Pictured (l. to r.) are Scarborough Society President Ray and Mary Alvarez; Mike Smith of Valley Proteins, Inc. with wife Wendy; Chris Colbert of United Bank, Inc. with wife Samantha; Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix with husband Chuck Craft; Dean of Libraries and Information Sciences David Gansz with wife Regan Parker; Marty Keesecker of BB&T Wealth Management with wife Marlyn; and Cindy Kitner of Jefferson Security Bank with husband Steve.
The 16th annual Scarborough Society Gala was held August 11 at the Bavarian Inn to support Shepherd’s Scarborough Library. Nearly 300 guests attended the black-tie event with its theme taken from the French fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast.”
Presenting sponsors for the event were BB&T Wealth Management, represented by Marty and Marlyn Keesecker of BB&T Wealth Management; Jefferson Security Bank, represented by Cindy ’97 and Steve Kitner; Valley Proteins, Inc., represented by Mike ’89 and Wendy Smith; and United Bank, Inc., represented by Christopher ’95 and Samantha Colbert. Jerry Williams ’71 of State Farm Insurance sponsored the band, Souled Out, while Argos USA Corporation and John Wolff ’88 of Bronfman Rothschild Wealth Advisors served as program sponsors. Other community sponsors included Stephen Skinner of Skinner Law Firm; Brian Jackson ’87 of McMorgan and Company; Bowles Rice LLP; PriceRomine PLLC; Smith Elliott Kearns and Company, LLC; McShea Properties; and Ours, Lawyer, and Lewis and Company.
“As an alumnus of Shepherd University and vice president of the Shepherd University Foundation, I am honored to represent United Bank as a presenting sponsor of the annual Scarborough Society Gala,” said Chris Colbert ’95, vice president of United Bank and former president of the Shepherd University Alumni Association.
“Through my relationship with the Foundation, I feel confident that the funds raised through this wonderful event are in good hands and will be used to positively impact and enhance learning opportunities for Shepherd University’s students, faculty, and communities.”
Helping to bring the story to life, Jefferson High School student Cayla Reeder dressed as the Beauty and Brian Albert of the Press Room in Shepherdstown transformed into her Beast to mingle with guests as they arrived at the Bavarian Inn. Shepherd alumnus Tom Neal ’75 painted a castle backdrop, while alumnus Kevin Wilson ’84 of Magnolia Tree created the centerpiece designs incorporating the tale’s rose and candelabras evoking the character of Lumiere. Jeremiah Leiter and Sam Leiter of Live Sound Co. managed the indoor sound system, and Potomac Farms Nursery provided additional greenery for the event.
Among the guests supporting the Scarborough Library were table hosts from the regional community and their invited friends. The group was made up of university faculty, administrators, alumni, and community members, including Ray ’62 and Mary Alvarez, Jason Best and Sara Maene, Bill Blair and Sue Mentzer-Blair ’72, Chris ’75 and Jody ’75 Carter, Enrico and Denise Caruso, David Gansz and Regan Parker, Jim and Barbara Gibson, Daniel Hart and Linda Myers-Hart, Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix ’74 and Charles Craft, Jerry ’73 and Susanne ’73 Horner, Chris and Karissa Horowicz, Harrison ’66 and Vicki Lanham, Jeremiah ’06 and Christen Leiter, Al ’67 and Sara ’67 Lueck, Tony ’93 and Shelly Price, Jim ’68 and Mary ’70 Staley, Paul and Lisa Welch, Kevin Wilson ’84, and John and Lisa Younis.
The Scarborough Society, sponsored by the Shepherd University Foundation, serves to support and strengthen the Shepherd University library system. Funds raised by the society provide information technology and other resources to Shepherd students, faculty, and friends.
Memberships in the organization are available on an annual basis, and members’ names are engraved on a wall of honor located in the new addition to the Scarborough Library. Members receive library cards with special privileges and are placed on invitation lists for library lectures, book signings, musical events, seminars, and receptions. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Scarborough Society, please call the Shepherd University Foundation at 304-876-5397 or 800-344-5231, ext. 5397.