Inspiring Excellence Dinner Celebrates and Advances Women’s Athletics

ISSUED: 5 February 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - Shepherd University's inaugural Inspiring Excellence Dinner, held February 5, 2026, brought together elected officials, alumni, donors, campus leaders, and community supporters to celebrate and invest in the future of women's athletics at Shepherd University. The event raised critical support for scholarships and opportunities that empower female student-athletes to excel in competition, academics, and leadership.

The evening featured keynote remarks from U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, a former collegiate tennis player, who spoke on the importance of leadership, perseverance, and expanding opportunities for women in athletics.

"This day is so important - not only because it is a celebration of the progress that has been made - but also a day to recommit ourselves to the opportunities that lie before us," Capito said before stressing the importance of ensuring everyone has access to athletics through resources like scholarships.

"Scholarships help remove financial, social, and even geographic roadblocks that may make the difference between women attending college or not," Capito said.

Three Shepherd student-athletes-Merritt Delk (soccer), Samiyah Nasir (basketball), and Brenna Collis (softball)-shared personal reflections on the impact of scholarship support and the role athletics have played in their academic and personal growth.

Collis, a junior majoring in health promotion and exercise science, told guests that their support directly impacts students' ability to lead and succeed.

"You are not just creating good athletes, but good people," said Collis. "Whether any of us become a teacher, coach, or nurse, we all relay the same message: women are worth investing in."

Collis said her athletic scholarship will give her the ability to pursue a master's degree in occupational therapy upon graduation.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Mary J.C. Hendrix Legacy of Excellence Award, which honors a Shepherd alumna and former student-athlete whose life and career exemplify leadership, achievement, and service. The award's first recipient was Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix, Shepherd University's president, one of its alumna, and a former tennis student-athlete. The award recognizes Dr. Hendrix's leadership, commitment to education and research, and her embodiment of the values fostered through athletics and the Shepherd experience.

Hendrix said her experience as a student-athlete taught her perseverance, teamwork, and leadership.

"Those same lessons continue to shape the lives of our student-athletes today, thanks to the extraordinary support of our donors, corporate sponsors, coaches, and other patrons of Shepherd University," Hendrix said. "Your generosity creates opportunity. It opens doors for young women to compete, to learn, and to grow into confident leaders prepared to make a difference far beyond Shepherd's campus."

Proceeds from the event will directly support women's athletics scholarships and programming, helping Shepherd University continue to recruit, retain, and support student-athletes.

For more information about women's athletics at Shepherd University, visit shepherdrams.com.

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