For the second year running, valedictorian honors at Roanoke College will be shared by eight outstanding seniors, with a ninth exceptional student graduating as salutatorian. All nine of these accomplished students are graduating summa cum laude. They represent the very best of Roanoke's community: curious, passionate, innovative, caring and impressively driven. They have left their mark on every corner of campus, including athletics, campus recreation, student clubs, classrooms and research laboratories — and as far away as study-abroad locations in France and Ireland.
Roanoke College is a better place because of these students, and they're taking their exceptional education and experiences out into the world, where they will no doubt move mountains.
Congratulations to 2026 valedictorians Nicholas Cuchna, Mylah Goudy, Crockett Hill, Samson Hill, Mary Langan, Noelle Ropp, Carter Satterfield and Liz Satynska — and to salutatorian Victor Salvo.
Nicholas Joseph Cuchna, of Manchester, Maryland, earned majors in both business administration and finance, and he was named Senior Scholar in Finance by the School of Business, Economics and Analytics. Nick deftly balanced academics and athletics as a member of the men’s swim team, earning selection as a member of the College Sports Communicator’s Academic All-District men’s swim team. He also completed an internship at Ameriprise Financial/Inspire Confidence Group and is planning a career in wealth management. Assistant Professor of Business Administration C. Mike Smith said Nick was among the first students at Roanoke to complete the new Personal Financial Planning curriculum. “As this recognition makes clear, he excelled academically,” Smith said. “But what truly sets Nick apart is his exceptional ability to connect with people. Financial planning is as much about relationships as it is about numbers, and Nick’s natural gift for clear, empathetic communication will make him a standout in the profession.”
Mylah Faith Goudy, of Cumming, Georgia, is leaving Roanoke with a B.A. in criminal justice and a minor in sociology. She was named Senior Scholar in Criminal Justice and received the Alpha Lambda Delta Senior Award and Senior Certificate, and she is a member of Alpha Kappa Delta and Alpha Phi Sigma honor societies. Mylah was involved in campus recreation during her time here, and she was a student supervisor this year. She also served as a community leader for the Flourish living-learning community and helped develop the rugby club, serving as president her senior year. Sociology Lecturer Kristin Richardson, who taught Mylah in the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, said she “became a beacon of integrity and flourished in the unconventional classroom environment. She is a disciplined, compassionate and talented student.” Criminal Justice Lecturer Beth Easterling painted a portrait of an incredibly kind, bright student who supports and encourages her peers, saying “her dedication and level of responsibility are unmatched.” Mylah hopes to attend JMU for a master’s in sport and recreation leadership.
Crockett Christian Adams Hill, of Elliston, Virginia, earned a BS in chemistry and a minor in math, and was chosen the Senior Scholar in Chemistry. He also earned the Inorganic Chemistry Award and the Alpha Lambda Delta Senior Award and Senior Certificate. He is a member of Phi Lambda Upsilon. A Summer Scholar, Crockett worked with Professor Kelly Anderson on the analysis of solid-liquid interactions in thin films and presented his research at two conferences. “Crockett thinks critically and deeply about the chemical world,” Anderson said. “He clearly wants to understand the why behind how chemistry happens. I know he will bring his persistent work ethic and thoughtful approach to the new challenges that await.” Crockett is a legacy student whose father, mother and sister all graduated from Roanoke College. His grandfather taught here, as did his mother, the beloved English Professor Mary Crockett Hill, who passed away in 2023.
Samson Webber Adams Hill, of Elliston, Virginia, is graduating alongside his identical twin brother, Crockett. Not to be outdone, Samson also earned a BS in chemistry and a minor in math, and he tied with Crockett for Senior Scholar in Chemistry. He also received the Alpha Lambda Delta Senior Award and Senior Certificate, and he was inducted into Pi Lambda Upsilon. As a Summer Scholar, Samson worked with Professor Dan Nasrallah to research more environmentally friendly methods to make carbon–nitrogen bonds. During this time, he conducted more than 250 chemical reactions, an impressive accomplishment for an undergraduate researcher. He presented his research at two professional conferences and will soon submit it for publication in a peer-reviewed organic chemistry journal. "Samson has been a phenomenal student to work with,” Nasrallah said. “He is curious and hardworking. He seeks out knowledge independently and works to understand what he is exposed to. I can't wait to see what Samson accomplishes next. He is going to make a great impact in no time."
Mary Lynn Langan, of Hickory, North Carolina, is graduating with a BA in French and Theater, and a minor in psychology. Mary was named Senior Scholar in French and was a Summer Scholar at Roanoke, and she has been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Nu, Omicron Delta Kappa and Xi Theta Chi. She studied abroad in France in both 2024 and 2025, and she served as a subject tutor in French. “Through her experiences both in and out of the classroom, I’ve watched her grow into a confident and perceptive student of language and culture,” said Alison Clifton, associate professor of French. In theater, Mary received both regional and national recognition for her acting and stage management, and her honors distinction project culminated in three sold-out performances of “A Doll’s House.” Nelson Barre, associate professor of theater, said “Whether she's in the classroom or the rehearsal room, I always know that Mary's presence will raise the bar for everyone involved. She is an exceptional artist and collaborator, and the theatre program has become better because of all she has done."
Noelle Ranae Ropp, of Broadway, Virginia, has earned a B.S. in psychology with minors in disability studies and Spanish, and a concentration in human development. She was named Senior Scholar in Psychology and was awarded the Alpha Lambda Delta Senior Award and Senior Certificate. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Nu. During her senior seminar, she worked with other students to develop an empirical study examining identity, rejection sensitivity and belonging in college students, and used the analytical tools she learned to address the topic of stigma and ADHD in her honors project. Assistant Professor Katie Kane, Noelle’s honors mentor, said Noelle set lofty goals for herself and achieved them through a combination of work ethic, time management, impeccable attention to detail and a desire to genuinely master her research topic. Disability Studies Lecturer Frances McCutcheon added that Noelle has been a vital member and leader in the disability studies community at Roanoke. “Noelle is truly open to learning through many facets, incorporating and interpreting knowledge new and old, and sharing deep and unique insights,” she said.
Elizabeth Carter Satterfield, of Cary, North Carolina, is graduating with a double BBA in business administration and marketing. Named the 2026 Senior Scholar in Business Administration, she is a Business Advisory Board Award winner and recipient of the Alpha Lambda Delta Senior Award and Senior Certificate. She was inducted into Alpha Mu Alpha, Delta Mu Delta, and Alpha Chi honor societies. As a member of the swim team, she was the 2024 ODAC Champion in the 1650 freestyle and is a 10x championship medalist and a member of the two-time record-setting 800 freestyle relay. She was twice named female scholar-athlete of the year, as well as honored twice as a College Sport Communicators Academic All-District All-American honoree. Business Administration Associate Professor Johanna Sweet recalled a May Term trip with Carter to Belize, where they worked in oppressive heat. “It was not a glamorous trip like most, but one with purpose: restoring an education building in the poorest district of Belize,” Sweet said. “During our time in Belize, I saw firsthand her ability to remain gracious and focused on serving others, even in challenging moments.” Marketing Professor of Practice Betsy Parkins added that Carter “has a rare combination of analytical strength and genuine insight that belies her age. She’s going to make an immediate impact wherever she goes.” Carter will next pursue a Master of Accounting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Yelyzaveta “Liz” Satynska, of Slovyansk, Ukraine, has earned degrees in four majors: computer science, data science, math and physics. She received the Computer Science Outstanding Achievement Award and the Herta T. Freitag Mathematics Award, and she has already co-written two papers that have been published. She was also inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Pi Sigma and Upsilon Pi Epsilon honor societies. Liz was a Summer Scholar at Roanoke, where she also worked in the Information Technology Department. In her spare time –wherever she managed to find it–she helped found a program to address food insecurity at Roanoke. Liz has taught many of us lessons in resilience, focus and hope, because all her accomplishments in college were made while her home country was being ravaged by war. Liz is heading to graduate school at either Northeastern or Virginia Tech. Computer Science Professor Anil Shende said, “While Liz pursued four majors and excelled in each one of them, I am especially impressed by how thoroughly she grasps and internalizes new material, and applies her knowledge to solve problems that cross all four disciplines. I look forward to following Liz’s journey as a scholar and researcher making significant contributions to computing.”
Victor Zerva Salvo, of York, Pennsylvania, is graduating summa cum laude with the salutatorian designation. He has earned a B.A. in literary studies with minors in creative writing and publishing and editing. Victor is a poet and a horror fiction writer who treated the Commencement crowd to a reading of one of his original poems, “Keep Your Mortarboard Flat.” In Fall 2024, he studied away at University College Cork in County Cork, Ireland. He is the current president of Zeta Rho chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the national honor society for English students. He was also inducted into Alpha Chi honor society. Victor has a job in communications lined up after graduation, and he plans to attend graduate school in the future. Creative Writing and Literary Studies Lecturer Laura Garrison said “Victor has the sort of deep intelligence that takes a little while to notice because he spends more time listening than he does talking, although he can converse enthusiastically on a wide range of topics. He is a brilliant writer and an insightful reader who finds joy in pursuing knowledge, and his natural curiosity and creativity inspire everyone around him.”
Most of the valedictorians will speak briefly at Commencement, which takes place Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Salem Stadium. The ceremony can be watched live at this link.