A REMARKABLE LOVE STORY ADDED TO GCSU’S SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Also inside BOBCAT BASEBALL’S POSTSEASON RUN
ALUMNI COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT CANCER
HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF CONNECTION MAGAZINE
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U.S. News & World Report
In the latest U.S. News’ & World Report rankings, Georgia College & State University took sixth among Top Public Schools, Regional Universities South, and was No. 4 in Most Innovative Schools among both public and private regional universities in the South.
GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERISTY
12
COVER STORY LOVE LETTERS
A remarkable love story added to GCSU’s Special Collections
16
POWER OF MUSIC
Ruth Sandiford Garrard, ’65, wrote the melody to the most recent version of the GCSU Alma Mater.
Dr. Rob Sumowski recounts the role music has played in his life. 12
18
A CAPITOL IDEA
GCSU students pursue political aspirations through GC in DC
20
GCSU’s SESSION MAN
“I didn’t see politics as a viable career path for me until much later than others, but I’ve always had a passion for serving my community and a drive to help create a more fair and equitable society,”
- Axel Hawkins, Page 18
Fall 2024
Vol. XIV, No. 2
Copyright 2024
All rights reserved
Published by
University Communications
231 W. Hancock St. Milledgeville, GA 31061
President
Cathy Cox
Vice President of University Advancement
Seth Walker
Assistant Vice President
University Communications and Chief Communications Officer
Mike Cavaliere
Writers
Margaret Schell, ’19
Anna Gay Leavitt
Kristen Simpson, ’21
Cindy O’Donnell
Amanda Respess
Al Weston
Design
Brooks Hinton
Bailey Wilson, ’12
Photography
Anna Gay Leavitt
Savannah Greene, ’25
Joshua Smith, ’12, ’16
Please send change of address and class notes to: Campus Box 96 Milledgeville, GA 31061 connection@gcsu.edu
In the Spring 2024 edition of Connection magazine, it was incorrectly reported that Jane Kidd’s great-grandfather Richard B. Russell Sr. introduced state legislation to establish Georgia Normal and Industrial College. In fact, as a state legislator, Russell introduced the 1887 bill calling for the creation of a women’s college in Georgia. It failed in committee, but he remained a staunch supporter of the cause and later served many years on the college board.
From the Vice President OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
Dear Alumni,
Great things are happening at Georgia College & State University. Current news about higher education institutions throughout the United States often showcases some disheartening trends. However, I am proud to share that Georgia College & State University is not only resisting these trends, but overcoming them, in many remarkable ways.
One prevalent issue faced by many institutions is the decline in enrollment. In stark contrast, Georgia College & State University is celebrating the highest enrollment in our history. We have grown significantly while strategically maintaining our unique commitment to small class sizes, ensuring individualized attention from our dedicated faculty. Since my arrival, I have been especially impressed by our faculty’s steadfast observance of the teacher-scholar model of education. Our faculty are deeply involved in significant research and equally devoted to our students’ success.
The landscape of collegiate athletics is also undergoing significant changes, particularly with the changes in the student-athlete model. At Georgia College, we remain resolute in our commitment to the Division II athletics model, emphasizing the student-athlete ideal. Our student-athletes excel not only on the court and field, but also in the classroom. We are making deliberate and intentional decisions to continue recruiting top-notch scholar-athletes, retain our dynamic coaches and invest in our athletic facilities to enhance the fan experience.
Another area of concern in higher education is declining alumni engagement.
At Georgia College & State University, we are proud to report a 10.4% increase in alumni giving in Fiscal Year 2024. Many of you contributed to our recent alumni giving challenge this spring, where we raised nearly $100,000. These funds have supported dynamic student programs across the university.
While your financial support demonstrates your faith in Georgia College and the goal of the university to provide an expansive and exceptional education experience, I encourage you to reconnect with us in person and strengthen that connection by returning to campus. Mark your calendars for our reinvigorated Homecoming and Alumni Weekend, Feb. 21-23. It promises to be a special time of celebration and will be the perfect opportunity for you to rekindle your passion for your alma mater.
To stay informed about all of the latest news, events and exciting things happening at Georgia College, follow us on social media and subscribe to our monthly online newsletter, Pergola Post. Your continued support and engagement are vital to our success. Thank you for being an integral part of the Georgia College family.
Go Bobcats!
B. Seth Walker Vice President, University Advancement
Sophomore Named Newman Civic Fellow
Sophomore Tyler Hill, a finance major from Buford, Georgia, was named a 2024 Newman Civic Fellow for his dedication to leadership and community within Baldwin County and Georgia College & State University.
Hill’s passion for leadership was noticed after he co-founded the Agape food donation organization, providing relief for children under 18 who struggle with food insecurity in Baldwin County. Their Thanksgiving food drive ended in a festival that provided food boxes and brought in community resource organizations for families in need.
“Leadership can look like many different things,” Hill said. “It has taught me the best leaders lead by serving those they lead. I learned quickly when I tried to act on the ideas I had for my community that leading through service wasn’t enough. You also must be willing to collaborate.”
“This day is truly the capstone of my career.”
– Dr. Kenneth S. Saladin
INTEGRATED SCIENCE COMPLEX RENAMED AFTER DR. KENNETH SALADIN
In April, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents along with President Cox officially approved renaming the Integrated Science Complex to the Kenneth S. Saladin Integrated Science Complex.
The name change was made in honor of Dr. Saladin’s nearly 50 years of dedicated scholarship, service and philanthropy to GCSU.
Dr. Saladin, his family, friends, colleagues and students were on hand for the event, honoring his dedication to GCSU students and his efforts to continue giving back after retirement, as he is the university’s largest philanthropic donor.
“An honor of such a magnitude gives me paradoxical feelings of pride and humility, and that’s a tricky emotional balancing act,” Saladin said. “This is the first time in 52 years that Georgia College has named a new building for someone — that was the Maxwell Student Union. This day is truly the capstone of my career.”
Provost Dr. Costas Spirou, Dr. Kenneth Saladin with his grandson, President Cathy Cox and Vice President of University Advancement
Seth Walker
THREE BOBCATS SELECTED FOR STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS
Three Georgia College & State University students won Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Scholarships this summer.
Kassie Arps (top), a rising junior from Alpharetta, Georgia majoring in mass communication, Paige Blakemore (left), a rising senior from Flintsone, Georgia majoring in mass communication and Tommy Creekmore (bottom), a rising junior from Hampton, Georgia majoring in English, were among just 125 students nationwide selected for this award. All of them used the scholarship to participate in GCSU’s Intercultural Leadership Program at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
The program brought together students and scholars, as well as diplomats, policy specialists, military officers, elected officials, business executives and nonprofit leaders. Program participants completed coursework in global leadership and intercultural communication and visited important international political institutions.
GEORGIA COLLEGE REPORTS RECORD-BREAKING APPLICATION YEAR
Student interest in the experiential learning and small-class environment offered by Georgia College & State University is at an all-time high. Heading into Fall 2024, applications to GCSU grew 45% since Fall 2022, and 50% since Fall 2021.
GCSU Provost Dr. Costas Spirou said the growth is a byproduct of the professional enrollment management approaches of Sr. Vice President of Enrollment Management Joel Robinson over the past several years.
“Under Joel’s direction, we are reaching out to prospective students at much earlier stages of their college exploration process to make them aware of all that Georgia College has to offer,” said Spirou. “I also think the liberal arts focus and structured experiential learning opportunities we offer are very attractive to top-tier students.”
DR. DAN NADLER APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT LIFE
Dr. Dan Nadler has accepted a direct appointment as Georgia College & State University’s vice president for Student Life.
“In his interim role, Dr. Nadler marshalled a reimagining of the Division of Student Life, creating a division that reinforces a focus on student success and better alignment with GCSU’s strategic plan,” President Cathy Cox said. “Dr. Nadler also knows the impact that a strong campus culture can bring, as he has continued to challenge GCSU students to increase their service and volunteerism to the local community.”
Nadler came to Georgia College after similar interim appointments at West Virginia State University and St. Thomas University, in Florida. He has focused on student engagement and success for the past 35 years of his career
A LIFELONG CONNECTION HONORED
THE HONORABLE LISA D. COOK, PH.D., returned to Milledgeville to give the keynote address for two of the May 2, 2024 commencement ceremonies. Cook is the first Black woman to serve as governor of the Federal Reserve Board. She was also faculty at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Michigan State University.
“I am not a graduate of GCSU. However, my roots run much deeper.”
“I am not a graduate of GCSU. However, my roots run much deeper than that. I was born in Milledgeville, and in many ways, Georgia College was my home,” Cook said.
Cook’s late mother Mary was the first Black tenured professor at Georgia College, serving as a faculty member in the School of Nursing. Her late father, Rev. Payton Cook, was a longtime chaplain and administrator at Central State Hospital and served as a GCSU Foundation Board Trustee. Her sister Pamela is a former Georgia College staff member, and sister Melanie McCant also served as a university Foundation Board of Trustee.
President Cathy Cox presented Governor Cook with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Georgia College.
President Cathy Cox [left] and Provost Costas Spirou [right] present Dr. Lisa Cook with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
UNIVERSITY HERBARIUM PROVIDES VALUABLE SERVICE TO MIDDLE GEORGIA
The variety and research of plants isn’t well documented and cataloged in Baldwin County and Middle Georgia, but students and faculty in the herbarium at Georgia College & State University are working to change that.
“The majority of our samples are from Georgia, and mostly Baldwin County,” said Dr. Gretchen Ionta, associate professor of environmental science and curator of the herbarium. “A student could go through here and write a publication with all the different county records. It’s not that the specimens are rare, it’s just that nobody looked.”
In an herbarium, plants are documented with their location like books in a library. This resource allows researchers and enthusiasts to monitor the environment
and see if the same plants remain or change over time.
Local documentation of plants is important for understanding the ecology of an area and identifying what could be disappearing, Ionta said.
A Georgia College graduate student inventoried the plants of Andalusia, collecting 260 specimens, almost a third of the herbarium’s specimens. It’s like a plant map of Andalusia.
Almost all the specimens in the Georgia College herbarium were collected by students. They document plant location, create botanical labels, press specimens and mount the specimens on acid-free paper for easy retrieval.
Dr. Gretchen Ionta
Environmental science senior Sydney Irons
Love letters
A REMARKABLE LOVE STORY ADDED TO GCSU’S SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Lamar Garrard has collected postal history — papers, letters, cards, photos and documents — since the late ’70s. Recently he discovered a rare, coincidental find relating to his wife’s alma mater.
Ruth Sandiford Garrard, ’65, studied music education at The Woman’s College of Georgia.
While searching for Georgia’s historical treasures on the internet, Garrard was pleasantly surprised to find an archive of love letters, penned by a soldier to his sweetheart in college. The young woman was enrolled at what was then known as Georgia State College for Women (GSCW) — the same college his wife attended.
His interest grew as he scrolled through the correspondence, dating from 1943 to 1945.
“The letters, and there’s a lot of them, popped out at me,” Garrard said. “I was fascinated. For the collection to be on the internet with interested parties from all over the world, I knew if I got these letters, I could deliver them to a proper home — Georgia College & State University.”
Unbeknownst to Garrard, Evan Leavitt, manager of Facilities Operations & Planning at Ina Dillard Russell Library at Georgia College & State University, had purchased letters from the same collection. He planned to curate a digital exhibit at the university around this love story.
Overall, they collected 104 letters that U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew “Andy” Ferrence wrote to Margaret Jean Cullen, ’45.
Ferrence was from Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, and Cullen from Dublin, Georgia. An envelope indicates the first letter Ferrence wrote to Cullen was from Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah.
“He starts out very apologetic of how he feels about her,” Garrard said. “They must’ve had an instant connection. I’m so interested in this soldier’s world and how they met.”
When Ferrence was stationed in New Guinea, he continued to write to Cullen.
He frequently asked her about school at GSCW. Ferrence also wrote, “I hope you get past that exam.” Then, he asked Cullen about student teaching.
They also corresponded about the war. In some letters, he wrote, “You don’t want to know what I’m seeing.”
Sometimes, Cullen wouldn’t receive a letter for many weeks. In 1944, stationed in the Philippines and working on aircraft, Ferrence wrote, asking about Cullen’s life. She mentions a dance at GSCW with no men attending. Most had been drafted for the war.
In 1945, Cullen mentioned what it’s like to be a senior in college. She told him she planned to further her education at Georgia Southern University when Cullen began her teaching practicum in Statesboro. In September 1945, Ferrence wrote her in Apalachicola, Florida, where she was teaching.
Later, Cullen went to Florida State University to get her master’s degree.
“I put together the end of the story in my mind,” Garrard said. “He goes to the Philippines and stays there for a year or two and continues to write to her. So, this love affair continues.”
After some time, Garrard considered Ferrence’s letters as “quite romantic.”
“Somewhere in this stack, he goes from writing ‘sincerely yours’ to ‘I love you,’” Garrard said.
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to retire to my little old sack now,” Ferrence wrote. “I hate to do this, but right now, all my love and kisses.”
All this correspondence required a high postage rate.
“Back then, a soldier could have free mail, but the post mark is stamped right over the word ‘free,’” Garrard said. “He had to pay extra postage for these letters, which meant he was so in love with her.”
Garrard considers these letters a “rare find.” Leavitt agrees they are “special.”
“These letters have the ability to transform a pivotal global moment in history, WWII, into a personal and relatable experience,” Leavitt said. “They allow a few voices, out of the millions who lived through this conflict, to be heard.”
History is important, Garrard believes. The only way to preserve it is to share it with each generation.
“I’m passionate about the greatest generation, which are the WWII soldiers,” Garrard said, “because I grew up surrounded by these men.”
After more research, Garrard learned Ferrence’s brothers also served in WWII. He was pleased to discover that Ferrence survived the war. The couple married and had a family.
“It’s just so amazing,” Garrard said. “I think you could go deeper with this research. I’d love to know the whole story, especially how that affinity started. I want to solve the mystery.
See how this mystery comes full circle in the next issue of Connection Magazine.
Left: Evan Leavitt reviews the historic letters. Top: Lamar Garrard and President Cathy Cox display the letters.
Ruth Sandiford Garrard shows the original sheet music for Georgia College’s alma mater.
Creator of beloved alma mater melody emphasizes the
Power of Music
Georgia College & State University had a few alma maters over the years. However, Ruth Sandiford Garrard, ’65, brought the most recent one to life with music.
The university’s alma mater’s lyrics were written by Margaret Meaders, ’26. Music was added later, thanks to a class assignment for composing alma mater music. Garrard was in that class. She took up the challenge, hoping to provide many generations with a song they could cherish for years to come.
In 1965, Garrard turned in her assignment. It became the music for Georgia College’s alma mater, still used today. She received an A.
“When I graded assignments, it was obvious that Ruth’s was the best,” Lucy Underwood, the late professor emerita of music education said in a Georgia College video. “When you write an alma mater, it should be straight forward and easy to sing. If you want people to participate, you need to give them something they can handle.”
It’s the only music Garrard ever wrote, but she loved the music department and all its professors, especially Underwood.
“I worked hard on the accompaniment to the alma mater to show her I could do it,” said Garrard, who majored in music education with a double emphasis in piano and voice. “Writing this music was more from the influence of Lucy Underwood than what I learned in piano.”
Creating the music to the alma mater with piano took Garrard a few days to pin down the winning harmony.
“I came up with a melody first,” she said. “Then, I created not just one harmony, but four. I wrote it in the style of a hymn.”
Georgia College reintroduced the alma mater at the beginning of the school year in 2014. Garrard and her
husband, Lamar, attended the ceremony. Dr. Wendy Mullen sang the Alma Mater and was accompanied by a violinist and pianist.
After she graduated, Garrard taught music to students in grades one through seven in DeKalb County. Then, she taught fifth- through seventh-grade math at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta, Georgia from 1986 until 2003. She also accompanied the music theater class at DFA. Garrard played piano and did children’s music at her church. Now, she fills in as a church pianist and teaches piano.
“Music enhances the learning experience,” Garrard said. “I’ve always thought it was important. The ‘Mozart effect’ theorizes the more you play classical music for young children, the more their learning increases.”
“Although students may not remember certain things, they’ll remember words to songs,” she said. “Adding music is a better way to learn. The main things I remember are sung.”
Garrard also sang in the a cappella choir during her four years in college and traveled with them during spring break. She attended choir reunions until Dr. Max Noah’s passing.
“They were always good reunions,” she said. “The beautiful thing about Georgia College was that these alumni were from all over the place. It was good to see that. I loved that opportunity. We still made a beautiful sound after all those years.”
Music has always been important to Garrard. She wishes for it to have the same effect on the Georgia College community as it has had on her.
“I want the words to their alma mater to be in their memory,” Garrard said. “I hope this song’s great words will remind them of their time in college and help them connect with others from Georgia College.”
A CAPITOL IDEA
BOBCATS PURSUE POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS THROUGH GC IN DC
A pair of Georgia College & State University students spent summer internships at the nation’s capital in Washington, D.C., through assistance from the Georgia College in Washington program (GC in DC).
Axel Hawkins, a senior history major with a political science minor from McDonough, Georgia, was an intern for U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), while Davis Camuso, a junior mass communication major from Lawrenceville, Georgia, spent his summer internship with U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA).
For the GC in DC internship program, students submit an application package that includes two short essays and two letters of recommendation. They must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Run through the Georgia College Career Center, the program’s objective is to assist students in finding suitable internship sites and mentoring them through the application process.
While the high-level networking is certainly valuable for any student pursuing a career path in the public sector, these two GCSU students also took the opportunity to make an impact on the world around them.
“I didn’t see politics as a viable career path for me until much later than others, but I’ve always had a passion for serving my community and a drive to help create a more fair and equitable society,” said Hawkins, who also serves as the current Student Government Association president. “My internship with Senator Warnock has allowed me to start gaining some of the skills to start making that difference in the world.”
“I got the opportunity to do serious legislative work on areas I’m passionate about like education and labor policy, and I’m extremely grateful for it,” Hawkins said. “It really changes your perspective on government for the better to see how it works on the inside.”
Camuso spent valuable time with Congressman Carter’s team.
“This summer gave me the opportunity to attend Congressional hearings and committees that enhanced my knowledge of the legislative processes,” Camuso said. “I will always be thankful for my time as an intern on Capitol Hill.”
Above: Davis Camuso is pictured with U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter on the Capitol steps. Below: Axel Hawkins [second from right] is pictured with interns from other universities.
GCSU’s
Man
session
dr. rob sumowski
Georgia College & State University special education associate professor Dr. Rob Sumowski is a gifted educator, much loved by current students and alumni. The walls of his office proudly show photos of him with his students, including ones of him serving as wedding officiant for multiple College of Education alumni. Sumowski has also served on the University Senate, even as presiding officer for the 2023-24 school year, the highest role in the Senate.
Sumowski’s gifts don’t end in the classroom setting, however, as he has a long-standing and decorated history as a percussionist and is one of the most highly requested percussionists in Middle Georgia. Listeners can catch his most recent work on Grammy-nominated artist Brent Cobb’s September 2023 release, “Southern Star.”
“At my start, I never planned to play percussion,” Sumowski revealed. “My plan was to play drum set, until I found a great acoustic songwriter, Leighton Moore. Drum set overpowers an acoustic guitar, so I had to adjust and try using conga drums instead, which worked great with acoustic music. The calls
started coming in, and within a year I was one of the only percussionists on the Atlanta acoustic scene. I got to play with all these amazing songwriters. After 30-plus years, the phone still seems to be ringing, and I am grateful.”
Sumowski’s musical experiences over three decades have varied, but all were opportunities to learn and create with some of the area’s most talented artists.
“I’ve learned a lot from working with great songwriters,” he said. “Sean Mullins and I worked together a lot back in the day. I remember fondly my time with Billy Pilgrim – featuring Kristian Bush from Sugarland. After shows we’d be dripping with sweat, trading song ideas on guitars while sitting on the floor in some hotel room on the road. Amazing memories.”
The majority of Sumowski’s session work comes at the historic Capricorn Studio in Macon, Georgia, where the Allman Brothers recorded “Brothers and Sisters.”
In 2022, Sumowski was invited to perform with Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi at the memorial service of longtime Gregg Allman confidant Chank Middleton. Over time, Capricorn producer Rob Evans has made Sumowski a “first call” when it comes to session opportunities.
Sumowski at 96 Wavefest in Brittlebank Park, Charleston, South Carolina on Oct. 15, 1995. Attendance was estimated at 75,000.
Dr. Sumowski with Allgood Music Company
When asked, he sees connections between his efforts as a session musician and lessons taught to today’s K-12 teachers.
“The underlying lesson of trial and error is big in both settings,” Sumowksi said. “Learning is a process, whether I’m in a recording studio figuring out what to play on this particular project or I’m in a classroom as a teacher, figuring out the best approach to reaching this K-12 or college student. Good teachers have to try different things until we find something that works. These are things we talk about with our students: adjusting, being flexible and understanding it is a process with no shortcuts, just hard work.”
On Dec. 5, Sumowski will be “hitting the road” again. Cobb requested he join his road band as they headline the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The Ryman is widely recognized as the birthplace of country and Bluegrass music.
Triple Bobcat bleeds blue and green
Dr. Marya Ray, ’96, ’08, ’24, has been embedded at the Georgia College & State University Campus off and on since before age 1.
“Fun fact: When I was less than 1 year old, GCSU began an infant-toddler program at the Peabody Laboratory School,” she said. “I was in that preschool program and continued in it until I went to kindergarten. While I was in elementary school, I attended the summer programs through the School of Education.”
It was during this pivotal time in a child’s development when Ray saw first hand the impact that education and educators have on students.
A journey dedicated to supporting students
As a child, she was a close friend to a fellow Peabody student who received special education services in elementary school. During the late 1970s, integration of special education services in the general school setting was new.
“We rode the bus together, and it was exciting to me to see how proud he was of what he was learning,” Ray said. “I was impressed by what he could do in school and how the teachers impacted that ability.”
As an undergraduate at Georgia College, Ray was unsure of what major to pursue, changing it several times before choosing special education. Things then began to fall into place.
“While I was in the program, I developed a close relationship with many of the faculty members and students in my class,” she said. “I had Marjo Baisden for several classes, and she was still working in schools at that point. She prepared us to become part of a school faculty with her experiences.”
Ray taught for 10 years before pursuing her masters. At the time, she was teaching middle school, so a master’s in middle grades education was the perfect fit.
“This program was my first cohort experience, and it was exciting to be a part of this group,” she said. “I feel I learned more both inside and outside of the classroom by collaborating with other members of my cohort.”
When Ray finished the master’s program, she learned that Georgia College was in the process of starting an Ed.D. program, giving her the opportunity to further pursue her educational journey. Ray graduated from the program and participated in commencement during spring 2024.
In Ray’s current role as international baccalaureate coordinator and math teacher at Baldwin High School in Milledgeville, she’s helping usher in a new milestone for the school through an initiative recently authorized after several years in the making. The International Baccalaureate program is a globally recognized program designed to develop a student’s intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills through the rigorous study of six academic areas: math, science, social studies, language arts, foreign language and music, as well as service learning.
“Because IB is a globally recognized program, the standards and the expectations for each course are set by the international organization,” Ray said. “Students in Georgia would be studying the same thing as students in other countries around the world.”
With the IB offering in Baldwin County, a student transferring into the school system would be able to pick up where they left off if they were in an IB program anywhere else in the world.
“This will hopefully provide opportunities for more industrial companies coming into Milledgeville, but it also provides an opportunity for our students to have more advanced academics,” Ray said.
Throughout the years, Ray has seen Baldwin County and the Georgia College campus change. While so many things can vary over time, Ray’s favorite memories involve the hours she spent in class with other special education majors. During this time, they worked together as a team, developing an understanding of the laws and procedures they needed to follow to best support their students.
“Education requires a commitment, and it’s not easy,” she said. “Teaching is not a career that can be conducted in an eight-hour day, as you will always think about your students and how to improve your practice and have a greater impact on them. Your impact on the students you teach will be life-changing — for you and them.”
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
VISION
The association aims to be recognized and respected as an alumni organization that builds positive longterm relationships among Georgia College & State University alumni, the university and communities across Georgia and beyond to support the strategic initiatives of the university.
Mission
The association shall empower alumni to forge enduring connections with their alma mater, each other and the wider community. The association shall enrich the lives of alumni through a spectrum of valuable services, including dynamic networking platforms, exclusive programs and engaging GCSUoriented events, while championing the university’s goals. The association shall seek to mobilize resources, foster support and involvement and passionately advocate for GCSU’s continued success.
Day 1: Friday, December 5, 2025 Overnight Flight An overnight flight takes you to Italy. Journey through southern Italy and experience its rich scenery, art, culture, food and wine. During the holiday season, Italy’s festive spirit greets you with buzzing shopping streets, twinkling decorations, and delicious traditions. From Rome to Sorrento, feel the joy in the air among locals and discover Italy’s inviting winter ambiance.
Day 2: Saturday, December 6, 2025 Rome, Italy Arrive in the “Eternal City” of Rome! This city steeped in history and tradition comes alive with holiday shoppers, decorated streets, and a cheerful atmosphere. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner celebrating the start of your Italian journey. (D)
Day 3: Sunday, December 7, 2025 Rome Start your day with a locally guided walking tour of Rome’s Renaissance and Baroque highlights. Climb to the top of the Spanish Steps for views of the city’s skyline and down its famous 135 stairs. Stroll over cobblestone streets and weathered passageways, encountering Rome’s seasonal sights, sounds, and smells such as caldarroste (roasted chestnuts). Be dazzled by the chic street of Via Condotti with its festive lights and store windows and by famous sights such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon’s imposing facade. Finish a full morning of exploration in the oval-shaped Piazza Navona, built upon the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian. The afternoon is yours. Perhaps you’ll meander through Rome’s lively Monti district to soak in the local life. (B)
Day 4: Monday, December 8, 2025 Rome Today, join an expert guide to explore the Imperial Fora. Tread in the footsteps of ancient gladiators during an in-depth visit of the Colosseum. Make the most of a free afternoon in Italy’s capital city. Maybe you’ll set off for Saint Peter’s Square to ta ke in the iconic scene or do as the Romans do and take care of some holiday shopping along Via Cola di Rienzo. This evening, consider joining an optional food tour dinner and taste your way around Rome’s bohemian Trastevere district. (B)
Day 5: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Rome - Pompeii - Sorrento Journey to the Sorrentine Peninsula, an iconic coastline of rocky beaches and towering cliffs. En route, pause at a local winery to savor the area’s famous Lacryma Christi wine and enjoy a typical lunch. Then, experience the eerily preserved ruins of Pompeii your way, because it’s your choice! Join a local guide for an in-depth tour of Pompeii’s best-known monuments -OR- venture further afield to discover the hidden corners of this vast archeologica l site. In the late afternoon, settle into your hotel in Sorrento, your home for the next five nights. (B, L)
Day 6: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Sorrento This morning, set out for a walking tour of Sorrento. Located along the eastern cliffs of the Bay of Naples, this picturesque resort town is packed with holiday charm and smiling locals. Wander through its narrow streets, perhaps peeking into the peaceful cloister of St. Francis or sampling some gelato made with local lemons. This afternoon, visit a traditional terraced farm and see how mozzarella cheese is still made by hand. Get a taste of the product at a farm-to-table dinner capped off with homemade limoncello. Return to your hotel in the late evening. (B, D)
Day 7: Thursday, December 11, 2025 Sorrento - NaplesSorrento Today, discover the sights of Naples during a walking tour through the city’s historic center. Get an up -close look at why Neapolitan nativity scenes are renowned for their intricate detail and craftmanship: this Christmas tradition dates back centuries and is deeply ingrained in the city’s cultural heritage. Enjoy time on your own for lunch and exploring more as you wish, before returning to Sorrento for the evening. (B)
Day 8: Friday, December 12, 2025 Sorrento - Amalfi CoastSorrento Drive* along the Amalfi Coast, pausing at a panoramic viewing point for a peek at Positano, with its pastel -colored houses clinging to the cliff. Spend time in the town of Amalfi. A former trading hub, Amalfi is now a quiet coastal town of historic landmarks and a black-and-white marble cathedral. Explore on your own before boarding a ferryboat and sailing to Salerno. This
Giving Back
Former GCSU professor and alumna receive USG’s Alumni and Distinguished Friends Award
Dr. Joseph and Patricia Samprone of Gold Canyon, Arizona — known affectionately around campus as Joe and Patti — were recently named recipients of the University System of Georgia’s 2024 Regent’s Hall of Fame Alumni and Distinguished Friends Award.
Their involvement with Georgia College & State University spans more than 40 years.
Joe taught economics from 1983 to 2003 in what was then known as the J. Whitney Bunting School of Business, while Patti earned her MBA in 1988 and worked in human resources at Vought Aircraft Industries, now Qarbon Aerospace in Milledgeville. She co-chaired the university’s last capital campaign, which concluded in May 2020 with more than $50 million in philanthropic support.
Joe also served as head coach of the Bobcat cross country teams for 14 years, well into his retirement. In 2007, he earned Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year honors.
“Patti and I were fortunate to experience nearly all aspects of life that a university community could offer: faculty, student and coach,” Joe said. “All were great experiences. Now, we feel it’s time to give something back to an institution that gave so much to us.”
“As children of blue-collar families,” he said, “we know that a university education is an expensive undertaking. By providing scholarship support to Georgia College, we felt we could achieve two goals at one time. First, we could help students who need assistance and, second, we could help the university recruit students.”
The Alumni and Distinguished Friends Award is given to an individual or couple known for championing academic excellence and access to higher education. It’s one of three awards given at USG’s Regents Annual Gala, held this year at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, Georgia. The other two are for Lifetime Achievement and the Jenkins Hall of Fame Faculty Award.
“It’s quite an honor to showcase people who’ve made such a big impact here and
“WE FEEL IT’S TIME TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO AN INSTITUTION THAT GAVE SO MUCH TO US.”
- DR. JOE SAMPRONE
statewide. It also shows how alumni can express their love and deep appreciation for the university and its uniqueness,” said Seth Walker, vice president of University Advancement.
To demonstrate their lifetime commitment to the university, the Samprones started making charitable donations in 1989.
Since then, they’ve established a diverse array of giving back, funding multiple scholarships for first-generation students and endowed scholarships for athletes in women’s basketball, volleyball and golf.
The Samprones sponsor eight of Georgia College’s flagship Presidential Scholarships, which includes a stipend for study abroad. They also fund one of the university’s first endowed professorships for junior faculty members to establish research in chemistry and physics.
Two scholarships are in honor of the couple’s beloved dogs: Heidi and Pfeffer. The Pfeffer Samprone is an endowed fund for Presidential Scholars that includes dinner with the university president.
“They have an understanding that without philanthropy, we would be much more limited in what we can offer our students,” Walker said. “They appreciate our uniqueness as the state’s designated liberal arts institution and understand that philanthropy is a huge aspect of being able to continue to provide top-quality resources for faculty and for students.”
RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR FUNDRAISING
Georgia College & State University had its largest fundraising year ever in Fiscal Year 2024, receiving more than $8.8 million in charitable donations. That marked an unprecedented 212% increase over the previous year.
A few substantial gifts came from large estates and donors like Dr. Kenneth Saladin, distinguished professor emeritus of biology. Big fundraising efforts by University Athletics and the Honors College also fueled progress. Many smaller contributions aided this exceptional increase, as well. About 10% more alumni donated in FY24, along with a 15% rise in support from faculty and staff.
“Every gift is important; every gift matters,” Walker said. “Giving back is a core tenet of what we do. So, we’re excited about this. We’ve done better than before, and we look forward to building upon this achievement to continue providing more resources as one of the state’s premier institutions.”
$8.8
MILLION
In charitable donations received in FY24
212%
10% More alumni donations
15% Rise in faculty and staff support
Increase in donations over FY23
FAMILIARFaces
Gerald Mosley ’97
MASTER’S IN LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Mosley is the CEO of Welspun Tubular LLC – a national manufacturer of steel pipes for the oil and gas industry.
“I vividly remember one of my Georgia College professors describing how logistics is a key component of business,” Mosley said, “and how when logistics and the management of logistics is done well, it can be a key competitive differentiator for companies.”
“The professors brought a lot of real-world, practical knowledge about how to apply logistics management concepts because they’d worked in the industry,” Mosley said. “They taught us practical applications of the concepts we discussed in class.”
Holly Stamer Witcher ’01
BACHELOR’S IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Witcher, a special education teacher at Tesnatee Gap Elementary School in White County, was named the 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year.
“My primary challenge is to teach them how to communicate,” Witcher said. “Everything I do in the classroom revolves around helping them show what they know and teaching them how they can express what they know and what they need.”
She is a 23-year teaching veteran who was also named Teacher of the Year in a Rockdale County School in 2006, along with winning White County District Teacher of the Year in 2023.
Eva Beaulieu ’04, ’06
BACHELOR’S IN ATHLETIC TRAINING, MASTER’S IN HEALTH PROMOTION
Beaulieu (left) is a certified athletic trainer for All Elite Wrestling, a professional wrestling organization. She has traveled all across the world as part of the staff keeping the professional wrestlers healthy and fit to perform for their weekly live shows, on TBS and TNT, as well as for monthly pay-per-view events.
“I would say one of the biggest things I had to get used to with this job was getting called on to do medical spots on television,” Beaulieu said. “As athletic trainers, we are so used to doing our work behind the scenes, it almost feels weird to be in the spotlight. I can do real medicine a lot better than I can do TV medicine … but thankfully my acting skills have gotten better over the past year.”
2024 SEASON A H ME RUN FOR BOBCAT BASEBALL
The 2024 Georgia College & State University baseball campaign was one for the record books, but it couldn’t have been done without alumni and community support.
The Bobcats went 37-22 this year and made their 15th trip to the NCAA Division II Baseball National Tournament, where they advanced to the Southeast Super Regional for the first time in program history, after winning the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Tournament for the fifth time in program history and the first since 2018.
“The overwhelming support we receive from community members, family, friends and alumni is simply incredible,” said Head Coach Nolan Belcher. “However, during our postseason run, this support reached new heights, leaving us humbled and grateful. It made us feel valued, motivated and inspired. The outpouring of support truly exceeded our expectations and made us feel incredibly fortunate.”
Georgia College & State University and the Milledgeville community held pep rallies, supplied catered meals and provided police escorts from campus as the Bobcats advanced to the regionals in Tigerville, South Carolina, and to the super regionals in Salisbury, North Carolina.
“Guys follow from afar each season, but success in the postseason gets more interest,” said former Bobcat catcher Richard Pirkle, ’11, who was picked in the 35th round by the Colorado Rockies in the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft. “Hosting Peach Belt Tournament games at John Kurtz was special and doesn’t happen often.”
Pirkle helped GCSU baseball alumni get together to provide steaks for the current players. What started as a one-time thing kept happening as the Bobcats advanced through the playoffs.
“We had to keep it going,” Pirkle added. “The alumni support is strong because we’ve all been there and know what it’s like, so we want it to be better for the next group.
We all have to do our part to continue the long-standing success and tradition for all former Bobcats and Colonials.”
“The alumni and community had a very big impact on our success late in the season,” Smith said.
“The meals they provided for us in our postseason run made a huge difference in our confidence and brought us even closer than we already were as a team. Everything they did for us behind the scenes was awesome and we are all very thankful.”
Six players – infielders Braeden Smith, Matthew Mebane and Gabriel Wuerth; outfielder Brandon Bellflower; and pitchers John Luke Glanton and Lex Kenny – were named to the All-PBC team, highlighted by Smith being named the Freshman of the Year. Glanton, Bellflower and Mebane were named to all-region teams by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), the Division II Collegiate Commissioners Association (D2CCA) and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), while Wuerth joined them on the D2CCA and NCWBA teams.
Smith also became the third Bobcat all-time to be named to the ABCA Division II Gold Glove Team.
GCSU finished the season ranked No. 20 in Division II by the ABCA and No. 21 by the NCBWA.
HighpErformancE
94% Academic Success Rate ranked first among NCAA Division II public institutions for the third consecutive year
GCSU was one of 44 NCAA Division II programs to receive the President’s Award for Academic Excellence (fourth year in a row for GCSU)
GCSU earned Peach Belt Conference Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award (fourth time in program history)
Men’s tennis, men’s basketball and volleyball earned PBC Team Sportsmanship awards in 2023-24
Jada Warren named the Peach Belt Conference nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award
3.29 cumulative GPA for 2023-24 year
142 Bobcats named to the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll
55 Bobcats earn D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award
38 Bobcats named to a Peach Belt Conference Team of Academic Distinction
25 Bobcats named to a CSC Academic AllDistrict® team
17 Bobcats named to an All-Peach Belt Conference team
3 Bobcats named the Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year in their sport (Braeden Smith (baseball), Karlie Gutierrez (softball) and Ashley Bentz (women’s tennis)
5 Bobcats named to an all-region team
Two teams (baseball and women’s tennis) ranked nationally
Baseball made their 15th trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament
Baseball won Peach Belt Conference Baseball Tournament
BOBCAT BASEBALL WILL LOOK TO BUILD ON LAST SEASON WHEN THEY OPEN THE 2025 LEDGER AGAINST NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPION UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA
2023-24 GCSU Athletics Accomplishments
CONQUERING
Four alumni work together to take on childhood cancer
Diva Hicks, ’06, Mandy Fingerhut, ’07, Meredith Colbert Bach, ’07, and Jennifer Gilliam, ’12 have more in common than an alma mater.
Each one of them shares a dedication to volunteerism, passion for purpose and, despite their varied backgrounds, an employer.
All four have roles within CURE Childhood Cancer, a nonprofit based in Atlanta that funds targeted research while supporting patients and addressing the most critical needs of their families.
With Hicks, Fingerhut serves as senior development director, Bach as a CURE board member and strategic value partner, and Gilliam as an operations and database manager.
“You can’t help but fall in love with this organization,” Gilliam said. “It really restores your faith in humanity.”
The passion they share is personal for Hicks, whose older sister was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at
12 years old. Now healthy and in remission, her sister and their family were early beneficiaries of CURE’s support services.
“We’re just super fortunate, but not everybody’s story is like mine,” Hicks said. “So, for me to create beautiful ways to tell the stories of these children and their families so that someone is motivated to get involved is a huge responsibility and honor.”
“Making sure those children, those stories, are not forgotten — that they are kept — is what motivates me,” she said.
Hoping to help fund the cure for childhood cancers within their lifetimes, the four alumni worked together, not knowing they shared Bobcat status.
“Even if our time didn’t cross over at Georgia College, the people did — these impactful teachers, mentors and leaders that the school had,” Hicks said.
Hicks and Gilliam bonded over a shared love of Kendall Stiles, longtime supporter of student volunteerism and founder of the GIVE Center in 1997. In
2022, her contribution to the university was honored with the Giving Tree Award and a tree planted in her name.
“Kendall is really important to me, but it’s not just me who had that feeling,” Hicks said. “These leaders saw in us something special, or something we loved, and helped nurture it and guide us.”
Slowly, the tapestry of their college experiences became unwoven, and the four bonded over shared experiences with community-based service learning, inspiring faculty and their favorite places to eat in downtown Milledgeville.
“Every professor was so good about encouraging you to find what sets your soul on fire and using your skills to find where you should end up,” Gilliam said. “When I left Georgia College, I knew I was going to work in some helping capacity, and I think my professors did a great job of stewarding me to find that path.”
“Here I am, happy as can be,” she said.
Right - From left to right: Mandy, Jennifer and Diva at a fundraising event
Middle - Meredith Bach, left, and her husband Alex at the 2022 Believe Ball
Below - The entire CURE Childhood Cancer staff
The mentor Gilliam speaks of is Dr. Tsu-Ming Chiang, professor of psychology and a faculty member at Georgia College for the past 33 years.
“Georgia College, by virtue of the type of institution it is, with an emphasis on the liberal arts — being open-minded to different views of what education can look like — instills values in its students that I feel we are a reflection of,” Hicks said.
“The volunteer work we did was driven by the university, because they were encouraging that civic participation,” she said. “It’s not something that stopped after a couple years of being a graduate. I still have them as a resource, and I think that says a lot about how the university shapes us and what it pours into its students.”
CLASS NOTES
Please submit your news for Class Notes at gcsu.edu/alumniclassnotes, or use this QR code.
Jan Blackwell Taylor, ’53, lives in The Nottingham senior living facility in New York. She and her husband, McKinney, have five children.
Lucretia Bryant Adams, ’64, of Smyrna, Georgia, received her master’s from Georgia State University. She taught Head Start one summer and loved it. Then, she taught kindergarten for the rest of her career.
She has two daughters, Cheri and Wendy; as well as two grandchildren, Catherine and Charlotte; and one greatgranddaughter, Elenor “Ellie” Margaret.
Lucretia lost her husband, Charles, seven years ago to cancer. They were married nearly 53 years. Her daughter, Wendy, moved in with Lucretia. Two years ago, Wendy and Lucretia spent two “wonderful” weeks in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Brenda Mosteller Clapp, ’65, is a retired educator from Fulton County with 33 years of teaching — 18 years at Amy L. Dodd Elementary and 15 years at Haynes Bridge Middle School.
After losing her husband, James Pinkerton, in 1996, she met her current husband, Percy Clapp, in 2012. They’ve been married since Nov. 7, 2013. The couple travels and enjoys outings with the Cherokee Photography Club. Their families are blended and include children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Sue Ellen Harris Andrews, ’72, retired from Troup County School System
in LaGrange, Georgia. She received a master’s in education and media. Her children — Annie Andrews Viviant, Benjamin Clark Andrews and William Mitchell Andrews — are married. She has six grandchildren — three boys and three girls. Annie is a media specialist at Gainesville Exploratory Academy in Gainesville, Georgia.
Harvey Brindell, ’76, (above) retired in 2012 after working for 30 years as a mental health therapist with adolescents and their families. After retiring, he became a blues musician, recording his first album
under his own name. In 2021, his album, “Pennies on the Dollar,” was nominated for a “Best New Artist Award” by Blues Blast Magazine.
Mark Johnson, ’76, enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1977. He served as a physical education instructor at the Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey from 1978 to 1979; was stationed at Base Miami Beach Boat Station, the “World’s Busiest SAR Station” in 1979 until 1981; and became a commissioned officer in 1981 before retiring as a lieutenant commander in 1997.
Mark was married to Sandra Jean Smetts from 1978 until her passing in 2002. Their daughter was born in New Orleans, in 1992.
Sheila Cash Clopton, ’82, ’88, (above) served as a music education specialist and choral director for the Department of Defense School System on Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia, for 26 years until it closed. She continued her career, teaching elementary music (pre-K through fifth grade) and directing chorus for 10 years in the Houston County School System in Perry, Georgia.
Sheila and her husband, Terry, have two sons. Jonathan is a nurse practitioner in Middle Georgia and Ryan is a Chick-fil-A owneroperator in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The couple has three grandsons. When Sheila and Terry retired from teaching, they returned to Sheila’s home county of Putnam and built their retirement home on Lake Sinclair. They enjoy watching the sunsets over Crooked Creek Cove. After more than 50 years, Terry continues to play organ and piano and Sheila sings in the choir at Sandersville Methodist Church.
Chris Fesmire, ’88, (above) is a retired sales associate with ZB MedTech. He attended Georgia College & State University at the Robins Resident Center Campus and now lives on Lake Sinclair.
Robert Gable, ’88, left the service in 1988 with his Master of Science in Administration from Georgia College & State University. He worked various jobs in the defense industry. Once his wife, Jan, finished her degree in education, Robert returned to school and received his second bachelor’s
degree in education and a second master’s degree with an emphasis in special education. The couple spent the next 20 years in public education in Bush, Alaska. Robert retired as an educator in 2017, and Jan retired in 2018. They live in Alaska.
Al Parker, ’88, (above) is an M.D. in family medicine, a fellow of the Academy of Family Physicians and currently works in hospice and palliative care.
Kevin Cox, ’90, has worked the past 30 years in the pharmaceutical biotechnology industry in oncology account management.
Paige Pilcher Alford’s, ’96, and Ben Alford’s daughter, Anna Kate Alford, ’23, graduated with her Bachelor of Music Therapy degree from Georgia College & State University. Paige works at Georgia College as the clinical coordinator for the Graduate Nursing School.
Clayton “Jay” Torrence, ’96, and his wife, Nina, have been married 25 years. They are empty nesters, living in Canton, Georgia, for 20 years. For more than 12 years, Jay has operated his own search engine marketing company, PersistSEO. com. Both Jay and Nina work in the business.
A GCSU Athletics Hall of Famer, Jay plays in the U.S. Tennis Association and Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association Leagues. He
just started playing singles again this year in the 50’s division and 18-plus USTA League. Jay is pictured below.
Sally Burkett Stone, ’97, is in her 27th year teaching eighth-grade Georgia history. She consults with districts, the State of Georgia and Georgia Public Broadcasting regarding Georgia’s history in education.
Sally and her husband, Greg, live in Roswell, Georgia. She’s active in the Roswell Historical Society and Fulton County Library Foundation. They enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Stephen Sims, ’01, is a retired Naval officer, after serving 30 years in the Navy. He lives in Oregon and serves on the Stayton City Council.
Brandon Butler, ’02, ’03, was promoted to full professor of social studies and teacher education at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, a research-extensive university. He was appointed editor-in-chief of Studying Teacher Education, an international research journal devoted to research on reflective practice and professional learning in teacher education.
Amy Nix, ’09, ’12, was named the Colham Ferry Elementary School Teacher of the Year and the Oconee County Schools District Teacher of the Year for the 20232024 school year.
Gabrielle “Gabbie” Billing Black, ’10, (below) and her husband, Josh, celebrate the birth of their second daughter, Lenna Rue Black. Their first daughter, Norie, is 3 years old
Namalongo Hamakowa’s, ’10, (below) husband, Mukaluwo Hamakowa, and big brother, Komana Michael, of Scotland, United Kingdom; welcomed their second baby boy, Mukomi Matthew, to the family March 17, 2024.
Emma Neale Borgognoni, ’11, and Kyle Borgognoni, ’09, ’10, (below) moved back to Georgia after living in Arizona and working in studio for The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Company. Kyle is editor-in-chief and content manager for this company, and Emma is a teaching interventionist in Gwinnett County schools. They have two sons, Houston and Truman.
Hannah Callaway Harlan, ’11, and her husband, David, welcomed their second son, Luke, May 2, 2024.
Zach Mullins, ’11, (above) was promoted to senior vice president of Channel Partnerships with Locality. Mullins started the channel division of Locality in 2018 and led the company through six years of consecutive growth. During his tenure, he also led the innovation of the company’s proprietary ad tech platform, underpinning the operation which has served billions of commercials across thousands of campaigns and advertisers in every state across the U.S. In his new role, Mullins will continue to drive Locality’s strategic initiatives, spearheading innovative strategies to further elevate the brand and foster enduring partnerships.
Caylyn Smith Wells, ’11, became the director of lower school admissions at the Out-of-Door Academy. She taught second grade there for eight years.
John “Tucker” O’Brien, ’12, ’15, moved to Charleston, South Carolina, in late 2022, where he met his fiancée. The couple plans to get married in 2025.
Kelsey Callaghan Eleniewski, ’13, (below) and Joe Eleniewski, ’13, had a Bobcat reunion at their wedding. Kathleen “Katie” Dunphy Holloway, ’13, was in the wedding. Brianne “Brie” Barber, ’13, Kathryn Gilliland Duncan, ’13, and Bethany Floyd Stott, ’13, were in attendance, representing the nursing and teaching fields.
Brett Butler Pasquinelli, ’13, ’14, recently finished his first decade of teaching high school marketing. He’s the advisor for one of the top 15 largest DECA chapters in Georgia.
Hilary Lasseter Duke, ’14, (above)and husband, Andrew Duke, welcomed their baby girl, Oaklynn Alys Duke, Dec. 9, 2023. She is named for two of her great-grandmothers, Lynn and Alice. Owen was very excited about her arrival and loves being a big brother.
Lindsay Attaway Fountaine, ’14, and Jimmy Fountaine welcomed their baby boy, McCallan Chaz Fountaine, who was born Jan. 26, 2024. Lindsay is a consultant for Bulk Express, opening three membership-based facial spa franchise lcoation in Nashville. Lindsay is pictured at top in the next column
Brittany Stone Nedza, ’14, married Clayton Nedza in August 2022. She graduated with an MBA from Georgia Tech in 2021. Brittany has worked in new ventures and content development as a business analyst along with strategy and planning at Trilith Studios for the past nine years. Trilith, located in Fayetteville, Georgia, is the largest film studio in Georgia.
Rebekah Autry Vincent, ’14, and Griffin Vincent, ’14, (above) have two girls, Olivia and Ivy. Rebekah and Griffin did intramurals at Georgia College & State University together. Rebekah played on the Bobcat women’s soccer team, and Griffin was a member of the Thunder Crew.
Dr. Kayla Albright Whitley, ’14, and her husband, Justin, welcomed their
daughter, Magnolia, Jan. 5, 2024. Kayla received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in August 2023. Dr. Whitley is pictured at the bottom of the previous column.
Benedict Esposito, ’15, (above) completed a half-marathon Feb. 25, 2024, for the first time.
Emily Kearney Williams, ’16, married Wade Banta May 27, 2023. In fall 2024, she will begin graduate school at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa for her Master of Fine Arts.
Mary Mason Beale, ’17, (above) is a certified child life specialist at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Thomas Huffman, ’17, and Alex Bates, ’19, (above) are getting married in November 2024. They are excited to “tie the knot and spend the rest of their lives together, learning and growing with each other.”
Katie “Savannah” McGee Morgan, ’17, works in Fayette County as a special education teacher for a program for students with disabilities.
Maggie Coleman, ’18, married Nathan Patton, ’19,(above) June 7, 2024. They celebrated their marriage with friends and family Oct. 4, 2024. Nathan is a salesforce administrator with the Foundation for Economic Education, and Maggie is an account executive with Cookerly Public Relations. They reside in Atlanta.
Hunter Patrick, ’18, ’19, and Nicole Butler Patrick, ’20, (above) met at Georgia College & State University in 2017. They “tied the knot” March 16, 2024. Hunter is a real estate agent in Greenville, South Carolina, and Nicole is a histotechnologist.
Tayler Dillingham Wommack, ’19, and her husband, Wesley Wommack, ’19, (above) welcomed their son, Walker Wommack, in May 2024.
Gabriela Barr, ’20, (below) is a fourth-year medical student at Mercer University School of Medicine.
Allison Harbin Ortiz, ’20, (below) married Reymundo “Rey” Oritz. The couple has one child named Edoras.
Lauren Cumming Hay, ’21, ’23, (below) married Sam Hay in February 2023. Lauren got her master’s degree in public administration. They have a one-year-old goldendoodle named Lottie. The couple lives in Covington, Georgia.
Katie Dillingham, ’22, and Tatum Sullivan, ’23, (below) are engaged to be married in April 2025 and are building their first home together.
Nicholas Robb, ’22, is halfway done with his doctorate in physical therapy. He’ll return to Emory Sports Medicine Complex, where Emory Healthcare partners with the Atlanta Hawks, for work upon DPT completion.
Joel White, ’22, has been a graduate assistant with the athletics department at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, since 2023. He’s studying for his MBA while working there.
Liam Newsome, ’23, attends the Medical University of South Carolina for his Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He’s pictured below with his wife Caroline Veal Newsome.
Madison Watson, ’23, graduated in May 2024 with a Master of Science in exercise science from Liberty University. She began the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in September 2024.
IN MEMORIAM
It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of some of our esteemed alumni.
We pay tribute to their journeys, honoring their memories and their profound impact on those around them.
*Denotes alumni of Peabody School. This list recognizes deceased alumni the university has been notified of as of Aug. 15 2024.
