P. Randall Shannon '66, A Gift that Continues to Give

P. Randall Shannon ’66 has a long family history with Roanoke College.  Prior to his own experiences in Salem, his father, Philip Boyd Shannon, class of 1940, as well as two of his uncles attended Roanoke. Shannon grew up in a small town in the upper Shenandoah Valley and after his first visit to the quaint campus he knew immediately that it would come to be his alma mater.  The Shannon family history includes Phyllis Dorton Shannon, Shannon’s wife and a member of the Roanoke class of 1972.

Both Shannons recollect that Roanoke College provided them with defining experiences and life-long friendships. Randy’s relationship with his best-friend from Long Island, New York enabled him to grow culturally by traveling to regions of the United States that were previously unknown to him. Phyllis also remembers, “Roanoke made it possible for me to have roommates and suitemates from other states such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey which allowed me the opportunity to get to know people from different backgrounds while still feeling a small school atmosphere.” 

The Shannons appreciate the challenging academic atmosphere that Roanoke College continues to provide its students in preparation for the work force or for graduate studies.  They firmly believe that Roanoke’s liberal arts education helped them gain social and academic knowledge that they may not have received in another environment.

This alumni couple agrees that giving back to the school that gave so much to them is mutually beneficial. For this reason, the Shannons support an endowed scholarship that benefits current and future Roanoke students and have included their alma mater in their estate plan. “As Roanoke College grows each year in prestige, it also reflects well on alums.” says Randy. “We know that private liberal arts schools like Roanoke College rely on alumni financial support. We love having a hand in providing others the same wonderfully well-rounded education that we received.”