On May 9, James R. Wilkins, IV ’26 strolled across the stage during Shenandoah University’s 2026 commencement ceremony, dressed in full graduation regalia, and shook hands with President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., who handed him a diploma signifying the completion of his Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

The next person to greet him was his father, James R. “Richie” Wilkins, III, who, as chair of Shenandoah University’s Board of Trustees, was part of the platform party and embraced his son in a hug before he descended the stage.

The moment took place inside the university’s James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center – named for James’ grandfather, who was in attendance – during a commencement ceremony that capped a celebration of Shenandoah University’s sesquicentennial. Around the midway point of those 150 years of Shenandoah’s existence is perhaps the most important moment in the university’s history – Shenandoah’s relocation from Dayton, Virginia, to Winchester, Virginia, in 1960, a move spearheaded by James R. Wilkins, Sr., that breathed new life into what was then a struggling institution with an uncertain future.

Shenandoah has been important to my family for generations, and I’m proud to now be part of that history in my own way. What stands out most to me is the role my great-grandfather played in helping move the school to Winchester. That decision had a major impact on the university and the community, and it is something my family has always been proud of. At the same time, my grandfather’s contributions to Shenandoah are especially meaningful to me. I know how much pride he takes in the work he has done for the university, and being able to graduate from a school he has given so much to makes the moment feel even more special.”

James Wilkins, IV ’26

Shenandoah’s 2026 commencement was doubly special for Richie Wilkins, as his stepdaughter, Addison Rathel ’26, also graduated with a Master of Science in speech-language pathology. 

“My family, in many ways, has been connected to SU for a very long time,” Rathel said. “As a lifelong resident of Winchester, Shenandoah has always been an important part of my life. Growing up, I attended university sports camps, cheered on the sports teams, and attended many plays and musicals. I was thrilled to learn I would have the opportunity to return home, after completing my undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech, to pursue my master’s in the new Communication Sciences and Disorders program at SU.”

For over 60 years, the Wilkins family has steadfastly supported Shenandoah University, which celebrated the graduation of over 1,400 students on May 9, has enjoyed record enrollment for three straight years (reaching 4,488 students in Fall 2025) and is expected to see that number climb closer to 5,000 this fall. Richie Wilkins is the third generation of Wilkinses to serve as chair of Shenandoah’s Board of Trustees – James Sr. served in the role for nearly 20 years and James “Jimmy” Wilkins, Jr. held the position from 2000-2002. Numerous buildings and spaces on Shenandoah’s main campus bear the Wilkins name, a testament to the family’s unwavering commitment to a variety of university initiatives.

Most recently, Jimmy and Roni Wilkins, Richie and Cara Wilkins, and the James R. Wilkins Charitable Trust made a generous gift to Shenandoah University to fund an expansion of the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center.

“It means so much to me to see two of my children graduating and getting to sign and give them their diplomas,” Richie Wilkins said. “It was always very important to my grandfather that I name my son James and continue his namesake. He would be so proud to see James Wilkins, IV graduating in a building named for James Wilkins, Jr., with James Wilkins, III handing him the diploma. As a family, we are so proud of our now four-generation-long involvement with Shenandoah University. We could not be prouder of Shenandoah’s success.”

James Wilkins, IV and Rathel feel they’re set up for their own success thanks to their experience at Shenandoah.

Because of the “invaluable” experiences and connections she’s made as a student in Shenandoah’s School of Health Professions, Rathel said she will pursue a clinical health fellowship position in either an inpatient rehabilitation setting or skilled nursing facility.

James Wilkins, IV, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with an economics and finance concentration, will join his father and grandfather and work in real estate and investments. Shenandoah’s School of Business helped prepare him, he said, by giving him a stronger foundation in business, finance, economics, communication, and decision making.

Despite his family’s deep ties to Shenandoah University, James Wilkins, IV said it was Dr. Fitzsimmons who ultimately persuaded him to come back to Winchester to complete his college degree. Prior to enrolling at Shenandoah in 2024, James Wilkins IV had spent over five years away from school after beginning his undergraduate studies at another university.

“What has stood out most about my time at SU is how personal the experience has felt. Since transferring, I have appreciated being at a school where people are approachable and where the experience feels connected to the community around it,” James Wilkins, IV said. “I have also gained a greater appreciation for the work that has gone into building Shenandoah into what it is today. Seeing the university as a student has made me even more proud of the contributions my family has made, especially my grandfather’s.”