Shenandoah Conservatory | Convocation Keynote
Ysaÿe Barnwell
August 28, 2018
Ysaÿe Barnwell, Ph.D., who spent more than 30 years with the iconic a capella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, led a community sing at Shenandoah University earlier this fall, as part of a Shenandoah Conservatory visit that also included a stop at a Winchester-area public school and the keynote address at the 13th Annual Conservatory Convocation. Dr. Barnwell, whose life has been immersed in music, encourages people to sing, and sing together, even if they don’t know how to read a note. She also teaches people about African-American musical traditions, which may have changed in style, but remained stalwart in meaning.
Randi Zuckerberg
March 30, 2018
Entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author and media personality Randi Zuckerberg, who served as keynote speaker for the 10th Annual Business Symposium at the Shenandoah University School of Business, has high regard for the importance of creativity in business. It is the skill she draws on most, and it’s one that takes many forms, from wild thoughts to a quick vocal performance at the symposium.
School of Business | Business Symposium Keynote
School of Business | Distinguished Lecture Series
Floyd Norman
February 1, 2017
Floyd Norman, Disney’s first African-American animator, spoke at the Shenandoah University School of Business about his pioneering work and experience in the world of animation. Norman was hired as the first African-American at Disney in 1956, and he would later be hand-picked by Walt Disney to join the story team on the “Jungle Book.” After Walt Disney’s death, Norman left Disney to start his own company—Vignette Films, Inc.—to produce black history films for high schools. He and his partners would later work with Hanna Barbera, animate the original “Fat Albert Special,” as well as the titles to “Soul Train.”
Gidon Kremer
January 31, 2017
Dean of Shenandoah Conservatory Michael Stepniak, Ed.D., held a conversation and Q&A with Gidon Kremer, an internationally acclaimed violinist and the artistic director of Kremerata Baltica, a talented group of musicians that has developed into one of the best international chamber orchestras of its time. The two discussed Kremer’s career and creative endeavors, and students had the opportunity to ask questions toward the end of the event.
Shenandoah Conservatory | Dean Conversations
School Of Business | Distinguished Lecture Series
Len Shapiro
October 26, 2016
Seasoned Washington Post sports journalist and editor Len Shapiro shares his thoughts at Shenandoah University about careers in journalism today and in the future. He advocates journalists must know the basics, from writing engaging headlines and stories to editing copy to navigating new media tools and specialized distribution channels. Shapiro believes large newspaper brands will continue to persist over time. “I don’t think journalism is ever going to stop,” he said. “Journalists are the watchdogs. We’re the first chapter of history, and I don’t think that’s ever going to change.”
Nicholas Kaiser
September 19, 2016
Kaiser has been the equity portfolio manager for the Amana Mutual Funds Trust since 1986. Since that time, the Amana Income Fund has averaged returns more than 8 percent.” said Dean of the Shenandoah University School of Business Miles Davis, Ph.D. “Such returns are noteworthy within themselves, but when coupled with the fact that the Amana Income Funds Trust operates within the strict confines of Islamic law, the returns are remarkable. It shows that principles and financial performance can go hand and hand.” For more than 40 years, Kaiser and his firms have provided investment management, administration, accounting, servicing, marketing, and other services to mutual funds and private accounts.
School of Business | Distinguished Lecture Series
Shenandoah Conservatory | American Icons Series
Deborah Voigt
April 27, 2016
Deborah Voigt, one of the world’s greatest sopranos, was Shenandoah Conservatory’s 2015-16 American Icon. She spoke with Shenandoah Conservatory Dean Michael Stepniak, Ed.D., about her journey as an artist and a person. The delightfully plainspoken Voigt, who also taught a masterclass at the conservatory, touches on a wide variety of topics in this interview, from her artistic development and influences and issues with weight and having a healthy relationship with the body, to the importance of resilience and how challenges never end, no matter what level of success one achieves. She also discusses experiences revealed in her autobiography, “Call Me Debbie: True Confessions of a Down-to-Earth Diva.”
Markus Rodlauer
April 23, 2016
Markus Rodlauer, deputy director of the International Monetary Fund’s Asia and Pacific Department, addressed China’s economic outlook in April as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series at the Shenandoah University School of Business. China, is redirecting and expanding the footprint of the world’s largest economy. If the redirection succeeds, everyone will benefit, and if it doesn’t we’re all in trouble, said Rodlauer, who also offered up his ideas on how China and the rest of the world can work together ways beneficial to international economies.
School of Business | Distinguished Lecture Series
School of Business | Distinguished Lecture Series
Ahmad Nassar
February 29, 2016
Ahmad Nassar, president of NFL Players Incorporated, spoke at the Shenandoah University School of business at Shenandoah University. His presentation was titled “NFL Players: The Business Behind the Athletes.” NFL Players Incorporated is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. As president, Nassar oversees all operations of this company with $145 million in annual revenue. He leads commercial negotiations with the NFL and key partners such as Electronic Arts, Nike, Fanatics, Uber, Panini, Topps, ESPN and others.
Phylicia Rashad
January 25, 2016
Tony Award-winning actress, singer and stage director Phylicia Rashad, best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” braved Winter Storm Jonas to speak to Shenandoah University students on Jan. 25 about “The Business of Show Business” as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series at the Shenandoah University School of Business. Rashad revealed that she’s impressed by the current generation of students and the students were inspired by her, as well, calling her an authentic, powerful presence and speaker.
School of Business | Distinguished Lecture Series
School of Business | Distinguished Lecture Series
Scott Case
October 27, 2015
The Shenandoah University School of Business understands that business careers don’t always rise from success to success. Sometimes, bumps appear in the road. Scott Case, founding chief technology officer of Priceline.com, spoke as part of the business school’s Distinguished Lecture Series in October 2015 about the challenges and realities of failure, which he experienced with a startup of his own. The lessons of failure are invaluable, particularly for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs-to-be, according to Case, who identifies as an entrepreneur, technologist and inventor.
Charlie Gibson
May 9, 2015
“Charles “Charlie” Gibson, known for his years at ABC News, particularly his time anchoring “Good Morning America” served as Shenandoah University’s 2015 Commencement speaker. Gibson offered up not only personal memories of his late brother, Langdon “Lang” Gibson, who was an avid supporter of Shenandoah and its conservatory, but also addressed the financial and deep personal value of a university education. He also left graduates with an unforgettable piece of advice, all while wearing a Shenandoah Hornets baseball cap.”
University Commencement | Keynote Address
School Of Business | Business Symposium Keynote
Norm Nixon
March 19, 2015
Norm Nixon, a retired NBA star, entrepreneur/real estate investor, onetime sports/entertainment agent, ABC television basketball commentator, and executive director of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) in Los Angeles, addressed attendees of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business’ Seventh Annual Business Symposium. Nixon’s keynote speech addressed being passionate about what you’re doing, having balance in your life and continuing to develop your mind, body and spirit. Nixon also utilized a great number of basketball analogies to cover business principles such as treatment of employees, dealing with competition, positioning yourself in your industry and taking advantage of your target market. “Prepare yourself to succeed. Condition yourself to win,” said Nixon.
Wynton Marsalis
January 21, 2015
In January 2015, legendary jazz trumpeter, music educator and Grammy Award-winning musician Wynton Marsalis completed his 2014-15 residency at Shenandoah Conservatory. Marsalis worked intensively with the 79-piece Shenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, providing them with insight into his work and teaching them how to incorporate more “swing” into their classical training. Wynton Marsalis sat down with Dean of Shenandoah Conservatory Michael Stepniak, Ph.D., to be interviewed as part of the conservatory’s American Icons series.