• Watercolor portrait of a smiling man with short hair and a trimmed goatee, wearing a dark suit jacket, a white shirt, and a colorful paisley bow tie in shades of blue and green. The background is a soft, textured gray wash.

    Cainan Townsend ’15, M.S. ’20

    August 05, 2025

    The Longwood Alumni Awards annually honor graduates and friends for their outstanding contributions to the university, community, and society. The 2025 recipients, selected by the Alumni Board, exemplify the values of citizen leadership.

  • Lalisha Fitchett stands smiling in the doorway of her brightly colored classroom, framed by yellow lockers and a blue door. She is wearing glasses, a black long-sleeve top, and a red skirt with decorative yellow buttons. A sign on the locker identifies her as an English teacher. The classroom behind her is decorated with student work and colorful posters.

    Alumna is Virginia Beach’s Teacher of the Year

    June 08, 2025

    Lalisha Fitchett ’00, M.S. ’03, has been named the 2026 VBCPS Citywide Teacher of the Year. The middle school English teacher says Longwood gave her the foundation to become a compassionate, effective educator dedicated to helping students grow in the classroom and beyond.

  • A woman in a Zion's Touch T-shirt is giving a massage to a brown horse inside a barn. She has her arms around the horse's shoulder and hind leg, applying pressure gently. The horse appears calm and relaxed, standing still with a soft expression.

    Her business is inspired by love of animals

    June 08, 2025

    Paulette Walsted Courington ’90 turned her lifelong love of animals into a healing career. Now celebrating 10 years of Zion’s Touch, she combines science, intuition, and energy work—offering massage, training, and Reiki to horses and dogs. From show jumpers to beloved family pets, Courington’s work helps animals feel and perform their best.

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    Vying for a seat in the House of Delegates

    May 21, 2025

    Longwood alumna Trudy Bell Berry ’01 has entered the race for the Virginia House of Delegates, running as an independent candidate for District 50. Representing five Southside counties, Berry says she hopes to give voice to voters frustrated with political gridlock.

  • Black-and-white photo of a woman with long dark hair wearing glasses and a striped sweater, resting her chin on her hand and gazing upward thoughtfully. A closet and ceiling corner are visible in the background.

    Broome

    May 21, 2025

    Longwood alumna Trish Broome ’01 took the stage at the 2024 Baltimore Book Festival, sharing her powerful poetry alongside other celebrated women writers.

  • Vince Walden ’01, dressed in a gray suit and tie, speaks to Texas A&M men's basketball players during a game. He holds a marker and appears to be giving instructions during a timeout. Players in white Texas A&M uniforms with maroon trim surround him, and the arena crowd is visible in the background.

    Alum coaches men’s basketball at Texas A&M

    May 16, 2025

    Vince Walden ’01 has turned his love for basketball into a standout coaching career—most recently earning a promotion to assistant coach for Texas A&M men’s basketball, where he now leads recruiting and strategy for an SEC powerhouse.

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    Global Technologies taps marketing alum as CEO

    May 16, 2025

    Longwood alumnus H. “Wyatt” Flippen ’93 takes the helm as CEO of Global Technologies, Ltd., bringing decades of leadership across finance, tech, and entrepreneurship to a company driving innovation in wellness and electric mobility.

  • A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair smiles slightly while standing in front of a colorful educational poster. She is wearing a cream-colored, ribbed long-sleeve top and dangling earrings.

    Teacher earns national board certification

    May 13, 2025

    Jackie Raye Cooper ’89, a dedicated literacy coach and proud Lancer mom, recently achieved National Board Certification—an accomplishment she calls her hardest yet most rewarding professional goal.

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    Art and geology converge in alumna’s career

    February 19, 2025

    Paula Erwin Totten ’92 combines her passion for art and science as the owner of Twisted Holly Services, bringing video production and graphic design to farms and agricultural businesses in Cumberland, Virginia.

  • The image is a professional headshot of a middle-aged man with short black hair, a warm smile, and a confident expression. He is wearing a dark suit, a light pink dress shirt, and a red tie. The background is a neutral gray gradient.

    Alum leads law firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives

    February 19, 2025

    O’Kelly E. McWilliams III ’90 is leading the charge in diversity, equity, and inclusion at Holland & Knight as the firm’s new diversity partner.