Randolph-Macon College’s annual Pepper and Stuart Laughon Commitment to Community award presentation took place May 3, 2019 in the Dollar Tree Room in Brock Commons. This year’s winner is Megan Cassada ’19, a communication studies major and religious studies minor.

The Commitment to Community Award
The award honors the dedicated service of the late Frank E. “Pepper” Laughon ’59 and his wife, Stuart, and is given to a student organization or individual making significant contributions to enrich the lives of others. Pepper Laughon, who died in November 2018, served on the Board of Trustees, Student Affairs Committee, Athletic Committee, and Greek Alumni Advisory Board, and always put students first. Stuart Laughon’s unwavering support of the college is further evidence of the Laughons’ dedication to enriching the lives of students.

An Extraordinary Achievement
Sue Schick ’84, chair of RMC’s Board of Trustees and chair of the Student Affairs Committee, welcomed attendees. Grant Azdell, vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, told guests, “It is particularly difficult for an individual to achieve at the highest level according to this award’s criteria, but when it happens, it is truly because the individual is extraordinary. Megan is so extraordinary, in fact, that she received seven nominations, the highest number we have ever received for an individual or an organization.”

Azdell also noted that Cassada has logged an impressive 847 service hours during her college tenure. She is president of RMC’s Habitat for Humanity (H4H) chapter, serves as a resident assistant, is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, and participates in service opportunities throughout the Ashland community.

As Stuart Laughon presented the award, Azdell said, “Congratulations to Megan. This award includes a framed certificate as well as a monetary prize that is given to the on-campus student organization of Megan’s choice. We are pleased to announce that Megan has selected the $1,000 to go to RMC’s Habitat for Humanity chapter.”

A Commitment to Service
Cassada, who recently accepted a position as assistant director of development in athletics at The Pennsylvania State University, is from Danville, Virginia. She started volunteering with Danville’s H4H chapter when she was 16. “Since then my commitment to H4H has grown immensely,” says Cassada, who has also lobbied for Habitat on the Hill, H4H International’s annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C. She also did an internship with Hanover Habitat for Humanity. “Through these experiences I have met volunteers and leaders who share my passion for helping people,” she says.