Phi Sigma Phi Leadership

Alums Land Leadership Roles with Phi Sigma Phi

Concord alums are making their mark with Phi Sigma Phi National Fraternity. Dustin Blankenship ’11 has been elected National President of the organization; Brandon Green ’12 is the National Executive Director; and Joe Sharpe ’15 is serving as National Vice President. Andrew Sulgit, an Assistant Dean of Students at Concord, was named National Greek Director of the Year by the fraternity. Blankenship is the first National President of the organization to represent Concord.

These Concordians bring a wealth of experience as student leaders with the fraternity and now as graduates to their current national positions. To name just a few, Dustin served as Chapter President at Concord and several terms as National Vice President. Joe also served as President at CU, has been a Senior Regional Director covering six states and is the current National Parliamentarian. Brandon was Treasurer for CU’s chapter and has been a National Vice President.

They are also being honored with a growing list of awards for their service to the fraternity including the John Sandwell Staff Service Award and the President’s Gavel.

Blankenship began his duties as National President after being elected on Aug. 8. “As National President, I will oversee all business and chapter operations, engage with stakeholders including campus administrations, chapter leadership, community and business leaders, and the membership, and finally develop new strategic partnerships for growth and development of the brotherhood,” he says.

He goes on to explain what representing his alma mater and his brothers means to him.

“Representing Concord University and the Phi Mu Chapter is an absolute honor. I never expected to hold a position like this when I was a student at CU, but I am humbled by the support I’ve received from CU staff and alumni – including members of all other Greek organizations that were on campus at the time of my attendance,” he says. “Concord has always felt like home, and the messages and kind remarks of those who took the time to reach out reminded me of the family that I developed there.”

Dustin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from CU with a minor in Pre-Law. He obtained a Masters of Public Administration and a Juris Doctorate from West Virginia University. He is currently an instructor in the Business and Legal programs at West Virginia Junior College while also managing the school’s orientation programming.

Green says that being involved in Phi Sigma Phi at Concord helped

build his confidence. He hopes he can pass on the opportunity for growth.

“It’s a great honor to represent not only Phi Sigma Phi but Concord as well. The person I have grown into has a lot to do with my time as a member of Phi Sigma Phi at Concord University,” he says.

“I hope that in my position I can influence the lives of other fraternity members and help them grow as I did,” he continues. “If it wasn’t for the great experiences, connections, and growth at Concord, I wouldn’t have this great opportunity.”

“As the National Executive Director, I handle all of the fraternity’s finances and my main focus during my first year was to move the fraternity into a new accounting software. I also handle all accounts payable and accounts receivable,” he explains.

“I am also in charge of membership tracking and monitoring and distribution of membership materials,” he says. “I work closely with the National Council to conduct membership events and staff meetings as necessary.”

Brandon received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Concord. He also earned a Masters of Professional Accountancy from West Virginia University. Currently, he is an Assistant Accounting Officer at WesBanco.

“As National Vice President my primary duty is to assist with the overall running of the organization,” Sharpe explains. “For example, I am currently over drafting our COVID-19 response, as well as a number of infrastructure items such as making some revisions to our National Constitution and By-Laws.”

“It makes me incredibly proud to be able to represent Concord and my Phi Sig brothers. During my time at CU I never dreamed of making it to this point in my Fraternity career,” he says. “I have the honor of being able to shape young men for the future to be better men with two of my fellow Concord alumni, Dustin and Brandon.”

Joe received a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Music from Concord. He currently works for Southern Software, a 911 software vendor out of Southern Pines, N.C.

Dustin Blankenship '11, the first National President of Phi Sigma Phi to represent Concord.

Brandon Green ’12, is the National Executive Director for Phi Sigma Phi.

Joe Sharpe '15, serving as National Vice President for Phi Sigma Phi.

Andrew Sulgit, Assistant Dean of Students at Concord, named National Greek Director of the Year by Phi Sigma Phi.

OBITUARIES

1930s ____________

EULA BLANKENSHIP

BAILEY: July 16, 2020. She was born in Bradshaw, WV, on October 23, 1916 to the late C.W. and Lottie Blankenship. She was the oldest of 8 children eventually settling in Clear Fork, WV, where she lived her entire life. She graduated from Oceana High School in 1935 and then went on to Concord College graduating with her teaching degree and following her marriage to the late Harry L. Bailey, she taught in a two-room school house in Elk Lick for several years before becoming the Clear Fork postmaster. She held that position for 34 years, retiring in 1982. Eula and Harry raised two daughters, Janet and Ella. In addition to her busy hours in the post office, she helped her husband, Harry, with their store, Bailey's General Store. She enjoyed needlework, crochet, embroidery and quilt piecing, and made beautiful throws for her family and friends. She loved to travel, taking many trips with her husband in their motorhome, as well as going on bus tours with a close group of girlfriends. Some of her favorite sites include New York, Niagara Falls, the western states and Hawaii. She loved to work crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She was also a big believer in exercise. She was predeceased by her husband, both daughters, brothers, baby Franklin Blankenship, S.D. Blankenship, King Edward Blankenship and W.C. Blankenship as well as her sister, Elga Jean Short. Those left to treasure her legacy include her two sisters:Helen Toler and Glenna Sue Childress, as well as her son-in-law, Donald Stanton, grandchildren: Kimberly Strickland, Angela Bossie, Chele Stanton, and Jon Michael Payne, and 13 great-grandchildren: Jennifer, Daniel, Kristen, Elizabeth, Ben, Heath and Grant Strickland; Katie Bossie O'Guin and Hannah Bossie; and Timothy, Matthew, Calvin, and Nick Payne; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

1940s ____________

FRED LEWIS

TAYLOR ’48: December 15, 2019. Born on October 8, 1918, at Falmouth, Indiana, he was the son of Frank Lewis and Nancy Virginia McGlothlin Taylor of Salt Sulphur Springs near Union. Fred began his education for his first eight years at Wickline School, then four years at Union High School, graduating in 1936. He earned a Standard Normal Teaching Certificate from Concord State Teachers College and began his teaching career at his alma mater, Union High School, for the spring semester. From 1939-1942 he taught at Grandview’s one-room school until he enlisted in the US Army on July 8, 1942. On October 10, 1942, he married the love of his life, Pauline “Polly” Elizabeth Honaker Taylor. Both were together while he was in the service until he was sent overseas in 1944 to serve in the 80th Division Company E 319 Infantry in England and France. Wounded in action on November 5, 1945, he served in the military until honorably discharged on January 9, 1946. While in the service he had earned two Purple Heart Medals, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and World War II Victory Ribbon. After the war Fred earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Concord College and a master’s from Marshall College. His next teaching assignments were at Wise and Sarton, then Lindside Elementary and Union Elementary Schools as a math teacher and principal. He retired in 1980 with 40 years as an educator. Fred was a member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church serving as treasurer for 55 years and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He was a resident of Union. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Clarence B. Taylor, step-mother, Nora Ellen Weikle Taylor, and wife of 71 years, Polly Honaker Taylor, on December 27, 2013. Survivors include his four children: Nancy (Robert) Crews of Rock Camp, Beverly (Jim) Chadwell of Bedford, VA, Fred L. (Doris Ann) Taylor, II, and Dreama Taylor Gautier of Pearisburg, VA seven grandchildren: Don (Eva) Crews, Shannon (Michael) Mayhew, Abbey (Kevin) Blankinship, Chad (Betsy) Taylor, Casey (Jason) Napier, Jarad Gautier, Tyler (Savannah) Gautier; nine great-grandchildren: Emily Crews, Pierce and Paisley Blankinship, Grayson and Gabrielle Taylor, Lilly, Noah, and Hallie Napier, and Elizabeth Gautier. Sister: Betty Sue Taylor Durham of Grafton, VA, and Brother: Frank Eugene (Bonnie) Taylor of Waldorf, MD.

1960s ____________

BRENDA JOYCE ALLEN OWENS

’68: June 11, 2020. Born January 19, 1947 in Matoaka, she was the daughter of the late George Leonard Allen, Jr. and Doris Webb Allen Morefield. Brenda graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education from Concord and later received her master’s degree. She left the area and moved to Richmond, Virginia where she resided until 2015 when she returned to Princeton. She retired from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. She was a member of Carr Memorial United Methodist Church in Glenwood. Her faith was strong as she was dealing with a neurological condition for the past few years. She never complained and kept a positive outlook on life and everything she encountered. She loved growing up in Matoaka and kept in touch with her classmates over the years that she loved very much. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Roland Owens, Sr. Survivors include brother, Barry Allen and wife Melva of Princeton; stepfather, Billy Morefield of Princeton; stepsons, C. Roland Owens, Jr. and wife Amy

of Bridgewater, VA and Ryan Owens and wife Amie of Portland, OR; two step-grandchildren, Katy Owens and Cambria Owens; nephew, Dustin Allen; niece, Stacy Sheets; great-niece, Madison Sheets; special sister-in-law, Toby Brown and husband Ken of Boca Raton, FL; and special caregiver, Holly Meadows.

JAMES REFOSCO

’63: August 15, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Toby Refosco ’63 and his brother, Arthur Refosco and his wife, Kathi, and his daughters, Deborah Refosco Cline and her husband Jim, Leigh Ann Frasco and her husband Mike, and Kate Refosco. He is also survived by his 8 grandchildren, Tiarra, Julia, Vincent, Patrick, John, Koby, Alec and Mariah, and by his niece and nephews, Angie, Tony and Joe. Jim Refosco was a teacher, football coach and inspiration to his many students, players, friends and family. He coached in Saint Mary’s County, Md.; Rahway, N.J.; Dover, Del.; Cumberland, Md.; and Punta Gorda, Fla. He retired and moved to Southern Pines, N.C. and just recently moved to Cambridge, Md.

WILLIAM MERRILL

SCHOLL ’69: May 14, 2020. Bill was a teacher and coach at Madison Grade School and later at Madison Junior High. He owned a service station in Madison for 14 years, returning to teaching at the Boone Vocational School, retiring in 2006. He was a graduate of Scott High School, class of 1962, Concord College (Speech and Physical Ed) and WV College of Graduate Studies (Guidance and Counseling). Bill had a lifelong passion for owning and restoring automobiles, especially Volkswagens. He was a resident of Madison, WV. He was predeceased by parents: Robert P. “Bob” Scholl and Margaret Hale Scholl. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Gee Scholl; sons, Heath E Scholl (Michelle), grandson Bryce, Knute R. Scholl (Elizabeth), granddaughter Kalina; daughter, Billea Jo Scholl; and brother, Robert Penman Scholl (Sonja).

1970s ____________

ABIGAIL PENDLETON “ABBY”

HELCK ’74: July 7, 2020. From a Small Town to Big Things. Abby dedicated her life to love, teaching and her family. She grew up in the small town of Princeton, West Virginia, where she met her lifelong sweetheart, Chet, at the age of 14. Chet and Abby went from sharing pickles in their junior high school’s lunchroom to their first date on Valentine’s Day 1966. Their lifelong partnership flourished from there. Abby attended Concord University and graduated with a degree in education and music. She went on to lead a successful teaching career as her passion in the classroom and dedication to her students was evident by many awards and recognitions through the years. She truly cared about every student always making sure everyone in her classroom had what they needed to be successful every day. She especially enjoyed working with students in underprivileged communities. Chet and Abby were married May 25, 1974. Their only son, Greg was born in Georgia, October 1984. Abby truly loved her family. She supported Chet throughout his career while working and being an exemplary mother to Greg and all of his friends. Abby became a grandmother for the first time in 2016 and before passing, lived to love all three, Preston, Emersyn and Madison. Even in her final days planting flowers with them was her proudest moment. Throughout her life, there wasn’t a day when Abby didn’t have at least three books she was working on while finding some way to help someone else. Her positivity, generosity, and love for others defined her. She was a resident of St. Petersburg, Fla. Abby is survived by her husband, Chet; son, Greg (Sarah) Helck; and grandchildren, Preston, Emersyn and Madison.

CHARLES SCOTT WOODS JR.

’75: June 4, 2020. Scott was born September 30, 1950 in Bluefield, WV to Lucille Paris Miles and Charles Scott Woods Sr. As a 1968 graduate of Bluefield High School, Scott joined the Air Force. After his service, he went on to attend Concord University where obtained a degree in business. He finished his education with a master’s degree in spiritual studies. In 1980 he began his outstanding 40-year career as a financial broker, establishing himself as the first Edward Jones broker in Lebanon, TN. During his time in Lebanon, Scott established many strong relationships and was known as a man who cared deeply about his many clients. Above all, Scott was a man of the Lord who was always studying the Bible and donating to ministries he held dear. He is survived by his wife Kathy Woods, two beloved sons, two step-children, three grandchildren, his brother and two sisters, a host of nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.

2000s ____________

EMBER ZETTA WORRELL

’02: June 2, 2020. Ember was born September 20, 1961 in Beckley, WV. She was the youngest of six children born to the late Arthur D. Davis and Margaret Ann

Lafferty Campbell of Beckley, WV. She was a 1979 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, where she played flute and was a flag girl in the Flying Eagle Marching Band. During her senior year of high school in 1979, she began dating her husband Mark. They married on November 16, 1979 at Cranberry Baptist Church. Ember returned to school and graduated Magna Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Concord University, while continuing to work full time. She started working at Beckley Loan Company on April 15, 1982, where she continued to work her way up to Vice President. Her co-workers were like family and she enjoyed her days at work. Ember was a member of Cranberry Baptist Church for 41 years. She loved her church and enjoyed helping out anytime she was needed. Ember could be found serving as a Sunday school teacher, Bible school teacher, and also served as the church treasurer for 15 years. Ember was a faithful supporter of the Children’s Bus Ministry at Cranberry Baptist Church, a ministry close to her heart. Ember loved being outdoors and especially enjoyed walking daily. She was a resident of North Sand Branch. Ember loved her family and always enjoyed being the hostess for family events. Ember was preceded in death by her father, Arthur D. Davis; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ernie and Mae Worrell; brother-in-law, Glenn Davis; brotherin-law and sister-in-law, Dan and Carol Smith; sister-in-law, Sharon Marcum; nephews, Derek Orren and Cody Davis; and a very special lady, Granny Helen Campbell. She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Mark Worrell; mother, Margaret Campbell; brother and sisters, AD Davis, Susie Davis, Evelyn (John) Martin, Valerie Obugene, James “Ted” Davis; nieces and nephews, Shawna Lilly, Danny Davis, Stacy Davis Cooper, Samuel Davis, Beth Cogar, Chance Martin, Misty Dawn Bell, Chris Obugene, Jamie Eastridge, Amanda Worrell Chornsbay, Ray Worrell, Christina Worrell, Dale Smith, Lisa Farha, Jennifer Smith Lawson, and Paul Michael Smith; and many close friends.

PHIL BONHAM “BUDDY” FRY

’14: July 7, 2020. Born May 8, 1951, in Princeton, he was the son of the late Phil Henry Fry and Hattie Alpha Bonham Fry. Buddy was a 1969 graduate of Princeton High School. He attended West Virginia University and returned to school later in life to earn his Regents Bachelor of Arts degree at Concord University in 2014. Buddy retired from the radio business after serving as manager of WAEY Radio and as station manager at WBDY Radio – where he had the idea for the stagecoach and BD Bird – and launching WAMN Radio. He worked as a lighting technician and cameraman at CBN in Portsmouth, Va., and as an insurance agent, broker, marketing manager, and travel consultant in West Virginia. He was also an avid cook and turned his love of culinary arts into a catering business for several events. Buddy was of strong Christian faith, growing up in First Baptist Church in Princeton. He was active in the Sounds of Conviction and later the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, serving as a president and director of the Princeton chapter. Buddy was also a 45-year member of the Princeton-Athens Kiwanis Club, serving several times as President and Lt. Governor as well as an active Kiwanis Advisor to the Princeton High School Key Club and Keywanettes and the Concord Circle K Club. He and his best friend, Harry Christie, chauffeured and chaperoned the members to youth activities, including International Conventions. He planned and hosted three WV District Kiwanis trips to the international conventions in New Orleans, Phoenix, and Toronto, and organized two WV District Kiwanis conventions at Pipestem. He was instrumental in arranging trips for his wife’s junior high bands for many years. As a blood donor to the Red Cross, he donated many gallons of blood over the years. Buddy was awarded the Princeton Jaycees’ Outstanding Citizen of 1981. “I like being involved. I particularly like being involved in those things of benefit to someone else. I see it as an extension of myself,” he is remembered as saying. He initiated the “Star of Hope” in Princeton, helping to place the lighted star on top of the Princeton Towers during the Iran hostage crisis. He was past president and publicity chairman of SCORE/ACE Chapter 371, sponsored by the SBA, as well as a director of the Mercer Anglers Club. He was a resident of Princeton, W.Va. He loved spending time with his wife and daughters and planning birthday parties and family vacations with them. His absolute joy in his later years were his two grandsons, and he was a wonderful pet dad and granddad to many animals over the years. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Debora Sue “Suzy” Bailes Fry of Princeton; two daughters, Lelia Ann Fry and friend Kuo-Lun Tye of Chicago, IL, and Debora Christine “Christa” Fama and husband Timmy of Princeton; two grandsons, Andrew Christopher Fama and Jonathan David Fama; one brother, Robert Henry Fry of Princeton; and several cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family throughout the country.

Do you have old photos from your college days?

We would love to see some of the tasteful photos from your time at the Campus Beautiful. You could see them in a future edition of Concord University Magazine.

You can email your submissions: cboyd@concord.edu Or mail your photos and we will return them. Mail to: Office of Advancement, PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712-1000