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Cover story

Equine Excellence

Celebrating a Storied History of Champions

Letter From The President

From the Desk of

John W. Wells

At a recent event in Tryon, N.C., Emory & Henry saluted alumni of Virginia Intermont who contributed to the success of the VI Equestrian Program, which is now a part of this institution. The event celebrated not only the remarkable successes of the program, both past and present, but also the importance of forming and retaining strong connections among individuals who benefitted from and value liberal arts education.

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Profile

Strengthening Our Commitment

Dr. Theresa Burriss, previously at Radford University for more than 25 years, now serves as Emory & Henry College’s assistant vice president of community engagement and economic development.

Featured Story

Increasing in Numbers

The population of Southwest Virginia increased by 1,105 residents this fall with the largest number of undergraduate Emory & Henry College students to attend classes on its Emory campus since 2004, representing a 2.1% increase over the previous year.

Featured Story

Open for Business: Carriger Hall Ribbon-Cutting

During the Homecoming 2023 festivities, more than 100 donors and friends gathered in the J. D. and Loraine Nicewonder lobby in the newly renovated Carriger Hall to celebrate its reopening as the new home of Emory & Henry’s School of Business. The grand old building, with original construction dating back to 1908, stands tall in the middle of the College’s beautiful campus and is the site of many warm memories for alumni.

News from Campus… and Beyond

Elevating in Excellence

Emory & Henry College secured a strong position in the U.S. News & World Report, ranking 21st among 135 peer institutions for Best Colleges. Notable rankings also include 13th for Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs in the southern region and an upward move to 68th for social mobility.

School of Business students and wall monitor

Enaging in Real-World Opportunities

This semester, students in the School of Business brought class lessons to life and built connections with local organizations. The operations and production management course offered students opportunities to practice teamwork and collaboration as they linked operations principles and concepts to real-world practices for deeper learning. During the fall semester students visited the Barter Theatre, Food City in Chilhowie, Strongwell, United Way of Southwest Virginia, Universal Fibers, Inc. and Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company. The purpose of the semester-long interaction was to discover how key operations decisions on process, quality, capacity,and inventory were implemented. Students examined their choices on how to improve effectiveness, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and value and presented their findings at the end of the semester.

School of Health Sciences Graduates

Record-Breaking Class & Inaugural Cohorts

At the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia, Emory & Henry College’s School of Health Sciences saw its largest graduating class in August with 103 students. Among them were the first cohorts of the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy programs, alongside others from Physician Assistant Studies and Doctorate of Physical Therapy programs. President John W. Wells praised the graduates for their resilience and dedication to earning their degrees.

Ribbon cutting at Squire Miller Henry Residence Hall

Honoring a Legacy

In October, Emory & Henry proudly dedicated the Squire Miller Henry Residence Hall, a significant milestone in its pursuit of inclusivity and historical preservation. This hall, the first named after a Black individual, honored Dr. Squire Miller Henry’s extraordinary legacy. Dr. Henry’s legacy, rooted in resilience and community commitment, was honored posthumously in May 2023 with an honorary doctorate of divinity presented to his great-granddaughter, Marie Lampkins. President John W. Wells highlighted the event’s importance in recognizing overlooked contributors and fostering inclusivity. The dedication symbolizes the College’s dedication to diversity, celebrating voices that shape its past and future.

Student at Career Center Expo

Setting Up for Success

In October, the van Vlissingen Center for Career and Professional Development hosted its inaugural Fall Career Expo and welcomed more than 35 Tier 1 employers such as Hard Rock Casino & Resort, Eastman Chemical, Dollywood, Bristol Motor Speedway and the FBI. The event informed students about internship prospects and job opportunities. Attendees also had the opportunity to receive professional headshots.

Speakers for The Watershed Project: A Remembrance Lyceum

The Watershed Project: A Remembrance

In October, the Appalachian Center for Civic Life and the Watershed Project presented an insightful event, “A Remembrance.” The event, a result of efforts from students, faculty, staff and local citizens, aimed to memorialize individuals who contributed to building the College. It included a groundbreaking video memorial crafted during the 2023 spring semester and a panel discussion. Students meticulously analyzed the College’s original account books, deciphering 19th-century handwriting. President John W. Wells invited the College community to join in this reflective moment and emphasized the importance of acknowledging the past and connecting it to the present for a more unified future. The event offered a comprehensive view of the College’s history, underscoring its ties to the broader societal context of that era.

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Class Notes

Obituaries and Class Notes are now available online!

ehc.edu/alumni under the Stay In Touch tab.

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  • Ed BoyeE&H Class of 1967

    Ed Boye ’67 just reported that he’s “Still kicking at 79.” And to prove it, he just won a bunch of medals in the Senior Games in North Carolina! Here’s his 2023 news: “We moved to a CCRC (The Pines in Davidson, N.C.) last year in May. A resident talked me into entering the Senior Games in swimming. I had been in the water all my life but never had the opportunity to compete. I first entered the local games – and won five medals, 3 gold, and 2 silver. Gold in 50 yd. and 100 yd. backstroke; plus gold in the 50 yd breaststroke. Silver in the 50 yd freestyle and 100 yd freestyle. This qualified me to go to the North Carolina Senior Games Finals this September. Gold in the 100 yd. freestyle, silver in the 100 and 50 yd backstroke. Bronze in the 50yd. freestyle.”

  • Gray-haired man at lectern.

    Tommy Barber ’68 has received the prestigious Charles Brown Award. Read more…

  • Man smiling

    Peter Gretz ’90 is currently in his third year as Superintendent of Fluvanna County Public Schools, and his 33rd year as a Virginia educator.

  • Man in white coat smiling

    Colby Newsome ’11 has been named Director of Behavioral Health Pharmacy for Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH). Newsome began his career as a pharmacist with Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center in 2015 upon graduating from East Tennessee State University’s Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. In 2019, he began serving as coordinator of clinical pharmacy services at Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center and transitioned to their director of inpatient pharmacy in January of 2023. From providing specialized services and helping patients manage their conditions through interprofessional collaboration, Newsome’s focus has always been on serving the patient. “I am committed to bringing my clinical and administrative skills to this role. Thus far, I have collaborated with many talented professionals within the ARH team. We have been working diligently keeping our most important goal in mind- always improving patient care. I am confident that together, we can make a significant impact within this special population of patients in our region. Moving to the system level I am able to make a deeper impact and be a louder advocate for evidence-based practices and policies within all the ARH Behavioral Health facilities in Kentucky.” Read the full story at https://ecs.page.link/rwiX3 (Press release from ARH)

  • Man with daughter on his shoulders

    Michael Shipley ’13 The Shipley family moved to Hawaii in March 2023 where Michael will be serving as a Company Commander within the 25th Infantry Division on Schofield Barracks. Heecently finished service as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Benning, GA.

  • Man smiling

    Bruce Chafin ’78 has big news! “Happily retired in March of 2022 after 46 years in corporate finance. Have relocated to Rancho Mirage, CA (Palm Springs) and am enjoying life with my spouse of seven years.”

See All Notes

Emory & Henry College President: John W. Wells, Ph.D. Vice President for Advancement: Rob Parker. Associate Vice President for Advancement: Shannon C. Earle. Vice President for Enrollment and External Affairs: Jennifer J. Pearce. Director of Marketing: Leah Prater. Manager of Communications and Managing Editor: Haley Arni. Web Content and Online Magazine Coordinator: Billy Chandler.

Contributing writers: Monica Hoel ’85 | Jennifer Pearce | Dirk Moore | Carolyn Wilson ’82 (Feature) | Haley Arni

Contributing photographers: Earl Neikirk | Monica Hoel ’85 | Leah Prater | Haley Arni | Brandon Stevens | Giana Terranova (Cover)

Founded in 1836, Emory & Henry College is one of the oldest private colleges in Virginia. With a coeducation and diverse population of students, the College is listed as a Colleges That Change Lives - one of 43 in the United States. It is ranked in the Top 20 of Regional Universities (South) in the 2022 edition of the U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges and ranked No. 6 in best undergraduate teaching programs. The College features Schools for Arts & Sciences, Business, Nursing, and Health Sciences, all with a foundational base of the liberal arts. The E&H Magazine is a publication of Emory & Henry College and is published twice a year to share news and information about the College with alumni, friends and the community. Now available online at www.ehc.edu/magazine.

Emory & Henry is an EEO/AA/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Protected Veterans College. www.ehc.edu/humanresources

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