ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES
1949
of New York, she stated, “Jim Phillips has made an indelible impact on the North Country Michel and Lucylle Chambers Debaets, are and our relationship with Canada through his proud D&E graduates from the class of 1949. decades of experience and leadership. On behalf Michel was valedictorian and graduated magna of New York’s 21st district, I would like to thank cum laude in engineering, and Lucylle received Mr. Phillips for his lifetime of service to New her Bachelor of Arts degree in business and York and the United States.” Jim has served as English. They have been happily married since president and CEO of the Canadian/American Nov. 27, 1947, and live in Lewis Center, Ohio. Border Trade Alliance since its formation in 1992, creating an effective trans-continental and 1951 bi-national organization with engagement from Happy Birthday to Miriam Reed Holt! In June, 27 states and all the provinces of Canada. Under Miriam celebrated her 90th birthday with her his leadership of Can/Am BTA, Jim became one family. Miriam lives in Scotia, New York. of the most respected voices in all matters related to the U.S.-Canadian border in both countries, In January, while attending the D&E 2020 consistently earning the trust and partnership of Snowbird Tour event in Sun City West, Arizona, Canadian and U.S. officials at all levels and over William “Bill” Jones was surprised to receive many administrations. Throughout the years, his Half Century Club medallion from President Chris A. Wood. Bill and his wife, Jo, live in Phoenix. Jim has received many honors, served as director and member of many organization boards, and has been a direct contributor to many border related advances and task forces. Jim was also a proud D&E graduate and member of the “Scarlett Hurricanes” football era, being instrumental in organizing reunions during Homecoming & Family Weekends. Wendy Morgan ’12, director of alumni engagement and support, spoke with Jim on July 19 to congratulate him on his most President Chris A. Wood presents Bill Jones ’51 and Kelvin prestigious recognition and Langley ’69 with their Half Century Club medallions. See to thank him for his service 1951 and 1969. to the nation and his faithful support of D&E and his football teammates. 1953 Sadly, on July 23 Jim passed away. He will be Norman J. Hobbie, Cranford, New Jersey, still missed by many. enjoys teaching public speaking at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey.
1958 During the D&E 2020 Snowbird Tour stop in Chandler, Arizona, President Chris A. Wood presented Harry A. Reed with his Half Century Club medallion. Harry lives in Fountain Hills.
1959 Congratulations to Eugene V. “Gene” Filippi, and his wife, Zandra, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, as they became grandparents for the first time on April 11, 2020, to Beau William Filippi. Making the day even more special, Baby Beau was born on Gene’s birthday and at the same hospital!
1960 Judith “Judy” McCullough Deegan Kahrs, is enjoying life in Halesite, New York, where she is a licensed associate broker with Coldwell Banker Residential and an active member of Bethany Presbyterian Church. Judy also enjoys sharing posts on Facebook with good friends from her days at D&E. Gary Murphy writes that as a native of Elkins he always realized how valuable D&E was to the community. As for Gary, his time at D&E was life-changing, as his degree in engineering opened unlimited doors for him. Gary is now retired and living in Ocala, Florida. Arthur “Art” Schmidt, Port Townsend, Washington, has many fond memories of D&E! In the fall of 1956 as a freshman, his class was one of the first to occupy the men’s dorm Allen Hall, now known as the Robert C. Byrd Conference Center. He still remembers the smell of freshly poured concrete and the wooden boards they had to step on in the rain to reach the entrance. Good times!
1954 Although Martin “Marty” and Frances “Fran” Villee Blendermann, Gaithersburg, Maryland, have been out of College over 60 years, their time at D&E was very memorable. They still love to talk about and remember their college days, good friends and their D&E professors.
1957 On July 16, 2020, in the House of Representatives, James D. “Jim” Phillips, Lewiston, New York, received the Congressional Record Citation during the Proceedings and Debates of the 116th Congress, Second Session. Honored by Congresswomen Elise M. Stefanik 26
DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE Forward
D&E football “Scarlett Hurricanes” – George Rao ’56, George Triplett ’55, Jim Phillips ’57, President Chris A. Wood, Lee Levering ’58 and Gerry Lawrence ’60. See 1957.
