Three Conservatory Faculty and Staff Recognized as James R. and Mary B. Wilkins Appreciation Award Winners

Three Shenandoah Conservatory faculty and staff members were recognized by Shenandoah University as James R. and Mary B. Wilkins Appreciation Award winners during its annual full faculty and staff meetings on May 22. Conservatory faculty and staff recipients included:

• Tiffanie Carson, M.F.A., auxiliary adjunct assistant professor of dance (top photo, left)
• Shaun Evans, D.M.A., director of athletic bands; senior coordinator, conservatory recruitment; adjunct assistant professor of conducting (bottom photo, left)
• Rod Vester, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of contemporary musicianship & entrepreneur development (top photo, second from right)

Additional 2023-24 recipients included:

• Amber Darr, Pharm.D., associate professor of pharmacy practice and director of hybrid pathway (top photo, second from left)
• Ralph Wojtowicz, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics and director of the Division of Applied Technology (top photo, right)
• Martha Nolen-Vesterlund, RN, DNP, assistant professor of nursing (not pictured)
• Morgan Luck, Ed.D., associate professor of physician assistant studies (not pictured)
• Leann Curley, academic affairs programming and events coordinator (bottom photo, second from left)
• Karen Bucher, director of student financial services (bottom photo, center)
• Norma Jean Jackson, custodian, Physical Plant Department (bottom photo, second from right)
• Emily Frost, executive assistant to the provost (bottom photo, right)
• Jonathan Williams, assistant manager, Shenandoah University Loudoun (not pictured)

A Wilkins II Award, given to past Wilkins Award recipients, was awarded to Mitch Moore, senior vice president and vice president for advancement (not pictured).

The Wilkins Awards are presented annually to members of Shenandoah’s faculty and staff chosen from nominations submitted with consideration of the following criteria: an outstanding contribution to the development of the strength or reputation of the university; a major cost-saving idea implemented at the university based on an individual’s initiative; outstanding leadership in a crisis or difficult situation that helped to sustain life or make life more fulfilling for the university community; achievement of distinction or special recognition by peers for achievement in the recipient’s occupation or profession.