Shepherd University and Smallwood and Small Insurance have agreed to a unique new comprehensive campuswide partnership program. Pictured (l. to r.) are Tom Miller ’75, owner and president of Smallwood and Small, Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix ’74, Shepherd president, and Fred Kerns, owner and director of marketing for Smallwood and Small.
Shepherd University and Smallwood and Small Insurance have agreed to a unique new comprehensive campuswide partnership program. Smallwood and Small’s partnership is the first of its kind for Shepherd and includes naming rights for Shepherd’s new pavilion that overlooks Ram Stadium, top-level benefits in the Shepherd Athletic Department’s new Ram Partner Program, and a variety of other components, including signage in several campus facilities.
“We are so grateful to Smallwood and Small Insurance Company for this public-private partnership that will further enable us to train the next generation of leaders, innovators, and model citizens,” said President Mary J.C. Hendrix ’74. “This great partnership is a win-win for everyone involved. This is what it’s all about.”
This agreement is also very significant for Smallwood and Small, according to Fred Kerns, owner and director of marketing.
“We are celebrating 35 years as a community business, and we are delighted to partner with Shepherd University in various capacities, most importantly in such a wonderful hospitality pavilion,” said Kerns. “We know Shepherd has such a tremendous impact on the Eastern Panhandle. We’re so proud to be a part of that and have a little input in that impact.”
Tom Miller, owner and president of Smallwood and Small, credits Shepherd with helping the company become the success it is today.
“I am a 1975 graduate of Shepherd,” Miller said. “We want to give back to the community and to Shepherd University for what it has done for all the students over the years. We’re just excited to be part of this partnership.”
The Smallwood and Small Insurance partnership will support the university while bringing the services offered by the company to the attention of about 4,000 students and 22,000 alumni. The agreement will give the company a presence in the form of permanent signage and in-game announcements at a variety of sporting events, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and lacrosse.
Kerns said he’s particularly excited about having access to the new pavilion, which the company has been using this season for hospitality during home football games.
“It’s wonderful and it’s just a tremendous way to network with other people in the community who are here on game day,” Kerns said. “It’s great to be able to offer to our friends and clients a place to come and see such a successful football program and mingle with the other folks from Shepherd University.”
Headquartered in Martinsburg, with a branch office in Inwood, Smallwood and Small is an independent full-service agency serving residents in the Eastern Panhandle. Smallwood and Small offers auto, home, business, and life insurance.