Fall 2021

WELCOME BA BACK CK! After last year 's limitations changed the traditional college experience, freshmen once again enjoy connecting during Welcome Week.

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BASS FISHING TEAM ● 50 YEARS OF COED ● VIRTUAL MISSION TRIPS

LOV E C T X | St u d e n t s h e l p at LOV E C T X d ur i n g We l c o m e We e k . LOV E C T X i s a s e r v i c e e ve n t d e s i g n e d f o r s t u d e n t s to d i s c ove r s e r v i c e o p p o r t un i t y a n d to g r ow c l o s e r to t h e i r Cr u g r o up s t h r o u g h c o m m un i t y ser vice.

UMHBLIFE FA L L 2 021 | V O L U M E 42, N U M B ER 1 PRESIDENT Randy O’Rear, Ed.D. ’88 EDITOR-IN- CHIEF Rebecca O'Banion, Ed.D. ’93 EDITOR Christi Mays GR APHIC DESIGNER Lauren Mendias PHOTOGR APHERS Olivia Champion Cooper Ross Randy Yandell ’99 CONTRIBUTORS Victoria Kuntz UMHB LIFE IS PUBLISHED THREE TIMES A YEAR

BY THE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT. UMHB Box 8431 900 College Street Belton, Texas 76513 1-800-727-UMHB go.umhb.edu/life

Letters and comments can be sent to: umhblife@umhb.edu

Please send any change of personal information to: Alumni Engagement UMHB Box 8427 2 CollegeUMHB 900 Street LIFE Belton, Texas 76513

Or update online: umhb.edu/alumni alumni@umhb.edu

UMHBLIFE F A L L 2 0 2 1 | VOLUME 42, NUMBER 1

D E P A R T M E N T S

3 | C A M P US L I F E Famous pitcher Nolan Ryan involved in construction of intramural fields.

6| PHIL ANTHROPY McLane family makes a new major gift for the video scoreboard.

7 | AT H L E T I C S Students form new bass fishing team.

F E A T U R E S T E L L M E A B O U T U M H B |10 Alumni and current students creatively "tell us about UMHB." 50 Y E A R S O F CO E D |14 UMHB marks the 50th year since going coeducation on July 24, 1971.

I N AU G U R A L J O U R N E Y |18 Physician assistant students share their quests to become part of first cohort.

O N T H E COV E R | Sophomore business management major C a t h e r i n e B u r ke s h a r e s h e r e n t h u s i a s m o n M ov e - I n D ay.

Photo by Cooper Ross

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CAMPUS L I F E

COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Calendar of Events Art Exhibits Music Events Baugh Center for the Visual Arts

Constructed Mysteries Sept. 20 - Oct. 22 Senior Exhibits Nov. 1 - Dec. 3 Pottery Sale Nov. 15 | 10AM-5PM

umhb.edu/arts Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center

Wind Ensemble Sept. 10, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall Dean's Series Altin Senclair Sept. 14, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall Dean's Series Michelle Schumann Sept. 17, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall Jazz Ensemble Sept. 28, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall Opera Musical Theatre Ensemble Oct. 1, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall

Dean's Series Matthew Kundler Oct. 12, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall

Instrumental Chamber Ensembles Nov. 9, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall

Van Cliburn Gold Medalist UMHB One Voice Yekwon Sunwoo Nov. 12, 7:30 PM Oct. 16, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall Baugh Performance Hall Tea Time Concert with Concert Choir & Wind Ensemble Women's Chorus Nov. 15, 3:30 PM Oct. 26, 7:30 PM King Street Baugh Performance Hall Jazz Ensemble Guest Artists: Cantus Nov. 16, 7:30 PM Oct. 29, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall Baugh Performance Hall A Very Mary Hardin-Baylor Wind Ensemble Christmas Nov. 2, 7:30 PM Dec. 2, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall Baugh Performance Hall Dean's Series: Texas Guitar Quartet Nov. 5, 7:30 PM Baugh Performance Hall

Event dates and times are subject to change.

TICKET OFFICE: 254-295-5999

Ticket Office hours: 12:00 - 4:00 PM Monday through Friday and one hour prior to events.

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CAMPUS L I F E

Field of Dreams Famous pitcher helping UMHB once again

Pictured, Baseball Hall-of-Famer Nolan Ryan, far left, stands on the location of the upgraded intramural fields, along with UMHB President Randy O'Rear; Ryan's grandson and UMHB senior, Jackson Ryan; and Ryan's son, Reid Ryan.

One of baseball's most famous pitchers, Nolan Ryan, is once again helping make sports on campus a dream come true.

Ryan, who played with Major League Baseball teams for 27 years, and his son, Reid Ryan, who is a former president of the Houston Astros, are the owners of RS3 Turf—the company that was awarded the bid for the artificial turf that is soon to cover 2.6 acres of the intramural fields.

In the 1990s, Nolan helped UMHB raise money through several golf

tournaments to build a new baseball field named Red Murff Field, which was originally located in the exact spot of the intramural fields.

“Red Murff was the professional baseball scout who signed Nolan to his first contract,” explained Dr. Randy O’Rear, UMHB president. “Red helped UMHB start our baseball program when he and his wife lived on campus when she worked as a dorm director.”

At that time, O’Rear was working to raise money for the university, and

at the request of then-president Dr. Bobby Parker and president-elect Dr. Jerry Bawcom, coordinated with Murff, who asked Ryan to sponsor three golf tournaments in the early ‘90s. This was during the peek of Ryan’s superstardom with the Texas Rangers, and interest was so great, the tournaments helped raise more than $150,000 to build the new Red Murff Field, which has since been relocated to the SportsPlex.

“I think it’s really cool that our association with Nolan Ryan began when he helped us raise money for Red Murff Field, and now he is helping us once again through his turf company,” said O’Rear. “At the time, he and Michael Jordan were the most famous sports celebrities, and in spite of Nolan’s fame, he has always been the kindest and most gracious man.”

Ryan’s grandson, Jackson Ryan, a senior at UMHB, is thrilled to see the improvements to the intramural fields, which he often enjoys playing on with his friends.

“It’s great that it will be flat and people don’t have to worry about divots and getting sprained ankles, and if it’s raining, we can still come out and play,” said Jackson, who was a pitcher on the UMHB baseball team his freshman year.

Paul “Crunch” and Carol McClinton of Waco committed a $1 million gift toward upgrading the intramural fields from natural grass to artificial turf and making other improvements, including field lighting, a pavilion, and permanent striping for the recreational sports played on the fields.

Work on the fields is expected to be complete in October, and a dedication is planned for Oct. 22.

F A L L 2 0 2 1 | UMHB LIFE 3

CAMPUS L I F E

Welcome Week 2021

Students learn about UMHB through a successful week of events

Welcome Week is the first major event that rings in the start of a new semester. Nonstop singing, dancing, and roaring cheers are what students look forward to when attending this event.

This year, more than 750 students signed up and attended Welcome Week 2021. An additional 285 students, faculty, and staff helped move new students into their residence halls on Move-In Day with big, bright smiles and energetic cheers.

There were many events to look forward to during the week, including the Dawson Hollow concert, Spirit and Traditions night, Big Fair, Rec Fest, Love CTX, and most importantly the Dubbing Ceremony.

When asked about her favorite event, Katy Hartt '10, the assistant director of student organizations, said it’s hard to pick a favorite; however, Spirit and Tradition is probably at the top of her list.

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“It was so much fun to see everyone getting excited about being at UMHB and learning about our traditions,” Hartt said. “Getting to see Cheer, SaderBells, and the band there performing, made everyone excited to be a Crusader!”

“The returning students, faculty, and staff made the first-year students feel like we were at home,” said Freshman Victoria Kuntz, who witnessed Move-In Day firsthand. “Students participating in Welcome Week 2021 enjoyed the events they attended and made new lifelong friends.”

“Students were eager to get plugged in and involved on campus,” said Hartt. “It was so nice to have Welcome Week back to normal this year so that students could connect more than they could last year without the restrictions.”

More than 285 students, faculty, and staff volunteered to help move in freshmen during the annual "Move In Day" Aug. 4.

CAMPUS L I F E

Virtual Missions Students find creative ways to share the Gospel during pandemic Even though most of the UMHB mission trips had to be canceled over the last year, the Global Outreach Program didn’t sit idle waiting for the pandemic to pass. Instead, they put their thinking caps on and brainstormed ways to continue to advance the Kingdom from afar through “virtual” missions.

“Some of our teams that were scheduled to go out physically around the world changed their ministry to create video content for their hosts to use,” said Tiffany Horton, director of global outreach.

For the first time in many years, the long-standing mission trip to the United Kingdom was canceled due to COVID-19. The team of mission students that was supposed to travel to Europe instead created a video introducing UK students to Texas culture. They also shared their testimonies. From showing local barbecue and longhorn cattle to creating two-step dance tutorials, the team created a video that is now being

shared in the different schools in the UK to help enhance the ministry of its global partner. Other mission groups were asked to come up with content for vacation Bible school materials.

Other hosts were willing to set up English camps and pair locals with a UMHB student to practice language skills.

“One of the positives of COVID is that it really let us creatively problemsolve,” Horton said.

When it came time for Mission Emphasis Week, an annual event held each October that aims to promote global awareness, relationships, opportunities, and service among UMHB students, Horton had to once again think outside the box.

“Because we could not have visitors last year on campus, we made our Missions Emphasis Week virtual, too,” Horton said.

Working with career services, Horton used their job fair software to invite students and missionaries to connect virtually.

Even though all international mission trips were canceled last year, due to COVID-19, students Zoe Resser and Hannah Glass were able to go to North Carolina to help with a disaster relief building project with Samaritan's Purse.

“We were able to have missionaries who were still in their countries Zoom in virtually for Mission Emphasis Week,” she said. “In the past, we haven’t included missionaries unless they were stateside, so I think now we want to add a virtual component to future events.”

The missionaries who participated were asked to develop skills the Global Outreach Program can use to help train students now for future mission trips and sharing the Gospel.

Later in the year, as regulations began to loosen in the US, several mission teams were able to plan two domestic trips during the winter break and two this summer. For the winter trips, students were able to work with Samaritan’s Purse to help with disaster relief in La Grange, Tex., and North Carolina. For the summer, students served in Alaska with GraceWorks Alaska doing backyard Bible camps.

F A L L 2 0 2 1 | UMHB LIFE 5

UMHB P H I L A N T H R O P Y

“We are grateful to the McLane family for continuing to transform the student experience at Mary HardinBaylor.”

—Dr. Randy O'Rear president

Super-sized School Spirit

McLane family makes a major gift for the new video board at Crusader Stadium

This past spring, the McLane family of Temple made a major gift to UMHB for a new 2,088 square-foot video board at Crusader Stadium. The board is double the size of the previous board and will be ready this fall.

“Our family wanted to make this investment in Crusader Stadium because we believe that athletic programs play a fundamental role in tying the student body to the university and strengthening school spirit,” said Drayton McLane Jr. “We love supporting UMHB because the university is committed to Christian values, which has always been important to us.”

Drayton and his wife, Elizabeth, have been longtime supporters of UMHB, along with their two sons, Drayton III and his wife Amy of Salado, and Denton and his wife Amy of Birmingham, AL. Drayton III currently 6 UMHB LIFE | F A L L 2 0 2 1

serves as a trustee at UMHB. In 2012, when the McLane family learned the university was considering building an on-campus stadium, they immediately expressed an interest in the project.

They provided the largest gift in UMHB history to help build Crusader Stadium, which opened in 2013.

“The university has been richly blessed by the friendship and generosity of the McLane family for many years, and we could not be more grateful to them for ensuring that Crusader Stadium remains one of the top venues in the country for NCAA DIII football and many other university programs and activities that take place there,” said Dr. Randy O’Rear, UMHB president.

The old video board was 40 feet long and 26 feet tall (1,040 square feet) with a 15 mm pixel pitch. The

new video board is 60 feet long and 34 feet, eight inches tall (2,088 square feet) with an improved 10 mm pixel pitch.

“Typically, video boards have a lifespan of eight to 10 years, and repairs to the aging board have become more challenging due to the lack of available replacement parts,” O’Rear said.

“The new video board provides superior clarity and brightness to enhance the game-day experience, as well as many other campus functions such as concerts, movie nights, student recruiting, and commencement ceremonies,” he said. “We are grateful to the McLane family for continuing to transform the student experience at Mary Hardin-Baylor.”

UMHB A T H L E T I C S

It's Oh-fish-ial!

Students create new competitive bass fishing club

One afternoon on the banks of Lake Belton, the idea of the UMHB Bass Fishing Team was forged by students Carter Vaughn and Caleb Ramm.

“We took a risk not knowing if anyone else at the school had a passion for fishing like we did, and the turnout has been unbelievable,” said Carter, a senior communications major and president of the club.

The idea arose from the desire to have a bass fishing team at UMHB since East Texas Baptist University and Dallas Baptist University have teams.

In a year and a half, Carter and Caleb made their vision happen with the help of Dr. Aaron Baggett, associate professor of psychology. Baggett is the faculty sponsor for the club and aids the students in various ways, including fabricating team logos, completing sponsorship applications, and helping the team create strategies for tournaments.

“One of the goals is to have

one team member be responsible for delivering a fishing-related presentation to the team during each meeting,” said Baggett. “For example, their assignment might be to spend time researching and learning about a particular fishing presentation like the dropshot, Carolina Rig, or even identifying bass habitats through the use of lake topographical mapping and underwater sonar.”

The current team consists of nine undergraduate males. Six of the anglers attended and competed in two tournaments during the 2020-2021 school year. Both tournaments were held by the Major League Fishing Abu Garcia Collegiate Fishing Circuit, which is a well-known competitive fishing tournament organization.

To be on the team, students must be willing to pay a membership fee between $250 to $375 to cover tournament registration fees, team equipment, and other various

necessities to compete in this sport. They also must attend a club meeting every month. Members are also planning to volunteer at the Central Texas Boat Show. To help bring down the cost of fishing gear and equipment, the team was able to secure several sponsorships from national fishing companies.

“My goal was to leave UMHB better off than when I came in as a freshman, and I hope by starting the bass team, I achieved that!” said Carter.

To see additional photos and videos of the UMHB Bass Fishing Team in action, visit their Instagram page @crubass.

– Victoria Kuntz, student writer Bass team members enjoy a day of fishing.

Pictured at left are Colby Hamilton, Carter Vaughn, Jordan See, and Nobel Smith; at top are Jacob Froese and Caleb Ramm; and below is Jacob Froese.

F A L L 2 0 2 1 | UMHB LIFE 7

Friday, September 24, 2021 NOON

Open House & Registration

7:00 PM Stunt Night 9:00 PM Homecoming Pep Rally

Saturday, September 25, 2021 10:00 AM Donuts with Dr. O'Rear

4:00 PM Cru Kids Day

11:00 AM Campus Tour

4:30 PM Game Day Scoop

11:00 AM REUNIONS

4:30 PM CRUise 6:00 PM Football Game

UMHB vs. Hardin-Simmons

1:00 PM

Carnival on King Street

4:00 PM

Alumni Tailgate

for an extended schedule of events or to register, visit:

umhb.edu/homecoming

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#UMHBHOCO2021 We would love to see your 2021 Homecoming photos!

Just upload to your preferred social platform with the hastag #UMHBHOCO2021 Tag us @UMHBAlumni and we may share your post!

Follow us @UMHBAlumni for the most up-to-date information on all things Homecoming 2021.

CAMPUS L I F E

Making time to SERVE

Alumni volunteers make it a family affair during SERVE events

Miranda Taylor ’12 was looking for a way to hang out with alums over the summer break and to get her three children involved. They attended the SERVE event at the Hope House in June and helped pack grab bags for hungry neighborhood kids needing a quick snack during the hot summer months.

“We love to help!” said Miranda as she packed bags with fresh fruit, yogurt, and crackers.

The Alumni Engagement Department coordinated three SERVE events as part of its summer programming for alumni. Besides packing snack bags, alumni volunteers also gathered twice

at Helping Hands to sort food boxes and prepare backpacks for a back-toschool event.

“We know that serving is a big part of the UMHB mission and experience, so we wanted to extend that to our alumni,” said Jeff Sutton '07, director of alumni engagement. “The best part of the SERVE events was that families could participate together. There is something special about seeing multiple generations serving the same purpose.”

Jaci Hartfiel ’21, who also helped with the Hope House snack-packing event, said she loves helping.

“I feel like it’s super important since

we live in Belton to give back to the people who live here with us.”

Jen Sutton ’07, who works as director of children’s ministries at Hope for the Hungry, said it is a huge blessing having volunteers help through events like SERVE. “Having the big groups here, we can knock out the work quickly, which is a huge help and takes some of the workload off us,” she said.

Alumni and friends help during three SERVE events this summer at Helping Hands and Hope House. To find out about all alumni events, visit umhb.edu/alumni/events

F A L L 2 0 2 1 | UMHB LIFE 9

UMHB asked Instagram followers to play the popular "tell me without telling me" challenge, a social game in which social media users ask others to share their thoughts on something without specifically mentioning the subject.

Our alumni creatively played along to "tell us you went to UMHB without actually telling us you went to UMHB." some of which we share here!

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REA M I S C E D IC

@rodney.ward986

"No, it's not just a women's school."

!

IOUS " IC EL

"PUR PL E

UMHBFEATURE

@djoshua7

@juleskan

@lorirainey13

"No, it's co-ed now."

"Best nap spot is in the

"

library, upstairs

s e b a B Burt ! e f i L r fo

by the windows."

@cbarnes73

@kris10ruth12

@cinaandalex

UMHB

“Quad squirrels" @Jenniferreece2018

@gjewelp

“

"

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“ultimate on the rec field!” “ “ @eathan.hewitt05 @doffing03

"Have you heard about the Easter Pageant?" @blake_dupre_

w

"Fireworks aren't just for the 4th of July!" @umhbalumni

"Are you sitting in the stands or with the couch CRU?" @supershero5

"Couch CRU on the field!" @jmtodd

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"9:08 Don't Be Late"

-every FYC person @scarletdalilaa

"

Let's meet at Judge Baylor's grave.

Can you get my card scanned at Chapel? @shartgraves

“When do you have chapel?”

"I WAS DUBBED!" @chlapekbert

@scarlett_jetty

“

@littlestc

"WHO DID YOU GET DUBBED BY?" @rousecsr

"Check out my O'Rear" @rousecsr

Meth house (Methodist house) lunch, the best!" @brycemyburgh

Meth House Lunch every Wednesday @linzpeak

"Dr. (Jerome) Lockett & Dr. (Jim) King

SOCK BATTLES"

"No...not that Baylor" @skaiye_elyse

"and, that’s another Crusader

FIRST DOWN!" @umhbfootball

@eu.be.nice

"I go to Mary Hardin-Baylor."

"Oh, you go to Baylor?!" @abbiejay

"CRUUUUSAAAADDEERRSS HIT SOMEBODY!" @beardedcatgrandpa

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U M H B Y E S T E R Y E A R

BY CHRISTI MAYS

UMHB marks 50 years of going coeducational

T

here were two conflicting schools of thought when Mary Hardin-Baylor College was contemplating going coeducational 50 years ago: “Better Dead than Coed”—On one hand, many alumnae, some faculty members, and even the members of the Board of Trustees abhorrently opposed the idea of their beloved all-women’s school allowing male students the same privileges that only women had enjoyed for the last 125 years.

“Coed or Dead”—On the other hand, administrators were faced with an unsustainable deficit that was inching them closer every day to shutting the doors to the oldest women’s college this side of the Mississippi. They realized, the only means to save the college was to broaden its base of students by officially going coed and allowing men to finish their degrees at the school.

“We had the alumnae literally throwing hissy fits, but the current students couldn’t have cared less if we went coed,” said Vicki (Higgason) McKay ’71, adding that some of the alumnae protested the move to go coed with signs that read: “Better Dead than Coed.” “Some of them got over it and came back around 10 or 15 years ago, but it took them a long time. They fought it because of the many years of traditions.”

This past July 24, 2021, marked the 50-year anniversary when members of the board of trustees 14

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relented to call Mary Hardin-Baylor College “coeducational” and allowed men to finally walk across the stage to receive diplomas.

How it All Started

Seeing men on campus attending classes wasn’t unusual. It had been the norm since 1922, when the acclaimed John C. Hardy had served as president. He created the “Campus Boys” program, a select group of 12 upstanding young men who lived on campus and worked in exchange for tuition. Throughout the years, other male “day students” were allowed to attend classes and obtain up to 90 hours of coursework. When the male students reached 90 hours, however, they had to finish their degrees elsewhere, and the nearest schools that offered bachelor’s degrees were in Austin and Waco.

In the spring of 1968, the board of trustees recognized that it was a hardship for men to leave Belton to finish their schooling, especially when many of them were married and starting families. The board decided to allow men to be granted degrees “as a community service.” Men were finally allowed to finish their degrees at Mary Hardin-Baylor!

However, because of the resistance, male graduates were not allowed to walk the graduation stage to receive their diplomas with their female classmates, but instead had “special arrangements.”

UMHBYESTERYEAR The first male graduate, James P. Smith, a soldier from Fort Hood, quietly received his diploma in 1968.

In 1969, the male graduates received their diplomas at a baccalaureate ceremony the day before the women walked across the stage. Two years later, the males were allowed to be in the chapel for the graduation ceremony, but not to march across the stage.

“We sat on the left side of the auditorium and they brought our diplomas to us on the side,” said Bill Elliott ’71. “I didn’t feel bad. I sort of chuckled. I knew everybody in the class and we were all together, so it didn’t matter at the time.”

According to Carol Younger’s biography, The Parker Years: A Bridge to the Future, the board of trustees knew that the current practice of graduating men (but not permitting them to participate in any campus activities like graduation ceremonies) was “not only wrong but illegal.”

In July, trustees realized they had to make a decision. Faced with breaking federal regulations concerning accreditation, the board was forced to either return to the status of an all-women’s school (which would have led to bankruptcy) or embrace the idea of going coed. To make matters even more complicated, Dr. William Tanner, who had served as president the last three years, had just left to serve as president at Oklahoma Baptist University. In his absence, Dr. Bobby Parker, who had worked as vice president for the last two years, was named interim president until trustees could find a new president. Even though Parker was known for wearing a proverbial “black hat” during his tenure as vice president, faculty, staff, and others wrote letters to the trustees in support of Parker taking the helm during this tumultuous time. He was named president, effective Aug. 1, 1971, just eight days after the college had gone coed.

“If it hadn’t been for Bobby Parker, we wouldn’t have a university,” said Bobby Johnson ’76, who worked under Parker’s administration as director of alumni development.

DAY STUDENTS Before MHB went coed in 1971, Campus Boys and other male “day students” were allowed to accrue up to 90 hours of coursework, but then had to finish their degrees elsewhere. Pictured at the bottom are President Dr. William Tanner and Vice President Dr. Bobby Parker.

CAMPUS BOYS Holding a picture from when they worked as Campus Boys are from left, Billy Johnson ’70, Bobby Johnson ’76, Bill Saunders ’70, Dennis Thornblom ’71, and Jerry Troy ’69. They gathered with classmates this summer at the 50th reunions for the classes of 1970 and ’71.

Even though Parker bore the brunt of those who were opposed to going coed, he forged forward with a new vision and new ideas to help the school stay open.

It wasn’t an easy path by any means, said Parker’s wife of 53 years, Marietta Parker, who is now 96. Just like it was yesterday, she remembers serving alongside her husband those first few years after going coed.

“In (Younger’s) book, it sounds like everyone was just thrilled to death that he was named president, but that was not so,” Marietta recalls.

“Half the faculty was aggravated, many of the alumnae were opposed to it, and we were a million dollars in debt,” she said. “Everyone said they wouldn’t blame Bobby for going coed, but they did.”

The Parkers received threatening letters and calls, but trudged ahead. “I have told people that I was the mother of coed of Mary Hardin-Baylor and it was a long and painful birth!” Marietta said with a laugh.

According to Gayle Crain, who served as interim alumni secretary during the first year after going coed, “Dr. Parker saw the direction that the college needed to go and led in that direction—at great cost to himself.

He endured a great deal of opposition and criticism 16

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from opponents, but he stood fast and provided leadership that led to the development of a university that serves hundreds more students per year than we ever dreamed possible just a few years before.”

Younger wrote that Parker's presidency “will go down in future history books as a time of healing, growth, expansion, and significant stretching toward the goal of academic excellence.” Forging a new path under Parker’s leadership, the almost bankrupt college’s financial condition began to improve and by the early 1980s found itself standing on solid financial footing.

A New Beginning—Walking the Stage

At the end of the fall semester in 1971, male graduates were allowed for the first time to walk the graduation stage and receive their diplomas alongside their female classmates.

Dennis Thornblom ’71 was working as a Campus Boy at MHB and vividly remembers being one of the first males to walk. He also proudly recalls being one of the first men to get to go through the infamous “Slime Line” initiation.

“I still have my freshman beanie in a memory box at

“I'm proud of the school . I'm proud that I'm a graduate of the school, and I'm proud I walked across the stage.”

— Arthur "Yogi" Prinz Class of 1971 home,” he said. “I am grateful to the college for giving me the opportunity to lay the foundation of my education.”

Bill Saunders ’70 remembers when he came as a Campus Boy, just one year prior to Dennis. He said there was a closeness among students, but that men were still excluded from participating in athletics, holding office positions, and joining in traditions like the Easter Pageant.

“We were pretty much excluded from everything,” he said. “We were just here to do our work and go to school and that was it.”

Carolyn (Foster) Reed ’71 served as student body president in 1970 just prior to turning coed. Apparently in force to keep male students in “their place,” she recalls some amusing rules in the student handbook that she helped rewrite that year, including one that stated: “A girl could not sit in a chair a male had gotten out of for 15 minutes until it had time to cool off.”

John Austin ’71 said there was also a rule that “no male student could drink out of a water fountain that a girl had just drunk from until a certain amount of time had passed.”

John graduated just prior to the July 24 vote to go coed and remembers being told they were not able to march with the women.

“We were just so happy to get the degree, we didn’t mind,” he said. “We sat several rows back and they just handed the diplomas to us. We weren’t upset at all.

In fact, we didn’t know we should have been upset until we were invited to march two years ago,” he said, referring to the invitation he received from UMHB in

2018, inviting him to officially walk across the stage at the spring commencement ceremony on May 5. The university paid special tribute to the first male graduates of UMHB by asking all males from the classes of 1968 to 1971 to return to campus for a special recognition at commencement. Eleven men, including John, came and participated in the ceremony and were given the chance to finally walk across the graduation stage— almost 50 years later!

Arthur “Yogi” Prinz remembers when he received his invitation and thinking it was “silly.” After all, it had been 49 years! After his daughters, who are also UMHB grads, convinced him to do it, he now says he’s glad he did, and it meant the world to him and his family. “There was a subtlety that I had never experienced at that level. I’m glad UMHB did that for us.”

Even though he and his male classmates were originally excluded from walking the stage with their female counterparts, Yogi can honestly say he’s never held a grudge. The self-described “Crusader at heart” says it was a good experience for him.

“I’m proud of the school. I’m proud that I’m a graduate, and, I’m proud I walked across the stage.”

Glory to God

Going coed may have been the “single most important decision Mary Hardin-Baylor College faced in the second half of the 20th century,” Younger wrote, but many who were familiar with the circumstances know that God put the right man in the right place at the right time.

“Our first five years (at MHB) were hard ones,” said Marietta Parker. “Nobody realizes just how little my husband slept those first five years. Many early morning hours were spent in his study, praying, seeking the Lord’s will.”

In a 1985 speech at the Second Century trustee dinner, Dr. Bobby Parker reflected on the tough decisions and hard work so many members of his team faced in saving the college.

“The people in this room saw the need for a plan and stood by the plan,” he said during the speech. “Yes, a lump comes to my throat as I look upon your faces—those who saw the need of a coeducational Mary Hardin-Baylor. We are a full-grown co-educational institution. As such, we have faith in ourselves and in the future because of our faith in God.”

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U M H B A C A D E M I A

BY CHRISTI MAYS

| PHOTOGRAPHY BY RANDY YANDELL

Inaugural Journey

Physician assistant students share their quests to become part of first cohort.

D

uring his last two years of high school, Santos “Junior” Sarabia started getting very sick.

Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory condition of the large intestine, Junior suffered through debilitating days that often landed him in the hospital. Just days after graduating from Mexia High School in 2013, he was admitted into the hospital with a life-threatening infection. Junior had felt ill for days but thought it was a side-effect of a new medication. He finally decided to text his gastroenterologist, who, despite being on vacation, called Junior immediately and told him to go to the emergency department; “We’re going to take care of you,” the doctor assured him. The infection was so serious, Junior later learned he was only about two weeks away from death.

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“It was a defining moment where I thought, ‘I really want to do this for someone too. I want to be there for them and be that reassurance that everything is going to be OK.”

Ever since that life-altering flare-up, Junior has felt grateful for his physician who took time away from family to ensure he got immediate care.

“It was a defining moment where I thought, ‘I really want to do this for someone too. I want to be there for them and be that — Santos "Junior" Sarabia graduate student reassurance that everything is going to be OK,” Junior said. “I really understand what it feels like to be a patient, and how scary and fearful and vulnerable and frustrating it can be.”

Knowing first-hand how terrifying these life-and-death situations can be is what ultimately led him on the path to becoming a physician assistant.

He is one of 40 students who make up the first cohort of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program at UMHB. The 28-month program launched in January and is the only MSPA program available between Dallas and San Antonio.

HANDS- ON LEARNING Santos "Junior" Sarabia is a student in the first cohort of the new Master of Science in Physician Assistant program.

Here, he works with a fellow student on skills training.

Never giving up Junior healed from that unforgettable episode just in time to start college. With a full-ride scholarship to Texas A&M University, he was determined not to lose the opportunity.

With medicine alone costing upward of $1,500 a month, he decided surgery was the most reasonable option to cure himself of the debilitating disease. While still going to A&M full-time to get his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, Junior underwent three surgeries to remove his large intestine, which cured him of ulcerative colitis. Amazingly, Junior still managed to graduate on time.

“It was difficult to continue college through all of that, but it was one of my biggest accomplishments,” he said. Another momentous milestone was getting accepted into the UMHB physician assistant program.

“It’s very stressful and very competitive to get into a PA program,” he said. “Most programs average about 1,400 applicants, and some places only interview 100 people.”

Immediately after getting his bachelor’s degree, he began applying to numerous PA schools. That first year, Junior didn’t get a single interview invitation. In the second year of applications, he landed a couple of interviews,

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ON THE RIGHT TRACK Physician assistant students Emily Santos and Christopher Mann practice diagnosing torn rotator cuffs during skills lab.

but no offers. Giving up wasn't an option. He began working to build his medical experience by working at a hospital in Bryan in the cardiac rehab department.

“I always told my coworkers that I had plans to try to get back into school,” he said.

“And during that time, I was shadowing and working and trying to figure out how to get into school someway, somehow.”

On his third round of applications, he was invited to UMHB to interview.

“Throughout the entire interview process, I could just feel the warmth radiating from the faculty, and I could see how excited they were,” he said.

When administrators told him he was accepted at UMHB, he cried.

“I’d been working for three years trying to get into a PA program, and for someone to finally see my potential and know my worth was really, really relieving.”

Even though it felt like it took an eternity to get into school, he says it all worked out the way God intended.

“I don’t think I would have been ready to handle the stress of it,” he said of the intensely rigorous program.

“I had to be in the right mindset to buckle down and get to work. God knows what He’s doing. If you keep focusing on your goal, keep working toward it, I’m a true believer that He’s going to make it work.”

Defining moment Being in healthcare comes naturally to Emily Santos, who comes from a long line of family members who are nurses, pharmacists, and paramedics. So when she decided to major in nursing when she arrived at UMHB 20

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10 years ago, it seemed like a logical choice.

“My mom’s a nurse, my grandma was a nurse, so I guess I thought I needed to be a nurse. But I decided really quickly I didn’t want to be a nurse,” she admitted with a chuckle. She quickly changed her major to exercise science.

Emily earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2015, followed by a master’s the next year in the same discipline. So, when she heard about plans for UMHB to add the physician assistant program, she was instantly excited.

As part of her graduate program, she had interned in cardiac rehabilitation, which proved to be the perfect combination of the things she loves most—patient care and exercise.

“Being around other physician assistants and practitioners really made me want to do more for my patients,” she said. “I love seeing the patient’s journey through various disease processes, but I wanted to be able to do more than what my scope allowed.”

She said the amount of work required in PA school is significant, but she is unconditionally committed to succeeding.

“I’ve learned so much in such a short amount of time—clinical disease and prevention, diagnostics, anatomy and physiology, and pharmaceutical,” she said. “It’s definitely made it more definitive to me that I am on the right track, and it’s what I want to do."

Taking a leap of faith Christopher Mann was working as a paramedic in Amarillo when one day, after dropping off a patient, he struck up a conversation with a physician assistant in the emergency department.

“He became one of my mentors,” Chris said. “I was able to spend quite a bit of time outside of work just shadowing him and interning with the trauma team. It propelled me to want to do better, learn more, and go further in the medical field.”

As an EMT-paramedic, he loved caring for patients but didn’t like that he only got to help them for the short period of time it took to get them in an ambulance and to the hospital.

“We would drop them off at the ER, and that would be it. That was the extent of my patient care,” he said.

“As a physician assistant, I will have a larger scope of practice and be able to spend more time with them and be more involved in their medical treatment and procedures.”

One of the incentives of being a PA is the flexibility to work in countless fields, from pediatrics to surgery to OB/GYN and more. Chris said he plans to pursue either emergency medicine or trauma care, and, having served in the Marine Corps from 2005 to 2013, he also has a strong interest in taking care of veterans.

When Chris began applying to PA programs, he was

fortunate enough to have offers from several schools; however, what led him to choose UMHB was the faculty and staff.

“I instantly felt like I had a real connection,” he said.

“I could tell that they actually cared about the students and the learning process, and I liked the spiritual aspect of it too. I was thrilled when we had a meeting with one of our professors and he prayed for the students.

That’s not something you see and hear about in other places.”

Looking back at how God led him to UMHB, which he had never even heard of, was amazing, he said. After interviewing, Chris accepted UMHB’s offer before the program had been granted accreditation. Graduation from an accredited program is required in order for students to take the PA certifying boards and for state licensure.

“My wife and I spent time praying, and we felt UMHB was the program that I needed to go to,” Chris said. “We trusted in God and relied on Him to meet our needs.”

So, the two sold their house in Amarillo, packed up their belongings, and rented a place in Belton—all before the school had received its accreditation.

“We definitely had to rely on God and trust in Him,” he said. “We trusted and made the move and just had faith that God would come through. And, He did! Just like He does every time!"

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ALUMNI NOTES

MOM JOURNEYS Rebecca Bradford '01 (left) and Jenny Worsham '02 (right) joined forces five years ago to create Gather Moms which now includes more than 600 moms in 120 Gather groups.

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REBECCA BRADFORD ‘01 & JENNY WORSHAM ‘02

Gather Moms

God calls UMHB alumnae to connect and encourage moms Five years ago, Jenny Worsham '02 felt God calling her to help encourage other moms on their "mom journeys." Hoping to find a community of moms to support and connect with each other, she opened up her home and invited over some neighbors.

"I just hoped two or three moms would come," she said, "But we ended up with about 10 moms!"

Jenny shared her vision with her good friend and neighbor, Rebecca Bradford '01, who lived just two streets over. God had crossed their paths at UMHB in 1998 when they both started serving with SAGE Women’s Ministry, a monthly Bible study for college women.

"When I shared my idea with Rebecca, she was the biggest cheerleader of it," Jenny said.

"She already felt called to minister to moms."

Alongside another friend, Kate Henderson, the three started "Gather Moms." Very quickly, it became evident that there was a huge need for Gather, and moms wanted to form groups in other neighborhoods.

In 2017, Gather Moms hosted its first "Mom Event" in Rockwall, and from that night,

launched almost 50 new Gather groups. A year later, they had a second event and formed even more groups. To date, the program has grown to include more than 600 moms in 120 Gather groups all over Texas, the US, and even one that meets in Nigeria.

"Throughout all of it, God prompted us, opened doors of opportunity, and changed the lives of moms and their families."

—Rebecca Bradford ’01

"At Gather Moms, we believe moms need each other and need to know they are not alone," Jenny said.

The groups meet for one hour each month to laugh, build community, and discuss family values.

"I encourage moms to just take one thing home from each meeting that they want to do better in their homes this month," Jenny said. "Being a mom can

be overwhelming, so we want them to leave uplifted instead of overwhelmed."

Over the last five years, the trio has compiled two years of curriculums for Gather groups to use and have translated the programs into Spanish.

"In 2019, many moms came to us and wanted to expand Gather to moms who no longer have children living in their homes," Jenny said.

So, Gather 2.0 was created, and a new curriculum for moms in the "launching" phase will be completed this fall, as well as a 12-month program for moms parenting adult children or who are grandparenting.

During the pandemic, when moms temporarily stopped meeting, the Gather Moms Podcast was launched and became a tool to help moms feel understood as they laugh and learn with real talk about everyday motherhood struggles.

The next exciting step in the trio’s journey is a partnership with RightNow Media to provide online resources to churches and moms worldwide. Through the streaming media service, they will host the next "Mom Event" on Oct. 22, 2021, as a simulcast to any church that subscribes to RightNow Media. continued on page 27

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IN MEMORIAM 1940s

1950 s

Mary Alyce Hogue ’43, Jan. 4, 2021, in Midland at age 97. She graduated from Colorado Woman’s College in Denver in 1942 and from Mary Hardin-Baylor College in 1943 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Mary married Cliff Hogue in 1943 in Lancaster. During World War II, she worked in surgery at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio. She and her husband helped start Crestview Baptist Church and they were members of First Baptist Church, Midland. Mary served on the nominating committee of the Baptist General Convention of Texas for three years, and she and Cliff served on many mission trips.

Mittie Louise (Segrest) Goodman ’50, April 19, 2021, in Lufkin, Tex., at age 94. She earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1950 at Mary Hardin-Baylor College.

Mittie married Robbie Lee Goodman in 1948, and they were married for 61 years. Mittie was a member of Homer United Methodist Church for more than 60 years. She was a seamstress, pie baker, and wedding cake decorator.

Gladys Janell (Huey) Hobbs ’47, April 1, 2021, at age 94. She earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Mary HardinBaylor College in 1947. Gladys married Robert Eugene Hobbs Jr. in 1948 and lived in McKinney at the time of her death. She taught home economics at Victoria High School in the 1960s and ‘70s. She was a lifelong Methodist and member of First United Methodist in Victoria for more than 70 years.

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Norma Jean (Riddle) Helms ex ’50-51, Feb. 26, 2021, in Temple, Tex. Norma was a longtime member of Hampton Place Baptist Church in Dallas. She loved playing tennis and loved music, performing both as a singer and pianist in her younger days.

Norma attended Mary Hardin-Baylor on a music scholarship and, after two years, transferred to the University of Texas where she earned an accounting degree in 1951. She worked as an accountant for several small firms before joining Texas Instruments in 1957. Norma married Gene Helms in 1963.

Mary Rebecca "Becky" (Duckworth) Rosser ’52, April 25, 2021, in Jacksonville, Tex., at age 90. She graduated from Mary Hardin-Baylor College in 1952 with a degree in elementary music education. In 1951, she married John B. Rosser, and they were married for 60 years. She taught in Marietta, Ga.; Little Rock, Ark.; and Dalhart, Kurten, College Station, and Rusk, Tex., until retiring in 1991. Becky served as the adult and children’s choir director at First Baptist Church in Wellborn, Tex., and participated in volunteer work.

Leska Maxine "Sissie" (Hightower) Hendricks ’54, April 6, 2021, in San Antonio, Tex. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1954 from Mary Hardin-Baylor College and married Harry Eugene Hendricks on her graduation day. They were married 66 years. Sissie served on the UMHB Board of Trustees for more than 15 years. She worked as a business partner with Harry in their construction business and later with K&L Engineering. Sissie was among the first women trained as a Level II examiner in non-destructive eddy current testing. She was a member of Grace Point Church for 25 years.

Marjorie "Margie" L. Junge ’55, March 14, 2021, in Santa Fe, NM, at age 89. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mary Hardin-Baylor College in 1955 and taught junior high school English in Albuquerque in the late 1950s. She also owned the BC Paperback Book Exchange in Santa Fe in the 1970s and ‘80s. Margie married Denis Junge in 1953, and they were married for 68 years.

Willie Ruth (Boyd) Ethridge ’56, April 20, 2021, in Chattanooga, Tenn., at age 87.

She graduated in 1956 from Mary Hardin-Baylor College with a bachelor’s degree in music. She was a longtime member of Woodland Park Baptist Church and was a member of First Baptist Church of Ringgold at the time of her death. In 1991, she retired from Hamilton County Schools after a lengthy career as a music teacher.

Willie was married to Leonard C. Ethridge Jr. for 55 years.

Marcellyn June (Payne) Davis ’58, May 12, 2021, in Pearl, Miss., at age 86. In 1958, she graduated from Mary HardinBaylor College, where she received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She married L.L. (Van) Davis in 1957. Marcellyn wrote a book called Growing Through Grief…Learning to Cope (Especially for Women).

She sang in the choir at First Baptist Church of Brandon, Miss.

Margaret "Peggy" (Baker) Soderbom ’59, Dec. 18, 2020, in Florida at age 84.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in home economics in 1959 from Mary HardinBaylor College. Peggy also attended Middle Tennessee State University. She was married to Richard Soderbom. She worked as a school teacher and then a principal at Broadview Elementary School. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the Retired Teachers Association.

1960 s Elizabeth (Yang) Fang ’61, April 18, 2021, in North Kingstown, RI, at age 84. After growing up in Taichung, Taiwan, she moved to the United States in 1956 and attended Mary Hardin-Baylor College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry in 1961. She married Pen Jeng Fang in Chicago in 1962. She worked as a chemist at Carnegie Melon Institute in Pittsburgh and then as a data entry specialist in Rhode Island. In later years, Elizabeth managed her husband’s civil engineering consulting firm, EngiTek in Rhode Island, where she enjoyed being an active part of the Asian community.

Catherine Henojosa ’62, May 24, 2021, at age 85. She graduated from Mart High School and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Mary Hardin-Baylor College in 1962.

Catherine worked as a nurse, and then later in life as a teacher for pre-K through second-grade students. She was a devout Baptist.

Maureen Merle Stinson ’63, Jan. 31, 2021, in San Antonio at age 79. She graduated from Mary HardinBaylor College in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in art. She married Elvin Eugene Stinson in 1964.

Maureen taught school in Belton, Tex., and then first grade, art, and reading at Pleasanton ISD until 1998 when she retired. She was a member of the Pleasanton Church of Christ.

Memorials may be made in Maureen’s honor to UMHB, Box 8433, 900 College St., Belton, TX 76513 or online at giving.umhb.edu Marjorie Joanne (Boatwright) Williamson ’63, May 1, 2021, at age 98. She graduated from Paris Junior College in 1942 and that June married Joe William Williamson, whom she was married to for 77 years.

She graduated from Mary HardinBaylor College in 1963 and taught second grade at East Ward Elementary for 23 years. Marjorie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in

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Killeen, Tex., American Association of University Women, Modern Study Club, and Killeen Garden Club.

Charlene Paula (Rushing) Smith ’64, March 17, 2021, at age 80.

She graduated from Mary Hardin-Baylor College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She then earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Central Oklahoma. Charlene married James Lee Smith in 1958. Charlene was a founding member of the teacher sorority, Kappa Kappa Iota, Epsilon Beta Chapter, and Meadowood Baptist Church in Midwest City, OK. Glenda Joyce Gray ’64, April 19, 2021, at age 78.

After graduating from Holland High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics at Mary Hardin-Baylor College. Glenda worked as a homemaking teacher in Rosebud-Lott ISD until retirement.

Anita (Dugger) Kelley ’66, April 6, 2021, in Concrete, Wash., at age 75.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in home economics in 1975 from Mary Hardin-Baylor College and a master’s degree in home economics from Arizona State University. Anita had a 41-year teaching career in home economics, English, and literature to students in junior high, high school, and college. She was married to Jim Kelley. Anita was active in her church and community and volunteered at Hamilton Community Food Bank.

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1970s Sarah (nee Wu) Hsu ’70, Jan. 10, 2021, in Rahway, NJ. She grew up in Taiwan and came to Mary Hardin-Baylor on a scholarship, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. Sarah worked as a computer room supervisor at Plumbing Industry Bd. and as an accountant at a pharmaceutical company called American Cyanamid, where she worked until retirement. Sarah and her husband, George, were married in 1971 in New York City.

Margaret (Benford) Melton ’72, March 2, 2021, in Temple, Tex., at age 71. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1972. She served two years as a naval officer at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia. She married Albert Melton in 1984. Margaret retired from the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare Systems after 38 years of service as a registered nurse. She was a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, where she served in many ministries and committees.

Frances Elizabeth (Wilson) Brown ’75, May 29, 2021, in Temple, Tex., at age 68.

Frances pursued her passion for nursing at Mary HardinBaylor College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1975.

Frances worked as a nurse at Hamilton General Hospital and as a school nurse for Killeen ISD, Manor Middle School, and Palo Alto Middle School. She served as the president of the Texas School Nurse Organization. Frances was married to Terry Brown for 45 years.

Judy Ann (Hutchinson) Kientz ’76, April 2, 2021, in Fort Smith, Ark., at age 67. Judy earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1976 at Mary Hardin-Baylor College and worked as a registered nurse at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Tex., where she met and married Dr. John L. B. Kientz Jr. in 1976. She later worked at Sparks Hospital in Fort Smith, and then taught nursing at Westark College.

She was a member of Fort Smith First Baptist Church.

1980s Lillian Miller ’80, Feb. 20, 2021, in Waco, Tex., at the age of 63.

She attended Hill Junior College before earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1980. Lillian was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. She worked as a nurse for Temple Veterans Administration Hospital, the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Hermann Hospital in Houston, and Providence Hospital in Waco for more than 32 years. Lillian enjoyed cake decorating and volunteering at St. Mary’s School and Carter Blood drives.

Gather Moms

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"Wow! God has truly humbled us with His direction and blessing on this unique ministry," Rebecca said. "Throughout all of it, God prompted us, opened doors of opportunity, and changed the lives of moms and their families."

Through the ministry, the three leaders have seen women receive salvation, find healing from guilt and shame, and begin life-giving friendships.

"Motherhood can be very lonely and isolating," Rebecca said. "We believe this is God’s desire for moms and families to connect to a community of believers that can walk with them through all of life’s circumstances.

The encouragement that comes from doing life in community is truly special."

When moments of doubt crept in during their five-year journey

CONNECTING MOMS: Jenny Worsham '02 speaks to a group of moms who gather monthly to connect and discuss family values.

with Gather, Rebecca said God reminded them that this was His power at work through them.

"We believe the prayers of godly women have been holding us up as we were obedient to take the next right step," she said.

"Without God, none of this would be possible."

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Joan Christina Fink ’85, Jan. 24, 2021, at age 80.

She served in the US Army for 20 years as a nurse and operating room specialist, retiring in Fort Hood. Joan went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMHB and worked in social work and as a teacher. She was an avid runner and tennis player and was an expert marksman. Joan served as a Eucharistic minister at her local Catholic church.

Kenneth "Jack" Blackwell ’89, May 27, 2021, in Temple, Tex., at age 78. He married the love of his life, Carolyn McCoy, in 1961.

Jack graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1989, where he earned degrees in psychology and sociology. He worked as a special education teacher for Troy ISD. Jack was a member of the Troy Church of Christ and was involved in many church activities.

1990s June (Parker) Church ’98, May 25, 2021, in Temple, Tex., at age 74. She married Paschel Church on June 8, 1968 in Houston.

She attended the University of Texas at Austin and later graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies degree.

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2000s Jennifer M. Neidinger ’00, Feb. 9, 2021, in Houston, at age 44. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, obtained her registered nurse certification, and later earned her Master of Science in nursing from the University of Texas Arlington. Jennifer worked at M.D. Anderson and the emergency department at Texas Children’s Hospital before becoming an educator and ultimately nurse manager of three of the hospital’s clinics.

Basil Edward Sims ’04, ’07, May 15, 2021, in Lufkin at age 64.

He attended Baylor University and Stephen F. Austin State University before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science in 2004 and a Master of Science in information systems in 2007 from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He was the director of development for DP Solutions for 25 years and had worked as an adjunct professor at Angelina College and UMHB. He served the Lord through music and held music minister positions at Cross Road Baptist Church, Clawson Baptist Church, and Parkview Baptist Church. Basil was a member of Harmony Hill Baptist Church. He was married to Cheryl Sims.

Theresa Anne (Johnson) Brooks ’05, April 10, 2021, in Temple, Tex., at age 41.

She married Jody Cade Brooks in 2008. Theresa graduated from UMHB in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Theresa went on to earn her LVN and RN from Austin Community College and her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Texas Arlington. She worked as a pediatric homecare nurse for Epic Home Healthcare in Austin, as well as other pediatric home healthcare groups.

Prior to having to stop working in late 2015, Theresa was working to earn her Master of Science degree in nursing to become a nurse practitioner so she could help more children.

Sharon Ann Toro ’07, Jan. 31, 2021, in Kempner at age 52. She graduated from the University of Mary HardinBaylor in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in cell biology. Sharon worked as a seasonal field biologist, a botanist, and as a wild land firefighter for the Nature Conservancy for two years. She also attended Texas Chiropractic College. She had served in the US Army, where she was honored with many awards and medals.

Sharon married Jerman Toro in 1996 in Arizona. Sharon was a member of Destiny Church Choir.

Harry Edward Philpott ’07, March 27, 2021, at age 62. He attended Concord University in West Virginia as a music major.

Harry worked in education as a music teacher for Henry County Public Schools and later as a high school band director in Gilbert, WV. While a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Justice, WV, Harry served as choir director, church clerk and taught youth Sunday school. After serving for 20 years in the US Army, Harry earned his master’s degree in education from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He ended his teaching career as an instructor of special education at Magna Vista High School in Martinsville, VA. Rebecca Lynn (Espinal) Blizzard ’08, May 25, 2021, in Temple, Tex., at age 54. She graduated with her bachelor's degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2008. While attending UMHB, she received several awards for articles she had written.

She worked for the Department of Defense and was given a Special Recognition Award from the Secretary of Defense for creating and managing the Air Force Aid tent in Incirlik AB Turkey during Operation Desert Storm. Rebecca was married to Russell Blizzard for 32 years.

Eleccia C. Murrell ’12, March 16, 2021, in Lawton, OK., at age 41. She married Leonard Murrell in 2004.

She served in the US Army and graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Eleccia was a registered nurse and worked at Southwestern Medical Center and other hospitals. She was a member of the St. James United Methodist Church in Temple, Tex. Artie Patrice "Pat" Robinson ’15, April 14, 2021, in Killeen, Tex., at age 62. She served in the US Army, attaining the rank of sergeant. Pat attended Prairie View A&M University and attained a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Texas A&M Central Texas and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

She went on to become a licensed counselor, where she served her community advocating for homeless veterans. Pat joined Christian House of Prayer in 1992 and served on many auxiliaries over the past 30 years. She also worked as an educator for seven years at the Perfect Praise Academy.

Jolinda Sue Tidwell, Feb. 6, 2021, in Denton, Tex. After graduating from Gatesville High School, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

She married John Tidwell and had a successful career in nursing.

Eleuteria "Lou" Gonzales, Feb. 13, 2021 in Temple, Tex. She worked for 19 years in housekeeping at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and had lived in Belton, Tex., since 1959. She was married to Jim Cordova for 26 years and later married Jose Gonzales for 26 years.

Ray Martin, April 20, 2021, in Temple, Tex., at age 67. He attended Navarro Junior College until transferring to Tarleton State University, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.

He married Debbie Pruitt in 1977, and they moved to Belton in 1987.

Ray coached and taught history for Oglesby ISD before working at UMHB where he coached girls’ volleyball and boys’ basketball and was dean of students. He retired in 2018 with 31 years of service to UMHB. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Gatesville.

UMHB LIFE magazine keeps alumni informed about the passing of their classmates by publishing their obituaries in the “In Memoriam” section of the magazine. If you learn of a college friend’s passing, please submit the news by visiting life.umhb.edu

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MEMORIAL GIFTS February 2, 2021 - June 12, 2021 Bill Bandy Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens

Bobby Bridges Debbie Stapp Daniel

B.J. and Nell Ray Barclay Alan and Sandy Barclay

Don Brooks Mark and Betty O’Hair Anderson

Grady Barganier Dr. Daniel Atha

Jean Sanders Brookshire Robert and Edie Cornett King

Margie Bennett Dr. Daniel Atha Joan Blackburn Tucker and Karli Ralston Glaske Dr. Rebecca O’Banion Dr. and Mrs. Randy O’Rear Dr. and Mrs. Steve Theodore Frank Boggs Howell Adams, Jr. Dr. Charles Arp, D.D.S. Kelly and Mindy Boggs Janice Brown Harris Staffing Elder Care Services Betty Jean Secrest Bohlin William and Lucia Bohlin Saunders Dr. Adrianne Bonham Leah Faye Lee Julia Amason Walker

Mary Virginia Jones Calhoun Leta Mae Calhoun Teakell Mary Jane Clark Kevin and Daniela Gitlin Wayne Cobb Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens Joan Burton Messer Cox Tom and Helen Pickle Normand Chris Cummins Cynthia Cummins

Dr. Chet Eastin Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Rosemary Brewer Bruce and Debbie Ham Fletcher Bill and “Doodle” Bridges John and Geneva Bridges Baker

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Walter Burtchell Dr. Daniel Atha

Phil Davidson Barbara Davidson

Curtis Breaux Dr. Daniel Atha

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Dr. Tom Buckner Carolyn Allison Owens Julia Amason Walker

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Ed Egeland Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens Julia Amason Walker Jim Elkins Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Jim Fitzhenry Dr. Daniel Atha Marietta Parker Julia Amason Walker Dr. Sharon Ganslen Amy Bawcom Karen Goodnight Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens Dr. Kerry and Kathy Owens Virginia Townsend Guess J. Tim Brown David and Judy Townsend Bruton Mindy Ellmer Regan Ellmer William Entzminger Keith and Cyndi Reese Evans Sindy Greenwood IFMA San Antonio Dr. Rebecca O’Banion Dr. and Mrs. Randy O’Rear Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens Stephanie Rainbow Dr. Elizabeth Tanaka Tracy Townsend Rhonda Webb Sammy and Cherisa York Norma Riddle Helms Naomi Fisher Life Group Leska Hightower Hendricks Walt and Pam Manly Dr. and Mrs. Randy O’Rear Patricia Hammack Hines LJ Hines, Jr. Gene Hill Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens

Delma Garner Jacks Walt and Pam Manly

Marie Jacobi Sue Allison May Carolyn Allison Owens

Jim McKown Bill and Sue Allison May Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens

Cameron Jennings Janette Burr Grami and Boppy Tony and Tracie Lampson

Frank O’Banion Edna O’Banion Guy and Stephanie O’Banion Dr. Rebecca O’Banion

Butch Keath Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher Jeannette Mayfield Kelley Dr. Daniel Atha Dr. Alta Belle Adams Kemp Dr. Daniel Atha Thomas Dannelley, Jr. Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens Shirley Cowan Sommer Julia Amason Walker Bettye Kennedy Dr. Jerry and Vicky Bawcom Reagan Little Kelly and Mindy Boggs Monty LaBay Cliff Whittingstall Benjamin Macias Robert and Edie Cornett King Linda Hood Pehl Ray Martin Amy Bawcom Dr. Jerry and Vicky Bawcom Maudine Hardcastle Dr. Rebecca O’Banion Dr. and Mrs. Randy O’Rear Carolyn Allison Owens Dr. Shawn Shannon Dr. and Mrs. Steve Theodore Julia Amason Walker Randy and Kim Kittredge Yandell

Donna Orsag Tucker and Karli Ralston Glaske Zach and Denise Krueger Dr. Rebecca O’Banion Dr. Brandon and Sara McCain Skaggs Terrance and Trish LaVell Woods

Marissa Scott Luanne Aydelotte William Barnes Eric and Jennifer Johnson Larry Sharp Jim and Lynn Whyburn Clarke Bobbie Skillern Carolyn Allison Owens Estelle Slater Carolyn Pirie Jo Reinhard Smith Betty Reinhard Hamilton

Rev. LB and Jeannette Parks Carolyn Allison Owens Julia Amason Walker

Maureen Schnitz Stinson Linda Owens Dr. Carole Smith

Walter and Clara Reinhard Betty Reinhard Hamilton

Zach Taylor Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Dr. J.A. Reynolds Dr. Daniel Atha Marietta Parker Beverly Robeson Smith Julia Amason Walker

Barbara Lyon Thomas Theda Maxfield

Wanda Rhodes Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens Frank and Geralann Rice Anne Wiese Halbert

Betty McCann Wilson Dr. Daniel Atha Gregory and Jenny Hansen Gastler Marietta Parker

Barbara Sanders Robert and Edie Cornett King

Diana Roberson Wilson Debbie Stapp Daniel

Eugene Sayler Dr. Daniel Atha

Shari Cunningham Wilson Susan Cain Julia Amason Walker

Glenella Grant Scarborough Robin Cox Jay Frank Schultz The Andrew Smith Family

Fred Uhrig Carolyn Allison Owens

James Woodyard Bill and Sue Allison May Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens

ALUMNI L I F E

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HONORARY GIFTS Michael Ball Michael and Cathy Burkett Cornelio Jonnie Atkison Barron Dr. Delia Quintanilla Betty Sue Beebe Don and Carolyn Brunson Vardeman Lisa May Bennett Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens Rev. and Mrs. Monty Benson Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher Clif Carroll Mark and Betty O’Hair Anderson

Kyle Livingston Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Price Rushing Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Macy Jane Livingston Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Sarah Rushing Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

George and Cindy Loutherback Mary Ballew

Elizabeth Rogers Wallace Dr. Delia Quintanilla

Belinda Muro Macias Robert and Edie Cornett King Linda Hood Pehl

Abby Witcher Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Sue Allison May Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens Sue Mayborn Anne Wiese Halbert

Dr. Danny Mynatt Dr. Craig and Megan Hammonds

Evelyn Cadenhead Davis Dr. Delia Quintanilla

Ann Keath Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Dr. Randy and Julie O’Rear Baby Walter Banks Claycomb Rodger and Elisa Northen Claycomb Norman and Rebecca Silva Northen

Linda Owens Dr. Carole Smith

Clara Keath Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Marietta Parker Dr. Jerry and Vicky Bawcom

Dr. Mickey Little Dr. Carole Smith

Ryan Ray Ramirez Connor Fuchs

Julie Keath Livingston Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Bobby Jack Rushing Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

Joan Sanders Harrington Robert and Edie Cornett King Lucy Lin Hom Glenna Morgan Stamps

UMHB LIFE | F A L L

Seth L. Witcher Jr. Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

The McLane Family Anne Wiese Halbert

Kay Elrod Coppin Dr. Delia Quintanilla

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Jenn Witcher Drs. Seth and Jane Witcher

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OPPORTUNITY

TO MAKE AN HONORARY OR MEMORIAL GIFT, please contact: Advancement UMHB Box 8433 900 College Street Belton, Texas 76513 254-295-4601 or give online at giving.umhb.edu.

W

hile growing up, Hannah Franks lived in various-sized communities but spent most of her time in the small town of Floydada just outside of Lubbock. Having graduated from a small, private school, she knew she wanted the college she chose to hold the same Christian values. She visited UMHB a few times, and during a Preview Weekend, her decision was affirmed that UMHB was the perfect place for her.

“I witnessed the close-knit community from the students, and I knew that I wanted to be at a university with that. I also loved seeing how the professors truly cared for their students not just academically but also for their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.”

She treasures all the memories she made at UMHB, particularly while participating in the many traditions.

“Revival and Easter Pageant had major impacts on my life. I will never forget the moment I was participating as a crowd member in the Easter pageant yelling, 'Crucify Him!' and realizing on a whole new level that it is because of my sin that Jesus was nailed to the cross.”

Hannah is also grateful for the scholarship money she received to help defer some of the expense of college.

“I do not think I would have been able to attend this amazing school and have these experiences without them! I pray that others will receive scholarships as I have so that they too can attend UMHB and make lifelong memories just as I have been able to do! I will forever be grateful to those who have donated."

Hannah Franks '20 BS in Biology | Iowa Park, Texas

900 College Street • Belton, Texas 76513

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