The BCAA was formed in 1899, believing that “the associations of school life are too precious to be allowed to die.” The organization has existed since then with the purposes of connecting alumni with one another and with the institution, and promoting the interest and welfare of Bridgewater College.
Nominate Bridgewater College Alumni Association Board of Directors
Directors are nominated by the entire alumni body to serve as their representatives for the alumni body. The Board is an advisory council to the Office of Alumni Relations, particularly, but also to Bridgewater College, regarding the needs and desires of the BC alumni. Board members provide valuable assistance to the office of alumni relations staff, helping this office meet its goals and objectives. The support of board members is vital to extending the outreach of the College staff. The Board of Directors meets multiple times per year and is proud to represent you and your concerns.
We hope you will nominate an alumnus to serve on the BC Alumni Association Board of Directors. Please use our online nomination form or contact the Office of Alumni Relations.
BCAA Current Board Members
Executive Board Members
Amanda Curry Graziano ’95 President
Tina Lowe Brockman ’11 President-Elect
Ronnie Howard ’95 Secretary
Jill Dellinger Early ‘91 Past President
Term Ending 2027
Lara Rosier Bissett ‘97
Megan Powell Furlong ‘07
Leslie Smith House ‘87
Stephen Howard ‘12
Term Ending 2028
Dr. Daniel (Dan) Atwell ‘97
Brent Darsch ‘08
Andrew (Andy) Durdock ‘78
Lexia Werner ‘22
Kristin Young ‘05
Term Ending 2029
Beth Gammon Alvis ‘94
Jared Chalk ’05
Erin Fitzpatrick ’21
Larenda Ridley Miller ’99
Lauren Hensley Shifflett ‘10
Presidential Appointees
Amanda Kelley ‘19
Allison Tyler ‘95
Permanent Class Presidents
Emily Wylie ‘24
Erica Nelson ‘25
Kristopher Schultz ‘26
BCAA Board Member Bios
Amanda Curry Graziano
Class of 1995
President
Amanda earned her bachelor of science in psychology and early education then went on to earn her master of education in reading from James Madison University. Amanda works as a Literacy Coach for ExCELL and Va Literacy Foundation , and is a CLASS Assessor for Thrive Birth to Five. During her time at BC, Amanda served on the Student Senate and SVEA, worked on the Ripples yearbook and was a Resident Counselor. She was also a representative of the Homecoming Court. Amanda is part of a BC Legacy Family, as she is a second-generation BC attendee/graduate, and she serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Amanda is a member of Saint Bridget Church, serves on a Women’s Giving circle, and is a parent ambassador at Benedictine College Prep. She lives in Richmond with her husband, John and their two sons, Jack and Wilson.
Tina Brockman
Class of 2011
President-Elect
Tina earned a B.A. in both biology and Spanish. She went on to earn her doctor of pharmacy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015. She currently works as a pharmacist at Brightview Health in Roanoke, Va. While a student at BC, Tina was a member of many clubs and campus organizations, including Concert Choir, Chorale, Oratorio Choir, the Brethren Student Movement, TriBeta, Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Phi Omega, Spanish Club and the Nininger Nuts. Her husband, Paul Brockman ’12, and father-in-law, Bob Brockman ’80, are also BC graduates. Tina performs with the Roanoke Baroque Chamber Choir, is a member of the triathlon group, Sports Broads, and enjoys raising 3 cats and a dog, Maria!
Ronnie Howard
Class of 1994
Secretary
Jill Dellinger Early
Class of 1991
Past President
Jill graduated with a degree in biology. She continued her education at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., graduating with a master of science in quality engineering. She is currently a Quality Manager with the McKesson Corporation. While a student at BC, Jill was an active member of both the women’s volleyball and women’s lacrosse teams, served on the Student Senate, was class secretary and a student counselor, and was also involved with the Lambda and Pre-Med Societies. Jill serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and is an active presence at many BCAA events, including the Career Fair and Athletic Career Fair. In her community, Jill works with the BC Women’s Volleyball team as volunteer assistant coach, assistant Coach Girl’s volleyball 4:12 Sports organization and active in community activities through her church. She and her husband, Kevin, reside in Fishersville, Va.
Beth Alvis
Class of 1994
Dan Atwell
Class of 1997
Lara Bissett
Class of 1997
Jared Chalk
Class of 2005
Jared Chalk is currently the Chief Business Development Officer at the Hampton Roads Alliance. Prior to this role, Jared was the Director of Economic Development and the Executive Director of the Norfolk Economic Development Authority. Jared joined the Alliance in September 2022 as the organization’s first Chief Business Development Officer. In this role, Jared assists with developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining strategic initiatives around business recruitment and expansion as well as building key partner relations for the Alliance.
Jared holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration for Bridgewater College and a Certificate in Real Estate Finance and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Jared is a graduate of LEAD Hampton Roads, was named 2020 Top 40 Under 40 honoree by Inside Business Magazine, was named one of Virginia’s Top 100 People to Meet and twice has been named to the Virginia 500 List of Virginia’s most powerful and influential leaders in business, government, politics, and education by Virginia Business Magazine.
Brent Darsh
Class of 2008
Andrew (Andy) Durdock
Class of 1978
Erin Fitzpatrick
Class of 2021
Erin graduated from Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater in 2021 with a BA in Political Science, and minors in Spanish and Peace Studies, as a part of the Flory Honors College. Erin was a member and captain of the Bridgewater Track and Field team, as a hurdler and high jumper. She also served as the SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee) president, the VP of the student senate, and as a member of BC United. She was also a student advisor to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and to Bridgewater’s Kline-Bowman Institute for Creative Peace Building.
After Bridgewater, Erin moved to Washington DC and earned a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy om 2023. During her graduate degree, Erin interned with a Senate Office and with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Erin now works in state government affairs, at Stateside Associates, consulting on state trends in health policy. Outside of the office, Erin volunteers with Achilles International as a running guide to athletes with disabilities, and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
Megan Furlong
Class of 2007
Leslie House
Class of 1987
Stephen Howard
Class of 2012
Amanda Kelley
Class of 2019
Larenda Ridley Miller
Class of 1999
Larenda graduated Cum Laude from Bridgewater in 1999 with a degree in Spanish. Ren was a member of the cheerleading team as well as being involved in campus activities including the Spanish Club, Lambda Society and Black Student Union. She was also a Residence Hall Counselor.
Larenda is currently the District Manager for the Social Security Administration Office in Sulfolk, VA. She enjoys spending time with her husband Chris and their two sons and daughter. Her hobbies include traveling and reading.
Erica Nelson
Class of 2025
Kristopher Schultz
Class of 2026
Kristopher Schultz graduated in 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science and minors in Spanish and Leadership. During his time in college, he was actively involved in campus leadership, serving as captain of the men’s swim team, founder of ECF, a Student Ambassador, SOAR Mentor and Team Lead, and an Academic Coach. His commitment to leadership, service, and student engagement was recognized with the Founders Day Award.
Professionally, Kristopher currently works as a Pediatric Emergency Department Technician at UVA Health. He plans to continue his education by pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing with a Clinical Nurse Leader (MSN-CNL) concentration.
Outside of work, Kristopher enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. Whether he’s lifting in the gym, hiking new trails, competing in sand volleyball, or exploring local wineries, he values opportunities to challenge himself and connect with others. Above all, he enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and believes that meaningful relationships, lifelong learning, and servant leadership are at the center of both his personal and professional life.
Lauren Hensley Shifflett
Class of 2010
Lauren graduated from Bridgewater in 2010 with a liberal studies degree. She currently serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Economic Education at James Madison University, where she provides economics and personal finance resources to teachers throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Lauren is passionate about creating engaging educational experiences that help teachers inspire the next generation of learners. Lauren was awarded the BC Young Alumna Award in 2025.
Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with my husband, Jason Shifflett ‘098, and two children. Much of their free time is spent cheering on her children at various activities and making memories together as a family. She loves being outdoors and finding new adventures. When Lauren has a quiet moment, she can usually be found with a good book in hand or visiting a local coffee shop.
Allison Tyler
Class of 1995
Lexia Werner
Class of 2022
Lexia graduated from BC with a degree in elementary education and a minor in Spanish in 2022. She is the Permanent Class President for the Class of 2022. She is a 2nd grade teacher in Harrisonburg and teaches an acro class at InMotion School of Dance. Lexia is also the cheerleading coach at BC. One thing she loves about BC is the new Learning Commons and the commitment from professors (especially within her major) to stay in contact as she starts her career. A piece of advice she would like to share with fellow alumni is to reach out to close friends in your graduating class right after graduation and plan to come to 2-3 BC events in the next year after graduation. This really helped get people back on campus for events.
Emily Wylie
Class of 2024
Emily graduated with a degree in English and Professional Writing. She now works as a paralegal/legal assistant at a law firm in Harrisonburg. She will marry her college sweetheart, Aidan Cruggs, ’23 in October 2025. “I love the inclusion and community felt at Bridgewater College. Go out and experience all the things Bridgewater has to offer. Join the clubs, play the games, meet new friends, study hard, and give yourself the gift of an education, not just a degree.”
Kristin Young
Class of 2005
Kristin graduated with a degree in Communication Studies, concentrating in Public Relations and Media Relations. She currently serves as the Chief Advancement Officer at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte, where she leads the organization’s fundraising and marketing efforts. Kristin lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, Adam Strange, and enjoys traveling and discovering new wines. Her favorite memories from BC include January term travel experiences to Los Angeles, Greece, and Italy – opportunities that sparked her love for exploration and learning beyond the classroom.
Alumni Scholarship
In 2007, the Bridgewater College Alumni Association founded the Alumni Scholarship, which is given annually at the College Awards Ceremony, held near the conclusion of the spring semester. The scholarship provides awards to students meeting the award criteria with a preference for a student whose parent or parents attended Bridgewater College.
| Year | President |
| 2023-25 | Jill Dellinger Early ‘91 |
| 2021-23 | Bradley S. Hallock ‘86 |
| 2019-21 | R. Jeff Postans ’79 |
| 2017-19 | Jeff Miller ’93 |
| 2015-17 | Sherrie K. Wampler ’85 |
| 2014-15 | Melvin Williams ’95 |
| 2013-14 | Ina Fitzwater Baker ‘69 |
| 2012-13 | Anita Hall Waters ‘78 |
| 2011-12 | Debby Moyer Allen ’78 |
| 2010-11 | R. Ted Barker ‘79 |
| 2009-10 | Krista Kerns Shonk ’98 |
| 2008-09 | Eric R. Gehr, ’72 |
| 2007-08 | Robert E. Thurston ’81 |
| 2006-07 | Kathy G. Wright ’81 |
| 2005-06 | W. Craig Waters ’78 |
| 2004-05 | Jeffrey McCartney ’77 |
| 2003-04 | * A. Edward Burgess, ’62 |
| 2002-03 | Catherine Slusher ’80 |
| 2001-02 | Geraldine Garber Rigney ’74 |
| 2000-01 | R. Alan Shull ’80 |
| 1999-00 | William S. Earhart ’66 |
| 1998-99 | Ellie Hodge Draper Flory ’72 |
| 1997-98 | * H. Harold Lehman ’56 |
| 1996-97 | Beverly Thompson Armbruster ’75 |
| 1995-96 | * John B. Curry II ’66 |
| 1994-95 | Mary Hooker Weybright, ’54 |
| 1993-94 | Curtis B. Nolley ’76 |
| 1991-92 | Robert I. Stolzman ’83 |
| 1990-91 | * Benny D. Gunter ’56 |
| 1989-90 | Lawrence M. Johnson ’75 |
| 1988-89 | Marion F. “Bo” Trumbo ’74 |
| 1987-88 | * Doris Niswander Albaugh, ’55 |
| 1986-87 | Mensel D. Dean Jr. ’67 |
| 1985-86 | Allen F. Schwender ’75 |
| 1984-85 | James E. Upperman ’68 |
| 1983-84 | Jerry M. Wampler ’59 |
| 1982-83 | * Richard A. Claybrook Jr. ’74 |
| 1981-82 | Ellen K. Layman ’65 |
| 1980-81 | Jack W. Heintzleman ’56 |
| 1979-80 | * Lavonne Ikenberry Grubb ’59 |
| 1978-79 | * Anna Myers Harman ’35 |
| 1977-78 | Fred A. Diehl ’60 |
| 1976-77 | Phillip C. Stone ’65 |
| 1975-76 | Violet Siron Cox ’59 |
| 1974-75 | * R. Coleman Reid ’60 |
| 1973-74 | James L. Keeler ’57 |
| 1972-73 | Nathan H. Miller ’65 |
| 1970-71 | * W. Wallace Hatcher ’55 |
| 1969-70 | * Harold D. Smith ’43 |
| 1967-68 | * R. Lowell Wine ’41 |
| 1964-65 | * Jesse D. Robertson ’45 |
* Deceased
