Education can change a life, and it’s even better when that positive impact ripples out to future generations. That was the case with Peggy Akers, Jenny Bradley '84, Kathryn Buchanan, and Jeff and Marianne Sandborg. Akers, Bradley, and Buchanan passed away recently, while the Sandborgs marked their retirement in 2023. To celebrate these beloved individuals and their love of learning, the following new endowed scholarships have been established at Roanoke College.
Jenny Hughes Bradley ’84 Endowed Scholarship
L. Ellen Bradley and her husband, Brian G. Ivey, chose to endow a previously created scholarship in Ellen’s mother’s name to ensure that its benefits to students will live long into the future. Jenny Bradley, who died in November 2023, was a lifelong advocate for secondary education – even if one had to go back to school later in life to obtain a degree.
A Southwest Virginia native, Bradley was unable to attend college immediately following high school. After raising her two children, she pursued an associate degree at Virginia Western Community College while working outside the home. She followed that up with a bachelor’s in sociology at Roanoke, where she was a full-time student. In 1993, she completed a Master of Liberal Studies at Hollins College (now Hollins University).
Bradley was a gifted writer, and she chose to use that gift in institutional grant management, helping to shape small start-ups and investing in human service nonprofits, educational institutions and large health-care systems.
The Bradley scholarship will go to a student with financial need, with preference to an adult learner beyond the traditional college age.
Margaret “Peggy” Hughes Akers Endowed Scholarship
This endowed scholarship was created by various donors and supported by students, colleagues, and friends to remember Peggy Akers, who served Roanoke College for 43 years. Akers held an associate degree from Dabney S. Lancaster Community College (now Mountain Gateway Community College) and was the assistant to Kim Blair, vice president for advancement at Roanoke, until shortly before she died in August 2023. She is remembered for her bottomless devotion to Roanoke College and her loving demeanor with colleagues, which made her one of the College’s most adored staff members.
This scholarship was established to benefit a student with demonstrated financial need who displays an adoration for the College that represents the Maroon spirit, just as Akers did every day.
Kathryn K. Buchanan Endowed Student Scholarship
Kathryn Buchanan served Roanoke College as special assistant to the president for church relations from 1987-2010. During that time, Buchanan – who was affectionately known as the “Church Lady” and carried that moniker on her license plate – represented Roanoke to the DC Metro Synod, the Virginia Synod, and the West Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She used her gifts to encourage financial support of meaningful causes such as the $5.5 million effort for the Lutheran endowment, which funded the Roanoke College Chaplaincy program.
Buchanan’s friend, Jeanne Buster, set up this new scholarship in honor of Buchanan and in recognition of her as a quintessential example of a faithful woman in the church. It is also meant to acknowledge Buchanan’s dedication to the Lutheran church and Roanoke College, and her work to champion and support students.
This scholarship will go to a Roanoke College student with demonstrated financial need.
The Jeffrey and Marianne Sandborg Endowed Scholarship
After 38 years at Roanoke College, the husband-and-wife duo who became synonymous with Roanoke College's choral music programs took their final bows as college employees and kicked off their much-deserved retirement. But that doesn't mean Jeffrey and Marianne Sandborg are finished making a difference in the lives of students.
The Sandborgs established this scholarship to honor their retirement and commemorate their contributions to the music program at Roanoke. The scholarship will benefit music students. 
Jeff and Marianne Sandborg react to a huge round of applause at their farewell concert at Roanoke College in May 2023.