Shepherd University celebrates Founder’s Day and Homecoming this weekend | News, sports, jobs

The Shepherd University Ram Band performs Friday afternoon during the Founder’s Day celebration at Potomac Place. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN – Over the weekend, Shepherd University celebrated its founding with a series of events, starting with a Founder’s Day parade on Friday afternoon and ending with a homecoming football game against Millersville University on Saturday afternoon.

“We come together each year during Homecoming week to reflect on the founding and growth of Shepherd University.” said Founder’s Day commemoration emcee Rachel Meads, who serves as Shepherd University’s associate director of student engagement. “Our earliest beginnings were under Professor Joseph McMurran in 1871. Since then, the dedication of our faculty and staff has helped make Shepherd a regionally recognized, premier public university with an emphasis on the liberal arts and sciences and strong professional programs. ”

Paul Teter, president of the Student Government Association, emphasized the value of an education at Shepherd University.

“If there are three words to sum up our university, it would be ‘Shepherd students succeed’.” Teter said. “Shepherd University is truly the right place for the next generation of students. We have some of the best and most individualized academic programs in the state and the greater District of Columbia, from nursing to accounting, from history to theater, and from education to Appalachian studies. There is no better place for higher education than Shepherd University!”

Two testaments to Shepherd University’s educational excellence were honored at the ceremony as 2024 Outstanding Alumni: Pattie (’73) and Paul (’74) Wilmoth. The couple reflected on how their education at Shepherd has shaped their own lives and, in Paul’s case, the lives of their football teammates.

From left to right, Shepherd University President Mary Hendrix stands alongside 2024 Distinguished Alumni Pattie and Paul Wilmoth and Student Government Association President Paul Teter as they join Alma at the Founder’s Day Commemoration Ceremony on Friday Mater of Shepherd University sing. Tabitha Johnston

“Our team was not blessed with many talented athletes. Coach Walter Barr gave us the idea that you always have more to give and that if you gave everything for the team, in training and in games, you would be a winner. That commitment helped us win the 1972 conference championship.” Paul said. “I think that commitment and dedication allowed our team to win much more than just a conference championship. Every player on this team has become successful in life because of their time at Shepherd. This Shepherd team produced a cardiac surgeon, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, a printing industry entrepreneur, federal government employees, coaches, principals, teachers, athletic directors and trainers, and even a custom home builder.”

With this final reference to Paul’s own successful career, Pattie then took the microphone and repeated the words of Teter, who spoke from her own experience.

“Shepherd students are successful” Pattie, who taught in Jefferson County Schools for 25 years, said. “We managed to survive and we not only managed to survive, but we managed to thrive.”

For Shepherd University President Mary Hendrix, the weekend was an opportunity to celebrate the successes of past, present and future students. It was also a platform to share a number of exciting developments for the university.

“It is an honor to share some recent highlights with you. . . that set the course for the future,” Hendrix said. “This fall, we are celebrating a 10 percent increase in transfer students, in addition to our largest dual enrollment class to date and a 29 percent increase in Regent’s Bachelor of Arts program. The Social Work Program and the Masterworks Chorale are celebrating their 50th anniversary of success this fall. Plus, the Rude Mechanicals Medieval & Renaissance Players are celebrating 25 years of success!”

The Tri Sigma sorority marches down King Street as part of the Founder’s Day Parade on Friday. Tabitha Johnston

Shepherd University’s Ram mascot greets passersby during the Founder’s Day parade along King Street on Friday. Tabitha Johnston

Founder’s Day Commemoration Ceremony Emcee Rachel Meads greets the crowd of community members and Shepherd University students, faculty, staff and alumni at Potomac Place on Friday. Tabitha Johnston