www.roanoke.com

Abby Erdman, a 2011 graduate of Hidden Valley High School, has been inducted into membership in the Radford University Alpha Zeta chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon.

Mu Phi Epsilon is an International Professional Music Fraternity whose purposes are the recognition of scholarship and musicianship and the promotion of friendship. Its aims are the advancement of music throughout the world, the promotion of musicianship and scholarship, loyalty to the Alma Mater, and the development of a true bond of friendship. The Fraternity is composed of Collegiate Chapters, Alumni Chapters and Allied Members.

Erdman is a sophomore music/music therapy major at Radford University and sings with the RU Women’s Chorale.

– Submitted by Dawn Tanner Erdman

Three students from Southwest Roanoke County were among the 212 men who graduated on Sunday, May 13, at commencement exercises marking the end of the 237th academic year at Hampden-Sydney College.

• Cabot Kirkpatrick Armentrout graduated with a B.A. in economics. A graduate of Cave Spring High School, he is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Edmund H. Armentrout of Bent Mountain.
• Ryan Neil Davis graduated with a B.A. in psychology. A graduate of Cave Spring High School, he is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Marcus Neil Davis of Roanoke.
• Tyler J. Wilson graduated cum laude with a B.A. in English. A graduate of Hidden Valley High School, he is the son of Kenneth B. & Jennifer Wilson of Roanoke.

Submitted by Hampden-Sydney College.

Samantha Hoback, a senior at Wake Forest University, was one of 85 students inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Phi Beta Kappa celebrates and advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Its campus chapters invite for induction the most outstanding arts and sciences students at America’s leading colleges and universities. In her address to the inductees at the annual awards dinner, Director of the Wake Forest University Humanities Institute and Associate Professor of Religion Mary Foskett underscored the values and skills new Phi Beta Kappa inductees will take with them out into the world. She said, “This evening I want to affirm and confirm for you the great worth of the education you have been attaining here at Wake Forest. The liberal arts education is as valuable today, perhaps even more valuable, than it was in the past.”

– Submitted by Wake Forest University

The Cave Spring High School girls’ tennis team is undefeated this season and won the district tournament in singles and doubles. Lauren Sledd was named District Player of the Year.

– Submitted by Carol Hall

Pictured in our photo gallery are Lauren Sledd, Ebony Ruffin, Gillian Horn, Emily Meyers, and Coach of the Year Susan Delp.

We’ve got a photo of Robert and Lynn Furrow, at left in photo, of Southwest County with friends, a Salem family Corie and Kyle (mom and dad) with son Adam and twin babies Mallory and Reid at the Salem After Five held Friday, May 18 at the Salem Farmers Market with the band Key West.

Photo by Miranda Beck, special to SwoCo

The following local residents graduated from Jefferson College of Health Sciences (JCHS) on Friday, May 16, 2012 during the College’s Spring Commencement ceremony:

• Belinda H. Scott of Roanoke graduated Magna cum laude with a BS from the Healthcare Management Program
• Trelisha Whitehead Bell of Roanoke graduated with a BS from the Nursing Program
• Ashley M. Karnes of Roanoke graduated with an Associate of Applied Science from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
• James Fredrick Hardin, II of Roanoke graduated with an Associate of Applied Science from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program
• Trevor Arthur Stahl of Roanoke graduated with an Associate of Applied Science from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program
• Cyndi Carter Smith of Roanoke graduated Magna cum laude with an Associate of Applied Science from the Respiratory Therapy Program

The ceremony marked the graduation of 167 JCHS students completing their studies at the College for the 2011-2012 school year.

Submitted by Jefferson College of Health Sciences.

Addison Wilner, a junior biblical studies major and resident of Roanoke, was among more than 250 students from Eastern Mennonite University who made the spring semester Dean’s List.

To qualify for the dean’s list a student must achieve a semester grade-point average of at least 3.750 or above and complete at least 12 semester hours of credit.

– Submitted by Eastern Mennonite University

Two students from Roanoke were among 217 graduates who received their degrees during Bryan College’s 84th commencement service May 5. During graduation services, the college conferred 27 Master of Business Administration degrees, 67 Bachelor of Arts degrees and 125 Bachelor of Science degrees. Two graduates received both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

Students graduating included:

• Ryan Anderson, son of Gary and Susan Anderson, of Roanoke, VA, received the Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and government.
• Joshua Beard, son of Scott and Leigh Beard, of Roanoke, VA, received the Bachelor of Arts degree, with highest honors, in psychology.

Submitted by Bryan College.

The following Washington and Lee students from Roanoke have earned honor roll status for the recently ended winter 2012 term:

Hillary Cooper, of Roanoke, VA, a member of the class of 2014
Robert Day, of Roanoke, VA, a member of the class of 2012
Catherine Shelor, of Roanoke, VA, a member of the class of 2012

Honor roll status at W&L represents a term grade average of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.

– Submitted by Washington & Lee University

Thomas Becher, APR with awards given out May 16 in Richmond. Photo courtesy of Thomas Becher, The Becher Agency.

The Becher Agency (tba) won best of show at the 2012 Virginia Public Relations Awards.

The agency was recognized with two awards for its work with the City of Roanoke to create and promote the Eat for Education initiative – an award of excellence in community relations and best of show for public relations programs.

The award program was hosted by the Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Eat for Education is a program to encourage people to dine in or take out from restaurants in the city in support of a two-year increase in the meals tax. The tax, set to expire June 30, is projected to bring in $9.5 million for the city’s public schools, with the additional funds instrumental in helping all of the city’s schools become accredited.

“What an honor for an agency in Roanoke to win this statewide competition,” said Thomas Becher, APR, president [and Southwest Roanoke County resident].  “We’re delighted that, in partnership with the City of Roanoke, we were able to demonstrate results and create a model program for creativity in difficult fiscal times.”

Submitted by Thomas Becher, The Becher Agency.