1960s Ronald Richmond (’68), Richmond, Virginia, has completed more than 51 years of federal service that includes two years’ Army service. Currently, he is a senior human resources specialist supporting the Policy and Audit Office, Human Capital Office, Internal Revenue Service.
1970s Judy Goodwin (’70, ’72), Murfreesboro, principal of Barfield Elementary School, was celebrated by her school with a crown and scepter after being named Principal of the Year for Rutherford County Schools. Lana Seivers (’72), Murfreesboro, was named Linda Gilbert Advocate of the Year for her service in the classroom and school administration, her tenure as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education, and her decade as dean of MTSU’s College of Education before retiring recently. Now dean emerita, Seivers earned her bachelor’s at MTSU before completing master’s and doctoral degrees. Cynthia Jenkins (’74), Landrum, South Carolina, received the 2021 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Preservation, the highest preservation honor given by South Carolina, for her 52 MTSU Magazine
efforts to preserve the architectural and cultural history of the Lowcountry in her role as executive director of the Historic Beaufort Foundation.
1980s Mary Tim McHaffie Cook (’80), Shelbyville, was chosen in May as Teacher of the Year at Southside Elementary and District Teacher of the Year for Bedford County. Cook has taught for almost 40 years at Southside (her former elementary school). Benita Jenkins Anderson (’82), Lynwood, Illinois, a retired secondary education specialist, developed STRETCH Educational Training and Support and currently conducts training sessions for pre-K through post-secondary teachers and other instructional staff. Her mission is to curb the national teacher shortage by stimulating interest in careers in education among students. Benjamin “Chris” Harris (’83), Murfreesboro, a star on the Blue Raider basketball team that upset Kentucky in the 1982 NCAA Tournament, was named the first full-time athletic director for Rutherford County Schools. Harris has been an educator for over 30 years.
Reza Baktar Baktar (’85) won an Emmy award at the 42nd annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards in the category of Outstanding Direction: News for his work on Election Week in America. Baktar has spent the last 20 years with CNN, designing and implementing shows, directing debates and special events, and leading the network directors. Also a winner at the 34th annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards, Baktar previously helped ABC News launch and support the Special Events 24/7 unit. He also helped implement programs and shows for ABC News and the ABC News Now streaming network.
