Faculty and staff from across Randolph-Macon College came together on April 8, 2026, as President Michael E. Hill and Provost Alisa J. Rosenthal presented the College’s most prestigious awards—an occasion to recognize excellence and celebrate one another. The gathering also celebrated College employees who hit milestone years of service, including special recognition for Campus Store Manager Barclay DuPriest (40 years of service) and Custodian Manager Lionel Abrams (45 years of service).

Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award

The College’s highest faculty honor, the Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award was established by the late Virginia Clark Gray Backus in memory of her husband, an alumnus and former trustee of Randolph-Macon College. The honor is bestowed on a faculty member or senior administrator who has made a distinguished contribution to the College.

Dr. Marisa R. Cull, Jean Renner Short Professor in the Liberal Arts

Cull joined the RMC faculty in 2008 as an English professor and was installed as the Jean Renner Short Professor in the Liberal Arts in 2021. President Hill praised her as a skilled teacher and an accomplished scholar in her field, while recognizing her steady and diligent service to the College on numerous faculty and special committees.

“Students extol her challenging and rigorous courses, her high standards and expectations, and her unfailing support and assistance,” President Hill said. “They cite her restrained guidance and thoughtful mentorship, her capacity to see more in them than they see in themselves, and her ability to help them to see it too.”

Cull was unable to attend Wednesday’s ceremony, but had the honor bestowed upon her in a private ceremony last week.

Marilyn J. Gibbs Dedicated Service Award

The Marilyn J. Gibbs Dedicated Service Award was created by a generous gift from former Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Steven Nape and his wife Diane and is given annually to a staff member for outstanding service to and support of the mission of the College. The award is named in honor of Marilyn J. Gibbs, who served RMC for 18 years in a variety of roles, including as a professor of sociology and as registrar.

Mayumi Nakamura, Director of the Office of International Education

As OIE Director, Nakamura has a wide range of responsibilities. She orients international students as they acclimate to life on RMC’s campus, supports multicultural programming and initiatives, maintains the College’s relationships with international partners, and coordinates study-travel courses for students across the globe. President Hill made special note of Nakamura’s efforts this January to make sure January Term study-travel groups got home safely during multiple ice storms.

“Her unwavering commitment to Randolph-Macon, alongside her positivity and enthusiasm, makes her an invaluable asset to the College and an exemplar of service that perfectly aligns with the values of this award.”

Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching

The Thomas Branch Award is a student-selected honor presented to faculty members. Its selection is based on the nominations and then votes of the RMC senior class.

Dr. Jill Horohoe, Lecturer of History, was honored with the Thomas Branch Award for a remarkable third time in five years. Rosenthal praised Horohoe’s commitment to student engagement and creating a classroom environment that is both rigorous and supportive. “She approaches history not simply as content, but as a means of self-understanding, skill development, and engagement with larger human questions,” Rosenthal said. “Students describe her as ‘adamant’ that they leave her courses able to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively in discussion, in writing, and in public settings.”

Dr. Sandrine Teixidor Rogers, Professor of French, a specialist in 20th-century French and Francophone literature and cinema, has been a member of the RMC faculty since 2004.Rosenthal commended her intellectual breadth and the accessibility of her teaching. “Her work also reflects a sustained commitment to interdisciplinarity and to the broader value of the humanities,” Rosenthal said. “She consistently draws connections between literature, film, history, politics, and cultural studies, helping students see how complex global issues require multiple forms of analysis.”

United Methodist Church Exemplary Teacher of the Year Award

The United Methodist Exemplary Teacher Award is awarded to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching, civility, and concern for students and colleagues; commitment to value-centered education; and service to students, the institution, and the community. Its recognition comes from the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church joining with Methodist-related colleges and universities to honor the service of faculty.

Dr. Chas. Gowan, Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies, was recognized for nearly three decades of service to RMC. Rosenthal made note of his development, alongside Professor Emeritus Michael Fenster, of the Environmental Problem Solving course, in which students work to solve a real-word environmental challenge with an external client, as well as the removal of the Ashland Mill Dam after decades of persistence, restoring miles of rivers and streams for migratory fish species.

“Students describe him as both demanding and supportive, reflecting his belief that high expectations must be matched by sustained guidance,” Rosenthal said. “His mentorship extends beyond graduation, as he continues to support former students in their academic and professional development.”

Gowan will retire at the end of the academic year.

Noë-Kilgore Award

The Noë-Kilgore Award, established in 1998 by an anonymous alumnus of the College, is named in honor of retired Randolph-Macon professors William Stanton Noë and Peter Kilgore. The award recognizes Randolph-Macon College faculty emeriti for outstanding teaching and service.

Dr. Joe Mattys, Professor Emeritus of Theatre, was recognized for his impact within the drama program and beyond, including the return of A Christmas Carol to RMC’s campus this past holiday season, a beloved College tradition.

“One detail captures his approach particularly well: when more students auditioned than could be accommodated, Joe added productions rather than turning students away,” Rosenthal said. “That choice meant more work on top of a schedule already full with teaching, advising, and service, including department leadership. This reflects a consistent Joe Mattys priority: access, inclusion, and the educational value of participation.”

Excellence Behind the Scenes Award

The first of four new staff awards bestowed during the ceremony, the Excellence Behind the Scenes Award recognizes a staff member who consistently supports others, keeps operations running smoothly, and makes a meaningful impact through reliability, expertise, and dedication without seeking recognition.

Leigh Lafferty, Associate Registrar, Information Services was recognized for her responsiveness and commitment to maintaining data integrity and improving processes. She supports students, faculty, and staff, and President Hill remarked that she quietly makes a difference every day. “She is trusted for her judgment, reliability, and thoughtfulness and is a go-to resource across campus and an important sounding board for everyone in the Registrar’s Office,” he said.

Excellence in Innovation Award

This award recognizes a staff member who demonstrates creativity, forward-thinking, and a willingness to explore new ideas to improve processes, services, or outcomes.

Sydney Duimstra ’22 was honored for her innovative work recruiting transfer and nursing students in her role as Assistant Director of Admissions. A former RMC Field Hockey player, President Hill noted she brings the same competitive spirit to her work. President Hill commended her for not only identifying areas for improvement but following through to create the structure to make them stick. “She innovates not for recognition, but because she genuinely cares—about her team, her students, and Randolph-Macon as a whole. That combination of competitiveness, heart, and follow-through is what makes her impact so powerful.”

Excellence in Leadership/Management Award

This award recognizes a staff member who demonstrates exceptional leadership, effective management, and a commitment to excellence.

Kim Shank, Director of Admissions, was recognized as a leader central to Randolph-Macon’s recruitment success, leading the implementation of best practices with infectious energy and dedication. “An outstanding mentor, she supports and challenges her team to achieve their goals, while building strong, collaborative relationships with colleagues across campus and with our external partners and families,” President Hill said.

Excellence in Student Support Award

This award recognizes a staff member who consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to supporting students’ academic success, personal well-being, and overall experience.

Carmen Swafford ’21, Student Engagement Center Operations Coordinator, was praised for her work behind the scenes that anticipates needs and ensures both students and staff have the support they need to succeed. “She is not only deeply committed to student care, but she also takes exceptional care of her colleagues, strengthening her entire team in the process,” President Hill said.