Provost Peggy Agouris sent the following message to the campus community on Feb. 12, 2026. – Ed.
Dear colleagues,
I write to share that Carol Wallace Sherman, Professor of Dance, Emerita, passed away on December 27, 2025. Prof. Sherman graduated from Hollins University (BA Dramatic Art, Psychology Minor, 1957) and Sarah Lawrence College (MA Dance, Fine Art Minor, 1958). In addition to her 36-year career at William & Mary, she held faculty positions at Indiana University, Bloomington, San Diego State University, the North Carolina School of the Arts, Interlochen Arts Academy, and the 92 Street YM-YWCA in New York City where she performed professionally for several seasons.
Prof. Sherman and her longtime colleague Prof. Shirley Roby developed the Dance Minor at William & Mary. In recognition of her skill as a teacher, William & Mary in 1985 awarded Prof. Sherman, together with Prof. Roby, the first Thomas A. Graves Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching. This honor has been awarded annually at commencement ever since. Throughout her career at William & Mary, Prof. Sherman remained active in departmental and institutional governance, always articulating clearly the role of the arts in the life of the university community. In addition to her choreographic compositions performed at DANCEVENT concerts and her sensitive guidance and tireless support for student composition, Prof. Sherman was an accomplished performer, lecturer and dance historian. For over 25 years, she reviewed new books in dance for CHOICE.
When Prof. Sherman married widower Roger Durand Sherman, she became a wife, mother and granny, soon to embark on the most challenging, heartwarming and unexpectedly rewarding 39 years of her life. She is survived by Roger’s three children: Bonnie Sherman, of Northfield, MN, Laura Sherman House (Bill) of Southern Pines, NC, and David Durand Sherman of Martinsville, VA. She is survived by five grandchildren, Forrest Saxon Sherman (Christian), Dare Sherman Frey, Morgan Sherman, Elizabeth Durand Wright and Francis Wright. Survivors include Carol’s cousins, Pamela W. Gosner, and cousin, James H. Bennett. Also surviving Carol are step-siblings Patricia Cairns Hourin, Douglas Cairns, and Scott Cairns. She was predeceased by her younger brother, Roger Neil Wallace, but cherished memories of him and his widow, Mary Baughman of Concord, MA. Carol is survived by seven great-grandchildren. Aunt Connie Seller and Uncle Donald Davey are deceased, as is Carol’s stepmother Doris Brougher Wallace.
Prof. Sherman was much loved by all who knew her. Also left to enjoy fond memories are countless former students, colleagues and her three closest friends, Lynn Allison, Larry Durrett and Shirley Roby of Williamsburg.
A celebration of her life will be held on February 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalist church, 3051 Ironbound Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185.
Sincerely,
Peggy