Recognizing the Achievements of Our Alumni

2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient: Richard Rosendale

Westmoreland County Community College has named Master Chef Richard Rosendale of Leesburg, Virginia as the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes and honors Westmoreland alumni who have distinguished themselves through professional accomplishments, significant community-based service and support or service to the college. 

Rosendale graduated from Westmoreland County Community College’s Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Program in 1997 before training at the prestigious Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. His culinary journey has taken him around the world to be classically trained in Norway, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Northern Italy and some of the finest kitchens in the United States, including a six-year apprenticeship under seven Certified Master Chefs.

In 2004, he became the youngest member appointed to the American Culinary Federation Culinary Team USA since the team’s inception, and was also awarded the Presidential Medallion for his contributions to the culinary arts. As one of only five chefs who represented the United States in the 2004 World Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany, the team ranked number one in the world for the hot kitchen beating 32 countries.

Rosendale went on to oversee the culinary turnaround at The Greenbrier as the resort’s youngest-ever Executive Chef. He opened five new restaurants, directed 13 kitchens and launched the 44-acre Greenbrier Farm, which supplies 75% of the produce for the 750-room resort.

In 2008, he opened Rosendale’s, which earned attention for its critically acclaimed modern American cuisine and was featured in The New York Times magazine as well as being named as the regionally Best New Restaurant. In the same year, he earned three gold medals serving as team captain for the 2008 USA Culinary Olympic Team. Leading to a career highlight, he was chosen as one of only eight U.S. finalists from over 300 across the country in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or USA semi-finals, winning the silver medal.

In 2012, he earned the Certified Master Chef title, the top chef certification in the U.S., following a 130-hour cooking exam that covered all aspects of cuisine.

Chef Rosendale created and currently operates Rosendale Collective, a group committed to inspiring the world through the language of food. The group engages with people around the world, communicating online or in-person through training workshops and global events. He is also the co-owner of Roots 657, a community-focused restaurant and market in Leesburg, Virginia.

“We are extremely pleased to honor Chef Rosendale as our Distinguished Alumnus,” said Dr. Tuesday Stanley, president, Westmoreland County Community College. “He is a true ambassador of the Culinary Arts at every level and is an inspiration to our students preparing for a career in this growing field.”

2023 Aspiring Alumnus Award Recipient: Emma Mullett

Westmoreland County Community College has named Emma Mullett of Scottdale as the 2023 Aspiring Alumnus Leadership Award winner. 

The award recognizes a current Westmoreland student who holds a cumulative GPA of greater than 2.5, expects to earn a college credential in May 2023, shows success in the classroom and exhibits leadership qualities through active involvement at Westmoreland and/or in their communities.

Mullett, a recipient of the college’s Trustees’ Meritorious Scholarship, will graduate with an associate of applied science degree in Social Work. She has been an active member of the college’s volleyball and softball teams, and served as president of the Humanitarian/Social Work Club. Within this role, she led various community service projects including a clothing drive for the homeless, and brought to campus the Red Sand Project, an art installation that visually represents the dangerous realities of sex trafficking and how many victims slip through the cracks.   

Her future plans include pursuing a master’s degree and clinical licensure in order to begin a career as a social work therapist within the trauma field.

“Emma has proven herself to be an embodiment of an ambitious Westmoreland student,” said Dr. Tuesday Stanley, president, Westmoreland County Community College. “Her eagerness to jump into college activities and make a difference within her community, while pursuing her education, is what Westmoreland is all about and we are so proud to honor her with our Aspiring Alumnus Leadership Award.”

Past Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipients

Past Aspiring Alumnus Leadership Award Recipients