Montevallo Today Fall 2012

President’s Message Dear Montevallo family, At a time when the value of a college degree is being called into question, I want to assure you that a Montevallo education is as empowering as ever. Under the leadership of new Provost, Dr. Suzanne Ozment, we will review our General Education program to strengthen our core curriculum and to ensure that our course offerings are relevant and exciting.

We have known for more than a century that, especially in difficult times, a graduate who has been taught how to think fares better than one who has been taught what to think. These skills, conveyed by passionate educators, lie at the heart of our enterprise and indeed are a part of our very ethos at Montevallo.

Gone are the days when a graduate went to work for 30 or 40 years and retired with a gold watch. Today, students face a future characterized by change and a job market that will require them to communicate effectively, write forcefully, adapt to change – to think on their feet.

USA Today published a survey that found liberal arts graduates are typically more successful than other college graduates. Survey results indicated that students who had mastered the ability to think critically and reason analytically were less likely to be unemployed or amass significant debt.

Our new Career Development Center secures internships and opportunities for our students. The Center for Professional Practice in the Stephens College of Business provides workshops in resumé development, interviewing skills and business etiquette. This past year, the Center secured internships with accounting firms or corporations for every eligible senior accounting major. Recently, students have interned at Emory Medical School, The Washington Center and the Bermuda Aquarium.

As loyal alumni you can support our noble mission by: • providing employment or internships for one or more of our students; • sharing your experiences and memories with prospective college students and parents; • sending us your suggestions – we are always open to good ideas; • giving an unrestricted gift, this week, to the annual fund!

On behalf of the Montevallo family, I invite you to return home to campus whenever you can.

Best wishes,

MONTEVALLO TODAY Vol. CI, No. 2 Fall 2012 Montevallo Today (ISSN 1052-3634) is published three times a year by the University of Montevallo, Alumni Relations/University Relations, Reynolds Hall, Highland St., Montevallo, AL 35115. Periodicals postage paid at Montevallo, AL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, send address changes to Montevallo Today, Station 6215, P.O. Box 6000, Montevallo, AL 35115. Text, photographs and graphic images included in this publication may not be reproduced without written permission from the editor. The University of Montevallo does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or in the provision of services.

Montevallo Today University of Montevallo alumni magazine EDITOR Tiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00 bunttr@montevallo.edu

ASSOCIATE EDITOR & CLASS NOTES EDITOR Marsha Littleton littletonm@montevallo.edu

COPY EDITOR Diane Kennedy-Jackson kennedyd@montevallo.edu

ALUMNI EDITOR Jeremy Ward ’05 jward7@montevallo.edu

PHOTOGRAPHERS Matt Orton, Brittany Headley ’14, Ashlynn Postell ’13, Carla Smith ’11

DESIGNERS John Nicholson ’11, Tiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00, Hannah Stein ’13

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Brenda Aldridge

CONTRIBUTORS Courtney Bennett ’11, James Bessette, Barbara Bonfield ’58, Hollie C. Cost, Sherry Ford, Jessica Guindon ’12, Wesley Hallman, Sydney Stover ’12

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION UMNAA President—Jim Methvin ’73 President-Elect—Michael Malone ’69 Past President/Parliamentarian Kit Waters ’78 Alumni Council Representative Laurl Self ’94 Admissions Representative Greg Embry ’96 Faculty Representative Carolyn Miller-Kirby SGA President Ashley Lowe ’13 UMNAA Vice Presidents Barbara Bonfield ’58, Cynthia Cephus ’88, Sandi Falkenhagen ’68, Wadia B. Josof ’79, Larry Peevy ’67, Laurl Self ’94, Keith Shoemaker ’98 Members at Large Jeffery J. Adams ’85, Matthew Arnold ’93, Glenda L. Bland ’89, Barbara J. Bradford ’56, Vera S. Cox ’56, Anne Caley Hamilton ’64, Claudia Sue Harrell ’73, Toni Leo ’80, Andy Meginniss ’68, Jalete J. Nelms ’90, Megan E. Randolph ’06, J. Corey Stewart ’03, David W. Thomas ’97, Warwick M. Woodall ’82 Ex-Officio John W. Stewart III Jeremy Ward ’05 Patrick McDonald ’01

In this Issue 4

Internships provide “win-win” situations Getting a jump-start on employment means an internship for many Montevallo students. From graphic design to accounting, from glass blowing to eMarketing, gaining work experience while still in school puts these UM students and recent graduates at an advantage when the job search begins. Pictured at left, Lydia Wimberly ’12 worked as a Congressional intern for Congressman Jo Bonner, who represents Alabama’s First District.

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11 Chance meeting of Montevallo alums A flight to Europe turned into a stroll down memory lane when Barbara Bonfield ’58 and Tareq Abdein ’99 met on a plane bound for Paris during the summer. Abdein came to Alabama in the early fall, and he and Bonfield enjoyed a day at the university including a visit with Dr. John W. Stewart III (photo at left).

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Alumni clubs enjoy fellowship From Dallas to Opelika, alumni clubs have been meeting to learn what is going on at Montevallo, to catch up on members’ activities and to have fun. Here Teri Strickland ’10 and Justin Barron ’12 enjoy the Junior Board Spring Soirée at Aloft in Birmingham.

Departments page 22

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Campus News

14 Montevallo Profile

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Guest Essay

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12 Athletics

Class Notes

22 Alumni Activities

On the cover University of Montevallo art students under the direction of Art Professor Collin Williams work to improve the appearance of the City of Montevallo Recycling Center by painting a mural on two walls and constructing a “curtain of cans” made of recycled soda cans arranged to represent the recycle symbol.

This is a three-year project that will include additions to the mural, a garden, sculpture and a learning garden for children. Pictured on front: foreground, Michael Burchette; middle row, from left: Austin Self, Brittany Levan and Sarah Wade; back: Collin Williams; (not shown: Natalie Roig.) Left: Sarah Wade works with a string of cans for the mural.

PHOTOS: MATT ORTON

|Campus News|

|Internships: Learning the job|

“I need a job, but employers tell me, ‘I need someone with experience.’ But how can I get experience if no one will give me a job?” This dilemma has plagued college graduates and other young job seekers for many years, and the University of Montevallo has an answer – internships.

Some internships are paid positions, and some are not. Some are required, as in the College of Education, where all students planning to teach must work in a classroom (without pay) for a semester. Some are not required but may be the gateway to a permanent position with a company. Some may simply be summer jobs in a field of interest.

Many UM students are gaining valuable experience by working in businesses related to their college majors, and the results are in: they are being hired. In keeping with the university’s mission statement, they are experiencing “intellectual and personal growth in the pursuit of meaningful employment and responsible, informed citizenship.”

In recent years, some Montevallo alumni who are in influential positions in (or who may own) a company have made it a point to seek out UM students for interns. They know very well the educational level of these young people, and they are happy and proud to give them a chance to see a bit of the “real world” while teaching them how to be working professionals and, at the same time, benefitting from the students’ work.

One such case in point is Christopher Hightower, who is the first UM student to be offered an internship in the lab of Dr. Richard Cummings ’74, chair of the biochemistry department at Emory University School of Medicine. Cummings has worked with the University of Montevallo to establish an ongoing program to accept UM students interested in biology as interns

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Christopher Hightower (center) pictured with Houston Byrd (left), chair of the biology, chemistry and mathematics department at UM, and Dr. Richard Cummings ’74 (right), chair of the biochemistry department at Emory University School of Medicine. Hightower was the first UM student to participate in an ongoing program to have UM students interested in biology serve as interns for a semester in the biochemistry lab at Emory.

for a semester. Hightower, who expects to graduate in 2014, recently returned from Atlanta, where he worked for 10 weeks, and had this to say, “Having the opportunity to work in a high-powered research laboratory really allowed me to incorporate the information that I have learned in my science coursework, while also developing hands-on skills and techniques necessary for scientific research. All of the members of Dr. Cummings’ lab were more than willing to help guide me through the learning process. The experience provided excellent exposure to the amazing opportunities a Montevallo education provides after graduation. More than anything, I developed great relationships with new mentors and friends with whom I was able to share the Montevallo message.”

After meeting Arnold Mungioli at a guest artist workshop on audition techniques in the theatre department at UM, Lindsey Bristol ’12 applied to Mungioli Theatricals, a boutique Broadway casting agency in Manhattan, N.Y., for an internship after

graduation. She was hired as an intern, then, due to unexpected circumstances, she was required to fill in as an assistant and then as a temporary casting director. She has since been offered a job at Mungioli Theatricals as a casting assistant. She says, “This internship has been an invaluable learning experience.

I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand what New York auditions entail.

I’ve been at the casting table when a creative team discusses strengths and weaknesses of an audition (rare and coveted feedback, I can assure you), I have learned the importance of networking and working beyond expectations, and I am slowly realizing that I have officially begun my career in the theater industry. I’ve been working and studying for this opportunity my entire life, and I’m seeing all of that work and education come to fruition.

This internship, combined with the education I received at Montevallo and the performance opportunities I’ve had throughout my education have provided a solid foundation for a diverse

Lindsey Bristol, who graduated in May with a BFA, went to New York City for an internship with Mungioli Theatricals and landed a job as a casting assistant with the company.

and fulfilling career in the arts, whether that be performing, casting, producing, teaching, or a little bit of everything.”

Wherever a University of Montevallo student serves an internship, he or she is gaining valuable work experience and paving the way for another student to follow. In Bristol’s case, she says, “Currently, I’m the only Southerner in the office, and absolutely the only Montevallo alum; however, Carl Conway Maguire, a 2008 BFA acting/ directing graduate, worked as an intern at Mungioli Theatricals previously, so Mr. Mungioli trusts UM alumni to be capable workers.”

Both Drew Grantham ’11 and Heather Buckner ’14 have served internships at The Clanton Advertiser, a newspaper in Chilton County. They were sought out by Justin Averette ’06, who was the managing editor at the Advertiser at the time and had, himself, been an intern at a nearby newspaper in his senior year at UM. Averette said, “I started my career through an internship at the Shelby County Reporter, so I know firsthand how valuable they are and the doors they can open for students and young graduates. Being so close to Montevallo, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside and mentor many Montevallo students interning in the

for him and his staff.” Wimberly comnewsrooms I managed. I can say proudmunicated with constituents, gave tours ly that the quality of these students of the Capitol building, did research and their preparedness is on par with for legislative assistants and performed students from other schools, including those with much larger journalism other office duties. She hopes the netdepartments. Some of the best interns working she was able to do with other I’ve ever worked with are University of government departments will serve her Montevallo students.” well if she decides to pursue a career in Grantham, who is pursuing a government service after completing a master’s degree in English at UM, said, law degree.

“I learned a great deal about journalThe Center for Professional Practice ism, but it also calmed my fears about in the Stephens College of Business it as a profession. All of the stereotypes (SCOB) works with students in locating about journalism say that newspapers sites for internships. Bill Hamer, execuare dying, and those that aren’t pay too tive director, maintains contact with little to make it a full-time job. Worknumerous business leaders in the area ing with The Clanton Advertiser showed and assists students with mock interme that journalism, especially that of views, résumés and cover letters in orthe small-town variety, is alive and der to prepare them for the workplace. well, and that one can make a living off of it.

Lydia Wimberly, who graduated from UM in May, I learned a great deal interned with Congressman Jo Bonner in Washington, D.C. She reports that she made many connections in from Justin, and I look the nation’s capital and hopes this will help her if she up to him a lot. He’s decides to work in government service after law school. an excellent person to work for because he gives you real responsibility while allowing you to make mistakes that are essential to learning about the field. He’s a great teacher, too.”

Lydia Wimberly ’12 said she had always thought of herself as a responsible person, but until her internship with Congressman Jo Bonner, representative for Alabama’s First District, that responsibility only extended to herself.

“As a Congressional intern, I had to be very cautious about what I did and did not say to people that I spoke to on the phone or in person. If I misspoke for the Congressman, that could have led to quite a bit of trouble

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|Internships (cont.)| Mallory Mitchell ’14, a student in the SCOB who recently served an eMarketing internship with Daxko, a software company in Homewood, says, “Entering my junior year of college with paid internship experience within my field will be my best advantage when applying for internships and jobs in the future. I was able to get full-time work experience in a professional setting, hands-on learning within my field of interest as well as networking with companies and organizations in the Birmingham area. I have no doubt that my internship experience at Daxko will put me at an advantage when compared to other internship candidates my age.”

Mallory worked with three Montevallo alumni at Daxko. She had met Keith Harris ’04, a customer success specialist, and Barbara Silor ’08, an eMarketing specialist, at a UM job fair, and she also worked with Matthew Ingram ’02, a “data wizard.”

Steve Julaka ’13, another student in the SCOB, worked during the summer with Cahaba Government Benefits Administration as an audit intern. He said, “It has given me wonderful experience and a fantastic look into just what to expect in the corporate world. I have been able to network and meet many different people, and expand my professional horizon. I have also been exposed to many different kinds of software and procedures that will help me to find employment upon graduating.”

Rachel Wolfe ’12 worked with Leadership Africa USA under the Washington Center Internship Program during her senior year. This organization, based in Washington, D.C., provides leadership and entrepreneurial training in African countries, providing appropriate training curricula relevant to the needs of the individual country.

Wolfe wrote project proposals, managed the organization’s social media, served as an English/French translator, attended meetings dealing with human rights issues and generally “plugged in

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as needed, depending on the project.”

On the Monday following the end of her internship, Wolfe was hired as the public affairs fellow at the Office of Public Affairs of the Baha’is of the United States. The Baha’i faith is an independent religion focused on building a just, peaceful and sustainable world, and Wolfe’s office is the public face of the organization, working with other groups to promote world peace.

Erin Limerick ’12, who recently graduated with a degree in biology, spent time in Bermuda during the summer working with the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. She helped carry out nesting surveys on diamondback terrapins and assisted with studies on their reproductive biology. This internship supports her current work at the Alabama Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham.

Brian Hippensteel ’13 spent the summer providing graphic design and brand cohesiveness for Campus Outreach, an international ministry office in the Birmingham area. He says that his internship has helped prepare him for the transition between school and the real world, giving him a glimpse of what the working world is like and learning from people that are in an office environment.

Zachary Gallman ’12 interned at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, Ala., where he administered various children’s art classes in the community and served as a gallery assistant, which gave him insight into the workings of the selection process for high-end galleries. He said, “The most rewarding part was being a camp counselor for children at the annual arts camp. I did various projects such as blow gun art, and I even painted an entire VW Beetle so the children could decorate it themselves. But outside all that, I helped in the glass studio helping people make various things as small as paperweights to as big as garden flowers. The arts center is also expanding,

and they will soon have a metal arts program as well. I was offered a resident artist position when the facilities were available for the program. Through the internship, I also met a lot of artists from all around, and this was because I did a lot in terms of hospitality for the gallery. These artists gave me solid advice and even offered me places to work with them in their own studios.”

While these students and recent graduates have reaped the many benefits of internships related to their college majors, many other students will be seeking similar opportunities in the near future. Alumni who are in a position to offer such assistance to current or recently graduated UM students are encouraged to do so. To reach back to the next generation to offer a “hand up” honors the Montevallo tradition of service in a meaningful way.

Brian Hippensteel served an internship with Campus Outreach designing an overall professional and consistent look for the Birmingham ministry office.

|Furthering a French dream| Several years ago, I decided to dedicate myself to complete immersion in the French language and culture in order to be able to share my passion for French with future college students. So when Associate Professor Rosa Maria Stoops approached me about a month-long trip in Paris, I couldn’t say no. A chance to live in the economic, cultural and political center of France? No Francophile like myself could turn that opportunity down. For the month of July 2012, 10 students including myself and Rosa Stoops set out on our Parisian journey, a journey which none of us will ever forget. Two courses were offered during the month: French 250, an accelerated course combining the material of French 201 and 202; the other course offered was a three-hour independent study in which I was enrolled. For this independent study course, the five of us were assigned one chapter per person each week from a book titled Paris: Deux Mille Ans d’Histoire by Jean Favier.

We then each presented a detailed, yet concise, summary of our chapters to our fellow students, an amazing opportunity for us to better understand the city in which we were to reside for one month.

We could learn about the construction of a major road or monument in class and then go out the next afternoon and visit the very same road or monument.

The trip exceeded my expectations, outside as well as inside the classroom.

Not only were we immersed in the French culture, but we also got to experience a taste of Spain, as we were staying at the Collegio de España in the Cité Universitaire, located in the 14th arrondissement (neighborhood) of Paris.

The cafeteria in the basement of the college served genuine French food such as beef bourguignon as an entrée and chocolate beignets for dessert. After we met some Spaniards who were also staying at the college, they shared with us some of their local dishes that included

BY JESSICA GUINDON

Elysees, the Louvre and Versailles. But I feel like we took these attractions and made them ours in a way that no typical tourist could. On Bastille Day (the French national holiday, July 14th), we sat under the Eiffel Tower listening to di music, drinking champagne and disco en enjoying the impressive fireworks show – only to be bustled about in a mob af after the show as hundreds of people m made their way back to the Metro st station; we returned another night ju just to see the Tower “sparkle” for a m mere five minutes on the hour, and w while we waited, we talked, laughed, sshared wine and stories and munched oon beignets. We made friends with tthe cats in the Versailles gardens and p people-watched on the Champs-Elyssees, puzzling over the fact that there w was a 50-person-long line to get into A Abercrombie and Fitch. (Why would anyone wait in a line for over an hour to get into Abercrombie and Fitch???)

One Sunday, a few of us even staked out a place on the street for four hours to see the final laps of the Tour de France, a once-in-a-lifetime event for most!

All of these experiences – culinary, touristic, or otherwise – culminated in one thing: memories and friends made for life. I couldn’t think of a better way to end my career at Montevallo – this was the final academic class I took before I received my diploma this August.

What a wonderful way to round off my French degree with an entire month living in Paris! I’m sure all of my peers would agree that Paris has left its impression on all of us, and that we have all left a little piece of ourselves in that beautiful city. One day, hopefully, all of us will be able to go back to retrieve that piece of ourselves or to nurture it and encourage its growth by digging and immersing ourselves even deeper into the Parisian culture. It’s the city of lights, the city of love, and it’s our city; it’s anyone’s city who is willing to accept its eccentricities. To my forever friends: “We will always have Paris.”

delicious empanadas and a Spanish-style French toast topped with Nutella® and honey. Some of us celebrated one of the students’ birthday by going out to a genuine fondue restaurant where we had

authentic Savoyarde fondue in addition to some of the less traditional fondues including one that tasted like pizza in melted cheese form! I could write a whole article about the delicious food we ate, but what our taste buds experienced was only a fraction of what the rest of our senses experienced.

We traveled the city in true Parisian fashion: the efficient but sometimes stinky Paris Metro. At the beginning of the trip, planning out the route we needed to take to get from the Cité Universitaire to the Eiffel Tower proved to be a hassle, but by the end of the month, we were all Metro pros, constantly bringing up the fact that if America should ever attempt to integrate public transportation, it should use the French system as a model. And as for the Metro’s strong smell, we all got used to it and quickly became oblivious to it – really, it was a part of the authenticity of a true Parisian experience.

Of course, we visited the must-see tourist attractions of Paris: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-

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www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Blurring the boundaries between town and gown|

A number of changes are taking place in Montevallo, and when they are complete, the city and the university will have a new look and a new feel.

The University of Montevallo has partnered with Shelby County and the City of Montevallo to form the Montevallo Development Cooperative District, a coalition designed to extend the university to downtown Montevallo, thereby revitalizing the city, promoting the “town and gown” relationship between the two entities, and in addition, promoting economic development and tourism within the county.

Plans to renovate and expand the campus have been underway for a year or more, according to DeAnna Smith, UM’s vice president for business affairs and treasurer. Funding for these projects comes from bonds with low interest rates and low annual debt increase. Smith said, “The projects were chosen based on three criteria – safety and health, deferred maintenance and enrollment management.”

The property at 737 Main St. (formerly the local offices of Alabama Power Co.) has been purchased, and renovations are already underway. The building will house academic offices and classroom space for the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, currently housed in Jeter Hall.

A promenade will stretch from the gates at Boundary St. near Palmer Hall to Orr Park, connecting the university to Main St. and beyond.

The building at the corner of Boundary St. and Main St. (the bus depot

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Montevallo Today

in years past), has been razed, and immediate plans for that area include a green-space, a parking area and possibly an eatery. According to Smith, this promenade will make it safer and easier for students to walk to downtown Montevallo, improve accessibility for students with disabilities and generally provide incentives for students to patronize downtown businesses.

Barnes & Noble College Booksellers has entered into an agreement with the university to operate and manage the campus bookstore, currently located in Farmer Hall. A move to the intersection of the promenade and Main St. is planned for the near future.

During the next several months, some of the more heavily-traveled brick streets will be repaired, some residence halls will be renovated and the 3-D art complex will be expanded and remodeled. As the partnership continues, Montevallo may even have a hotel in its future. “There’s defi nitely been interest. I think that’s a goal, but not in the near future,” Smith said.

Dr. John W. Stewart III, UM president, noted that large universities across the nation are spending large amounts of capital in an effort to develop a “small-town feel” in their surrounding areas, while Montevallo has that benefit already. Since its founding in 1896, the university has been an integral part of the Montevallo community, but Stewart says, “This is no longer just a friendship, but a marriage.”

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1. New restroom facilities at the Kermit Johnson Baseball Field. 2. Artist’s rendering of renovations to the 3-D art complex.

3. Construction on new promenade between downtown Montevallo and the university.

4. New rear entrance to Carmichael Library offers students access to the building from the back parking lot. 5.& 6. “University of Montevallo on Main� (exterior and interior), the former Alabama Power Co. building on Main St., is being renovated as classrooms and academic office space.

7. Demolition of building at the corner of Boundary and Main streets (the bus station in years past). 8. Demolition completed.

9. Cleared lot ready for landscaping and other improvements.

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|Campus News|

|Summer of service| While some visions of summer include lounging by a pool or traveling to exotic locations, members of the UM family dedicated time, passion and energy to the community they love and consider home.

Prentice Village Revitalization Deborah Lowry, assistant professor of sociology and a newcomer to the Montevallo faculty, quickly made her mark when she jumped in full force through her Rural Environments, Communities and Well-being class, exploring and improving a local neighborhood through research findings and sweat equity. Lowry’s students, along with members of the Shoal Creek Prentice Village Task Force, surveyed local residents to identify neighborhood needs and assets. They also rolled up their sleeves and helped with gardening, painting houses and cleaning up litter.

Thanks to their academically grounded labor of love, the city is now exploring ways to implement suggestions made by neighborhood residents on the class’ survey, including community education classes in gardening, fitness, literacy and GED preparation. As a continuation of these efforts, Habitat for Humanity is leading painting and home improvement projects, committing to lead two painting jobs during each academic term.

Turning Trash into Treasure Thanks to the talent and skill of Collin Williams’ art class, public concerns are turning to public praise. In response to complaints about the condition of the Montevallo Recycling Center, Williams developed a three-phase proposal to beautify the center.

This summer, he and his students completed Phase One by masterminding a full-size mural on two walls of the center. Future beautification plans include a sculpture garden, flower garden and rain barrels.

Spreading our Wings In response to the recent boom in campus interest in community activism, the Office of Global and Community Outreach has added two new staff members. UM senior Aaron Traywick, an intern working through the David Mathews Center, and alumna Courtney Bennett ’11, an AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) working through Alabama Possible and UM Service Learning, will continue working to make Montevallo a better place to live by facilitating student civic engagement.

Collin Williams’ art class turned trash into treasure at the Montevallo Recycling Center.

Summer Trainings Additionally, faculty, staff and students committed time and energy to professional development opportunities with students leading the charge. Tavi Juarez, Madeline Mechum and Rachel Swokowski were selected to participate in the 2012 Leading Edge Institute (LEI), a mentoring and leadership program for women studying at Alabama colleges.

Five faculty members and the director of student life represented UM at the American Democracy Project’s Civic Engagement Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Courtney Bennett attended Pre-Service Orientation training for AmeriCorps*VISTAs in Atlanta, while Aaron Traywick represented UM at the Sierra Program’s week-long workshop for youth environmental activists hosted by the Sierra Student Coalition.

|Honors Program enhances college experience| The Honors Program has spent another year providing more than 200 students with compelling interdisciplinary courses and a community of highachieving, academically driven individuals. Students who participate in the program are challenged to complete a 26-hour curriculum, in addition to their majors, over the course of their undergraduate careers. Not every student who enters the program will complete it, but

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those who invest themselves experience an enhanced college experience.

Anny Su, originally from Taiwan, graduated in May 2012 and is a firstyear dental student in UAB’s School of Dentistry. Anny values the exposure that Honors courses gave her to topics beyond the hard sciences, saying, “The discussion-based design encourages active participation which leads to interactive learning.” During her time

at UM, Anny took advantage of one of the program features: living on the Honors floor in a residence hall. She and her fellow Honors students relished the extended quiet hours that living in that environment provides. Anny believes that this feature was essential to her ability to achieve her high academic goals.

Another recent graduate, Rachel Wolfe (August 2012), headed for Washington, D.C., to intern with Leadership

|Guest Essay|

|Chance meeting of Montevallo alums|

BY BARBARA BONFIELD

lunch of gefilte fish, Passover rolls and the trimmings.

As we settled into our seats, we introduced ourselves to our seatmate, a handsome young man who sat to my left. When I told him that we were from Birmingham, he smiled and commented that he had attended school in Alabama. Already surprised and pleased by the coincidence, I was incredulous when he added that the school he attended was the University of Montevallo where he majored in art. He gave me Barbara Bonfield ’58 and Tareq Abdein ‘99 enjoyed an impromptu reunion on a flight his name, Tareq Abdein, Class of to France recently. Bonfield lives in Birming1999 and reminisced about his ham, and Abdein resides in Jordan. They studies with Ted Metz and the other plan to get together again the next time Art Department faculty. Naturally, Abdein comes to the U.S. one of my first questions was about his allegiance during College Night, and My friend and I were pleased when upon his response, “Purple!” I was able we arrived in Atlanta and were able to to add a thrilled, “Me, too.” Our ensuupgrade our seats on an Air France jet ing conversation was about the wonderto Paris. Purchase of a seat by the exit ful education that we received at Mondoor provided ample leg room, although tevallo, the small classes and our close the seats were no larger than the regular relationships with faculty members. ones. We were excited about our trip Although separated by an expanse of 38 to Provence for a Saone/Rhone river years (I graduated in 1958), we marveled cruise from Lyon to Arles, France. It was at the consistency of our memories.

Passover, and we were committed to our Tareq told me about the business diet of matzos and the other dietary rethat he owns with offices in Amman, strictions of the Passover observance, so Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Atlanta. He in the food court in Hartsfield Airport designs offices, including the furnishbefore our flight to Paris, we enjoyed a

ings for upscale office buildings and was returning from a business trip to Atlanta to his home in Amman. I told him that I have a sister, Sarah, also a Montevallo alum, who lives in Arad, Israel, and that she had shared stories about her visit to Petra, Jordan. Tareq told me that while his family lives in Jordan, their roots are in Palestine.

Our seven-hour flight allowed for plenty of time for conversation. Tareq was reading a book about successful sales techniques which was written in Arabic and read from right to left, the same as Hebrew. When our dinner was served, I offered him one of my matzos, which he politely refused. He was a wonderfully attentive seatmate who helped me to locate and arrange the small movie screen attached to my seat. Our flight attendants, young women from France, were informed of our special coincidence, and one photographed us.

When we landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, Tareq gave me his business card. I told him that I would let everyone at Montevallo know about our meeting and encouraged him on his next trip to Atlanta to plan a trip to Montevallo.

Abdein returned to Montevallo in September and joined Bonfield and UM president John W. Stewart III for a nostalgic campus tour.

Africa USA and has received a fellowship at the national Baha’i Office of Public Affairs. In 2013, she will begin graduate school in the University of Pittsburgh’s International Development program.

Reflecting on her experience in the Honors program, she appreciates the exposure the program afforded her to professors outside of her two majors, as well as the interdisciplinary nature of the classes. Speaking about her fellowship responsibilities, she states, “The Honors Program has helped me to learn quickly

courses encourage students to digest, evaluate and communicate larger ideas.

I would argue that the communication of such material is the most important product of the program.”

For a program designed to offer top students a unique academic and social opportunity to enable them to meet, and perhaps even exceed, their goals, these three students are models. The 20122013 academic year will again provide Honors students ample opportunity to grow personally and scholastically.

and roll with what is thrown at me.

Since the Honors Program encourages creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, I feel, regardless of the task, that I will be able to find a way to work through it and produce the best work in a cohesive and comprehensive manner.”

Josh Womack, UM’s 2013 Rhodes Scholarship applicant, is completing his senior year at UM. “The Honors Program enhanced the liberal arts experience; as opposed to memorizing facts and bubbling Scantrons™, honors

11

www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Athletics|

In Sports...

While the 2012-13 athletics seasons are just beginning, there has been a flurry of activity in the department over the summer. Many student athletes have distinguished themselves academically, and athletic director Jim Herlihy recently announced several new hires in the department.

The University of Montevallo had 27 student athletes honored as recipients of the 2011-12 NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Awards. In order for a student athlete to receive an Academic Achievement Award, he or she must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, have attended a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college-level work and have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during his/her last academic year. In addition, the athletics director of the institution must be a dues-paying member of the D2ADA. The UM women’s cross country team was selected as the preseason favorite in the Peach Belt Conference, receiving nine of a possible 11 firstplace votes and 118 points in a conference coaches’ poll. Head coach Tommy Barksdale led the Falcons to their first PBC Championship in 2011 before finishing second in the Southeast Region Championship and advancing to the

first NCAA Championship in program history.

Wesley Hallman was recently named sports information director. Hallman comes to Montevallo from the Shelby County Reporter where he was sports editor for three years.

There he earned three first-place Alabama Press Association sports writing awards including Best Sports Feature in 2010, Best Sports News In-Depth Coverage in 2011 and Best Sports SingleEvent Story in 2012.

After graduating from the University of Alabama in 2006 with a degree in journalism, Hallman began his professional career as a sports reporter at The Birmingham News, serving there for three years.

Hallman replaces Sean Forrester, who has accepted a media relations assistant position at Coastal Carolina University.

Volleyball head coach Katie O’Brien has announced that Sean Clemmensen will be the new assistant coach for UM’s volleyball team. He spent the past three years at Berry College in Georgia, where he served as a graduate assistant for two years, then as assis-

tant coach for one year. He earned the MBA at Berry College during his employment there.

Clemmensen received a bachelor’s degree in 2008 from Coastal Carolina University, where he served as a student assistant for the volleyball team. In his senior year, his team finished 27-9, was tied for first place in the Big South Conference regular season and finished as runners-up in the Big South Tournament.

Jeremy Hampton will be the assistant coach for the women’s soccer team. Head coach Patricia Hughes said, “He brings a wealth of coaching experience at many different levels of soccer. His knowledge as a goalkeeper coach will make an immediate impact on our program.”

Hampton comes to Montevallo from Pascagoula High School in Mississippi, where he served as head coach for the girls’ soccer team. During the single season he was at PHS, he improved the team’s record from 4-10-2 to 9-61 and also worked to improve the team’s academic success.

Prior to his work in Pascagoula, Hampton initiated the women’s soccer program at Marion Military Institute and served as head coach from 2008-11.

He was an assistant women’s soccer coach at the University of Alabama from 2005-2008, coaching the 2007 SEC Freshman Goalkeeper of the Year and producing goalkeepers who set records in save percentages in Alabama’s program history.

The women’s cross country team was selected as the preseason favorite in the Peach Belt Conference.

UM’s volleyball team celebrates its 40th year of being a collegiate sport as well as the anniversary of Title IX with a “birthday” cake recently. Volleyball had previously been a club sport.

Head coach Katie O’Brien said, “Volleyball at the University of Montevallo has created many opportunities for young women throughout the years. Not only to get a first-rate education from Montevallo, but also to make friends that last a lifetime.”

In addition to his work at various universities, he also coached goalkeepers for the Mississippi Storm, a semiprofessional team, and was the head goalkeeper coach for the Alabama Olympic Development Program from 2006-10.

Hampton earned a bachelor’s degree from UA in 2002 and a master’s degree in human performance with an emphasis in sports management in 2010, also from UA. Men’s basketball head coach Danny Young has announced that Jabarr Adams will be his assistant coach after having served as assistant coach at Tarleton State University for the past four years. Young said, “He brings a proven record of strong recruiting and on-the-court coaching. He comes from a well-respected program at Tarleton and has previous experience in the Peach Belt Conference at UNC Pembroke.”

Adams helped lead the Tarleton Texans to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and saw the team win the 2011-12 Lone Star Conference Championship. The team has a combined record of 93-28 over the past four seasons.

Prior to his tenure at Tarleton, Adams played for two seasons and served as an assistant coach for two seasons

at the University of North Carolina Pembroke, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 2006 and a master’s degree in physical education sport administration in 2008.

Tiffany Morton has been named assistant coach of UM’s women’s basketball team after spending the past two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

While Morton was on the UWW staff, the Warhawks had a 43-14 record and made two appearances in the NCAA tournament.

During her three-year term on the UWW basketball team, the Warhawks advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four in 2009, and Morton was named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team. She was a Second Team All-Central Region selection as a junior and as a senior and was also named First Team All-Conference both years.

She was selected as a Fourth Team AllAmerican as a junior and as an Honorable Mention All-American as a senior.

Morton earned a bachelor’s degree in 2009 and a master’s degree in professional development in 2012, both from UWW. Head coach Cindy Hilbrich said, “She was a successful student athlete at

13

Whitewater and comes from a winning program. Her experience as a G.A. and as an All-American post player will be great additions to our program’s development. Tiffany not only will be a great coach on the floor, she will be a fantastic role model for our student athletes.”

Lauren Korte has joined the Department of Athletics as an assistant athletic trainer. She recently completed a two-year internship as an athletic trainer at Division I Presbyterian College. Prior to her time at Presbyterian, she served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of South Dakota, also of Division I. For the past five summers, she has worked at the University of Tennessee with the men’s basketball, volleyball and softball summer camps.

While earning a bachelor’s degree at Lincoln Memorial University, Korte was a student athletic trainer. She received a master’s degree from USD in health, physical education and recreation with a concentration in exercise physiology and athletic administration in 2010. She is a certified athletic trainer with the National Athletic Trainer’s Association as well as with the State of Alabama. www.montevallo.edu/alumni

Amos Snead Class of 2002, majored in political science and now a principal with the public affairs firm Story Partners

Your home: Washington, D.C. Your Hometown: Centre, Alabama Tell us about your family: I’m married and the father of twins, Harrison (boy), & Emery (girl), who were born early this year (February 2012). I am the oldest of three boys. Both of my younger brothers (Joel & Mark) also graduated from the University of Montevallo.

What is your profession? I’m a principal with the public affairs firm, Story Partners. I helped launch the firm almost three years ago (Jan. 2010) with my mentor, Gloria Dittus.

What is the last book you read and who is the author? Never Eat Alone

by Keith Ferrazzi. This is one of my all-time favorite books, and I try to read it at least once a year.

What awards/honors have you received? Is there a most significant honor? If so, please tell us about it.

A few years back PR News honored me on their 15-to-Watch Under 30 years old. A couple of years ago the website I created, FamousDC.com, was named by The Washingtonian magazine as a “Can’t Miss Click” in Washington, D.C. Actually the biggest honor is from our clients who trust our firm day-in and day-out to communicate on behalf of their brand or issue.

14

Montevallo Today

|Montevallo Profile|

What is your secret for success? It is always about the team. I have been fortunate to work alongside great professionals, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve and strengthen our team. A wise woman once told me to “always hang out with people better looking and smarter than you.” That turned out to be sound advice that I’ve followed my entire career.

How did Montevallo affect your career path? Montevallo gave me the opportunity to develop a network of lifelong friends.

There were friendships forged there that changed the course of my life. In fact, the fi rst summer I went to Washington, D.C., for an internship, a recent Montevallo alum, Willie Phillips, let me crash on his couch for the entire summer – for free! Had it not been for Willie’s kindness, I’m not sure that summer would have happened like it did.

And I might not still be living in the nation’s capital over a decade later.

What is your favorite Montevallo memory?

I have two: 1) During my days at Montevallo, we organized two huge concerts that brought both Train and Ludacris to campus. I’ll never forget looking out upon the thousands of screaming fans waiting for Train to come on stage and realizing that a bunch of students pulled off this concert. It was right then I knew that we could all accomplish whatever we wanted to – as long as we had the right team with us.

2) Watching my youngest brother, Mark, graduate. With his graduation, both of my brothers and I had all graduated college from the University of Montevallo. It was a goal we had all set for ourselves, and it was a great day watching that become reality.

15

www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Class Notes| 1955

1967

Harriet Dickson Bailey writes that she has retired and is “playing away her children’s inheritance in Sun City, Fla.”

John R. Wible of Montgomery writes that he has retired from the Alabama Department of Public Health and is serving as a minister at Gateway Baptist Church in Montgomery. He also volunteers as the Family Assistance Center’s executive director.

1962 William H. “Bill” Coleman of Scottsboro was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame recently. A retired family medicine physician, he was recognized for his nearly 40 years of service and efforts to improve the health care of citizens in Alabama’s rural areas.

After he retired from private practice, Bill worked to recruit students from rural areas to UAB’s school of medicine and to promote medical services in rural Alabama. He continues to mentor medical students and serves on the board of directors of the Alabama Rural Health Association.

1963 Robert Chapman of Cropwell has been inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame. He retired as president and CEO of Eastern Health Systems, formerly Medical Center East. He had held every officer position in the Alabama Hospital Association.

1968 Fred Crawford M.Ed. ’72 has been named industrial development coordinator of Chilton County.

1973 John Wright M.Ed. ’76, has retired after a 37-year career in education. He has served as deputy school superintendent in Shelby County for the past 12 years.

1974 Deborah Middleton Nellis has retired from her position of financial specialist with the City of West Sacramento, Calif., and has returned to Alabama to be near family and friends including a new grandson, Tyler Pane Fulford.

Janet and David Hurley with their children (from left) Emmi, A.J., Waid, Jenna, Avery and Wes.

1975 Kathryn Henry Smith of Montgomery has worked with the State of Alabama for 34 years, currently for the Immunization Division of the Department of Public Health.

1976 Harold Lane of Canton, Ga., is a retired postal inspector. He does contract work for several companies in the investigative/ security field.

1979 Lisa Walk Dixon has recently relocated her business, Wild Child Clayworks, to a new studio near Gatlinburg, Tenn.

She creates handmade stoneware pottery and natural fiber items.

1984 Jack Webb resides in Orlando, Fla., where he is pursuing a degree in legal studies at the University of Central Florida.

He continues to sing in the choir at First Baptist Church of Orlando.

1989 LAMBDA CHI ALPHA REUNION: The Sigma Epsilon chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha at UM celebrated 40 years of being chartered on April 28. The alumni, undergraduates and guests met at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham for a LowCountry boil, barbecue and fellowship. The chapter will have a 40-year reunion on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. All members, spouses and former Sisters of the Crescent are invited. Contact Don Blakeley at donblakeley@gmail.com for more information.

16

Montevallo Today

Janet Hurley and her husband of 24 years, David, recently returned from China, where they adopted two children. In all, the Hurleys have two biological children and have adopted six special-needs children from China. Janet has been a stay-at-home mom for 20 years and home-schools her children. The family resides in Trussville.

Jennifer Redus Vinson of Jemison and her daughter, Ivey, have formed a band, Rosetta and the Stones. They play progressive folk music, classic rock and blues.

1990 Kerry Rush M.Ed., Ed.S. ’01 has been appointed principal at Columbiana Middle School in Shelby County. She has served as assistant principal at Oak Mountain Middle School for the past seven years and had taught science there for the 15 years prior to that.

1992 Rachea Gould Simms M.Ed. ’94, Ed.S. ’02 has been named principal at Meadow View Elementary School in Alabaster.

She has served as an educator in the Shelby County school system for more than 20 years, the last 12 as assistant principal at Meadow View Elementary.

1993 J. Michael Dennis and his family have relocated to Indiana, where Michael has accepted the position of assistant professor of church music at Indiana Wesleyan University.

1994 Bryan Comer of Huntsville has been promoted to vice president of business development at 4Wall Entertainment, a multistate entertainment lighting company.

ALPHA TAU

Sigma-ATO alumni have been assembling annually since 1989 at Blue Water Bay near Niceville, Fla., “to renew the bonds of brotherhood,” states chief organizer Bruce Higdon, who initiated the gathering. Some 12 brothers from two or three graduating classes who lived in nearby states attended that initial meeting. The reunion now routinely draws more than 50 members from across the nation.

show by Three On A String. A former member of the group is fraternity brother Andy Meginniss ’68, who still makes “alumni” appearances with the performing group.

What began as the kernel Highlighting the evening was of an idea on the Montevallo a special memorial to 12 campus in a midnight meeting in fraternity brothers who 1962 found 68 UM alumni and have died during the past close friends gathered on May 50 years.

4-5 in a weekend celebration of Founding brothers that idea — the 50th anniversary attending were Freddie of the founding of the Sigma Holmes, ’65, the club’s Club, known on campus today first president, as well as Alpha Tau Omega national as Todd Strange, Jack fraternity.

Mayhall, Larry Benton, Jack Davis and Harry On hand for the observance at Blue Water Bay, Fla., were six McDonald, all from the Class of ’66. founding brothers, nine charter members and 60 brothers and Charter members attending guests from more than 10 states. were Bruce Higdon, William Weekend activities included Caldwell, Buell Cobb, Scott golfing, boating and just sitting Waldrop, Ray Holland, Reg back recalling fond memories Patterson and Tom Watson, also and being updated on more than of the Class of ’66. a half century of the lives of The fraternal movement fraternity brothers. at Alabama College began in Events also included a Friday 1962 when three “social clubs” evening musical and comedy were authorized by the college

administration. Under the direction of President Howard M. Phillips and oversight

by Dean of Men James R. Wilkinson, the groups could identify themselves by a single Greek letter if they chose to do so.

1996 1 996

2007 2 007

2012 2 012

Jim Cavale of Birmingham is vice president of operations and franchise development at Iron Tribe Fitness, a gym franchise headquartered in Homewood.

Since its founding in 2010, Iron Tribe has grown to four gyms and plans more expansion in the future.

Brandt Montgomery recently graduated cum laude from the General Theological Seminary in New York, N.Y., with a master of divinity degree. He also received the seminary’s 2012 George Cabot Ward Prize for Biblical Reading and Service to the Church. Brandt was ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal Church and serves as associate rector of Canterbury Episcopal Chapel on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Suzanne Speer has relocated to Madison where she is employed with Mountain High Outfitters as an e-commerce associate. She is involved with web design and content development.

2006

2009

Justin Averette has been named publisher of the Demopolis Times, demopolistimes.com and the Blackbelt Gazette. He had served as managing editor of The Clanton Advertiser for the past three years.

During that period, the Advertiser won more than 20 Alabama Press Association awards.

Laura Morgan recently received the juris doctor degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.

OMEGA

ANNIVERSARY

Patrick Dorough and his wife, Lisa Collins Dorough ’01, have started a business, Heart Box LLC, to distribute “Christmas Angels” that provide a creative way to teach children the true meaning of Christmas. The Doroughs are assisted by Jennifer Neugent Thomason ’03.

2001 William “Nick” Carlisle has relocated to Wetumpka and is working as a pharmacist at Baptist Medical Center East in Montgomery.

2005 Jason Mayfield M.Ed., who teaches gifted education at Columbiana Middle School, was one of 30 teachers selected from more than 200 applicants

to attend dC C-SPAN -SP SPAN SP AN C Classroom’s lassroom’’s recent 2012 Educators’ Conference in Washington, D.C. The conference helps educators use technology and C-SPAN to teach social studies in their classrooms.

Seeing the bond among the brothers and the pleasure they showed in Before they could seek national being together, and observing fraternity affiliation, these the touching memorial service groups underwent 10 years of to deceased brothers, a staff administrative oversight in order member of the restaurant where to prove themselves to be good citizens of the college, the state and Friday’s activities were held the nation; be worthy contributors said, “I have never seen a group to all phases of student life on the such as this before. It’s just Montevallo campus; and promote remarkable.” and maintain good academic Fraternity members agreed. standards.

2011 Dotti Bailey of Calera is pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Alabama.

17

WEDDINGS 1969 Malcom Braid of Montevallo and Carolyn Lee were married Feb 12. Malcolm is a professor of biology emeritus at UM, and Carolyn is a radiation oncology nurse who had attended Mac’s late wife, Linda. The Braids have built a home and are in the process of emptying their previous ones. They have five dogs.

www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Class Notes| 2000

in Birmingham where Justin is the territory account manager for Criket Mobile and Dana is a teacher in the Birmingham city school district.

2002

2011

Miranda Garrison M.S. ’02 and Adam Lovell were married March 12, 2011, at the First Baptist Church of Alabaster.

Bridesmaids included UM alumnae and Miranda’s Chi Omega sisters Christy Nolan ’98 and Brandy Howard Mitchell ’02. The Lovells reside in Vestavia Hills where Miranda is a speech-language pathologist at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central School. Adam owns and operates Lovell’s Landscape Management. They are anticipating the arrival of a daughter soon.

Brittany Bivins and Luis Vasquez were married March 24 at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana. Brittany is a reporter for WAKA-TV in Montgomery, covering Pike and Bullock counties.

BIRTHS

Jennifer McNeal Crawford and her husband, John, announce the birth of their daughter, Esme Leigh Crawford, March 6. Esme was welcomed to the Crawford home in Clanton by big brother Elijah.

Andrew Heaton and his wife, Holly, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Grace Victoria, March 9. The Heaton family has recently relocated to Cupertino, Calif., where Holly has begun a pediatric cardiology fellowship at Stanford University’s Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital.

Andrew has accepted a position in marketing with the law firm of Fenwick & West in Mountain View.

2005

1997

2006 Randall Quinn and his wife, Tara, are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Ryland Lee Quinn, Dec. 14, 2011.

Ryland, like his big sisters Evelyn Grace and Ella Ruth, was delivered by his dad. Randy is a physician with Cullman Family Practice in Hanceville.

2001

Jennifer Parsons and husband Daniel celebrated the birth of their daughter, Hannah Grace, Feb. 6. The Parsons reside in Centreville.

2003 Jessica Crohn Alred and her husband, Adam, welcomed the birth of their son, Phillip Charles, Nov. 1, 2011. Phillip was welcomed to the Alred home by big sister Camille, 2. The family resides on Lake Lanier in Cumming, Ga.

Karen Canevaro and husband James Addison Canevaro ’07 celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Sara Grace, June 14. Big sister Alexa also welcomed Sara Grace to the Canevaro home in Clinton, Miss., where Addison is pursuing a master of divinity degree at Reformed Theological Seminary.

2004 Dana Wright and Justin Marshall ’04 were married Sept. 3, 2011, at Mulberry Church at Brierfield Ironworks near Montevallo. Brad Robertson ’07, pastor of Shannon First Baptist Church, presided over the ceremony, and Cari Cook ’04 and Regina Pollard ’06 served as bridal attendants. The Marshalls reside

18

Kristia Callaway Rumbley M.Ed. ’04 and husband Bo welcomed the birth of son, James Austin Rumbley IV, March 28. The family resides in Leeds.

Montevallo Today

Holly Jackson M.Ed. ’10, Ed.S. ’11 and husband Jay

was retired from the Alabama State Employment Agency and the Parkinson Foundation. She also had volunteered with the Salvation Army.

1933 Dorothy B. Lindsay, 100, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Jan 4, 2011. She was a teacher and a professional photographer.

CLASS OF ’59 AT THE CLUB: Friends from the Class of 1959 had lunch together in March at The Club in Birmingham.

From left: (front row) Alice K. Perkins, Barbara Jones and Libby Queen; (second row) Cassie Forbes, Ann B. Dailey and Roma C. Johnston; (back row) Jennie Cowart, Lucy Moor and Jade H. Beavers.

announce the birth of their son, John Thomas Jackson, April 4.

Holly is assistant principal for Creek View Elementary School and Meadow View Elementary School, both in Shelby County.

Jay works in the physical plant at UM. The Jackson family resides in Calera. UM alumna Donna Dickson ’78, M.Ed. ’83, Ed.S. ’95 is a proud grandmother.

DEATHS 1924 Kate Seale Davis, 90, of Calera died June 9. She was a retired employee of Shelby County.

Kate’s family requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Laurie Ann Cox Memorial Scholarship at UM in memory of her grandaughter.

1934 Marian Cotney, 99, of Daviston died June 21. She retired from the Shelby County Extension Service in 1980 after 41 years of service.

1937 Betsy Cox Upshur, 95, of Lynchburg, Va., died March 9. She had worked as a teacher prior to managing her husband’s dental office. She also had worked in the alumnae office of Randolph-Macon Women’s College.

1938 Mabel Caley Carlton, 95, of Marion Junction died May 24.

She taught elementary education and served as a camp director for many years.

1941 Lois Anne Smith Little, 90, of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., died April 30. She taught middle and high school in Mobile and Baldwin counties for a number of years.

Frances Costen McCrary, 92, of Birmingham died Aug. 6.

June Morrish, 92, of Huntsville died May 6. She was an active member of her community.

1930

1942

Inza Davis Walker, 104, of Cropwell died Feb. 26.

Elizabeth Looney Collier, 90, of Hoover died June 9.

1932

1943

Sarah Majors Askew, 100, of Birmingham died June 13. She

Miriam Elise Doughty Hamiter, 90, of Gadsden died

1954

March 31. She taught home economics in Aliceville, worked as a home economist for the Farmers’ Home Administration in Moulton and as a social worker for the State of Alabama.

Joan Elizabeth Curl, 79, of Pleasant Grove died March 6.

She served as a teacher for a number of years.

1944

1956

Mildred Wimberly Drinkard, 89, of Shreveport, La., died April 12. She was a retired educaor with more than 30 years of service.

1945 Mary Will Simpson, 87, of Sanford, Fla., died Feb. 24.

She worked with Health and Rehabilitation Services for 23 years and later served as an ombudsman for elderly longterm care patients.

1948 Frances Milton West Easter, 86, of Brentwood, Tenn., died April 15. She was employed by Wolverine Tube and was active in her community.

Helen Rhodes Thompson of Mobile died Aug. 11. She was a social worker, retiring as assistant director of the Mobile County Department of Human Resources after a career of 28 years.

1950 Joy Reeve Irwin, 84, of Birmingham died June 8.

1951 Robbie Moseley Gothard, 82, of Alexander City died Dec. 30.

1952

Eleanor Gertrude “Trudy” DeLoach M.A. ’69, 78, of Clanton died May 8. She was a retired elementary school teacher and also taught music for many years. Survivors include her daughter-in-law, UM alumna Charlotte Wallace DeLoach ’84, M.Ed. ’89.

1958 Norman Hair M.M., 80, of Panama City Beach, Fla., died March 5.

He was a music teacher and chair of the division of fine arts at Gulf Coast Community College for 35 years.

1959 Louise Bishop Church of Hollywood, Fla., died March 1, 2011.

1960 Marcia Hancock Ballard M.A. ’69, 75, of Ames, Iowa (formerly of Chilton County) died April 7. She taught at Jemison Elementary School for a number of years.

Joan Bassett Wynn, 81, of Ashland died June 2. She was the owner and operator of Bassett’s Dry Goods.

Joyce Harris Haynie, 85, of Pea Ridge died June 8. She served UM for 19 years as secretary to the dean of men and coordinator of housing assignments, retiring in 1989.

1953

Sylvia Quillian Stinson, 75, of Fort Deposit died Dec. 18.

Martha Jean Sanders Smalley of Covington, Ga., died May 27.

She was a retired educator.

19

www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Class Notes| 1961

1967

the United Methodist Church, where he served until 2011.

William Donald Mahone Sr., 76, of Montgomery died June 11. He spent more than 30 years in the field of vocational rehabilitation and mental health and retired in 1996 from the Alabama State Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, UM alumna Mary Kathryn Mahone ’58.

Alice Carter Allen M.A., 86, of Holtville died April 3. She taught school at Holtville High School for a number of years.

1969

1962 Michael Louis Tucker, of Birmingham died May 10. He retired from the district attorney’s office with 30 years of service.

1965 Sara Cook McCaig, 94, of Tallassee, formerly of Bessemer, died March 9. She taught first grade in Jefferson County and Midfield city schools for 25 years.

Robert Kirk Jr. of Littleton, Colo., formerly of Montgomery, died June 8. He was retired from the cattle and mineral business.

1968 Therese Gunter Livingston M.A., 89, of Cedar Bluff died Aug. 11. She worked as a chemist for DuPont during World War II, then served as a home demonstration agent, a high school teacher and an insurance agent.

Jimmy Ray Nixon M.Ed. ’71, 67, of Heflin died May 25. He served as a teacher and school administrator for a number of years, retiring in 1995. He then entered full-time ministry in the North Alabama Conference of

Billy J. Harris, 67, of Birmingham died May 14. He was a homebuilder, residential developer and president of Harbar Homes from 1972 to 2006.

Jerry Davis Stone, 66, of Trussville died July 1. He was retired from Jefferson State Community College after 27 years of service.

1970 Donna Rock Back, 64, of Charlotte, N.C., died March 7. She was a home mortgage underwriter.

1971 Thomas Frederick Fox, 62, of Birmingham died April 18.

JoAnn Howard Pritchett M.Ed., 78, of Montevallo died

EMERGING MAN: Emerging Man, a sculpture of a man sculpting himself out of marble, by William Craig “Craigger” Browne ’91, is on display at the Sylacauga Municipal Complex.

Craigger also has sculpted a pair of lions, which are on permanent display at the Birmingham Zoo, and has been commissioned to sculpt additional works in the near future.

Are you a current UM license plate holder?

MONTEVALLO

Join the UM Car Tag Club by sending your name, class year, address, phone number, and a photo of you and your license plate to

University Advancement/Alumni Affairs, Station 6215, Montevallo, AL 35115 or by e-mail to UMAlumniOffice@montevallo.edu so that we can recognize you as a member on the UM website and in an upcoming issue of Montevallo Today.

LET US KNOW!

LABAM HEART OF DIXIE

UM TAG

CLUB

If you would like information on becoming a UM license plate holder, please visit www.montevallo.edu/giving/AnnualFund/CarTags.shtm or contact our office at 205-665-6215.

20

Montevallo Today

April 22. She served as a teacher and school administrator for 36 years and was recognized with many awards. Survivors include her husband, Theodore “Ted” Pritchett, professor of music emeritus at UM.

1972 Arthur “Pete” Wilkins M.Ed. of Bessemer died July 5. He was a retired coach for Jefferson County schools and Miles College and athletic director in Birmingham city schools. He also served as interim athletic director for the Bessemer board of education.

1974 Curtis Perkins, 59, of Birmingham died May 2.

1975

1985

Jimmy Allen Speake M.Ed., 73, of Alexander City died March 13. He was a teacher and school administrator for almost 30 years, most of those years at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City. He was also a member of the Alabama National Guard, serving in Operation Desert Storm.

Terry LeVon Duncan, 49, of Gordo died April 6. He was employed with Johnson Controls for 13 years.

1984 Wesley Reed Emanuel, 53, of the Cayman Islands, formerly of Huntsville, died Aug. 7. He was the manager of electronic media for Government Information Services in the Caymans.

Survivors who are UM alumni include his brother, Rich Emanuel ’82, and Rich’s wife, Renee Emanuel ’82.

6. She was an employee of Chick-fil-A in Five Points South.

CONDOLENCES

1995

1963

Joan Tye Roberts M.Ed., 78, of Birmingham died July 14. She was the administrative assistant emerita in UM’s Division of Academic Affairs, retiring in 1995.

To Robert Chapman of Cropwell on the death of his wife, June Rita Murphy Chapman, July 2. She was a retired oral surgeon assistant.

1997

1972

Craig Sechriest, 38, of Birmingham died May 5. He was a warehouse manager and worked in construction.

To Mary Johnson Brooks of Dothan on the death of her husband, Leo Charles Brooks, March 15.

2007

To the family of Bobby Gene Jenkins, 81, of Jemison, who died April 12. He retired from UM’s physical plant in 1992.

Cynthia Whitney Littleton, 27, of Birmingham died March

YES! As an alumnus, I want to take the lead and give back to the University

ANNUAL FUND. Name Street address

City

State

E-mail

ZIP Graduation year

Home phone

Cell phone

Enclosed is my gift of $25 $50 $100 Other: My check made payable to the UM Foundation is enclosed.

Designate my gift to: Greatest need Restricted to: _____________________________________________ Please charge my MasterCard™, VISA™, Discover™, or AMEX™ (circle one).

Card #: _____________________________________________ 3-digit (4-digit for AMEX) security code: Name on card

Exp. Date

Signature 21

www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Alumni Activities| The East Central Alabama Alumni Club met at the Saugahatchee Country Club in Opelika on March 31.

Dr. John W. Stewart III, president of the University of Montevallo, gave alumni and friends an update on many of the exciting things taking place on the UM campus.

Mike Golden ’80 of Auburn presents Dr. Stewart with a token of appreciation for his speaking and his support.

The Shelby County Scholarship Benefit Bash, an annual favorite among Shelby County alumni and friends, was held April 24 at the John Stewart Student Retreat on the UM campus. More than 80 people were in attendance, and more than $1,500 was raised for the newly renamed Emma Dean Huston Nathews Shelby County Alumni Scholarship (previously the Shelby County Alumni Scholarship).

Pictured, from left: Catherine Legg ’49, Kay Johnson ’62 and Sarah Galloway ’84.

The Shelby County chapter of UM’s National Alumni Association recently changed the name of the scholarship awarded by that chapter to the Emma Dean Huston Nathews Shelby County Alumni Scholarship.

Nathews, an active and supportive alumna of the University of Montevallo for many years, was recognized as “a generous donor, an energetic volunteer, and a good and gracious friend.”

Pictured, from left: Tom Walker ’75, Dean Nathews ’62, Dr. Stewart and Kirk Lightfoot ’76.

NOT SHOWN: The recently reinvigorated River Region Alumni Club hosted more than 70 Montgomery area alumni and friends as the Montgomery Biscuits baseball team took on the Mobile BayBears at Riverwalk Stadium July 14. Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange ’66 was the guest speaker.

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Montevallo Today

More than 75 University of Montevallo alumni and friends of all ages spent the evening of May 17 at the Junior Board Spring Soirée and Silent Auction, held at Aloft in Birmingham’s Soho Square. Guests bid silently on a variety of items donated specifically for this event. In addition to the silent auction, top items are used for a live auction that runs throughout the event. The auction raised more than $4,000 for the Young Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Pictured: Jonathan Wise ’08 and Tiffani Humphries ’98.

A group of more than 20 University of Montevallo alumni and friends from the Dallas area gathered for “An Evening at the Arboretum” July 26 at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Dr. John W. Stewart III, the guest speaker, informed everyone about many of the new initiatives and improvements recently completed and currently underway at the university.

NOT SHOWN: The Junior Board hosted the Young Alumni Social on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Fox & Hound in Birmingham. More than 55 young alumni and friends gathered to socialize and network with other young professionals.

|UPCOMING EVENTS| “The Heidi Chronicles” Oct. 10 - 14 Founders’ Day Oct. 11 Oct. 11 Life Raft Debate Young Alumni Event (see pg. 27 for more info) Oct. 22 Concert Choir Concert Oct. 25 Montevallo Artwalk Oct. 27 Shelby County Fish Fry Oct. 30 Board of Trustees meeting Nov. 2 Jefferson County Art Auction TBD TBD Huntsville Area Alumni Club Nov. 15 Artwalk: Arts & Crafts “RENT” Nov. 15-18 Opera Scenes Nov. 30 -Dec. 1 Choral Christmas Concert Dec. 3

11 a.m.

7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

4 - 8 p.m.

6 p.m.

1:45 p.m.

3-7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

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Reynolds Theatre Palmer Auditorium Palmer Auditorium Soccer Field LeBaron Recital Hall Main Street Stewart Student Retreat Merrill Room Main Street Reynolds Theatre LeBaron Recital Hall LeBaron Recital Hall

www.montevallo.edu/alumni

||Alumni Activities| Words of wisdom for students: I would challenge students to start building their legacy today. Spend time reflecting on how you want to change the world— whether it is the global world, or simply your part of the world you aspire to impact. It is important to start taking action today to achieve your goals and build your legacy.

I think that we all want to leave a footprint on this earth of having made a difference. If we are intentional today on taking small steps to achieve that impact, we have a lifetime to watch the compounding of our actions build a legacy that people will remember us by.

TIM LUPANACCI ’88

Listed in "Best Lawyers in America" Chair of Financial Institutions Advocacy Practice Group at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.

How did Montevallo affect your career choice? Were it not for my caree involvement involve in the SGA, I never would have found fo the path to being a lawyer.

Montevallo Monte gave me the opportunity to serve in i the SGA. That wouldn’t have happened happ at a “big” school. It was an honor to serve the students, but it i was truly a blessing because who w would have thought that one election elec back in 1992 (Freshman Class P President) would have taken me down a road filled with “years rich and fruitful.” fruitfu Montevallo not only affected career path, it affected everything my car my life is today. The word “education” at UM takes on a whole new meaning.

Of course, cou the academic education was excelle excellent, but the real-world education is phen phenomenal! ...When I arrived, I was a long-haired l 18-year-old with an attitude attitud of defiance and no direction.

When I graduated, I was a young adult filled with w the confidence and experience to take on the world! ...There is nothing like a sstroll across campus on a cool fall afterno afternoon! What memories!

WALT MERRELL ’97 WAL Distric Attorney, 22nd Judicial Circuit District Covington County Coving

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Montevallo T Today

What was your favorite aspect of Montevallo? My favorite aspect of UM was that my professors were very accessible to me. They took the time and showed genuine interest in my welfare as a student and a person. I also loved the fact that our college president would routinely eat lunch in the school cafeteria with the students.

SAFIYA BYARS ’99 Founder and Senior Partner, Law Office of Safiya Byars

Who would you like to thank for your success? In my personal life, my wife has been one of my biggest motivators and cheerleaders. Her own scholastic and professional achievements have helped continually push me as well. In school, Harry Hamilton gave me some of the best guidance of any instructor or professor I’ve ever met, and I’m glad to still be able to consider him a mentor and a friend.

ANDREW HEATON ’04 Network Relationship & Account Coordinator, Fenwick & West in Mountain View, Calif.

|Professional Spotlight: Attorneys| Alumni in the law field share a few words Alu How did Montevallo affect your career choice?

Montevallo did for me what college is supposed to do. It gave me the tools to grow. I earned a bachelor of music and master of music education at Montevallo and then went to law school. I often say that I got a good liberal arts education and then went to trade school, and I would do that all over again. I have an amazing life; I am a practicing lawyer with one of the oldest and most well regarded firms in the Southeast, and I am a performing musician. I play with the Davis Piano Quartet, a two piano-eight hand ensemble with fellow UM alumnae Beulah Askins Fowler, Sandra Boykin Nelson, and Cheryl Kiker Walls, that has played to full houses at Carnegie Hall twice, most recently last year.

CAROLYN L. DUNCAN ’71

Listed in "Best Lawyers in America" Partner at Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal LLP

How did Montevallo affect your career choice? My overall liberal arts education, coupled with my accounting major, helped me analyze complex issues and effectively communicate solutions that are needed in the legal field. Also, taking two courses in business law provided me a glimpse of how my competitive nature and constant desire for a challenge could play out in a career.

J. WESLEY FAIN ’06 Corporate Transaction/Commercial Litigation Attorney, Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal LLP

What was your favorite aspect of Montevallo? My favorite aspect of Montevallo was the size. I can’t imagine going to a school where you’re just another number, a warm body filling a seat in a massive lecture hall. At UM, my professors knew (and still know) me and what I liked to do. When I wasn’t in class, I was certain to be questioned by that professor in the cafe at lunch. Plus, the size makes it more fun to go back.

It doesn’t matter what alumni group is meeting, I’m bound to know somebody just because it’s Montevallo!

How did Montevallo affect your career choice?

After being told by certain persons in high school that I would not be able to achieve my goals because of my background, my UM advisors, professors, and classmates made sure I achieved my goals despite any obstacle; their support never faltered.

AHRIAN TYLER DUDLEY ’87 Executive Director & General Counsel Attorney, Smith Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

DAN MCBRAYER ’08 Assistant District Attorney Fourth Judicial Circuit, Selma

If you would like to nominate someone for the Alumni Profile (located on page 14) or for the new Professional Spotlight, please email us at today@montevallo.edu The next profession to be featured will be Accounting.

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www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Alumni Activities|

|Olympics Day 2012| The University of Montevallo campus was a beehive of activity Aug. 4 as Olympics Day got underway for the 45th year. The day began early with the 7th annual Hope Bryant Smith Memorial 5K Run and 1-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk/Stroller Stride. Runners gathered at the McChesney Student Activity Center for the 8 a.m. start and ran through the rolling hills of Rayfaire Farms, returning to the SAC to cross the finish line.

Overall alumni winners were Dan McBrayer and Donna England. Overall non-alumni winners were Jeff Clark and Sally Evenden.

Winners were also recognized in age divisions ranging from 15 and under to 70 and over. Female winners were: 15 and under, Payton Ross; 16-19,

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Montevallo Today

Olivia Smith; 20-29, Rachel Willingham; 30-39, Jenifer Moore; 40-49, Holly Wilson; 50-55, Micki Haralson; 56-59, Debbie Tanju; 60-65, Maureen Mayfield; and 70 and over, Priscilla Davis.

Male winners in each division were: 15 and under, Alex Franck; 16-19, James Wagner; 20-29, Cody Bennett; 30-39, John Dean; 40-49, Scott Butler; 50-55, Van Nelson; 60-65, Jerry Smith; 66-69, Charles Amos Thompson; 70 and over, Jack Ganus.

Proceeds from the run go to an endowed scholarship at UM in memory of Hope Bryant Smith ’71, an avid runner, tri-athlete and volunteer for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Smith died of breast cancer in 2003.

Teams of two teed off for the golf tournament at the Montevallo Golf

Course. Mike Murphy and George Walker were first-place winners with a gross score of 56. Bobby McClung and Tim Sherrer received second place.

The first-place team (net score) was Lee Glasgow and Chris Reyer. Sherrer had the longest drive, and Reyer won the closest-to-the-pin competition.

Other golf winners were Andy and Linda King, second place (net); Jim and John Bush, third place (net); Greg and Seth Aderholt, fourth place (net); and Paul Doran and Andy McGinnis, fifth place (net).

In tennis, the doubles team of Amanda Waldrup and Joel Harris overcame the team of Andrew Battista and Blakey Crowe in two sets by a score of 7-6 and 6-2.

|Junior Board| Officers

President Patrick McDonald ’01 Vice President Julie Harbin ’00 Treasurer Jeff Purvis ’02 Secretary Dana Wright Marshall ’06 Social Chair Dan McBrayer ’08

www.facebook.com/UMyoungalumni

Directors

Eddie Baker ’04 Zach Banks ’08 Jason Booi ’04 David Clemons ’03 Reagan Denson ’03 Matthew Fridy ’98 Amanda Golden ’07 Andrew Heaton ’04 Blake Hudson ’02 Tiffani Humphries ’98 Greg Lee ’99 Terra Moody ’06 Tiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00 Lindsey Sherrill ’07 Kaci Slaughter ’09 Christopher Willis ’07 Christopher Winslett ’04

The UM Junior Board of Directors invites young alumni and friends to

ALUMNI NIGHT at the Falcons Soccer Game October 22, 2012 UM Soccer Field

Bring the family out for an evening of fun & games for all ages at 5:30 p.m.

Game starts at 7:30 p.m.

UM students (from left) Katie Scott and Kaleigh Grefseng help with Move-In Day Aug. 23. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members pitched in to welcome new students and help them settle into their residence hall rooms.