Piedmont Journal | Summer 2022 by Piedmont University

PIEDMONT

SUMMER 2022

THE PLACE THAT MADE US A Tribute to Piedmont’s Campuses | Page 26

GIVING A LITTLE HELPS A LOT With your giving, I was able to pursue both track and field and forensic studies without having to give one up, which I most likely would have had to do if I went somewhere else. - Branden Burley '24

Ways to Give • Gift • Pledge • Stock • Monthly check draft • Matching gift by employer A N N UA L G I V I N G C A M PA I G N

Give online at piedmont.edu/giving 2

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Contents

SUMMER 2022

Features 6

Gala

Town and Gown

The Tradition Continues

First-ever Yonahian Society Gala honored top donors

Mayor Jerry Harkness ’07 wants Demorest and Piedmont to have a closer relationship

Three generations of the McCoy-Ward family have earned Piedmont degrees

Babcock at 80

Across the Pond

Lions (Still) in Love

Babcock Hall opened in 1942 and became “GB” almost 20 years later

Amari Price ’20 wows crowds on the basketball court in the U.K.

Ginny ’68 and David Abbott ’67 have been married for 55 years

04 A word from the President

25 Lillian E. Smith Center update

58 Katie's Corner

05 Letter from the Editor

56 A note from Hobbs

62 Class News & Notes

On the cover: Piedmont’s new name got a high-profile spot on the pedestrian bridge. See story, page 26.

Trustee Chairman Thomas A. "Gus" Arrendale III

Journal is published for alumni and friends of Piedmont University by the office of University Advancement. Correspondence may be directed to journal@piedmont.edu.

Vice President of University Advancement K. Craig Rogers

President Dr. James F. Mellichamp

Editor/Director of Marketing & Communications Rachel Pleasant Photography Kasey Brookshire

Contributing writers Rebecca Brantley Katie Deal Comeau ’02 Terrie Ellerbee ’95 Bill Gabelhausen Zackary Hoopaugh Tiffany Long Danielle Percival

Send address changes to: University Advancement or piedmont.edu/updateinfo Piedmont University @PiedmontGA @PiedmontUniversity

A Tribute to the

Place That Made Us

You’ll also read about Lane Hall, one of the most unique buildings on campus and a source of inspiration for students and employees alike.

o much has changed since I first stepped foot on Piedmont’s Demorest campus more than 40 years ago. Dirt has been moved and property lines redrawn. Buildings have been renovated — and, in some cases, replaced altogether. Swaths of land have given way to state-ofthe-art facilities. All the while, we’ve pushed ahead, driven always by our vision for the Piedmont of tomorrow. In this edition of Journal, we pause to reflect on our progress and to appreciate our surroundings — the place that made us the institution and the individuals that we are today. The pages that follow contain a look back on Babcock Hall, which this year marks its 80th anniversary. Babcock was made possible by a gift from Cora A. Babcock of Cooperstown, New York. Babcock was dedicated in 1942, becoming only the second permanent building on campus. Originally housing female students, it became a men’s dormitory following World War II to serve a large influx of male students attending Piedmont on the G.I. Bill. In 1961, a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Kendall G. Getman of Albany, New York, allowed for the construction of the Getman wing and the renovation of the Babcock wing, and the building became a dormitory for female residents once again. Mrs. Getman was Cora Babcock’s sister. Together, the Babcocks and Getmans created a home away from home for generations of Piedmont students. Regarding housing, we also provide an update on renovations to Purcell and an inside look at Mystic, our largest residence hall yet, which opens for students this fall.

Of course, one of the most significant changes in Piedmont’s 125-year history is the addition of the Athens campus, which provides expanded access to our unique value proposition. No celebration of Piedmont’s physical footprint would be complete without a tribute to Athens. We also share stories of Piedmont alumni who have gone on to become leaders of their fields and their communities, including Jerry Harkness, the recently elected mayor of Demorest. We look forward to working closely with Jerry in the years ahead to continue building a better campus and city for us all. You’ll also enjoy our special athletics section, which includes stories about the many sets of siblings who’ve represented Piedmont and a look ahead to the return of cheerleading, as well as our continued print celebration of Piedmont’s 125th anniversary. Wherever your life has taken you, whatever you’ve done since graduating from Piedmont, what we all have in common is this place — which will forever be in our hearts. It is the place that made us. Enjoy,

James F. Mellichamp, President

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Letter from the Editor W

elcome, readers, to another edition of Journal. This time around, we celebrate the gift of our campuses, both Demorest, with its idyllic red-brick buildings and Appalachian views, and Athens, with its modern architecture and city vibe.

Whether you just graduated or turned your tassels decades ago, I’m sure you can still remember that one spot on campus that felt like your very own. Maybe it was a table in the far corner of the Arrendale Library, or the top steps of Daniel, where you’d meet a friend after class, or a bench under a perfectly shady tree near the quad. That spot is where you dreamed and laughed, stressed about finals, caught your breath at the end of a challenging semester, took photos after graduation, and left a piece of yourself, even after life took you far from Piedmont. That’s what we’re celebrating in this edition: the connections we share with this place we all once called home. For me, that spot is Hobbs House. Inside these cozy walls, I found the space to be creative, a team of like-minded professionals who give their best to Piedmont every day, and what I love most: stories just waiting to be told. I found a place that makes me say every day, “This is where I’m supposed to be.” Hobbs will forever be part of me, and for that, I am forever grateful. As you read this edition and memories of your favorite spot come to mind, please share by sending us a letter to the editor. We’d love to publish your letter in a future edition. See information on how to contact us below. Thank you and enjoy,

Letter to the Editor Guy Fouts ’66 recently submitted this letter to Katie Deal Comeau ’02, director of alumni engagement and development and author of Katie’s Corner. In his letter, Fouts references an article about Walter Scruggs, a Piedmont student who died in 1965 at the age of 19, that appeared in the Summer 2021 edition of Journal. Dear Katie, I do not remember if I sent you or Mark Elam (assistant vice president of development and alumni relations) a thank-you note, but I do so now for the Piedmont Journals that you sent to me. I did share them with Walter Scruggs’ family members. That was a great article about Walter, and it brought back many memories of Walter, my roommate, and Piedmont College. Walter would come to our room and Dave Dowding, my roommate, would help him with his math. He was a joy to know — no one could have done better to break the color barrier at the college. I never met a finer young man in my life, and I felt then as I do now that he was a blessing to so many then and even to today’s students who never knew him. Please share the enclosed picture with Mark Elam and Ron Wagner, who did such a great job writing a beautiful piece. Sincerely, Guy Fouts ’66

Rachel Pleasant, Editor

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS We welcome letters on any topic covered in Journal. They should be limited to 150 words, refer to a subject from the most recent issue, and include the writer’s name, city/state, and class year/degree (if applicable). Your notes may be emailed to journal@piedmont.edu. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor and may be edited for length and clarity.

Piedmont College, Fall 1965, left to right: David Dowding, Walter Scruggs, and Guy Fouts PI EDMON T J O U R NAL

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A Yonahian Celebration Piedmont Honored Top Donors at First-Ever Yonahian Society Gala

Trustee Kimberly Melton waves hello to fellow Yonahian Gala attendees. 1

From left, Trustee James Sievers ’63 chats with Stefanie Watkins Couch ’07 and Jane Johnson ’09.

iedmont University’s first-ever Yonahian Society Gala took place April 22 at the Swanson Center for Performing Arts & Communications at the Demorest campus. The Yonahian Society is comprised of donors who give $1,000 or more annually to the institution.

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President Dr. James F. Mellichamp and Trustee Dock Sisk ’72 share a laugh after the announcement of a new endowed scholarship in honor of Sisk.

Lee Epting, founder of Epting Events, which catered the event, catches up with Dr. Wallace Hinson, associate dean of the School of Fine Arts and director of the Piedmont Conservatory of Music.

Trustee Walter Crowder and wife Kathy make their grand entrance.

Throughout the evening, attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner, a heartwarming video produced by and featuring Piedmont students, and remarks by 2022 Yonahian Society Chairs Parks and Cathy Miller. President James F. Mellichamp also announced a new endowed scholarship

Parks Miller ’00 MPA (center) and his wife, Cathy, were co-chairs of the Yonahian Society Committee.

Barbara Strain was recognized during the gala as one of three new members of the Piedmont University Board of Trustees. (See story, page 61)

created by Board Chairman Gus Arrendale in honor of Vice Chairman Dock Sisk. Attendees included newly elected Mayor of Demorest and Piedmont alumnus Jerry Harkness ’07, former Georgia Gov. and First Lady Nathan and Sandra Deal, Tallulah Falls School President Dr. Larry Peevy, and several members of the Piedmont Board of Trustees.

From left, Abby Jackson ’84, Tammy Caudell and Judge Chan Caudell, and John Jackson.

The Budd Group, Piedmont University Alumni Association, and Shook’s Landscape, Maintenance, & Irrigation. Thank you to our sponsors and Yonahian Society members! Plans are already underway for the 2023 gala — stay tuned! To join the Yonahian Society, visit piedmont.edu/giving-to-piedmont-university.

The evening was made possible through generous sponsorships from Kelly Tours, Carroll Daniel Construction, Beck Design, PI PIEDMON EDMONT T JJO OU UR RNAL NAL

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Roaring GOOD TIME A

First-Ever LionFest Was a Fun-Filled Event for All

iedmont’s first-ever LionFest provided a full day of entertainment to students and members of the local community.

Presented in conjunction with the Habersham Chamber of Commerce, LionFest took place at the Arrendale Amphitheatre on the Demorest campus on April 23. The day’s festivities included performances by the Ivan Duke Band, student band the Mayflower Maniacs, and live karaoke featuring students, alumni, and Piedmont friends.

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Attendees also enjoyed browsing numerous food and drink vendors, including Chick-fil-A, El Pilon Dominicano, The Southern Grape, Pattykakes, Nosh, and Temperance Public House. A wide variety of arts and crafts vendors sold jewelry, vintage clothing, pottery, and more. Many thanks to Tallulah Falls School, Oliver & Weidner Attorneys at Law, Chick-fil-A Cornelia, Full Moon Sales, the Piedmont University Alumni Association, and North Main Credit Union for sponsoring the event.

Interested in participating in next year’s LionFest? Email pfountain@ piedmont.edu for more information.

Congrats, Spring Commencement Ceremonies

Grads! We could not be prouder of our graduates. It is always an honor to celebrate with our graduates and their families, and to officially welcome them into the Piedmont University alumni family. – President Dr. James F. Mellichamp

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A NEW CLASS OF STUDENTS OFFICIALLY BECAME PIEDMONT UNIVERSITY ALUMNI WHEN THEY GRADUATED ON MAY 6. “We could not be prouder of our graduates. It is always an honor to celebrate with our graduates and their families, and to officially welcome them into the Piedmont University alumni family,” said President Dr. James F. Mellichamp. Here is a closer look at the spring 2022 graduating class: • The class included 381 graduates. •G raduates represented 11 states, including Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. •D egrees conferred included the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching, Education Specialist, and Doctor of Education. During the undergraduate ceremony, Piedmont University conferred an honorary Doctor of Education on Sandra Deal, pictured at left with Board of Trustees Chairman Gus Arrendale and President Dr. James F. Mellichamp, in recognition of her many years of service to education. Deal taught in Georgia public schools for 15 years. During her role as the state’s First Lady, from 2011 to 2019, Deal read to students in each of the state’s 159 counties, visiting more than 1,000 schools to promote literacy and student achievement. Deal is married to former Gov. Nathan Deal. Deal was unable to attend the ceremony. Her children, Jason Deal, Katie Deal Comeau ’02, and Carrie Deal Wilder, accepted the honorary degree on her behalf. The guest speaker for the graduate ceremony was Metro Atlanta Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Katie Kirkpatrick. Several days prior to the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies, Piedmont hosted a special athletics commencement ceremony. The event gave student-athletes involved in post-season play, who were scheduled to compete during the university’s commencement exercises, the chance to celebrate with their families. Congratulations, Class of 2022! PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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MELLICHAMP FAMILY ESTABLISHES SCHOLARSHIP HONORING BROTHER’S LOVE FOR SCIENCE, EDUCATION By Rachel Pleasant President Mellichamp recalled that his brother would often bring science experiments home from school. “I can distinctly remember my mother being totally shocked to find frogs in suspended animation in our freezer,” he said.

Stuart Mellichamp

Piedmont University students aspiring to become scientists or science educators will benefit from a new $200,000 endowed scholarship the Mellichamp family has established in honor of their late brother, Stuart, who passed away Sept. 18, 2021, at the age of 77. “I think he would be quite touched to know that subsequent generations of students are pursuing their quest for knowledge as a result of this scholarship,” said Piedmont President Dr. James F. Mellichamp. Stuart Mellichamp caught the “science bug” as a student at Toccoa High School. “He was fortunate to have a number of high school teachers who were graduates of Piedmont,” President Mellichamp said. “I feel certain that’s where he developed his interest in science and decided to pursue science and science education degrees.” 12

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Stuart Mellichamp went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Georgia. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, he worked as a science instructor at Hillcrest High School (Simpsonville, South Carolina). He also taught at Clemson University, where he completed additional postgraduate studies, and was an instructor at Greenville Technical College. He retired in 2012 after helping multiple generations of students acquire an appreciation of science. “My three brothers and I somehow naturally gravitated to careers in teaching, most likely because our parents instilled a great love of reading and learning in us from an early age. Stuart had a real passion for teaching and was successful in passing that passion along to several generations of science students,” President Mellichamp said. “He had a wonderfully apt saying for his students: More things are missed from not looking than from not knowing. He spent 40 years helping his protégés learn to look.” In addition to President Mellichamp and his husband Daniel Smith, Stuart is

I think he would be quite touched to know that subsequent generations of students are pursuing their quest for knowledge as a result of this scholarship.

survived by his brother Duncan, a retired professor of chemical engineering at the University of California Santa Barbara, and his wife Suzanne Mellichamp, both of Santa Barbara, California; and his brother Joseph, a retired professor of management science at the University of Alabama, and his wife Peggy Mellichamp, both of Johns Creek, Georgia. The Stuart P. Mellichamp Endowed Science Scholarship will benefit two students each year who are majoring in the sciences, have a strong interest in science education or research, are starting their final year of studies, have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and entered Piedmont University as first-time-in-college students. “Although he was never a student here, Stuart was proud of the relationship that students at Piedmont have with their professors. He commented numerous times about how fortunate they were. That’s something that is rare at large public universities nowadays,” President Mellichamp said. For more information on scholarships at Piedmont University, visit piedmont.edu/scholarships.

As announced in the last issue of Journal, Piedmont University will mark its quasquicentennial — its 125th anniversary — in September 2022. To continue celebrating this significant milestone, the next several editions of Journal will include a collection of photos from the university’s history. This edition features images from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. These three decades were a time of cultural transformation in America, marked by the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and nationwide economic turmoil. Through it all, Piedmont thrived. The photos tell the story of Piedmont’s cultural renewal as well, highlighting the expansion of student activities and intercollegiate athletics programs, as well as the continued development of an exceptional and comprehensive curriculum. The photos also illustrate the university’s growing student body, increased campus diversity, and successful efforts to enhance the student experience. They depict a university that helps students find themselves and reach their peak potential, inside and outside of the classroom — an endeavor that continues to be at the forefront of Piedmont’s mission. Special thanks to Dean of Libraries and College Librarian Bob Glass for his assistance in assembling this photo essay. Let’s take a look back…

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125 Years in Photos

Members of the 1978 cheerleading squad pose in formation during a basketba ll game.

s for a team picture. The 1974 baseball team pose “a winning season.” s, read k A caption on the bac

Players for the 1981 Piedmont Lions battle for the ball in a game against Shorter University (formerly Shorter College).

Students study and check out books from the library in 1977.

ual Field Day tradition in 196

Students participate in the ann 14

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Daniel Hall and Patten Library on a snowy day in 1965.

Students from Piedmont’s 1980 Science Club examine specimens through a microscope.

A flier used to promo te a campus concert in 19 70.

Three students climb a tree in front of Lake Demorest in 1968.

team poses The men’s golf ve in 1976. Ca h with Coac

Peirce, bs II and the Rev. Dr. Jesse P. Former Trustee Dr. James Hob 1981. in t mon Pied telescope gifted to former Chaplain, pose with a

Athletes from the 19 80 women’s track and fie ld team pose in front of Lane Hall (formerly the gym ). PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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TOWN AND GOWN Alumnus and Mayor Jerry Harkness Seeks Closer Relationship for Piedmont and Demorest By Terrie Ellerbee ’95

he relationship between Piedmont University and its home city of Demorest began more than 125 years ago. With Demorest founded in 1889 and Piedmont in 1897, the two entities have grown up together.

Harkness has a similar attitude about the mayor’s office, though the role as defined by Demorest has little power. The mayor organizes and oversees city council meetings and votes only when needed to break a tie.

Their close relationship enters a new phase with new Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness ’07. After serving six years on the Demorest City Council, he was elected mayor last fall. He wants “town and gown” to come together for the good of everyone.

For Harkness, the real power of the office is in setting a precedent for positive relationships.

“I want Demorest to have a great relationship with the university. We should work together on every project and have a fluid relationship, with each of us wanting the best for the other,” Harkness said. “Piedmont has a lot to offer. It is a beautiful campus that we can hold onto and tie back to. I want Piedmont and Demorest to use each other’s resources.”

Piedmont University alumni Jerry and Meredith Harkness, along with son Hunter, have built a life in Demorest. With Jerry’s recent election as mayor, they are working to build an even closer relationship between the city and university.

His wife and 2006 Piedmont alumna Meredith said Jerry has always been genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of others. “He knows the people in our small town and treats everyone like family. Jerry is quick to forgive and give others the benefit of the doubt,” she said. “He loves to laugh and make people smile. There is never a dull moment in his presence.”

The Mayor’s Real Power

Jerry lives a life of public service, not politicking. Meredith said the difference is in the heart of the person.

Along with his experience in local government, Harkness brings a real estate background to the mayor’s office. His day-job title is commercial director of sales for Keller Williams Lanier Partners. He helped 95 clients with their needs last year. At the office, he provides guidance and leadership.

“A public servant makes sacrifices to give of their time to better their community. Jerry has volunteered his time for many years in different capacities,” she said.

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As two examples, Jerry is a deacon at the family’s church, and together with Meredith, he served on the board of directors for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Focus on Family Meredith and Jerry both majored in business at Piedmont and had classes together. He was drawn to the softball player, and while she found him persistent and funny, she needed some convincing.

I want Demorest to have a great relationship with the university. We should work together on every project and have a fluid relationship, with each of us wanting the best for the other.

She remembers their dates at local restaurants. “He would stop and speak to everyone not because he had to, but because he wanted to,” Meredith said. “I didn’t grow up in a small town. It made an impression on me that so many people knew him.” Meredith, who owns Blue Willow Home & Gifts in Demorest, on the same street as the university, said Jerry has a way of making everyone feel important.

The couple has a 5-year-old son. Jerry wants the same things for him that he had growing up in Demorest. “We really focus on family and make sure that everybody is taken care of and loved and welcome here,” Harkness said. “I want it always to be a place where families and workingclass people can thrive. That is very important to me.”

“It’s one of my favorite qualities about him,” she said. “He treats people respectfully.”

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FIRST-GENERATION

SUCCESS

Cale Padgett’s Story Is a Study in Where Education Can Take You

ale Padgett ’09 was the first in his family to attend college. Today, Padgett is lead director of gift planning for Emory University in Atlanta, and he just became the youngest member of Piedmont’s Newell Society, which is comprised of alumni and friends who designate the university as a beneficiary of their estate

By Terrie Ellerbee ’95

The Waleska, Georgia, native’s journey from first-generation student to his position at Emory — and in life — is proof that you never know where your education will take you. Padgett’s parents did not attend college, but both his mom and dad believed in the power of education. They were “the force” encouraging him to pursue higher education. Piedmont recruited Padgett, who played golf in high school. He figured joining the golf team would be an easy way to make friends — and Piedmont wanted him. That, he said “made all the difference.” He wanted to be in radio broadcasting and was able to experience that in his first year at Piedmont. He announced basketball, baseball, and softball games, and he hosted a talk radio show called “The Power Hour” during which he discussed sports and other topics.

Cale Padgett with his wife, Lauren, and their son, Silas.

“I think that was probably the biggest draw for me because I could come in as a freshman and immediately take the classes that I wanted to take,” he said. “I didn’t have to wait until my junior and senior years.” After graduation, Padgett worked for WNGA-FM in Helen, a small tourist town not far from Piedmont. A health condition soon caused him to stop working. He refers to the year he was out of the workforce as “house arrest.” “After that, I was just trying to take any job I could get,” he said.

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If you have already designated Piedmont as a beneficiary of your estate, or if you would like more information about bequests, charitable gift annuities, or trusts, please contact Assistant Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations Mark Elam at melam@piedmont.edu.

Major Achievements Though he played just one season at Piedmont, Padgett enjoyed golf, and when he struggled to get work in broadcasting, he turned his attention back to the sport. He worked as a sales representative for TaylorMade Golf Clubs for a while. Then he became a golf coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College and continued his education there. A business law professor noticed how well Padgett grasped the material and suggested he take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Padgett did and he scored well. He had never thought about a law degree, but it appealed to him because many universities hire attorneys as athletic directors. He got a full-ride scholarship to the University of Oklahoma College of Law. At OU, Padgett not only attained his Juris Doctor but also achieved a Master of Business Administration (MBA). “As far as anybody I talked to in the registrar’s office knows, I was the first person ever at the University of Oklahoma to graduate law school with an MBA in three years,” he said. The motivation behind Padgett’s educational success was money. He didn’t have any. “I was on scholarships and working as a grad assistant for a stipend. If I could take those extra classes, I could get into the workforce a year faster,” he said. “I could get a job and pay the bills. I was taking 20, 21 credit hours a semester sometimes.” Padgett didn’t make the Dean’s List, but getting those degrees was all that mattered. He also got a scholarship to study abroad and landed an international internship at the London School of Economics. After a short stint at Colorado State University, the kid from Waleska was on his way to London. “It was a huge thing for me to see something different. Oklahoma had been a new thing for me, too. I hadn’t

Cale Padgett called games when he was a student at Piedmont University and had his own radio show called “The Power Hour.”

really been west of the Mississippi much in my life before that,” Padgett said. “It’s my hope that I can make enough money to fund study-abroad programs for students because that was such a big thing for me.” Before Emory, Padgett worked at the Kansas State University Foundation for more than three years in a role similar to his current job in planned giving. He helped raise almost $20 million while there. Though he may not directly see the impact on students, he does revel in the joy donors express. “People are grateful to have the opportunity to help. They are happy you call because it is something they’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “I have donors who run up and hug me. You’re their connection to the university, to something they love.” As his career meandered and then took off, Padgett never forgot Piedmont. He describes his personal planned giving as “a way for me to start that process of giving back to the university.” “Piedmont gave me an opportunity to do things that I would never have been able to do, and I want other students to have that same access — to have their own radio show, to broadcast games, whatever it may be,” he said. “I would encourage others to give back and support the great work that’s being done at the university.”

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Piedmont Alumna Has Worked with the Atlanta Braves, Falcons, United By Rachel Pleasant

hen Jan White ’11 looks back on her time at Piedmont University and all that she’s been able to do in hospitality management since graduating — including positions with the Atlanta Braves and the owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United — these are the words that come to her mind: “For me, Piedmont University was the perfect stepping stone.” Growing up in Pennsylvania, White was always interested in and enthusiastic about athletics, especially tennis. In addition to playing high school and college tennis, she also coached at her local country club and recreational department. “I just love the athletic environment, the energy and the excitement,” she said. “I decided early on I wanted to make a career of it.” She earned a bachelor’s degree in international business with a minor in Spanish, with aspirations of one day working for the U.S. Olympic Committee. While that path didn’t pan out for her, White remained determined to break into the industry. “Then I saw this ad for a graduate assistantship in coaching tennis at a place called Piedmont,” she said. “It would allow me to do some collegiate coaching and get my Master of Business Administration. I decided to give it a shot.” A few weeks later, White was both hired and enrolled, and she was headed south. “It was a great experience. I coached both the men’s and women’s teams, which allowed me to get my foot in the door of college sports while I was also getting my MBA. It ended up being the perfect segue for my career,” she said.

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Piedmont alumna Jan White has had a successful career in the hospitality industry, including positions with the Atlanta Braves and the owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. She recently began work as the annual giving and events manager and tennis coach at Whitefield Academy in Atlanta.

Next Stop, Turner Field As she was finishing up her position and degree at Piedmont, White applied to be a part-time guest relations elevator attendant at Turner Field, former home of the Atlanta Braves. It was a position that would open doors — and not just in the literal sense. “I gave it my all and soaked up everything I could,” she said. “Before I knew it, I was promoted to a VIP ambassador, which is like a game-day tour guide. I gave behindthe-scenes tours to families from all over the world. It helped shape my understanding of the organization.” In her work as a VIP ambassador, White drew on her experiences giving tours of Piedmont to prospective student-athletes and their families. “Tours were one of the things I was responsible for during my assistantship,” she said. “I learned how to personalize the tour experience and make the most of the one-onone time we had with each studentathlete. That translated to my work with the Braves. Everything crossed over really well to the real world.” White’s growth with the Braves continued beyond her VIP ambassador role. During her seven years with the team, she climbed her way to guest services manager, a position that involved overseeing more than 150 frontline staff members responsible for guest services, pregame parades, servicing premium clubs and suites as well as the Braves family lounge, and numerous other aspects of the gameday experience. “Frontline workers are responsible for providing the shine and the sparkle on event day. It takes everyone, from the ushers to the ticket takers, from the people providing wheelchair service to those working in the guest service booths, to provide an outstanding experience,” she said.

“I was involved in recruiting, hiring, and training those associates, and then supporting them to make sure they were prepared and empowered to do their best every day.” From There, Mercedes-Benz Stadium After seven great years with the Braves, White landed a new position as manager of guest service, training and engagement with Arthur M. Blank Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. Her new office: Mercedes-Benz Stadium. “I love to be challenged. This would be a chance to experience other sports, concerts, and to help open a new stadium,” she said. “It was a chance to up my game as a leader.” In her new position, White was ultimately responsible for more than 750 part-time frontline employees. Her work earned her a promotion to assistant director of guest and team member services as well as the organization’s Frontline Hero award. During her time with the organization, she also helped to develop and implement COVID protocols for frontline team members. “It was an incredible experience. That job required me to operate on a whole other level and to meet very high expectations,” she said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity.” In 2021, White decided to take some time to focus on herself and her family. In mid-2022, she accepted a position as the annual giving and events manager and tennis coach at Whitefield Academy, a private, Christian college-prep school in Atlanta. The position allows White to continue doing what she loves most: Make a difference by being a helpful, friendly presence in the lives of others. “The world is a tough place. I want to make a difference, to give back and be a light in someone’s life,” she said.

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THE

TRADITION CONTINUES

Family’s Third Generation Graduates from Piedmont By Rachel Pleasant

new chapter was added to the McCoyWard family’s long relationship with Piedmont University this May, when a third generation crossed the commencement stage. “Allyson is our first grandchild to graduate from college. My wife and I worked hard to instill the importance of education,” said Richard McCoy ’70. “I am so proud of Allyson, and I am proud that we share this connection to Piedmont.” Piedmont ‘Offered Everything I Needed’ Richard McCoy, the son of a military veteran, was born in California and lived in several states before his family finally settled in Mount Airy in 1960. By 1964, as a junior at South Habersham High School, he’d met Evelyn, who three years later would become his wife. “We were married in 1967, during my freshman year at Piedmont. Evelyn was from Habersham, and didn’t want to leave,” Richard McCoy said. “This is where we decided to build our life. “It was possible because Piedmont offered everything that I needed.” Richard McCoy earned his bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in psychology. The credential allowed him to begin working his way up the ladder at Habersham Metal Products, a maker of steel doors and windows.

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For the McCoy-Ward family, Piedmont University is a tradition. In May 2022, Allyson Ward, center, became the third generation to earn a Piedmont degree, following her grandfather, Richard McCoy and mother Shelby McCoy Ward.

Piedmont has meant so much to me. Piedmont listened to what I needed. I had opportunities to lead here. I wasn’t afraid to try — and even to fail — because I knew everyone here supported me.

“I began working in production, working a full eight-hour night shift so that I could go to school during the day,” he said. With his degree, he eventually became safety, health, and environmental director at the company. Most important, his gradually progressive roles allowed him to support his growing family, which by 1970 included Shelby McCoy Ward, his first-born and a future Piedmont graduate. ‘It’s Not If, It’s Where You’ll Go to College’ Growing up here in Habersham County, Shelby McCoy Ward knew from an early age that college — and likely Piedmont University — would be part of her future. “When my parents would talk about college, it wasn’t ‘if’ I was going, it was ‘where,’” said Shelby McCoy Ward. “They always believed in the importance of advancing your education.” With a father, aunt, and uncle who had attended Piedmont — Thomas and Susan McCoy, Richard’s brother and sister, graduated in 1967 and 1971, respectively — Piedmont was woven into the family’s fabric. “We used to drive by here all the time. Back then, it wasn’t nearly as big,” said Shelby McCoy Ward. “Piedmont was always part of our family.”

When she enrolled, she understood, firsthand, why Piedmont meant so much to her family. “I liked the small environment. I could relate to things because of my family’s connections to Piedmont,” Shelby McCoy Ward said. “It’s a very special place, and it’s special to me that I was able to get the education that would allow me to build my career and family, all right here in Habersham County.” Shelby McCoy Ward graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a minor in secondary education. She spent 16 years teaching math at North Georgia Technical College, where she now serves as dean for adult education. “I’m Part of the Piedmont Club” Like her mother, Allyson Ward always envisioned herself at Piedmont. “I really never thought about it,” said Allyson Ward, who graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. “I just knew. I wanted to be just like my mom.” After graduating from Habersham Central High, Allyson Ward followed in her mother’s footsteps, straight to the Demorest campus. While she followed her mother to Piedmont, from the very start, Piedmont was a good fit for her, as an individual with her own unique aspirations.

“Piedmont has meant so much to me. Piedmont listened to what I needed. I had opportunities to lead here. I wasn’t afraid to try — and even to fail — because I knew everyone here supported me,” she said. During high school, Allyson Ward was introduced to the study of genetics, and she was “just beside herself” with how much she liked it. At Piedmont, she continued studying genetics, even investigating a new lineage of salamanders. In addition to her work in the classroom, she served as secretary of the Chemistry Club and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. Allyson Ward, who is also excitedly planning her wedding, said that with her Piedmont degree, she can go anywhere she wants — and that is exactly what she intends to do. She plans to become a physician’s assistant. “I want to help people and serve others. I love science and medicine. My plan is to put my passions together and be the best version of myself I can be,” she said. Whether she’ll one day have a child who attends Piedmont is anyone’s guess, Allyson Ward said, but she’s proud to have carried the Piedmont tradition on in her family for a third generation. “I didn’t always realize how special it was to be part of my family’s Piedmont club, but now I get it,” she said. “I’m proud to have walked the same path as the people I admire most in my life.”

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‘It All Started at PIEDMONT’ Alumna Tells Stories of Pandemic’s Impact on Students

By Rachel Pleasant

Piedmont University alumna Karen Shayne returned to campus in Spring 2022 to premier UNTOLD: The Campus Diaries, a storytelling exhibit dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues among college students. There was no better location for the event, Shayne said, “because it all started at Piedmont.” A Demorest native who graduated from Habersham Central High School, Shayne earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Piedmont and went on to lead a successful career as a social worker and, later, a healthcare administrator, developing retirement and assisted living communities. She now lives in Nashville, Tennessee. After her retirement in 2012, Shayne started searching for a new passion, something that would allow her to dedicate the rest of her life to helping others. “I had been working with cancer survivors, and I am a cancer survivor as well. What fascinated me was the stories of their diagnoses, treatments, and what they were doing after cancer, how they had moved forward after tragedy,” Shayne said. She eventually partnered with Canadian photojournalist Lorna Dancey to create UNTOLD, a storytelling project that has

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Piedmont alumna Karen Shayne, right, and her business partner Lorna Dancey recently premiered UNTOLD: The Campus Diaries at an event at the Demorest campus.

focused on cancer survivors, as well as topics including the struggles of indigenous people and the homeless. In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic set in, Shayne and Dancey shifted their focus to student mental health issues. The result was UNTOLD: The Campus Diaries. The project was inspired by an intern who worked for Dancey and Shayne. Shayne and Dancey spent months interviewing college students around the country to create UNTOLD: The Campus Diaries.

Piedmont allowed me to think outside the box. The professors gave their students grace to really think and to become aware of societal issues, particularly around mental health.

Through the stories and photos contained in the exhibit, Shayne hopes to bring light to the vast mental health needs — and overstretched mental health resources — that exist on college campuses. During

the exhibit at Piedmont, several students expressed that they related to the stories contained in UNTOLD: The Campus Diaries. That was precisely the point. “We hope students who read the exhibit can identify themselves somewhere in the stories, that we can start a dialogue, and that we can raise awareness of mental health issues among college students,” Shayne said. Shayne and Dancey have since exhibited UNTOLD: The Campus Diaries at additional colleges. Reflecting on her own college experience — and all she’s done since graduation — Shayne said her life would look very different had she not studied at Piedmont University. She can still recall class discussions she had with professors Emerson Brooking, Kenneth Melichar, and Piedmont President Dr. James F. Mellichamp. “Piedmont allowed me to think outside the box. The professors gave their students grace to really think and to become aware of societal issues, particularly around mental health,” she said. “That’s why I’ve been successful.” Shayne hopes to collaborate with Piedmont on additional projects in the future.

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Lillian E. Smith Center PIEDMONT UNIVERSITY Spring Events Raised Awareness of Lillian E. Smith’s Life, Work By Chris Pearce

Not everyone knows that the late Lillian E. Smith, renowned author and social justice activist, was also a Piedmont alumna. Her connection to the institution, the proximity of her homeplace to the Demorest campus, and Piedmont’s shared commitment to civil rights led Smith’s heirs to seek out Piedmont as a permanent repository for her legacy. In 2013, Piedmont absorbed the Lillian E. Smith Center, located in Clayton, Georgia, and became responsible for the stewardship and advancement of its mission. The numerous educational endeavors the LES Center undertakes each year aim to honor and amplify the significant work Smith accomplished during her lifetime. Two special events in Spring 2022 went a long way in expanding awareness of Smith’s life and work. First, on April 7 and 8, a team of professional artists, the Piedmont University Singers, and orchestra performed the world premiere of How Am I to Be Heard?, a musical production Piedmont commissioned to coincide with its 125th anniversary. The performance was based on Smith’s life. Read more about the performance in the article contained in this edition of Journal. Second, on April 29, Smith’s historical significance was officially recognized through the unveiling of a Georgia Historical Society marker at the LES Center. Piedmont University is honored to preserve, protect, and perpetuate Smith’s work for generations to come. Summer Program Trains Educational Leaders Lillian E. Smith was an ardent supporter of the Civil Rights Movement and the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Smith and King shared a friendship that began with a letter she wrote to him on March 10, 1956. In the letter, Smith told King that she believed he was doing what was needed for social

A historical marker now recognizes the contributions of Lillian E. Smith. The marker stands near the property in Clayton, Georgia, where she lived and worked. The property is now Piedmont University’s Lillian E. Smith Center.

change to occur. She offered her continued support of his leadership and the actions of the Civil Rights Movement. Later, in his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” King referred to Smith as one of the whites “in the South who had grasped the meaning of this social revolution and committed themselves to it.” Upon Smith’s death in 1966, King wrote a telegram to her family describing her as “one of the brightest stars in the human firmament,” and said that she “seared the conscience of white southerners on the question of racial injustice.” This summer, the Lillian E. Smith Center hosted a professional development program to train today’s educational leaders in the history and legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. In addition to the training, multiple resources will be made available to teachers for classroom use. For more information or to support this important program, contact Dr. Matthew Teutsch at mteutsch@piedmont.edu. PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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SIGN OF PROGRESS By Zackary Hoopaugh

By Terrie Ellerbee ’95

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Omniat imolendita aceate ne nem ipsum, que conet erio ma quis pro delecto quiae volor rat as ut am eossitat. Omniat imolendita aceate ne nem ipsum, que conet erio ma quis pro delecto quiae volor rat as ut am eossitat.

hat is in a name? With the 125th anniversary of Piedmont’s establishment nearly here, the shift from Piedmont College to Piedmont University in 2021 was emblematic of the transformational progress the institution has experienced since its founding as a rural community college in 1897. As President James F. Mellichamp said during the name reveal ceremony, “This is a seminal moment in our history. It is a reflection of our collective work, the direction we are going, and an institution-wide commitment to strategic planning and growth. Piedmont University is a dynamic place. Piedmont University reflects our growth, our optimism, and the extraordinary path ahead.” While Piedmont officially became a university in April 2021, perhaps the capstone of the institution’s name change happened six months later — when one of the Demorest campus’s most prominent landmarks received updated signage. The pedestrian bridge connecting campus to downtown Demorest has beckoned passersby to visit Piedmont’s beautiful, historic grounds since its construction in 2008. Standing against the backdrop of the majestic Northeast Georgia Mountains, the bridge continues to be a reminder of how far the institution has come — and now, with Piedmont University adorned across its side, shines brightly with the promise that tomorrow holds.

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Piedmont’s Newest, Largest Residence Hall Mystic Hall Opens for 2022-23 Academic Year

By Zackary Hoopaugh

iedmont University will celebrate the opening of Mystic Hall, its newest and largest residence hall, later this year.

Named after a city in Connecticut with ties to Piedmont’s Congregationalist roots, the 60,000-square-foot building will house nearly 300 first-year students. Designating Mystic as a freshman dorm will allow Student Life staff members to conduct programming that emphasizes life and communication skills, relationship building, and other topics that will prepare students for a successful college experience. The modern structure is built on a crest overlooking campus and boasts stunning views of the Northeast Georgia mountains. The location also provides easy access to the university’s athletic facilities, Student Commons, and classroom buildings. Each room is furnished with a microwave and refrigerator; students have access to several full-service community kitchens throughout the building. Students will also enjoy lounges, study areas, and laundry areas located on each of

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Named after a city in Connecticut with ties to Piedmont’s Congregationalist roots, the 60,000-square-foot building will house nearly 300 first-year students.

the building’s three floors. Piedmont is a thriving community — and community is at the heart of the building’s design. Students will have the option to live in double- or tripleoccupancy rooms. Virtual activities throughout the summer gave new students the opportunity to meet potential roommates and bond in a format similar to speed dating. Connecting with peers is crucial to the social and mental wellbeing of first-time college students. The completion of Mystic Hall will also pave the way for the renovation of Purcell Hall. Constructed in 1969, Purcell will undergo a year-long renovation that will include updates to rooms and bathrooms, interior and exterior cosmetic upgrades, and the creation of community spaces modeled after the design of Mystic. The university is gathering student input about whether Purcell should be designated for freshmen or upperclassmen. The start date for the renovation project is still to be determined.

Decades of Memories Made

BABCOCK TURNS 80 Words from the 1996 Yonahian provide a snapshot into Getman-Babcock life.

Students Don Thepwong and Yuko Iwasaki lived in Getman-Babcock in 1993-94.

his year, Piedmont’s Babcock Hall marks its 80th anniversary. The residence hall, located just steps from the Quad on the Demorest campus, has provided generations of students a home away from home, a setting to make friends and memories, and a place from which to chart their path forward. Babcock was made possible by a gift from Cora A. Babcock of Cooperstown, New York. When it was dedicated in 1942, Babcock was only the second permanent building on campus. In 1961, a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Kendall G. Getman of Albany, New York, allowed for the renovation of Babcock and the construction of the adjoining Getman wing. Mrs. Getman was Cora Babcock’s sister. Over time, the residence hall became known simply as “GB.”

Students Octavius Mulligan, now a Piedmont trustee, his now-wife, Marlo, Chenelle Raines, Pat Lewis, and LeAnn Bagwell work the check-in desk at Getman-Babcock (1990-91).

Students Tarek Anis, Cheri Mallard, and Liz Kelly hang out in the Getman-Babcock lobby (1993-94).

Chenelle Raines catches a nap in the TV room of Getman-Babcock (1990-91).

Janet Peterson makes herself at home in Getman-Babcock (2005-06).

Getman-Babcock residents head home after a visit to the bookstore (1995-96).

Getman-Babcock has been a home away from home for generations of Piedmont University students.

Piedmont’s Yonahian yearbooks contain a wealth of photos from throughout GB’s history, some of which we’ve reprinted here. We hope you enjoy this trip down GB memory lane.

Have a photo of you and your friends in GB? Post it on social and tag us or email it to rpleasant@piedmont.edu to be included in a future edition.

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A PLACE TO CREATE

Magic

Swanson Center Has Supported Growth of Piedmont’s Theatre Program By Bill Gabelhausen, Theatre Professor

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Having an administration that treasures the arts and believes in their power has been a godsend.

y first year at Piedmont University was 2006, and as the newest member of the theatre faculty, I had the privilege of both teaching and directing in Jenkins Theater, which was nestled in the bottom floor of Daniel Hall. Jenkins Theater was a small, intimate space that served the Theatre Department very well for many, many years. The last show I directed in Jenkins Theatre was a musical titled Working. One of the final numbers is called “See That Building,” a song about the many people who pour blood, sweat, and tears into the construction of a building. During the musical number, we projected images and photos of the Swanson Center for the Performing Arts & Mass Communications, which was under construction. It was a creative and touching moment as we said goodbye to Jenkins while also celebrating the building of the state-of-the-art Swanson Center. The Theatre Department moved into Swanson in August 2007. I clearly remember walking into the mainstage theater with a group of students. Our jaws hit the floor. We, as a theatre family, had gone from a small basement theater to a space that included both a 350-seat proscenium stage and a black

Pictures from theatre productions throughout Piedmont’s history.

box theater. The possibilities for the new performance spaces were endless, and our excitement grew by leaps and bounds. Not only has our physical footprint grown, but so has the Theatre Department itself. In 2006, Piedmont University had nine theatre arts majors and one degree program headed by three faculty members. Within five years of moving into Swanson, the department had grown to 46 majors, four degree programs, and four full-time faculty members. Having an administration that treasures the arts and believes in their power has been a godsend, and it has given us the ability to transform the lives of many students over the years. As theatre faculty, our goal is to create and nurture wellrounded theatre artists. The Swanson Center has provided a beautiful and powerful setting where this work can take place. Our theatre majors are cross-trained in specializations from acting to set construction, costume design to social media/marketing, and from dance to lighting design. When I watch our theatre students walk across the stage at graduation, I can see their four-year transformations flash before my eyes, and I am reminded again how fortunate we are to have a beautiful facility where we can create magic. PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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INSPIRING

STUDENT SUCCESS Story of Former Gym Fits Well With Building’s Current Purpose By Rachel Pleasant

f all the buildings on Piedmont’s Demorest Campus, perhaps the one that evokes the most curiosity is Lane Hall, home of the Student Success Center. Fittingly, given its history as the university’s gymnasium, it’s also likely the building that has the most fans. “The students love spending time here,” said Lisa Mann, director of career services, whose office is located in the building. “I think the building and its story send a great message to our students, that there are multiple avenues you can

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take to get to your end result. This building was built as a gym, but now it’s the Student Success Center.” The story of Piedmont’s gymnasium —now the Lane Student Success Center — dates back to the early 1940s and the leadership of then-President Malcolm Boyd Dana. Mary C. Lane, former dean and Piedmont historian — and for whom Lane Hall is named — wrote in her 1993 History of Piedmont College that Dana envisioned an auditorium-gymnasium in the city’s park, located adjacent to what is now Piedmont’s Springer Mountain Farms Center. Had it come to fruition in the park, the

building would have been used by both the university and the local high school.

(Start.Achieve.Impact.Lead) program for first-year and transfer students.

That plan, however, met opposition from local residents, who feared the building would “destroy the effectiveness of the park as a local beauty spot,” Lane wrote. Seeking to avoid a community rift, Dana abandoned his plan for a joint-use building. The gym, Dana and his team decided, would be built at the center of campus, near what is today the Arrendale Library.

Today, the building is divided into offices and study areas, and tastefully painted walls are adorned with bulletin boards and student artwork.

Scant funding and the uncertainty of the war years delayed construction of the gym for several years. In 1949, James E. Walter became president, and completing the gymnasium was one of his top physical-plant priorities. In 1953, thanks to numerous donations and the hard work of student laborers supervised by Coach O’Neal Cave, the gymnasium was finally built.

Aside from the Student Commons, Mann said, Lane Hall is typically the busiest spot on campus, and the character of the building is likely one of the reasons students feel comfortable spending time there.

Lane writes: The lumber was cut from pine timber on the College Farm, hauled to a local sawmill for shaping, and hauled back by the basketball team to the gymnasium, where it was painted and assembled. The gymnasium served as the center of Piedmont athletic activity for several decades, until the opening of the Johnny Mize Athletic Center & Museum in spring 2000. The gymnasium was then converted to headquarters for Student Affairs, and more recently, the Student Success Center, which encompasses tutoring, Career Services, and the university’s SAIL

“But we still have the gym floor,” said Mann, her footsteps echoing slightly off the planks as she gives a visitor a tour of the building. “It’s definitely a conversation starter.”

“It’s just such a unique building. I think that because it’s not a traditional office space, students feel more comfortable here. It’s very airy and relaxed. Students know they can be themselves,” Mann said. Said student Jordan Burch, who is majoring in criminal justice: “It’s a cool vibe. It’s relaxing, which is good, because there are no distractions. When you’re there, it’s just you and your homework.” Employees working in Lane Center are just as inspired by their surroundings. “We consider ourselves coaches — albeit in a different sense than the coaches of the building’s past,” Mann said. “We help students write the playbook for their success in school, the workforce, and life.” PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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WHERE WE FEEL AT

hether it’s a quiet bench outside the Arrendale Library, or the bustling corridor of the Student Commons, or the sleek study areas of the Athens campus, everyone has their own “favorite spot” on Piedmont’s campuses. It’s in these spaces that students discover themselves and their dreams, connect with faculty members, and forge friendships that last a lifetime. It’s in these spaces that special moments happen, and treasured memories are made. 1

The charming porch of the Undergraduate Admissions office makes prospective students feel right at home on the Demorest campus.

The Graduate Admissions office, located in the historic Pyle-Davis House, is one of the most recognizable locations on the Demorest campus.

The Student Commons on the Demorest campus is a favorite place for students to meet, eat, mingle, and wind down after class.

The Demorest Women’s Club building, located across the highway from Daniel Hall and next door to Undergraduate Admissions, adds to the Demorest campus’s southern charm. 3

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The Swanson Center for Performing Arts & Communications is one of the most exciting locations on Piedmont’s Demorest campus, with students exercising their creativity and stretching their imaginations through various forms of communication.

In spring 2021, Piedmont University relocated its Athens campus to a modern, four-story brick building at 1282 Prince Avenue.

Athens students enjoy gathering and studying in the building’s common areas.

Scan the QR code to see more photos of our favorite places on campus.

The Mize Center is the center of athletic activity at the Demorest campus. PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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Art

SPANNING CENTURIES AND CONTINENTS

Piedmont Museum Houses Impressive Collection By Rebecca Brantley, Director of the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art

hile an undergraduate at Piedmont University in the 1950s, Dr. Bill Mason ’57 took an art history class under the advice of a professor who claimed he needed the class to become a fully educated man. This course inspired a lifelong interest in art. Dr. Mason, a dermatologist in Alabama for most of his career, spent much of his free time at auctions. He and his husband, Bob Scharfenstein, amassed a collection of 19th- and 20th-century paintings and sculptures.

Some of that work now makes up the seed collection for Piedmont’s Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art. The museum opened to the public in September 2011 with a ceremony that featured then-governor Nathan Deal, who thanked the couple for their significant contribution to Northeast Georgia. Some of the highlights from their donation include a landscape by famed English-born American artist Edward Moran, an interior scene by American genre painter Harry Roseland, and the two bronze sculptures by French academic sculptor Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié. The oldest work in the collection comes from a donation of Japanese pottery from collector Reginald Williams. Upstairs, you can find a pot from Echizen, Japan, a small village and one of the country’s six ancient kiln sites. It is part of the museum’s long-standing relationship to Echizen through Professor Chris Kelly, who lived and worked in Echizen for a year after graduate school. Museum shows are an important part of pedagogy at Piedmont University, exposing Piedmont students to innovators in the arts. The museum values showcasing the talent of the college’s immediate region. Recent shows have featured local artists

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including Toccoa-based artist and cultural pollinator Marie Cochran, former Piedmont professor Leroy Young, and beloved illustrator and educator Jan Walker of Cornelia. This fall the museum will begin an exciting year of programming with work by acclaimed artist, folklorist, and teacher Art Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum studied art at Columbia University and lived in Manhattan in the 1960s, though he is best known for his contribution to the South. He moved to Athens, Georgia, in the late 1970s. As well as developing an expressive, realist style of painting, he helped bring serious attention to folk artists and musicians. His collection of folk music, The Art of Field Recording Volumes I: 50 Years of Traditional American Music Documented by Art Rosenbaum, won a Grammy for Best Historical Album in 2008. Rosenbaum’s work is part of many prominent private and public collections, including the Smithsonian National Museum of American Art, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Georgia Museum of Art. As well as displaying the work of professional artists and designers, the museum features student work as part of the university’s annual Capstone Series. Graduating seniors display their work in the museum and hold receptions. It is both a celebration of students’ time at Piedmont and a chance to prepare them for exhibitions in graduate school and beyond. The museum is located at 567 Georgia Street in Demorest. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., TuesdayThursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Admission is free. Come enjoy the impressive collection of art Piedmont is making available to its community!

A video recording of the performance is available on Piedmont University’s YouTube channel, @Piedmont University.

‘How Am I to Be Heard?’ Piedmont Celebrates Lillian E. Smith with World Premier

By Rachel Pleasant

musical about the life and generation-spanning work of Lillian E. Smith took center stage at Piedmont University in April 2022, with the debut of How Am I to Be Heard?

“Social justice issues are as important today as they were when Lillian E. Smith was writing about them almost 80 years ago,” said President James F. Mellichamp, the visionary behind How Am I to Be Heard? “This production was both a tribute to and a continuation of the vital work she performed right here in Northeast Georgia to move hearts and minds toward a more just, unified society. With this production, we leveraged the power of the arts, reaching new audiences and generations, and reminding them that there is still much work to be done.” Smith was a writer who penned the best-selling novel Strange Fruit about an interracial relationship that takes place in the 1920s. She was also active in the Civil Rights Movement and a friend of Martin Luther King Jr. Smith studied at Piedmont University, which is home to the Lillian E. Smith Center, an educational facility and artists’ retreat in Clayton, Georgia. Debut performances of the musical took place at Piedmont’s Swanson Center for Performing Arts & Communications on April 7 and 8. To bring How Am I to Be Heard? to life, Piedmont recruited a creative team that included Composer Mary Carol Warwick, Librettist Kate Emery Pogue, Stage Designer and Director Rebecca Herman, and Narrator Anthony Turner. Piedmont Conservatory of Music Director and Associate Dean of the School of Fine Arts Dr. C. Wallace Hinson conducted the performance. Piedmont Music Professor Andrea Price was the soloist. The Piedmont Singers and chamber orchestra also lent their talents to the production.

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LETTIE PATE WHITEHEAD FOUNDATION Boosts Higher Ed Opportunities for Women

By Terrie Ellerbee ’95

ive Piedmont University students gathered around a table on the patio at The Copper Pot in Clarkesville on a recent sunny afternoon for pizza and salads. The two first-year students, two sophomores, and one junior are among 146 Piedmont students who benefited from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarship during the 2021-22 academic year. Lettie Pate Whitehead was a businesswoman who had close ties to The Coca-Cola Co. and was the embodiment of philanthropy during her lifetime, donating millions of dollars to organizations throughout the South, particularly in Georgia and Virginia. She lives on through generous scholarships she designated for Christian Southern women seeking college degrees. Junior Nakiyah Washington wants to teach. She may go back to her hometown, Adairsville, Georgia, or stay closer to Piedmont’s Demorest campus. Internships at nearby Level Grove (Cornelia) and Fairview (Demorest) elementary schools have influenced her decision-making. Washington has one more semester to go before she graduates with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. After that, she will start working toward a master’s degree while also playing basketball and competing in track for the Lions.

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Achieving the degrees is a top priority for Washington. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation scholarship helped when she needed it most.

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation has allowed me to afford coming to Piedmont. Additionally, being awarded this scholarship has set me up for social success at this school by allowing me to meet other like-minded women. – Katherine Stigall

“The past two years, I was grateful for this scholarship because it reduced the number of loans I had to take out, which is a gift in itself,” she said. “But after the passing of my father, I was on my own. I valued each and every scholarship more.” Lakhiya Franklin is one of the editors of Trillium, Piedmont’s art and literary magazine, and co-editor for COMP, an interdisciplinary journal. The sophomore is majoring

in creative writing and will take a screenwriting course next semester. “I’d like to write novels and maybe work for a publishing company — or write for television because Atlanta is a big spot for that,” she said. “I write mostly fiction, like coming-of-age stories or themes having to do with my family. I write stories centered around the family dynamic.” Franklin said she is grateful for the scholarship and the opportunity to hone her writing and editing skills. “As a first-generation college student, it’s an honor to know that someone is investing in my education and career and is supporting me,” she said. Katherine Stigall started her college career at Piedmont majoring in sociology and anthropology, but later changed her major. “I decided nursing would be more practical, and I intend to go into psychiatric nursing, so that’s what I was aiming for with sociology,” she said. The sophomore from Richmond Hill, Georgia, was recruited for Piedmont’s first-ever swim team. She appreciates the help from the Foundation, and said its impact was more than financial. “The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation has allowed me to

Katherine Stigall, Nakiyah Washington, Abby Mauldin, Shyla Sheffield, and Lakhiya Franklin.

afford coming to Piedmont. Additionally, being awarded this scholarship has set me up for social success at this school by allowing me to meet other like-minded women,” Stigall said. “Coming to college during the pandemic, it has been challenging meeting new people face to face. Being a part of this cohort has made the social aspect of adjusting to college life just that much easier.” Like Washington, Abby Mauldin is an athlete and competes in track and field. She chose to major in psychology as she prepares for law school. The freshman from Hiawassee, Georgia, plans to earn her Juris Doctor (or J.D.) at the University of Tennessee. Law, she said, “is very me.” “It’s very organized. There is black and white. There is not a ton of legal gray area, so I thought it would be good for me, and I found it interesting,” Mauldin said. “I’m not exactly sure about which area yet, but I’m leaning toward criminal defense. That will give me the most opportunities right out of school.” “Receiving this scholarship has really helped me achieve everything I’ve set out to do,” Mauldin said. Shyla Sheffield is in her first year of college and majoring in psychology. She wants to be a high school counselor because one made a “huge impact” on her life, she said. “Without her, I doubt I'd be a student at Piedmont or in college at all,” Sheffield said. “I have always had an interest in people's emotions, and I would like to help kids the same way my high school counselor helped me. That’s what I hope to do after I graduate. I hope to go home, which is Dawsonville.” Sheffield already helps others by her example. “I am the first generation in my family to attend college, and this scholarship is the reason for that,” she said. “This scholarship has given me the opportunity to not only further my education but help me lead as a role model for my two younger sisters.”

The Coca-Cola Connection Lettie was married to Joseph B. Whitehead, who in 1899, with his partner Benjamin Thomas, purchased exclusive rights to bottle Coca-Cola for $1. When Joseph died from pneumonia seven years later, Lettie was left with their two sons and the family business, which at that time included about 80 bottling plants. That number had grown to 1,000-plus plants by the time Lettie sold the bottling business back to The Coca-Cola Co. in 1934 in exchange for company stock. She became one of the first women in the U.S. to be appointed to a board seat and served as a director of The Coca-Cola Co. until her death in 1953 at 81. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation devotes most of its resources to the eponymous scholarship program. The Foundation donated grants worth nearly $54 million in 2021 alone. Piedmont University received $321,000 for 2021-22 thanks to the generosity of the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation. For 2022-23, the Foundation has earmarked $350,000 in scholarships for Piedmont students. PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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Donna Dixon with her father, Arnold Mize.

Diane Mize Brown and her daughter, Jennifer.

Jennifer Carter Donna Dixon graduated from Piedmont and went on to a distinguished career as an educator.

Despite Tragedies Impacting Two Generations, Education Remained a Priority By Katie Deal Comeau ’02

Donna Mize Dixon ’89 was 10 months old when her mother died. Donna’s eldest sister, Diane, stepped in to try to fill their mother’s shoes. By age 12, Diane was not only the primary caretaker of her three younger sisters, Debbie, Darlene, and baby Donna, but also the sole cook and housekeeper for her father and two older brothers, Dennis and David. Diane Mize Brown took on the immense challenge with grace and humility. She was a natural nurturer. She dedicated her life to caring for others and encouraging her loved ones to excel despite hardships. Diane shared her steadfast belief that good can be found in everyone and that each person can make a profound difference. Though Diane never attended college, she instilled a love of learning in her siblings, and she was never prouder than when her baby sister, Donna, graduated from Piedmont with a bachelor’s degree in education. Inspired by her sister’s servant heart, Donna was drawn to help others through teaching. Donna taught at Benton Elementary in Jackson County for one year before joining the Habersham County school system, where she worked for 25 years, including 10 years as an elementary school teacher at Clarkesville 40

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Diane Mize Brown, left, with Piedmont alumna Carolyn Osley Pulliam, Donna’s stepmother, and grandmother to Jennifer Carter.

Elementary and 15 years as an administrator in the Special Education Department. Still living by her sister’s message that every person matters, Donna was called to serve as director of special education in Union County until her retirement in 2018. For 30 years, Donna enriched the lives of others through education, and even now, her sister’s positive influence remains with her. In 1991, Diane was killed in a car accident. She was only 38, the same age her mother was when she passed away. Diane left behind three devastated children and a husband who found himself unable to care for his family without her. After graduating high school, Diane’s eldest child, Jennifer, went to live in Cleveland, Georgia, with her aunt and uncle, Donna and Billy Dixon. Donna recognized the potential Jennifer possessed and encouraged her to apply to Piedmont. In 1998, Jennifer graduated from Piedmont with a bachelor’s in education, just like Aunt Donna, but she didn’t stop there. In 2001, she earned a master’s degree in Special Education, and in 2003, she completed her Education Specialist degree. Jennifer Brown Carter began her teaching career in Banks County before returning home to Hart County. There, she taught special education for seven years and second grade for two years before moving into the role of assistant principal of Hartwell Elementary.

During her tenure at Hartwell Elementary, Jennifer was honored with the Teacher of the Year Award for the Hart County school district. She went on to serve as associate superintendent for the Hart County Charter System, and effective July 1, 2022, she is the system’s superintendent. Jennifer was also the 2021 recipient of Piedmont University’s Excellence in Education Award; her achievements were celebrated with a ceremony at Alumni Circle. Diane Mize Brown was on the Piedmont campus in 1989 when her sister walked across the stage. Diane has always been there, at every step of her sister’s — and later her daughter’s — educational journeys, if only in their hearts. In 1998, Diane walked with her daughter in spirit as Jennifer joined the ranks of Piedmont alumni. Diane was there again in 2001 and 2003, when Jennifer received her graduate degrees, and in 2021, when Jennifer’s accolades were applauded on Alumni Circle. Donna and Jennifer will honor their beloved sister and mother with a tribute paver on Alumni Plaza. They know she would love to be there in person, encouraging future generations of students to reach their goals. Legacy Lions is an occasional series spotlighting families that have had multiple generations attend Piedmont University. For Legacy Lions, Piedmont is more than their alma mater; it’s a source of shared memories, bonds, and pride. To be featured in Legacy Lions, email kdeal@piedmont.edu.

P I E D M O N T AT H L E T I C S

THROUGH THE YEARS

Athletics have always been at the heart of Piedmont University. As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we dug into the Yonahian yearbooks to find shots of our athletes from throughout the years. The photos depict teamwork, camaraderie, friendships made on the court and field, personal goals reached, shared victories, and lessons that have endured long after the yearbook pages started to yellow. Go Lions!

Have a photo from your days as a Piedmont student-athlete you would like us to include in the next Journal? Post it on social and tag us or email it to rpleasant@piedmont.edu.

AT H L E T IC S

The 1995-96 mountain biking team

readies to hit the trails.

Yetta Bailey concen trates before taking her shot (2007-08).

Patrick

9).

(1998-9 r a strike

itches fo Hussion p

ball squad Members of Piedmont’s 1998-99 base take a breather while teammates bat.

The 2005-06 Piedmont baseball squa

Jessica Patterson, Whitney Wood, and Tiffany Holcomb rally the crowd (2005-06).

David Adcock catches some air (2005-06).

Members of the 1995-96 men’s soccer team give it their all.

cheers Anderson Amanda ). 8 -0 07 Lions (20 42

dmont

for the Pie

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The 1998-99 softball team huddles for a group

pep talk.

etball team celebrates A member of the 1995-96 men’s bask s. with his teammate

The 1972-7

3 Piedmont

Scott Wierson prepares a slam to serve to his Truett-McConnell opponent (1990-91).

included Maressa Kaminski, The 2002-03 Piedmont volleyball team h, Meredith Ranson, Leac en Laur Eck, tney Quinn Axelberd, Cour Randolph, Amanda Katy eler, Katie Gibbs, Haylee Davis, Jamie Whe h. coac was ien O’Br Katie . alski Kow Patrick, and Jodie

basketball te

am.

Katie Porter and Missy Hoffman celebrate after Piedmont scores a goal (2007-08).

Mike Roberson ser ves the ball to his opponent (2007-0 8). Shanice Wheeler throws the ball home from right field (2012-13).

s famous igen does hi Stein Ove Te (1999-00). Teigen twist

Members of the 1972-73 baseball

team.

A member of the 1995-9 6 women’s soccer team makes her move. PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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AT H L E T IC S

CRIB TO

COLLEGE

Piedmont’s Sibling Student-Athletes Comfort and Support Each Other By Terrie Ellerbee ’95

hen siblings share a university experience, they have at least one person on campus who loves them unconditionally and understands what they are going through. For some, the experience deepens their bond. Brady Ballstadt ’19 and Carter Ballstadt ’22 played baseball together while both were Piedmont University students. Brady was a senior and Carter a freshman. Playing on the same team was something they had both wanted since they were children. “I knew we would end up on the same field eventually,” Carter said. “We have always enjoyed competing against each other to make us better.” Carter called Brady “the best athlete Piedmont has ever seen.” Piedmont Head Baseball Coach Justin Scali said it was a joy to coach the Ballstadt brothers.

“It was special for me to watch the two of them play together. Brady was coming off an All-American junior season, and Carter was learning the ropes and becoming a great player himself,” Scali said. “They always pulled hard for one another, and Brady was instrumental in Carter’s development not only as a player but as a team leader as well.” “It has been one of the greatest things to watch Carter grow as a player over the years,” Brady said. “I told him from the day he stepped on campus that he was going to be a leader. He surpassed those expectations.” Both brothers are business majors and said their experience at Piedmont took their relationship to another level. “We have always been best friends growing up,” Carter said. “Piedmont just made the bond a little tighter.” “We were always close, but Piedmont made us best friends,” Brady said.

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Comfort and Joy: The Lotters Gabby Lotter ’20, ’22 MS graduated in May from Piedmont’s 3+2 Athletic Training program. She never imagined that she and her younger sister, Elissa, would go to the same university, but she is glad they did. “Even though we both stay pretty busy, it has been such a blessing getting to see each other as often as we do,” Gabby said.

Elissa admires her sister and said Gabby believes in others even when she doubts herself. “Gabby is inclusive and caring. She leads by example. She is going to be such a caring and knowledgeable athletic trainer who is eager to help people in every way possible,” she said. “Gabby has passion for Jesus, coffee, dogs, soccer, and serving others.”

Elissa is majoring in Elementary Education and will graduate in December 2023 with her bachelor’s degree. Piedmont has felt more like home with Gabby on campus, and there have been practical benefits.

Other than emotional, moral, and academic support, the perk of having an older sibling on campus is that we can carpool home and share clothes. Having built-in support with you during each phase of life is incredibly comforting.”

“Other than emotional, moral, and academic support, the perk of having an older sibling on campus is that we can carpool home and share clothes,” Elissa said. “Having built-in support with you during each phase of life is incredibly comforting.” The sisters have always been close. Elissa had to adjust when Gabby left home for Piedmont. “When my parents dropped me off at college my freshman year, I got a call from my mom that night,” Gabby said. “She asked if I would call Elissa because she was having a hard time adjusting to me being gone. She was sitting in my room all by herself, missing me.” Elissa is still not immune to homesickness, but because Gabby had gone first, she understood what Elissa was feeling and offered encouragement — and wisdom. “When I was in her shoes, I wish someone would have told me how fast time flies when you are in college and to enjoy every second,” Gabby said. “I feel like I was just a freshman moving into Purcell, and now I am about to graduate with a master’s degree, and Elissa is about to be a junior.” With Gabby already at Piedmont, Elissa was able to get to know the university even before she arrived, by going hiking, to church, and out to dinner with her sister. Looking back now, Elissa said she may feel like she “actually attended Piedmont for six years instead of four.”

Like other athletes who’ve attended Piedmont with siblings, the Lotters enjoyed their time together on the field of play. They were teammates for one soccer season during high school and one at college. “Playing together has been fun, but being together is even more fun,” Elissa said. “Playing sports together taught me that soccer is temporary, but we will always have each other.”

Since they were children, Carter and Brady Ballstadt had wanted to play on the same team.

Brady and Carter Ballstadt played one season of Lions baseball together.

Elissa and Gabby Lotter have always been close.

Gabby and Elissa Lotter were teammates for one season. PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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AT H L E T IC S

INTERNATIONAL

From Piedmont, Price Continues Basketball Career in United Kingdom By Danielle Percival Assistant Athletic Director of Communications

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hen your career ends with as many accolades as Amari Price’s did, what do you do next?

For Price, the answer was to move “across the pond” to continue both her studies and her basketball career. A Record-Breaking Piedmont Career Price, a 2020 Piedmont graduate, was a star on the court for the Lady Lions. In four seasons, she was a three-time USA South Champion. She was also the 2019 USA South Player of the Year and USA South Tournament MVP. Her achievements also included setting new program records for career points (1,247), career assists (458), and field goals made (471). In addition to accolades, Price’s time at Piedmont is full of memories she’ll cherish forever. In the 2019 USA South Tournament, Piedmont beat Huntingdon in the semifinals and Berea in the championship. Price’s leadership was pivotal to both victories. “My favorite moments from the 2019 tournament were hitting a buzzer beater from right past half-court to end the first half against Huntingdon, and then hitting a step-back 3-point buzzer beater in the championship game the next day,” Price said. “I loved seeing Cave Arena explode with the crowd’s reactions. Being able to have been a part of that meant everything to me.” The win in the championship capped the third-straight USA South Championship for both Piedmont and Price. As Tournament MVP, Price scored 16 points in the championship after adding 17 against Huntingdon in the semis. “At that time, I was definitely a player who fed off the crowd’s excitement, so that extra support from our fans pushed me to lock in and play with even more intensity,” Price said. “Being able to play efficiently in the tournament is already a good enough feat, but to be able to perform like that in front of the home crowd was unreal.” Growth as a Player — and a Person Price’s success was not immediate, but instead was a product of her growth as a player. “During my first two seasons at Piedmont, I learned a lot from my coaches by watching film and asking them how I could get better and what I could do to help the team win. I didn’t put up a lot of numbers during this time, but I still worked very hard each season,” she said. “Going into my final two years, I was able to put all that I previously learned together and play a bigger part in our team’s success. Seeing how much I was able to grow as a

player and how rewarding basketball was for me, I decided I would find a way to continue my basketball career.” That self-reflection poised Price to make a life-changing decision when she was contacted by Play Overseas, a service that helps student-athletes pursue graduate degrees while continuing their athletic careers in the United Kingdom. This was the opportunity she’d wanted and had been working so hard to earn. She didn’t hesitate to say, “Yes!” In the U.K., she has played for Nottingham Trent University and the Derby Trailblazers, a national team. Not only has Price learned from the experience of living in a foreign country, but the opportunity to play for two teams simultaneously provided its own unique challenges.

Piedmont was a special place for me because there was a perfect balance between academics and athletics.

“While playing for two teams simultaneously, I practiced four days each week, did four days of weight training, and played games two days,” Price said. “It was tough juggling that, my coursework, and making sure I got enough rest.” While playing for her university team, Price helped Nottingham Trent University achieve an undefeated regular season, a 17-1 overall record, and a national trophy. She even posted a triple-double against Cambridge with 22 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and eight steals, just two steals shy of a quadruple-double. No Place Like Home Though her career has progressed beyond the four walls of Cave Arena, Piedmont still holds an important place in Amari’s life. “Piedmont was a special place for me because there was a perfect balance between academics and athletics,” Price said. “I was able to have positive relationships with not only my coaches, but also my professors as well. “My career at Piedmont definitely played a big role in my decision to continue on my basketball journey.” Price is working to complete her master’s degree in Sport Science later this year. She hopes to continue playing overseas after she graduates. PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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AT H L E T IC S

HEAD MEN’S SOCCER COACH JIMMY STEPHENS ’95

CAMERON EARLS ’21

HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH GREG NEELEY ’09

PASSION PROFESSION INTO

Former Piedmont Student-Athletes Give Back to the Game as Coaches By Danielle Percival Assistant Athletic Director of Communications

“Piedmont prepared me for the transition to coaching because I got to witness firsthand what it takes to be successful as a coach.”

Landry Assinesi, a 2019 Piedmont graduate and former men’s basketball player, was influenced by Head Coach Greg Neeley’s character and determination. Assinesi now serves as the head middle school basketball coach and assistant varsity basketball coach at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Greenville, South Carolina.

Cameron Earls, a 2021 graduate and CoSIDA Academic AllAmerican from the Piedmont men’s soccer program, is now pursuing his Master of Business Administration at Piedmont while working as an assistant coach of the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee.

iedmont University has quite an impressive roster of former student-athletes who are now coaching, and whether they’re at the middle school or collegiate level — or somewhere in between — they say their time as Lions helped them become the coaches they are today.

“While at Piedmont as a basketball player, I learned commitment and saw the work that Coach (Greg) Neeley put into coaching. He pushed us to be our very best and expected us to be as committed as he was,” Assinesi said.

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A handful of Piedmont athletic alumni have gone on to coach at the college level.

Earls served as a student worker under Head Coach Jimmy Stephens, allowing him to learn all that coaching entails. “Coach Stephens and Assistant Coach Alex Buchman both helped me understand what goes on behind

HEAD WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH AND ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JAMIE PURDY ’00

Piedmont prepared me for the transition to coaching because I got to witness first-hand what it takes to be successful as a coach. – Landry Assinesi

the scenes in coaching, and that there is more to it than just being on the field,” Earls said. “I think their similar styles of helping others is what influenced me to become a coach, because I want to be able to give my future players the same experience they gave me.” Carlie Shields Henderson was influenced by Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jamie Purdy. Henderson is currently a kindergarten teacher at Arab Primary School in Alabama and coaches junior varsity and varsity girl’s basketball at Arab High School. “Coach Purdy taught me a tremendous amount about basketball, but I learned so much from her off the floor that I carry with me in life today,” said Shields Henderson, a 2018 graduate. “Coach Purdy made creating a relationship with her players a priority. She took on a role that isn’t always fun. She held me accountable even when I didn’t want to be held accountable, and I am a better person and coach because of that.” For some, it was lessons off the playing fields that impacted their career trajectory.

KENSLEY BROWN ’19, M ’20

“Piedmont was the perfect place for me because it was more than just a school,” said Kensley Brown, a 2019 graduate. Brown is now teaching sixth-grade social studies in White County (Georgia) while serving as a middle school softball coach. She will soon join the 2023 high school boy’s golf coaching staff. The interactions she had with prospective students and their families have proven useful in her current profession. “I had the opportunity to have a job in the Undergraduate Admissions office and was able to give campus tours every day,” Brown said. “This was one of my favorite parts about Piedmont, because I was able to share with families why I chose to call Demorest home.” Former Piedmont baseball player Josh Thomas, a two-time Piedmont graduate, is currently employed at Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia, as a PE/ health teacher and the head baseball coach. For Thomas, Piedmont was always the place to call home, but the reasons went far beyond athletics. “From the time I stepped on campus for my first visit, it felt like home,” Thomas said. “I went on several college visits, but the visit at Piedmont with Coach Jim Peeples was different. I could tell he cared about me, cared about my family, and truly wanted what was best for me as a person.” Thomas strives to make the same impact for his own student-athletes. “My experience, and I believe anyone’s experience at Piedmont, was special because of the people,” Thomas said. “It all starts with leadership, of course, because good people attract and recruit good people … That’s how special cultures are built and that’s what exists at Piedmont University.”

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AT H L E T IC S

Cheer CO MPETITIVE

COMES TO PIEDMONT

First NCAA Division III Squad in University History Gets Off to Strong Start By Zackary Hoopaugh

hen Cristen Rabern took a job as part-time cheerleading coach at Piedmont, the squad was a varsity club program often referred to as the spirit team. They cheered on the Lions at basketball games, held pep rallies to stoke school spirit, and attended events to provide an atmosphere of celebration and joy. Now, under Rabern’s leadership, the team is set to become an NCAA Division III competition cheerleading squad. The cheerleading team has a storied history at Piedmont. Based on records in the Yonahian archive, the squad’s origins date back to 1947, when four students cheered on the sidelines of Piedmont basketball games. The squad became an annual presence, growing in size and function in the 75 years since. Fast forward to 2020. Although the cheerleading squad was unable to attend games and events due to the pandemic, members of the squad continued to practice multiple times per week. Rabern was inspired. She decided to use that period of time to research,

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The 1983 Piedmont cheering squad.

Rabern brought stunt and recruitment clinics to Piedmont.

develop, and pitch the idea of converting the spirit team into an intercollegiate competitive cheerleading squad.

For me to go and tell them that they can continue to cheer at a smaller school — it was like a light bulb went off. Everybody that I’ve talked to has been just so excited about that.”

“I’ve been involved in competitive cheerleading for a very long time,” Rabern said, reflecting on her time as a competitive cheerleader herself and later a competitive cheerleading coach at Habersham Central High School. “I really wanted to see that at Piedmont. I wanted to see Piedmont come into the competitive cheer world.” Piedmont Intercollegiate Athletic Director Jim Peeples loved the idea. “He got on board very quickly,” Rabern said. With Coach Peeples’ backing, the proposal sailed through the administrative approval process. “It has been a complete whirlwind ever since,” Rabern said. She was promptly hired as a full-time head coach in August 2021 and began recruiting immediately. Starting out, Rabern set her recruitment goal at 20 — a number that was ambitious by traditional recruiting metrics. At the time of this publication, she had 29 commitments for the 2022-23 season, a resounding success by all measures and expectations. “I have just been blown away by the response,” Rabern said. She credits the flood of interest to the excitement she’s been able generate around the upcoming season’s status as an inaugural year, but she also said student-athletes are surprised to learn that they don’t

– Cristen Rabern have to go to a large, Division I university to continue their cheering careers. “For me to go and tell them that they can continue to cheer at a smaller school — it was like a light bulb went off,” Rabern said. “Everybody that I’ve talked to has been just so excited about that.” Many of the students Rabern has recruited desired a smaller, more personalized experience in college and were thrilled discover they could continue to cheer as well. While she has had immense success at recruiting, it has required an enormous amount of initiative on her part. She spent the last year on the road, attending high school practices, competitions, and combines. She also hosted stunt and recruitment clinics at Piedmont. “We don’t have a name in the cheer world,” Rabern admits. “But once I put that work in, people flocked to it.” Now, with the incoming class recruited, Rabern looks ahead at the season to come. “I don’t want to start off mediocre. I plan on coming at it full force. The girls

I’ve committed so far know that, and they are excited to come in and hit the ground running. They’re already working on their skills this off-season.” The newly founded Piedmont University Competition Cheerleading team will spend the year preparing for the ultimate test — the NCAA Collegiate National Championships, held in Daytona, Florida, every April. Rabern said they are also preparing to conduct a showcase at Piedmont in February. “I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people, and I don’t really think Piedmont knows what’s coming for it.” As the team prepares for the year ahead, Rabern’s energy and motivation is infectious, and her passion for the job is sure to lead to a future of success as the cheerleading program experiences transformational change. “I tell people this is 100 percent my dream job. I cannot imagine being anywhere else. I have absolutely loved every second of it, and I can’t wait to see it grow and see it move forward.” PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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AT H L E T IC S

ATHLETICS ALUMNI DAYS A L U M N I B A S E B A L L D AY

ore than 400 people, including former baseball alumni, returned to the Piedmont University campus on March 26 for fun at Loudermilk Field. Chicago’s Pizza and Tantrum Brewing Co. were on hand selling pizza and beer. Piedmont University Head Baseball Coach Justin Scali said it was a great day for the program.

“It was so awesome to see so many former players and their families on campus from my time here as a coach — and many players from prior seasons as well,” he said. “The best part of the day came after the game, connecting with so many who stayed until the game ended. It was as if they never left.” “We are thankful to Coach Jim Peeples, the University Advancement/ Alumni office, and the administration for their continued support of our program and this event,” Scali added. “We look forward to doing this event in 2023. Go Lions!” 1

Tantrum Brewing Co. of Cleveland, Georgia, sold beer at the baseball reunion.

Children enjoyed an inflatable baseball game.

From left, Piedmont University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jim Peeples, Max Bening, Evan Meade, Seth George, Wes Snyder, Luke McDonald, Cam Johnson, Allen Tokarz, Caleb Cochran, Tyler Burdette, Caleb Norton, Brady Ballstadt, Matt Copeland, Andrew Burden, Justin Oates, Bryan Whitacre, David Craft, Casey Parham, Drew Coker, Piedmont University Head Baseball Coach Justin Scali, Wes Crow, Trey Fowler, and Blake Thomas.

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A L U M N I S O C C E R D AY

ore than 40 studentathletes and soccer alumni gathered for a game and stayed afterward for a reunion at the Arrendale Amphitheatre on April 25. “It was awesome to see all the guys back on campus, and I really enjoyed hearing them talk about the ‘good old days’ at Piedmont,” said Jimmy Stephens, head men’s soccer coach. Campus dining company Chartwells crafted appetizers and the University Advancement office provided beer and wine for the reunion. Planning for future sports alumni reunions is underway. For more information about reunions and other alumni events, contact Director of Alumni Engagement & Development Katie Deal Comeau at kdeal@ piedmont.edu or 706-776-0146.

Rob Williams (center) keeps his eye on the ball as Jeremy Beaton (left) and Daniel Ostojic attempt to take it away.

Alumni athletes returning for a soccer reunion included top, from left, Diego Montoya, Stephen Andrew, Tommy Redmond, Ernesto Platas, Sydney Smith, Vincent Thomas, Bradley Thomas, Codi Schutz, James Thomas, Billy Beguhn, Chase Kane, Chris Keller, and Kevin Posmer; front, from left, Lule Tekilemariam, Jimmy Stephens, Jeremy Beaton, Jeremy McNeill, Daniel Ostojic, Justin Matthews, Matt Desing, Chris Baker, Steven Kozicki, Jason Laury, Jason Smith, Rob Williams, and Landon Ketchie.

Ernesto Platas pulls away from Lule Tekilemariam during the game. Piedmont seniors are invited to play in the alumni game, and both Platas and Tekilemariam graduated in May.

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GO LIONS!

Stay up-to-date on all things Piedmont Athletics by visiting piedmontlions.com. Schedules, scores, stories of persistence, victory, and determination... Find all this and more at piedmontlions.com!

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AT H L E T ICS

COACH CAVE GOLF TOURNAMENT Raises $20,000 for Scholarship Fund

By Rachel Pleasant

iedmont University’s 34th annual Coach Cave Memorial Golf Tournament took place June 6, 2022, at Suwanee’s Laurel Springs Golf Club, with 70 participants raising $20,000 to benefit Piedmont students. “The golf tournament is always a highlight of the year, a special day when we both remember Coach Cave and pledge our commitment to the future of the university that he served for so many years. We thank everyone who came out to participate in this year’s event,” said Mark Elam, assistant vice president of development and alumni relations, who coordinates the tournament each year. In his 36 years with Piedmont University, Leon O’Neal Cave served in roles including athletic director, varsity men’s basketball coach, golf course supervisor, and dean, until his retirement in the 1980s. He died in 1985. The golf tournament benefits the O’Neal Cave Scholarship Fund. The 35th annual Coach Cave Memorial Golf Tournament will take place June 5, 2023. Check piedmont.edu/ golf for more information as the event approaches.

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PIEDMONT ALUMNI:

Join the Lions Share Network! Have you joined Piedmont University’s Lions Share Network? If not, now is the time! The Lion’s Share Network is the Alumni Association’s dedicated website for alumni, students, and other members of the Piedmont University community. It’s your best source for Piedmont news. It’s where alumni can easily keep in touch with classmates and their former professors. It’s the place for information about upcoming alumni events. It’s where you can get first dibs on new alumni gear available through Piedmont’s online store. It’s also the perfect place to show your support for Piedmont University by making a gift to the fund of your choice. Ready to join? We can’t wait to connect with you.

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A Note from Hobbs

Your alumni house

Craig Rogers speaks at the inaugural Yonahian Society Gala.

is capable of reaching. We need your help! Here are some ways you can get involved: As I complete my third year at Piedmont, leading an incredible team of dedicated and passionate folks who believe deeply in Piedmont University’s mission and potential, it is time to take stock and look forward. In University Advancement, our overarching goals since I arrived have been to raise the profile of the institution through sophisticated marketing tactics and create a culture of philanthropy by engaging alumni, employees, community leaders, and others with a heart for Piedmont. In the last three years, we’ve rebranded Piedmont, supported the institution’s transition to a university, redesigned piedmont.edu, significantly increased social and web traffic, expanded Journal, engaged students in our storytelling efforts, and worked collaboratively with departments throughout the university to highlight all Piedmont has to offer. For decades, Piedmont was “Georgia’s bestkept secret,” but through our marketing efforts, we’re raising awareness, and I’m happy to share, contributing to increasing undergraduate applications and deposits. Our marketing efforts go hand-in-hand with our work to create a culture of philanthropy that will support Piedmont’s growth for generations to come. In April 2022, we hosted our first Yonahian Society Gala. This event represented a building block in the culture we’re creating. It was truly beautiful and inspiring to join the inaugural Yonahian Society class for a night celebrating the difference Piedmont has made in their lives. For all we have achieved in these last three years, there is still much to be done to take Piedmont to the heights we know it

•G et involved with the Alumni Association. Learn more at alumni.piedmont.edu. •L et us share your story on piedmont. edu, social media, and in marketing materials. Contact Rachel Pleasant at rpleasant@piedmont.edu. •A ttend events. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, and join the Alumni Association to stay up to date on upcoming events. •G ive to Piedmont. Let me expound on the last point. Alumni giving reflects on Piedmont in many ways. It is a signal to prospective students and their families that alumni believe in this institution. Many charitable foundations want to see a high participation rate before their boards will give to the university. Philanthropists will often take alumni giving into consideration before deciding where to make large-scale gifts — if alumni won’t invest, why should they? The size of your gift isn’t what matters. What matters is that you think enough of Piedmont to give, whatever that amount may be. If you believe, like I do, that Piedmont makes a positive difference in the lives of its students, please show your support by giving to the LionsShare fund. Our goal is to reach 1,000 alumni donors each year. We won’t get there without you. Make your gift by visiting piedmont. edu/giving-to-piedmont-university. Thank you for all you do for Piedmont University.

Craig Rogers, Vice President of University Advancement

CHAPLAIN’S D I S C R E T I O N A RY F U N D ‘Gift From the Universe’ Helps a Student Graduate By Tiffany long A Piedmont University student’s recent financial hardship perfectly summarizes the importance of the Chaplain’s Discretionary Fund. The student, a Criminal Justice major who supports his family while going to school full time, is scheduled to graduate in December. Family finances leave little room for the unexpected, so when the student was told he needed to pay a graduation fee — which covers the cost of his diploma — he faced a real problem. For most students, this fee is nominal. They hardly think twice about it as they finish up their classes, enjoy the last moments of college life, and prepare for the next stages of their lives. Not so for this student. He already had a job awaiting him after graduation, but he was prepared to turn down gainful employment within his career field and leave Piedmont without a diploma because this final fee seemed so insurmountable.

Made possible through donations, the Chaplain’s Discretionary Fund exists to help students when they find themselves in a tough financial spot. Students are always grateful.

The student’s academic advisor kept asking him why he hadn’t submitted his graduation application, and he explained his predicament. Immediately, the advisor reached out to Campus Minister Tim GarvinLeighton to see if the Chaplain’s Discretionary Fund could help pay the student’s graduation fee. Rev. Tim’s immediate response: “Yes.” As the administer of the fund, Garvin-Leighton refers to the anonymous support given to students through the fund as “a gift from the universe.” Made possible through donations, the Chaplain’s Discretionary Fund exists to help students when they find themselves in a tough financial spot. Students are always grateful. “Never, not once, has a student acted entitled or deserving,” Garvin-Leighton said. “Some do pay it back, though there is no expectation that they do.” He added:

Campus Minister Rev. Tim Garvin-Leighton

To help a student in need, donate by: CHECK made out to Piedmont University, with “Chaplain’s Discretionary Fund” in the memo line, to the attention of Rev. Tim Garvin-Leighton or University Advancement, P.O. Box 10 Demorest, GA 30535 OR

ONLINE donate at piedmont.edu/ giving-to-piedmontuniversity. For more information, email Garvin-Leighton at tleighton@ piedmont.edu.

“This fund, and the people who make donations to it, are truly changing the lives of Piedmont students.” PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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REVVING UP TO OUR

125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Dear alumni, Thanks to you and our amazing community, Homecoming 2021 was a huge hit. We brought new life to the Arrendale Amphitheater with the Atlanta Rhythm Section and the Ivan Duke Band. We even had a few student performers. For the first time in Piedmont history, libations were available for purchase on campus, along with food galore. With more than 300 alumni and community attendees, the event was a huge success! In April, we teamed up with Habersham Chamber of Commerce to host our first annual LionFest celebration. Once again, the Ivan Duke Band rocked the Arrendale Amphitheater. A student band, Mayflower Maniacs, entertained us all with their unique arrangements and the enthusiasm that only the next generation of artists can bring. We had live karaoke with the Ivan Duke Band, led by Stefanie Watkins Couch ’07, one of our outstanding and talented Alumni Association directors. Stefanie and student Edith Gonzalez were standout performers and crowd favorites. LionFest brought more than 25 craft vendors, including several student artists, food vendors, and, of course, a beer and wine tent, to our campus. Throughout the course of the beautiful spring day, we had a great turnout of approximately 200 visitors. As you can imagine, we want to keep the momentum going and make our next celebrations bigger and better. Lucky for us, September marks our 125th anniversary. Throughout the course of this academic year, we will have several smaller celebrations to mark milestones in our history. Keep your eyes peeled for invitations to those events. And mark your calendars for Homecoming 2022 on Oct. 22, 2022. We will be hosting class reunions, affinity gatherings upon request, the Alumni Awards and Sports Hall of Fame Celebration, and much more. We will also be revealing the newly renovated Alumni Plaza, where your

Stefanie Watkins Couch ’07 was a karaoke favorite at LionFest.

alumni tribute pavers will be displayed. And, of course, what is a celebration without music? Rest assured, we will have live performances by local artists and students! To make sure you don’t miss any of our announcements, please make sure we have your most up-to-date contact information on file. You can update your information online at alumni.piedmont.edu or by contacting me at kdeal@piedmont.edu or 706-776-0146. If you would like to plan an affinity group reunion or an alumni sports gathering, email me! 125 years is certainly something to commemorate. Come celebrate with us! Katie Deal Comeau ’02 Director of Alumni Engagement and Development kdeal@piedmont.edu | 706-776-0146

Rogers Endowed Scholarship

ESTABLISHED TO HONOR MEMORY OF FORMER PIEDMONT DEAN

By Terrie Ellerbee ’95

Dr. Jonathan Clark Rogers taught mathematics and served as basketball coach at Oakwood Seminary in New York before returning to Piedmont.

r. Jonathan Clark Rogers was a Piedmont graduate who went on to a distinguished career in higher education, including returning to Piedmont to serve as dean for many years. An endowed scholarship in his name, bolstered earlier this year with contributions by his granddaughters, Anne W. Chenault and Mary F. Raymer, continues his lifelong work to ensure educational opportunity for the students of Georgia. Raymer said her grandfather was an extraordinary teacher. She recalled when her brother, Edwin, turned to “Granddaddy Rogers” for help understanding algebra. “He went to Dahlonega (Georgia) to stay a week just to work with Granddaddy,” she said. “Our grandfather had a way of teaching that gave our brother total confidence, and he just went whizzing through the rest of mathematics.” Rogers was born in 1885, in Richmond, Indiana. His family moved to Demorest in 1892, and in 1903, when he was 18, he enrolled at Piedmont. Rogers earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1906 and continued his education at Earlham College, where he received an engineering degree in 1907. In 1927, he graduated from Columbia University with a master’s degree. Rogers began his career in education at Oakwood Seminary in New York, where he taught mathematics and served as the basketball coach and a dormitory proctor. In 1909, he returned to Demorest to serve as principal of the Piedmont Academy and Elementary School, which was then part of the university. In 1911, he was named professor of mathematics and began his 22-year tenure as dean. In 1934, Rogers became Piedmont’s vice president and local executive officer. That same year, Piedmont honored him with an honorary doctorate in education.

Also in 1934, Rogers was named president of North Georgia College (now the University of North Georgia) in Dahlonega. During his 15 years there, he helped the college grow from a two-year school to a four-year college. Enrollment increased from 160 to 720 students under his leadership. In 1949, the state’s Board of Regents named Rogers president of the University of Georgia. “Perhaps Granddad's greatest accomplishment at UGA was in maintaining it as a single flagship university rather than having it split into various colleges and schools,” Chenault said. After serving just under two years as UGA president, Rogers went on to become director of Tallulah Falls School from 1951-53. In the 1950s, his former home in Demorest was torn down to make way for a new library at Piedmont. Rogers returned to teaching in 1957 when he joined the Reinhardt College faculty as a math professor and counselor until 1962. He also worked with others to plan and establish a system of junior colleges across the state to increase access to educational opportunities. In 1966, Rogers was named an honorary trustee at Reinhardt. Rogers Hall, on UNG’s Dahlonega campus, stands as a tribute to his contributions to the field of education. Rogers died on Oct. 24, 1967. The Dr. Jonathan Clark Rogers Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually to students selected by the Office of Financial Aid who are making satisfactory academic progress. Raymer hopes mathematics majors will apply. PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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GINNY + DAVID By Katie Deal Comeau ’02

Love was blooming in the spring of 1964 as little Virginia “Ginny” McDonald Abbot ’68, a senior at North Habersham High School, watched in awe while the Piedmont Choir sang at her school. But it was not the choir that drew her attention; it was the handsome young man playing the piano. David Kimball Abbot ’67, a freshman at Piedmont, gave an encore performance of “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’” from Porgy and Bess. He was talented and funny, and he dazzled the teenage girls of North Habersham High, most of all Ginny. Maybe it was the short distance between the Demorest campus and her hometown of Hollywood that enticed Ginny to enroll at Piedmont in the fall of 1964. Or maybe it was that cute piano player she had seen the previous spring. She’ll never say for sure. As it turns out, the young man had his eye on her, as well. While on a group hike of Yonah Mountain that fall, David snapped a photo of the beautiful Ginny. He didn’t even know her name; he hadn’t yet worked up the courage to speak to her. The photo was his icebreaker, and it worked. Soon Ginny and David became friends, but David was not the only one who was keen on her. Russell “Ted” Just ’67, David’s roommate and close friend, asked Ginny to accompany him to the Piedmont Choir Christmas party, beating David to the punch. At the party, David turned up the charm and finally confessed his feelings to Ginny. The following day, he attended the United Federalist Church with Ginny, a requirement set by Mr. McDonald in order to date any of his three daughters. Ginny took this opportunity to chide David

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for delaying their courtship. How had he not noticed that she had been interested in him for months?! David and Ted remained friends, and all tension dissipated once Ted met Ginny’s younger sister, Linda McDonald Just ’73. David continued to attend church with the McDonald family. He and Ginny found they had much in common. They were both musically talented and sang in the Piedmont Choir together. They both spent a lot of time in the library — Ginny as a student worker, David as an admirer. Both were good with numbers — Ginny was a mathematics major, and David was an accounting major — but he got distracted in calculus. He finally implored her to sit behind him so he could concentrate. Her outgoing, loveable personality was — and still is — irresistible to him. David and Ginny married on August 5, 1967. Ted and Linda married shortly after and remained together until his passing in 1980. David and Ginny have enjoyed a life of travel, family, love, and friendship. As they approach 55 years of marriage, their secret for marital bliss is simple: place God above all, and He will be the keystone that keeps your relationship whole. David and Ginny have four children: Stephanie, Beth, Matt and Jennifer Abbot Pendleton ’01. One of their grandchildren, Jared Parks, will be starting at Piedmont this fall.

If you have a Piedmont love story to share, please email kdeal@piedmont.edu.

Piedmont Welcomes THREE NEW TRUSTEES By Rachel Pleasant In spring 2022, Piedmont University welcomed three new members to its Board of Trustees. “We are thrilled to welcome Matt, Walter, and Barbara to the Board,” said President Dr. James F. Mellichamp. “Each brings unique professional experiences and personal perspectives, but they all believe in Piedmont, its mission, and its future. I look forward to all we will accomplish together.” The new Board members include: MATT COOK Matt Cook is a native of Rabun County and a first-generation graduate of Piedmont University. He grew up in Northeast Georgia, the son of a single mom. He spent three years working in cotton mills and other manual labor jobs before graduating from Piedmont and attending law school at Mercer University. He joined a nationally renowned trial lawyer firm, where he spent six years as an associate and five years as a partner, handling a broad range of complex, catastrophic injury and death cases across the U.S. Cook secured more than $225 million for clients in just the past 10 years. He is a frequent speaker at trial lawyer seminars, has published numerous articles, and has served as an expert witness in several cases. Cook is also an aviation enthusiast and has his private pilot's license. “I am proud to support this University, which has for over a century provided vital educational support to the Northeast Georgia mountain communities. I met some of my best friends as a young man at Piedmont, and learned lifelong lessons on this campus.”

WALTER CROWDER Walter Crowder is a native of Habersham County and graduated from Habersham Central High School. He and his wife, Kathy, raised their two sons in Decatur, Georgia, but they recently moved to Cornelia and are happy to be back home. He has more than 30 years of experience in organizational leadership and strategy. He serves as an executive for Lexmark, a Lexington, Kentucky, corporation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and finance from Emory University. He is an Eagle Scout and volunteers with the Boy Scouts. “To be part of an important institution and bring fresh ideas and energy as we drive toward excellence for the Piedmont University student body — that’s my goal as a Board member.”

BARBARA STRAIN Barbara Strain began her professional life as a social worker with the Habersham County Health Department. She served as the social services coordinator for the 20-county Ninth District Head Start Program and provided consultant training for Head Start Programs throughout the southeast. In 1981, she joined her father as managing broker for his real estate company, Shield Realty. The company grew to eight offices with 28 agents and was considered one of the top real estate agencies in the area. She became a partner in the family company and helped successfully develop many neighborhoods. In 1991, Shield Realty was bought out by its current owners. Strain eventually retired from professional work and became a full-time wife, mother, and community volunteer. She served with the Habersham Medical Center Authority, including on the executive committee, for several years. She was also chairman of the Habersham Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Downtown Development Authority representing the City of Cornelia, and an active member of the Habersham Rotary Club; in the latter role she was a longtime trustee of the Rotary’s scholarship fund. Appointed by former Gov. Sonny Purdue, she served two terms on the Georgia Council for Families and Youth. She is a certified relationship coach and is facilitating a national church-sponsored singles mission. “I have spent my life serving the Habersham community, and I look forward to continuing this work as a Piedmont Board member. I am committed to helping Piedmont and Habersham grow — and thrive — together.” PI EDMONT J O U R NAL

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News&Notes CLASS

1980s

Piedmont Trustee Dr. Martha Kelly Cantrell ’80, EdS ’10, EdD ’12 and former suitemate Theresa Burnett Edwards ’78 proudly represent Piedmont alumni at Homecoming.

2000s 2

While dining in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, recently, President James Mellichamp found himself seated next to former Mass Communications student, Rachel Viers Dailey ’07. It’s a small world, after all.

Mary Grant Dunagan MA ’00 poses with eldest daughter, Leah Dunagan Hulsey MA ’06. Both Piedmont alumnae have been lauded as Teacher of the Year during their careers. Most recently, Leah received her second Teacher of the Year Award in May 2021 for her work with Long Branch Elementary in Dahlonega, Georgia.

Seth George ’18 and Morgan McCalla George ’17, MBA ’18 tied the knot on November 13, 2021. Megan is now working as an Account Executive for Source Outdoor Group.

Dr. Shannon Romano ’12 has completed one year as an ORISE Research Fellow at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will continue her work as the sole biologist in a group of three chemists. The group studies the metabolome to detect changes following exposures to environmentally relevant aquatic contaminants, such as human medication, pesticides, and metals. Her hope is to help the EPA set healthy guidelines for exposure and potential mitigation, when necessary. Shannon received her PhD from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2017 in Pharmacology and Toxicology. She completed a postdoctoral fellow position at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan (2017-2021) before joining the EPA in Athens, Georgia, in June 2021.

2020s

Tim Suda ’10 recently received the 2021 Emerging Leader Award, presented by the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) for his work in the volunteer engagement field and with the American Red Cross Disaster Services Team.

Jessie Owensby ’15 recently received the Jim Cox, Jr. Alumni Award for Mass Communications from Piedmont University.

Carly Haraka ’16 and her dog, Trump, are loving life in their new home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Carly is enjoying her new job as Sales and Billing Coordinator for RA Marketing.

Send us your Class Notes! classnotes@piedmont.edu

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Shamika Howard ’20 was recently promoted to Human Resources Managing Consultant for University Human Resources, a division of the University of Georgia System. Prior to her promotion, Shamika was one of four University of Georgia staff members to receive the 2021 Ed Wilker Memorial Egalitarian Award for her work with University Housing.

Sean Ogle ’20 recently graduated with a dual degree, Master of Science in Molecular Pharmacology and Master of Business, at Loyola University in Chicago.

2010s

Zachary Stein ’10, MBA ’12 and Abby White Stein ’09, MBA ’11 along with big brother, William, proudly announce the birth of Nicholas John Stein born January 2, 2021.

Elida Lugo Cornejo MA ’22 proudly poses with her family following Commencement in May.

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BRYAN SCHROEDER MAKES GEORGIA TREND’S MOST INFLUENTIAL LIST

Among Georgia Trend’s 100 Most Influential Georgians, a list peppered with mayors, university presidents, and CEOs, not to mention Tyler Perry, is Bryan Schroeder ’03, executive director of Giving Kitchen in Atlanta. Schroeder said he would gladly be honored for making the best road trip playlists or knowing where to paddle and camp across Georgia, but “Most Influential Georgian” was a surprise. “It’s my job to help shine a light on Giving Kitchen and our team, so it felt a little out of place to be in the spotlight,” Schroeder said. “This is clearly a recognition for the team at Giving Kitchen, and I’m honored to be part of that team.” The nonprofit provides emergency financial assistance to food service workers regionally and is focused on Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte. Giving Kitchen received the 2019 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year award for its work. To date it has helped more than 9,000 food service workers in crisis with more than $6 million in financial aid. Schroeder was on the cover of Piedmont’s fall 2019 Journal with a feature about how Giving Kitchen had grown under his leadership. He seemed destined for the job. He was just three days old when his parents opened Schroeder’s New Deli in Rome, Georgia. As he grew up, Schroeder

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took on every position at the family’s eatery, from dishwasher to pizza cook. The restaurant is still open. The Georgia Trend recognition, he said, is a tribute to his parents, “who worked hard raising a family.” “They gave up a lot for my brother and me. I know this means the world to them.” He’s also proud for his teachers, including a few from Piedmont who he said believed in him and “stuck their necks out for me when it wasn’t convenient or entirely clear that I deserved it.” Schroeder encourages everyone who knows of food service workers in crisis to refer them to Giving Kitchen.

It’s my job to help shine a light on Giving Kitchen and our team, so it felt a little out of place to be in the spotlight. This is clearly a recognition for the team at Giving Kitchen, and I’m honored to be part of that team.

In Memory ALUMNI 1940s Mr. Ewell Brown Pinkston Sr. ’43 passed away on March 22, 2015, at the age of 91.

Mrs. Mary Margaret Wynn Smoot ’45 passed away on September 11, 2017, at the age of 93. Mr. Charles Walter “Chuck” Hendrickson (1947-1955) passed away on December 16, 2021, at the age of 90.

Mr. Noble Watson Sorrow ’49 passed away on January 31 at the age of 95.

Major Sgt. James Harold Smith (1949-1952) passed away on March 22 at the age of 93.

1950s Mr. Henry Wilson Skipper Sr. ’50 passed away on March 24, 2020, at the age of 96.

Mr. William Frederick “Bill” Prokasy IV (1950-1951) passed away on November 4, 2019, at the age of 88. Mrs. Courtney Elizabeth Randall Stukes ’51 passed away on March 13 at the age of 92. Mr. George Truitt Vaughn ’51 passed away on October 21, 2015, at the age of 88.

Mr. William Donald Patten Sr. ’61 passed away on October 21, 2019, at the age of 85.

Mrs. Mary Sue Ligon Hearn ’54 passed away on January 8 at the age of 88.

Coach Kendall D. “Ken” Rice ’61 passed away on January 4 at the age of 82.

Mrs. Dorothy Eunice “Dot” Woodring Painter ’54 passed away on November 1, 2021, at the age of 99.

Mr. Barry Hammond Hicks, Sr. (1961-1962) passed away on March 23 at the age of 79.

Coach David Thomas Russi, Sr. ’56 passed away on December 11, 2021, at the age of 90.

Mrs. Wilma Leach Webb (1947-1949) passed away on November 3, 2021, at the age of 90. Mrs. Dorothy I. “Dot” Barrett Kelly ’48 passed away on January 21, 2018, at the age of 90.

Ms. Adeline Wood ’52 passed away on March 7 at the age of 90.

Mr. Kendall Dana “Ken” Lockerman (19621963) passed away on January 18, 2020, at the age of 75. Mr. Daniel Parris Barrett ’66 passed away on January 6 at the age of 79.

Ms. Glenna V. Waldroup ’56 passed away on June 13, 2017, at the age of 85. Mr. James Alfred “Jim” Abercrombie Jr. (1958-1959) passed away on November 16, 2021, at the age of 83.

Mrs. Lydia Jeanette Fuller White ’68 passed away on November 11, 2019, at the age of 73.

1960s Mrs. Jewell Othella Dickerson Arrowood ’60 passed away on January 3 at the age of 94.

Mr. Rex G. Poole ’60 passed away on January 13 at the age of 87.

Mr. Henry “Leroy” Brock ’61 passed away on February 3 at the age of 89.

Mr. Mark Timothy Brown (1968-1971) passed away on March 1 at the age of 71.

Ms. Nancy Stewart Alley ’69 passed away on September 5, 2017, at the age of 76. Mr. Fay Roger Loggins ’69 passed away on February 10 at the age of 83.

Mr. James Walker Palmer ’69 passed away on December 14, 2019, at the age of 83. Mrs. Lynda Lokey Gresham ’61 passed away on December 20, 2021, at the age of 81.

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In Memory 1970s

Mrs. Anita Jane Crane Sherby M ’05 passed away on April 3, 2020, at the age of 72.

Ms. Meredith Brown Brice ’73 passed away on February 23 at the age of 72.

Dr. Manuel Alberto de Friexas Gonzalez (former faculty) passed away on February 2 at the age of 85.

Coach Phillip Wayne “Phil” Hall ’73 passed away on December 26, 2019, at the age of 71.

Ms. Regan Hightower M ’06 passed away on June 19, 2020, at the age of 45.

Mr. William Wayne Short ’75 passed away on August 12, 2021, at the age of 80.

Mrs. Lisa Thurmond Wall ’08 passed away on January 20 at the age of 51.

1980s

Mrs. Cheryl Johnson Payne EdS ’09 passed away on June 30, 2021, at the age of 64.

Mrs. Elizabeth Diane Hill Stover ’89 passed away on March 30 at the age of 68.

1990s

Dr. Paul E. Greene (former faculty) passed away on November 21, 2021, at the age of 74.

Dr. James Pickett “Jim” Jones Jr. passed away on June 20, 2020, at the age of 89.

Dr. Thomas Dale “Tom” Miles (former faculty) passed away on February 1 at the age of 82.

OTHER ALUMNI Mr. Dennis Keith Clark ’91 passed away on January 16 at the age of 74.

Mr. William Patrick “Pat” Eidt Jr. passed away on December 19, 2021, at the age of 43. Ms. Callen Anne Phillips passed away on February 13 at the age of 26.

Mrs. Edie Phyllis Schroeder Bolton ’98 passed away on January 18 at the age of 72.

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Masters Poole passed away on April 7 at the age of 81.

Mrs. Susan Jones Bowlin M ’98 passed away on November 10, 2021, at the age of 69.

Ms. Jenifer Lynn “Jenni” Walls passed away on April 3 at the age of 56.

2000s Mrs. Elisa Maritza Brown M ’01, EdS ’03 passed away on March 7 at the age of 63.

Mrs. Louise King Williams passed away on November 18, 2015, at the age of 71.

FRIENDS Mrs. Donna Lisa Turpin Dills M ’01 passed away on August 1, 2015, at the age of 52.

Mr. Earl “Ray” Floyd passed away on March 15, 2020.

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Mrs. Grace McGahee Brown passed away on September 15, 2017, at the age of 71.

Ms. Judi Mize passed away on January 13 at the age of 73.

Mrs. Marilyn Jordan Motz passed away on March 24 at the age of 81. Ms. Sarah Manning Pope passed away on July 8, 2021, at the age of 88.

Dr. Hatler Hilton Smith (former faculty) passed away on November 21, 2021, at the age of 87.

Judge Robert Bryan Struble, Sr. (trustee emeritus) passed away on February 18 at the age of 90.

Leave your legacy on Piedmont's campus! Piedmont is planning to build a fountain surrounded by raised gardens on the quad at the center of the Demorest campus. The new gathering space has been designed to both inspire current students and honor Piedmont alumni. To purchase a brick that will be used in the construction of the project, visit alumni.piedmont.edu/g/tribute-pavers. Bricks can be inscribed with a message of your choice!

Brick Paver Examples The pavers, made of colored brick, are available in Standard 4” x 8” (with 3 lines of copy), or Double 8” x 8” (with up to 6 lines of copy) size. Each line of copy may contain up to 20 characters (including spaces).

SCAN THE QR CODE TO ORDER YOURS TODAY! For questions or additional information contact Mark Elam, assistant vice president of development and alumni relations at melam@piedmont.edu or 706-894-4214.

Conceptual drawing of a possible design for the plaza.

PO Box 10 Demorest GA 30535

BECOME A YONAHIAN!

Members of the Yonahian Society provide an annual financial gift of $1,000 or more. These individuals believe in the power of a Piedmont University education and are committed to helping this institution grow and continue to serve students for generations to come. Piedmont University is deeply thankful for the Yonahians’ generous support, year after year. We would love to have you join us! Scan the QR code to learn more about the Yonahian Society and how to join.

Piedmont Journal | Summer 2022

Articles inside

A note from Hobbs

Class News & Notes

Katie's Corner

A word from the President