On April 23, Kathleen Quarles (AS ’82, N ’13) and William “Billy” Quarles were recognized by Shenandoah University for their generous gift prompting the launch of The Kathleen Quarles Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Program.

On May 3, Joseph Holt (C ’90) performed in ‘Censored Voices: Silent No More’ at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. 

On May 16 and May 17,Karen Keating (C ’02) served as the artistic director for The Arts Chorale of Winchester who performed Eric Whitacre’s “The Sacred Veil.”

On April 24, Cheryl Norman (E ’07) was named president of Ridgewater College in Minnesota by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, effective July 1, 2026. (pictured right)

Violet Amoabeng (B ’09, ’11) was named a Global Good Fund 2026 Fellow for her work as the founder of Skin Gourmet, a sustainable and edible skincare company supporting farming communities in Ghana.

On March 11, Mary Ensogna (AS ’09) was awarded the Civilian Service Commendation Medal for her disaster response and recovery efforts with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

On April 28,Brian Hester (B ’09) was appointed as vice president commercial relationship manager of Potomac Bank at its main office in Charles Town, West Virginia.

On May 5, Willie Lewis (AS ’10) was announced as the head boy’s basketball coach at James Wood High School in Winchester, Virginia. (pictured right) 

On April 11, Regine Bumper (AS ’19) was recognized as a member of the 2026 Forty Under 40 class by George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.

On May 8, Audrey Weatherstone (C ’19) was featured in a Virginia Living article entitled “How Music Therapy Can Rewire the Brain.”

On April 28, Kendall Melton (AS ’20) began teaching a “Dancing with Disney” class for young performers at the Hickory Community Theatre in Hickory, North Carolina.

Lily Farrar (C ’21, ’23) and Ian Sabatine (C ’24) toured Germany with the Salt Lake City-based Odyssey Dance Theatre.

On March 18, Yesenia Nunez (B ’22, N ’22, B ’25) was appointed to serve as an advance practice nurse practitioner representative on the Virginia Board of Nursing.

MiKayla Lynn Hatfield (C ’22, ’26) made her operatic debut this season with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri, where she also completed a year-long residency.

Emily Steinhardt (C ’22) joined the company of “Pippin” at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia.

Kollin Wisniewski (AS ’23) was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Medal, which is the second highest honorary award for Department of the Army employees.

On April 3, Joshua Klein (C ’24) was featured as the opening performer for renowned fingerstyle guitarist Hiroya Tsukamoto in a concert at The River House in Capon Bridge, West Virginia.

Alumni Passings

Donna Jean Steidel (AS ’96) of Swansboro, North Carolina, passed away on April 26, 2026. (pictured right)

Key

AS – Arts & Sciences 
B – Business
C – Conservatory
D – Dayton
E – Education
HP – Health Professions  
N – Nursing 
P – Pharmacy 
ANG – Alumnus Non Grad