Page 71 - UB Church and Shen Univ
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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
year upgrades in residence life set the pace for the next 5 or 6 years with modest improvements to
housing, student life, and other student services.
Faculty. Faculty retention, improved rewards, and professional development opportunities for
the core group of faculty that remained after the transition to a new president were key concerns, since
most faculty were paid less than public school teachers and had few benefits. In the first year, TIAA-
CREF was added as a retirement benefit, and each year for the next 26 years salaries and benefits were
increased every year, even though the increases were small or occasionally awarded on a bonus basis.
Within a decade, the faculty salaries were among the highest in education in the region and far exceeded
the public school teacher reward structures. Faculty members were patient and worked hard to enable
the increases in enrollment that made possible the significant improvement in compensation. In the first
year of the new president, 17 new faculty persons were hired to help repopulate a total faculty of
46 professionals.
Administration. Within the first year, a new administrative team was recruited, and many of
these persons remained in leadership roles for the next 25 years. Richard Shickle, a former public
auditor, became the Vice-President for Finance and worked with the new president for almost all of his
tenure. Dickie was from Frederick County and brought valuable skills to the financial operations of the
institution. He gradually assumed duties that covered much of the administration of the campus other
than academics. He was elected to serve as a member of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and
later served as Chairman for more than a decade, while also serving in his role as chief administrative
officer at the University. A major change occurred in the academic leadership as Dr. Verne Collins was
asked to leave the Chief Academic Officer role for other duties. After a short tenure by his replacement,
Dr. John Scholl, former Dean of the Business School, became the new Chief Academic Officer. John
died tragically only a few years later of an immune disease and complications. Dr. Joel Stegall, former
Dean of Music at University of Florida, replaced John as the Academic Vice-President and served in this
role for more than a decade before his retirement. Joel provided leadership for much of the major
program expansion that occurred in the 1990s and for the growth of the faculty to more than 200
persons.
Public Relations. In Development and Public Relations, three individuals played a key role in
increasing fundraising and improving the public image of the institution. Ron Singleton, former
colleague of the president became Vice-President for Development and put in place many of the systems
needed to increase giving each year beyond $1 million. Pat Zontine assisted with expansion of alumni
programming and giving to the annual fund. Margorie Lewis professionalized the public relations
operation and greatly improved the publications and press contacts for the college/conservatory. Jane
Pittman joined the development staff and provided major gift support and alumni development that
continues to expand under her leadership. After Ron Singleton left for a position at Mary Washington
College, several individuals held the post of Chief Development Officer and assisted the president, who
personally committed many hours to seeking outside gifts and grants.
Planning for the inauguration of the new president was an important part of the first year
experience. Dr. Charlotte Collins, Dean of the Conservatory, chaired the Committee on the
Inauguration, and the Conservatory played a prominent role in the ceremonies. The Governor of the
Commonwealth, Charles Robb, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, A. L. Philpott, worked with
Trustee and Delegate Al Smith to bring more than 70 members of the House of Delegates and Senate in
Virginia to Winchester to celebrate the installation of the new president, who had previously been a
member of the General Assembly. Armstrong Auditorium provided the venue for the main event, and it
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 61
year upgrades in residence life set the pace for the next 5 or 6 years with modest improvements to
housing, student life, and other student services.
Faculty. Faculty retention, improved rewards, and professional development opportunities for
the core group of faculty that remained after the transition to a new president were key concerns, since
most faculty were paid less than public school teachers and had few benefits. In the first year, TIAA-
CREF was added as a retirement benefit, and each year for the next 26 years salaries and benefits were
increased every year, even though the increases were small or occasionally awarded on a bonus basis.
Within a decade, the faculty salaries were among the highest in education in the region and far exceeded
the public school teacher reward structures. Faculty members were patient and worked hard to enable
the increases in enrollment that made possible the significant improvement in compensation. In the first
year of the new president, 17 new faculty persons were hired to help repopulate a total faculty of
46 professionals.
Administration. Within the first year, a new administrative team was recruited, and many of
these persons remained in leadership roles for the next 25 years. Richard Shickle, a former public
auditor, became the Vice-President for Finance and worked with the new president for almost all of his
tenure. Dickie was from Frederick County and brought valuable skills to the financial operations of the
institution. He gradually assumed duties that covered much of the administration of the campus other
than academics. He was elected to serve as a member of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and
later served as Chairman for more than a decade, while also serving in his role as chief administrative
officer at the University. A major change occurred in the academic leadership as Dr. Verne Collins was
asked to leave the Chief Academic Officer role for other duties. After a short tenure by his replacement,
Dr. John Scholl, former Dean of the Business School, became the new Chief Academic Officer. John
died tragically only a few years later of an immune disease and complications. Dr. Joel Stegall, former
Dean of Music at University of Florida, replaced John as the Academic Vice-President and served in this
role for more than a decade before his retirement. Joel provided leadership for much of the major
program expansion that occurred in the 1990s and for the growth of the faculty to more than 200
persons.
Public Relations. In Development and Public Relations, three individuals played a key role in
increasing fundraising and improving the public image of the institution. Ron Singleton, former
colleague of the president became Vice-President for Development and put in place many of the systems
needed to increase giving each year beyond $1 million. Pat Zontine assisted with expansion of alumni
programming and giving to the annual fund. Margorie Lewis professionalized the public relations
operation and greatly improved the publications and press contacts for the college/conservatory. Jane
Pittman joined the development staff and provided major gift support and alumni development that
continues to expand under her leadership. After Ron Singleton left for a position at Mary Washington
College, several individuals held the post of Chief Development Officer and assisted the president, who
personally committed many hours to seeking outside gifts and grants.
Planning for the inauguration of the new president was an important part of the first year
experience. Dr. Charlotte Collins, Dean of the Conservatory, chaired the Committee on the
Inauguration, and the Conservatory played a prominent role in the ceremonies. The Governor of the
Commonwealth, Charles Robb, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, A. L. Philpott, worked with
Trustee and Delegate Al Smith to bring more than 70 members of the House of Delegates and Senate in
Virginia to Winchester to celebrate the installation of the new president, who had previously been a
member of the General Assembly. Armstrong Auditorium provided the venue for the main event, and it
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 61
