Home » Blog » October 2025 Class Notes

October 2025 Class Notes

October 2025 Class Notes

Robert J. “Bobby” Spires, Jr. (C ’69) was featured on WWBT channel 12 news in Richmond, Virginia for nominating his friend Earl “Skip” Bottom to win the Act of Kindness award for his impressive 700+ volunteering hours at 88 years old. 

On Oct. 11, Betty Kilby Baldwin (B ’86) spoke at Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown, Virginia, where she and her colleague Phoebe Kilby presented “Reaching Across the Racial Divide.”

On Sept. 17, Tom Sweitzer (C ’94, ’11) was awarded the Shenandoah University’s prestigious President’s Medal by Shenandoah President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D. (pictured left)

From Sept. 9 – Oct. 5, Oneika Phillips (B, C ’00) performed as Madam Page in “Merry Wives” at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Hall in Washington, D.C.

On Sept. 13, Jarrett Boyd (C ’03) joined Voices of Fire as part of the Vatican Jubilee Celebrations at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Italy. 

On Sept. 22, Matthew Yonkey (C ’03) was named the assistant superintendent of administration at Fauquier County Public Schools in Warrenton, Virginia. 

Nathan Fadrowski (C ’12) was promoted to branch manager of Ruppert Landscape in Delmarva, Delaware. 

On Oct. 5, Silvan Negruțiu (C ’13) performed in the World of the Piano series in Shenandoah University’s Armstrong Concert Hall with an exciting program of music by Enescu, Tower, Mozart, Say, Beethoven and Silvestri.

On Sept. 23, Jasmine Pega (N ’14) became a certified registered nurse practitioner for Keystone Medical Associates in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.

On Sept. 21, Toshi (C ’15) released her sophomore album, “Rainbow Orchid Bee,” which is available on all streaming platforms.

On Oct. 5, Anna Billias (C ’17) performed at the Washington & Lee University’s Wilson Concert Hall in Lexington, Virginia. 

On Oct. 3, Trace Nixon (AS ’17) released a country traditionalist music album called “Hand Me Down Name,” which includes a track written with his father, Nick Nixon, entitled “Ready For The Takin’ (When You Are).”

Taylor White (AS ’20) is director of multimedia and creative content for the University of Virginia women’s basketball team. (pictured right)

On Sept. 28, Elizabeth Holmes (C ’21) performed at the “Sacred Sounds” concert in the sanctuary of Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, Virginia.

On Sept. 5, Kade Wright (C ‘21) and Naja Bates (C ’25), cast members of Mrs. Doubtfire, began the National Broadway Tour, which will run through 2026.

Naythen Rinehart (C ’25) was appointed as the entertainment director for the Soldiers’ Theatre in Vicenza, Italy. 

From Oct. 14-19, Miguel Gil (ANG) starred as Seth in the Tony Award-winning musical “Kimberly Akimbo” at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.

On Oct. 3, Carter Runyan (ANG) was added to the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster as an undrafted rookie after being on the Bears practice squad. 

Alumni Passing

Winter H. “Winnie” McCrobie, Jr., (C ’75) of Kilmarnock, Virginia, passed away on September 13, 2025.

Stephen G. Lobell (B ’00) of Winchester, Virginia, passed away on September 27, 2025. 

Robert L. “Bob” McIntire (ANG) of Winchester, Virginia, passed away on September 24, 2025. 

Faculty/Staff Passing

Dr. James A. “Jim” Davis passed away on October 7, 2025. He was the president of Shenandoah University for 26 years, from 1982 to 2008. (pictured left)





Key

AS – Arts & Sciences

B – Business

C – Conservatory

N – Nursing 

P – Pharmacy 

E – Education

HP – Heath Professions  

ANG – Alumnus Non Grad

Categories: , ,

Recent News

Exterior photograph of the "Buzzins" dining location at Shenandoah University.

Shenandoah University Secures GO Virginia Grant To Plan Commercial Kitchen

Facility will support small-scale food and beverage producers in the Northern Shenandoah Valley

A springtime image of Sarah's Glen with the 2026-27 Colleges of Distinction ribbon.

Shenandoah University Named A 2026-27 College Of Distinction

SU recognized nationally for its commitment to exceptional undergraduate education for the seventh time

Photo Credit: "Credit Cards In Wallet 1" by ccPixs.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Wallet Hub Respects Shenandoah Business Faculty Opinions

Three business faculty members have been featured recently on the personal finance site

Hundreds of Little Wars: Community, Conflict, and the Real Civil War. The 12 essays in this volume offer important perspectives about how the conflict impacted communities such as Fauquier County, Virginia, and Kentucky’s Lower Green River Country.

Publication of Note | June 2026

G. David Schieffler and Matthew M. Smith, eds. “Hundreds of Little Wars: Community, Conflict, and the Real Civil War.” Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2025.

Author Kate DiCamillo in front of a pink and green balloon arch and a slide that says "How to Make a Writer" on stage at Shenandoah University's Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre in 2026 for the university's Children's Literature Conference's Rally for Reading.

Rally Kicks Off A Season Celebrating Reading

Shenandoah University Children’s Literature Conference Marks 40th Year By Introducing Students to Nation’s Top Children’s Authors and Illustrators

Monthly Archives