November 2025 Class Notes
On Nov. 15, Marjorie Lewis (C, AS ’81) and Byron Jones (C ’04) read a series of poems for “Shenandoah University’s 150 Years Young” concert.
Nov. 4-9, Laura Woyasz (C ’98) performed as Pattie in the touring production of “Kimberly Akimbo.” Pictured right. Photo credit: Patrick Gray.
On Nov. 15, Joel Puckett’s (C ’99) “Shenandoah Carols” was premiered by Shenandoah’s Symphony Orchestra and Conservatory Choir during the “Shenandoah 150 Years Young” concert.
On Oct. 29, Roger Wolbert (AS ’02) was named the PennWest Edinboro’s recipient of the 2025 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Keepers of the Flame Award.
Cassandra L. Womack (B ’07) was featured in the 2025 Alexandria Chamber of Commerce “40 under 40” list for her hospitality as food & beverage manager at Hotel Heron, as well as her advocacy for the DC Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA Affairs.
Nathaniel Gumbs (C ’09) performed the organ in Nike’s new national television commercial featuring baseball icon Ken Griffey Jr. Pictured left.
On Sept. 10, Laura Bergmann (AS ’09) released her book entitled “From Surviving to Thriving: A Mobility and Strength Program for Breast Cancer Recovery.”
On Nov. 4, Alyson Moore (C ’10) was featured in an article entitled “Inside the choir that’s shaping St. Louis’ next generation of artists and leaders” by St. Louis Magazine for her impact in music education and choir leadership.
Benjamin Luczak (C ’09, ’15) was recognized in the Nov./Oct. edition of the Pittsburgh Magazine’s “40 under 40” list for his leadership as the CEO of Westmoreland Cultural Trust in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
On Nov. 10, Sarah McCrown (C ’24) performed in the opening show of the national tour of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” as Reed 2 (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone).
DB Bonds (C ’24) and Sophia Gunter (C ’25) performed in the new national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical “Kinky Boots.”
On Nov. 8, Marissa Overbaugh (B ’25) competed in the 2026 Miss Apple Blossom Volunteer Pageant in Winchester, Virginia.
Alumni Passing
Carl Dewayne Harris (C ’59) of Long Branch, West Virginia, passed away on Oct. 29, 2025. Pictured right.
Faculty/Staff Passing
Ann Lesman of Millwood, Virginia, passed away on Nov. 5, 2025. She worked at Shenandoah University as a professor in the foreign languages department for 24 years, from 1991 until her retirement in 2015.
Zoe Anne Vaughan of Stephens City, Virginia, passed away on Nov. 2, 2025. She worked at Shenandoah University as the campus mail manager for 16 years, from 2008 until her retirement in 2024.
Key
AS – Arts & Sciences
B – Business
C – Conservatory
N – Nursing
P – Pharmacy
E – Education
HP – Health Professions
ANG – Alumnus Non Grad
