A PUBLICATION OF TREVECCA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TENN.
Spring
2012 Treveccan Spring 2012
www.trevecca.edu1
President’s Imprint
A picture is worth a thousand... In an issue dedicated to the work of Trevecca graduates in the arts, my contribution is simple. Pictures. Bob Benson once said about a gathering that there were more smiles than faces. He could have been talking about Trevecca. These pictures reveal the sheer joy of the place. Life on the hill is rich and deep. Blessings,
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Treveccan Spring 2012
Contents President’s Imprint ................................
A picture is worth a thousand...
Campus News......................................... Vol. 82 No. 1 Spring 2012 Dan Boone ’74 President Jan Greathouse ’67 Editor Contributors David Diehl ’89 Casey Johnson ‘03/MBA ’10 Jeff Frame Tiffany McClain ’00 Richard Parrott Tripp York ’98 Greg Ruff ’00 Contact Information Treveccan 333 Murfreesboro Road Nashville, TN 37210 615-248-7782 treveccan@trevecca.edu Main number 615-248-1200 Admissions office 615-248-1320 Alumni office 615-248-1350
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FIve dollars and a train ticket
New campus clock
Trevecca Society Day
Alumni center named
Jazz students compete
Dramatic Arts Program takes on new challenge
President Boone wins award
Features..................................................
Taking nothing for granted...
Salt & Light...
A lost ark?
Trojan Talk..............................................
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24-25
Basketball season recap
Alumni News..........................................
Alumni celebrating... connecting
Alumni and friends we will miss
Faculty news
Where in the world...?
Who are your work buddies?
More great stories begin...
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www.trevecca.edu The Treveccan, publication No. 394470, is published quarterly by Trevecca Nazarene University, 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37210-2877. Periodical postage paid at Nashville, Tennessee. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Office of Alumni Relations, Trevecca Nazarene University, 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN 37210-2877. Treveccan Spring 2012
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Campus News
New campus clock donated in memory of Alonzo Parrott ’13 Earlier this year a new campus clock was installed between Martin and Adams Buildings, in the area where the old bell tower once stood. Funds for the clock were donated by faculty member Richard L. Parrott in memory of his grandfather, Alonzo Parrott ’13. Parrott and his wife, Shirley, (left) and David Caldwell ’84, executive vice president for finance and administration, watch as Plant Operations employees complete the installation of the clock.
Five dollars and a train ticket Richard Leslie Parrott*
The extended revival services concluded with individuals seeking conversion, sanctification, and reconciliation with neighbors; however, there was one more transformation about to take place in 1910 at the Church of the Nazarene in Monterey, Tennessee. The evangelist saw potential in a young man of nineteen years, Alonzo Parrott. The speaker of the week gave the young man five dollars, a train ticket, and simple words of instruction: “When you get to Nashville, ask for Trevecca.” Three years later, 1913, my grandfather graduated from Trevecca with a theology degree, one of the last graduating classes under the direct supervision of J. O. McClurkan. Grandfather was a practical man. I remember seeing him for the first time after I began my ministry as pastor of a small country church. Grandpa understood young men starting out in country churches and asked, “Have you learned how to use a broom?” His practicality was seen in those early days at Trevecca. It is reported that when Grandfather entered Trevecca he had fewer than five dollars, and when he left, all the bills for his schooling where paid in full. At his graduation ceremony in 1913, Grandfather spoke on behalf of the senior class. His short and fiery speech was only a page in length, typed on letterhead paper that read “Pentecostal Mission Publishing Company, Publishers of Living
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Waters Religious Literature and Songbooks, 125 Fourth Ave. N., Nashville, Tenn.” The last line of the speech was a challenge to his colleagues: “What then? Will man drift on with the age, failing to recognize his solemn responsibility of life, or will he busy himself, creating his own atmosphere, and make the world a better place by virtue of having lived in it?” About a decade later, Grandfather returned to Trevecca for a bachelor of divinity degree, graduating in 1922. When he was standing in line to fill out the paperwork for his diploma, the registrar noted that a middle name was not recorded on the graduation certificate, “Alonzo, what is your middle name?” Grandpa didn’t have a middle name. The registrar continued, “You should have a middle name on such a fine diploma.” The young man thought for a moment and replied, “I like the name Leslie; I’ll be Alonzo Leslie Parrott.” A. L. Parrott was a product of Trevecca. With the gift of five dollars and a train ticket, he and his wife, Lucille (Elliot), produced a legacy of four generations of medical doctors, college presidents, ministers, professors, and authors. Grandfather made the world a better place by virtue of having lived in it. *Parrott is a member of the Trevecca School of Education faculty.
Treveccan Spring 2012
Campus News Trevecca Society celebrates with naming of alumni center
The annual Trevecca Society Day, held this year on February 17, honored annual donors with an afternoon and evening of inspiration and entertainment. The opening event was a “last lecture” by Jan Harvey, of the Graduate Counseling Program, in which Harvey Jan Harvey, a marriage and family expressed the guiding therapist and a member of the principles of her life and administrative staff of Trevecca’s career as a counselor. Then Graduate Counseling Program, participants moved to the delivers her “last lecture.” new alumni building for a reception in celebration of the naming of the Hardy Alumni Center. (See p. 6. in this magazine.) The day’s events concluded with a dinner in the convocation center with music by Vocal Edge, Trevecca’s newest musical ensemble. The evening’s program was a dialogue about Trevecca’s future in athletics. Speakers were Mark Elliott, Trevecca’s athletic director; George Plaster, local sports commentator; and C. M. Newton, Trevecca’s consultant for the University’s application for NCAA Division-II membership. This annual event recognizes members of The Trevecca Society for their significant impact on the lives of students. By their annual financial support, members of this group make it possible for students to make a difference and to become world-changers and leap-takers. Members of The Trevecca Society are persons and organizations who share their resources in order to have a positive impact on the lives of others. Will YOU consider
becoming a part of The Trevecca Society this year? Your participation in this group can make a lasting difference in the lives of Trevecca students.
Trevecca Society Members • Contribute $1,000 or more annually to Trevecca projects and programs of their choice
•
Enjoy The Trevecca Society Day and Celebration Dinner in the spring, as a “thank you” for their commitment and dedication to The Trevecca Society
For information about The Trevecca Society or membership in it, contact Phyllis Beam, director of annual and corporate giving, at 615- 248-1436 or pbeam@trevecca.edu.
The annual dinner for The Trevecca Society included a dialogue about the topic of Trevecca’s application to join NCAA Division II. Speakers were (L-R) C. M. Newton, whose career in college sports included service as men’s basketball coach at the University of Alabama and Vanderbilt University, as athletic director at the University of Kentucky, chair of the NCAA Rules Committee, and most recently as Trevecca’s consultant during its NCAA D-II application process; sports radio commentator George Plaster; and Trevecca athletic director Mark Elliott.
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Campus News Alumni center named Hardy Alumni Center One of the highlights of the annual meeting of the Trevecca Society on February 17 was the celebration of the naming of the alumni center. A generous gift from Eleanor Hardy Burrow ’39 made possible the naming of this new building—Hardy Alumni Center—in honor of members of the Hardy family. The Hardy family began its association with the fledgling school early in its history. Chester E. Hardy M.D., Ms. Burrow’s uncle, followed founder J. O. McClurkan as Trevecca’s second president, 19151919; then he served two other terms as Trevecca’s president, 1920-1925 and 1928-1936. Nathan and Ozella Hardy, Ms. Burrow’s parents, managed Trevecca’s farm, which supplied food to the school and provided employment for students who needed a way to pay their tuition. Ms. Burrow was a career educator in Nashville Public Schools, earning the Teacher of the Year Award and serving as acting principal; she served on many professional
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boards and committees during her career, including one of the planning committees when Nashville Public Schools merged with Davidson County Public Schools and became the Metro Nashville Public Schools. She is a loyal supporter of Trevecca and of First Church of the Nazarene in Nashville.
Eleanor Hardy Burrow (seated center) is surrounded by long-time friends at the reception for the naming of the Hardy Alumni Center: Standing—Former president Homer Adams ’47 and President Dan Boone ’74; seated— Beatrice Adams ’43, Ms. Burrow, former president Millard Reed. (Dr. Reed had been Ms. Burrow’s pastor at First Church of the Nazarene.)
Jazz students compete in festival The TNaz Jazz Ensemble and the TNU Combo #1 traveled to Chicago to participate in the 45th Annual Elmhurst College Jazz Festival. Serving on the judging panel were world-renowned jazz artists Jeff Hamilton, Tamir Hendelman, and Christoph Luty. Both ensembles received positive comments from the trio of judges. Andrew Riley (tenor sax) and Corey Williams (drums) both received Certificates of Outstanding Musicianship. Prior to the trip, the jazz groups performed at the Nashville School of Performing Arts and Timothy Christian High School in Elmhurst, Illinois.
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Campus News 4
Jungalbook
t h
A n n u a l
Preaching Conference: P r e ac h i n g 2 .0 with David Lose
October 22-23 2012
Dramatic Arts Program takes on new challenges Trevecca’s Dramatic Arts Program is charting new territory in kinds of productions and in academic offerings. Its spring production, Jungalbook [sic], was an inspired adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s famous Mowgli stories from his two popular jungle books. Planners designed the production to appeal to a mainstream family audience and to persons on the autism spectrum. This production was Trevecca’s first “applied theatre” presentation. “Applied theatre isn’t new, but it has experienced a rediscovery in urban settings as a meaningful and creative way to address the needs of local, marginalized communities. Only a few universities, mostly on the east and west coasts, have developed programs in applied theatre. The Jungalbook production allowed Trevecca to build relationships with those involved in Nashville’s local autistic community,” explained Jeff Frame, associate professor of drama and communication. Supported by the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee and The Brown Center for Autism, this production of Jungalbook included matinee performances for elementary school children in Middle Tennessee in addition to the regular performances. In the fall of 2012, Trevecca will offer a minor in applied theatre, an academic program which allows students to blend learning in two programs—Dramatic Arts and Social Justice. In the signature course in the minor, Perspectives in Applied Theatre, students will explore ways that drama, through process and performance, can be used to address social justice issues—theatre for the incarcerated, for the oppressed, for persons on the autism spectrum, and for other marginalized communities.
Treveccan Spring 2012
Persons today are no longer merely receivers of information; now they are producers of it. No longer passive listeners—now active collaborators in messaging. In spite of these changes, much preaching remains uniformly mono-directional and transactional in nature. This conference will help ministers develop a more participatory style of preaching, one that encourages congregants to do more than merely listen—to become contributors to sermons and better interpreters of Scripture, faith, and life.
Speaker David Lose is the director
of the Center for Biblical Preaching and professor of biblical preaching at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Conference cost is $50 and includes conference and 2 meals. Registration for the conference will begin June 1 at <www.trevecca.edu/church.services>.
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CAMPus News
President Boone wins award When the 47th annual Wesleyan Theological Society convened for its annual meeting, March 2-3, at Trevecca Nazarene University, this organization presented an award to Dan Boone ’74. President Boone received the 2012 Pastor-PreacherScholar Award in recognition of his years of service in those three areas—as pastor, preacher, and scholar—and for his writings about Wesleyan theology. President Boone has written many articles and the following books: Answers for Chicken Little—A No-Nonsense Look at the Book of Revelation (2006), The Worship Plot: Finding Unity in Our Common Story (2007), Seven Deadly Sins: The Uncomfortable Truth (2008), Preaching the Story that Shapes Us (2008), and Dancing with the Law: The Ten Commandments (2010). His most recently published book, A Charitable Discourse: Talking about the Things that Divide Us, addresses the difficult issues the church and a university face, including questions of science and religion, homosexuality, politics, drinking alcohol, and the emerging church.
MINIsTRY eNRICHMeNT AND MAsTeR OF ARTs OPPORTuNITY
Pastors Enrichment Series The multiple tasks of ministry can easily lead to exhaustion, settling for the status quo, and even burnout. Join other pastors from the Southeast for a time of retooling for ministry.
RETOOL: REFRESH: RENEW:
Save the date!
September 17-21, 2012 seMINAR ReGIsTRATION Fee
(per seminar)—Through September 5 - $79 (includes lunch on Tuesday or Thursday)
AFTeR sePTeMBeR 5 - $99 All participants will earn CEU credits through the Church of the Nazarene.
ReGIsTRATION BeGINs ON JuNe 15 www.trevecca.edu/R3PASTOR
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Treveccan Spring 2012
Granted–
Taking Nothing for
defying all odds
Why did “We had so many questions, and we were so broken,” said Tiffany Turnock McClain ’00, as she remembered the questions that plagued her and her husband, Matt, after they received the news that their first child, Grace, had cerebral palsy.
this happen? What does this mean?
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That brokenness cracked their almost perfect world, which began when they married in 2005 after Tiffany completed a master’s degree in producing for cinema and television at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her internship at the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) became a full-time job as a segment producer for “Living the Life,” the opening program for The 700 Club. “I fell in love with television—behind the scenes and in front of the camera—and I loved my four years at CBN,” Tiffany noted. Matt’s painting business began to grow, and they decided it was time to grow their family too. Grace was born on April 22, 2008, a beautiful and happy baby. However, when Grace was seven months old, Tiffany noticed that Grace was not using her right hand. Their pediatrician ordered an MRI, which revealed that Grace had had a stroke in utero. The damage occurred in the left side of her brain, affecting the right side of her body. The medical diagnosis was hemiplegia cerebral palsy. With many additional tests, the doctors determined the stroke was “a fluke.” “Our world changed instantly. We did not know anything about cerebral palsy, and Matt and I were overwhelmed by what the future would hold for Grace—and us,” recalled Tiffany. They decided to wait to have another child. However, one week later Tiffany found out she was pregnant.
Grace McClain, age four, loves Barbie dolls, dancing, and pre-school. She wears a specialized leg brace (an AFO) on her right leg and receives Botox injections every six months, to help relax the high tone in her arm and leg. She is a mild “hemi,” not cognitively impaired by the stroke. “Grace inspires us to never give up and always strive to be positive, no matter what our limitations may be,” noted Tiffany.
“...Matt and I were overwhelmed by what the future would hold for Grace—and us.” 10 Treveccan Spring 2012
The second pregnancy was uneventful until close to delivery time, when the baby flipped into a breech position. Reese was born on September 29, 2009, via C-section. A few hours after her birth the doctors suspected that she had Down syndrome. More pressing at the time, Reese had extremely low blood platelets. The trauma of coming through the birth canal, possibly, could have been fatal. Tiffany explained, “God protected her in my womb by flipping her.” After a platelet transfusion and a seven-day stay in the NICU, Reese joined her family at home, completely healthy. Life at home with two special–needs children can be challenging. “Some weeks we can have as many as five different therapists (physical, occupational, and speech) in and out of our home. They attribute the success and development of both girls to early intervention. We don’t take the little things for granted. We celebrate every milestone,” Tiffany said.
Reese McClain, age 2½, falls into the “mild” category of individuals with Down syndrome, according to her tests. Tiffany describes Reese as “our pure joy, sent to show us God’s unconditional love. She is bright, funny, and beautiful. She is going to change the old stigma and misconceptions of Down syndrome. To know her is to love her. She enjoys dance, gymnastics, and Elmo.”
Like other parents of special–needs children, Matt and Tiffany have undergone personal changes. “We had to mourn our expectations for their future in order to see the beauty in what could be. God used our initial doubts and questions as means to mold us into the parents he wants us to be—changing our perspectives totally. We are so blessed by these girls and realize they are true miracles,” Matt and Tiffany recalled.
“We had to mourn our expectations for their future in order to see the beauty in what could be.” Treveccan Spring 2012
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Tiffany recently returned to CBN, working part time from home as a researcher/ writer. She volunteers with the local Down syndrome association. As the leader of the new–baby group, Tiffany works to save these babies. She explained, “Because an estimated 92 percent of all women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome choose to terminate their pregnancies, I want them to know there is another option—that there are people out there who want to adopt kids with DS.” As a passionate advocate for her children, Tiffany works hard to combat common myths and misinformation about CP and DS. For instance, “One myth about cerebral palsy is that the symptoms are Tiffany and Matt McClain with daughters Grace (left) and Reese (right). mainly cognitive. While mental impairment is a characteristic of some forms of this disorder, the most significant effects are personal theme for her girls—“Defying all odds . . . with a exhibited in the muscles. People with little (like) ability,” daolikeability.blogspot.com. cerebral palsy have uneven muscle tone and usually have great difficulty controlling their muscles,” explained Tiffany. Grace and Reese will defy the odds. After all, they have a Regarding Down syndrome, Tiffany wants readers to know mother who understands the truth about the challenges that that “Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring lie ahead—a mother who sees beyond those difficulties. chromosomal condition. One in every 691 babies in the “Cerebral palsy and Down syndrome do not define my United States is born with Down syndrome. And because of daughters. They are simply little girls, enjoying life, in spite the higher fertility rates in younger women, 80% of children of their diagnoses,” asserted Tiffany. with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.” Tiffany writes a blog to educate and provide the facts During the production of this article, Tiffany and Matt learned about individuals with special needs, coming from a parent’s that they are expecting their third child in November 2012. perspective. The name of her blog comes from her own
what alumnus or alumna deserves to be honored? 12
at homecoming the trevecca alumni association presents three awards to persons nominated by its members. Do you know a graduating or nongraduating alumnus/a who graduated twenty or more years ago and has made a definite contribution to his or her community, church, and trevecca? Send your nomination with a brief explanation about why the person nominated would be a worthy recipient of an alumni award to nancy Dunlap, director of alumni relations, 333 Murfreesboro rd., nashville, tn 37210, or email ndunlap@trevecca.edu.
Treveccan Spring 2012
Our Christian artists: Stories that Shine
Graduates of Trevecca’s programs in music, dramatic arts, mass communication, and creative writing are finding unique ways to become “salt” and “light” in their career fields. Considered together, their individual stories speak volumes about the ways Christian artists are penetrating the culture. David J. Benzing ’86 | Radio personality
In radio since he graduated from Trevecca, David Benzing has worked in the Boston, Norfolk, Nashville, and Los Angeles radio markets and has worked in nearly every format and genre of music, news-talk, and teaching-talk stations. Moreover, he has worked in writing, voicing, and producing commercials, and in imaging, and he has worked with clients on their creative and on-air work. Since 2002 he has worked for Salem-Los Angeles for its five-station radio cluster, most notably working on the air for 95.9 The Fish. He enjoys reading stories to elementary school students during Readers are Leaders Day in March.
Craig Adams ’91 | Producer/arranger Craig Adams, creative director for LifeWay Worship Music Group in Nashville, Tennessee, is a five-time Dove Award-winning producer and arranger, songwriter, orchestrator, and musician. His work has influenced the success and ministry of such notable names as Sandi Patty, Steve Green, Sonic Flood, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Christ Church Choir, Maranatha Music, The Imperials, Word Records, Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Geron Davis, Phillip Keveren, and others. Craig has contributed commissioned pieces to Worship Leader Magazine, Let’s Worship Magazine, and Broadman and Holman’s Worship Bible. He has also served as adjunct instructor in Trevecca’s Music Business Program.
Stefanie Coburn Fuller ’92 | Singer/minister of worship arts Growing up in a Christian home where Christ and music were predominant, Stefanie Fuller learned to love music. Stefanie is the minister of worship arts at W. Columbia (S.C.) Church of the Nazarene and serves on the Board of Directors of the Trevecca Alumni Association. She has a solo recording, “In His Name,” and is featured in the evangelism videos Bound for that City and A Living Legacy. She has appeared with the Charleston Symphony, the Columbia Choral Society, and the Sandlapper Singers. Treveccan Spring 2012
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Scott Humston ’94 | Speaker/performer Overcoming a speech-related birth defect, Scott Humston is a full-time speaker and performer, devoting his life to the art of educating through entertainment. For the past twenty years he has entertained, motivated, and inspired thousands in performances which included shows for the White House. He continues to star and tour in The Pro Kids Show!® now seen live by more than three million people, and he is the presenter of The WonderFull Weekend— an outreach event for churches and church-related events.
Chad Schnarr ’96 | Actor/editor After working in professional theatre in Nashville, Chad Schnarr served as director of the Lillenas Dramatic Company (LDC) for ten years, performing and teaching in conferences and venues across the U.S. and Canada. Chad wrote and performed the lead role in a thirteen-episode show teaching kids about missions called Mission Possible. Chad, managing editor at NCN News and project manager for communications at the Church of the Nazarene’s Global Ministry Center, is also the cofounder-editor of BoltProspects. com, a website tracking draftees of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. The site recently became a partner with the NHL club and ESPNFlorida.com.
Rusty Smith ’97 | Performer/worship leader Rusty Smith is contracted at Universal and in Orlando, Florida, where he performs in four shows: “The Seuss Show,” “Poseidon’s Fury,” “Beetlejuices Graveyard Revue,” and “The Blues Brothers Show.” He performs as a “Jersey Boy” and a “Living Statue” with production companies and has an improv theatre group called Issues Improv. He was a featured dancer and horseback rider in “The Dixie Stampede” show and was a “swing” (performing nine different roles) in “The Miracle” in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and became the choreographer for the show in 2008. Currently, he is working on a children’s television show and a live-action movie version of the book Nick and Slim: The Legend of the Falcon Mine. Additionally, he is the interim worship leader at his church.
Brian Niece ’98/MA ’06 | Playwright/teacher Following graduation, Brian Niece spent nine years as a professional actor, director, designer, and playwright and was founder-artistic director of People’s Branch Theatre, voted Nashville’s most progressive theatre company. His plays have been performed from New York to Florida. After serving in ministry, Brian is now a high school teacher in Florida. “I view the world as my parish these days. Every day I get to direct and maximize high-school lives, planting seeds for our shared future,” said Brian.
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Tripp York ’98 | Director/actor/professor/author While earning a master’s in Christian ethics, Tripp York worked as an assistant technical director for the Paramount Theatre in Burlington, North Carolina, a position he still holds. Currently, he is designing lights for two shows, portraying Mitch in Tuesdays with Morrie, and teaching religious studies at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Virginia. Tripp has authored these books: The Purple Crown: The Politics of Martyrdom; Living on Hope While Living in Babylon; Donkeys and Kings; Anesthesia; The Devil Wears Nada; Third Way Allegiance; The Gift of Difference, A Faith Not Worth Fighting For. (Tripp contributed a feature article for this issue; see p. 21.)
Lori Leigh ’00 | Professor/director/playwright Following graduation from Trevecca, Lori Leigh earned a master’s degree in fine arts (MFA) in theatre from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Then she moved to New Zealand, where she earned a PhD in theatre from Victoria University of Wellington (VUW). Her dissertation focused on late Shakespearean plays, Restoration adaptations, and female roles. Currently, she lectures about modern to postmodern dramatic literature, Shakespeare, and introductory theatre papers at VUW and is a freelance director and playwright in New Zealand.
Tiffany Turnock McClain ’00 | researcher/writer/Producer After taking time off to stay at home with her two daughters, Tiffany McClain is again working for the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). She shares the story of her two daughters and their special needs on p. 9 of this issue.
Amanda Marshall ’00 | Children’s minister/writer Now in her ninth year in children’s ministry, Amanda Marshall serves at Salem Fields Community Church, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She previously served in churches in Virginia, Florida, and the Eastern Mediterranean mission field. She created musical theatre camps for children, directed and acted in dinner theatre performances, and found other ways to use her own creative skills—directing children’s musicals, choirs, and dance teams, leading worship both for children and adults, and creating curriculum for children’s ministry.
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Kara Smith ’00 | Actor/Teacher After Kara Smith moved to Los Angeles and signed with the Colleen Cler Agency, she worked on several TV shows, commercials, and films. In addition to her acting career, she teaches at a young actors’ conservatory, The Playground, and teaches her own acting classes at a studio near her home in West Hills, California.
Erin Thomas Horner ’01 | Hornist/singer/songwriter In 2002 Erin Horner earned a master’s of music in horn performance and literature at the Eastman School of Music. She was invited to join the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, which accompanied Vince Gill and Amy Grant for their nationwide Christmas tour. For the past ten years, Erin has been a top-call professional horn player in Nashville, playing studio engagements, TPAC shows, and Nashville Symphony concerts, and for seven years she has filled the second-horn chair in the Chattanooga Symphony. While Erin recovers from an injury to her lip, she is exploring a career as a songwriter and singer.
Andrea Anderson ’03 | Drama ministry director/writer/actor After graduating from Trevecca, Andrea Anderson worked for five years as the drama ministry director at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Missouri, where she wrote, directed, and performed in many sketches and plays. She wrote and performed sketches for the October 2008 Women after God’s Own Heart Conference. This spring she will complete a master of arts degree in theatre at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She plans to begin work on a PhD in fine arts at Texas Tech University this fall.
Michael Logen ’04 | Singer/songwriter Michael Logen is an internationally touring pop/folk artist who has shared the stage with John Legend, Jonny Lang, and India Arie. In 2004 Michael signed a publishing deal with Combustion Music/Windswept Music. Songs from Michael’s debut album Things I Failed to Mention have been featured on MTV’s Real World, The Hills, and ABC’s Kyle XY. Michael’s songs have also been co-written or covered by Jonny Lang, Mat Kearney, Brandon Heath, Will Hoge, Melissa Manchester, Point of Grace, Meghan Kabir (Flashmob), and many others. Currently, Michael is touring and writing and recording his next project.
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Shannon Spencer ’04 | Actor Shannon Spencer has worked with numerous community and professional theatre companies in Nashville since her graduation. Her theatre “home” is Lamplighter’s Theatre Company in Smyrna, Tennessee, where she has served four years on its governing board and works to fulfill the theatre’s goal of presenting morally sound, family friendly, and spiritually uplifting theatre. Shannon directed the world premier of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility this year on Lamplighter’s stage. Now nearing her 100th production, Shannon credits Trevecca for providing her with the tools and knowledge to succeed in the exciting and fast-paced theatre world but also for teaching her how to walk by faith.
Timbre Cierpke ’05 | Harpist/songwriter After playing her first show as a harpist/songwriter during her junior year at Trevecca, Timbre Cierpke has released three CDs and toured the U. S. and Europe. She has also collaborated with musicians around the world, including rock legends Jack White (of the White Stripes), Tom Jones, bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs, and many rock bands, including mewithoutYou and the Chariot. Readers can follow her career at http://facebook.com/timbreharp.
Graham High ’06 | Actor Since moving to Los Angeles six years ago, Graham High has acted in more than thirty commercials; one was featured on World’s Funniest Commercials in 2008. He studied improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, and he does standup comedy. Currently, he cohosts a Saturday Night Live recap show on Afterbuzz TV, Sundays at 5 PM PST.
Kim McLean ’06/MA ’08 | Minister/singer/songwriter Kim McLean is a Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning songwriter who has had more than two hundred songs recorded by such artists as Tim McGraw, Lee Ann Womack, and Trisha Yearwood. Her music has been featured on CBS’s J*A*G, NBC’s West Wing, ABC’s Hope and Faith, and in soundtracks. Kim’s duet with Dolly Parton, “Angels and Eagles,”was selected from 800,000 entries as the Americana Song of the Year in the Just Plain Folk Awards. Kim speaks in churches and at church-related events, and she cohosts a radio program, Plain Jane Wisdom, which airs five nights each week from 7 to 8 PM on WLAC1510am.
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Savanah Tate ’07 | Administrative assistant Savanah Tate has worked for Clear Channel Media + Entertainment for five years, working in sales, traffic, on-air, and business. She currently works as an accounting administrative assistant for ten of Clear Channel’s markets, including Nashville. “I’ve enjoyed my journey in radio and would not trade sixty seconds, including my experiences with the arts at Trevecca, which led me here!” exclaimed Savanah.
Abby Boone Crum ’08 | Hair stylist/writer/performer Abby Crum continues to use her Trevecca training in dramatic arts and mass communication. Now working as a hair stylist, she also writes monologues and performs them at her church. Abby says, “I rely on communication as a key in every aspect of my job. I get to pursue my love of the arts through my church and my job and wouldn’t be where I am today without the influence of Trevecca.”
Jacob Diefenbacher ’08 | Graphic designer/director Jacob Diefenbacher currently works at SigmaTEK Systems, LLC, as a multimedia production editor. He does motion graphic design, film production, and voice-over work for software tutorials. He is the assistant director and director of photography on a feature film, called The Last Race, for the American Cancer Society; the film, directed by Emmy winner Scott Wegener from WCPO 9, will be shot in many locations in the U. S., including Hawaii.
Adam Drake ’08 | Filmmaker/actor After completing a degree at Los Angeles Films Studies Center in Los Angeles, Adam Drake returned to Nashville and found free-lance work in shooting film and acting. Adam said, “God has blessed me beyond belief, and I believe that he is still not done with me.” In 2010 Adam launched his own business, Qadosh Films, and has filmed many Christian musicians, such as Skillet, Toby Mac, Building 429, and Sanctus Real. Visit his site www.qadoshfilms. com, or view his reel at http://vimeo.com/28139546.
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Diana Key ’08 | Video editor Diana Key described her work since she left Trevecca: “My degree in mass communication has taken me places I never imagined, from working on a few award–show red carpets, to a summer spent working on an episode of MTV Made. And now I have the privilege to work each day as a video editor. Being creative is really important to me, and to be able to pour my creativity into my work is an incredible blessing.”
Amber VanNuys McSwain ’09 | Producer Amber McSwain is an associate producer for Country Music Television (CMT). She explains her job: ”One of my passions has always been writing. Now I get to assist in writing scripts for various shows on our network. I also attend shoots and usually take notes for the editing process. I feel very blessed to be able to use my degree and to have a job that I love!”
Kristin Moon ’09 | Teacher Now completing her third year of teaching theatre at Cane Ridge High School in Antioch, Tennessee, Kristin Moon also directs all of the school’s dramatic productions. Recent ones have been Robin Hood, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, and To Kill a Mockingbird. “Trevecca’s Theatre Program prepared me for the exciting work that I get to do every day— inspiring young artists to pursue their passions onstage and off. I have such a passion for theatre, and igniting that passion in my students is a very fulfilling experience,” said Kristin.
Kevin Whitsett ’09 | Musician Kevin Whitsett had a passion to perform when he graduated from Trevecca with a degree in music education, and then his music career took a new turn. He is now active in a community of musicians working with bands and artists Sarah Reeves, SHIROCK, Nathan Angelo, and Randy Montana and producers Andrew Osenga (formerly of Caedmon’s Call) and Mitch Dane.
Stephanie Crone ’10 | Teacher When Stephanie graduated from Trevecca, her dream job was in stage management, but her life took a big turn when she decided to take a position teaching English overseas. During her first year of teaching at an elementary school, she wrote a number of scripts, taught a three-hour course on theatre, and coached two students for an English-speaking competition in which they placed second.
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Jillian Frame ’10 | Director/stage manager/education coordinator Jillian Frame worked as a teaching artist for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival and was assistant director for its winter 2010 production of The Tempest. During its 2010-2011 theatre season, she served as the assistant stage manager for the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, working alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley for a staged reading of his new play. Jillian is the continuing legal education coordinator at the Nashville Shakespeare Festival and works on the administrative staff of the Nashville Ballet. This spring she served as the guest director of Jungalbook, Trevecca’s first foray into applied theatre. (See article on p. 7.)
Diana Reaves ’10 | Poet An English major and creative writing minor, Diana Reaves is a candidate for a master of fine arts degree (MFA) in poetry writing at the University of Arkansas, where she studies with National Book Critics Circle Award-finalist Davis McCombs and Guggenheim fellow Geoffrey Brock. Her poems have appeared in the national literary journals Tar River Poetry and Boxcar Poetry Review.
Austin Johnson ’11 | Actor/stand-up comic/writer In love with acting and film/video since his childhood, Austin Johnson currently finds his primary creative function in stand-up comedy, performing with two other comics under the name Corporate Juggernaut. He had a supporting role in October Baby, a movie released in late March. He also appeared in the movie Blue Like Jazz. Austin explained his role: “I threw up in that movie. Originally, I had lines in it, too, but those were cut; however, my vomit scene was not cut. I think I vomited too well.” Austin is looking for opportunities to use his creative writing skills to entertain people.
Todd Osborne ’12 | Poet A graduating senior English major and creative writing minor, Todd Osborne is the managing editor of The Cumberland River Review. He has recently been accepted into the master of fine arts program in poetry writing at Oklahoma State University, where he will study with Angie Estes, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, and Lisa Lewis, National Endowment for the Arts fellow.
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A But ask the animals and they will tell you . . . – Job 12:7
lost ark? Tripp York ‘98*
I’m often asked, “Why is a professor of religious studies shoveling elephant and giraffe poop on the weekends?” For me, the answer is in the question, but let me provide a little context. Last year I taught a seminar called Living Lives that Matter. I was probably the least qualified person on campus to teach it. To be honest, I don’t know why I was asked to teach it, but I jumped at the opportunity. I was fortunate to have a bright group of students working through such questions as the following: “Are some lives more significant than others?”
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“What makes a life meaningful?” “What does religion, love, death, work, politics, family, and friendship have to do with living a life that matters?” As you can well imagine, it was the kind of class that needed to be longer than one semester. Of all the people and readings we examined, my students were most compelled by the lives and writings of Albert Schweitzer and, interestingly enough, Steve Irwin. The primary reason so many students gravitated toward these two individuals was because of the tangibility of their lives. What they did, what they contributed to the world, and how they lived were so utterly concrete. Whether it was the Renaissance-type existence of a polymath like Schweitzer or the eccentric passion that drove Irwin to fall madly in love with all animals, my students were moved by Schweitzer and Irwin’s ability to live life as if it were a gift. For a class devoted to conversations surrounding lives that matter, their lives were certainly worthy of deep reflection.
“Zoos are a symbol of humanity’s attempt to save what we have also tried to destroy. They are a living photograph of what we are losing.”
While someone like Schweitzer was an obvious theological choice for discussion, our class discovered that the witness of Irwin, along with that of other wildlife conservationists such as Jane Goodall and Diane Fossey, required us to re-imagine what it means to live well among such extraordinary diversity. We found ourselves wondering why wildlife conservation was such a consistently ignored topic—especially for a body of people quick to deem creation good. Indeed, do we not betray our claims about its goodness when our habits and practices are detrimental to it?
In order to work through such a question, I started serving as a keeper aide in the Virginia Zoological Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Of course, my fascination with rhinos, sloths, and squirrel monkeys played a significant role as well, but I’m interested in how zoos can function, metaphorically and literally, as both an ark and a garden. In doing so, it seems they have the potential to provide a corrective lens against apathy toward nonhuman life. Though zoos certainly have a tumultuous history, contemporary zoologists are practicing a direction based on careful stewardship. While such parks do exist for entertainment, their primary purposes are that of education, conservation, and ironically, the protection of certain species from us humans. Just as Noah built an ark to protect animals from God’s punishment, we now build arks in order to protect animals from human punishment. In some cases, zoos are the only places left where some animals can even exist. 22 Treveccan Spring 2012
“...but I’m interested in how zoos can function, metaphorically and literally, as both an ark and a garden.”
The hope of such gardens (metaphorically reminiscent of Eden) is to embolden our imaginations so that we can faithfully embody the very claims we make about the good that is creation. Just as Isaiah 11 depicts a compelling image of the original peace restored, these gardens have the potential to offer a glimpse of this reality. In making such a claim, I am not trying to romanticize the culture of zoos; I am only suggesting that, placing the many convoluted issues about them aside, they are symbolic of our fallen estrangement from, and our eschatological connection to, the rest of creation. As with the lives of Schweitzer and Irwin, zoos remind us that, despite our culture’s incessant need to spiritualize the material, creation really does matter. They remind us that all of life is a gift. It is a gift that can be touched, respected, and enjoyed. It can also be abused, ignored, and neglected. So, I guess part of the reason why I spend my weekends shoveling poop at the zoo is simply because zoos (and poop) exist. Zoos are a symbol of humanity’s attempt to save what we have also tried to destroy. They are living photographs of what we are losing. They are a garden with weeds, a shipwrecked ark, and a mountain where wolves live with sheep.
*Tripp York PhD teaches religious studies at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Virginia. He has authored and edited more than half a dozen books, including the forthcoming three-volume Peaceable Kingdom series.
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Recap: Basketball teams’ season
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This year Sam Harris reached several milestones: This year’s team was his seventh to reach 20 wins; it was the fifth one to do so in the last eight years. Harris picked up his 300th career win at Trevecca—the defeat of Tennessee Temple on December 6, 2011. Harris, the dean of TranSouth coaches, completed his 19th season at Trevecca. He is now 315-290 at Trevecca. The 28-year head-coaching veteran has a career record of 476-469.
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The Trevecca men’s basketball program is nearing 700 wins and now owns a 698-643 all-time record.
Men advanced to NCCAA National Championships After winning the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Mid-East Regional Championship in Madisonville, Tennessee, Trevecca’s men’s basketball team advanced to the 2012 NCCAA Division-l Men’s Basketball Championships at Winona Lake, Indiana. Trevecca finished the season with a 22-11 record and came in fifth in the NCCAA Championship. Trevecca Trojans defeated The Master’s College 79-73 in the fifth-place game. The 2012 NCCAA Division-l Men’s Basketball National Championships were played at the Orthopaedics Capital Center on the campus of Grace College. After losing its opening game at the NCCAA Championships, Trevecca won two in a row for fifth place.
Season notes
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Two members of the team are seniors: Keith Morris and Michael France.
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Marquise Rudolph, a junior from Clarksville, surpassed the 1,000 career-scoring mark.
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Trevecca finished the season with four wins in its last five games and 10 of the last 14.
Michael France NCCAA Player of the Year Trevecca men’s basketball player Michael France is the 2012 Men’s Basketball Player of the Year for the NCCAA Division I. This senior from Shelbyville, Tennessee, is also a member of the 2012 NCCAA Division-l Men’s Basketball AllAmerican Team. France, a six-foot-two wing, scored 2,019 career points, the fifth Senior Michael France is NCCAA Player of the Year. most in Trevecca men’s basketball history. He averaged 20.3 points per game this season and added 4.6 rebounds, two assists, and 1.6 steals per game. In his career, France totaled 502 rebounds, 238 assists, 208 steals and made 259 three-pointers. France eclipsed the 40-point mark twice in his career, including a career-high 43 against Martin Methodist as a junior and 41 this season against Lyon.
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Trevecca golf sets record at 2012 Trevecca Spring Invitational The Trevecca men’s golf team put on a record performance in the second round of the 2012 Trevecca Spring Invitational, finishing second in the 36-hole event after posting a tournament-best 280 team score in the second round. Joey Bradley, a senior at Trevecca, tied his own school record with a five-under-par 66 in the final round. NCAA Division-l Lipscomb University won the event with a (291-281) 572 two-round total. Trevecca finished eight strokes back in second place with a two-day total of (300-280) 580. The round-two total of 280 beats the school-record for a single-round total by five strokes. Joey Bradley finished a stroke behind the event medalist and won second place with a two-day total of (72-66) 138. This tournament is Bradley’s second to shoot a 66 for 18 holes; he shot a 66 at the Wasioto Winds Fall Kickoff Classic in September of 2011. When Bradley set the record with a 66 in the fall, he broke a record he shared with teammate David Saldana. Both shot a round of 69 during the 2009-2010 season: Bradley, at the Coosa Country Club in Georgia; Saldana, at the Pickwick Landing course. Bradley shot a round of 69 on two other occasions. Tyler Qualls also shot a round of 69, but all three of those rounds were on par-71 courses.
Senior Joey Bradley finished one stroke behind the medalist winner of the Trevecca Spring Invitational Tournament.
The remaining four Trojans who counted toward the team score were the following: Stephen Williams (10th) finished the tournament at two over par with a (75-69) 144, Skip Jones (14th) carded a (74-71) 145, David Saldana came in with a (79-74) 153, and William Potts shot a (80-83) 163. Two other Trojans, Aaron Gaddis and Austin Dillard, played as individuals. Gaddis finished 14th with a (73-72) 145; Dillard was 21st with a (77-70) 147. The Third-Annual Trevecca Spring Classic was played at the Old Hickory Country Club where the course played to a par of 72 over 6617 yards. Fourteen teams and 85 golfers participated.
Women battled injuries and a difficult schedule Trevecca’s women’s basketball team overcame numerous obstacles to post a 6-10 record in the conference and a 10-18 overall record against an extremely difficult schedule. Before the season started, three potential starters experienced season-ending injuries, and another starter suffered serious injury but still managed to play ten games. At the semester break another blow came when the team lost its leading scorer for the remainder of the season. Just as the team was beginning to adjust with a little more than a third of the season remaining, starting point guard Rachel Bollinger was lost for the season. For most of the second semester, only six members of the team were available to play. Anna Mitchell, a junior from Nashville, earned a place on the 2012 NCCAA Women’s Basketball Division-l Second Team AllAmerican Team and on the 2012 NCCAA Mid-East Region First Team. The five-foot-ten sophomore guard from Christ Presbyterian Academy averaged a team-best 13 points per game as well as 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. She had a string of four consecutive games with 20 or more points.
Season notes •
Elizabeth Pentecost was selected to the 2012 NAIA National Scholar-Athlete Team.
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Rachel Raby earned an NCCAA Student-Athlete of the Week honor.
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Anna Mitchell was named to the 2011-2012 Capital One Academic All-District Team.
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Alumni Celebrating Marriages and Births 1
Ana Del Rio ’94, of Nashville, Tenn., welcomed a grandson— Nathan Adam Del Rio, born 10/31/11. Great-grandfather is Luis Del Rio, an assistant coach at Trevecca.
2
Scott and Toni Wilson Hammerling ’99, of Franklin, Tenn., now have two daughters—Hayden Lane, born 5/6/09, and Harper Eva, born 1/27/11. Scott is in surgical sales for Hologic, and Toni is a medical aesthetician. (Hayden left; Harper right)
3
Luis II and Cathy Colson Del Rio ’01/MA ’04, welcomed a daughter—Eva Catherine, born 6/18/11.
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Jeremy and Melanie Schulz Rockwell ’03 of Grayson, Ga., welcomed a daughter—Taryn Marissa, born 7/25/11. Melanie and Jeremy work for the Kroger Co.—Melanie, in the division office as an advertising assistant, and Jeremy, as a fuel specialist.
5
Ben ’06 and Lori Felder ’05, of Oklahoma City, Okla., announce the birth of a son, Satchel Benjamin, born 09/10/11. Ben is a journalist, and Lori is an accountant. Grandparents are Tom ’83 and Marla Green Felder ’82.
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Julie Schneidmiller ’08 and Jack Conley were married 11/19/11 in Mississippi. Julie works for the Harrison County Public Schools as an elementary school tutor, and Jack is an aerospace engineer for NASA. They reside in Biloxi, Miss.
7
Jacob ’09 and Dorothee Arnold Morris ’08 of Nashville, Tenn., announce the birth of a son—Elias William, born 12/13/11. Jacob is the college pastor at Nashville First Church of the Nazarene and a master of divinity student at Vanderbilt University. Dorothee works in the Millard Reed School of Religion at Trevecca.
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J. J. and Jettie Wheelbarger were married 10/22/11. J. J., a former Trevecca faculty member, earned an EdD from the University of Virginia and a PhD from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. Jettie earned an EdD from the University of Kentucky. They reside in Nashville, Tenn.
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Alumni Connecting 1910s
Eugene ’65 and Virginia Wiseman ’65 (See p. 32.) Jim Hodge ’69 (See p. 32.)
Alonzo Parrott ’13 (See p. 4.)
1930s Eleanor Hardy Burrow ’39 (See p. 6.)
1940s Homer ’47 and Beatrice Adams ’43 (See p. 6.)
Harold Ivan Smith ’69 has published Borrowed Narratives: Using Biographical and Historical Grief Narratives with the Bereaving; it recounts the grief experiences which dramatically shaped the lives of such notables as Condoleeza Rice, Corazon Aquino, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bill Cosby, Tony Dungy, Theodore Roosevelt, George H. W. and Barbara Bush, Caroline Kennedy, Arthur Ashe, Lady Bird Johnson, Colin Powell, and C. S. Lewis.
1950s
Morris West ’69 (See p. 32.)
George W. Privett ’51 completed 12 years as a volunteer chaplain at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tenn., at the end of January 2012.
1970s
Virginia Curl Benson ’54 has published two books: Go Softly All My Years, a Christian historical, romantic adventure novel set during WWII; and Engineered Murder, a secular murder mystery. Friends can reach her at virginia@virginiabenson.com.
Teresa Hodge ’70 (See p. 32.) R. T. Kendall ’70 has published a new book, The Sermon on the Mount. R. T. has published more than 40 books on Christian topics.
Phil ’59 and Shirley Riley ’58 were pictured with the governor of Wyoming, Matthew Meade, in a December 2011 isssue of the Johnson County Gazette.
Dale ’70 and Ruthie Butler Killingsworth ’71 (See p. 32.)
1960s
Dan Boone ’74 (See pp. 6 & 8.)
Carl Taylor ’66 (second from left) and the three other members of his quartet, Rusty Pipes, won the International Barbershop Harmony Society Seniors Quartet competition in Tucson, Ariz. They competed against 27 quartets from six different countries.
Linda Cass West ’70 (See p. 32.) Dennis ’71 and Wendy Moore ’73 (See p. 32.)
Patricia Stephens-Pride ’75 has retired in Memphis, Tenn., after being an educator for 38 years. Patricia earned a master’s degree in education at California Polytechnic State University. She has a daughter and a son. Phyllis Carter Beam ’76/MA ’08 is Trevecca’s new director of annual and corporate giving. She had previously served as pastor to preschool children at First Church of the Nazarene in Nashville. Victor Morgan ’77 (See p. 32.)
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Bev Burrell ’78 was named the Teacher of the Year at J. E. Moss Elementary in Davidson County, Tenn.
1990s
Randy Carden ’78 (See p. 31.)
Susan Billingsley Collier ’90, a chartered financial retirement planning counselor with 11 years in the financial services industry, has joined MetLife Southern Financial Group as a financial advisor.
Sharon Wright Driskell ’79 (See p. 30.) Danny Goddard ’79, has a new book on grief, What Will We Do Without Bob? Released in December 2011 by Dustjacket, it focuses on coping with the loss of a loved one. His first book, Pastoral Care in Times of Death and Dying (Beacon Hill, 2009), was written for pastors and caregivers. Danny and his wife Sandie (Waldrep) ’79 reside in New Castle, Ind., where Danny is the pastor of First Church of the Nazarene. John H. Weller ’79, Lt Col, USAF, is presently serving a 6-month deployment in Southwest Asia, as wing chaplain. This year is his 24th as a reserve chaplain in the United States Air Force. In September 2011 he was awarded his 4th Meritorious Service Medal. He has also served as a Nazarene pastor for 30 years. When he returns this summer, he will resume a new pastorate with the Okeechobee Church of the Nazarene on the Southern Florida District.
1980s Karan Gunter ’82 is the Teacher of the Year at Clovercroft Elementary in Williamson County,Tenn. Andral Johnson ’83 (See p. 31.) David Caldwell ’84 (See p. 4.) Rick Harvey ’85 is the new senior pastor at Bethany (Okla.) First Church of the Nazarene. Rick and his wife, Annetta (Stone) ’83, were formerly at Springdale Church of the Nazarene in Cincinnati, Ohio. David J. Benzing ’86 (See p. 13.) Mark Eby ’86 (See p. 32.) Dennis Barnes MEd ’87 is now the band director at The Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tenn.
Matthew Nichols ’90 has been named the chief executive officer of Premier Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, PLC, in Nashville, Tenn. Matthew joined the company in 2003 as CFO and most recently served as the interim CEO. Craig Adams ’91 (See p. 13.) John Britt ’92/MAOM ’96 has published a new book, Who Pardoned Accountability?: How to Unleash Accountability in Your Organization, co-written with John’s business associate Michael Mountjoy, co-managing partner of Mountjoy Chilton Medley LLP, Kentucky’s largest home-based accounting firm. Stefanie Coburn Fuller ’92 (See p. 13.) Linda Crigger MEd ’94 was recognized as an “outstanding alumna of Dyersburg State Community College.” After starting her career teaching kindergartners, she later taught second, fifth, and ninth graders. For the past 8 years, she has worked in administration and has served as Obion County Central High School’s principal for the past five years, the school’s first female principal. Named OCCHS Teacher of the Year and nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year, she is a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma teachers’ sorority, the National Education Association, the Obion County Education Association. Scott Humston ’94 (See p. 14.) Brad Kelle ’95, professor of Old Testament at Point Loma Nazarene University, translated the book of Judges for a newly released Bible translation, the Common English Bible (previously only the New Testament was available). He is currently writing the scholar’s notes on the book of Judges for a study Bible version of the Common English Bible. Brad’s newest book has been released by Eerdsmans Publishing. He co-authored with Megan Bishop Moore Biblical History and Israel’s Past: The Changing Study of the Bible and History. Steven Sellars ’95/MA ’12, ordained minister and chaplain for the Ashland City Fire Department (Tenn.), has founded The Fire Church to help strengthen family structure and support for those who provide emergency services.
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Chad Schnarr ’96 (See p. 14.)
Lori Leigh ’00 (See p. 15.)
Rusty Smith ’97 (See p. 14.)
Tiffany Turnock McClain ’00 (See pp. 9 & 15.)
Julie Esquinaldo PA ’97 was featured in the medical spotlight in The Ledger, the paper of Lakeland, Fla. Julie is currently a physician assistant with Neurology and Neurosurgery Associates in Winter Haven, Fla.
Amanda Marshall ’00 (See p. 15.)
Tony Lamair Burks II MEd ’98 has been appointed a superintendent-in-residence with the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) at San Diego State University. In this capacity he helps NCUST further its mission to help urban school districts and their partners transform urban schools into places where all students achieve academic proficiency, evidence a love of learning, and graduate well prepared to succeed in post-secondary education, the workplace, and their communities. Amy Snyder Mitterholzer ’98 (See p. 31.) Brian Niece ’98/MA ’06 (See p. 14.) Brad Turner ’98 (See p. 30.)
Elaine Murphree Shelton ’00 (See p. 31.) Kara Smith ’00 (See p. 16.) Chad Wrye ’00 (See p. 31.) Erin Horner ’01 (See p. 16.) Wes Hampton ’02, a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, has released a solo album, A Man Like Me, produced by Wes with Michael English and Gordon Mote, and guests Marshall Hall and Steve Green. The album is described as a collection of songs that Wes enjoys listening to. Andrea Anderson ’03 (See p. 16.) Jonathon Duranceau ’04/MA ’08 (See p. 31.)
Tripp York ’98 (See pp. 15 & 21.)
Christy Hitchcock Grant ’04 is now Trevecca’s director of development operations.
Daniel Bradshaw ’99 and Robbie Bradshaw ’79 (See p. 32.)
Michael Logen ’04 (See p. 16.)
Matthew Cole ‘99 (See p. 32.)
J. Briley Price ’04 (See p. 31.)
Greg Montgomery ’99 (See p. 31.)
Shannon Spencer ’04 (See p. 16.)
Rob North ’99 (See p. 32.)
James Storie ’04 (See p. 32.)
Adam Twining ’99 (See p. 32.)
Stacy Banks ’05 (See p. 32.)
Donna Underwood ’97 (See p. 31.)
Timbre Cierpke ’05 (See p. 17.)
2000s
Sandi Southerland MLIS ’05 and Connie Sharp MLIS ’05 recently achieved National Board Certification as school librarians. Both work in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Randall Brough MHR ’00 is now vice president of distribution operations at National Distribution & Contracting, Inc., a company that represents more than 270 U. S. distributors. in the United States and offers a variety of business services including distribution and logistics. Randall’s background is in supply-chain systems, distribution and transportation operations, procurement, performance management, and third-party logistics; he worked at LifeWay 17 years.
Graham High ’06 (See p. 17.) Kim McLean ’06/MA ’08 (See p. 17.) Mason Bellamy MA ’07/EdD ’10 has been named principal at Hazelwood Elementary in Clarksville, Tenn. Mason previously served at West Creek Elementary as assistant principal.
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Chris A. Lilly MHR ’07 is the new director of information technology for the city of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Chris previously served as regional director of information technology for Corvel Corp., in Cool Springs, Tenn.
2010s
Savanah Tate ’07 (See p. 18.)
Austin Chastain ’10 (See p. 32.)
Bobby Allen ’08 (See p. 32.) Abby Boone Crum ’08 (See p. 18.) Jacob Diefenbacher ’08 (See p. 18.) Adam Drake ’08 (See p. 18.)
Beverly Bullock MLIS ’10 (See p. 32.)
Stephanie Crone ’10 (See p. 19.) Jillian Frame ’10 (See p. 20.) Diana Reaves ’10 (See p. 20.) Lauren Spears ’10 (See p. 32.)
Diana Key ’08 (See p. 19.)
Megyn-Lea C. Thompson ’10 has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.
Jarod Morgan ’08 (See p. 32.)
Chelsea Bell Davis ’11 (See p. 31.)
Nicole Underwood ’08 (See p. 32.)
Austin Johnson ’11 (See p. 20.)
Karen Caldwell MEd ’09 will be the principal of Sunset Elementary School in Williamson County, Tenn., next year. Karen taught in Metro-Nashville Public Schools for 10 years before becoming a special education teacher for Williamson County Schools. Since 2009 she has served as assistant principal at Hunters Bend Elementary School.
Michelle Rhodehamel MEd ’11 is now the assistant principal at West Creek Elementary in the Montgomery County School System (Clarksville, Tenn.).
Kristin Moon ’09 (See p. 19.) Amber VanNuys McSwain ’09 (See p. 19.) Tawanda Scales MMFT ’09 recently joined Youth Villages North Carolina as a family counselor. In this new role, she helps children with emotional, behavioral, and mental-health issues. Kevin Whitsett ’09 (See p. 19.)
Tony Slamer ’11 (See p. 31.) Carissa Ulmet ’11 is studying for a master’s degree in leadership at North Central College in Napierville, Ill. Her area of concentration is sports. Marissa Chandler EdD ’12, director of TRiO Student Support Services, recently presented at the Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP) regional conference in Jacksonville, Fla. Joel (Jay) Fulmer MBA ’12, a civil engineer in the Nashville Civil Division since 2010, has achieved the professional engineer designation.
Who are your Trevecca work buddies? A proud group of Trevecca alumni work at HealthStream, Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee: (Front, L-R) Amy Mitterholzer ’98, Sharon Driskell ’79, Chelsea Davis ’11, Tony Slamer ’11; (back, L-R) Andral Johnson ’83, Jonathon Duranceau ’04/MA ’08, Brad Turner ’98, Greg Montgomery ’99, Chad Wrye ’00. Not pictured: Eileen Shelton ’00, Donna Underwood ’97, J. Briley Price ’04.
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Alumni and friends we will miss Margie Snodgrass Neeley ’43 of Jacksonville, Fla.—1/2/12. Margie was responsible for selecting the Trevecca school colors, purple and white. Allen Woolums ’44 of Elkins, W. V.—7/3/08. Allen was a pastor for 46 years; he also served on the Board of Trustees at Trevecca; was president of the American Red Cross, chairman of the American Cancer Society in Roane County; and served in offices of the West Virginia District of the Church of the Nazarene. In July he will be honored posthumously for his ministerial contribution to the West Virginia Penitentiary. James E. Agee ’51 of Hermitage, Tenn.—1/15/12. Jim, a U.S. Army WW II veteran and a charter member of Old Hickory Church of the Nazarene, was retired from the DuPont Science Company at the Old Hickory plant, where he had completed 40 years of service. Garth Klepfer ’54 of Dallas, Texas—1/2/12
Noble Ray Carson ’61 of Goodlettsville, Tenn.—11/30/11. He was the pastor of East Dyersburg Pentecostal Church from 1964 until 1969, and then he became the pastor at Goodlettsville Pentecostal Church until he retired from fulltime ministry in 2005. He was the presiding bishop of his denomination at the time of his death. Larry Kolar ’61 of Barstow, Calif.—1/9/12. Larry served as a helicopter pilot in Korea and Vietnam and retired as a major in the U.S Army. He earned many decorations, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. After retirement, he taught for the Barstow and Helendale School Districts; he described his teaching years as the most rewarding time of his life. Jackie Caroll Sams ’63 of Wildwood, Ga.—1/4/12 Dickey Glenn Brown ’77 of Memphis, Tenn.—12/3/11 Leigh Ann Wilson Neil PA ’09 of Kingsport, Tenn.—1/10/12
Faculty news Two Trevecca faculty members will have their original paintings exhibited in the 47th Annual Central South Art Exhibition, a juried exhibit sponsored by the Tennessee Art League—“Portrait of Angie,” by Betsy Karounos, art instructor; and “Magenta” by Randy Carden ’78, psychology professor. The show opens May 5 and runs through June 22 in the Tennessee Art League Gallery, 808 Broadway, in Nashville.
“Portrait of Angie” by Betsy Karounos
“Magenta” by Randy Carden
Correction The winter issue of the Treveccan had incorrect information about Jason ’98 and Stacey Staudinger. Stacey is a physician assistant, and Jason has finished the coursework for a real estate brokerage license and now works with Keller Williams Realty. Additionally, Jason recently accepted the position of administrative pastor at ThornCreek Church in Thornton, Col.
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Where in the world have you worn Trevecca clothing?
1
Bob and Becky Gray, Linda Cass west ’70, Ruthie Butler Killingsworth ’71, Dale Killingsworth ’70, Donna Kegley
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Arnold (left to right on the front row), and Gary Arnold and Morris west ’69 (left to right on the back row) are pictured cruising together to the Bahamas and Key West. 2
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Father and son Victor ’77 and Jarod Morgan ’08 wore their Trevecca clothing in the summer of 2011 when they visited Swaziland, working on building projects for Southern Africa Nazarene University and serving the local AIDS orphans. Beverly Bullock MLIs ’10 sported a Trevecca shirt when she visited New York City with her daughter and granddaughter during Thanksgiving 2011. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the New York Public Library, where she is photographed.
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Lauren spears ’10 and Nicole underwood ’08, Trevecca
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Members of the Trevecca Community Church of the Nazarene wore their Trevecca back packs when they attended the Summit at Alum Cave on Mt. LeConte in the Smokey Mountains.
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Bobby Allen ’08 wore his Trevecca shirt when he visited the Taj Mahal. Bobby was participating in a clinic abroad trip with Palmer College of Chiropractic in Hyderabad, India.
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admissions counselors, wore their Trevecca shirts when they completed the Disney Princess Half Marathon on 2/26/12.
James storie ’04 and Adam Twining ’99 kept warm in Trevecca clothing on their trip to Yellowstone National Park.
Participating in Kentucky District Church of the Nazarene’s Nazarene Missions International work and witness trip to Gemertsfelder Mission Centre in Frome, Jamaica, in May 2011, were these Trevecca alumni: (L to R): stacy Banks ’05, Matthew Cole ‘99, Austin Chastain ’10, and Daniel ’99 and Robbie Bradshaw ’79.
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Eight Trevecca alumni participated in a Nazarene Mission International (NMI) Prayer Vision Journey to Sri Lanka and India. The group stayed at a training center in India originally begun by Mother Teresa and posed for a picture in front of the statue of Mother Teresa: (L to R) eugene ’65 and Virginia wiseman ’65, Rob North ’99, Mark eby ’86, Teresa Hodge ’70, wendy Moore ’73, Jim Hodge ’69, and Dennis Moore ’71.
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Photos for the Treveccan Photos used in this magazine need to be high resolution ones. 300 dpi and at least 4â&#x20AC;? x 5â&#x20AC;?. Photos in the mb size work best.
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More “great” stories begin at Trevecca Trevecca’s brand statement, “Trevecca— where great stories begin,” does not refer to the past only. NEW great stories are being written daily at Trevecca. The four members of the Ramaji family are beginning their own Trevecca stories. After having successful careers in other work, Pradeep and Priscilla Ramaji joined The Salvation Army (TSA) in 2002 after both separately sensed that God was calling them to join that ministry. During their TSA training, they learned about Trevecca and began classes in Trevecca’s Christian Ministry Program. During the summer of 2010, the whole family—Pradeep, Priscilla, and children Sunny (19) and Mounika (18)—visited Trevecca when they stopped in Nashville on
their way to deliver Mounika to the campus of another Christian school in another state, where she had planned to begin college. Pradeep and Priscilla wanted their children to see where they were taking graduate classes, and where Sunny was planning to enroll during the spring semester. When the family ended the campus tour, Mounika said, “I think I would like to go here.” Instead of continuing on their trip to the other college, the Ramajis began the process of getting Mounika admitted to Trevecca, and she enrolled in the fall of 2010. When the spring semester began in January 2011, Sunny enrolled also. Sunny and Mounika have made themselves part of the Trevecca family. Sunny is studying mass communication, and Mounika, a graphic design major, will edit Trevecca’s yearbook next year.
The Ramaji family—Mounika, Priscilla, Pradeep, and Sunny
Siblings Mounika and Sunny Ramaji are pictured on Trevecca’s campus, where both are students.
Pradeep and Priscilla testify that it was God’s providence which brought them to TSA and then to Trevecca. Sunny and Mounika echo that the same providence brought them to Trevecca. NEW Trevecca stories are beginning.
e v o a m ur o y in re? SUMMER futu
online offerings
Be sure to give your new address to Trevecca.
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, Trevecca will offer online courses this summer so that students can complete their general education requirements from the convenience of wherever they spend the summer break. Moreover, these courses are offered at a discounted tuition.
Send it to treveccan@trevecca.edu or call the Office of Alumni Relations at 615-248-1350.
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Treveccan Spring 2012
Visit www.trevecca.edu/summeronline for more information.
Your gift to The Trevecca Choice Grant could be the gift that makes it possible for another student to cross the last hurdle and begin his or her Trevecca story!
Please, GIVE HERE. GIVE NOW. Go to www.trevecca.edu/lasthurdle and designate your gift to The Trevecca Choice Grant, or enclose your gift in the enclosed envelope. Please make your check payable to Trevecca Nazarene University and note The Trevecca Choice Grant on the check.
Treveccan Spring 2012
If you would like more information, contact Phyllis Beam in the Office of External Relations at pbeam@trevecca.edu or 615-248-1436.
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www.trevecca.edu
USPS No. 394470
Spring 2012
The Magazine of Trevecca Nazarene University
Trevecca Legacy Partners Celebration October 19, 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201D;9 AM to 3 PM Refreshments, lunch, inspiration, fellowship Music by the Collingsworth Family Registration $25/person www.trevecca.edu/TLPcelebration
Homecoming 2012 November 2-3, 2012