Bob Rotanz ’78 and Joe Dishaw ’78, long time co-owners of the legendary Salem restaurant Mac and Bobs, have decided to sell the establishment and retire. While new ownership has taken over, Maroons can rest assured the menu, uniforms and atmosphere patrons have come to know and love are not going anywhere.
(L-R): Keith Griswold '79, Bob Rotanz '78, Joe Dishaw '78
Rotanz, of the men’s lacrosse team, led the team to a National Championship win. He met his wife, Wendy E. Rotanz ’81, at Roanoke College and has been in Salem ever since. In 1988, he was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2022, he was awarded the Roanoke College Medal, the highest honor an alumni can receive. Rotanz is a member of the President’s Advisory Board and President’s Society, among other alumni groups. Rotanz will stay on as a consultant for the restaurant.
Dishaw studied psychology at Roanoke College and was lacrosse teammates with Rotanz, helping to win the National Championship in 1978. In 1985, when the partners decided to expand the restaurant and menu, Dishaw enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America and graduated with honors. Dishaw is part of the President’s Society, the Maroon Club, the Monument Club and the Cornerstone Society.
Both Rotanz and Dishaw are ecstatic about the chance to soak up more time with their grandchildren in this new chapter of their lives. Congratulations to them both, and thanks for the wonderful memories!
Omari K. Chancellor ’17 was cast in a recurring role on the new TV series “Love Story.” “Love Story” is another project from Ryan Murphy, whom you might recognize as executive producer and co-creator of “American Horror Story” and “Glee,” among others. The first season of the show will explore John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Bessette’s romantic relationship. Chancellor will star as Gordon Henderson, a fashion designer and close friend of Bessette’s.
Chancellor earned his degree in political science at Roanoke, but his career was led by his filmmaking passion, which he explored as an undergrad under the mentorship of Joe Boucher, director of student activities and the Colket Center. You may have seen Chancellor on CBS’s “Elsbeth” or in the film “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” alongside Zac Efron and Russell Crowe.
Alison Jorgensen ’01 was appointed president and CEO of Council of Community Services in May. Jorgenson has been with the Council of Community Services for more than 20 years, holding a variety of different positions, including her most recent role as chief operating officer. The Council of Community Services, based in Roanoke, seeks to ensure all community members have equitable access to health, housing and resources. Jorgensen earned a B.A. in sociology at Roanoke and obtained an M.S. in nonprofit administration from Louisiana State University.
RJ Warren ’07 was appointed to the role of council chief of staff for the Richmond City Council. In his new role, which began in June, Warren will write and amend local laws, in addition to instituting the Richmond government budget. He takes on this role after more than 17 years of public service. Warren studied history at Roanoke College and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He later attended The Federal Judicial Center in Washington, D.C., to obtain his Foundations of Management for U.S. Courts Certification.
Do you have alumni news to share? Send it to rcmagazine@roanoke.edu.