Mars Hill: The Magazine of Mars Hill University - Spring 2024

Trammell Family Park Opens For the Community Of Mars Hill

The Magazine of Mars Hill University | Spring 2024

MAGAZINE

STAFF:

Editor: Teresa Buckner, Director of Publications

Associate Editor: Mike Thornhill ’88, Director of Communications

Additional Contributors: Tatum Boggs ’20, M.M. ’21, Director of Content Management; Rod Caldwell, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Music; Chris Duncan, Executive in Residence; Samantha Fender, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications; Grainger Caudle, Ph.D., Senior Director of Planning and Strategy; Neil St. Clair, Professor Emeritus of Theatre Arts; Adam Williams, Director of Athletic Communications

President’s Leadership Team:

Tony Floyd, J.D., President

Tracy Parkinson, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Provost

Rick Baker, M.S., Director of Athletics

Greta Byrd ’88, Vice President for Advancement

Grainger Caudle, Ph.D., Senior Director of Planning and Strategy

Samantha Fender, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Danielle Hagerman, M.P.A., Assistant to the President and the Provost

Jennie Matthews, Ph.D., Director of Human Resources

Rev. Stephanie McLeskey, M.Div., University Chaplain

Donna B. Parsons, Ph.D., Associate Provost for Adult and Graduate Studies; Dean of Professional Programs and Social Sciences Division; Associate Professor of Business Administration

David Rozeboom, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Life

Kristie Vance ’07, M.M. ’22, Director of Admissions

Roderica Williams, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Student Success

Daniel B. “Bo” Wright, M.B.A., M. Acc., Vice President for Finance and Administration.

Mars Hill, The Magazine of Mars Hill University is published regularly by the Office of Marketing and Communications. It is distributed, without charge, to alumni, donors, and friends of the university.

Notices of changes of address and class notes should be addressed to the Alumni Office, Mars Hill University, P.O. Box 6792, Mars Hill, N.C., 28754. Phone (828) 689-1102. Email alumni@mhu.edu.

Letters to the editor and all other correspondence regarding the magazine should be addressed to the Office of Marketing and Communications, Mars Hill University, P.O. Box 6765, Mars Hill, N.C., 28754. Phone (828) 689-1304. Email tbuckner@mhu.edu.

Postmaster: Send address changes to the Alumni Office, Mars Hill University, P.O. Box 6792, Mars Hill, N.C., 28754.

Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Spring 2024

Cover: Charlie Trammell (holding scissors) and family members prepare to cut the ribbon on Trammell Family Park. Pictured are: (l-r) President Tony Floyd, Trammell’s son-in-law John Vincent, daughter Michelle Vincent, sister Carolyn “Kaki” Jennings, niece Kristen Graff Jennings, daughter Renee Trammell, and Charlie Trammell. See story on page 5-6.

Inside: A new mural on Mt. View Road in downtown Mars Hill was the brainchild of Kelly Spencer, Ph.D., assistant professor of art therapy at MHU, and the work of artist Gabe Eng-Geotz. Elements of the mural represent Appalachian music, the story of Joe Anderson, Cherokee pottery, and the Anderson Rosenwald School, as well as the flora and fauna of the region.

Over graduation weekend, Mars Hill University awarded 195 degrees and hosted two grand openings for beautiful new outdoor spaces: the Sunken Garden, just off Lunsford Commons, and Trammell Family Park in downtown Mars Hill. Both spaces are now open and fully accessible for everyone.

Construction of our new Campus Center is underway as Blackwell Hall and the Lunsford Commons undergo major renovations and expansion. The construction fencing and loud machinery are a constant reminder of the investments our loyal donors are making for our current and future students. Our new Campus Center will become the hub of campus life and will include a dining facility, a fitness center, a new postal and delivery center, new student government offices, and many other featured student services and support centers. We continue to raise funds for this project, having raised $22,000,000.00 so far. We appreciate all of your support.

Higher education and our region is changing rapidly. The competition for students across our country is fierce. We are seeking to attract teenagers to commit to coming to Mars Hill to spend their formative years in this beautiful place. To do this, we must position this university to be attractive to future generations of students. These future students have a lot of choices in today’s world and they are digitally connected, living fast-paced lives, and anticipating vibrant careers of the future. With an uncertain future rushing toward us, whether through advances in artificial intelligence, technology, or other mind boggling changes in the economy, the steps we take today must prepare our campus to be ready to serve the needs of the incoming classes of 2028, 2038, 2048, and beyond.

Change is challenging and hard. We are tackling great challenges head on as we seek to continue to live out our mission and vision statements. We must plan for the future and make sure that our university is top of mind for students who are seeking to be grounded in the liberal arts. We need you now more than ever to be connected to our university and to our students. We appreciate all who have contributed to our mission in various ways, and I hope you will continue to support us in those endeavors. The world needs more Mars Hill and we want to export Mars Hill to the world for many years to come. Thank you for being a part of this great endeavor.

Roll Hill forever!

Sincerely,

Tony Floyd, J.D. President

Mars Hill University Confers

Degrees on 195 Spring Graduates

by Mike Thornhill, Director of Communications

“The beautiful and hardest thing about our time here is that it inevitably ends,” said Mars Hill University graduate Lauren Sermersheim, delivering a student address to her fellow graduates. “In some way, shape, or form, we move on to the next part of our lives. And while this unknown may be intimidating, it’s also invigorating.”

Sermersheim, from Asheville, North Carolina, was one of 195 students to receive either bachelor’s or master’s degrees during the university’s spring commencement on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The summa cum laude graduate double-majored in community and nonprofit leadership and in religion and philosophy. She told the audience, “Our time at Mars Hill has prepared us for this moment—and I believe we’re ready…. We leave Mars Hill ready to inspire, uplift, and empower those around us, and make the world a better place. Congratulations, and may our journeys be filled with purpose, passion, and endless possibility.”

Thirty-one graduates received master’s degrees, in criminal justice, education, management, or teaching. Undergraduate degrees presented were the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Social Work.

The 14 Bachelor of Science in Nursing students also were honored on Thursday during a pinning and lamp-lighting ceremony to mark their passage from the student role to the medical practice role.

Jonas Randolph, a social work graduate from Asheville, gave the student address representing the Adult and Graduate Studies program. “Graduation is not about the end result,” he said. “It’s about the journey, the setbacks, the struggles, and the resilience that got us here today. It’s about the times we stumbled and fell, and chose to get back up and keep moving forward. Now we have the tools to take us where we’ve always known we could be. Endless opportunities await for us to let us serve our purpose.”

Randolph previously attended Mars Hill as a traditional undergraduate student and was a star

on the football team, winning the 2011 Harlon Hill Trophy, NCAA Division II football’s highest player honor and comparable to Division I’s Heisman Trophy. He resumed his education in the university’s Adult and Graduate Studies program, completing the requirements for a Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Other students on the program included Deja Benton, a criminal justice major from Asheville, who gave the invocation; music education majors Judah Barak of Mars Hill, North Carolina, and Jared Dunn of Asheville, who presented special music; and Marcus Orta, a music education and music performance major from Traphill, North Carolina, who led the singing of the university “Alma Mater.”

The commencement ceremony also included the presentation of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Charlie Trammell of Memphis, Tennessee. Trammell, who attended Mars Hill in the late 1950s, is a trustee emeritus and a previous recipient of the university’s Philanthropist of the Year Award. He has been a major catalyst in Mars Hill University’s new strategic plan which has enrollment growth initiatives, facility rehabilitation initiatives, and a focus on rebuilding performing arts programs.

Recent projects he made possible were the acquisition of and renovation of the gazebo lot at the corner of NC 213 and N. Main Street in downtown Mars Hill and construction of the new campus front gate. He was also a major contributor to renovation of the Sunken Garden. The Sunken Garden was dedicated on Friday morning and the “gazebo lot” was dedicated and named by the university as Trammell Family Park in a ceremony following graduation.

Previous page: Jaime Garcia-Lopez receives her diploma. Above, from the top: Lauren Sermersheim, Jonas Randolph, and Deja Benton.

Facing page, top: Charlie Trammell receives an honorary doctorate from Tony Floyd, president, and Anna Renfro, vice chair of the MHU board of trustees. Second row, l-r: a student hugs Professor of Mathematics Laura Steil after graduation; the dedication of the renovated Sunken Garden on May 10; Bottom row, scenes from the nursing pinning ceremony on Thursday, May 9.

BE PART OF MARS HILL HISTORY!

Mars Hill University has raised $22.1 million toward a $24 million goal for the Together We Rise Capital Campaign to build a new, modern Campus Center. Now is your time to be part of Mars Hill history by contributing to this momentous project that will transform the student experience for generations of Lions. And, for a limited time, any donation up to a million dollars will be matched dollar-for-dollar by our Together We Rise $1 Million Challenge. To learn more, scan the QR code at right, or go to mhu.edu/giving.

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Spring 2024

Helping Students RISE to The Challenge

by Teresa Buckner, Director of Publications

“There’s no such thing as an ‘average student,’” said Chris Cain ’99, professor of education. “Students come to Mars Hill with different backgrounds, cultures, and learning strengths”, he said. “As professors, we have to teach and develop instruction for a wide group of people. We have to make sure we’re able to reach all students where they are and support them on their academic journeys.”

Cain is the project director of RISE (Realizing Inclusion, Success, and Empowerment), a program developed by a group of professionals at Mars Hill University with these ideas in mind. The program is funded by a five-year $1.8 million* Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education which aims to elevate student success, retention, and graduation rates.

Tracy Parkinson, executive vice president and provost, said he is excited about the opportunities the grant will provide to help students succeed and persist to graduation at Mars Hill.

“This grant is a remarkable opportunity to provide enhanced resources to support the success of our students. It is also a tremendous affirmation of the work MHU is doing and the positive impact we can have in our region,” he said.

According to Cain, RISE not only addresses students’ differences but also helps educators identify barriers and design instruction to facilitate learning and success.

“You can’t have effective learning unless you consider the individual learner,” Cain said. He emphasized the importance of addressing various factors, such as the environment, curriculum, instruction, and the learner, to ensure effective learning.

“Without meeting the students’ basic needs, their academic interest may wane. Even when their basic needs are fulfilled, it is crucial to provide students with quality instruction and diverse perspectives on the subject matter. Furthermore, fostering multiple avenues for interaction is essential, as learning is fundamentally a social activity,” he said.

The four primary initiatives of RISE are: the Male Achievement Program, Academic Success Coaching, Proactive Advising, and Universal Design for Learning.

*The university has been awarded $1,825,980.00 to fund the project over a period of five years. 100% of the awarded federal funds will be used to cover the cost of the project. Additionally, the salaries of new staff necessary to implement the program (a Male Achievement Program Coordinator, a new Coordinator of Academic Success Coaching [to be hired in year three], and three Academic Success Coaches) will be partially supported by MHU, with a cost share of 10% in year two, 20% in year three and year four, and 25% in year five.

1) Male Achievement Program (MAP)

The Male Achievement Program (MAP) aims to improve the retention of high-risk male students by offering a range of activities, including personalized academic and personal support, with a focus on men of color. The program also features guest speakers, attendance at a national summit, peer mentoring, and growth mindset training.

2) Academic Success Coaching

Academic Success Coaching targets enhancing student performance, retention, and credit completion, especially for first-year students. The program focuses on a proactive coaching model which addresses academic and personal issues before they become obstacles to success.

3) Proactive Advising

Proactive Advising seeks to create a consistent advising experience across campus, by addressing barriers to academic success, especially for disadvantaged students. This approach aims to improve graduation rates, particularly for high-risk, first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students.

4) Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Training in the Universal Design for Learning framework will support faculty in creating inclusive learning environments that incorporate a diverse range of abilities and learning styles. The training will empower faculty to meet the learning needs of students, to adapt their teaching methods as needed, and to support successful learning. By year two of the grant, a total of 14 faculty fellows will be

Many people across campus will make the RISE program work, including some positions yet to be hired. Some of the professionals who are charged with overseeing and directing aspects of the program on a daily basis are: Roderica Williams, Ph.D., associate vice president for student success; Michael Foster ’20, Male Achievement Program coordinator; Chris Cain, Ph.D., director of the RISE program; Ryan Bell, director of first year advising; Lisa Wachtman, senior director of student success; Joanie Grimm, SIP grant coordinator.

identified by RISE to train their fellow faculty and implement these principles in the classroom.

According to Roderica Williams, associate vice president for student success, the initiatives of RISE were developed in response to retention data, which showed some subgroups of students are more likely to struggle in reaching graduation. For example, statistically, some groups of males have barriers that make college completion difficult. As a result of that data, the Male Achievement Program was created to develop connectedness and belonging, especially for those groups of males.

“When students feel that they have community on campus, engage with campus life, and cultivate a strong academic foundation, they will thrive,” she said. “We want our students to thrive regardless of where they begin, and we’re initiating programs like MAP to partner with students in their journey to success.”

RISE Project Coordinator Joanie Grimm said grant money will support resources and funding for positions dedicated to implementing the project goals. For example, four new full-time positions will be dedicated to supporting Academic Success Coaching, while three full-time positions will support the Male Achievement Program.

Cain said the initiatives that make up the RISE program align with both the goals of the Department of Education and MHU’s own strategic plan, to promote the best outcomes for students.

“I am genuinely excited about Project RISE and anticipate a notable impact on student perceptions of support, overall student success, and ultimately, an improvement in student graduation rates,” Cain said.

In-Person Performance is Thriving!

by Rod Caldwell, Ph.D., professor and chair of music

Mars Hill University music students gave a full range of in-person concerts, recitals, and performances during the 2023-24 academic year, and the Department of Music hosted state and regional events which brought thousands of high school students to the campus.

These are welcome sights for those of us involved with music education at MHU. The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on our students, our faculty, and our audiences. But as we now pass the four-year mark since the start of the pandemic, in-person music performance is rebounding on our campus!

Like all collegiate music departments, Mars Hill’s was significantly impacted by COVID. In addition to the strain felt by everyone across campus, instruction for musicians meant significantly modified practice, lessons, and ensemble experiences. In particular, wind players and singers had to navigate a learning environment where the very act of singing or playing could endanger others. For 18 months only a handful of public performances took place.

After a 2021 without a choral festival or summer music camp, both events have been revived and returned to pre-COVID participation numbers, with February 2024, marking the choral festival’s 75th anniversary.

Post-COVID, the Department of Music started an honor band with 50 participants. This has now tripled in size, requiring two bands. Additionally, the North Carolina Music Educators Association

(NCMEA) Western Region now holds its annual Music Performance Evaluation (MPA) on our campus. This event sees us host 3,000 student musicians over the course of three days each March. Finally, this year we also hosted Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra events while their main performance venue is being renovated.

When we refer to our “rebuild” that is not just a statement about the music we make but it is also a literal description of our home on campus—Moore Fine Arts Building. Through a generous donation in the spring of 2023, we were able to see the renovation of the lobby entrance to the building (see lower right photo.) Since we host many large-scale events throughout the year, the new, modern-looking lobby not only serves the music department but the campus as a whole. This “first impression” represents our renewed energy and commitment to our students, the campus, and our art.

As we move forward over the coming years, we do so ever mindful of how tenuous our most cherished things in life can be. COVID taught us to not take for granted the many things that give life meaning and purpose. Among these was the ability to make music with and for others. Music is alive and well at Mars Hill. We hope you can be a part of what we do by attending a performance, contributing to a scholarship or project, or by sending a budding young musician our way. Come see (and hear) us soon!

Mars Hill Gave Him “Roots for Life”

Jim ’57 and Sharon Ellen

by Teresa Buckner, Director of Publications

Samuel James “Jim” Ellen ’57 credits much of his success in life to the two years he spent at Mars Hill College in the mid-1950s.

“It was just a family,” he said recently. “I think it gave me roots for life, and kept me on the straight and narrow. It worked. Whatever they were doing worked. Let me put it that way.”

After Mars Hill, Ellen went on to N.C. State University where he majored in civil engineering. He was a successful business man for around forty years near Richmond, Virginia.

“I give Mars Hill credit for my success,” he said. “I think if I had I gone any other route out of my little small high school. I’m not sure I’d have made it.”

Ellen contacted Mars Hill University recently and, in an effort to honor the memories of his Mars Hill years, he and his wife, Sharon, made a five-year commitment to the university’s Together We Rise campaign. The Ellens have now become part of a select group of Campus Center Champions who are instrumental in making the center a reality for Mars Hill University students, now and into the future.

According to President Tony Floyd, it is donors like Jim and Sharon Ellen who are changing the trajectory of Mars Hill University with their philanthropy. In honor of their generosity, the fitness center in the new Campus Center will bear the Ellen name for generations to come.

Furthermore, Floyd said, Jim Ellen’s story is illustrative of the difference that Mars Hill University can make in a student’s life.

“Jim Ellen represents the best of Mars Hill University,” Floyd said. “He came here and the faculty and staff helped to put him on a great life path. He made the most of his opportunity here and he has made a tremendous impact on the world.”

Ellen’s story began on a tobacco farm near Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He graduated from a small high school of about 100 students. He knew that, ultimately, he wanted to go to N.C. State and major in engineering, but he also knew that the state university was too large for his comfort level, with around 5,000 students at that time.

“I mean, I just felt going from a high school with 100 students to a 5000-student university would be too drastic. I thought I’d just be lost,” he said.

So, Ellen contacted N.C. State and asked for a recommendation of a junior college where he could get a good foundation and where all his classes would transfer. The recommendation he received was Mars Hill College (then a two-year institution).

Ellen was not disappointed. “Mars Hill gave you a lot of personal attention; they looked after you and everybody knew you. You didn’t get out of line because it was so frowned upon. And it was just such a great culture there,” he said.

Despite being a self-described “mediocre student” in high school, Ellen said the personal attention he received from faculty, combined with a tight group of friends in Mars Hill’s pre-engineering program, spurred him to be a better student.

“I became a solid B/B-plus-type student. For me, I was flourishing,” he said. In fact, he served as a student marshal during his time at Mars Hill.

Going to Mars Hill in those days, Ellen said, was like living in a “cocoon” for two years. Students came to campus in the fall and stayed on campus almost all the time except for holidays. Entertainment was provided by a very active music department which “put on all kinds of concerts: everything from singing to instrumentals to classical music,” as well as dates—primarily at church or chapel—and the occasional splurge at a hamburger shop in downtown Mars Hill.

Never one to shy away from physical work, Ellen served as a janitor in Spilman Hall for tuition credit.

“At that time, we had oiled, wood floors,” he said. “I would sweep the floors, empty the trash cans, and clean the blackboards every day in every classroom in that building.”

Ellen transferred to N.C. State in the fall of 1957 with a group of students from Mars Hill who had gone through the pre-engineering program together. The group of friends helped each other through the rigors of the engineering program, just as they had through the preengineering program at Mars Hill.

(Ellen’s brother, Julius “Ed” Ellen ’59 followed in his footsteps, attending Mars Hill and then N.C. State. His youngest brother, Bill Ellen, went directly to N.C. State. All three became civil engineers.)

After Ellen’s graduation in 1959, he began work in the construction industry. He “bounced around” a bit and landed in Virginia, near Richmond. In 1972, he began a brick company, Capital Masonry. By 1980, Ellen was able to start an additional company—Capital Interiors, which specialized in drywall.

For over thirty years, he grew his businesses to the point that, for a period of time, he was one of the largest providers of construction materials in Virginia. Along the way, he invested in stock and commercial real estate as his income allowed.

During those years, he got married and had two sons, one of whom passed away at a young age from cystic fibrosis.

When his income allowed it, Ellen began to give back to N.C. State, and he has been honored in the university’s hall of fame for his numerous contributions. He has also been a major supporter of organizations which fund research for cystic fibrosis, and a number of other causes in the Richmond area.

Ellen retired in 2010, selling Capital Interiors to a partner and liquidating Capital Masonry. Now, at 87, he and Sharon, divide their time between Midlothian, Virginia, and Sanibel, Florida. Their blended family includes three adult children, four grandchildren, six greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

“My success in life, I mean, there’s no reason why I should be where I am in life. It was just luck and good fortune,” he said.

Ellen is now hoping he can share some of that good fortune and, perhaps, contribute to the success of future generations.

Dr. Elizabeth Nebel Vassey ’03: Moving

Mountains for Memory

Dr. Elizabeth Nebel Vassey ’03 spends her days caring for patients who are slowly losing their memories, their human connections, and their sense of self. While those interactions can sometimes be disheartening, she holds to a goal of making those patients feel valued and supported. She also harbors an incredible dream, the fulfillment of which is the ultimate goal of her career.

“I would really love to see the eradication of this disease. I would love to see a world without Alzheimer’s disease. That would be an amazing world to live in,” she said.

As the executive director and co-founder of Boston Center for Memory, Vassey coordinates treatment for numerous patients with Alzheimer’s disease and serves as an investigator for clinical trials for drug therapies that may delay progression or improve the symptoms of the disease. In that role, she sees firsthand every day the emotional trauma inflicted by Alzheimer’s, not just on the patients, but on everyone who loves them.

“This is a family disease,” she said. “It’s devastating not only to the individual experiencing this but also

by Teresa Buckner, Director of Publications

to those surrounding them. It’s a 100% fatal disease, and I think it’s one of the most devastating diseases of our time.”

Vassey describes herself as a “doggedly determined” person who is passionate about moving the field of Alzheimer’s treatment and research forward. It was that dogged determination that helped her found Boston Center for Memory. And in a different time, in a different arena, it was her dogged determination that brought her from her hometown of Middletown, Ohio, to Mars Hill in 1999.

Growing up, Vassey had never heard of Mars Hill College. But after being introduced to advanced clogging as a teenager, she began to search for a college or university where she could continue developing those skills. A friend’s internet search found that Mars Hill College had a team called the Bailey Mountain Cloggers. And that fact put MHC on Vassey’s short list for college visits.

When she and her family visited the other four or five schools on her list, she knew they weren’t for her. They weren’t, she said, “a good fit.”

And then she came to Mars Hill.

Dr. Elizabeth Vassey and Walter, in her office at Boston Center for Memory.

MOUNTAIN MOVER

“When we drove onto the campus, and drove down the hill, I had this overwhelming feeling of support and comfort,” she said. “I don’t know how to describe it, but I knew that this was the place for me.”

Over the next four years, Vassey found that her positive feelings about Mars Hill College were well placed.

“I found Mars Hill to be very warm, very inviting, exciting, and a lot of fun,” she said. “I almost felt like I was in a snow globe for four years. It just seemed like a magical place. I believe I had a very good education and experience.”

Although Vassey was fascinated by the field of psychology, she lacked the confidence to pursue her dreams. She gives tremendous credit to several faculty members at Mars Hill who encouraged and supported her in choosing her calling. In particular, she names professors Gail Sawyer, Ray Cook, Kathy Meacham, Wilma Carlisle, and Tom Plaut, (with whom she did research through The Richard L. Hoffman Center for Assessment Research Alliances, or CARA).

“Especially in that age range, as you’re going through school, it is absolutely essential to have that kind of love, support, and validation,” she said. “They did that for me, in their own ways.”

After graduation, Vassey worked as an addiction counselor, a job which confirmed her love for psychology and patient interaction. From there, she went on to obtain her master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology at Midwestern University. During her pre-doctoral placement, she had simultaneous placements in a psychotherapy outpatient center, a primary care center, and a memory center. Those placements, she said, gave her some unique insights about the ways that primary care and memory care might work together more effectively for patients with Alzheimer’s.

Later, Vassey pursued a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center (one of 33 Alzheimer’s centers funded by the National Institutes of Health to advance research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias). During that fellowship, she was asked to start a clinic which would be the clinical arm of the center. Though there were two other cofounders, the lion’s share of establishing the clinic fell to Vassey.

“I had to figure out on my own how to start a clinic,” she said. “I had a lot of good support, but I really was on my own putting this together,” she said.

In designing the clinic, Vassey was able to put to use some of the lessons of her fellowship and she set about to integrate the disciplines of behavioral medicine and clinical neuropsychology to better treat the whole patient, with involvement from his or her family and caregivers. She recognized, she said, that patient care ideally involves a multi-disciplinary treatment team approach involving expertise in neurology, neuropsychology, and behavioral medicine.

Vassey said she is now immensely proud of the way the clinic takes care of patients in a manner that she believes is best for them. “They need time with the clinician and they need that additional support, and they get that here,” she said.

The clinic started as three small rooms and a hallway waiting room. Eventually, the clinic grew until it required a new building in Newton, Massachusetts. Since moving, the clinic has expanded twice. It now includes 20 professional staff, who conduct over 5000 patient visits per year.

In addition to ongoing treatment, patients have the option to participate in clinical trials for pharmaceutical treatments. As a result, the clinic has played an essential role in helping to bring several pharmaceutical treatments to market. The clinic conducted clinical trials on aducanumab (Aduhelm) and lecanemab (Leqembi), both of which are now FDA-approved. A third drug, donanemab, is currently being considered by the FDA.

This summer, Vassey will have the opportunity to

continued...

and philosophy.

Top to Bottom: Elizabeth Nebel [Vassey], lying front and center, with the 2002-03 Bailey Mountain Cloggers; with Dr. Tom Plaut, professor of sociology, and Sandi Robertson, Administrative Coordinator for CARA; and with Dr. Kathy Meacham, professor of religion

ADVANCEMENT TEAM SEEKS TO “FOSTER A CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY”

Over the past couple of years, the staff of the Mars Hill University Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations has seen major changes. All but one of the members of the team are relatively new, with a tenure of two years or less. And, with the selection earlier this spring of Greta Byrd ’88 as the new Vice President for Advancement—replacing former Vice President Bud Christman—the department also has a new leader at the helm.

As an alumna and former member of the Alumni Board, Byrd is not new to Mars Hill. She hit the ground running in a challenging time, in the middle of the Together We Rise Capital Campaign. As important as the campaign is, she said, she has also not lost sight of the team’s long-term goals.

“My goal for the advancement team is to focus on fostering a culture of philanthropy among alumni, faculty, staff, and community members to ensure the continued growth and success of Mars Hill,” she said. “We recognize the impact of giving on scholarship programs, infrastructure development, student

support services—all aiming to create a more vibrant learning environment for our students.”

Priorities for the department this year, she said, are reaching the Mars Hill Scholarship Fund goal of $525,000, crossing the finish line on the $24 million capital campaign for the MHU Campus Center, and continuing to support MHU students in academics, the arts, and athletics through various fundraising initiatives.

The hard work of fundraising is absolutely essential for a small, private university like Mars Hill, she said. But for Byrd and the whole team, that work is founded on beliefs about the ultimate good for Mars Hill students, and for society as a whole.

“In advancement and alumni relations, we see philanthropy in higher education as rooted in the belief that education is a transformative force for individuals and society,” she said. “We believe in the importance of giving back to support access, affordability, and excellence in the education provided at Mars Hill.”

Members of the Mars Hill University Advancement/Alumni Relations team sit in the living room of Jarvis House, which was renovated last year to accommodate their offices. They are (front, l-r): Leigh Guth ’90, director of alumni relations; Denise Samide, executive assistant for advancement; Greta Byrd, vice president for advancement; (back, l-r): Anita Melton ’00, director of the Mars Hill Scholarship Fund; Marcus Roberts, major gifts officer; Karen Hedrick, director of gift services; Jonathan Clancy, coordinator of advancement services.

Wright Named Vice President for Finance and Administration

by Mike Thornhill, Director of Communications

Mars Hill University announced the appointment of Daniel B. “Bo” Wright as its new Vice President for Finance and Administration in early February. Wright brings over 15 years of senior finance experience, marked by a successful track record in finance and accounting management, operations management, and business administration.

In his most recent role as vice president for finance and operations and chief operating officer at Young Harris College in Georgia, Wright played a pivotal role in overseeing day-to-day operations. He successfully managed a diverse range of responsibilities, including facilities management, campus security, plant operations, and more. He also collaborated with the campus on budget development.

Wright holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and a Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.), complemented by a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) license.

Mars Hill University President Tony Floyd said, “Bo Wright’s achievement-oriented approach and proven ability to manage complex projects will benefit Mars Hill as we move forward with the Together We Rise Campus Center project and our strategic plan.”

Wright began his duties at Mars Hill on February 5, 2024.

Vassey, continued...

address the FDA about treatments currently under consideration. This is a responsibility she takes seriously.

“With every other disease, the patient is generally able to be a voice for his or her own treatment. But Alzheimer’s disease robs them of their voice. I want Boston Center for Memory not only to treat them, but to also be a voice for them.”

It is also Vassey’s goal that Boston Center for Memory be a place where patients feel valued and supported. That is a goal of the human staff, as well as the only non-human staff member. Walter, Vassey’s English Labrador retriever, is a certified therapy dog, whose job is to visit with patients and support them, particularly while they are in the waiting room, infusion suite, or during their visits

with the clinicians. She said she has been amazed at the effect that Walter has on patients and their caregivers. In his presence, patients are calmer and even look forward to coming to the center for their visits, if only to see him. Even measurable metrics like blood pressure are affected by his presence.

“It’s absolutely astonishing the impact that he’s had on both patients and their families and caregivers,” she said.

Such care—from both the human and non-human staff—is always important, but especially so for older adults, Vassey said.

“Older adults are amazing people to work with,” she said. “People should be able to enjoy this part of their lives, and for some people, the only way that can happen is if we move this field forward.”

faculty focus

Executive in Residence Adds to Practical Education for MHU Business Students

In a continuing effort to make the student experience as relevant and meaningful as possible, Mars Hill University’s Department of Business Administration added Executive in Residence Chris Duncan to its faculty this academic year.

According to Grainger Caudle, Ph.D., chair of the department, the executive in residence position is one that is common at major universities, but has not been present at MHU prior to this academic year.

Duncan retired to the Asheville area with his wife last year after a lengthy, varied, and successful business career in finance, benefits, and risk management leadership. When he reached out to form a relationship with the university, the business department saw a chance to expand offerings for its students.

“Through a developing relationship with Chris Duncan, the department identified an opportunity to create this role in support of our educational mission, and the benefits to students and program development continue to accrue,” Caudle said.

Duncan retired as co-founder, executive vice president,

and chief operating officer of Decisely, a fast-growing “insuretech” company focused on providing integrated benefits and other human resources solutions to small businesses. Duncan’s resume also includes previous executive positions with EPIC, a “top 15” insurance administration company; Mercer Health and Benefits; Delta Air Lines; Frito-lay; and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

We asked Duncan about his role as executive in residence (EIR), how it’s going, and what he’s learning along this new path.

What is an executive in residence?

DUNCAN: At its core, an executive in residence is a dynamic role that combines teaching, coaching, and real-world experience to help students prepare for success in the business world. I’ve worked for Fortune 100 companies and have been a successful (and unsuccessful) entrepreneur, involved with nearly every aspect of business from marketing and sales to finance to strategy to human resources. As an EIR, I am teaching the capstone course for business majors, and a course called Negotiation and Persuasion in our Master of Management program. These are both classes where my business experience can be put to best use to supplement the course content. In addition, I’ve launched with student leaders the Future Business Lions Club, a business club for all MHU students which is focused on outside speakers, soft skills development, and experiential learning to help shore up what they may not be getting directly in the classroom. We’ve got amazing outside executive guest speakers, as well as skills training opportunities in areas including Excel and AI (artificial intelligence), lined up for this semester, and more to come.

What attracted you to devoting your time and energies to MHU?

DUNCAN: Both my parents were public school educators, and I’ve always had a passion for education. I’ve guest lectured at dozens of universities over the years. I became heavily involved with Appalachian State University, raising money and creating a new minor in employee benefits. When I semi-retired to Asheville, I was looking for an opportunity to engage where I could

Chris Duncan

make the biggest impact on the next generation of business leaders. MHU’s administration and business department leadership was very open to trying new strategies, (like, for example, the recently-established Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership), and the students here are hungry, talented, and deserving. I like the laidback feel of MHU, and its faith-based heritage. The fact that it is a smaller school allows me to make a difference and develop relationships with individual students.

Have the students appreciated your experience and perspectives?

DUNCAN: You’ll have to ask them! They are my customers as much as I am their teacher. I’ve been in a lot of interesting and challenging business roles, and I try to share both the good and the bad of a varied and lucky career within the class content. My intent is that the information I share will help put meat on the bones of theory and practice, hopefully without being a boring old guy telling stories. I think they respect the honesty of the bad as much as the success of the good.

How has this work changed your perspective on the value and role of higher education?

DUNCAN: It hasn’t so much changed my perspective on the value and role of higher education—a competitive educational university experience is essential for most people entering the business world. What has changed is my understanding and appreciation of the heavy

workload that goes into preparing for, and delivering, a quality learning experience in the classroom. Grading 20-plus business plan assignments requires way more time than I expected to do it right. I also spent an entire month before I took over a new class preparing for it. I now understand how my parents spent late hours at the kitchen table plowing through students’ homework!

What’s the main concern you have for MHU business students and the business program?

DUNCAN: Speed and rate of change. Today’s business graduates are encountering a world totally different from even five years ago—Covid; radical changes in hiring, including more remote work; e-commerce vs. retail; the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence changing the nature of knowledge work; the growth of “gig work” vs. full-time employment. Graduates today need speed, agility, adaptability, critical thinking, and soft skills to survive and thrive, in addition to understanding business theory and practice. Can they as students, and we as those charged with preparing them for the business world, flex and innovate to match this changing environment? I think the addition of the EIR role and MHU’s new Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership are examples of MHU trying to rise to this challenge.

To connect with Chris Duncan or learn more about his professional background, search for him on Linkedin @chris-duncan-nc.

Executive in Residence Chris Duncan (third from right) meets with other business department faculty and Master of Management students for presentation of final projects.

October 18–19, 2024

MHU Homecoming Tentative Schedule

Friday, October 18, 2024

h Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament Cummings Cove Golf and Country Club, Hendersonville, N.C.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

h Forever Lions 5K Race ..................7:15 a.m. registration, 8:30 a.m. start, Otis Duck Greenway

h Homecoming Registration ............ 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Athletic Street near Ammons Field House

h Faculty/Staff/Alumni Social ......................................................... 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. location tba

h Lion Cub Zone for Kids 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. outside Ammons Field House

h Tailgating 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., multiple locations

h Choir Concert 11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m. Broyhill Chapel

h Mountain Lion Marching Band 1:40 p.m.–2:00 p.m., Athletic Street

h Homecoming Football game ........................................................... 2:30 p.m. vs. Tusculum University

Reunions

Reunions are now in the planning stages for the following classes

h Class of 1974 50th Reunion

h Class of 1984 40th Reunion

h Class of 1994 30th Reunion

h Class of 1999 25th Reunion

h Class of 2004 20th Reunion

h Class of 2014 10th Reunion

Information on homecoming will continue to be updated at: www.mhu.edu/homecoming

For more information or reservations for reunions, go to: www.mhu.edu/reunions

Tickets to the football game (and all MHU sporting events) will be available beginning June 15, 2024, at: www.mhu.edu/sports-tickets

Theatre Arts Family Reunion

September 27–28, 2024

Owen Theatre and James Thomas Black Box Theatre

A Celebration of Theatre at Mars Hill!

The 2023-24 academic year marks several fifty-year anniversaries for the Mars Hill University Theatre Arts Department. In celebration of these milestones, MHU will be hosting a THEATRE ARTS FAMILY REUNION this September for all who have been part of theatre arts history at MHU.

While theatre arts activities and clubs have been an element in the life of Mars Hill for at least 100 years, the 1973-74 academic year saw a time of new beginnings for the discipline.

Fall 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the formal opening of Owen Theatre as a venue dedicated to theatre productions. In 1973, the newly-renovated theatre opened with the black-tie premiere of the musical, “Rivals,” written by C. Robert Jones and directed by James W. Thomas.

Spring 2024 saw the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Theatre Arts Department. Prior to 1974, “drama” majors received their degrees as part of the Department of English.

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (SART). SART grew out of the Mars Hill Summer Theatre Workshop program, which ran from 1967 to 1974. SART’s first season was the summer of 1975.

All majors, minors, cast, and crew are invited to come celebrate: reminisce with fellow students, former faculty, staff, and friends; walk the boards of the Owen Theatre stage; tour the new and upgraded facilities; and peruse an extensive Memory Lane collection of over 100 years of theatre arts photos and memorabilia. Make plans to attend now!

Former faculty and staff who plan to attend: James “T” Thomas

David Holcombe

C. Robert Jones

Neil St. Clair

Bill Gregg

Dewitt Tipton

Richard Seagle

Tasha Tompson

Jessica West

Virginia McKnight

Julie Fortney

Anne Knight

The Pirates of Penzance, 2004

Godspell, 2012

The Miracle Worker, 1963

Rivals, 1973

Owen Theatre

by Neil St. Clair

Professor Emeritus of Theatre Arts

The Mars Hill football team shared the South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division Champion title with Tusculum University this past season, posting an 8-2 record.

The Lions opened the campaign September 7, with a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over Wingate in Meares Stadium, scoring 15 unanswered points. They closed out the month of September with a 3-1 record.

In the month of October, the Lions went a perfect 4-0, including a 38-3 drubbing over Erskine on Homecoming. A double overtime loss to Tusculum on the road forced a tie atop the Mountain Division standing between the squads in early November, but

the Lions rallied on Senior Day against Newberry with a 21-14 win inside Meares Stadium.

The Lions went a perfect 5-0 at home this season, the third time in program history with that mark, and the fourth time overall the Lions have gone unbeaten inside Meares Stadium.

With the impressive season, the Lions placed 12 on South Atlantic Conference teams, highlighted by Leondre Andreas and Beau DeBerry’s selections to the All-SAC Offense Team and All-SAC Defense Team selections of Damipi Lamboni, Monroe Sanderson, and Landon Honeycutt.

Football Shares Mountain Division Champion Title

by Adam Williams, Director of Athletic Communications

WOMEN’S SOCCER TRAVELS TO COSTA RICA

by Adam Williams, Director of Athletic Communications

The Mars Hill women’s soccer team raised funds during the 2022-23 school year and summer to travel and play in Costa Rica, August 16–22.

The Mars Hill team raised the money by conducting an eTeams digital campaign, working concessions at concerts and events at Harrah’s Cherokee Center, taking up money for parking at home football games, hosting ID camps on campus, and working girls soccer camps for younger players in the area.

“Going to Costa Rica was a once in a lifetime experience for our players and coaches,” Head Coach Holly Rawcliffe said. “The bond that we left with from the trip definitely was one of the main reasons we had such a successful season.”

Mars Hill went 4-7-6 on the year, going 2-6-3 in the South Atlantic Conference. Their record secured the number eight seed in the SAC Tournament, the first time since 2012 that the Lions made the postseason tournament.

While in Costa Rica, the Lions played exhibition games against the team FF Coronado, which plays in the country’s second division.

Rawcliffe said, “Playing soccer in a different country was an unbelievable experience, but everything that we did off the pitch was what the girls will remember for a life time: white water rafting down one of the best rapids in the country, ziplining through the rain forest, exploring the Costa Rica National Team stadium, and many more moments.”

Lion’s Den Student Lounge Created in Chambers

by Adam Williams, Director of Athletic Communications

Chambers Gymnasium saw a massive upgrade completed in the fall of 2023 as a former classroom was transformed into the Lion’s Den Student Lounge. The kitchen was also completely renovated.

The three-month project was headed by alum Josh Matthews ’17, M.M. ’22, and his father, Rick. Renovations in the lounge consisted of new ceiling tiles, new LED lights, new flooring, new furniture with a couch, two arm chairs, and four arm chairs with charging tables, as well as two pairs of high tables and chairs, and a conference room table with eight office chairs. Additions also included a 70” TV above a newly-installed fireplace and a 36” monitor above the entrance to the kitchen.

The room was repainted with two blue accent walls and adorned with photos which immortalize historic Mars Hill athletic achievements. The kitchen was gutted and renovated with new tile flooring, wood cabinets, and granite countertops. A new set of appliances was also installed, consisting of a refrigerator, oven, and microwave with overhead vent hood, as well as a new sink and dishwasher.

The projects were 100 percent funded by the Lions Athletic Club.

Above: The MHU women’s soccer team goes rafting and ziplining in Costa Rica.

Athletics

Lions rack up postseason honors

A number of Mars Hill Lions garnered All American, All-Region, and All-Conference honors this year. A list and photos follow.

FOOTBALL

h Leondre Andreas – All-SAC Offense, D2CCA AllSoutheast Region First Team, AFCA First Team All-American, Jacobs Blocking Trophy Winner

h Landon Honeycutt – All-SAC Defense, D2CCA All-Southeast Region First Team, AFCA Second Team All-American

h Damipi Lamboni – All-SAC Defense, D2CCA AllSoutheast Region Second Team

h Beau DeBerry – All-SAC Offense

h Monroe Sanderson – All-SAC Defense

h J.R. Martin – All-Mountain Offense

h Jon Gullette – All-Mountain Offense

h Malik Laurent – All-Mountain Offense

h Justin Bullock – All-Mountain Offense

h Boris Lewis – All-Mountain Defense

h Dexter Fitzpatrick – All-Mountain Defense

h Tristan Rankin – All-Mountain Defense

MEN’S SOCCER

h Peter Plougmand – All-SAC First Team, USC All-Southeast Region Third Team, D2CCA All-Southeast Region Second Team, Scholar All-South Region

h Jorge Perez Prada – All-SAC Third Team

WOMEN’S SOCCER

h Camryn Miller – All-SAC Second Team

h Samantha Swinson – All-SAC Second Team

VOLLEYBALL

h Laela Jimenez – All-SAC First Team, D2CCA All-Southeast Region Second Team

h Katilyn Grant – All-SAC Second Team, AllFreshman Team, SAC Freshman of the Year

MEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

h Jesse Shelton – Second Team All-American (Shot Put)

MEN’S BASKETBALL

h Kadyn Dawkins – All-SAC Third Team

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

h Maddie Gillie – All-SAC Third Team

h Tateyoina Harris – All-SAC Freshman Team

FOOTBALL

J.R. Martin Jon Gullette Malik Laurent

Justin Bullock Boris Lewis Dexter Fitzpatrick Tristan Rankin

Beau DeBerry

Monroe Sanderson

Damipi Lamboni Landon Honeycutt

Leondre Andreas

Peter Plougmand Jorge Perez Prada Camryn Miller Samantha Swinson

SOCCER

Jesse Shelton

INDOOR TRACK/FIELD

Laela Jimenez

VOLLEYBALL

Katilyn Grant

Kadyn Dawkins Maddie Gillie Tateyoina Harris

Transfer Agreement with Blue Ridge Community College Benefits Future Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship graduates of Blue Ridge Community College now have a certain pathway to earn a four-year business degree at Mars Hill University. The new agreement was signed by Blue Ridge’s president, Laura B. Leatherwood, Ph.D., and MHU’s president, Tony Floyd, J.D., on January 29.

The new articulation agreement encourages graduates of Blue Ridge’s two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in entrepreneurship program to continue their studies through MHU’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.) program with a concentration in entrepreneurial leadership. Blue Ridge graduates can now transfer 55 credits toward the four-year program offered through MHU’s Department of Business Administration and Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

The agreement joins the ongoing Promise Program between the two institutions, guaranteeing eligible Blue Ridge graduates admission to MHU.

Mars Hill University Co-Hosts Entrepreneurial Leadership Summit with Venture Asheville

James Heinl, executive director of MHU’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, speaks as part of a panel presentation on entrepreneurship in higher education.

Mars Hill University’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership was the presenting sponsor for Venture Asheville’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Summit on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The one-day event took place at The Collider in downtown Asheville, and focused on helping participants develop entrepreneurial skills and mindsets necessary to lead in organizations of any size and type.

James Heinl, business professor and executive director for the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Paul Romesburg, executive advisor to the CEL, served as panelists during sessions related to higher education and philanthropy. In addition, several Mars Hill students participated as session moderators or volunteers. Other panels and summit sessions focused on the entrepreneurial history of Asheville, entrepreneurial leadership in government and nonprofits, and corporate entrepreneurship.

DOMINION GRANT ALLOWS LOFT UPGRADES

Through a generous $15,000 grant from Dominion Energy, the floor of The Loft has been rebuilt and resurfaced. The new flooring will not only provide attractive and safe flooring for events in The Loft, but it will enable the Bailey Mountain Cloggers to use the space for practice.

Presidents Tony Floyd and Laura Leatherwood.

Board of Trustees Announces New and returning members, New Offices

Mars Hill University began 2024 with new leadership on its governing body. The university’s board of trustees welcomed two new trustees, two trustees serving their second consecutive term, and two former trustees returning to service following required time off the board.

Don Icenhower of Weaverville, North Carolina, is one of the new trustees. He is an alumnus of Mars Hill’s class of 1980 and was a standout on the basketball team, scoring more than 1,000 points. He also holds two master’s degrees from Western Carolina University. Icenhower retired from the North Carolina public schools as the principal at Enka High and the South Carolina public schools as the Chief Operations Officer in Lexington School District Two. He now serves as a construction consultant for multiple school districts in South Carolina. He and his wife, Sandy Odom Icenhower, have two children and three grandchildren.

by Mike Thornhill, Director of Communications

pharmaceutical company conducting clinical drug trials. She and her husband, Rob, have been married for 41 years.

Trustees Wayne Higgins of Weaverville, North Carolina, and Gene Holdway of Greer, South Carolina, are beginning their second consecutive four-year terms, while Mike Cranford of FuquayVarina, North Carolina, and Mike Kelly of Mason, Ohio, are returning to board service.

Brent Townsend of Tyrone, Georgia, begins a term as chair of the board. Other officers are Anna Renfro of Gastonia, North Carolina, as vice-chair; Higgins as treasurer; and Paul Powell of Greensboro, North Carolina, as secretary.

Also joining the board is Paula Kahn of Bristol, Virginia. Paula Corbin Kahn attended Mars Hill on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1979 with a degree in education. She subsequently attended Western Carolina University and received master’s and education specialist degrees. Kahn spent several years as a teacher, coach, and school administrator. She was elected to the Halls of Fame at Mars Hill College and Franklin High School for playing basketball, and the Jackson County, North Carolina, Hall of Fame for coaching. Kahn recently retired from the role of contract analyst for a major

If you attended the Mars Hill College Upward Bound program from 1968–2013, you’re invited to attend the Upward Bound Reunion Saturday, July 27, 2024, 10 a.m. Bentley Fellowship Hall

For more information, or to RSVP, contact MHU Conferences and Events at (828) 689-1167 or upwardboundmhc@gmail.com.

Don Icenhower and Paula Kahn

Reentry Simulation Hosted by Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice Department at Mars Hill University hosted a “reentry simulation” on April 18, with the goal of allowing students, staff, and faculty participants to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges newly released offenders face as they reintegrate into society.

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Kayti Ledford said, “The reentry simulation provided participants with a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of those navigating the challenging path of reintegration. Through various interactive exercises and simulations, the participants gained firsthand experience of the difficulties individuals face as they strive to rebuild their lives.”

Each station in the simulation represented aspects of life that newlyreleased offenders must navigate: completing probation, getting a job, getting an ID, finding a place to live, establishing a bank account, etc.

Freedom Life Ministries played a pivotal role in organizing and facilitating the event. Throughout the event, participants had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with individuals who had experienced reentry firsthand.

MHU Groups Represent MHU at Conferences

MHU was well represented at the MAA (Mathematical Association of America) Southeastern Conference, held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in March of 2024.

Professor of Mathematics Laura Steil, Instructor of Mathematics Kerri Jamerson, and graduate student Jordan Schmucker helped plan a treasure hunt for students at the conference before the event. Four

MHU students participated in the undergrad treasure hunt and math jeopardy competition at the conference.

Steil and Associate Professor of Mathematics Jennifer Rhinehart also gave a presentation on using the online game Kahoot in math courses.

Left: (front) Rhinehart, Steil, and Jamerson; (back) Assistant Professor of Mathematics Phillip Carroll, and students Lashyia Davis, Cheyanne Hill, John Moss, and Gabe Boone.

MHU students Hannah Kendall and Lia Whitman made a presentation on April 20 at the IRIS (Integrating Research in Science) Conference at Wake Forest University.

Their presentation “Real World Application of Data Analysis,” presented results that the PIC Math (Preparation for Industrial Careers in Mathematics) class developed using data sets of repairs completed over eight years by the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County.

Professor of Mathematics Laura Steil, who teaches the PIC class, also attended the conference.

Class Notes

1950s

Rev. D. Russell Myers, Jr., ’55, has written a book, Unconditional Love Should Be the Church’s Calling Card, which was published in February 2024. The book is available at Amazon.com. Myers is a retired pastor and retirement community administrator. He lives in Albemarle, N.C. with his wife, Nancy. The Myerses have two married sons, Alan (Laura) and Bruce (Lindy), and two granddaughters Tiffany (Tyler) and Sarah.

Robert Poe ’59 is a retired Lander University art professor and working artist based in Greenwood, S.C. His exhibition, “Interconnections,” is now on view at Good Times Brewing and The Mill House in Greenwood. The exhibtion includes around 70 paintings Poe has created during the past two years.

1970s

Dr. Tom Coates ’71 recently retired after 47 years serving as a professor and administrator at the college and university levels. He began his academic career at Mars Hill College where he served as chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, before assuming a position in the

Dan Locklair’s (’71) Requiem premiered in New York City on March 16 and in Michigan on March 24.

The New York Premiere of Requiem was presented by New York City’s Central City Chorus, directed by Bryan Zaros, on Saturday, March 16, as part of their “Light Eternal–Music of Dan Locklair” concert at St. Malachy’s in Manhattan. The piece is composed for choir, four soloists, organ and string orchestra.

The Michigan Premiere of Requiem was given on Sunday, March 24 by the Grosse Ile Ecumenical Choir at St. James Episcopal Church in Grosse Ile, Michigan.

Requiem is set in English and uses elements of the Latin Mass. It is published by Subito Music. More information about Dan Locklair, including a bio, list of works and discography is available at www.locklair.com.

Department of Physical Education at Gardner Webb University. At Mars Hill, he became involved with servicelearning and over the years he led student groups at five different universities in contributing over 14,000 hours of volunteer service to various units of the National Park Service. He has also taught at East Tennessee State University, North Alabama University, and North Greenville University. Throughout his career, he has been very active with professional associations, holding offices at the national, district, and state levels. Coates currently lives in Taylors, S.C.

Neil Avent, ’72, was recently presented with his 50year award as a mason. The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the N.C. Masons came to Neil’s residence at Treyburn Rehabilitation Center in Durham to make the presentation.

Rodger Roach ’77 retired from his position as senior adult worship leader at Grove Park Baptist Church in 2021. Since his retirement, he said he is enjoying traveling the USA.

1980s

Patti Roberts Booth ’83 retired in 2021 from Brush Creek Elementary School in Marshall, N.C., and said she is loving retirement! During her career, she taught 20 years in North Carolina and seven years in Maryland. She and her husband, Gary, live in Mars Hill.

Pamela Ertzberger ’87, retired from Mission Hospital in June 2023, in Asheville, N.C. She worked 36 years as a registered nurse in Mission’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Cathey Lynn Frye Buchanan ’88 is currently working in Raleigh as a social worker with Phoenix Counseling Center.

1990s

Gregg McKeown ’94 and his girlfriend of 24 years, Ann Estrada, set foot on Antartica on March 17, 2023. Their journey included crossing the Drake Passage with 21-foot waves and traveling to ALL seven Continents and over 36 countries. Estrada has Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Conductor Bryan Zaros and composer Dan Locklair

Gregg McKeown and Ann Estrada on Antartica

YOUR SUPPORT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

As graduation memories are treasured and as excitement builds for the new school year, your support for the Mars Hill Scholarship Fund makes a difference!

2000s

Visit mhu.edu/giving

Antonyo Douglas ’07 graduated with Master of Engineering in Computer Science from NCSU in December of 2022. He is currently teaching high school mathematics in Cary, N.C.

2010s

Carlos Oyaga Torres ’12 recently joined Mars Hill University’s Alumni Board. The purpose of the Alumni Board is to further the mission of MHU by helping the university maintain connections with alumni, serving as alumni representatives to the university administration and trustee, and encouraging alumni participation in MHU activities. Board members serve three-year terms.

Wayne ’13 and Olivia Buckner Ellis ’13 had their third child, a daughter named Naomi Janette, on February 21, 2024. Naomi has an older sister, Quinn, who is six, and an older brother Palmer, who is three. The Ellis family lives in Spruce Pine, N.C.

Naomi, and Palmer

In Memoriam

Cleo Iva Greene Cox ’41, Kingsport, Tenn., September 2, 2021

Nan Davis Tomlinson Van Every ’41, Charlotte, N.C., January 25, 2024

James Wilton Creech ’43, Trent Woods, N.C., November 27, 2023

Betty Lou McGee Pulliam ’43, King, N.C., June 5, 2019

Gerald Robert West ’44, North Canton, Ohio, April 15, 2023

Aileen Alma Alistock Hamrick ’45, Covington, Va., February 18, 2020

Savannah Maynor Creasman ’17 was selected as the 2024 Teacher of the Year at Fletcher Elementary School (Fletcher, N.C.) in March. The school announcement lauded Creasman’s leadership and creativity, both in and out of the classroom. She lives in Etowah, N.C., with her husband, Charles, and their son, Clayton.

2020s

Sammantha Hodges Cannon ’20 accepted a position at the City of Hendersonville Waste Water Treatment Plant as the Laboratory Technician In May 2023. In that position, she conducts sampling and tests throughout the water treatment process to ensure thorough cleaning before the water leaves the facility.

Sarah Clare Witt ’20 received her master’s degree with distinction in visual communication in design from Arizona State University in spring 2023 . She now works as the marketing and communications coordinator for The Design School at Arizona State University

Connor Evans ’21 has been working in the Utah Theater scene for two years, since his graduation.

Frankie Villeneuve ’22 was recently hired as agent success specialist at IFC National Marketing, an insurance marketing organization in the midwest. Villeneuve’s duties include responsibility for nurturing the development of future agents and advisors and supporting hiring needs for independent agencies contracted with the company. Villeneuve lives in Rochester, Minn.

Martha Ann Mauney Johns ’45, Greenville, S.C., September 12, 2023

Elizabeth Evelyn Briggs Wilson ’45, Clarksville, Md., August 25, 2023

Helen Wills Shore Cox ’46, Winston Salem, N.C., January 15, 2024

Mary Onieda Redding Gibson ’46, Augusta, Ga., December 23, 2020

JC Edwards ’47, Raleigh, N.C., March 17, 2024

Betty Ann Taylor Killian ’47, Taylors, S.C., September 28, 2023

Savannah Creasman in her classroom.

Since the last issue of Mars Hill, the Magazine, we have learned of the following deaths of alumni and other members of the MHU community.

1940s

Quinn,

Ellis

In Memoriam

Stahle Hartman Leonard ’47, Albemarle, N.C., September 23, 2023

Evelyn Baynes Manley ’47, Lewisville, N.C., January 2, 2020

John Charles Mitchell ’47, Ocala, Fla., May 29, 2023

Nancy Josephine Teague Moore ’48, Charlotte, N.C., November 30, 2023

Nina Lee Balding Ledford ’49, Weaverville, N.C., January 15, 2024

Clyde Grey Moody ’49, Irmo, S.C., August 20, 2021

1950s

John Howard Dixon ’50, Charlotte, N.C., February 5, 2024

Maurice Hall ’50, Columbia, S.C., January 24, 2023

Thomas Allison Hipp ’50, Greenville, S.C., December 29, 2023

James Arthur Prince ’50, Corryton, Tenn., October 2, 2023

Leslie Max Davis ’51, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., September 8, 2023

Oneita Mendenhall Dease ’51, Pfafftown, N.C., April 26, 2021

Howell John Hatcher ’51, Cary, N.C., January 3, 2024

Roy Haywood Jennings ’51, Winston Salem, N.C., December 17, 2021

Bobbie Jean Nicholson ’51, Hendersonville, N.C., February 13, 2023

Doris Irene Smith Washam ’51, Canton, N.C., May 4, 2023

Bertha Marilyn Bridges Craig ’52, Hickory, N.C., November 29, 2022

Mary Ruth Linville Jumper ’52, Austin, Texas, 2021

Janice Colleen Murphy Farmer ’53, Winston Salem, N.C., December 25, 2023

Ruby Jacqueline Mendenhall McClintock ’53, Mansfield, OH, February 22, 2023

Harold Jake Vaughan ’53, Chesnee, S.C., December 21, 2019

Fred Samuel Wilson ’53, Weaverville, N.C., November 29, 2022

Charles Bailey Bobo ’54, Greenwood, S.C., December 19, 2023

Sidney Ora Brandon ’54, Stanley, N.C., November 11, 2023

Joe Edward Eaton ’54, Church Hill, Tenn., December 21, 2022

Warren Wayne Morrissette ’54, Knightdale, N.C., July 10, 2022

James Aiken Murdock ’54, Smyrna, Ga., September 8, 2022

Amanda Lucille Leming Raxter ’54, Andrews, N.C., February 12, 2024

Jasper C. Boone ’55, Albemarle, N.C., November 5, 2022

Sarah Rhoda Hutson Reynolds ’55, Knoxville, Tenn., July 13, 2019

Thelma Palmer Kimball Coleman ’56, Gastonia, N.C., February 23, 2024

Harry Reuben Mamlin ’56, Asheville, N.C., October 13, 2022

Seth Benjamin Needham ’56, New Bern, N.C., February 6, 2024

Jimmy Charles Preas ’56, Hopewell, Va., December 24, 2023

Barbara Ann Eubanks Matthews ’57, Winston Salem, N.C., November 16, 2023

Betty Brown Rushing ’57, Hattiesburg, Miss., October 31, 2023

Martha Anne Griggs Warren ’57, Milledgeville, Ga., December 4, 2023

Pieter Jan Westerbeek ’57, Clinton, N.C., January 24, 2024

Patricia Ann Payne Buckner ’59, Cary, N.C., February 7, 2027

Vestal Eugene Yarbrough ’59, Wilmington, N.C., September 19, 2023

1960s

Mary Thore Cutler ’61, Yorktown, Va., June 11, 2023

Raeford Wendell Holland ’61, Asheboro, N.C., March 25, 2023

June Anne Franks Johnston ’61, Newport News, Va., October 8, 2023

Robert Vernon Foust ’62, Mebane, N.C., February 25, 2024

Jerry Allan Chambers ’63, Winston Salem, N.C., February 11, 2023

Joy Edith Keller Phipps ’63, Winston Salem, N.C., December 26, 2023

Grover Dale Gillis ’64, Asheville, N.C., October 8, 2023

Linda Anne James Newsome ’64, Clemmons, N.C., December 27, 2023

Larry Melvin Sparks ’64, Morganton, N.C., January 1, 2024

James Michael Story ’64, Pomfret, MD, July 23, 2023

George William Burke ’65, Winston Salem, N.C., November 6, 2023

In Memoriam

James Franklin Eller ’66, Candler, N.C., September 26, 2023

Jennifer Rose Ruff Richard ’66, Lexington, N.C., November 10, 2023

Celtus Eugene Richard ’66, Lexington, N.C., October 28, 2023

Robert Gary Tate ’67, Richmond, Va., March 20, 2023

Sylvia Dianne Couch Weathers ’67, Forest City, N.C., November 27, 2023

David Wray McAlister ’68, Spruce Pine, N.C., December 21, 2023

Thomas Grant Cole ’69, Fletcher, N.C., December 26, 2023

1970s

Kenneth Edward Peacock ’70, Advance, N.C., October 6, 2023

Robert Swanson White ’70, Dobson, N.C., January 5, 2024

David Robert Major ’71, Charleston, S.C., August 21, 2023

Nicholas James Peterson ’71, Asheville, N.C., March 6, 2024

John Michael Hurst ’72, Norfolk, Va., February 6, 2024

David Winston Gwyn ’73, Raleigh, N.C., March 29, 2023

Vernon Paul Rood ’73, Charlottesville, Va., July 2, 2023

Douglas Kenneth Hensley ’74, Burnsville, N.C., August 21, 2022

Steven Carter Miller ’75, Greensboro, N.C., November 12, 2023

Mark Ramsey Buckner ’76, Stanardsville, Va., January 5, 2024

Warren Eugene Hammett ’76, Greenville, S.C., February 23, 2024

David Michael McGee ’76, Fort Mill, S.C., June 10, 2023

Richard Alan Hunter ’77, Arden, N.C., March 8, 2024

Donna Lee Dillingham Bell ’78, Asheville, N.C., March 17, 2022

1980s

Stephen Blake Bentley ’80, Mars Hill, N.C., March 15, 2024

Melvin Maurice Dunn ’81, Manassas, Va., December 16, 2023

Melissa Powell Michener ’82, Raleigh, N.C., January 15, 2024

1990s

Barbara Waters Horn ’90, Marion, N.C., December 1, 2023

Faculty/Staff

Gordon Nance Benton, former director of church relations, Lincolnton, N.C., September 2, 2023

Alta Mae Harmon Capps, retired facilities staff, Mars Hill, N.C., December 8, 2023

Edward Knight, former director of facilities, Citrus Springs, Fla., June 19, 2023

Phyllis L. Neshem, retired staff of the Continuing Education Office, November 4, 2023, Mars Hill, N.C.

Charlie Phillips, retired coach and professor of physical education, Mars Hill, N.C., April 15, 2024

Donna Lou Nagey Robertson, retired music faculty, Asheville, N.C., December 26, 2023

Kenneth Maurice Sanchagrin, former sociology faculty, Moore, S.C., February 4, 2024

Betty Nance Smith, former music faculty, Black Mountain, N.C., December 1, 2023

Dr. Gordon Benton

Phyllis Neshem

Dr. Ken Sanchagrin Dr. Betty Smith

Alta Capps

Donna Robertson

Edward Knight

Charlie Phillips

In Memoriam: Former Faculty and Staff