Shepherd to celebrate homecoming next weekend
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — Shepherd University will welcome alumni back next weekend during homecoming.
The university will honor 2018-19 Outstanding Alumna of the Year Francine Phillips, and also will recognize four Finest Under 40 alumni at homecoming events, which run from Sept. 27 to 29.
Phillips, a 1982 graduate and managing public defender at the Jefferson County (W.Va.) Public Defender’s Office, is being recognized for her dedication and volunteer commitments that have significantly enhanced the goals and mission of Shepherd and the university's alumni association.
Phillips’ service to Shepherd includes her leadership in aiding numerous students in the sociology/criminal-justice areas with obtaining internships in the local legal community and her supervision of student interns who have worked in the public defender’s office.
She has served on the alumni association’s board of directors since 2011, during which time she has supported student-based activities, and currently serves as board secretary.
She served as an adjunct or full-time faculty member at Shepherd for more than 30 years.
Phillips, who serves on the Shepherdstown Board of Appeals, has been a member of the Shepherdstown Town Council and Shepherdstown Planning Commission. She served on the board of directors of the Shenandoah Women’s Center, and has served as treasurer and membership coordinator of Eastern Panhandle Criminal Defense Lawyers since 2004.
The alumni association has developed a new annual program, Finest Under 40, to recognize young alumni who are leading the way in business, research, leadership, community, artistic, educational and philanthropic endeavors.
The alumni are chosen by a selection committee based on their professional expertise and achievements, as well as dedication to charitable and community projects.
This year’s inaugural class of Finest Under 40 honorees includes Brandon Dennison, founder of Coalfield Development Corp.; Jennifer Seely Flora, Shepherd’s director of student engagement; Tamia Hardy, Miss West Virginia 2017; and Liz McCormick, Eastern Panhandle reporter/producer for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Homecoming events
Homecoming events scheduled for next weekend for Shepherd University's homecoming include:
Sept. 28
• 3 p.m.: Founders Day celebration. Parade will start at McMurran Hall and end at Potomac Place, where there will be a short program and reception.
• 5:30 p.m.: College of Business reunion dinner, Erma Ora Byrd Hall atrium. Alumni from the College of Business, including undergraduate and graduate students from any business program, are invited to return for a reception that includes beer, wine and a buffet dinner. Cost is $25 per person. For more information or to RSVP, go to www.shepherd.edu/suaa/upcoming-events-2.
Sept. 29
• 8:45 a.m.: Ram Band reunion. All Shepherd Ram Band alumni are invited to play pep music before the game and in the stands. Participants will need to purchase game tickets to enter the stadium, either online or at the gate. For more information or to RSVP, call Scott Hippensteel at 304-876-5129 or go to https://sites.google.com/site/suramdrumline/alumni/reunion.
• 9 a.m.: Alumni breakfast, front lawn of McMurran Hall, hosted by the Shepherd University Alumni Association and the university foundation.
• 10 a.m.: Homecoming parade, German Street.
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Join library staff members and Jeff Groff, chairman of the Institute of Environmental and Physical Sciences, on the Scarborough Library front porch to learn about the $100,000 grant from EBSCO Information Services to install solar panels on the roof.
• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.: Applied business lab open house, dining hall lower level.
• 11:30 a.m.: Introduction of homecoming court, Ram Stadium.
• Noon: Homecoming football game, Shepherd vs. Concord, Ram Stadium.
• 3-7 p.m.: Alumni association homecoming post-game party, Town Run Tap House and Community Pub, open to alumni and community members. Admission is free.