Alumni News - October 2021

The U.S. Department of Energy, on Sept. 24, announced eight new Biden-Harris Administration appointees to the DOE team. That group of eight included Rose Stephens-Booker ’08, who was appointed Regional Intergovernmental and External Affairs Specialist for the West, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Stephens-Booker rises to the ranks of presidential appointees after nearly a year as a senior associate at BlocPower, an energy technology startup where she developed and managed the company’s partnership strategy to bring clean energy technology solutions to underserved communities. She previously led efforts focused on energy efficiency and market transformation through public-private partnerships as a program manager for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program.

"Serving as an Intergovernmental and External Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Department of Energy allows me to tap so many of the wonderful skills and experiences that I developed as an undergrad at Roanoke College,” Stephens-Booker said. “For as long as I can remember I have been really passionate about two things: environmental protection and making music. While these two topics appear, at the onset, vastly different, I was given the freedom and support to explore them both while at Roanoke.”

“I'll be forever grateful that I wasn't pushed into one lane but rather encouraged to creatively make it all work and to be as inventive and resourceful with my liberal arts education and undergrad experiences,” she said.

Stephens-Booker holds a B.A. in Environmental Policy from Roanoke and an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. She and her husband, Jonathan, and their son, Ellington, live in Alexandria, Virginia.

More alumni news

Kendrick Chittock ’10 is an expedition photographer based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. His photography and writing have appeared in outdoor magazines such as The Fly Fish Journal and Gray’s Sporting Journal, and in the publications of several nonprofit organizations.

“My time at Roanoke College created the foundation to explore the relationship between people and the environment,” said Chittock, a member of the men's basketball team during his years at Roanoke. “From lasting discipline as a basketball player, and learning about paradigm shifts in early environmental science classes, the way I view the world through my camera and writing is a reflection of the creative, welcoming Roanoke community.”

Chittock holds a B.S. in environmental science from Roanoke and an M.S. from Lincoln University. To see his work, visit www.dkendrickc.com.

Meghan (Fuller) Coates ’06 has been named associate vice president for financial planning and budget at the University of Richmond. Coates moves to her new position after serving as director of Henrico County, Virginia’s Department of Finance. She is credited with leading Henrico’s financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coates told the Henrico Citizen newspaper that her decision to leave the Henrico County position was, in part, made after a recent trip back to Roanoke College. That trip, which she said reminded her of how invigorated she felt during her years on campus, prompted her to explore job openings in higher education. Coates holds a B.B.A. from Roanoke and an M.S. from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Ben Irvin ’94 is the new director of Facilities Management at Roanoke College. In his new role, Irvin has leadership responsibility for the full range of Facilities Management functions, including Housekeeping, Grounds, Plant Maintenance, facilities planning, and capital projects. Irvin, who holds a B.S. in biology from Roanoke, previously served as director of operations for Botetourt County (Virginia) Schools, and worked for several organizations in progressively larger facilities roles.

Above: Kappa Alpha brothers from the classes of 1966 and 1967 recently gathered at the home of Shaun McConnon ’66. “Shaun is such a gracious host and let us invade his home for the long weekend,” said Bert McNomee ’67. “A great time was had by all! One thing is for sure: All five of us loved our Roanoke College experience.” Pictured from left to right: Terry Smith ’67, Gary Trageser ’67, McConnon, Bill Wittel ’67 and McNomee.

Have news to share? Send it to us at rcmagazine@roanoke.