ISSUED: 21 July 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - The Shepherd University Alumni Association will honor David Decker '89 as the 2026 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year and recognize Justin Arner '09, Alex Lemley '10, and Brooklyn Vetter '14 as the newest members of its Finest Under 40.

The honorees will be celebrated during the 2026 Alumni Awards Reception on Thursday, October 15, from 6-8pm in the University's Storer Ballroom.

"We are proud to recognize this year's Outstanding Alumnus and the newest class of Finest Under 40-individuals who exemplify leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to their communities," said Randy Friend, '02 and '12, president of the Shepherd University Alumni Association and principal solution advisor for Coupa. "Their achievements reflect the values of Shepherd University and serve as an inspiration to current students and fellow alumni alike."

The Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes a Shepherd graduate whose dedication and volunteer commitments have advanced the goals and mission of the University and its Alumni Association.

Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
David Decker is the owner of Decker & Company PLLC, a certified public accounting firm in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He has provided public accounting services throughout the region for more than 30 years.

Decker serves on the Shepherd University Alumni Association Board and its Finance Committee, volunteers at University events, and provides internships for Shepherd accounting students.

He is also active in numerous community organizations. He is a member and past chair of the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, a graduate of Leadership Berkeley, and the former treasurer of the Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Foundation. Decker has also served as a Martinsburg Little League board member and coach. In 2024, the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce named him its Business Person of the Year.

The Finest Under 40
Shepherd's Finest Under 40 awards recognize young alumni who have distinguished themselves as leaders through professional achievements and community service.

Justin Arner, M.D., is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon and clinical associate professor of orthopedic surgery at University of Pittsburg Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He specializes in treating complex shoulder, knee, elbow, and hip injuries.

A former Shepherd football player and summa cum laude biology graduate, Arner has served as a team physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the U.S. Men's and Women's Alpine Ski and Snowboard Teams. He is also a nationally recognized researcher, hosts a monthly podcast for Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, and serves in leadership roles on several national orthopedic organizations.

Alex Lemley works as the director of partnerships at U.S. News & World Report in Washington, DC, where she has developed a policy-focused revenue stream and convenes government and business leaders to engage in meaningful public dialogue. Her freelance writing has also appeared in regional and national publications.

A graduate of Shepherd's mass communications program, Lemley has held leadership roles at The Washington Post, USA TODAY Network, and POLITICO. She has also supported various initiatives that advance women in the workplace, serving as a founding member of AWIN+ (Advancing Women Inclusion Network), a founding member and executive editor of Millennial woman-focused magazine Sweet Lemon Media, and a founding member of the Washington, DC chapter of the professional networking community Levo League.

Brooklyn Vetter, MSN, RN, WCC, manages the Cancer and Infusion Center at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, West Virginia, where she leads patient care, operations, quality improvement, and staff development. A graduate of Shepherd's nursing program, she was named the WVU Cancer Institute's inaugural Oncology Nurse Leader of the Year in 2025.

Vetter established the Comfort Fund to help cancer patients with expenses such as prescriptions, transportation, groceries, and lodging. An annual golf tournament she organizes raises more than $20,000 to support the fundeach year. She also serves on the Hardy County Task Force, Moorefield High School Business Partners Group, and Moorefield High School Scholarship Committee.

The October 15 Alumni Awards Reception will kick off this year's Homecoming celebration, taking place October 16-18.

RSVP for the reception here, visit https://www.shepherd.edu/alumni-awards-receptionno later than October 7.

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