On Friday, Shenandoah broke ground for The Q, the fourth building in The Village, made possible by a generous gift from former Shenandoah University nursing faculty and alumna Kathleen Liskey Quarles ’82, ’13, and her husband, Billy.
Five buildings are planned for The Village, a residential community featuring apartment-style living for upperclass student leaders, located behind Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall and Aikens Athletic Center.
The first building in The Village, Caruthers House, named in honor of Preston C. Caruthers and the late Jeanne Caruthers, opened in fall 2016. Shortly after that, Roni’s Roost was completed, and is named for Roni Flett Wilkins, whose husband, James R. Wilkins, Jr., has served on the university’s board of trustees since 1990. Dove’s Nest, named after alumnus Wilbur Dove ’59 and his wife, Clare, opened in the fall of 2019.
During Homecoming Weekend earlier this month, Wilbur Dove made a surprise announcement that he and Clare would fund The Village’s fifth and final house, with an official name to be chosen at a later date.
“It’s like Christmas,” said President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., who, at the Homecoming event, complimented the generosity of everyone who has supported and funded The Village.
They are trying to help lay the groundwork so they can have generations of great people follow them and do more good in the world. This example of generosity after generosity is really quite extraordinary. It’s extraordinary students living in extraordinary spaces, thanks to the big hearts and generosity of extraordinary people. That feels like magic. That feels like Shenandoah, doesn’t it?”
Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D. | President
Complete with marble countertops and fully equipped kitchens, each apartment in The Village is approximately 1,600 square feet, with four single-occupancy bedrooms and two bathrooms. All apartments are fully furnished, and include a washing machine, dryer and modern kitchen appliances. Communal porches and green spaces are available for the enjoyment of all residents. Caruthers House, Roni’s Roost and Dove’s Nest each have six apartments and house 24 students, bringing the current number of students living in The Village to 72.
Both The Q and the yet-to-be-named fifth house in The Village are currently in the final phases of design, and will be similar to the existing houses.
