Norm and Jo Fintel - Alumni Medalists 2017 Dr. Norman D. Fintel was the eighth president of Roanoke College, serving from 1975 until 1989. When he and wife, Jeanette "Jo" Fintel, arrived in Salem from Nebraska, he was intent on turning an already good institution into a nationally visible celebration of excellence. At the onset, Dr. Fintel faced a college whose enrollment and funding were down. His early years focused on increasing the size of the student body as well as the endowment, and he succeeded at both. Academic standards were improved and, in 1986, the College established the Honors Program. Faculty numbers also increased, with a higher percentage holding terminal degrees in their field.