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Jun 2023

Roanoke College Poll: Political anxiety is up among Virginians

The latest poll from the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research shows Virginians' opinions on direction of the state, approval ratings for politicians as well as potential candidates for president.

Roanoke College receives funding to plan lab school with Salem High School

The Lab School Planning Grant from the Virginia Department of Education will allow Roanoke to partner with Salem City Schools to design a dual-enrollment program for students who might otherwise fall through the cracks of college and career preparation.

Saoub appointed to fellowship with president’s advisory council

The mathematics professor is serving as a policy fellow with the U.S. President's Council of Advisors for Science and Technology.

Ackley awarded elite fellowship status with national organization

The designation is considered one of the most prestigious credentials within the American College of Sports Medicine.

Roanoke College raises $1.3M to reinstate football, add cheerleading and marching band

Initial funds will be used to hire coaches and meet start-up needs, and the College hopes to recruit 50 football players, 50 band members and 30 competitive cheerleaders as part of the fall 2024 entering class.

May 2023

Roanoke College appoints new vice president of enrollment management

James "JP" Pennix ’88 offers more than 22 years of experience in higher education recruitment and leadership at both public and private institutions.

Virginia Consumer Sentiment and Inflation Expectations Report for May 2023

Consumer sentiment in Virginia continues to trend upward behind ebbing inflation and strong labor markets. Roanoke College's Institute for Policy and Opinion Research has all the details.

May Term Moments: Natural History of the Southern Appalachians

Join us in a behind-the-scenes look at some of Roanoke College's in-depth May Term courses.

Roanoke College appoints new director of athletics

Curtis Campbell, currently director of athletics at Morehouse College in Atlanta, brings to bear 23 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics.

Roanoke College celebrates 2023 retiring faculty

Retiring faculty in 2023 have dedicated a combined 206 years of service to Roanoke College.

New partnership aims to increase teacher diversity in local schools

The Bridges Program at Roanoke College, which aims to recruit aspiring teachers of color to local school systems, was recently one of only three programs accepted as a Research-Practice Partner with the National Center for Research on Educator Diversity at the University of Houston.

Alumni News - May

Our alumni are making a difference both on campus and in their own communities. Catch up on the latest in this edition of Alumni News.

Katherine Vaughan '24 honored as outstanding student of Washington Semester

The business administration major was recognized for her insightful analysis and ability to draw connections between complex, multifaceted themes.

Sandborgs sing final notes at Roanoke after 38 years

Jeffrey and Marianne Sandborg, who have been instrumental in Roanoke College's music programs since 1985, retired at the end of the spring semester.

Poggendorf closes decades-long career at alma mater

Brenda Poggendorf ’81 is retiring from her post as vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid, closing a decades-long career at her alma mater.

Roanoke College confers degrees upon 436 graduates at 2023 Commencement

Graduates and guests enjoyed picture-perfect weather for a ceremony that included seven valedictorians and an honorary degree recipient, American writer Nikki Giovanni.

Baccalaureate service honors graduates with “Forrest Gump”-inspired message

The Rev. Christopher Bowen, Timothy Pickle Dean of the Chapel, presided over the May 5 worship service for all graduates, families and guests.

Roanoke College prepares for 2023 Commencement

The Commencement exercises, which begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, will include the awarding of an honorary degree to poet and educator Nikki Giovanni, in addition to the recognition of seven high-achieving valedictorians.

Literary icon Nikki Giovanni to receive Roanoke College honorary degree

Giovanni, an award-winning writer and teacher who is known as one of the leading voices of the Black Arts Movement, will receive an honorary doctorate at Commencement, where she plans to read one of her poems.

Roanoke College honors 2023 medalist and emerging alumni

Sandra Bates ’69, who served the federal government for 37 years, received the 2023 Roanoke College Medal while Dr. Jared Herr ’04 and Rosemarie Stephens-Booker ’08 were the first recipients of the College’s new Emerging Alumni Awards.

Roanoke education major headed to Spain on prestigious Fulbright

New experiences and perspectives await Rebecca Dance '23 as she prepares to spend a year abroad teaching.

Apr 2023

Public Affairs honors celebrate Roanoke College students, alumna

The end-of-year presentation included an honorary award for Salem Mayor Renee Turk ’77 and a new recognition for first-year students.

Kimberly Davis-Riffe joins Roanoke College Board of Trustees

Davis-Riffe, who has had a 30-year career in the financial services industry, has dedicated much of her personal life to serving college students and her community.

Roanoke students win top prize in international analysis, video competition

The ASIANetwork Student Video Challenge was open to students at more than 150 North American colleges as well as collaborators at Asian universities.

Roanoke harnesses positive psychology for student success

The Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment, a psychological tool that measures a person’s natural patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving, has been rolled out to the Roanoke College community to improve self-awareness, prepare students for fulfilling careers, and support creative collaboration.

Faculty recognized with Dean’s Exemplary Awards

The awards celebrate outstanding commitments to service, professional contributions and teaching excellence.

Roanoke College Board of Trustees approves football, cheerleading and marching band, pending funding

When funded, varsity football will return to Roanoke for the first time since 1942.

Entrepreneurial students step up to the plate for The Pitch

The annual “Shark Tank”-style competition invites students of all majors to take their business ideas to a panel of local experts.

Toil and trouble: Theatre Roanoke College debuts production of reimagined “Mac Beth”

The adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy will be on stage at Olin Hall Theater through April 22.

Roanoke College introduces new brand and logo

This comprehensive effort is the College’s first significant branding exercise in two decades.

Roanoke professor picked for coveted Fulbright

The fellowship will allow Professor Flores-Silva to dedicate a semester to cross-cultural teaching, writing and community building.

Coach Yetzer named to hometown Hall of Fame

The Maroon wrestling coach is part of the inaugural class of the Madison (Ohio) Athletic Hall of Fame.

Roanoke College Class of 2023 Commencement Overview

The College is ready for more than 450 graduates to take the Commencement stage on May 6. Poet Nikki Giovanni will receive an honorary degree during the ceremony.

Center for Studying the Structures of Race hosts Camera Obscura exhibition

The project highlights locations on campus built by enslaved people and the importance of acknowledging the past.

Looking for adventure: Washington Semester blends real-world learning and cultural immersion

Meet this semester's class of Washington Semester students.

Day of Giving is April 5

Roanoke College Maroons, across the globe, come together in a unique way to make a lasting impact on their alma mater: through giving back.

Roanoke College Announces Membership in Hispanic Association for Colleges and Universities

The new membership marks a commitment to increasing access and success for all current and future Hispanic students at the College.

Mar 2023

The search for the whole story

In a two-day conference hosted by Roanoke College, student researchers explored complicated questions surrounding race in America.

‘Equality and justice for all’

In an event that coincided with Women’s History Month, international attorney Leila Hanafi spoke on campus about women’s pursuit of justice in post-conflict societies around the world.

Warden delivers presentation at international workshop on ancient Egypt

The Feb. 7 event was hosted by the Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies in Belgium.

Roanoke researchers lead digital preservation project for LGBTQ+ history archive

The extensive undertaking has created a complete, digital collection of the region's historical gay newsletter, the Blue Ridge Lambda Press.

Clark receives PEACE Award from Southeastern Association of Housing Officers

Rachael Clark is associate director of Residence Life & Housing at Roanoke College, where she also serves as the LGBTQ+ coordinator on campus.

Roanoke College adds Large Business of the Year Award to its accolades

The honor was presented by the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce during the 2023 Business Awards Breakfast.

North Korean defector and author speaks at Roanoke College

Yeonmi Park engaged a packed crowd about her incredible journey as part of the David L. Guy Lecture Series.

Roanoke College and Virginia Tech sign partnership for accelerated student pathways in computer science and computer engineering

The partnership between the two institutions gives Roanoke College students direct admission into computer science and computer engineering master’s degree programs.

Alumni News - March

The themes for this month's edition of Alumni News are finance and hospitality. Dive in to find out how some of our alumni are contributing in those fields.

Students produce audio guides for Taubman Museum of Art

A reception on Saturday afternoon will celebrate a collaboration between the museum and students in Associate Professor Julia Sienkewicz’s contemporary art class.

Roanoke College Board of Trustees welcomes new member

Christopher Merrill, a 1993 graduate of Roanoke College, is founder, chairman and CEO of a real estate private equity firm in Chicago.

Chad Morris presents at Palau Health Summit

Morris traveled to Palau to present on two topics, including one report developed from the work of Roanoke College student researchers.

Roanoke to host second annual Virginia Conference on Race

The conference, which will take place March 30-31, draws faculty and students from higher education institutions to Salem to share ideas and discuss experiences related to race.

Roanoke College Poll looks at top issues in Virginia

The latest Roanoke College Poll measures the opinions of Virginians on economy, jobs and inflation, as well as opinions on political leaders and the overall direction of the commonwealth.

President Emeritus Maxey honored by higher education council

The award is one of the highest national recognitions bestowed by the Council of Independent Colleges.

‘Crossing the River Styx’

A new book co-authored by a Roanoke College professor guides readers through the shrouded world of death row.

Feb 2023

Virginia Consumer Sentiment and Inflation Expectations Report for Feb. 2023

IPOR's latest survey says consumer sentiment in Virginia is up, buoyed by slowing inflation rates and robust labor market.

New class of Pedagogy Fellows announced by Teaching Collaborative

The fellows will pursue projects that enhance ongoing efforts to improve teaching evaluations, holistic student advising and the well-being of students, staff and faculty.

'Let us speak their names and broaden our truth'

On Sunday, Roanoke College paused to honor the memories of enslaved workers. The annual vigil coincides with a larger campus effort to document and memorialize the history of enslaved people in the region.

Curtain up: Theatre Roanoke College brings Oscar Wilde comedy to life

The funny and facrical classic "The Importance of Being Earnest" will be on stage at Olin Hall Theater through Feb. 25.

Student leaders organize expert panel to mark one-year anniversary of Ukraine invasion

The event, happening at noon on Thursday, will feature three faculty members with professional and personal insights into the Ukrainian region.

Black History Month commemorations continue with candlelight vigil, themed dinners

On Feb. 26, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Black Student Alliance will host a candlelight vigil to honor the lives of enslaved people in the history of Roanoke College.

Roanoke students place second in national sports analytics contest

James Rowe, Selam Mekonnen and Cyrus Pace, all seniors at Roanoke College, competed as a team in the game analytics portion of the championship.

Sienkewicz curates exhibition, participates in panel discussion

Associate Professor Julia Sienkewicz has guest curated an exhibition at a West Virginia art museum, where she will also participate in a panel discussion on Friday evening.

Alumni News – February

It’s time to check in with some outstanding Maroons who are making a difference in their professions and communities.

Roanoke College receives artists' concepts for memorial to enslaved laborers

The project to build a memorial to enslaved individuals is part of a wider effort to uncover the history of Roanoke College and its surrounding region.

5th annual Roanoke College International Film Series happening Feb. 15-26

The program is hosting eight, free film screenings at venues across the Roanoke Valley.

Rosenthal invited to speak at Virginia Festival of the Book event

The author of "Living Queer History: Remembrance and Belonging in a Southern City" is part of the speaker lineup announced by the literary festival taking place next month in Charlottesville.

Carry offers context for schools confronting complex past

Higher education administrator and author Ainsley Carry, whose second book tackles the challenge of negotiating memorial disputes on college campuses, spoke at Roanoke College on Wednesday as part of the Memorials, Monuments & Memory Lecture Series.

Fariha Sehar ’23 | Pakistan

Meet Fariha Sehar '23

MEET A MAROON | Jamie Pan '23

Meet environmental studies major Jamie Pan '23

Spotlight: Tanvi Savarkar ’24

Meet Tanvi Savarkar ’24

MEET A MAROON | Lauren Kennedy-Metz ’14

Meet Lauren Kennedy-Metz ’14, Assistant Professor of Psychology

MEET A MAROON | Fadzai "Faffy" Gracious Nyarugwe '24

Meet Environmental Studies Major Fadzai "Faffy" Gracious Nyarugwe '24

MEET A MAROON | Taylor Rowley '10

Meet Health and Human Performances, Professor Taylor Rowley

MEET A MAROON | Ian Michalski, Assistant Professor of Modern Languages

Meet Professor of Modern Languages, Ian Michalski

Meet a Maroon | Arlo-Andre Allotey ’24

Meet International Relations major Arlo-Andre Allotey ’24

A once-in-a-lifetime trip

A student-faculty team is heading to South Korea in May for a research expedition supported by a national grant.

Shushok featured on Blue Ridge PBS’ “What It Takes”

Host Tom Landon held a wide-ranging conversation with Roanoke’s 12th president.

“The science of broken hearts”

A Roanoke professor is carving out a niche as a leading researcher on “ghosting.”

Olin Hall Galleries names winners of 2023 Biennial Juried Exhibition

The exhibition, which celebrates a diverse array of regional artists, will be on display until March 26.

Jan 2023

Sekoni featured in TechGuide article

Assistant Professor Adewale Sekoni was interviewed by the technology website TechGuide for a column that offers advice to students interested in technology.

New campus pantry meets student needs at no cost

A campus pantry that offers hygiene products, food and other necessities at no cost to students has opened on the lower level of Wells I alongside a refurbished commuter lounge.

McCutcheon honored by statewide group for dedication to disability advocacy

The founder of Toy Like Me at Roanoke College was presented with a 2023 disAbility Law Center of Virginia Impact Award.

Roanoke team to deliberate on “Ethics and Digital Media” at statewide Ethics Bowl

The three-person team is set to compete this weekend against other schools from across Virginia.

Hartman advocates for everyday bus riders

Laura Hartman creates a safe space for regular bus passengers to voice their opinions.

Disability studies concentration created to expand student understanding and careers

The concentration meets a growing demand from students who want to be better prepared to be advocates for people with disabilities.

Alumni News - January

As the new year kicks off, we take a look at some recent alumni accomplishments.

James Suleyman ’24 named outstanding student of Washington Semester

The criminal justice and sociology double major was nominated for the award by his classmates and professors in the fall semester of the program.

Gallery: Day of service pays tribute to Dr. King's legacy

On Monday, students, faculty and staff gathered at the Environment Center for a day of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

From the magazine: Shooting for the moon

Terry St. Clair '65 was recently inducted into the NASA Hall of Honor for his significant career contributions.

Murawski honored by communications group

Carrie Murawski, assistant professor of English and communication studies, recently won the Scholar-Activist Award for her work in feminist and gender studies.

2022 R House dedicated in December

Constructed by the new students in summer of 2022, the 17th annual R House was completed and dedicated in December. The project is a partnership with Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley.

Roanoke College to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The campus will commemorate Dr. King's legacy with an event series and environmental service project.

Creating a community of helpers

In the face of a growing national opioid crisis, a student-alumni team worked to bring a life-saving training event to campus.

From the magazine: 'A beautiful surprise'

After spending most of his life at big universities, Dr. Frank Shushok Jr. never imagined himself leading a small liberal arts college like Roanoke College. Now, just five months into his term as the school's 12th president, he can't imagine being anywhere else.