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 2026 recipients will be honored at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 2, during Homecoming 2026. 

Whitney Handy ’20
Service to the University Award

Whitney Handy, Pharm.D. is a senior clinical scientist and associate director in Early Clinical Development–Hematology/Oncology and Cell Therapy at Bristol Myers Squibb. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Shenandoah University’s Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy in 2020, where she received the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Professionalism Award, the APhA-ASP Senior Recognition Award, and served as APhA-ASP campus president. Handy also holds a Master of Business Administration in pharmaceutical management from Rutgers Business School and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Salisbury University.

Handy is honored with the Service to the University Award in recognition of her steadfast dedication to empowering Shenandoah University students. For four consecutive years, she has generously volunteered her time to educate students and raise awareness regarding career pathways in the pharmaceutical industry. By filling a vital educational gap and providing expert guidance, she has expanded professional opportunities for students and helped prepare the next generation of ethical leaders in global healthcare.

At Bristol Myers Squibb, Handy leads clinical operations across Phase 1 and 2 trials for novel cell therapies and oncology treatments. Beyond her clinical research, she remains actively involved in professional mentorship, STEM advocacy, and community health outreach initiatives.

Charles Harbaugh IV ’09, ’11
Service to the Community Award

Charles Harbaugh IV earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2009, and a Master of Business Administration in 2011, from Shenandoah and played football. A lifelong Middletown, Virginia resident, Harbaugh has dedicated his life to serving others and strengthening the community he loves. Elected the youngest mayor in Virginia history at age 24, Harbaugh has spent more than 15 years as Middletown’s mayor leading with compassion, practicality, and a hands-on commitment to helping people.

Harbaugh is deeply involved in local preservation and community life, serving as president of the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, coordinating Middletown events, and championing projects that protect Middletown’s natural beauty and historic character. He also teaches business and marketing at Laurel Ridge Community College, shaping future leaders with the same values he brings to public service.

In 2021, Harbaugh expanded his commitment to helping others by becoming executive director of Access Independence, Inc. He leads a team where over 90% of employees have a documented disability. Under his leadership, the organization has grown 60% and now serves nearly 700 consumers across five counties. His work at AI reflects the same mission that guides his life: empowering people, removing barriers, and building a more inclusive community. 

Harbaugh has been recognized by state and federal representatives for his efforts. He received the the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber with the Emerging Leader Award in 2018, and is a two-time winner of the Community Builders Award from the Masonic Lodge of Virginia. Harbaugh is also a published author, a 20-year historical reenactor, devoted Washington, D.C. football fan, and, most importantly, a proud family man and father to Charles Harbaugh V.

Brody Grant ’21
Young Career Achievement Award

Brody Grant is a Tony and Grammy Award-nominated actor and artist who earned his degree from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2021, where he was honored with the Outstanding Musical Theatre Student Award. While at Shenandoah, his collegiate roles included portraying William Shakespeare in the university collegiate premiere of “Something Rotten!”, Clyde in “Bonnie & Clyde,” and Jamie in “The Last Five Years.”

Grant’s professional theatre credits include portraying The Young Soldier in the New York City Center production of “Parade.” He originated the role of Ponyboy Curtis in the musical adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders,” earning the Craig Noel Award for Best Actor in a Musical for the San Diego production. For his Broadway debut in the same role, he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical, a Drama Desk Award nomination, and won the Theatre World Award for 2024.

Beyond his work in the performing arts, Grant actively supports Best Buddies International. Guided by a belief in the transformative and unifying power of storytelling, Grant is dedicated to creating works that offer lasting hope, comfort, and insight to diverse audiences. 

Patrick D. McCoy ’05
Professional Achievement Award

Patrick D. McCoy earned a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Virginia State University in 2000. In 2005, he completed a Master of Music in church music from Shenandoah Conservatory where he studied voice with the late Michael O. Forest ’85, ’86 and organ/sacred music with the late Dr. Steven Cooksey. McCoy has distinguished himself as a choral conductor, singer and music journalist.  

As a church musician, McCoy served as director of music and organist at Covenant Presbyterian Church, pianist at The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer and First Christian Church, all in Petersburg, Virginia. Residing in the Washington, D.C. area, he has held posts as minister of music at Takoma Park Baptist Church and organist and choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal Church, both in Washington, D.C. He has now entered his 10th year as organist and choirmaster at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Beltsville, Maryland.

While at Shenandoah, McCoy was a member of Harambee Gospel Choir, Shenandoah Chorus and one of the founding members of the Black Student Union. After graduation, McCoy continued to support SU by serving on the Alumni Board for six years.

Currently, McCoy is a member of the Shenandoah Conservatory Advisory Board, Shenandoah University Black Alumni Network, Music Critics Association of North America, The Association of Anglican Musicians, Haiti Micah Project Board of Directors, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and a Life Member Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Benjamin Luczak ’09, ’15
Professional Achievement Award

Benjamin Luczak serves as chief executive officer at the Westmoreland Cultural Trust which stewards four historic properties – The Palace Theatre, Greensburg Garden & Civic Center, the Union Trust Building and the Stark/James Building in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Luczak previously held leadership positions at Des Moines Performing Arts, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Broadway Dallas, Omaha Performing Arts and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra.

Currently, Luczak volunteers as a member of the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County/The Pittsburgh Foundation’s “Westmoreland Together,” a community advisor to Elevate NP of Southwestern PA, board treasurer for City Theatre Company, and is a member of the Pennsylvania Society. Previously, he served as board chair for Houston-based Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theatre, co-chaired the League of Resident Theatre’s executive search (a subcommittee of LORT’s EDI Committee) and was a grant panelist for Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs. Luczak has also served as an adjudicator for the Nebraska High School Theatre Academy, a grant maker for the Equality Fund of Omaha, and a board member for Nebraska AIDS Project.  

Luczak earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre in 2009, and a Master of Science in Performing Arts Leadership and Management in 2015, from Shenandoah Conservatory. In addition to his degrees at SU, Luczak holds a certificate of fundraising management from the University of Nebraska Omaha and a Certificate of DEI in the Workplace from the University of South Florida. Luczak is a “40 Under 40” Pittsburgh Magazine honoree, Business Collective Summit Leadership Award recipient, Penn-Trafford Alumni Hall of Fame honoree, and an Eagle Scout.

To register for Homecoming, visit su.edu/homecoming.