Welcome!

J. David Rickard ‘56 is a graduate of Shepherd University and self-employed entrepreneur. As owner and president of Rickard Associates, Inc., he acts as an independent contractor and business management consultant in the areas of manufacturing, service and retail. Dave is a former member of the Shepherd University Alumni Association, for which he held the position of treasurer. Additionally, he is a charter member of the Ram Gridiron Club.

Gina M. Miller ‘10 is a 1983 graduate of Martinsburg High School and 2010 graduate of Shepherd University. In May 2012, Miller graduated from Mountain State University with her Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership. She is currently Vice-President/CFO of Millers Electric Company, Inc. in Martinsburg and a real estate appraiser. She is a proud member and newly elected Secretary of the Shepherd University Alumni Association Board of Directors, as well as the Treasurer of the Scarborough Board. 

Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Oates retired from Merrill Lynch as Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor in 2006 after 24 years with the firm. Previously she worked in sales at GM Parts Division and 3M Business Products Sales, Inc. and she taught elementary school.  Liz is a graduate of Martinsburg High School and received her B.S. from West Virginia University with post-graduate studies at the University of Maryland. She is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute, a joint effort of The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania and Securities Industry Association.   Liz is a member of City Hospital/Jefferson Health Care Foundation Board of Directors, serving as Executive Committee Secretary.  She is also a member of  WVU Hospitals-East Finance Committee and WVUH-East Capital Campaign Executive Committee. Liz supports numerous other civic activities and organizations, including the American Cancer Society, for whom she is a leadership volunteer.   

Melinda Merk ’91 is a senior vice president and regional trust advisor at SunTrust Bank Private Wealth Management in Vienna, VA. After obtaining a B.S. in Political Science from Shepherd University, she went on to graduate from the Duquesne University School of Law (J.D.) in 1994 and the Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M. in Taxation) in 1996. Melinda is a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, as well as a certified financial planner. She is the published author of several publications on private wealth management.

 Christopher Colbert ’95 is a commercial loan officer and vice president with United Bank in Shepherdstown, WV. He also chairs the 2012 United Bank Leadership Development Program consisting of 40 United Bank leaders throughout WV, DC, MD, OH and VA. He is the past president of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and has served on the boards of United Way of the Eastern Panhandle and the Eastern Panhandle Chapter of the American Red Cross. Chris is very proud to be serving as the current president of the Shepherd University Alumni Association. He is a 1995 graduate of Shepherd University with a B.S. in Sociology.   

Heidi M. Hanrahan, Ph.D. joined Shepherd University’s English department in the fall of 2007, having previously taught at the University of Richmond and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She earned her B.A. in English and history from Roanoke College, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in American Literature (before 1900) at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her teaching and research interests include American literature, with a focus on 19th century American literature, as well as women writers and composition. Dr. Hanrahan joins the SUF board as a faculty representative selected by President Suzanne Shipley.