Evans-Bennett, Putting Talents to Work During Pandemic

Michel and Lucylle Chambers Debaets, are proud D&E graduates from the class of 1949. Michel was valedictorian and graduated magna cum laude in engineering, and Lucylle received her Bachelor of Arts degree in business and English. They have been happily married since Nov. 27, 1947, and live in Lewis Center, Ohio.

1951

Happy Birthday to Miriam Reed Holt! In June, Miriam celebrated her 90th birthday with her family. Miriam lives in Scotia, New York. In January, while attending the D&E 2020 Snowbird Tour event in Sun City West, Arizona, William “Bill” Jones was surprised to receive his Half Century Club medallion from President Chris A. Wood. Bill and his wife, Jo, live in Phoenix.

President Chris A. Wood presents Bill Jones ’51 and Kelvin Langley ’69 with their Half Century Club medallions. See 1951 and 1969. 1953 Norman J. Hobbie, Cranford, New Jersey, still enjoys teaching public speaking at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. 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.

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

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!

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 of New York, she stated, “Jim Phillips has made an indelible impact on the North Country and our relationship with Canada through his decades of experience and leadership. On behalf of New York’s 21st district, I would like to thank Mr. Phillips for his lifetime of service to New York and the United States.” Jim has served as president and CEO of the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance since its formation in 1992, creating an effective trans-continental and bi-national organization with engagement from 27 states and all the provinces of Canada. Under his leadership of Can/Am BTA, Jim became one of the most respected voices in all matters related to the U.S.-Canadian border in both countries, consistently earning the trust and partnership of Canadian and U.S. officials at all levels and over many administrations. Throughout the years, 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 prestigious recognition and to thank him for his service to the nation and his faithful support of D&E and his football teammates. Sadly, on July 23 Jim passed away. He will be missed by many.

Nancy Evans-Bennett ’66 and granddaughter, Lydia, enjoy sewing. After seeing her grandmother make masks, Lydia made several hundred that were donated to the homeless in Portland, Maine. She also set up a mask making club in her backyard.

1961

Elizabeth “Liz” Reed Branch, and her husband, Bill, continue to volunteer on the National Response Team of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and are active in multiracial, multicultural conversations in Little Rock, Arkansas, where they reside.

1962

Robert T. “Bob” and Nancy L. Ward Holmes ’63, are still enjoying Amelia Island, Florida, and playing golf with their kids and grandchildren. At some point, they hope to make a visit to the D&E campus with some of the Sig Ep brothers, but in the meantime, they enjoy reading about the success of the D&E students.

1963

Joe Harris, Maricopa, Arizona, received his Half Century Club medallion from President Chris A. Wood while attending the D&E 2020 Snowbird Tour event in Chandler.

1964

Since 2005, Rowland I. C. and Linda Hurst New ’65, New Market, Maryland, have been retired and they are loving every minute of it! They enjoy spending time with their eight grandchildren, plus they keep busy with travel and church activities. They also love to hear from old friends! While in Tucson, Arizona, for the D&E 2020 Snowbird Tour, President Chris A. Wood presented Richard Wilfong with his Half Century Club medallion.

Evans-Bennett

Putting Talents to Work During Pandemic

Nancy Evans-Bennett doesn’t have to look for things to keep her occupied during the pandemic. The Davis & Elkins College Trustee and 1966 alumna powers through every day spreading kindness in every way she can. A seamstress since childhood, she put her skills to work making masks for friends, neighbors and anyone who wants them. “I usually make about 10 day. Once you get started, it goes quickly,” she said. The colorful and varied themes come from extra pieces of fabric Evans-Bennett had left from her quilting projects. Once the masks are made, Evans-Bennett delivers them and sends out messages asking who is in need of the next batch. Her work doesn’t stop at the sewing machine. Evans-Bennett heads on to the kitchen where she prepares meals for recent widowers and anyone else who comes to mind that she thinks would appreciate a homecooked dinner, complete with dessert. “I just made dinner for my daughter’s best friend,” she said. “She works in healthcare and has been putting in a lot of hours.” Evans-Bennett and her husband, Jim Messersmith, package the meals and make their deliveries.

In between times, Evans-Bennett leads virtual sewing group meetings and visits her neighbors “from about 10 feet apart.” “I just get bored if I don’t have anything to do,” she explained. “And, it just feels good to do something for somebody.”

1965

Dennis “Denny” and Suzanne “Suzi” Jackson Bye ’66 loved their time at D&E and felt they received excellent educations. Denny was on the soccer team and served as captain for three years. He went on to become a director of guidance at Holmdel High School in New Jersey, considered one of the most academically competitive high schools in the country. Denny and Suzy now live in North Port, Florida.

1969

Kelvin and Mary Vine Langley ’70, Surprise, Arizona, attended the D&E 2020 Snowbird Tour luncheon held in Sun City West, where Kelvin received his Half Century Club medallion from President Chris A. Wood.

Linda Keller-Zierold was presented with her Half Century Club medallion by Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement Dr. Rosemary Thomas during the D&E 2020 Snowbird Tour event in Winter Park, Florida. Linda and her husband, Ed, live in Orlando.

Linda Keller Zierold ’69 and Dr. Rosemary Thomas. See 1969.

1970

Janice A. Kemp

Hutchison, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is the proud grandmother of grandson Gannon, 9, and granddaughters Isla,

Grace Agatha Hutchison, granddaughter of Janice Kemp Hutchison. See 1970.

4, and Grace, born May 14, 2019. Janice shared that she received a D&E bib from classmate Mary Vine Langley, Surprise, Arizona, earlier this spring for baby Grace. She said it arrived just in time as Grace was beginning to eat “big people food.” The bib is now called “the grandma house bib.”

Dennis C. Dobyan, MD, Ph.D., FACP, is now retired from the practice of medicine. He received M.S. degrees in molecular and developmental biology, a Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Maryland and his MD degree from the University of Texas. Dennis did his internal medicine training at Duke University and completed a Nephrology Fellowship at Stanford University. After spending the first half of his career in academia at Baylor College of Medicine where he taught, did research and published over 100 scientific papers and book chapters dealing with the pathophysiology of the kidney, Dennis entered the private sector. For 27 years, he practiced Nephrology and ICU Medicine in the Kansas City area and served as a chief medical officer. Dennis and his wife, Bea, have two children, Alexander, a corporate tax attorney in Washington, D.C., and Stephanie, an art historian in Denver, Colorado. Dennis and Bea are now enjoying retirement in Williamsburg, Virginia. C. R. “Terry” and Kathryn “Katy” Bollinger Meyers live in Kalispell, Montana. After retiring as a Montessori teacher, Katy plays her Celtic harp at bedsides in hospitals and nursing homes. She still teaches harp and plays in local Irish sessions. Terry is a retired high school English teacher and has served on local and state boards for Montana Wilderness Association. Terry and Katy are both active outdoor enthusiasts. In March, William “Bill” Nuttall, Chattanooga, Tennessee, served as the keynote speaker for the West Virginia Soccer Association Awards Banquet at The Resort At Glade Springs in Daniels, West Virginia, where he was also was honored as a 2020 Hall of Fame Meritorious Inductee. Also recognized during the awards as the 2019 WV Soccer Association Girls Competitive Coach of the Year was Tristan Wierbonski ’11, Durham, North Carolina. It was a great night for D&E soccer alumni!

1972

Rose M. Toler Brown, Hampton, Virginia, graduated from D&E with B.A. in elementary education and then received her master’s degree in special education and learning disabilities from Hampton University. She then began her professional career as a third-grade teacher in Virginia Beach Public Schools where she taught for six years. Rose’s next position was in the Hampton City Schools where she served as a special education teacher and later as an educational diagnostician until her retirement in 2009. Sadly, Rose passed away on Nov. 15, 2019. “Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Back from the Dead,” is a true first-person narrative by John A. Stibravy, Ph.D., Denville, N.J. In his book, John shares his terrifying story of returning from the dead after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest in December 2017. He was on CPR for 35-45 minutes, an Automated External Defibrillator was applied, and he died three more times in the emergency room. It took 24 months after waking from a 10-day coma and fighting through many medical issues, nightmares, anger, depression and violence, for John to recover his mind. This book is a “Journey through the dreams, nightmares, and insights of a man who lived again (thanks to CPR), after being a gray corpse on a New Jersey restaurant floor.” John’s book is now available on Amazon.com, along with his 2016 book “Aortic Heart Valve Replacement: Through the Dark Curtain.”

Never to say “retire,” William “Bill” Turner, Arlington, Virginia, was recently admitted to the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, D.C. Onward and upward in his career as a licensed D.C. tour guide and as an independent contractor with Guide Service of Washington, Bill looks forward to the return of tourism. In the meantime, Bill continues to work part time as an assistant registrar with the Arlington County (Virginia) Office of Voter Registration and Electoral Board, mainly in administration and logistics. Bill shares this is good for his personal and professional development, as a lifelong learner and proud graduate of D&E.

Rose M. Toler Brown ’72. See 1972.

D&E visit with Dr. Bijan Goodarzi ’77, Matt Shiflett ’96 and Dr. Rosemary Thomas. See 1977.

Celebrating Bill Nuttall’s induction into the WV Soccer Association’s 2020 Hall of Fame were D&E Women’s Head Soccer Coach Declan McGill ’15, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement Dr. Rosemary Thomas, D&E Men’s Head Soccer Coach Dean Johnson, President Chris A. Wood and First Lady Lisa Wood, Bill ’70, and Beth Mitchell Nuttall ’71, D&E Athletic Director Jamie Joss, and Chair and Professor of Sport Science Dr. Mary Ann DeLuca ’80. See 1970.