Shepherd University Board of Governors Advances Officer Nominations, Honors Departing Members

ISSUED: 12 June 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - The Shepherd University Board of Governors advanced a slate of officer nominations and recognized the service of several University leaders during its June 11 meeting in the Storer Ballroom.

During the discussion agenda, the Board of Governors approved a slate of nominees recommended by the Nominating Committee for submission to West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey. The slate includes Austin Slater for chair, Susan Mentzer-Blair for vice chair, and Lara Omps-Botteicher for secretary.

The meeting also marked a period of leadership transition for the University. It was the final Board of Governors meeting for Board Chair Dr. James Cherry '96 and Shepherd University President Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix, who will retire on June 30 after serving as the University's 16th president since 2016.

Before the formal agenda began, community leaders recognized Hendrix for her service to Shepherd University and the region.

Mr. Dale Homan, president of the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown, announced that Hendrix had been named a Paul Harris Fellow, one of Rotary International's highest honors. The recognition included a $1,000 contribution to the Rotary Foundation in her name in acknowledgment of her lifetime of service and exemplifying Rotary's motto of "service above self."

Dr. Ray Smock, director emeritus of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education and co-chair of its board of directors, presented Hendrix with a letter from the Congressional Education Foundation expressing its appreciation for her steadfast support of the Byrd Center and its educational mission.

During the regular session, the Board of Governors adopted a resolution conferring the title of President Emerita on Hendrix in recognition of her service and leadership. The designation includes indefinite membership in the Shepherd University Alumni Association and complimentary access to University events and organizations.

The Board also adopted resolutions honoring the service of Henry Kayes Jr., chair of the Finance and Facilities Committee, and Cherry, both of whom concluded their Board service following the meeting.

Slater read a resolution recognizing Kayes for serving Shepherd University with distinction as a member of the Board of Governors from December 2016 to June 2026. The resolution cited his leadership of the Finance and Facilities Committee, service on the Nominating Committee, and numerous contributions to the work of the Board. Following the resolution, Hendrix presented Kayes with an engraved clock, a longstanding Shepherd tradition recognizing departing Board members.

Slater also read a resolution honoring Cherry for his service on the Board of Governors from February 2019 through June 2026, including his leadership as secretary, vice chair, and chair. Hendrix presented Cherry with an engraved clock, and University representatives gifted him two aerial photographs of campus, including one featuring Ram Stadium, where Cherry played football as a student-athlete.

The Board of Governors also conducted additional business and received reports related to finances, facilities, enrollment, academics, and institutional operations.

For more information about the Shepherd University Board of Governors, visit shepherd.edu/bog.

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