For Immediate Release:
May 21, 2025
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
Two retired professors and three retired classified staff members were honored with emeritus status in a special ceremony on May 14. The honors were bestowed upon English Professor Kim Lewis and Health Information Management Professor Beth Shanoltzer and former employees Margaret Barnett, Providence “P.J.” Lopresti and Barbara Woods.
To be considered for the professor emeritus honor, a retired faculty member must have at least 10 years of service in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Laurel Ridge began bestowing the honor in 1983, and up to two professors may receive it each year. Likewise, to be named a staff emeritus, the honoree must have had at least 10 years of service in the VCCS. Both honors are to recognize exceptional service and contributions to Laurel Ridge.
When Professor Lewis went from part-time to full-time status, she was the only full-time English professor at the Fauquier Campus, said History Professor Nicole Martin. She later would be co-chair of the English Department collegewide. Just prior to retirement, Professor Lewis served as interim dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Among the many courses she taught were American Literature, British Literature, Speech, Creative Writing, Mythology, Science Fiction and Survey of Horror.
“She developed a horror class for adoption in the VCCS course list,” said Professor Martin. “She also worked tirelessly to develop open education resource-focused courses. Kim founded Sigma Kappa Delta, the English Honors Society, at the Fauquier Campus, as well as the student-run literary magazine, Growl. She took students in her courses on many field trips over the years, including trips to publishing houses, The Festival of the Book, George Mason University and the University of Virginia. She also hosted many speakers, including writers and illustrators.”
Upon accepting her award, Professor Emerita Lewis said, “You are dedicated to the students and invested in your disciplines. It was a joy to call Laurel Ridge home for more than 20 years.”
Professor Shanholtzer helped develop the Health Information Management associate degree program for the college, as well as to design and implement several certificate programs, including Medical Billing and Coding and Medical Administrative Assistant, said Lori Ellington, site coordinator for Laurel Ridge’s Dental Hygiene program. Professor Emerita Shanholtzer has also written several textbooks in the field.
“Under Beth’s leadership and guidance, the HIM program and other healthcare certifications are stable and sound, launching students into lifelong healthcare careers,” she said. “The certifications allowed by the HIM degree program and other certifications allow students to start from a great point to climb the healthcare ladder.
“Her genuine care and unwavering dedication were evident in her willingness to lend a listening ear, offer guidance, or celebrate the achievements of others. These qualities endeared her to her students, colleagues, and the broader academic community, leaving a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to work alongside her. Her dedication to her profession, her students, and the educational community is a model of excellence.”
Not only did Margaret Barnett work for the college for 17 years – plus consulted on the budget for a time after retiring in 2014 – she is an alumna, having earned her business degree in 1986. After becoming a certified public accountant and earning her master’s degree, she was hired in 1997 to manage Laurel Ridge’s business office. In 2001, she was named budget and finance director. She received a Medallion of Recognition from the College Board in 2014.
“For nearly 17 years, Margaret was vital to the college maintaining a strong financial standing,” said Jeanian Clark, vice president of Workforce Solutions. “In the years of deep budget cuts, she was creative and resourceful in providing solutions to difficult problems the college was facing as a result of decreased revenues. During times of enrollment growth, she was a strong advocate for planning for the future and strategic spending.
“What set Margaret apart was her genuine love for the college. She said for many years that her position with the college was in fact her dream job and she meant it. Her devotion to the college was repeatedly demonstrated through her willingness to serve on a multitude of work and professional organizational committees.”
Barnett said her career success was due to those she worked with.
“I owe my success to two groups of people,” she said. “The first group is, of course, the business office staff, who were wonderful and dedicated to the college. Another group are the vice presidents and the presidents to whom I reported. Their trust meant a lot to me. When I started working here, it was like joining a new family.”
Barbara Woods, who retired last year, is the only college employee to twice win the Full-time Distinguished Classified Staff Award, and was a “model of integrity, professionalism and a remarkable spirit that persevered even in the face of adversity,” said Associate Vice President of Human Resources JoAnn Ellwood.
“Barbara not only flawlessly executed her duties over a quarter century of work, but she also became an integral part of campus life with service on committees, volunteering for fundraisers, and being a key voice in crafting college policy,” said Ellwood. “In her last year before retirement, Barbara faced unprecedented challenges due to a statewide system implementation project. Yet despite the heightened complexity and demanding nature of the task, she displayed unparalleled dedication, going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of payroll processes for Laurel Ridge employees.”
Woods said she was honored to share the emeritus honor with Lopresti and Barnett.
“We worked through many challenging and unprecedented times and we came out winning,” she said.
P.J. Lopresti is also a graduate of Laurel Ridge, said college archivist John Owens, earning a degree following careers in equine services, search and rescue and dog obedience. She was hired as a full-time library specialist in 2006, and would stay with the college for more than 15 years.
“P.J.’s major contribution to the library and the college was her work in building up the college archives – first in gathering and organizing the physical collection of the college’s history and then beginning the digitization of that material to make it available to everyone,” said Owens. “Any work done on the college archives today and in the future stands on the shoulders of her immense contributions in this area. So much of our institution’s history is preserved because of her care and diligence. Because of P.J., we have images of students walking through our doors for the first time and then walking across the stage to accept their diploma at commencement.
“She was also an eager volunteer when help was needed. She served on the Educational Foundation Board and remained a frequent event volunteer and donor. She donated her time and skills to numerous community service projects, too many to list, during her time at Laurel Ridge. That’s what made PJ unique – her willingness to learn and unending desire to be useful.”
The professors and staff emeriti “have left an indelible mark” on Laurel Ridge and positively impacted thousands of students, said President Kim Blosser. She spoke about attending a recent student ceremony and hearing some of their stories, and how Laurel Ridge professors and staff members have helped them achieve their goals.
“If it wasn’t for this college, what would have happened to those individuals?” President Blosser asked.
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Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.
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