Alumni Awards and Nominations

Alexandria M. Dixon ’19 was deeply devoted to Ferrum College and her fellow Panthers, as well as the faculty, staff, and members of the Ferrum community who make it so special. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with concentrations in Management and Finance and a minor in Philosophy. During her years on campus, she was known for her curiosity, compassion, confidence, vision, and joyful energy that inspired everyone she met.

A scholar, athlete, and leader, Alexandria served as Captain of the Women’s Tennis Team, Treasurer of the Lambda Sigma National Honor Society, Secretary of the Sophomore Class, and President of the Enactus Academic Team. She was also an Admissions Ambassador, a PAL Tutor, and an active member of the President’s Task Force on Student Success.

Awards she received while at Ferrum included the President’s Cup Award, Outstanding Student in Management Award, Chrysalis Literary and Arts Magazine Top Author Award, Dean’s List, Sophomore of the Year, and the USA South All-Sportsmanship Award for Tennis. Her peers often turned to her for guidance and were met with not only words of encouragement, but also heartfelt notes of support, colorful signs cheering them on, and fun snacks to keep them going. On the court, Alexandria was a fierce competitor, but when it came to being on your team–in sports and in life, her support was unmatched.

After graduation, Alexandria’s love for Ferrum College never wavered. She served on the Ferrum College Alumni Board of Directors, where she was elected Secretary, helping to strengthen connections among alumni and support current students. She returned to campus whenever she could, always eager to mentor, volunteer, and celebrate the community that had given her so much. Her loyalty and affection for Ferrum College remained central to her life, even as her professional career took her around the world.

Professionally, Alexandria excelled in technology, business operations, and leadership. Her colleagues admired her for her strategic thinking, her calm presence, and her ability to bring people together around shared goals. In 2024, she earned her Master of Business Administration degree, specializing in Blockchain, Business Communications, and Management.

During her career with SAP, she received the SAP 50th Anniversary: Kids’ Book “Life at SAP” Campaign Author Award, the SAP Concur Global Hackathon Best Innovation Award (Team Lead), the SAP Concur Vienna Regional Hackathon Top Innovation Award, the SAP Concur Public Sector Employee of the Month, and the iXp Honors Award (Vienna Top Project Impact & Presenter).

Dr. Delia Heck, Ferrum College’s Provost, Chief Academic Officer, and Director of Institutional Effectiveness, stated, “For me, Alexandria was one of the very finest examples of Ferrum College’s motto, Not Self, But Others.  She absolutely, positively lived it out every single day.  Alex won many awards that recognized this passion for living, both in school and in her job.  It wasn’t the awards that drove Alex. Instead, they were the outcomes of her infectious personality, engaging manner, superb organizational skills, and abounding energy, which drew others to her and any activity she engaged in. It defined her character and was the essence of her being. And that was what made her so special. She didn’t seek out acclaim; she wasn’t a self-promoter who tooted her own horn. Instead, she wanted those around her to join her in the incredible experiences she was having.”

At the age of 27, Alexandria passed away on September 30, 2024, due to complications with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Her legacy endures through her kindness, leadership, and unwavering belief in lifting others up. She exemplified the very best of Ferrum College’s ideals—service, excellence, and compassion in all she did. In honor of her remarkable life, Ferrum College is proud to bestow upon Alexandria M. Dixon ’19 the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, posthumously, recognizing her dedication, leadership, and deep love for the College.

Her light continues to shine through an endowed fund established by her family and friends to provide the Alexandria Dixon Outstanding Student in Business Administration Award each year, an endowment for which she had already been saving to create. The award will support outstanding business students who embody her generosity, integrity, and commitment to excellence.

Ferrum College proudly honors William “Billy” Edward Wagner and his wife, Sarah
Quesenberry Wagner, with the Distinguished Alumni Award—the highest distinction the College can bestow upon alumni. This award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional career achievement, dedicated service to their communities, active engagement in college life, and continued support of Ferrum College.

Billy’s journey from Tannersville, Virginia, to the pinnacle of professional baseball reflects resilience, faith, and perseverance. At Ferrum College, he set NCAA Division III records, earned First-Team All-America honors, and met Sarah, whose own athletic excellence and leadership mirrored his commitment to achievement and service. Together, they embody the Ferrum College motto: Not Self, But Others.

Both Billy and Sarah are members of Ferrum College’s Sports Hall of Fame. A distinguished Hall of Fame athlete at Ferrum College, Sarah served as team captain during her senior year. She excelled in basketball, earning recognition not only for her athletic talent but for her leadership, teamwork, and discipline. She scored over 1,200 career points and earned All-Conference and All-Conference Academic honors. She was a scholar, a competitor, and a role model – someone her peers looked up to and trusted.

After graduation, Sarah lived out those same values at home. While Billy traveled for baseball, Sarah was the constant, the heart, the steady presence that allowed Billy to succeed, their children to thrive, and their family to stand strong. She created the stability and grace that grounded their family.

Billy had an outstanding career in professional baseball and was inducted into the National
Baseball Hall of Fame in July 2025. He set NCAA Division III records at Ferrum College and went on to a 16-year Major League Baseball career, playing for five teams, including the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves.

At the height of his Major League Baseball career, Billy chose to prioritize family and faith, stepping away from the game to be present with Sarah and their children—a testament to his belief that true success is measured by the impact we have on others.

Together, the Wagners continue to give back to Ferrum College, mentoring students, supporting athletics programs, and opening doors for future Panthers. Their support of Ferrum College extends far beyond philanthropy. Billy and Sarah remain deeply engaged with the College community—attending events, connecting with student-athletes, recruiting students to Ferrum College, and sharing their story of perseverance and purpose.

Through their presence, advocacy, and generosity, they inspire a new generation of Panthers to enter the Panther Nation with promise and leave with purpose—grounded in faith, guided by service, and ready to transform the world. As parents of four—Will, Jeremy, Olivia, and Kason–the Wagners exemplify that excellence is more than accomplishments; it is character, perseverance, and lifting others along the way.

The Distinguished Alumni Award proudly recognizes Billy and Sarah Wagner for their extraordinary achievements and their enduring commitment to Ferrum College. Their story is a living testament to the transformative power of a Ferrum College education, inspiring future generations of students, athletes, and donors alike.

George D. Yancey, Sr. ’67 of Gordonsville, Virginia, is a member of Ferrum College’s Sports Hall of Fame. He played football under legendary Coach Hank Norton from 1966 to 1967, helping Ferrum College reach the the National Junior College Athletic Association’s national runner-up team in 1966.

Prior to arriving at Ferrum College, Yancey played high school football and was named to the Virginia All State Football Team in 1964 and to the All Battlefield District Football Teams in 1963 and 1964. Those formative years shaped not only his skill but his character, instilling discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—the same values he carries into every aspect of life.

After Ferrum College, Yancey earned a football scholarship to the College of William & Mary and pursued graduate studies at the University of Virginia and Louisiana State University. In 1971, he began a distinguished career in banking, serving in leadership and executive roles. He advanced to positions such as Vice President, Regional Market Executive, Market Team Lead of a Wealth Management Group, and Area Market President. He retired from
Wachovia Bank in 2003.

He then became a co-founder, President, CEO, and Director of The Bank of Louisa. Throughout his career, he was an active member of the Virginia Bankers Association, including serving as chair of the Retail Banking Committee and serving as a member of the Association’s Executive Committee. He retired from the banking industry in 2008.

Yancey is also a leader in his community. He served on the Orange County (VA) Fair Association for more than twenty years. He served two terms on the Orange County Parks and Recreation Commission and three terms on the Orange County Planning Commission, serving as Chairman for several years. He has been a member of the Commission for Dogwood Health and Rehab and Dogwood Senior Living for more than ten years. He served as Chairman of the Senior Living Commission for four years.

He currently serves on the Board of the William A. Cooke Foundation. In addition, he has served almost two decades on Ferrum College’s Board of Trustees. His accomplishments have always been matched by extraordinary kindness and a devotion to his wife, Phyllis, family, and Ferrum College that is second to none.

Reflecting on his journey, Yancey says, “Ferrum College taught me to dream boldly, work selflessly with others, and pursue excellence in every endeavor. The lessons I learned here have guided every decision, every challenge, and every opportunity to help others.”

In recognition of his exceptional career, service, and unwavering devotion to the College, Yancey receives the Beckham Medallion, Ferrum College’s highest honor, bestowed on those who live by the motto: Not Self, But Others. For almost two decades on the Board of Trustees, he has guided the College with wisdom, generosity, and a deep love for students—funding scholarships, creating opportunities, and touching countless lives along the way.

George Yancey’s journey, from the Ferrum College football fields to leadership in his
profession, community, family, and alma mater, is a testament to resilience, integrity, and the power of a life lived in service. He inspires all who know him to lead with purpose, serve with heart, and leave a lasting legacy of devotion, kindness, and impact.