montevallo today, winter 2015

UM’s first softball squad will take the field in early February for the inaugural game of the program.

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DepartMents 6 traditions 8 Campus news12 Guest essay 13 sports16 Montevallo profile

18 Class notes23 alumni activities26 advancement news28 professional spotlight31 Upcoming events

4Faculty & students spotlight Heather Tinsley, assistant professor of biology, and Perrin Windham, a senior biology major, research drug design in the fight against breast cancer.

6Founders’ Day traditionsFinding the crook, robing the seniors and a myriad of awards to faculty, staff and alumni – all are treasured UM traditions.

9Finding solutions for student emergenciesAs tuition rates rise nationwide, so do the burdens on college students – both financially and mentally.

16alumni profile: suzette DavieSuzette Davie ’84 is the founder of Grace to Ukraine, an organization providing humanitarian and educa-tional assistance to orphaned children.

23Olympics DayFor the second year, Olympics Day was held in conjunction with Found-ers’ Day. New events included a Greek alumni reunion and tailgating.

MONTEVALLO TODAY Vol. CV, No. 1 Winter 2015 Montevallo Today (ISSN 1052-3634) is published three times a year by the University of Montevallo, Alumni Affairs/University Relations, Reynolds Hall, Highland St., Montevallo, AL 35115. Periodicals postage paid at Montevallo, AL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, send address changes to Montevallo Today, Station 6215, P.O. Box 6000, Montevallo, AL 35115. To contact the Alumni Affairs office, please call 205-665-6215. Text, photographs and graphic images included in this publication may not be reproduced without written permission from the editor. The University of Montevallo does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or in the provision of services.

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Dear Montevallo family:This is truly an

exciting time to engage in the vibrant life of your university. As the new year begins, undergraduate enrollment remains robust, fundraising is strong and our capital improvement program is in full swing. Indeed, we are currently putting the finishing touches on a new art class-room & studio building, a new softball stadium and a new track and field facility. With your support, we continue to make improve-ments to classrooms and laboratories, residence halls and iconic buildings that serve our students so well. But as you know, Montevallo is mostly about people – the lifelong relationships forged and the transformational experiences conferred on our students by a talented and devoted faculty and staff. Campus life is, in a word, busy.

This new year, students will enjoy approximately 1,800 student events/activities and countless enrichment opportunities both in and out of the class-room. They will travel, grow intellectually and socially, and share experiences they couldn’t have imagined a short time ago.

This new year will prove historic for Falcon athletics. We will play our first NCAA softball game, field our first NCAA women’s lacrosse team and host our first ever NCAA men’s and women’s track and field competition. We will celebrate 50 years of men’s basketball and induct new members into our Athletics Hall of Fame.

This new year will find many of our graduating seniors securing employ-ment in their chosen fields. Still others will achieve admission into some of the very best graduate, medical and professional schools in the nation. They will take their noble places in society as teachers, counselors and therapists, scien-tists, clinicians, pastors, poets, captains of industry, artists, musicians, social workers and performers. All will be thoughtful, reflective and different – a cut above, due to their Montevallo experience.

This new year, our faculty and staff will continue to provide our students with the communication and critical thinking skills necessary to live produc-tive and meaningful lives.

This new year, your support will help to transform the lives of Montevallo students. Thanks to your gifts, our graduates will leave our beautiful campus this spring equipped with everything they need to reach the full measure of their promise – to lead lives “rich and fruitful.”

I wish all of you a “rich and fruitful” 2015.

President’s MessageMontevallo todayUniversity of Montevallo alumni magazine

PUBLISHERGary [email protected]

EDITORTiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00, MBA ’[email protected]

ASSOCIATE EDITOR & CLASS NOTES EDITORMarsha [email protected]

ALUMNI EDITORTracy Payne-Rockco ’94, M.Ed. ’[email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHERSBrittany Headley ’14, Kiera Hood ’15, Wendy Johnson ’17, Art Meripol, Corey Nolen, Matt Orton, Tracy Payne-Rockco ’94, M.Ed. ’98, Tiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00, MBA ’13

DESIGNERSTiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00, MBA ’13, Hannah Stein ’14

CONTRIBUTORSWesley Hallman, Carey Heatherly, Diane Kennedy-Jackson, Cathlena Martin, Nick Moeller, Craig Williams

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONUMNAA President — Michael Malone ’69President-Elect — Laurl Self ’94Past President/ParliamentarianJim Methvin ’73Alumni Council RepresentativeMary Lou Williams ’69Admissions Representative — Greg Embry ’96, M.Ed. ’99Faculty Representative — Carolyn Miller-KirbySGA President — Tanya Hoang ’15UMNAA Vice PresidentsMatt Arnold ’93, Barbara Bonfield ’58, Wadia B. Josof ’79, Toni Leo ’80, Jalete Nelms ’90, Keith Shoemaker ’98, Warwick M. Woodall ’82Members at LargeBarbara Bradford ’56, Lewis Brooks ’88, Mary Louise Dabbs ’56, Tiffani Humphries ’98, Patrick McDonald ’01, Terra Miller ’06, Megan Ran-dolph ’06, Diane Ray ’68, Stephanie Shaw ’93, David Thomas ’97, Susan Vaughn ’71, Cornelia Watts ’77, Chris Willis ’07, Virginia Young ’84 Ex-OfficioJohn W. Stewart III, Julie Harbin ’00, Tracy Payne-Rockco ’94, M.Ed. ’98

ON THE COVERJostlyn Higgerson, a junior at UM, is a pitcher on the inaugural softball team. The team will begin its season in February on the new field in Orr Park in downtown Montevallo.Photo by Art Meripol

tinsley offers hands-on aPProachSenior Perrin F. Windham and her faculty adviser, Heather N. Tinsley, recently co-authored a paper explor-ing a new strategy for breast cancer drug design. The article, titled “cGMP signaling as a target for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer,” was published in the peer-reviewed journal Seminars in Cancer Biology.

With one in eight women in the United States being diagnosed with inva-

sive breast cancer, research has increased, and mortality related to breast cancer has been reduced significantly. This paper recognizes a possible improvement in fu-ture breast cancer drug discovery efforts.

Tinsley, an assistant professor of biology at UM, stated, “Undergraduate research gives students a unique, hands-on opportunity to apply the concepts that they learn in the classroom. We find that students who perform an

undergraduate research project are better equipped to enter the workforce, graduate programs, and/or professional schools. Perrin’s research studied a protein in breast cancer cells that has re-cently been found to control the ability of these cells to grow. The article that was recently published explains the im-plications of her project – targeting this protein could produce new treatment options for combatting breast cancer.”

photo by Kiera Hood

| |Montevallo Today4

Faculty Spotlight

photo by Kiera Hood

www.montevallo.edu/alumni | |5

In true Montevallo “family” tradition, the UM community, as well as local resi-dents, rallied around young Ollie Tetloff, son of Meredith Tetloff, assistant profes-sor of social work, as he battled neuroblas-toma over the past year. Sadly, Ollie lost his fight in late July, but during his illness, some “UM family” members were able to lift his spirits by designing a special game in his honor.

In April, Meredith Tetloff posted on her “Ollie updates” blog that, “Video games and the worlds they provide access to have become central to Ol-lie’s well-being.” She elaborated that, “Ollie becomes engrossed in the various missions, problem solves, identifies with and loves the characters and is distracted from his own limitations. His creativity and imagination are engaged, and he feels proud when he achieves a victory. And they are a lot of fun for him.”

In May, President John Stewart contacted the Game Studies and De-sign program asking if GSD students and faculty could design a game for Ollie. After a summer of undergradu-ate research and game design led by Cathlena Martin, assistant professor of game studies and design and director of the Honors Program, and Benton Tyler, associate professor of mathematics, “Ol-lie’s Game” became a reality.

“Ollie’s Game” had specific design goals, since the audience was so special-ized. The game had to be small enough

to be played on a hospital tray; it had to be cooperative instead of competitive so that the player would not get frustrated with losing; and it needed to be quick so that the player would have enough energy to finish the game. Most impor-tantly, they wanted to incorporate what Ollie loved.

A list of Ollie’s favorite things included ninjas, sea creatures and things associated with outer space – especially black holes. Thus, the game has colorful art and graphics, and it has a theme of deep-space fishing, combining two items from Ollie’s list: sea creatures and outer space. Lead de-signers Amy George and Garrett Roth were even able to fit in ninjas and a black hole.

Although the designers weren’t able to get the final printed version of the game to Ollie, he was able to fol-low along in the development process via email throughout the summer. Meredith Tetloff said, “I am so grate-ful for your efforts to make this game for Ollie. I had shown him the art-work and read the game description, and he was so honored to have some-thing like that in his name.”

Martin said, “We hope that other children will benefit from the game, and we plan to take it to Children’s Hospital to help entertain children similar to Ollie. Play can be a power-ful medicine.”

Student Spotlight

UM celebrated its beginnings Oct. 9 with the 118th Founders’ Day convocation. UM opened its doors Oct. 12, 1896, as Alabama Girls’ Industrial School and has since grown and developed into Ala-bama’s only public liberal arts university.

After the opening ceremonies, a long-standing tradition, the hiding and finding of “the crook,” was observed with the presentation of prizes to the students who found this “treasure.” After two days of searching, Savanna Gunn, Wren Law and David Pohler dis-covered the crook in the shrubbery outside Wills Hall.

This year’s Founders’ Day theme was “Smart. Bal-anced. Pre-pared.,” reflecting the education UM provides. Convocation speaker Mark Brandon ’75 and dean of the law school at the University of Alabama, spoke to that theme and the value of a liberal arts education at a small university. He noted that, while life is unpredictable, students who have a liberal arts education are prepared to make decisions and take on projects based on a broad and deep base of knowledge. He said that, while large classrooms certainly have their place, small classrooms encourage interaction and familiarity among professors and stu-dents, and those students are actively engaged in learning.

A day steeped in traditions, Found-ers’ Day also includes an important rite of passage for UM seniors. Their investiture and robing marks their status and the “beginning of the end” of their college ex-perience. Customarily, UM’s provost/vice president for academic affairs places the robe on the senior class president on stage

as the other seniors don their academic robes for the first time, and the last leg of the journey toward graduation begins.

Quincy Hall, senior class president, spoke of the tradition. “Senior robing is that moment in the ceremony when graduating seniors are affirmed as being in the ‘last leg’ of the undergraduate journey … that we are almost there at the finish line and that we promise, to the best of our abilities at this point, to

continue to work hard and finish strong for our commencements in December and May. This is the moment when we celebrate our alma mater with the faculty and staff who have been there with us for the past four to five years.”

Malcena (“Cena”) Woodall, another senior, said, “Founders’ Day to me meant that I was officially in my last year of college; that the past three years have paid off and that I only had less than a year until I entered the real working world. I was very happy to have both my parents at this occasion, since they have support-ed me through the past years, helping me learn some valuable life lessons. I am very proud to follow in my mother’s footsteps and graduate from the same university.”

Warwick Woodall ’82, Cena’s mother, observed, “I, like my daughter, remember that the Founders’ Day senior robing ceremony made being a college

senior become very real. It provided both a sense of accomplishment and the reality that the future was close at hand. As an alumna, I now realize that this tradition is yet another example of what makes Montevallo so special and sets Monte-vallo apart from other universities. As a parent, the ceremony allowed me to start the graduation pictures earlier, and, of course, beam with pride as I watched my child about to realize a major milestone.

As an alum AND a parent, watching my daughter march into Palmer with her graduation robe on her arm, I also realized how much it meant to me that she had also found the magic that Montevallo pro-vides and that soon we both would be UM alumni together.”

After a brief choral concert by UM’s Concert

Choir, under the direction of Melinda Doyle, awards were presented to faculty and staff members who had distinguished themselves in service to UM.

James Day, professor of history, was named the 2014 University Scholar, rec-ognizing his significant contributions to scholarship and creative endeavor.

The Faculty Service Award went to Benton Tyler; John Burling, professor of psychology, earned the Academic Advis-ing Award; and the recipient of the Ad-junct Faculty Teaching Award was Steve Jordan. Sandra Lott was the recipient of the Alumna Loyalty Award; Tom Sanders received the Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award; and Dean of Stu-dents Tammi Dahle was the recipient of the Outstanding Staff Service Award. Expanded information on award winners and their accomplishments may be found at www.montevallo.edu/montevallo-today

FounderS’ day traditionS

One of the many tradi-tions of Founders’ Day is the Finding of the Crook. this year’s finders were Wren Law, David pohler and savanna Gunn.photo by Brittany Headley


traditions

51964 2014

UNIVERSITY OF

MEN’S BASKETBALLMONTEVALLO

The UM Athletics Hall of Fame committee has announced that eight former athletes will be inducted in the Class of 2015, Saturday, Jan. 31. A reception for these new members will be held at 5:45 p.m. followed by the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in Anna Irvin Dining Hall.

The Class of 2015 includes men’s basketball All-American Marcus Kennedy, men’s soccer All-American Jonathan Maloney, women’s soccer All-American Stacey Balaam, All-Gulf South Conference selection Adele Jack-son, volleyball All-American Denise Heisler, baseball All-Americans Zach

Andrews and Josh Johnson and wom-en’s basketball All-Gulf South Confer-ence selection Erica Harris.

This year’s group represents the 22nd class to be inducted into the Hall of Fame dating back to 1989. With the addition of the Class of 2015, the Hall of Fame will feature 84 individuals and one team.


|atHLetICs HaLL OF FaMe InDUCts eIGHt|

The University of Montevallo baseball team has partnered with the Vs. Cancer Founda-tion for the 2015 season. The Vs. Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving kids’ lives by empowering athletes and communities to fund lifesaving childhood cancer efforts. The team has set a goal of raising $5,000 to support research for a cure for childhood cancer.

service learningWhen junior Lauren Davis ar-rived on the UM campus from San Antonio, her plan was to pursue a degree in his-tory and become a high school history teacher. Originally drawn to Montevallo by the beautiful campus and the friendly faculty and staff, she became involved with another of UM’s unique assets, the Office of Service Learning and Com-munity Engagement (OSLACE), and has redirected her path to include a double major in history and political science with a minor in human rights and public service.

Davis is a Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern through the David Mathews Center for Civic Life, which partners with OSLACE in a program called Students’ Institute, to connect UM students with 4th – 12th graders in lo-cal schools. Through field trips, activi-ties and projects, these young people witness active citizenship firsthand.

Davis says she has learned her own lessons in organization, time management and patience. “I learned what it means to be an active citizen and what it takes to make differences in my community.”

In addition, Davis has presented at two national conferences in Wash-ington, D.C., gaining the confidence to step out and speak as an active citizen. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in public administration.

no-shave novemberDuring the months of November and December, male members of the University Police Department were sporting more facial hair than usual. Each officer and staff mem-ber who participated in “No-Shave November” (with an extension into December) donated $50 to the John Oliver “Ollie” Tetloff Memorial Scholarship Fund for the privilege of abstaining from the razor. The campus and local community were invited to do the same.

Ollie, the son of Meredith Tetloff, assistant professor of social work at UM, lost his battle with neuroblastoma in July. The uni-versity family, as well as members of the community, supported Ollie and his family over the course of his treatment, and the scholarship was established in his memory. (See Ollie’s game on page 5.)

In mid-October, the SGA at UM hosted Carnival for a Cure, an event to raise awareness of and money for cancer research. Booths, staffed by various university organizations and commer-cial vendors, offered food, games and other activities. Everyone in the com-munity was invited to enjoy the fun.

Tanya Hoang, SGA president, shared, “As a team, we wanted to put together an event that would be fun as well as purposeful to, not just campus, but the entire Montevallo community.”

Jenny Bell, director of student life at UM, speaking of the background of the event, said, “SGA felt like raising money as a university community to help fight this disease would be a way that they could provide great weekend programming to UM students while also focusing on a community issue and need.”

community garden donates food for families

The UM Organic Community Garden has donated a total of 1,565 pounds of produce to Shelby Emer-gency Assistance (SEA).

Baseball team raises funds for pediatric cancer

Campus News


MOntevaLLO GIves BaCK

Finding solutions for student emergencies

A s tuition rates rise nationwide, so do the burdens on college stu-dents – both financially and mentally. Because of this, the University of Montevallo is taking steps to provide every student with the support neces-sary for a successful college career.

According to the National Cen-ter for Education Statistics, as much as 85 percent of first-time, full-time undergraduate students receive some sort of financial assistance, whether through grants or loans. At the Uni-versity of Montevallo, that number is around 60 percent – lower than the

national average, but still a significant portion of the student population.

“Montevallo has an enrollment of more than 3,000 students, and more than half receive needs-based finan-cial aid,” said Josh Miller, M.Ed. ’07, director of counseling services. “Financial assistance is only one part of the equation, however. We are finding that many students require emotional support to help cope with the financial burden of pursuing a higher education.”

Financial aid is often more than just paying for tuition. Many stu-dents also require assistance to pay for books, school supplies, housing, food and emergency situations such as car repairs. In fact, Feeding America recently found that one in 10 of its clients are college students, and that nearly one-third of the families served through its food bank network are forced to make the choice between food and education. Other studies have shown that an increasing number of college students experience what is known as “food insecurity,” which is defined as limited or uncertain avail-ability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods and/or the limited or uncer-tain ability to acquire such foods.

Continued on page 10

Illustration by Hannah stein


of UM students are on needs-based financial aid

“Furthermore, most able-bodied students who are enrolled in college at least half-time are not eligible for food stamp benefits,” Miller said. “We want our students at Montevallo to be focused on their studies and not where their next meal is coming from.”

To address this, a trio of Monte-vallo departments have partnered to identify and help those students in need. UM’s Counseling Center, Office of Financial Aid and the University of Montevallo Foundation offer a variety of programs and services to help stu-dents along their college journey. These include academic advising and mentor-ing, financial planning and individual advising and referrals to appropriate on- and off-campus resources, such as mental and physical health support.

“One of the most beneficial aspects of our program is that we work together to identify students who need assistance and direct them to the appropriate contact,” said Miller. “For example, Student Financial Services sees a stu-dent dealing with the mental stress of classes and exams, and they refer him or her to us at the Counseling Center. Likewise, if we see students struggling with how to pay for college, we refer them to financial services. The foun-dation is available to assist financially when federal grants or loans may not be available. It’s a system to ensure no student falls through the cracks.”

The UM Foundation operates to advance the mission of the University of Montevallo in all of its educational, instructional, service, charitable and out-reach endeavors. In many cases, federal financial assistance is no longer available to students after their fourth year of col-lege. As many students are now taking

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Campus news

Brooke Williamson discusses services offered by the University with a student.

longer than the traditional four years to obtain a degree, the foundation is able to fill in those gaps thanks to philanthropic support from university donors.

“When a student has exhausted their federal financial aid but only has one class remaining to graduate, the foundation can step in and provide assistance,” said Brenda Knight, executive director of the UM Foundation. “Likewise, when a student must commute to campus, and their car breaks down, we can help. Or if they need a temporary place to live for the semester, we can provide them with options or direct them to on-campus housing. No student should be prevent-ed from a degree by temporary setbacks such as these.”

The services provided by the uni-versity are free, confidential and avail-

able to all currently enrolled students. Once enrolled, students also have the option of participating in a mentoring program in which advisers monitor the student’s progress and are available

to assist and intervene whenever necessary. This is done with the goal of keeping students on track for obtaining their degrees in a timely and efficient fashion.

“The University of Montevallo remains an excellent investment for higher education, and we want to main-tain our status as a leader in graduating students with low debt loads,” Knight said. “We want every student to have the best experience possible and prepare them for a successful future. With the support of our faculty, staff, donors and community, we can make that happen.”

Scholarship endowed for student emergencies

Thanks to the generosity of UM alumnus James L. Moss ’69, of Plano, Texas, students at Montevallo who are experiencing a financial emergency will have a source of assistance. The James L. Moss Emergency Assistance Fund was endowed to help students who might be facing situations that may prohibit them from staying in school or even completing their degree in their final semester.

Moss was a member of the Sigma Club, which grew into the Alpha Tau Omega frater-nity. Now a partner at MHBT, a commercial insurance brokerage firm in Dallas, he established the fund as an expression of his appreciation to the university for the opportunities he was accorded while a student. He said, “The University of Montevallo provides students with a solid foundation, academically and culturally. UM gives so much to its students, and it is our responsibility to give something back. I encourage anyone who can to support their favorite programs.”

The James L. Moss Emer-gency Assistance Fund joins two other scholarships to provide the funding used to support UM stu-dents. The Mildred Ophelia Estes Scholarship and the Judy Nordan Trotter Scholarship also provide financial support to the student emergency assistance.

Ways you can help:• Donate food to the UM food

pantry in Counseling Services

• Make a tax-deductible gift to the UM Foundation

For more information, call 205-665-6215 or visit www.montevallo.edu/giving


“We want our students at Montevallo to be focused on their studies and not where their next meal is coming from.” - Josh Miller

Josh Miller and rachel Foster Haase look over the Counseling Center calendar.

I designed and offered a 300-level Honors course, titled “Bring Stories to Life,” covering everything from basic principles and history of the oral tradi-tion to students actually doing fieldwork and conducting interviews on their own. Students Melanie Berry, Taylor Teems, Heather Calvert and Hannah Gentry took the class in spring 2014. We began by exploring oral tradition dating by the Zhou Dynasty in China to the writings of Walter Ong. We incorporated sound technology into the discussion with the U.S. Bureau of American Ethnography’s recording of tribal songs and interviews with chiefs of Native American tribes out west. These recordings were done on wax cylinders, a fragile technology in the late 1800s.

Our first major class project in-volved listening to and evaluating oral history interviews from the past. Students focused on interview tech-niques, sound quality and background information for public use. Highlights included interviews with the famous publisher Bennett Cerf, historian John Hope Franklin, former Alabama College professor Olive Stone and John Lomax’s slave interviews. We used these to survey

a wide range of successful interview strategies and staging practices. These recordings also introduced problems such as barking dogs in the background and scratched, unstable media.

Next, each student was required to conduct a short interview with an on-campus personality as a sort of live trial. We used these initial interviews as a step-by-step guide for the oral history process. First, we selected and researched the people being interviewed and honed interview techniques. Second, the students conducted oral histories with Rosa Maria Stoops (English and foreign languages), Clark Hultquist (history), Roberta Leichnitz (McNair Scholars Program) and John Bawden (history), re-spectively. Interviewee topics ranged from travel to graduate school pursuits. Third, we negotiated legalities such as copyright and creating accurate transcripts.

Finally, unlike their first oral histories where we walked through each step of the process, the second round of inter-views was up to each student to facilitate. Responsibilities included researching year-books and using their own detective skills to gather enough information to create quality questions for their interviewees.

We worked with Brenda Knight (executive director of the UM Foundation) to facilitate sessions with a few Mon-tevallians of note. Melanie interviewed Barbara Belisle, a long-time Montevallo resident who taught high school English and has worked at Carmichael Library for the past two decades. Hannah inter-viewed Steve Condrey, an alumnus and public administrator who began working for the Obama administration in 2010. Taylor interviewed Barbara Bonfield, an alumna and retired social worker who has devoted herself to documenting Birmingham’s Jewish heritage. Heather interviewed Cynthia Todd, an alumna who grew up in Shelby County and made a name for herself in Birming-ham’s business community.

With both sets of interviews, these honors students researched, recorded and documented the Montevallo histories of those who came here to work and teach and of those who are products of our institution and their impact on the world around us. Whether the oral history was with a professor specializing in French history or a community member who in-tegrated local schools, these students were able to ensure their stories endure and are available to the public. The students and I hope this significantly adds to the Montevallo story. A good example from this project is when Taylor asked Barbara Bonfield why she chose Alabama College. Ms. Bonfield quotes her mother, who said, “‘Barbara, go one year to Monte-vallo, and if, after that year, you want to change, then you can change, but go one year.’ And I came here to Montevallo, and, of course, fell in love with it and all the people that were here.”

|honors class Makes history|By Carey HeatHerLy

Guest essay

“I came here to Montevallo, and, of course, fell in love with it and all the people that were here.”

- Barbara Bonfield ’58

“We are truly committed to the personal and athletic development of each of our student athletes. alexa (assistant coach) and I have a passion for mentoring women not only to be the best athletes they can be, but more so how to be the best person they can be.”

- Lindsay vanover,head coach

CreatInG a LeGaCy WItH WOMen’s sOFtBaLL


Sports

For a former all-girls school, adding arguably the most popular women’s sport in the South would seem like a logical step. On Aug. 2, 2013, this step was taken, as the University of Montevallo formally announced the addition of its 13th intercollegiate sport: softball.

It is a sentimental move that is a nod to the past and a calculated decision that fits into the modern-day athletic landscape. Montevallo becomes the sixth Division II school in the state to field a softball team, joining UAH, the Univer-sity of North Alabama, Miles College, Stillman College and the University of West Alabama.

Charged with leading the Montevallo program is Lindsay Vanover. Vanover played collegiately at the University of Houston and was most recently an as-sistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Dartmouth College.

Vanover trades in the brick walls of the Ivy League for the brick streets of Ala-bama’s lone public liberal arts institution, and the leader of the softball program is happy to have found a home here.

“Taking this job was definitely a dream come true,” said Vanover. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have the privilege and capability of building a program from the ground up. I’ve never been happier or felt more honored to be selected as Montevallo’s inaugural head coach. Moving to Alabama has been a wonderful decision for my husband and me. We have never felt so welcomed or comfortable in any community in which we have previously lived. The support we have been shown by the city of Monte-vallo and the university means so much to my staff, the players, my family and me. I look forward to many great years here, leading these women in a game that means so much to all of us.”

Of course, a head coach cannot begin to create a softball empire in the very heart of the South without re-cruiting top-of-the-line student athletes.

UM softball players are ready to face the challenge of their first game. Don’t miss the softball opener and UMnaa event on Feb. 1. (see page 31 for more details.)


Sports

As soon as Vanover formally took office, she was tasked with hiring an assistant coach as well as finding players for the inaugural squad.

Selling a quality education, a family atmosphere and the chance to make history with the inaugural team, Vanover landed the first members of the team in January of 2014.

All told, there are 24 members of the newly formed softball team representing seven states, spanning from California to Minnesota. Of course, there’s also a local flair to the squad, with most of the girls resid-ing in Alabama.

In addition to the student athletes, Vanover will have a big name joining her in the dugout. Alexa Peterson, a four-year letter winner at the University of Oregon and an 11th overall pick in the 2014 National Pro Fastpitch draft, has been named the assistant coach for the Falcons.

“We are truly committed to the personal and athletic development of each of our student athletes. Alexa and I have a passion for mentoring women not only to be the best athletes they can be, but more so how to be the best person they can be. We want to get them as prepared for the workforce as we possibly can, and we are just lucky to have an opportunity to do that through athletics. As a head coach, I pride myself on being a recruiter who un-derstands the balance between academic and athletic suc-cess, which has been a hallmark of our student athletes at Montevallo.” said Vanover.

As the first semester of the 2014-15 school year comes to a close, Vanover’s team has thrived in the classroom. Probable opening-day starter and cover athlete Jostlyn Higgerson concluded her first semester at UM with a 4.0 GPA after taking an impressive 19 hours.

“I love having the opportunity to get to play for Montevallo because of the valuable life lessons I have learned in such a short amount of time,” said Higgerson, who expects to graduate in 2016. “Through softball, I have learned teamwork, patience, perseverance and, most importantly, mental toughness. This is why I love softball. It has made me not only a better player but also a better person. Being a Montevallo Falcon softball player means more to me than just being a normal student ath-lete. By putting in all of the time we do, we truly gain the tools we need to be successful later in life.”

The addition of softball creates an opportunity for female student athletes to continue their playing careers on the collegiate level while obtaining a first-class edu-cation. Vanover and Peterson have come to the center of Alabama from opposite coasts for the chance to cre-ate a legacy. They are here to build upon the tradition of the university’s storied history. And what’s the best way to honor the progressive past of UM? By moving us into the future.


the Davie family.


suzette’s adopted

children from

Ukraine.

photo illustration by Brittany Headley, Hannah stein, and tiffany r. Bunt


Your home: Birmingham, Alabama

Your hometown: Thomasville, Alabama

Tell us about your family: I am married to Gabe Davie, a native of Birmingham. We have been married for 27 years and have 10 children. They range in age from eight to 26. Seven of our children came to us by way of adoption. We began adopting seven years ago. Our youngest child was adopted domestically. The other six were adopted as older children from the country of Ukraine. Five of those are from the region of Ukraine that has been invaded by Russia and is torn apart by war.

What is your profession? And how has it changed over time? I am currently president of the nonprofit, Grace to Ukraine. We provide humanitarian, educational and spiritual support to the orphaned and poor in the country of Ukraine. I have been in this position for three years. When I left the University of Montevallo in 1984, I had a major in mass com-munication. Later, I attended law school and practiced law in Texas and then in Florida. I ultimately chose to retire from the practice of law, become a stay-at-home mom and then, in 2012, founded Grace to Ukraine.

Why did you choose to make a transition like this in your career? Each career change was a major turning point in my life. I was majoring in mass communication at Montevallo. My last semester there, I took a course titled Media Law. The course was taught by a Birmingham lawyer, and it was con-ducted similar to a law school class. I enjoyed it immensely. I had never had an interest in law or thought about a career in that field. In the course of the media law class at Montevallo, I began to ponder the possibility of studying law and started law school the following year at Cumberland after six months at a TV station in Montgomery. There, I met my husband. We married and moved to Dallas where I obtained my law degree at Southern Methodist University. After graduation, I was hired by one of the largest law firms in Dallas: Vial, Hamilton, Koch and Knox. I was the first woman at that law firm who was also a mother (by that time, Gabe and I had one son). I was also the first lawyer at the firm to later request and get a part-time position when our second son was born. Part-time was still 30-40 hours per week. I ultimately chose to leave the firm after our third child was born; however, it was there that I first began developing an interest in adoption and orphan care. I chose, as my pro bono work, to assist families in adopting through the foster care system in Texas. That was the most rewarding work I had done in my career. After leaving Vial, Hamilton, I continued to practice law. I became licensed in the state of Florida and moved there with my family. My husband and I practiced real estate law in Florida and became involved in real estate development as well. It was not until 2006 that my husband and I felt a mandate to

care for the orphaned and poor of society. All of our back-ground – educational, professional and personal – equipped us to undertake this initiative. Not only did we begin to look at adoption as a way to care for others but also founded Grace to Ukraine, as well as got involved with orphan care here in Ala-bama through the work of the Adullam House in Wetumpka; in Haiti through the work of the Hands and Feet Project; and in Uganda through Amazima Ministries.

What is the best advice you have received? I had a 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Megginson, who refused to accept the words “I can’t.” She would tell us “can’t never could, you’re a poor puny imp.” May it never be said of me that I was a “poor puny imp!”

Favorite motto: “Where there is a will, there is a way.” People often refuse to try things because it looks impossible. I can’t recall ever having looked at any task as impossible. Once again, this philosophy is only reinforced by my Christian beliefs, knowing that I do not work alone but that there is an all-powerful God who works on my behalf, especially in the cause of orphan care.

What are your favorite Montevallo memories? I graduated from Montevallo in 1984, but I still have random memories of particular classes that I took there. I remember the encourage-ment I received from my English teachers; the opportunities in the communication department, actually learning to speak in public. I was an honor student, but I had to drop biology my first year because I was failing it. And, of course, I remember College Night. I was purple.

What would you like to add? Grace to Ukraine has three specific areas of service: we bring orphaned children from Ukraine to Alabama each summer; we provide disposable diapers and other necessities to a special-needs orphanage in Ukraine; and we sponsor a Bible camp each summer in Ukraine, taking teams there to minister to the orphaned and poor. You can read more at www.gracetoukraine.net

I am someone who has been blessed materially. Not due to any talent of my own, but simply in the providence and by the grace of God. The culture in which I live is an affluent one, and I see waste all around me of the gifts God has poured out. Part of what I hope to accomplish in advocating for the orphaned and poor is to encourage others like me to use their time and resources sacrificially. Do not turn a blind eye to the needy. If a person comes over to the Davie home in the summer, spends time with orphaned children from Ukraine, then goes home and decides to become a licensed foster parent, I will have ac-complished my goal. There is nothing unique about Ukraine, or Haiti or America, for that matter. Find YOUR place of service to the orphaned and poor, and there, serve well.

alumni Profile

Haley Evans ’13, one of UM’s most decorated cross-country run-ners, has upped her game, “thru-hiking” the Appalachian Trail over the summer. She finished this feat in September.

The Trail spans approximately 2,200 miles, from Springer Moun-tain, Georgia, to Katahdin, Maine, and covers 14 states. According to the Appalachian Trail Conser-vancy, approximately 2-3 million people hike parts of the Trail throughout the year. However, every year, an elite group of “thru-hikers” attempts to traverse the entirety of the terrain.

Since the first person completely hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1948, less than 15,000 people have gone the whole distance. Among those who have finished, less than 4,000 are women. Only about 25 percent of the hikers who attempt to navigate the whole trail are actu-ally successful in doing so.

One of the most decorated run-ners in Montevallo’s history, Evans was named to the Peach Belt’s All-Conference Team all four years at UM, earning first-team honors in three of the four seasons. In her junior year, she won the individual Peach Belt Conference Cham-pionship, leading women’s cross country to their first-ever appear-ance in the NCAA Championship and was honored at the end of the

year with the Margaret Blalock Award, which is given by UM to the female athlete of the year.

On the cross country course, Evans thrived because of her relent-less work ethic and desire to be great. “I’ve never coached anybody who wanted to succeed more than Haley,” said Montevallo Cross Country Coach Tommy Barksdale.

For Evans, the mental makeup that made her an elite runner is the same thing that led her to success on the Trail. Her decision to tackle the trek was never about external accomplishments, but rather, her motivation was internally based on the basic desire to challenge herself. “I never really thought about it in a bigger way,” she said. “I just enjoy hiking, and I enjoy pushing my limits and getting out of my comfort zone. I think that defines who I am.”

She continued,“I feel like a large part of my success on the Trail was because of cross country and my time at Montevallo. I learned how to mentally and physically push myself. Cross country instilled confidence in me that I can do great things.”

For Evans, the splendor of the Trail is in the details. “I can just sit on an overlook and take it all in. It’s my time alone with the world, and I really enjoy it. It gives me an overwhelming sense of happiness.”

evans completes appalachian trail

1936 Ann Barr was rec-ognized recently for

her 43 years of service to Alabama Extension and 4-H and for her military service. A new flagpole was dedicated to Ann at Azalea Place in Auburn, where she now resides. She began her career in Alabama Extension and 4-H upon return-ing from military service in North Africa and Italy after World War II. Her first position was as an assistant home demonstration agent, and when she reached the mandatory retirement age of 70, she was state 4-H program leader for girls. She immediately went to work as a consultant with the Na-tional 4-H Council in Washington, D.C. and served an additional four years. Ann served 33 years on the 4-H Club National Council and chaired that body six times. She is an inductee of the National 4-H Club Hall of Fame, the Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame and Alabama’s Agriculture Hall of Honor.

1968 Connie Chandler was recently honored at the

2nd Annual L.D. McLaughlin Ben-efit hosted by Dale Medical Center in Ozark. Connie, a family practice physician, has served the hospital for 40 years in various positions includ-ing chief of medical staff, emergency room director, home health medical director and hospice medical director.

1969 John W. Schmidt, retiring senior vice

chancellor for advancement and external relations at Troy University, was recognized for his service to the university with the naming of the offices housing first-year studies the John W. Schmidt Student Success Center. He developed a program to help incoming freshmen to be successful in college, thereby increas-ing retention. Jack Hawkins Jr. ’67, M.Ed. ’71, chancellor of Troy University, said, “The center is the expanded version of his concept. It was that research, that leadership that led to the program we have today. Our trustees felt it would be appropriate, since he developed the program that led to the center, that we name the success center after him.”

1973 Robert Owens recently retired from

his position as district attorney for Shelby County. He had served in prosecution for more than 30 years. He also established the nonprofit agency, Owens House, in 1993 in an effort to coordinate the Shelby County community’s response to child abuse.

1975 Tom Walker, founder and CEO of the Amer-

ican Village Citizenship Trust, was named 2014 Citizen of the Year by the Women’s Committee of 100 for Birmingham. Individuals accorded this honor must “actively exemplify humanitarian qualities and show a commitment to improving the qual-ity of life in Alabama and have made an impact on the lives of others.”

1987 Jim Parker, music teacher at West Point

Elementary and Intermediate schools in Cullman, recently accept-ed the position of children’s music director at First United Methodist Church in Cullman. He also plays with several musical groups and teaches trumpet and classical guitar.

1988 Mary Gleason Irwin writes that she has

used her education degree to teach for 26 years for the Department of Defense; the Archdiocese of Seattle in Vancouver, Washington; the Eugene school system in Oregon; and now the Millard public schools in Omaha, Nebraska.

1990 Gaynell Willoughby James has been named

marketing director of GreenPointe Homes in Florida. She will oversee communications, public relations and promotional activities for GreenPointe’s operations in north-east, central and southwest Florida.

1992 Karen Musgrove M.Ed. ’96, executive

director for Birmingham AIDS Outreach, has been selected to par-ticipate in Leadership Birmingham for 2014-2015. That organization’s purpose is to enable local leaders to learn more about the community and contribute to its betterment.

Class Notes


class notes

1993 Michael A. Shine, a project manager for the

City of Birmingham and a licensed realtor, recently had his book, Excuse Me Pastor, I Don’t Want Your Church, published by Outskirts Press Inc. The book deals with issues that arise when a pastor asserts authority wrongfully on the church body.

1994 James Burton M.Ed.

’97 has been named principal of Blossom-wood Elemen-tary School in Huntsville. James and his wife, Shanna Tindal Burton ’92, reside in nearby Albertville.

1996 Tami Genry, media specialist at Helena

Intermediate School, received the Herman Moore LAMP Award of Exceptional Service from the Alabama Library Expo. The award is presented to librarians and media specialists who have “rendered outstanding and exceptional service to their patrons, schools and com-munities over an extended period of time.”

Rita Sparks M.Ed. recently was named the Alabama Gifted Special-ist of the Year by the Alabama Association for Gifted Children. She is the lead gifted teacher for the Alabaster city school system.

1997 The artwork of Nita Whigham Terrell

was selected to be included in the Red Clay Survey, held recently at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Her ceramic entry was one of more than

1,500 works submitted by 72 artists; 90 pieces were selected by juror Susanna Coffey of New York City.

1998 Matt Fridy has been elected to the Alabama

House of Representatives for District 73 in Shelby County. A member of the law firm of Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, Matt and his wife, Kimberly, reside in Montevallo with their four children.

Randy Johns has accepted the posi-tion of senior MIS project manager with Drummond Company in Bir-mingham. He received his Project Management Professional certifica-tion from the Project Management Institute in 2012.

2000 Beth House M.Ed. ’03, an English

teacher at Thompson High School in Alabaster, and husband Mike, a fitness trainer, are training to run the 2015 Dopey Challenge, to be held at Walt Disney World in January 2015. The event consists of four runs on four consecutive days: a 5K, a 10K, a half-marathon and a full marathon. The Houses will run to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foun-dation in honor of Beth’s mother, Mary Lou Williams ’69, M.A. ’72, UM’s director of development and alumni relations emerita.

Daryl Spears, senior vice presi-dent for commercial real estate and health care at Aliant Bank in Birmingham, was selected to the Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 for 2014.

2002 Annie Clara Brown, a hospice

social worker in Pell City, has au-thored a book about her experiences working in hospice care. My Little

People: A Social Worker’s Journey is part memoir and part guidebook for those considering end-of-life care for themselves or for a loved one.

Kenya Martin Hall M.A. ’03 of Hoover is an instruc-tional coach at Bottenfield Middle School in Adamsville in Jefferson County.

2004 Kay Butts Pruett of Atlanta has accepted

the position of national events associate with Young Survival Coali-tion, the premier global organiza-tion dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women diagnosed with breast cancer. She manages the signature fundrais-ing events including Tour de Pink, the nation’s only three-day bicycle ride, as well as all third-party fundraisers.

Christine Simmer has assumed ownership of Jones Animal Clinic in Brundidge. She earned the doc-torate of veterinary medicine from Auburn University and was em-ployed for five years at a veterinary clinic in Ozark before opening her own practice.

2006 Justin Averette recently was named

editor of the Selma Times-Journal. He had previously served as pub-lisher of The Demopolis Times. During his tenure there, the Times won more than 16 Alabama Press Association awards as well as Free-dom of Information Act awards for investigative reporting.

2008 Lindsey Irvin M.Ed., a teacher

at Calera Elementary School, received one of six Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarships, awarded by the Alabama Humanities Founda-tion to elementary teachers whose classroom projects enhance the learning experience for their stu-dents. Lindsey’s proposal centered on building a structure near the city park, Akridge Arboretum, to house a historic bell. The scholarship will enable her to purchase “extras” for her classroom. Brent Tolbert Ed.S. was recently named supervisor of academic data collection, data management, ac-countability and testing for Shelby County schools. He quipped that the position, “may be the longest title” in the system.

2009 Jennifer Lee Andrews of

Guntersville has been named design project manager for Discount Building Supply. She writes that her “interior design degree finally paid off.” She had previously served as manager of Johnson Pools and Spas in Madison.

Check out UM Graduate admissions and records at

WWW.MonteVaLLo.edu/Grad


2011 Robert Dolbare M.Ed. ’11 and

’14 has been named principal at J.E. Terry Elementary School in Dallas County. He had previ-ously served as a history teacher at Dallas County High School. He is currently pursuing an educational specialist degree at UM.

2012 Mikia Carter has earned the M.Ed. in

college student affairs administration from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, where she now serves as coordinator of experiential learning.

MeLinda Hamilton M.Ed. and her husband Todd reside in Helena with their three children. MeLinda credits having her dream job, teach-ing kindergarten at Vestavia East Elementary School, to her master’s degree from UM.

2013 Parker Hunt, a K-12 art instructor at

Episcopal Day School in Gadsden, recently had a collection of his ce-ramic flower vases displayed at the Meadows Gallery at Gadsden State Community College. This was Parker’s first solo exhibition and

represented the body of work he created during his residency earlier this year at the Hardin Center for Cultural Arts in Gadsden.

Amy Leigh Albro Strickland M.Ed. and her brother, Sam Albro, are producing a mythology-based graphic novel, Olympia Heights: Lightning Rod. Amy wrote the script, and Sam is producing the artwork. A teacher by day, Amy has written a series of novels directed toward young adults.

WeDDInGs1999 Rachael Abbi

Hughes (1) married Adam Zerbe Aug. 20 in San Fran-cisco. The couple resides in Carmel, California, where Adam’s family and business are located. Rachael is the owner of a property management company, and Adam is a member of the musical band, Sky Country. Parents of the bride are UM alumni Patti Hughes ’66 and Donald H. Hughes ’68.

2008 Stephanie Perry and Barbara Silor

’08 (2) were united in a commit-ment ceremony Oct. 4 at Aldridge Botanical Gardens in Hoover. After a honeymoon trip to the beach, the couple resides in Birmingham, where both are employed. Stephanie is the administrative manager in the de-partment of psychiatry at UAB, and Barbara is a marketing and corporate events manager at Daxko.

2010 Amanda Rucks and Andrew Duncan

were married Aug. 16 on the stage of the Virginia Samford Theatre in Birmingham. Their Hollywood-inspired wedding was featured in a special section of The Birmingham News, “Real Alabama Weddings.”

2011 Dwight Jinright Ed.S. (3) and Corey

Stockdale were married Sept. 20 in Barre, Vermont. Dwight serves as director of UM’s Regional In-Ser-vice Center, and Corey is a recovery analyst for CDR Associates and owner of Tranquility Thera-Mas-sage. The couple resides in Pelham.

2012 Brittney Lovoy and Micah Woodley were

married Sept. 20 at Douglas Manor in Columbiana.

Kathryn Spanier and Charua Ky-engo Lombo were married Sept. 6 at Clanton First United Methodist Church. Proud mother of the bride is Elizabeth Byrd ’97.

2013 Emily Beckett and Joseph Sparacino

M.Ed. (4) were married Oct. 18 at the American Village in Monte-vallo. Joe teaches special education and coaches football and baseball at Helena Middle School. Emily is employed with The Shelby County Reporter.

BIrtHs2000 Willie Phillips (5)

and his wife, Ga-brielle, celebrated the birth of their second child, Willie L. Phillips III “Tripp,” Aug. 4. Tripp was greeted at the Phillips home in Washington, D.C., by big sister Peyton, 3. Willie serves on the Public Commission of the District of Columbia, and Gabrielle is a diplomat with the U.S. State Department.

Montevallo Charms

new charms will be added for Homecoming 2015. For more info, visit www.montevallo.edu/alumni/homecoming

Class Notes


2001 Jessica Batting Reinhardt M.Ed.

’06 (6) and her husband, Billy, wel-comed the birth of their third child, Judson James Reinhardt, on their 8th wedding anniversary, June 17. Judson was welcomed to the family home in Wetumpka by big sisters Ruby, 4, and Olivia, 2. Jessica is enjoying being a stay-at-home mom.

DeatHs1934 Constance Mary

Gwendolyn Marsden Barefield, 101, of Homewood, died Sept. 26. She was a retired teacher.

1936 Ida Lyon Traylor, 100, of Shreveport,

Louisiana, died Nov 9.

1938 Louise Till Dodson Knotts, 98, of Co-

lumbia, South Carolina, died Sept. 20. She was a retired teacher.

Owen Dunn McFaden, 98, of Alabaster, previously of Montgomery, died Aug. 9. She was a retired teacher. Survivors include her daughter, UM alumna Linda McFaden Miller ’69.

Etna Jackson Rhodes, 98, of Trussville, died Aug. 9. She was a retired teacher.

1939 Carmen Edwina Howell Headley, 96,

of Fairhope, died Sept. 28. She was a retired teacher.

Eunice Ivey, 98, of Dothan, died July 27. She worked with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems on the campus of Auburn University for 30 years. She also served the USDA Home Adminis-tration and Alabama Power.

Fairye Carpenter Wise, 95, of Andalusia, died Oct. 6. She and her husband owned and operated Wise Tractor Company.

1941 Mary Scott How-ell Albrecht, 95, of

Selma, died Aug. 31. She taught in the Selma city schools for 25 years.

Susie Ezzell Atta, 96, of Dothan, died Aug. 11. She had been em-ployed by the U.S. government as a mathematical statistician.

Irene Swift “Tippy” Coley, 93, of Birmingham, died Sept. 6. She was a retired teacher of U.S. history at Mountain Brook High School.

1942 Cammie Eleanor Lane Cruise, 94, of

Deatsville, died Sept. 2. She was a retired teacher.

1943 Zoe Ward Hughens, 91, of Birmingham,

died Aug. 15. She was a retired secre-tary and teacher.

Josephine Martin Kerlin, 93, of Mobile, died Sept. 12. She had served as director of the Florence Crittendon Home in Mobile for a number of years.

Carolyn Breaux McCrory, 91, of Florence, died Aug. 23. She was a retired teacher and school librarian.

Mary Glenn Pryor, 93, of Newark, New Jersey, formerly of Hunts-ville, died Nov. 9. She had served the Madison County schools for 35 years as a teacher and library services coordinator.

1945 Arra Eugenia “Ar-ragene” Martin, 91,

of Mobile, died Sept. 15. She was a retired teacher with more than 40 years of service.

Jean Autrey McMillan, 91, of Auburn, died Aug. 24.

Dorcas “Dot” Scroggins Saunders, 90, of Gulf Shores, died Nov. 16.

Jesse Lucile Holt Williamson, 91, of Abilene, Texas, and more recently, Yakima, Washington, died Oct. 5. She was a retired teacher with 25 years of service.

1950 Mary Jo Harris, of Marianna, Florida,

died Nov. 5. She was a retired pro-fessor of early childhood education at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.

Elizabeth “Libby” Milton, 87, of Slidell, Louisiana, died Oct. 31. For 50 years, she held numerous positions with Kinglsey House in New Orleans, a nonprofit serving children, families and the disabled. Upon her retirement in 2012, King-sley House created the Libby Milton Champion for Children Award.

1953 Ann Wyatt Sharp, 83, of Greenville,

South Carolina, died in October. She was a retired professor of English at Furman University.

1954 Ruth Evelyn Peer, 77, of Birmingham, died

Aug. 7. She was a retired teacher with 30 years of service.

Jane Wise Stephenson, 83, of Dothan, formerly of Geneva, died July 15. She was a retired teacher.

1968 James L. Stephens M.A., 88, of Horton,

died Sept. 24. He was a retired teacher and school administrator with 38 years of service.

1972 Mary Frances Lewis Etheredge M.Ed., of

Irondale, died Aug. 22. She was a retired teacher.

1973 Lorenza Minor M.Ed., 79, of

Birmingham, died Aug. 17. He was an educator in the Bessemer school system for 34 years.

1974 Peggy Maddox Burnette M.Ed. ’76,

61, of Rainbow City, died Aug. 18. She taught math and science at Southside High School.

On a weekend in late July, 28 ATO alumni fraternity brothers and friends gathered in Birmingham to celebrate Bill Griswold ’82, his 36 years of brotherhood and 27 years of military service. “Griz,” a colo-nel in the Alabama Army National Guard, served a combat tour in Afghanistan with the embedded training team with the Afghan army.

“Griz” was surprised to be the guest of honor at this event. His wife, Teresa Thorn Griswold ’83, and daughters Whitney and Taylor enjoyed the weekend, as well. The festivities included storytelling, memorabilia, golf and a Barons baseball game.

atOs honor Bill Griswold ’82


1976 Thomas Edwin Taylor, 60, of Hedgesville,

West Virginia, died Sept. 22. He was retired from the West Virginia Air National Guard and the U.S. Depart-ment of Veterans Affairs.

1978 Elizabeth Harper Smith M.Ed., Ed.S.

’86, 70, of Birmingham, died Aug. 30. She was an educator and admin-istrator in the Shelby County schools, retiring as director of instruction.

1981 Leroy Anderson M.Ed., 83, of Jasper,

died Sept. 25. A retired teacher, he was a pastor to several Baptist churches in Walker County.

Steve Cobb, 55, of Pensacola, Florida, died Sept. 2. He was a teacher, coach and administrator.

1982 Alesia Nell Harris Cordes, 53, of Crane

Hill, died Nov. 17.

Shirley McGhee Dean Ed.S. ’93, 84, of Sylacauga, died Sept. 17. She was a retired teacher.

1983 James M. Hayes Ed.S., 80, of Hunts-

ville, formerly of Sylacauga, died Sept. 16. For 42 years he was an educator, coach and school administrator, retiring as assistant superintendent of Talladega County schools. Survivors include his wife and UM alumna Peggy McAdams Hayes Ed.S. ’83.

1998 Jennifer Hope Hag-gard, 38, of Oak

Grove, died Aug. 16. She was em-ployed with the Birmingham Zoo.

2005 Suzanne Theresa Burghardt, 31, of

Montgomery, died Oct. 25. She was a systems analyst with Regions Financial.

Condolences

1949 To Thelma Anderson Howell, of Chatom,

on the death of her husband, David C. Howell, Sept. 1. He was a teacher, school administrator and superinten-dent of education.

To Catherine Bridges Legg, of Montevallo, on the death of her husband, Billy R. Legg, Sept. 25. He was retired from Southern Railway with more than 41 years of service.

1974 To Vicki Hammond Jones of Brewton on

the death of her husband, Lester Fredrick Jones, Aug. 15. He was a master brickmason and a retired truck driver from JR’s Trucking.

To Lois Reach Cooper, executive assistant to President John W. Stew-art III, on the death of her sister, Joyce Reach Smith, Nov. 29.

To the family of James S. Davis Sr., carpentry supervisor emeritus, who died Nov. 16. He served in UM’s physical

plant from 1979 to 1997.

To Alfred Kojima, transportation and parking attendant at UM, on the death of his father, Fred Kojima, 88, of Torrance, California, March 26.

To the family of Rachel Pigott, a sophomore student at UM, who died Sept. 1 as the result of a single-car accident. She was returning to cam-pus from her home in Foley.

To the family of James R. Wilkin-son, associate dean of student affairs emeritus at UM. (See below for memorial.)

The University of Montevallo family mourns the loss of associate dean of stu-dent affairs emeritus James R. Wilkinson, who died Oct. 20. Wilkinson, affection-ately known as “Deano,” came to UM in the early days of coeducation at the

university and served for more than 30 years (1960-1991), first as dean of men, then as dean of student life and finally as associate dean of student affairs.

In 1998, the James R. Wilkinson Scholarship Fund was established in his honor. This scholarship is available to full-time UM students based on their leadership and financial need. The Men of Alabama College (those men who attended between 1956, when the name of the institution was Alabama College, and 1969, when it became the University of Montevallo) crafted an open letter to Wilkinson that was presented to him upon the endowment of this scholarship. It recorded, “As we spent more time with you, we learned that character does indeed count. Living with principle is essential to using responsibly the education we were gaining. Success is measured by the ben-eficial accomplishments we would achieve, and how those deeds are accomplished counts. You had remarkable patience in

teaching us those qualities. Thank you.”The University of Montevallo Na-

tional Alumni Association conferred on Wilkinson the status of Honorary Alum-nus in 1999. He was recognized for his work with UM’s Interfraternity Council and the Student Government Associa-tion as well as numerous other campus organizations and events.

In 2011, when Farmer Hall on the UM campus was renovated, the Wilkin-son Student Life Center was dedicated in his honor.

In recent weeks, the University of Montevallo Greek Alumni Reunion Committee established the James Wilkinson Greek Loyalty Hall of Fame Award to honor those who have demon-strated their loyalty to the Greek organi-zations and students of UM.

Those who wish to honor “Deano’s” memory may contribute to the scholarship fund by contacting the alumni office at 205-665-6215 or [email protected].

saying goodbye to Deano

Class Notes


alumni activities

|OLyMpICs Day| For the second year in a row, Olympics Day has flourished as a partnership among the Alumni Association, Junior Board, Athletics and other departments across campus. This year, the activities commenced immediately after Founders’ Day and introduced the additions of a book reading by Drs. Mike and Linda Mahan on Friday and a Greek Alumni reunion and tailgating on Saturday. The alumni boards and Athletics are already working together to strengthen and grow the weekend’s activities for next year.

Male and female winners of the Hope Bryant smith (HBs) Memorial 5K run.

2. stephen parker throws a disc at the inaugural Disc Golf tournament.

3. sigmas honor Jim Wilkinson at the annual golf tournament through nu-merous hole sponsorships.

4. the oldest and youngest HBs 5K participants: Charles thompson ’72 and allie Beth Crawford, whose mother, audrey, finished second, even while pushing a stroller.

5. Junior board member and HBs 5K run coordinator, rick Casey ’00, pres-ents a medal to his daughter, Hayden, who finished first in the Fun run.photo by Wendy Johnson

photo by Brittany Headley




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1. alumni sign in for the young alumni night at the soccer game on sept. 23. 2. Kevin thornthwaite ’05 and rachel Daniel ’09 at the event on sept. 23. 3. tiffani Humphries ’98 (left), and Ginger ’00 and patrick McDonald ’01 pose with Freddie Falcon at the Greek alumni reunion. 4. taylor posey ’06, Candace O’neil ’05 and Joy Maxwell ’06 represent their sororities at the Greek alumni reunion. 5. Greek alumni anjanette arnold ’95 and stephanie shaw ’93 pose with the long-time Zaps pho-tographer Jeffrey newton. 6. UMnaa president Mike Malone ’69 with Outstanding Commitment to teaching recipient tom sanders, alumna Loyalty recipient sandra Lott ’68, Outstand-ing staff service recipient tammi Dahle and UMnaa vice president for awards and recognition Jalete nelms ’90. 7. vir-ginia Cook ’53, Claudia Harrell ’73 and Wynelle sewell ’75 en-joy conversation at the tennessee valley area alumni gathering in October. 8. alumni gather at Below the radar in Huntsville. 9. Mike Malone ’69 and ronald Lewis ’67 enjoy catching up at the Homewood Library. 10. Jim Gordy ’71 views the artwork at the Jefferson County art auction. 11. JeffCo alumni art auction coordinators Laurl self ’94, paul Doran ’68 and Kit Waters ’78. 12. David ’72 and Cindy Wheeler, Mark Brandon ’75 and sara-Margaret Cates ’02 enjoy the pre-game reception at the Hotel Capstone in tuscaloosa. 13. alumni friends and family show their spirit for the UM Falcons men’s basketball team as they take on the Ua Crimson tide. 14. Former UM basketball player Jordan Hutchison ’10 (center) and friends show their support of the UM Falcons. 15. river region area alumni join to see alabama shake-speare Festival’s production of “a Christmas Carol.”

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spotted at alumni events

advancement news


|nordan establishes digital archive|Clayton M. Nordan, a 1976 M.A. gradu-ate of the University of Montevallo, has given generously to the University to establish the W. M. “Mack” Wyatt Digital Archive, which is named for his grandfa-ther and which has recently been added to the offerings of UM’s Carmichael Library. The Archive serves as a repository for ar-chived newspapers printed in Montevallo and Shelby County, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

“I decided to fund and support the cre-ation of this special local newspaper archive as a way of preserving my grandfather’s life’s work,” stated Nordan. “In addition, to locate and read this invaluable record of life in Montevallo and Shelby County in the mid-20th century has been difficult at best for the general public until now.”

Born near Clanton in Chilton County in 1892, Wyatt began his newspaper ca-reer as a typesetter and printer in 1907 at the age of 15. Wyatt continued his work in the newspaper business, as an editor and an owner, including associations with the Union Banner newspaper in Clanton, the DeKalb Herald in Fort Payne, the Mon-tevallo Times and the Calera Herald. The latter two publications were merged to become the Shelby County Times-Herald in 1954 and were published until 1959, when Wyatt sold the publication to The Shelby County Reporter.

“The newspapers from Montevallo and Shelby County that will be found in the W. M. ‘Mack’ Wyatt Digital Archive are a treasure trove of news, personal interest sto-ries, ads and local goings-on from a bygone era,” said Nordan. “They are fascinating to look at today and offer us a sense of what life must have been like when the world was

a smaller, simpler place. It is my hope that the W. M. ‘Mack’ Wyatt Digital Archive will grow and expand to include any and all newspapers and appropriate printed materi-als that tell the story of Montevallo and all of Shelby County.”

“The W. M. ‘Mack’ Wyatt Digital Archive is a part of Carmichael Library’s digital initiative program,” noted Kathy Lowe, director of the library. “The initia-tive seeks to provide students and scholars access to primary source material from local newspapers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In some cases, Car-michael Library held the only remaining print copy. The library’s first priority is to digitize these one-of-a-kind and rare newspapers.”

The intent of the archives is to preserve for posterity the newspapers published by Wyatt during his time in Montevallo and to make them available to the public. Other newspapers that have been published in Shelby County will also be included in the digital archive. As this archive expands, newsprints appear-ing in various formats will be added.

View the archive: www.montevallo.edu/wyatt-archive

Additional funding opportunities:

•Dr. Eugene B. Sledge Scholarship

•UM Study Abroad Programs

•Concert Choir European Tour May 2015

Reach out to the UM Foundation: 205-665-6215 or www.montevallo.edu/giving


Professional Spotlight

ViCtoria SHerrod ’06 speech-Language pathologist, trussville City school District

How did Montevallo affect your career choice? The University of Montevallo Communication Science and Disorders program sparked an unyielding passion for the field of speech-language pathology. The coursework at Montevallo provided a solid foundation that helped with the completion of my graduate degree, which ultimately guided my choice to become a speech-language pathologist.

Hunter ManaSCo ’02 associate professor of speech-Language pathology, Misericordia University

recent accolades: I was recently awarded an internal grant of $25,000 to study the loss of facial movement in Parkinson’s disease as a potential early indicator of the disease in some individuals. Last year I was tenured and promoted, and a textbook I wrote for one of my classes, An Introduction to Neurogenic Communication Disorders, was published by Jones and Bartlett Learning.

Words of wisdom you would offer students: You have to study.

Miranda GarriSon LoVeLL ’00speech-Language pathologist, vestavia Hills elementary Central school

How did Montevallo affect your career choice? After taking a class that overviewed speech-language pathology, I really felt like it might be something I could do. Once I declared my major and began to dive specifically into all of the aspects of it, I knew that this field was for me. My professors were so supportive and helpful as they guided me through classes and clinics as an undergrad and throughout the master’s program. I felt prepared and as confident as one can be starting out a career due to the knowledge and training I received at Montevallo.

|speeCH-LanGUaGe patHOLOGIsts|

5-year average has demonstrated

100% employment ratefrom the graduate program and100% pass rate on the national praxis examination for speech-language pathology.


the speech-Language Clinic’s services are provided by graduate students and supervised by nation-ally certified, state-licensed pathologists. the academic faculty also serve as clinic supervisors. this allows students to make the research-to-practice connection. a concept is taught in the classroom and then modeled in the clinic. these services are offered to clients from infancy through geriatrics.

100 undergraduate students majoring in sLp

|about the program|

Only 25 graduate students ac-cepted each fall, but more than 200 apply for these coveted spots.

SaMantHa MorriSon ’09 program representative for the speech and Language Impaired programs, Duval County public schools in Jacksonville, Florida.

How did Montevallo affect your career choice? Montevallo inspired me to be a servant in my community by working with students with disabilities in the public school systems.

What was your favorite aspect of Montevallo? I loved the small classes and the close relationships that that afforded me to build with my professors. I have lifelong friendships with my mentors and professors because of the small, family-like atmosphere at Montevallo.

traCey SMitH ’96 therapy Coordinator, speech-Language pathologist, aegis therapies at Golden Living Center riverchase

What was your favorite aspect of Montevallo? My favorite aspect of UM was the sense of community between students and faculty. I worked for the assistant to the president for five years, so I knew everyone. I still see people and know they went to UM, even if I didn’t know them personally. I also loved the campus – from the brick streets to the bright yellow ginkgo tree by Reynolds to the wisteria on Main Hall. It was all traditional and elegant.

LeSLie oSborn HaLLMan ’98 speech-Language pathologist, Genesis rehab services: Magnolia ridge Care and rehabilitation Center

Who would you like to thank for your success? Montevallo has been a major contributing factor to my success as the foundation for my education. I chose Montevallo because a smaller university with low student-to-professor ratios was important to me, and I feel that I definitely benefited

from a more personal relationship with professors. The Communication Science and Disorders professor that was the most influential to me was Judith Miller, who was so inspiring to me as she was working on her Ph.D. while advising students, teaching classes and supervising students in clinicals. Dr. Miller has since passed, but she taught me a lot about language and therapy techniques.

Jerry tHraSHer ’77speech pathologist, sava senior Care at Fairview Health and rehabilitation

What was your favorite aspect of Montevallo? I chose Montevallo for their excellent speech and hearing program. I especially appreciated the smaller size of the university where I felt more comfortable. At the time I was there, the speech and hearing center doubled in size. I found it very beneficial to have been able to get many clinical practicum hours in a variety of settings, but especially at the speech and hearing center.


tUesDay, FeBrUary 10 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. .........................Graduate Admissions and Records Reception ............................................................................Reynolds Hall 5:30 p.m. ......................................... College of Education Faculty, Staff & Alumni Recognition Dinner ...................Anna Irvin Dining HallFrIDay, FeBrUary 1310:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. .........................Preview and early bidding of Art Auction ......................................................................Gallery at Bloch Hall 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. .........................UMNAA Board of Directors meeting .................................................Wallace Speech & Hearing Center 100 1:45 p.m. ............................................UM Board of Trustees meeting ................................................................................................. Merrill Room 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. .........................Class of 1965 Registration ...........................................................................................................Ramsay 106 4:30 p.m. ............................................*Class of 1965 Reception .............................................................................................................Ramsay 121 6:00 p.m. ............................................*Class of 1965 Dinner ..............................................................................................................Reynolds Hall 6:00 p.m. ............................................UMNAA Alumni Awards Dinner (by invitation) ....................................................... Anna Irvin Dining Hall 7:00 p.m. ......................................... *College Night Productions ...................................................................................... Palmer AuditoriumsatUrDay, FeBrUary 14 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ........................Alumni Coffee & Registration ..................................................................................................Reynolds Hall 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ........................Montevallo charm bracelet sales ................................................................................................Reynolds Hall 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ........................Junior Alumni Board of Directors meeting...........................................................Farmer Hall Meeting Room 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ........................Kinesiology Coffee .......................................................................................................................Myrick Hall10:00 a.m. ............................................Reception honoring Pat Scales and dedication of book collection..................................... Carmichael Library10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. .......................Behavioral and Social Sciences Reception ........................................................................Montevallo on Main10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. .......................Music Department Reception .....................................................................Fraser Seminar Room, Davis Hall10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. .......................Family and Consumer Sciences Coffee ................................................................. Ackerley Room, Bloch Hall10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. .........................19th Annual Alumni Art Exhibition, Silent Auction, Coffee Reception .........................Gallery at Bloch Hall10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. .........................Library Open House to view yearbooks and College Night material .................................Carmichael Library10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. .........................UM Bookstore Open (20% discount for alumni) ..........................................................................Main Street10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. .......................Department of Communication Alumni Brunch .......................................Mass Communication, Room 10410:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. .......................Stephens College of Business Reception ......................................................................................Morgan Hall11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. .......................Ribbon-cutting and Dedication of 3-D Art Studio.................................................................. 3-D Art Studio11:00 a.m. – Noon ...............................English and Foreign Languages Reception .....................................Sarah Palmer Commons, Comer Hall 202Noon ................................................. *Homecoming Awards & Recognition Luncheon ...............................................Anna Irvin Dining Hall •DistinguishedAlumnusAward •NathalieMoltonGibbonsAlumniAchievementAwards •HonoredClasses/UMNAABusiness12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ........................Student Publications Alumni Reception ...............................................................Farmer Hall Meeting Room 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. .........................Purple & Gold Basketball Game .................................................................................................Myrick Gym 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. .........................1955 Class Reunion and photo ............................................................................................Main Hall Lobby 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. .........................1965 Class Reunion and photo ............................................................................................Main Hall Lobby 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. .........................Alabama College Society meeting .............................................................................................Reynolds Hall 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. .........................*Minority Alumni Reception ...............................................................................Farmer Hall Meeting Room 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. .........................College Night Club meeting .................................................................................................... Location TBD 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. .........................*2005 Class Reunion and photo ....................................................................................... Main Street Tavern 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. .........................Art Auction/Bloch Party.................................................................................................Gallery at Bloch Hall 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. .........................TRIO Programs Alumni Reception ........................................................................................... Sharpe House 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. .........................*1975 Class Reunion and photo ...................................................................................Reynolds Hall Lobby 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. .........................*1985 Class Reunion and photo ................................................................................... Reynolds Hall Lobby 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. .........................*1995 Class Reunion and photo ........................................................................................Reynolds Hall 114 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. .........................*Young Alumni Event ....................................................................................................... Main Street Tavern 7:00 p.m. ......................................... College Night Productions........................................................................................ Palmer AuditoriumsUnDay, FeBrUary 1510:30 a.m. ............................................*Brunch ..................................................................................................................... Anna Irvin Dining Hall

*Event requires ticket purchase

Schedule subject to change


Purple and Gold Productions:Thursday, Feb. 12 ______ tickets @ $10 each = ______Friday, Feb. 13 ______ tickets @ $15 each = ______Saturday, Feb. 14 ______ tickets @ $15 each = ______

Reunions: Class of ’55 ______ attendeesAlabama College Society Meeting ______ attendees ______ classClass of ’65: 50-year reunion ______ tickets @ $20 each = ______Class of ’75, ’85, ’95 ______ tickets @ $15 each = ______Class of ’05 ______ tickets @ $10 each = ______Young Alumni Event ______ tickets @ $10 each = ______Minority Alumni Reception ______ tickets @ $10 each = ______($5 to scholarship)

Other: Homecoming Luncheon (Sat.) ______ tickets @ $20 each = ______Sunday Brunch in the Caf ______ tickets @ $7 each = ______Class Photo ______ @ $10 each = ______Class of ’65 Medallions (50-year only) ______ @ $10 each = ______

Total: $

Homecoming ReSeRvation FoRmName Address Email Phone Class Year

ALSO EncLOSEd iS A GiFT FOr: Class Gift for $ Department $ Unrestricted gift $ *tickets for Friday or Saturday productions may be ordered only by aLUmni who have made a minimum $25 contribution to the University since october 1, 2014. those individuals may order two tickets for either Friday or Saturday, but may not order tickets for both nights. tickets will be mailed two weeks prior to the event or are available for pick-up from advancement and alumni affairs in Reynolds Hall. Please send your payment and form by January 23, 2015, to: University of Montevallo University Advancement and Alumni Affairs • Station 6215 • Montevallo, AL 35115

Make checks payable to: University of Montevallo Foundation____ Please mail my tickets ____ I will pick up my ticketsI prefer: ____ GOLD SIDE ____PURPLE SIDE ____No preferenceI would like to be seated by:


Where am i? Do you know all the spots on campus? Do you know where this photo was taken? send your guess to [email protected] or visit www.montevallo.edu/montevallo-today for the answer and to see more information from this issue.

montevallo today, winter 2015

Documents

university of montevallo

new year

montevallo today issn

new track

commo montevallo family

new events

new softball stadium

alumni profile