Each year, the Shenandoah University Alumni Association honors deserving alumni with the Distinguished Alumni Awards. To be selected, alumni must make significant achievements in their chosen profession; contribute to the betterment of their community, state, nation, or the world; or demonstrate ongoing dedication to the university.
The 2024 recipients will be honored at the Distinguished Awards Presentation on Friday, Oct. 25, during Homecoming 2024. Below are the bios for this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.
If you would like to nominate an alum for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards, click here.
Barbara Bryant McWhinney ’66, ’94
Lifetime Achievement Award
Barbara Bryant McWhinney earned an Associate of Arts in nursing from Shenandoah College in 1966 and went back to receive a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Shenandoah in 1994. At the age of nine, McWhinney knew she wanted to go into the healthcare field after caring for her mother, who was diagnosed with tuberculosis at the time.
After graduating in 1966, she went on to work at Valley Health’s Winchester Medical Center (WMC) in Winchester, Virginia. McWhinney worked at WMC for 55 years, retiring in 2023. During her career, she held various positions, which included staff nurse, head nurse and case manager for nearly every unit of the hospital.
In 1970, McWhinney helped create the neuroscience unit at WMC and started the Center for Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine in 2011. She has helped patients through everything from the polio crisis, the AIDS epidemic to the COVID-19 pandemic in her extensive career. McWhinney also had the opportunity to mentor and guide countless nursing students and alumni from Shenandoah who have taken positions at WMC.
Taylor White ’20
Young Career Achievement
Taylor White received a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication from Shenandoah University in 2020. White continued her education at Wake Forest University, earning a Master of Arts in sports film documentary and storytelling in 2021.
Following her graduation from Wake Forest, White accepted the position of assistant director of football creative video with the University of Virginia (UVA) in May 2021. After just a year in this position, she was promoted to director of football creative media in May 2022. In addition to her role at UVA, White is also an adjunct professor in the Media and Communications department at Shenandoah, regularly teaching a course in sports video.
In addition to her roles at UVA and Shenandoah, she has had the privilege of working events such as the NFL Draft and the NFL Combine. White’s work also caught the attention of the NCAA, leading to a personal invitation to photograph the NCAA’s Women’s Basketball Final Four Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio, in April 2023 and 2024.
Violet Amoabeng ’09, ’11
Professional Achievement
Violet Amoabeng received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Shenandoah University in 2009 and a Master of Business Administration in 2011. After earning her degrees, Amoabeng returned to her home country of Ghana to start her career with UT Holdings Limited as a procurement support officer in 2012. Then she was promoted to head of the procurement unit within UT Bank Limited, managing relationships with more than 500 suppliers. While in this position, she also started her own edible skin care line, Skin Gourmet, in 2014 with just $45.
Skin Gourmet sources its natural ingredients for its products from local communities within Ghana and has a variety of different products, including skin butters, scrubs, cleansers, oils and more. It ships to more than 25 countries around the world and grosses more than $200,000 annually.
The company has obtained several accolades and recognitions, including receiving award nominations from The Ghana Beauty Awards and the Women’s Choice Awards Africa, and being a top ten finalist for the 2021 African Business Hero Award by the Jack Ma Foundation. Skin Gourmet was also recognized as the Customer Service Experience Brand of the Year and the Most Innovative Product for COVID-19 Response by the Ghana Make-Up Awards. Amoabeng and Skin Gourmet have been featured in Forbes, Elle (UK & Japan), Pop Sugar and Indian Cosmopolitan as well.
Jerilynn Payne ’79
Service to the Community
Jerilynn Payne earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music therapy from Shenandoah Conservatory in 1979. Payne continued her education by attending the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, studying fire science & technology, emergency medical services (EMS) and a host of other programs. She received a Master of Social Work degree with an aging specialization at the University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore, Maryland.
In her career, Payne has served as a musician, music therapist, field representative for a non-profit organization, educator for secondary and post-secondary education programs, hospital critical care technician, firefighter, EMS supervisor, fire academy instructor and social worker. She is a life-long volunteer helping individuals in over a dozen organizations.
Payne is also a life-long learner and is a student of Judaism and Hebrew in the incipient stages of learning as she prepares for her presentation before the Bet Din and immersion in the mikvah. She has multiple licenses to drive everything from motorcycles to tractor trailers.
Maurice “Marty” Martindale ’58
Service to the University
Marty Martindale graduated from Shenandoah College with a junior college diploma in 1958. Martindale earned a Bachelor of Arts from Shepherd College in 1963 and a Master of Divinity from the United Theological Seminary in 1968. He dedicated more than 35 years to serving the church, pastoring churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio, serving three terms as pastor and superintendent in the Van Wert and Columbus Districts, and five years as conference CEO and central conference superintendent for the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In 2003, Martindale received a Doctor of Theology from Slidell Baptist Seminary.
With all of his education and experience in ministry, Martindale has used his knowledge to help organize the Memorial Service for the annual Dayton Alumni Weekend since its inception in 2013, and gave the sermon the last four years. He has also been a member of the Dayton Committee since 2010. During his time on the Dayton Committee, Martindale has been involved in the creation of the Dayton Gallery (located in the lower level of the Brandt Student Center), the Dayton Alumni Scholarship (which has grossed $75,000), the Dayton Alumni Choir, the Dayton Alumni Hall of Fame and the Shenandoah University Historical Marker in Dayton, Virginia.
This isn’t the only way that Martindale has been involved with the university after graduation. He was a member of the Shenandoah University Alumni Board of Directors from 2011 to 2017.
Tinesha Allen ’21
Hornet Hero Award
Tinesha Allen graduated from Shenandoah University with a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2021. Prior to this, Allen received a Bachelor of Science in political science from Vanderbilt University in 2012. Following her academic pursuits, she went on to pursue a career in public service and became an elected official in Stafford County, serving on the Board of Supervisors. Allen’s tenure on the board has been marked by significant contributions to the community. She initiated a local food pantry service that provides thousands of pounds of food weekly to families in need.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Allen played a pivotal role in ensuring vaccines and supplies reached communities facing financial and infrastructure challenges. She has also been instrumental in securing thousands in donations from businesses for non-profits that service children and disadvantaged communities.
As a strong advocate for minority-owned businesses, Allen organized a Juneteenth event at Virginia Credit Union Stadium in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in partnership with local non-profit organizations to highlight black businesses from the region. Her commitment to serving and helping others in the community has not gone unnoticed. Allen has been recognized locally as one of the most influential women in the Fredericksburg region. Her dedication to public service continues to drive her efforts in Stafford County and beyond.
To register for Homecoming, visit su.edu/homecoming
