Alumni News - December 2023

We usually stick to living alumni in this column, but in observance of the holiday season, we thought it would be fun to share an interesting fact about one of our earliest alumni, the Rev. W.A.R. Goodwin, Class of 1882. 
 
According to The Virginia Gazette, the Green Spring Garden Club this year made Goodwin the focus of its 62nd annual Christmas Homes Tour in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area. Each private home on the Dec. 2 tour highlighted details of Goodwin's life. He was, after all, "the Father of Colonial Williamsburg."  
 
How is that, you ask? Well, Goodwin, who earned a divinity degree after graduating from Roanoke, went on to become rector of Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg – and a teacher and fundraiser at the College of William & Mary. In the 1920s, he began fundraising to renovate historic structures in the city, envisioning an educational revival of the country's colonial homeplace. He was able to convince John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife, Abby, to donate millions of dollars to the cause, and he used their money to purchase dozens of properties that would later be part of Colonial Williamsburg.  
 
All four of the restored 18th century homes in the 2023 garden club tour were owned at one time by a Bruton Parish leader or a William and Mary faculty member, establishing a direct connection to Goodwin. 
 
To read more about Goodwin, visit this story in The Virginia Gazette. 

Justin vanBlaricom ’04 has co-founded a growing business that just won an award for its vision and innovation.  
 
Roanoke-based Noke Van Co. capitalizes on an emerging new phenomenon, van life, by creating custom camper vans perfect for those who yearn for a life of adventure and travel on the open road. This fall, the company was presented with an award honoring it as 2023 New Small Business of the Year by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. 
 
In announcing the award, the chamber praised Noke Van Co. for its distinctive vision and its success in building its operation from the ground up. 
 
“In a world of innovation and fresh beginnings, Noke Van Co. has certainly left its mark, and it's only the beginning of an incredible journey,” chamber officials wrote. “Their story is one of inspiration, resilience, and a true testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our vibrant community.” 
 
Noke Van Co. was established in 2023 and was believed to be the first custom camper van business in Virginia.  
vanBlaricom, a business administration graduate, serves as its CEO. He also recently came on board at Roanoke College as director of the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Innovation. In that part-time role, he works with students to help inspire and hone a spirit of entrepreneurship, leadership and strategic thinking among the next generation of Maroons. 

Cheryl Hopson ’95 returned to her alma mater earlier this semester as a visiting writer.  
 
Hopson, an associate professor of English and African American studies at Western Kentucky University, visited campus Oct. 7-8 as part of the “Truth and Beauty” Reading Series, which is funded by Roanoke’s Center for Studying Structures of Race. During her visit, Hopson spent time with classes and read from her newest book of poems, “In Case You Get This.”  
 
In addition to a B.A. in English from Roanoke, Hopson holds an M.A. in English from Radford University and a Ph.D. in the subject from the University of Kentucky. She has published essays, articles and book chapters on the writing and life of Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and activist Alice Walker, Third Wave feminist writer Rebecca Walker, and late poet June Jordan. She also has published two chapbooks, “Black Notes” (2013) and “Fragile” (2017), and a full-length poetry collection, “In Case You Get This” (2023). Her biography of novelist, anthropologist and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston will be released in July 2024. 
 
“It was a delight to return to campus for the launch of my poetry collection, ‘In Case You Get This.’ I was able to engage with student writers on campus, see my former professors and colleagues, and spend time on a campus I love,” Hopson said. “The audience was grand, and it was a gift to look out during my reading and see President and Rev. Shushok, Provost Wolfe, my parents, professors, board members, classmates and students. My sincere gratitude goes out to RC English and Communications, with a special thank you to Dr. Melanie Almeder.” 
 
D.P. Warner '72 has a collection of his paintings on display in the main galleries at Hoyt Art Center in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Many of the 42 paintings in the exhibition, which is titled "Different Views," illustrate Warner's travels – both domestic and abroad –  and were painted on location. 
  
Warner earned a degree in visual arts at Roanoke, then went on to receive an MFA in painting from the University of Arizona. For 30 years, he taught art at the University of Arizona, University of Montana, Edinboro University and Allegheny College. His work has brought a number of awards.  
  
The exhibition will remain on display through Dec. 21, 2023. 

D.P. Warner '72 with some of his beautiful landscape paintings.

Do you have news to share with fellow Roanoke College alumni? Whether it's a career update or family news, we would love to hear from you! Please email us at rcmagazine@roanoke.edu.