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Alumnae Section
A message from the WCAA President
Dear Wesleyan Alumnae,
Greetings! It has been too long since we have seen each other in person at an Alumnae Weekend, but all is a go for April and we are having a party! I hope you have Alumnae Weekend 2022 (April 21 – 24) on your calendars and that you plan to join us.
I am excited about the work that the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association Board of Managers is doing on your behalf. The pandemic caused an interruption in our normal work and gave us an opportunity to reflect on changes that would allow us to better serve Wesleyan. We will propose some changes over the next couple of years that we hope will lead us to a more equitable structure that meets the needs of Wesleyan today and in the future.
We can only be effective if our board and board committees reflect the diversity of today's Wesleyan. This year we increased diversity on our board and we recognized affinity groups as well as alumnae clubs. Like alumnae clubs, affinity groups can be formal or informal, and although they may be geographic, they are more likely to be focused on careers, majors, faiths, ethnicities, hobbies, etc. With several already formed, our two most structured are the Sisters of the First Five and the Young Alumnae Club. Because our discovery process showed a distinct need for more and better facilitation between our alumnae, Wesleyan's largest constituency, and the College and her student body, we are launching a new Engagement Leader Program this fall. We invited approximately 40 alums to participate and give us feedback. We will use their feedback to make changes before kicking off a more structured and larger group next year. We hope to have 100-150 alumnae volunteers lead this program in 2022-2023. These engagement leader volunteers are alumnae whose lives intersect in various ways with many other alumnae, and who are willing to be information conduits, sharing information and feedback between alumnae and the College.
Thank you for the honor of serving as the alumnae association’s president. Our stories and lives intersect because we have Wesleyan in common. I fell in love with Wesleyan when I visited as a prospective student and that love continues today. Please feel free to reach out at any point (WesleyanBOM@gmail.com). I invite your input as we do our work together.
BECOME AN ENGAGEMENT LEADER
Join individual alumnae, alumnae group leaders, affinity group leaders, and class leaders as we engage with students and with Wesleyan College.
• Share information from Wesleyan with her alumnae and provide opportunities for discussion • Proactively work with SGA leaders, staff, and administration to connect alumnae with students • Build alumnae networks that provide opportunities for alumnae to support each other • Identify new ways that alumnae can give back to Wesleyan
To learn more or express an interest in becoming a part of the 2022-2023 engagement leader team scan this code or visit wesleyancollege.edu/ael
Welcome TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WCAA Profile: The Wesleyan College Alumnae Association (WCAA), founded in 1859, is the world’s FIRST alumnae association. All former Wesleyan students who have earned 30 or more semester hours at the College - whether or not they graduated - are considered members. Today the association is governed by a board of managers that is composed of 16 elected members, including three alumnae trustees who serve also on Wesleyan’s board of trustees. The board meets officially three times a year and holds an off-campus retreat each fall to discuss strategic goals.
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Jan Lawrence ’80, Rome, GA Degrees: A.B. English; Student at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C. Profession: Executive director, Reconciling Ministries Network; retired senior program manager in healthcare IT, Harris Healthcare Solutions Alumnae Activities: Liaison for WCAA BOM on the President’s Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; development liaison; reunion chair: class liaison; college fairs
PRESIDENT ELECT
Anna Cornelious Martin ’04, Hampton, GA Degrees: A.B. Chemistry; M.A. Environmental Engineering, Clemson University Profession: Senior environmental engineer for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Alumnae Activities: VP of marketing for the Wesleyan Atlanta Alumnae Club; candlelighter; class reunion committee; former treasurer, WCAA BOM
VP FOR DEVELOPMENT
Jane Manley Wheeless ’67, Brevard, NC Degrees: A.B. Early Childhood/Elementary Ed; M.Ed. and E.D.S. in Speech and Language Pathology, University of Georgia; Ed. administration certificate Profession: Retired first grade teacher; former speech and language therapist; speech program coordinator; and elementary school principal Alumnae Activities: Co-chair, 45th and 55th 1967 reunions; class gift coordinator, 50th reunion; committee on “Make the Student Lounge Gold” in Willet Library; facilitator for “Hearts to Hearts” ZOOM sessions
VP FOR ADMISSION
Doneshia P. Starling ’06, Lawrenceville, GA Degrees: A.B. Advertising and Marketing Communication; M.Sc. Housing and Consumer Economics, University of Georgia; M.B.A., Southern New Hampshire University Profession: Public health analyst Alumnae Activities: Interim secretary and social media coordinator, Sisters of the First Five
VP FOR EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT
Jas'min Shy Coates ’06, Macon, GA Degrees: A.B. Early Childhood/Elementary Ed; M.Ed. Educational Technology, Grand Canyon University; educational specialist degree in organizational leadership Profession: Bibb County educator; adjunct, Wesleyan College; Wesleyan College master's of education recruiter Alumnae Activities: Class reunion planning committee; candlelighter; graduation volunteer; Macon Alumnae Club; Sisters of the First Five
VP FOR PUBLICATIONS AND PUBLIC
RELATIONS - Susan Wheelis ’95, Memphis, TN Degrees: A.B. Biology; Pharm.D., University of Tennessee Profession: Oncology clinical pharmacy specialist, Methodist Germantown Hospital Alumnae Activities: Forever First Society; class liaison; reunion class chair; candlelighter; college fairs
SECRETARY - Juliana Cabrales ’04, Raleigh, NC Degrees: A.B. International Business/Economics; A.A.S. (associate degree in applied science), Parsons School for Design, New York Profession: Program officer at Four Freedoms Fund Community Service: Board of directors, North Carolina Counts Coalition Alumnae Activities: North Carolina Triangle Alumnae Club, class reunions
TREASURER - Judy Whitaker ’75, Macon, GA Degrees: A.B. Early Childhood/Elementary Ed; M.Ed., Georgia College; Ed.S. Education/Behavior Disorders, Georgia State University Profession: Former elementary education teacher; special education behavior disorders teacher; assistant coordinator, Elam Alexander Academy; softball, basketball, tennis, soccer coach Alumnae Activities: Move-In Day; class reunion party host; candlelighter; class reunions; alumnae office volunteer; Macon Alumnae Club
TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WCAA Purpose: The Association promotes alumnae engagement with the College, with students, and with other alumnae by providing service, mentoring, and learning opportunities. Through e-communications, social media, and WESmag, nearly 9,500 alumnae are kept informed of the activities and achievements of Wesleyan College alumnae. For more information about board members, job positions, and how to nominate potential members, scan the code to the right or go to wesleyancollege.edu/bom.
PAST PRESIDENT
Abbie Smoak Lacienski ’01, Statesboro, GA Degrees: A.B. English/Secondary Certification; M.Ed. Educational Leadership, Georgia Southern University Profession: Military and veteran services coordinator, Georgia Southern University Alumnae Activities: Wesleyan First Awards; Statesboro area Alumnae Club; served nine previous` years on the WCAA BOM; reunion house party planning; candlelighter
ALUMNAE TRUSTEES
Leesa Akins Flora ’87, Brookhaven, GA Degrees: A.B. Business Administration; J.D., Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University Profession: Attorney (retired) Alumnae Activities: Former treasurer and Alumnae Weekend chair, WCAA BOM; Forever First Society
Yehudi Self-Medlin ’96, Falls Church, VA Degrees: A.B. Chemistry; Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, University of Virginia Profession: Associate director for S&T Investment, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Alumnae Activities: Washington, D.C. Alumnae Club; class of 1996 reunion chair; former member of the WCAA BOM
Sally Moffett McKenna ’75, Brookhaven, GA Degrees: A.B. Education; M.Ed., Georgia State University Profession: Educator Alumnae Activities: WCAA BOM – admissions representative, VP for admissions, Loyalty Fund chair, vice-chair, nominations committee, VP for development; Atlanta Wesleyan Alumnae Club – former president, ways and means chair, parliamentarian, nominations committee, current co-treasurer and executive board member; candlelighter; Wesleyan First Award presenter; 50th reunion committee; class gift liaison; Forever First Society
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
NOMINATIONS
Mary Kathryn Borland ’04, Birmingham, AL Degrees: A.B. Music; M.S. Sports and Fitness Management, Troy University Profession: Alumni affairs specialist, School of Business, University of Alabama at Birmingham Alumnae Activities: Former BOM member-atlarge for student relations; alumnae admissions rep; E-Link; candlelighting chair, Alumnae Weekend 2022; 2004 reunion committee; Alumnae Weekend 2022 planning committee
STUDENT RELATIONS
Vida Olivares ’02, Macon, GA Degrees: A.B. Mathematics/Secondary Certification; M.Ed. Mathematics Education, Georgia State University; Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction, Mercer University Profession: Secondary mathematics teacher, Monroe County schools Alumnae Activities: 2002 reunion chair; Forever First Society
ALUMNAE WEEKEND
Natalie Puckett Evans ’02, Locust Grove, GA Degrees: A.B. Business Administration/Economics; Frontline Leadership Certificate; University of Georgia, Carl Vinson Institute of Management; Women Unlimited LEAD Program Graduate Profession: Chief data officer, United Way of Greater Atlanta Alumnae Activities: Atlanta Alumnae Club, active participant and past president; former Macon Alumnae Club participant; candlelighter; reunion committee support
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Najah Y. Webb ’13, Smyrna, GA Degrees: A.B. Advertising and Marketing Communication, English; M.F.A. Creative Writing, The New School Profession: Freelance Literary Book Scout Alumnae Activities: Interim president, Sisters of the First Five; candlelighter; Young Atlanta Alumnae; Class of 2013 Facebook
Alumnae
CONNECTIONS
Still Waiting to "Hug-It-Out." Where will you be in April 2022? Are you making plans to attend Alumnae Weekend, especially if you are a reunion year class? Do you feel the bonds of sisterhood encouraging you to connect with classmates? We’re planning a celebration and it’s all for you! See you in ’22! In the meantime, to schedule a virtual alumnae event or class meeting, mentor a student, present a Wesleyan First Award, volunteer for the WCAA, and/or start an affinity group to connect with alumnae who share your interests, contact the Alumnae Affairs Office at csnow@wesleyancollege.edu (478) 757-5173 or the WCAA Board of Managers at WesleyanBOM@gmail.com.
Georgia
Atlanta
In July club members participated in an online Book Club meeting where they discussed The Husband’s Secret. In November the selected reading was The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. The group’s executive board met in August to plan activities for the 2021-22 year. For more information about upcoming Club events including a holiday event in December, a tailgating event in January, a Sisterhood Social in February and more, contact atlanta@wesleyancollege.edu.
Macon
Area alumnae met virtually in September to discuss upcoming plans for the year that included hosting tables at an October Alumnae-Student Networking Dinner held in the Manget Dining Room, and sponsored by the Center for Career Development, and the offices of the president and alumnae affairs. Members donned Halloween costumes at Wesleyan’s Fall Fest, connected with students and distributed Halloween treats in Anderson Dining Hall. In addition a Reading Day Cookie Bake & Break during exam week is on the club calendar.
North Carolina
North Carolina Triangle Club (Raleigh/Durham)
Socially-distanced Pioneer Book Club discussions continue as the NC Triangle Club prepares for the upcoming year. The Fearrington House Inn was the venue for the December book club meeting where club members invited all North Carolina alumnae to join them for a Christmas Dutch Treat Tea. The group’s annual meeting will take place on January 8, 2022, at The Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, and will feature guest speaker, Jill Hauver Celeste ’94, who will discuss her latest book, LOUD WOMAN: Good-bye, Inner Good Girl!
Sisterhood in Action:
Connecting with Students
SUMMER COMMENCEMENT. In August, graduate students and their families enjoyed Lemonade on the Lawn in front of Porter Auditorium after the ceremony. Cookies also were provided by the Alumnae Affairs Office and the WCAA.
SENIOR CELEBRATION BREAKFAST. Anderson Dining Hall served as the venue for this annual “Welcome Back” event for seniors that featured special late night breakfast fare. The Alumnae Affairs Office and the WCAA sponsored this socially distanced gathering that included remarks from WCAA board member Vida Olivares ’02, who serves as member-at-large for student relations. Seniors received a preview of WCAA-sponsored spring semester events with a focus on Candlelighting and keeping in touch with Wesleyan after graduation.
WELCOME BAGS FOR NEW STUDENTS. In August, new students received Welcome Goody Bags, complete with snacks and Wesleyan memorabilia. Ninety alumnae sponsored bags and some alumnae sponsored multiple bags! Members of the Macon Alumnae Club prepared and tagged bags that were distributed during registration on Move-In Day.
ALUMNAE-STUDENT NETWORKING DINNER. In October, students connected with area alumnae over dinner in the Manget Dining Room where networking was the main course on the menu and enjoying sisterhood was definitely the dessert! Sponsored by the Center for Career Development, the President’s Office and the Alumnae Affairs Office, the dinner was all about building relationships, sharing expertise, listening to entrepreneurship stories, and discussing the commonality and diversity of the Wesleyan experience – a highlight of the socially distanced evening.
Got Sisterhood? Get Social.
ENJOY READING ONLINE CLASS NOTES SUBMITTED SINCE OUR LAST MAGAZINE AT WESLEYANCOLLEGE.EDU/CLASSNOTES
CLUB
1. ’68 Sisters Luncheon. In July, 25 classmates enjoyed a special minireunion at Peachtree Presbyterian
Church in Atlanta.
2. Luncheon Line Up. GKs line up for the camera at the ’68 luncheon in July.
3. Sisterhood & Smiles. 1968 alumnae enjoyed a "Hoddy Toddy" Day in Atlanta.
4. Alumnae Workhorses. 1970 classmates (L-R) Kathy Arnold Hale, Emily Chase
Cook, and Pat Grogan Borders met up at Wesleyan’s Equestrian Center to help with landscaping and other needs.
5. Sisterhood in Action. New students enjoyed receiving alumnae-sponsored
Move-In Day.
6. Just Treats. Macon Club member
Judy Whitaker (a.k.a. the Black-Eyed
Pea) and Alumnae Director Cathy Snow (a.k.a. the Good Witch) handed out
Halloween treats to students in
Anderson Dining Hall.
7. Networking Night. In October, alumnae engaged with students at the Career
Development Center’s Alumnae
Networking Dinner.
8. Advice is Nice. Students appreciated career and job guidance from Wesleyan alumnae sisters at the networking dinner in the Manget Dining Room.
9. Getting Loud. In January, North
Carolina Triangle Club alumnae will meet in Raleigh for the club’s annual luncheon featuring guest speaker and author Jill Hauver Celeste ’94.
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AFFINITY GROUPS
Sisters of the First Five Black Alumnae Network. Group leaders met with President Vivia Fowler, Alumnae Director Cathy Coxey Snow ’71, Wesleyan Trustees Bryndis Roberts ’78 and Rev. Felecia Pearson Smith ’74 in August to discuss long-range plans for their group. Contact Najah Webb ’13, interim president of SOFF, for more information at najahstefanywebb@gmail.com.
Sympathy
The Wesleyan College Alumnae Association extends sympathy to:
Virginia Martin Lawrence ’45
Jo Ann Chapple ’56 on the death of her cousin, Carla DuBose Kalec ’57, M.D., on August 26, 2021.
Joan Maddox Sammons ’57
on the death of her daughter, Erin E. Sammons ’95, on August 15, 2021.
Carolyn Wade Barry ’59 and Wade Mixon Putnal ’81 on the death of Carolyn’s sister and Wade’s mother, Marion “Toot” Wade Mixon ’56, on October 14, 2021.
Marilyn Memory McMullan ’59
on the death of her daughter, Jane M. McMullan ’82, on October 1, 2021.
Giulia R. La Cagnina
Saucier ’60 on the death of her husband, Gene D. Saucier, on August 1, 2020.
LaTrelle Blackburn Oliver ’62 on the death of her husband, Hoyt Oliver, on June 15, 2021.
Martha Johnson Bennett ’63
on the death of her husband, Frank T. Bennett, Sr., on April 3, 2020.
Suzanne Gosnell Joye ’64
Amy Meyer Orr-Stokes ’64
on the death of her brother, James Andrews Meyer, on November 5, 2020.
Jan Mewbourne Genest ’65 on the death of her husband, Mike Genest, on June 24, 2020.
Suzanne Spence Joyce ’66
Alexis Xides Bighley ’67 on the death of her husband, John Bighley, on October 6, 2021.
Dot Ogden Brown ’67 on the death of her brother, William S. “Bill” Ogden, on June 15, 2021.
Flo Williams Douglas ’67
on the death of her husband, Curtis David “Curt” Douglas, on October 6, 2021.
Charlotte Babcock Ellis ’67
on the death of her mother, Mary Babcock James Bird, on September 21, 2020.
Carolyn Curtiss Higgins ’68 on the death of her husband, John Richmond Higgins, Jr., on September 12, 2020.
Wanda Saltmarsh Hopkins
’70 on the death of her mother, Dartha Lynn Saltmarsh, on April 12, 2021 (age 99).
Sally Shingler Kurrie ’70
on the death of her sister, Susan Elizabeth Shingler, on September 9, 2020.
Theresa Edwards Millsap ’70
on the death of her husband, Michael Hoyt “Mike” Millsap, on August 17, 2021.
Becky Edenfield Lingerfelt
’71 on the death of her mother, Myrtle Edenfield, on December 20, 2020 (age 99).
Kathy Weeks Leaman ’72 and
Elizabeth “Izzy” Leaman Hague
’96, on the death of Kathy’s mother and Izzy’s grandmother, Helen Carol Johnson Weeks, on April 17, 2021. Licia Drinnon Jackson ’74 and
Lauren Drinnon Leskosky ’77
on the death of their mother, Elizabeth McCants Drinnon ’48, on July 20, 2021.
Michelle Gadihle Sims ’76
on the death of her husband, Randall “Randy” Sims, on May 30, 2021.
Lane McMurray Saunders ’78
Cindy Smith Osterkamp ’81 on the death of her aunt, Anne Rose Pifer ’60, on May 29, 2021.
Linda C. Johnson ’82 on the death of her sister, Mary Vaughn Johnson ’83, on March 7, 2021.
Sackurato “Sarco” Tomita ’84
Sara King Pilger ’85 on the death of her mother, Charlotte Luke King, on February 25, 2021.
Donna Hughes Burcham ’87
on the death of her father, Oscar H. Hughes, Jr., on June 27, 2020.
Beth A. Galvin ’87 on the death of her sister, Erin Elizabeth Galvin Scranton, on April 19, 2021.
Lara Carlton Blanchett ’91
on the death of her father, Edgar Ray Blanchett, on May 8, 2021.
Hope Hahn Shields ’91 on the death of her brother, Robert Grady “Bert” Hahn, Jr., on July 5, 2021.
Mary Mitchell McKinnon ’97
on the death of her father, Roy Jefferson Pipkin, on October 9, 2021.
Stacy Reynolds Forehand ’98 on the death of her husband, Travis T. Forehand, on September 25, 2021 - his birthday.
Wendy Hitchcock Arnold ’00
Glenda S. Clance ’00 on the death of her husband, James “Jim” Coleman, on August 31, 2021.
Kaitlyn Rentz Lancaster ’12 on the death of her mother, Peggy Peacock Rentz O’Connell, on September 5, 2021.
Kyzha T. Townes ’20 on the death of her grandfather, Douglas Williams Townes, on March 15, 2021.
FACULTY, STAFF, AND TRUSTEES SYMPATHY & DEATHS
Sympathy to Provost Melody Blake on the death of her mother, Carrol Diehm, on October 15, 2021, and on the death of her father-in-law, Peter Blake, on October 17, 2021. Sympathy to Hilary Kite, Ph.D., former professor of mathematics and interim dean, on the death of her husband, Tom Kight, on August 22, 2021. Ernest Lynwood “Lyn” Brooking III, former Wesleyan trustee, died on July 14, 2021. Dolores Jean Buttry, former associate professor of modern languages, died on July 1, 2021. Vivian Baucom Laird, former assistant registrar (1967-1969), died on June 26, 2021.
A R L I N E A T K I N S F I N C H
CLASS OF 1956 June 23, 1934 – August 22, 2021
Beloved Wesleyan alumna, former admissions counselor for the state of Florida, and faculty member, Wesleyan College trustee, and “true, faithful, and loyal” Green Knight Arline Atkins Finch passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 22, 2021, in Gainesville, Florida, following a brief illness. A native of West Palm Beach, Arline and her husband Ronald M. Finch of Lake Worth, resided at Oak Hammock, a continuing care retirement facility in Gainesville.
During her student years at Wesleyan College, Arline was president of the Student Government Association and participated in Student Senate. She served on the athletic board representing several sports she played and, during her senior year in 1956, she was named “Miss Wesleyan.” Following her graduation, she received a master’s degree in English and history from Emory University in 1958 and taught English in Beverly, Massachusetts, before returning to Wesleyan as an instructor and an admissions counselor. Arline was honored with the Alumnae Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 1976 and remained faithful to her alma mater throughout her lifetime. She served as a member of Wesleyan’s board of trustees for eleven years and earned membership in the Stanback Society for her loyal support of the College. She helped spearhead fundraising efforts for the 1956 class gift of the Green Knight Greenhouse housed on the top of Munroe Science Center, and always served on her class reunion committee. A porch at Pierce Chapel and Willet Library’s Academic Resource Center are named for Arline and Ron Finch in recognition of their generosity to Wesleyan College. Arline belonged to the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) and co-authored P.E.O.- Fifty Years in Florida, a book that may be found in the Library of Congress.
Married to Ron for 60 years, Arline was valuable to his career as a banking executive, frequently traveling with him and entertaining in their home. In addition to their Florida residence, they enjoyed the quiet mountain life in Waynesville, NC. Arline is survived by her husband Ron and was preceded in death by her sister, Evelyn June Atkins Malloy, who died in November 2020. A private burial will take place at a future time. Memorial gifts may be made to Wesleyan College.
Arline led a full, rich life, remaining true to her favorite quote by Sir Henry Royce: “Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble.” She will be immeasurably missed by all who knew and loved her.
Marriages
Congratulations to:
Susan A. Cobleigh ’68 and George de Man who married on July 9, 2021.
Kate Zaiger ’09 and Tom Ellington who married on September 25, 2021.
Betsy Herlong ’12 and Adam Powers who married on June 26, 2021.
Rebecca Parker ’15 and Nichole Kennedy who married on May 29, 2021.
In Memoriam
1940 Christine Florence Houseal 1945 Polly Standifer Meadors 1946 Frances Stanaland Lindley 1948 Elizabeth McCants Drinnon Carolyn Knopf Higgs Graham 1951 Peggy Worrell Murphy 1953 Elizabeth Barber McClure Rose Holmes Shoptaw 1954 Elspeth Simmons Corley Susan Bunn Woodward 1955 Thyrza White McClure 1956 Carolyn Sims Brooks Arline Atkins Finch Marion Wade Mixon Patricia Harper White 1957 Carla DuBose Kalec Jane Lowe Payne Sylvia Hartman Smith 1958 Saralyn Jennings Bowman 1959 Sara Anne Frazier Johnson 1960 Virginia Chase Bartels Kelly Anne Rose Pifer Margaret Pearce Svoboda 1961 Camille Mallard Gardner 1964 Glenda Barrett Bull Becky Johnson Jobson Ingram Elizabeth Seals Sims 1966 Carolyn Brandes Wilson 1968 Babs Richardson Pirkle 1972 Eileen Moffitt Batchelor 1974 Judith Thompson Duff 1976 Regina S. Bland 1982 Jane M. McMullan 1983 Mary Vaughn Johnson 1995 Erin E. Sammons 2007 Jessica Marie Robinson 2021 Cynthia Hires McClendon
