Virginia Western Community College has granted emeritus designation to three longtime faculty and staff members, who were honored at a reception May 8 and recognized at Commencement on May 9.
Donna Abbatello, Faculty Emeritus
Donna Abbatello dedicated 50 years to education, including 13 years in the West Virginia school system, 12 years as an adjunct faculty member and 25 years as a full-time faculty member at Virginia Western. Donna was Program Head for Administrative Management Technology, Health Information Technology and Paralegal Studies between 2005 and 2008, when she retired from her full-time role as Assistant Professor. Many times, she witnessed students’ faces fill with satisfaction when they realized they had accomplished a difficult task such as earning nationally and internationally recognized credentials. The opportunity to work with professionals who truly cared about student success is a gift Donna truly cherishes.
Renee Johnson, Staff Emeritus
Renee Johnson started attending Virginia Western in 2006 after her 21-year career as a flight attendant. While raising her two children, she obtained two associate degrees. She worked part time in Business, Technology and Trades, Human Resources, Advising and the Hall Associates Career Center before starting full time in the Enrollment Center, from which she retired as Enrollment Center Specialist in 2023. During her 17 years at Western, she strived to be knowledgeable about the College to best assist not only students but her colleagues. Virginia Western will always hold a special place in Renee’s heart, as she met and married her husband, Johnny, at the College.
Mike Shelton, Administrative and Professional Faculty Emeritus
Mike Shelton served 33 years at Virginia Western, retiring in 2015 as Associate Vice President for Human Resources, and serving as interim in that role in 2024. Previous time as a local government administrator gave him a broad background, and strong interpersonal relationships across campus helped him advance programs beneficial for work/life balance. During his tenure, Virginia Western Human Resources was nominated for “excellence in service” by the International Public Management Association-Human Resources and received the highest award for the small agency category. Mike found it gratifying to work in an environment that promoted “doing the right things, not just doing things right.”
Additionally, Dr. Annemarie Carroll served as Faculty Marshal, leading the academic procession at Commencement.
Dr. Annemarie Carroll, 2025 Faculty Marshal
Dr. Annemarie Carroll retired from Virginia Western in January 2025, after over 25 years with the College’s Human Services Program. During this time, she served in the capacities of Professor and Program Head. She is proud of the strong community of human services professionals that the program has created and found great joy in being part of their academic journey. In addition to her academic career, she also owns a private practice, Inner Wisdom Trauma Therapies, where she works as a licensed clinical psychologist and yoga teacher. In her free time, Annemarie loves to sing, hike, make music, volunteer in her community, and play with her goofy pug dog, Pippa.
