker’s recorded works are available on the Innova, Albany, Centaur, KCM, Mark Custom, White Pine and Summit labels. He publishes his own music, which is available exclusively through his website. Wanamaker received a Bachelor of Music in composition.