Paul E. Stanton, Jr. - ETSU National Alumni Association

ETSU alumni association board of directors
Mrs. Dorothy L. Grisham ’74, President
Mr. Gary Poe ’68, President-Elect
Lt. Gen. Ronald V. Hite ’64, Vice President
Mr. Jeffrey C. Taylor ’85, Secretary
Ms. Renee Bays Lockhart ’87, ’89, Treasurer
Mr. J. Daniel Mahoney ’66, Past-President
Mr. Jason A. Berry ’98
Dr. Tony Katras ’84, ’89
Ms. Michelle Livengood ’84
Mrs. Diane T. Wear ’90
Mr. Larry La ’84
Mr. Jack Parton ’78, ’79, ’82
Ms. Linda Buck ’80, ’84
Mr. D. Roger Kennedy ’69
Mr. Mark W. Thomas ’84
Mr. Lawrence F. Counts ’79
Mr. Charles Stahl ’83
Ms. Eleanor E. Yoakum ’65
Mr. Brock “T.J.” Mitchell, SGA President
Mr. Christopher Carroll, SGA Vice President
Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr., ETSU President
Dr. Richard A. Manahan, Vice President for University
Advancement/President, ETSU Foundation
Mr. Robert M. Plummer, ’84, ’87, Associate Vice
President for University Advancement/Executive
Director of ETSU Alumni Association
ETSU foundation officers and directors
Mrs. Leslie Parks Pope, Chairman of the Board
Mr. D. Roger Kennedy ’69
Vice Chairman of the Board
Mr. M. Thomas Krieger, Secretary
Dr. Steve Conerly, Treasurer
Mr. Tim P. Jones
Immediate Past Board Chairman
Mr. Wayne G. Basler, Past Chairman
Mr. Donald R. Raber
Investment Committee Chairman
Mr. Stuart E. Wood ’60
Planned Giving Committee Chair
Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr., ETSU President
Dr. Richard A. Manahan
Foundation President/CEO
Dr. David D. Collins ’96
Foundation Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Frederick “Pal” Barger Jr. ’55
Mrs. Betty DeVinney
Mrs. Janey Diehl ’50
Mrs. Ruth Ellis DiGregorio
Dr. James W. Gibson
Mr. Richard L. Green ’73
Mrs. Dorothy L. Grisham ’74
Mr. Louis H. Gump ’73
Dr. Roberta T. Herrin ’70, ’72
The Hon. William L. Jenkins
Mr. Dale Keasling ’70
Dr. Barbara Kimbrough
Ms. Michelle Livengood ’84
Mr. Paul Montgomery
Mrs. Ann Mooneyhan ’65
Mr. Scott Niswonger
Mr. David A. Ogle ’79
Mr. Dennis Powell
Mr. Art Powers
Mr. Stan Puckett
Mr. K. Newton Raff
Mr. Howard W. Roddy ’74
Mrs. Lottie Fields Ryans
Mr. Kenneth W. Simonds ’57
Mr. Robert T. (Rab) Summers
Mr. Gerald Thomas ’67
Mr. Raymond R. Thomas ’59
Mr. Dennis Vonderfecht
Dr. May Votaw
Dr. Susan Gentry Williams ’67, ’68
Mr. Guy B. Wilson Jr.
Mrs. Eleanor E. Yoakum ’65
tennessee board of regents
Honorable Phil Bredesen
Governor of Tennessee & Chair
Ms. Fran Marcum, Vice Chair & 4th District
Ms. Pamela Fansler ’73, 2nd District
Mr. Gionni Carr, Student Regent, 2008-09
Ms. Agenia Clark, 7th District
Mr. Gregory Duckett, 9th District
Honorable Ken Givens ’69, ’71
Commissioner of Agriculture
Mrs. Judy T. Gooch, 3rd District
Mr. Jonas Kisber, 8th District
Ms. Janice Donahue, Faculty Representative
Mr. Ed Stevens Jr., Faculty Regent
Mr. Millard Oakley, 6th District
Mr. Paul Montgomery, 1st District
Dr. Richard G. Rhoda, Executive Director of THEC
Mr. Howard Roddy ’74, At-Large East Tennessee
Mr. J. Stanley Rogers, At-Large Middle Tennessee
The Honorable Tim Webb, Commissioner of Education
Mr. Robert P. Thomas, Vice-Chair, 5th District
Mr. John Farris, At-Large West Tennessee
Ms. Katie Winchester, Chair, Dyersburg
Mr. Jack Murrah, Vice Chair, Hixson
Mr. A.C. Wharton Jr., Secretary, Memphis
Mr. Gregory P. Isaacs, Knoxville
Mr. Tre Hargett, Secretary of State
Mr. Justin P. Wilson, State Comptroller
Mr. David H. Lillard, State Treasurer
Ms. Sue Atkinson, Nashville
Mr. Robert White ’96, Johnson City
Mr. Charles Mann, Columbia
Ms. Jessica Brumett, voting ex-officio,
Tennessee Technological University
Dr. Gary Nixon, non-voting ex-officio
Executive Director, State Board of Education
Mr. David C. Holt, non-voting ex-officio, UT Memphis
Ms. Carolyn Morrison, Cookeville
Mr. Cato Johnson, Bartlett
Office of University Advancement
Dr. Richard A. Manahan
Vice President for University Advancement /
President, ETSU Foundation
Jeff Anderson ’83
Associate Vice President for University
Advancement & Planned Giving
Jeremy Ross ’07
Associate Vice President for University
Advancement Major Gifts
Carol Sloan
Assistant Vice President for University Advancement
Tisha Harrison ’80
Director of University Advancement
Karen Sullivan
Director of University Advancement
Pat Holland, Administrative Coordinator
Pat Barcel, Office Manager
Peggy McCurry ’80, Office Coordinator
Steven Dais, Graduate Assistant
Dorothy Reid, Graduate Assistant
Deidre Yowell ’07, Graduate Assistant
Laure Craddock, Executive Aide Receptionist
Pat Elledge, Executive Aide Administrative
Office of University Alumni
Robert M. Plummer ’84, ’87
Associate Vice President for University Advancement
Executive Director ETSU Alumni Association
Lee Ann Davis ’91
Director of University Alumni Programs
Leisa Harvey ’94, Office Coordinator
Cyndi Ramsey ’06, Coordinator of Alumni Activities
Jennifer Barber ’05, Information Research Technician
Ashly Garris, Graduate Assistant
Ben Daugherty ’08, Graduate Assistant
Haleigh Garber ’13, Student Writing Assistant
Chris Hackney ’10, Student Photographer
Jenny Wilkins ’10, Student Writing Assistant
Page 3 – “NCAA loss doesn’t overshadow Lady Bucs’
season” courtesy of Kelly Hodge, Johnson City Press.
Page 4—“Smith edges Sparano for AP Coach of Year,”
courtesy of the Associated Press.
Photo of Mike Smith, courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons.
Page 5—Tim Smith photo, courtesy of Tim Smith.
Leslie Peters Tentler photo, courtesy of Carabiner
Communications.
Page 6—Paintings, courtesy of Georgia Blanchard
Doubler. Rob Preston photo, courtesy of Rob Preston.
Keith Greene photo and Hamlet flyer, courtesy of
Keith Greene. Candace Bellamy photo, courtesy of
Candace Bellamy. Motley waterfall photo, courtesy
of Charles Motley.
Page 7—“Charleston police hero a Johnson City native,”
courtesy of Madison Matthews, Johnson City
Press. Kevin Howell photo, courtesy of the Charleston
Police Department. Mike Acuff photo, courtesy of
Gillian Bolsover, Chattanooga Times Free Press
Obama and Ellis photos, courtesy of Doug Ellis. Don
Wilder photo and “Crock” comics, courtesy of King
Features Syndicate.
Page 9—Magazine page reprint, courtesy of Southern Living.
Page 12—“ETSU program revolutionizes athlete’s training,”
courtesy of Joe Avento, Johnson City Press.
Page 15—Esther Elizabeth Whitaker-Carder photo,
courtesy of Dick Hamilton.
Page 22—“An Optimistic and Humorous Memoir of a
Farm Boy’s Attending ETSU Before and After Word War II,”
courtesy of Dr. Colin F. Baxter. Photos courtesy of Bill
Groseclose.
Page 24—Gary Lilly photo, courtesy of Bristol Tennessee
City School System.
Page 25—Army Navy photo, courtesy of David Haynes.
Page 27—Dr. Cindy Epps photo, courtesy of Cindy Epps.
Page 28—Photo of David “Nick” Lynch, courtesy of
Chris Anderson, The Gazette Newspapers.
tennessee higher education commission
university advancement
Office of Advancement Services
Shea Renfro, Director of Advancement Services
Donald Harvill ’92, Computer Operations Coordinator
Danny Camper ’05, Information Research Technician
Ashley Martin, Information Research Technician
Office of ETSU Foundation Accounting
Dr. David D. Collins ’96, Foundation Chief Financial
Officer and Vice President for Business & Finance
Kathy Carder, Account Clerk
Leisa Wiseman ’84, Accountant
credits
ETSU Today University Magazine
Spring 2009
contents
President’s Message............................................................1
Top Stories ........................................................................ 2-3
Unique Alumni ................................................................. 4-7
Campus Briefs ................................................................ 8-10
Athletics ........................................................................ 11-12
Advancement.............................................................. 13-15
Distinguished President’s Trust .................................... 16-17
Annual Fund ................................................................. 19-21
Looking Forward, Looking Back ....................................... 22
Summer Camp...................................................................23
Class notes ................................................................... 24-30
Obituaries ..................................................................... 30-33
Paul E. Stanton, Jr.
University President
Richard A. Manahan
Vice President for University Advancement
ETSU Foundation President/CEO
Robert M. Plummer
Associate V.P. for University Advancement
Executive Director of ETSU Alumni Association
managing editors
Richard A. Manahan
Robert M. Plummer ’84 ’87
Jennifer Barber ’05
contributors
Jeff Anderson
Jennifer Barber
Pat Barcel
Danny Camper
Laure Carddock
Lee Ann Davis
Ben Daugherty
Pat Elledge
Carol Fox
Kristn Fry
Haleigh Garber
Ashly Garris
Chris Hackney
Tisha Harrison
Leisa Harvey
Donald Harvill
Chris Henson
Jennifer Hill
Pat Holland
Ashley Martin
Peggy McCurry
Marc Montgomery
Jo Anne Paty
Robert Plummer
Cyndi Ramsey
Shea Renfro
Pamela Ripley
Jeremy Ross
Fred Sauceman
Carol Sloan
Joe E. Smith
Karen Sullivan
Jenny Wilkins
Deidre Yowell
photographers
Larry Smith ’78
Jim Sledge ’87
Jim Padgett
Chris Hackney ’10
East Tennessee State University is one of 45 institutions in the Tennessee
Board of Regents system, the sixth largest system of higher education in
the nation. The Tennessee Board of Regents is the governing board for this
system which is comprised of six universities, thirteen community colleges,
and twenty-six Tennessee Technology Centers. The TBR system enrolls more
than 80 percent of all Tennessee students attending public institutions of
higher education.
East Tennessee State University is fully in accord with the belief that
educational and employment opportunities should be available to all
eligible persons without regard to age, gender, color, race, religion,
national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
Conceptual design by Absolute Communications, Inc. and print
production by McQuiddy
TBR: 160-018-08 76 M
president’s message
Getting through the rainy days:
Economy meets Academia
Dear Alumni and Friends,
The business of higher education is changing in Tennessee. At ETSU, we are working diligently to reduce costs, to re-evaluate
priorities, and to make sound decisions for our students, for our employees, and for all those we serve. When your family has to
make hard choices, you probably sit down at the kitchen table to discuss with everyone the difficult decision or the financial
situation that exists, any possible actions, and the best directions for the family. At ETSU, we have taken the same approach
in addressing difficult times.
With State of Tennessee sales tax revenues down dramatically from previous years, our state is looking at a possible $1 billion
revenue shortfall. The federal stimulus money is encouraging and will provide some relief, but it is still of paramount importance
that ETSU “re-set” its expectations of the state support available and the private support, grants, and partnerships that have
all been affected by the economy.
Through a “Call to Action” issued to everyone on campus, we have sought to share with them the ever-changing financial
information, to seek their feedback for measures that will create savings and raise additional revenues and to promote a
“Culture of Stewardship” throughout the university community. A task force has been working since last fall with sub-committees
or continuous improvement teams focused on specific areas of the institution. Every focus group is examining practices and
costs while considering changes to enhance performance and efficiency.
Much work has been invested in developing budget management scenarios, creating cost-mitigation strategies including
the “Voluntary Buyout Program” for a limited number of positions, offering incentives for new faculty participants in the “PostRetirement Plan,” and outlining guidelines should employee furloughs become necessary. Our Financial Services and Budget
offices have played a vital role in analyzing internal issues as well as keeping a watchful eye on the communications and
requests from the leadership in Nashville.
One of the stellar achievements is seen in the self-imposed conservancy of operating funds university-wide. Budget expenditures
expected throughout the ETSU community for the current fiscal year have been slowed by thoughtful management and
deferred when possible. We are looking at ways to do business that will prevent layoffs. In many ways, we are doing some
of the same things every household, business, or organization in the country is doing. We are working to trim the budget but
not at the expense of our people and their jobs.
At the state level, discussions also continue regarding the way in
which a student will be billed for hours taken. The 12-hours cap for
full-time status may give way to students paying for additional class
hours per semester.
The management and oversight of Tennessee’s higher education
systems, including the Tennessee Board of Regents, which governs
ETSU, and the University of Tennessee system, plus the role of the
coordinating authority, Tennessee Higher Education Commission are
being discussed by leaders and legislators seeking greater efficiency
with less cost. The outcome may affect the focus of campuses in
their teaching, research, and service missions and functions.
In a time marked by significant “unknowns,” the need for education
remains a certainty and the first priority. Our students are full of hope,
and their needs today are the same as those of previous generations
of ETSU students—work, study, and earn an education that will enable
them to achieve their dreams for tomorrow. Together, we will reach
all of our goals. We deeply appreciate your support as alumni and
friends of East Tennessee State University. We draw strength from
your faithful efforts and unwavering spirit—inspiring us and lifting us
to reach even higher!
With sincere gratitude,
president’s message
Paul E. Stanton, Jr.
President
East Tennessee State University
1
top stories
Strengthening the Arts: Mary B. Martin ’62 Legacy
East Tennessee State University President Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr. announced
the establishment of the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts with a $1 million
naming endowment created by James C. “Jim” Martin.
Martin, a Johnson City resident, donated funds to the ETSU Foundation to endow the school in
memory of his wife, who earned her B.A. degree in
chemistry from ETSU while working at Eastman Chemical
Co. in Kingsport. Mrs. Martin enjoyed numerous creative
endeavors throughout her life, including sewing
and interior decorating, and the Martin family also
appreciated both music and storytelling performances.
Stanton said, “The university is fortunate to have a wide
array of academic programs encompassing the visual,
per forming and literary arts, such as theater, dance,
storytelling, digital media, graphic design, and a variety
of music genres, as well as painting, photography and
others.
“Because these numerous arts programs are housed in
various departments within several different colleges,
we determined that ETSU needed to establish a stronger
organizational structure to allow greater collaboration
and coordination of activities while
enha nc ing su p p o rt fo r al l of our ar ts
initiatives. And that is the focus of the
university’s new Mary B. Martin School of
the Arts so generously endowed by Mr.
Martin.”
According to ETSU Foundation
President/CEO and Vice President for
University Advancement Dr. Richard
A. Manahan, “The Martin School
will be supported by interest on this
benefactor’s investment, augmented
by subscriptions and ticket sales to
arts events. In addition, the school
will seek support through corporate
and other private sponsorship and
gifts, and through exter nal grants
and contracts.”
top stories
President Paul E.
Stanton, James
Martin, Anita
DeAngelis, &
Dr. Richard A.
Manahan pose
with a portrait of
Mary B. Martin.
2
While the Martin School will be
housed in the College of Arts
and Sciences, arts programs not
currently part of that college
will benefit by participating
with the school, according to
the new school’s director, Anita DeAngelis,
who teaches drawing and book arts courses in the ETSU
Department of Art and Design and also serves as the college’s associate
dean for the arts.
“We have several goals for the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts,” she said, “and these include building
partnerships among ETSU academic units as well as with the arts community and arts organizations
throughout the Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia region and Western North Carolina. In addition, the school
will develop an annual performance and exhibition series designed to bring greater distinction to
both the university and the extended region ETSU serves.”
She added, “The funding that this endowment will provide is exciting for all of our arts areas. ETSU arts
faculty, students and programs have provided the broader community with significant arts events
over the years, and we often struggle to fund such activities. Mr. Martin is making it possible for us to
bring additional high-caliber artists and performers to our community.”
Prior to joining the ETSU faculty in 1994, DeAngelis taught at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.,
and at East Texas State University in Commerce. She earned her B.F.A. degree in studio art at the
University of Texas at Austin and her M.F.A. with a concentration in printmaking at Arizona State
University.
Approval for the creation of the new school was granted by ETSU’s governing board, the Tennessee
Board of Regents (TBR), which is the sixth largest system of higher education in the nation, and
from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, which oversees both the TBR and University of
Tennessee systems.
top stories
Two for "The Dance" – NCAA Tournaments
NCAA loss doesn’t overshadow
Lady Bucs’ season
By Kelly Hodge • Courtesy of: Johnson City Press
With no seniors on her roster, coach Karen
Kemp hopes the East Tennessee State
women’s basketball team can pick up
next season where it left off.
Well, not exactly where it left off.
The Lady Bucs were routed by Iowa State
85-53 Sunday night in the first round of the
NCAA tournament. That put an abrupt
halt to the third straight 20-win season for
Kemp’s program, which has now made back-to-back
NCAA appearances.
“Nobody wants to end on a loss, but there’s
only one team at the tournament that
won’t do that,” Kemp said Wednesday.
“We have a lot to be proud of and to
build on. I hope we can keep it going next
season.”
The Lady Bucs, seeded 13th, couldn’t get
much of anything going against Iowa State.
The Cyclones raced out to a 19-5 lead and
never looked back. They ended up making 16 3-pointers.
The 32-point loss didn’t overshadow another strong season.
The Lady Bucs struggled through a demanding schedule
early, starting 1-5, but they won 13 of their last 17. They did
it mostly with an outstanding junior class.
Siarre Evans led the Atlantic Sun Conference in scoring and
rebounding and was named player of the year. TaRonda
Wiles was second in the league in scoring and also made
the all-conference first team. Latisha Belcher was the
defensive player of the year.
That core of players should make the Lady Bucs even
harder to beat next season.
“We don’t graduate anyone, and everybody has that
NCAA experience,” said Kemp. “As a coaching staff, and
me as the head coach, we’ve got to do a better job of
getting recruits in here. We need more depth; I know that
was a weakness for us this year.”
The coach said there’s
“always a chance” that
one or two players down
the roster will decide
to leave the program
in the offseason. The
team signed one player,
Ashley Crider, a 6-1 post
from Orlando, Fla., back
in November.
“We have a few coming
in this weekend,” said
Kemp. “We’re looking to
keep getting better.”
Great effort not enough to lift Bucs over Pitt
Two decades removed from nearly stunning
the college basketball world, the ETSU men’s
basketball team took another shot at a No. 1
seed and once again the Buccaneers gave
the giant a scare.
Having lost to No. 1-seeded Oklahoma 72-71
back in 1989, the Buccaneers have a history
of making things interesting in the NCAA
Tournament, and March 27 th inside the UD
Arena, ETSU found itself trailing the No. 1 seed
and Big East Conference’s Pittsburgh 59-57
with just over four minutes left in regulation.
However, the Bucs were unable to complete
the upset bid, ultimately falling to the
Panthers 72-62.
The Bucs’ effort was unquestionable on this day, as ETSU forced 18
Pittsburgh turnovers and dominated the offensive glass en route
to a 25-7 advantage in second chance points. However, while the
competitiveness was there, the Bucs offensive efficiency was not at
its best as ETSU shot just 31 percent from the floor (23-of-75) and 50
percent from the foul line (12-of-24) for
the game.
Despite the poor shooting effort, the
Bucs full court press and man-to-man
defense consistently caused Pittsburgh
problems and kept ETSU in the game. In
fact, the Bucs tied the game five times
in the second half and pulled to within
two at 59-57 with just over four minutes
left.
At that point, ETSU forced yet another
turnover and had a shot to tie the
game. However, a turnover by senior
forward Kevin Tiggs led to a 3-point
play by Pittsburgh’s 6-foot-7, 265-pound
center Dejuan Blair to make it 6257. From there, Tiggs hit a pair of free
throws to make it 62-59, but that was as
close as the Bucs could get the rest of the way, as they were forced to
foul and Pittsburgh pushed the lead out to the final 10-point deficit by
hitting its free throws.
For the game, Tiggs led ETSU with a team-high
21 points, while fellow senior Courtney Pigram
pitched in 17. Meanwhile, senior Greg Hamlin
led the Bucs with 10 rebounds and played well in
trying to defend the power inside game of Blair.
For Pittsburgh, Blair posted a double-double with
27 points and 16 rebounds, while teammates
Sam Young and Ashton Gibbs pitched in 14 and
10 points, respectively.
For the Bucs, it was another close call in the
tournament, as ETSU has now lost three first round
games over the last seven years by an average
of just over five points a contest. The Bucs fell
to Wake Forest (2003) and Cincinnati (2004) by
three earlier this decade, while now the 10-point
loss to Pittsburgh goes in the ETSU record books.
Evans edges out Wiles for Atlantic Sun scoring title
A day after the Lady Bucs season came to an end, junior guard Siarre Evans learned Monday morning she took home the Atlantic
Sun Conference scoring title, marking the first time an ETSU player has claimed the crown since Tiffani Mayes did so in 2005.
Evans became only the fourth player in ETSU history to accomplish the feat, as she joined current Lady Buccaneer assistant
DeShawne Blocker, Nicole Hopson and Mayes to win the title. In addition, Evans finished the year averaging a double-double,
as she posted 10.3 rebounds per game as well.
Evans and Wiles will be back for their senior season and the scoring combo looks to guide the Lady Bucs to their third straight
NCAA Tournament appearance.
top stories
It was a close race, but when everything was totaled Evans stayed in front of her teammate TaRonda Wiles to capture the
crown. Evans finished the season averaging 16.4 points per game and Wiles closed out the year in second with 16.2 per contest.
Evans was also recognized as a finalist for NCAA Division I State Farm Coaches All-America Basketball Team.
3
unique alumni
Smith edges Sparano for AP Coach of Year
NEW YORK -- Mike Smith and Tony Sparano
performed so brilliantly as rookie head coaches
it was almost impossible to separate them.
Atlanta's Smith edged Miami's Sparano by one
vote Sunday for The Associated Press 2008 NFL
Coach of the Year award.
Both coaches oversaw sensational turnarounds,
leading their teams from last-place finishes in 2007
to playoff berths this year. Their achievements
were reflected by the closeness of the balloting,
with Smith getting 23.5 votes and Sparano 22.5
from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and
broadcasters who cover the NFL.
After improving from 4-12 to 11-5 and making the
NFC playoffs as a wild card, the Falcons fell 3024 at Arizona on Saturday night. That should not
detract from a memorable season that bodes
well for the football future in Atlanta.
"I think we have tried to establish that we'd be
very systematic in how we did things, that we
were going to have a plan," said Smith, who
helped guide quarterback Matt Ryan to the AP
Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Smith also
had a first-time starter at running back, Michael
Turner, who rushed for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns. "We laid that plan out
from the very beginning how we were going to practice, how we were going
to travel, how we were going to meet, how we were going to communicate,
and I think the guys really appreciated definitely how we presented the plan
in the framework for us to start the season."
Smith also had to deal with a makeover of the Falcons organization and its
image following the incarceration of quarterback Michael Vick for dogfighting
and the resignation after 13 games last season by coach Bobby Petrino. He left
Jacksonville, where he was the defensive coordinator, to take on one of the
biggest rebuilding challenges in sports.
Associated Press NFL COY voting
Coach
Team
Votes
Mike Smith
Falcons
23.5
Tony Sparano Dolphins 22.5
Jeff Fisher
Titans
3
Bill Belichick
Patriots
1
"We went through every bit of pain last year that an NFL owner or a franchise or
a community of fans could imagine," said Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who hired Thomas Dimitroff away from New England to
be general manager before hiring Smith. "At least that's my viewpoint. On the other hand, to see things come around this year
as well as they have, it's just a tribute to the men involved who are making these decisions."
Sparano, a former offensive line coach in Dallas, joined Bill Parcells with the Dolphins and the makeover in Miami was just as
impressive as in Atlanta. The Dolphins were 1-15 a year ago before cleaning house, and Sparano guided them to an 11-5 mark
that won the AFC East. They played host to Baltimore on Sunday in a wild-card game. Sparano echoes Smith's philosophy on
establishing a winning identity.
"You have to have some kind of luck," Sparano said. "But I think part of it is a philosophy you try to put into place. You want to
make sure they understand from Day 1 that if you're a guy who thinks being in the training room is a good habit, it can get you
beat. Not being on the practice field, we don't get better at fundamentals and our techniques."
Only one team has ever improved as much as Miami's 10-game turnaround: the 1999 Indianapolis Colts.
Just four coaches received votes despite a year in which a half-dozen did exemplary work. Tennessee's Jeff Fisher, the longesttenured coach in the league, received three votes, while last year's winner, Bill Belichick of New England, got one.
Smith is the second Falcons coach to win the award; Dan Reeves got it in 1998 -- when the Falcons went to the Super Bowl.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
unique alumni
Stark receives prestigious McNair Fellowship
4
Meagan Stark (B.S. ’07) has received a fouryear McNair fellowship with Syracuse University
beginning in August 2009. The Ronald E. McNair
Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program is named
in honor of Ronald E. McNair, an African-American
astronaut killed in the Challenger Space Shuttle
explosion in 1986. The program is one of the United
States Department of Education's special initiatives
known as TRIO that serve and assist disadvantaged students in
their educational endeavors. The goal of the McNair program
is to increase the attainment of graduate degrees, particularly
Ph.D.'s by students from underrepresented segments of society
such as students who are from low-income or first generation
backgrounds or are minority students. This fellowship is among the
most prestigious appointments available for graduate students
at Syracuse University and winners are selected by competitive
review of applicants nominated by academic units throughout
the university.
Goulding honored for Community Service
Dr. E.C. Goulding (B.S. ’78) was recently
honored for his extensive community
service. Mountain States Health
Alliance named Dr. Goulding the 2009
Spirits Award Winner. He serves as
the medical director for emergency
services at three Mountain States
Health Alliance hospitals, and he is
the founding board member and
past president of the local American
Heart Association. Dr. Goulding's
philanthropy can be seen throughout the community. His
financial support includes his donation of 50 percent of the
raffle prizes for the Niswonger Children’s Hospital, support of
the Kingsport YMCA,and the Goulding Endowment in the
ETSU Foundation, along with other organizations.
unique alumni
Put some BUC in your STYLZ
Garrett O’Sullivan, a 20-year-old student attending ETSU, has taken his entrepreneurship qualities to a new level. O’Sullivan
received approval to open a new off-campus store selling ETSU’s athletic apparel. He realized how dominated the area was
with University of Tennessee orange and Virginia Tech logos and he decided to take the matter of spreading ETSU pride into his
own hands. He wants this community to be proud of the high quality of education, athletics, and student experience at ETSU.
This shop is equipped with a wide variety of clothes which include workout gear to underwear, all having the university’s trademark
“Buc Head” as well
as other various ETSU
logos. Hopefully the
new addition of
this shop will help
promote more of
a village concept
around the university
which will also help
development within
the community.
O’Sullivan is
hoping to get
the support for
E T S U i n t o the
community a n d
create a stronger identity for ETSU and its students.
For more information call (423)946-1807.
Verghese publishes third book
Abraham Verghese (M.D. ’83), has
published a third book, Cutting for
Stone. This is his first work of fiction
and has received rave reviews from
some of the country’s leading critics
in the New York Times and L.A. Times.
Verghese’s new book is a story about
two brothers torn apart by love for
the same woman and the story
twists as the brothers meet again in
America. This novel comes after My
Own Country which is a story about
caring for AIDS patients in Johnson
City when he worked at the Quillen
College of Medicine in 1985.
Verghese has also written
The Tennis Partner, which is
a story about how two men
who build a tennis ritual to
forget about life problems.
Verghese is currently a
Professor for the Theory
and Practice of Medicine
at the Stanford University
School of Medicine and
Senior Associate Chair of
the Department of Internal
Medicine.
ETSU alumnus honored
for work in Juvenile Justice Field
Tim Smith, (B.S. ’72)
was honored for his
contributions to the
juvenile justice field.
While attending the
32nd Fall Juvenile
Justice Training Institute,
Smith was presented
the Virginia Juvenile
Justice Association’s
2008 Meritorious
Award in the Area of
Residential Services.
As Superintendent
of the Shenandoah
Va l l e y J u v e n i l e
Center in Staunton,
Smith oversaw the
construction of a $9.5
million, facility which
opened its doors in
September, 2003. He
and his detention
commission held down
construction costs by
managing the project
internally rather than hiring a general contractor.
He lives in Harrisonburg with his wife, Cartha, and they are
the proud parents of three daughters.
Tentler named Editorial Director
During her nearly twenty-year career, Leslie has written materials for start-ups as well as large companies
such as Apple Computer, Dun & Bradstreet Software (now GEAC), Ericsson, IBM, Lotus Development
Corp., MCI Systemhouse, NetIQ, OFS and The Weather Channel. Her articles have appeared in such
publications as Electronic Commerce World, Competitive Edge, Entrepreneur, Line56, DMNews, CRM
Marketplace, Earth Observation, Advancing Philanthropy and Nonprofit World. Her writing was part
of a campaign receiving an award from the American Marketing Association.
unique alumni
Leslie Peters Tentler (B.S. '87) has been named editorial director at Carabiner Communications, an
Atlanta-based PR firm specializing in high-tech and life science companies. Leslie helps to guide
content and quality across a broad range of written materials for agency clients and also functions
in a senior writer capacity, developing news releases, bylined articles, case studies and internal-use
documents that serve as the foundation for company positioning.
5
unique alumni
Georgia Blanchard Doubler's award-winning paintings on display
Georgia Blanchard Doubler’s (M.A. ’67) paintings were featured in The Rogoway’s Turquoise
Tortoise Gallery in Tubac, Arizona. The museum featured her artwork in a retrospective show
and had an artist’s reception in January. Georgia lives in Green Valley, Arizona. Georgia is
also a 1988 recipient of the Alumni Award of Honor.
Preston leaving others out of breath
Actor receives nominations and awards
Rob Preston (B.S. ’92)
has competed in 46
marathons all over
the country including
Boston and New
York City as well as
Alabama, Mississippi,
and Kentucky. He has
won 16 of them and
placed in the top three
in six others. Rob works
as the President/CEO
of the Athens, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce. While
at ETSU, he participated in intramural basketball and was
a walk-on for the tennis team.
Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and
Best Lighting. Trent has been a
member of the Screen Actors
Guild since 1996.
unique alumni
Bellamy goes from doctor
to drama queen
6
Candace Bellamy (M.D. ’97;
RES ’00), now a resident of
Austin, Texas, started her career
as a physician; then she took
voice lessons and landed a part
in Theatre Bristol’s production
of Hello Dolly! Candace fell
in love with the theater and
subsequently performed in
shows such as The Odd Couple.
After fronting the local rock and
blues band, Dr. B. and the Blues
Rockers, Candace moved to
Austin to pursue music more
seriously.
In October 2008, Candace debuted in Follow the
Red Lips, her one-woman autobiographical show,
at a benefit show for Theatre Bristol. In January, she
performed two musical showcases in New York City to
nearly-full houses. In the fall, Candace will be releasing
an extended play CD on iTunes. For more information,
go to her web site, www.FollowTheRedLips.com.
Trent studied with Ellen Burstyn,
one of only 18 people chosen,
alongside Jennifer Aniston in
1993.
Keith (Toby) Greene aka Trent
Hopkins (B.S. ’79) is an actor
residing in Los Angeles who has
been nominated for several
awards, including an Ovation
Award, the only peer-judged
theater awards in L.A. His last two
plays, Tracers and Hamlet have
been nominated for Garland
Awards: Tracers for Best Ensemble
Acting, and Hamlet for Best
Trent has been cast in an
independent film by Alex
Knudson called Principles
of the Past.
Motley discovering & preserving history
Charles Motley (B.S. ’64) and his wife,
Tina, founded an organization to benefit
residents of Peru after vacationing there.
Two years prior to his first trip to Peru,
an American expedition claimed the
discovery of 23,000 stone structures
in fortified citadels on the peaks of
the Andes. In order to help residents
develop a tourism industry from the
discovery, enough to obtain modern
amenities for their communities, he built
two-star lodges for the villages near
the ruins, creating a sustainable tourist
infrastructure. The tourist income gives
the natives an incentive to preserve this
important ecological and archaeological
zone of the Americas. The mission is to provide a protected park
around the best ruins, while cooperating with the villages and helping
villagers to keep bringing in income through tourism and hospitality.
Since Charles first began his mission in Peru, there have been even
more discoveries of natural attractions, such as waterfalls and old
fortresses in very isolated sections of the country. He now works to
recruit volunteers to go to Peru and help build infrastructure. For
more information, visit www.kuelap.org.
unique alumni
Charleston police hero a Johnson City native
By Madison Mathews
Most people would think saving a man from
a burning vehicle would be a true act of
heroism, but not Kevin Howell (B.S. ’04). For
Howell, it was just another day at the office.
Howell is a Johnson City native who graduated
from East Tennessee State University in 2004.
He is now an officer with the Charleston Police
Department in South Carolina.
While Howell was on patrol last week, he saw
the minivan in front of him run up on the curb.
Without hesitation, Howell left his patrol car to
help the man and discovered the doors to the van wouldn't open.
Moments later, flames erupted from underneath the van. He retrieved
a fire extinguisher from his patrol car to suppress the flames.
Kevin said he could tell the man trapped in the vehicle was
disoriented. He took out his baton, smashed the window and pulled
the man out of the burning van.
"I did what probably anybody would have done," Howell said.
Rhys Davies named in Golfweek list
Rhys Davies (B.B.A. ’07) had
an impressive rookie season on
the Asian Tour in 2008. In the
second half of the season, he
registered three top 10s. He
lost in a playoff to Thailand’s
Thongchai Jaidee in the Hana
Bank Vietnam Masters, but he
will be competing again in 2009.
He has also been named to
Golfweek’s “Best 25 of the last
25 years” golfers list. Davies
finished 15th. He holds nearly
every ETSU golf record.
Obama visits Ellis & local business
For a police officer, witnessing car accidents is an unfortunate part
of the job.
"That's the best part of it. (This accident) turned out really good,"
he said.
Howell doesn't see himself as a hero, but his family sure does.
"He's just a good young man," said Janice Howell, the officer's
mother. "He's our family hero."
Since the event, Howell said, Holmes' family has been very gracious
of his actions.
"I guess everybody's definition of a hero is a little different," Howell
said. "Mine would be someone who's fighting overseas."
Although Howell was modest about his actions, he was glad that
he was able to help someone in need.
"When you take the test to become a police officer, you have to
write an essay about why you want to be one," Howell said. "Pretty
much everybody writes that they want to help people, but you
never really get the chance to do that."
Courtesy of: Johnson City Press
Barack Obama visited Ellis Soda Shoppe & Grill in
Abingdon, VA, owned by Doug Ellis ’82 on September
9th, 2008. Obama stopped by during his campaign,
and Ellis didn’t know he was coming until 45 minutes
before his arrival. Ellis Soda Shoppe and Grill is on
main street in Abingdon and features a variety of
sandwiches and desserts.
A Fair Trial: Acuff defends constitutial rights
Mike Acuff (B.S. ’81), a defense attorney in Chattanooga, is serving as a legal team member for Khalid Sheikh
Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks and the beheading
of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.
Mike was featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press for his controversial decision to defend Mohammed,
but he said he supports the constitutional rights of those accused of crimes to defend themselves within the
U.S. justice system.
When Mike enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school in Indiana, he worked as a medic, and
then decided to go to law school. In 1995, he joined the Hamilton County public defender’s office until 2006.
unique alumni
"Crock" comic writer Don Wilder (B.S.
’57) died September 24, 2008, after
a battle with cancer Wilder, who
was 74, collaborated on "Crock"
with artist Bill Rechin for more than
30 years. Wilder, Bill Rechin, and the
late Brant Parker created the comic
in 1975 and it has since been picked
up by more than 200 newspapers
worldwide. Wilder also worked as
a technical illustrator, visual media
coordinator, and publications
specialist at Lockheed Aircraft, RCA,
and General Electric. In addition,
he spent 17 years with the CIA as a
visual-information specialist.
Photo & Comics courtesy of King Features Syndicate
"Crock" writer turns the final page
7
campus briefs
College of Nursing welcomes new Dean, Dr. Wendy Nehring
Dr. Nehring holds a Ph.D. in Nursing Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago, an M.S. in Pediatric
Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.S.N. from Illinois Wesleyan University. She
is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the American Association on Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities.
Dr. Nehring comes to us, most recently, from Rutgers University where she served as Associate Dean
for Academic Affairs, Director of the Graduate Program, and Associate Professor. She has also held
administrative and faculty positions at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and the University of
Illinois at Chicago and a faculty position at Illinois Wesleyan University.
The College of Nursing is pleased to have Dr. Nehring on board!
Briley interviewed for HBO Sports documentary
East Tennessee State University’s Dr. David Briley was interviewed for an upcoming HBO Sports documentary
chronicling the integration of college football in the South during the Civil Rights movement.
In his interview, the ETSU associate professor of Political Science addressed the 1969 lawsuit against the
University of Alabama football program and legendary head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant that was brought
by the university’s Afro-American Student Association for what was viewed as a lack of recruiting of black
athletes. Although the suit was eventually dropped in federal district court, it forever changed football at
Alabama and throughout the South.
Briley was once a student athletic trainer with the famed football team, serving under Bryant and Crimson
Tide head trainer Jim Goostree. Although he went on to attend Middle Tennessee State University and earn
his bachelor’s, master of public administration and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville,
Briley remains an avid Tide fan and combined his love of Alabama football with his scholarly research in
writing Career in Crisis: Paul “Bear” Bryant and The 1971 Season of Change.
Dr. Ted Olson edits new work on Appalachian writer James Still
Dr. Ted Olson of East Tennessee State University has compiled James Still in Interviews, Oral Histories and
Memoirs, a new book published by McFarland & Co.
The volume is a compilation of reminiscences by Appalachian writers to honor James Still, the first poet
laureate of Kentucky, who, in addition to poetry, penned the acclaimed novel River of Earth, as well as
short stories, folkloric works and literature for children. One of the most admired and influential authors to
work in and write about Appalachia, Still won praise for his work in every genre he attempted.
Olson’s book is intended to assist readers in more fully understanding and appreciating the many facets
of Still’s literary voice and vision. James Still in Interviews, Oral Histories and Memoirs features transcribed
versions of virtually all the interviews and oral histories ever conducted with Still, along with numerous memoirs
expressing appreciation for Still and his legacy by some of the leading voices in the Appalachian studies
movement, including Lee Smith, Loyal Jones, Gurney Norman, Jesse Stuart and Silas House.
Osborn becomes president, Assoc. for Continuing Higher Education
Dr. Rick Osborn of East Tennessee State University recently took the helm as president of the Association
for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE) during the organization’s 2008 annual conference and
meeting in Nashville.
Osborn, who is assistant vice provost for Academic Support and Public Service in ETSU’s School of Continuing
Studies, has been an active member of ACHE for more than 10 years, and has served as chair of ACHE
Region South and as a member of the ACHE board of directors.
Continuing education professionals, Osborn says, “take students who have limited access to traditional
higher education and transform them into an educated citizenry. We take unemployed, unskilled and
underemployed workers and transform them into a productive workforce. We take entry-level employees,
young professionals and mid-level managers and transform them into executives and leaders. We take
practicing professionals and provide the training that keeps them licensed and up-to-date. We take
immigrants and transform them into citizens. We take folks in transition from one life stage and transform
them to the next – from single to married, from married to divorced, from partners to parents, from parents
to grandparents, from full-time workers to retirees. We do this through continuing education.”
campus briefs
Paleontologist appears on History Channel series
8
Two new series – Monster Quest and Jurassic Fight Club – aired on the History Channel last fall,
with ETSU paleontologist Dr. Blaine Schubert appearing on both shows because of his “expertise
in modern and fossil bears.” The Monster Quest series examined large and “scary” animals, like
“Bigfoot,” that fall into the realm of “cryptozoology,” Schubert explained. Basically, these are
animals believed to exist by some or many people, but whose existence is not supported by
scientific evidence. Jurassic Fight Club highlighted formidable extinct animals and included
interviews by scientific experts. Typical episodes “recreate battles” of the highlighted animals
during the show’s last half hour.
Schubert is an assistant professor in the Department of Geosciences, a curator at the ETSU and General Shale Brick Natural History
Museum and Visitor Center at the Gray Fossil Site, and part of the ETSU Don Sundquist Center of Excellence in Paleontology.
campus briefs
It can be as simple as "Where is the Parking Services office?" or as complex as finding child care or financing their higher
education. Now ETSU students have a new way to get answers to their college-related questions. It's the "ASK ME" program.
Faculty and staff who place ASK ME signs outside their offices and on their desks invite all ETSU students to "ask them" any
questions related to being in school. It doesn't matter whether the faculty or staff member knows the student because ASK ME
volunteers welcome every student - undergraduate, graduate and professional, according to Dr. Bill Kirkwood, vice provost
for undergraduate education at the university.
Dr. Ramona Williams, vice provost for enrollment services, emphasizes the potential of the ASK ME program to help countless
students. "Students often don't know where to ask for help, to whom to address their questions, or even that help might be
available," she says.
"Sometimes students may feel that they get the run-around, when actually they may simply have been directed mistakenly to
the wrong office. We hope ASK ME will make it easier for our students to get help and for our faculty and staff to give it," she says.
ETSU Army ROTC commissions
six December graduates
Six December graduates of the East
Tennessee State University Ar my ROTC
program were recently commissioned as
second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
ETSU & General Shale Brick Natural History Museum featured
Less than two years after opening to the
public and welcoming nearly 150,000 visitors
to experience “the discovery of a lifetime,”
the East Tennessee State University and
General Shale Brick Natural History Museum
at the Gray Fossil Site is expanding its reach
around the region.
Coverage in the April issue of Southern
Living, in an article entitled “Bare Bones
Discovery,” and in this month’s Blue Ridge
Country six-page spread, “An Alligator in
East Tennessee,” means news of the ETSU
Gray Fossil Site may reach as many as 16.5
million people, according to the combined
monthly readership of the two magazines.
Already, the museum has evidence that
visitors from other states have seen the
articles and decided to vacation in the
Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia region.
The ETSU students receiving commissions were:
Jonathan Knox Bradley, son of Brent and
Esther Bradley of Blountville, earned an
ETSU bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary
studies and will serve in the U.S. Army
Military Police Corps. He married Kansas
Nicole Johnson of Bristol, Va., this month.
Chad Wayne Evans was a two-year
member of the ETSU Eddie Reed Ranger
Challenge Team. He holds an associate
degree from Walters State Community
College and has now added an ETSU
bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Evans will be an Active Duty Armor Officer.
He is the son of Debbie Gass of Parrottsville
and Charlie Evans of Russellville.
April Elizabeth Leonard ear ned a
nursing degree at ETSU and will serve as
a registered nurse at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center after completion of the
Army Nurse Corps Officer Basic Course. A
Beaufort, S.C., native, she is the daughter
of Roy Leonard and Evelene Stevenson.
Rebecca Lynn Mercer , d a u g ht e r
Kenny Khoo Nguyen received an ETSU
bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and
will enter the Army Infantry. He is the son of
Brian and Hien Nguyen of Kingsport.
Joel Martin Silver , son of John and
Sandy Silver of Dandridge, earned an
ETSU bachelor’s degree in Spanish. He will
serve in the Corps of Engineers.
Other businesses including Eastman Credit Union, Eastman Chemical Co., Saturn
of the Mountain Empire and Bill Gatton of Johnson City have all contributed
major sponsorships for the continued
support of the museum and the fossil
site. Further, the success of the facility
to date is due to the continuing hard
work of volunteers as well as individual
members and donors to the museum
and the ETSU Foundation, including
Wayne G. Basler of Kingsport and Scott
M. Niswonger of Greeneville, for whom
exhibit halls are named.
ETSU among the Peace Corps’
annual top college rankings
This year, East Tennessee State University remains on the Peace Corps’ 2009
Top 10 all-time list of colleges and universities in Tennessee producing Peace
Corps Volunteers. Since Peace Corps’ inception in 1961, ETSU has produced 72
volunteers – ranking sixth among 68 Tennessee schools that have had alumni
serving overseas.
Currently, five ETSU alumni are serving overseas
in developing nations around the globe,
including Azerbaijan, South Africa, Phillippines,
Bulgaria and Peru. Their assignments range
from community development to youth
entrepreneurship and public health
education.
Peace Corps is especially attracted to ETSU
because many of its undergraduates fill
assignments in scarce skill areas where it is
traditionally difficult to find qualified applicants.
These areas include English, business, public
health, math and the sciences.
campus briefs
of Ricky and Bonita Mercer of Kill Devil
Hi l l s, N .C . , re c e i ve d a n ET S U nur s ing
degree. After completing the Army Nurse
Corps Officer Basic Course, she will be
a registered nurse at Landstuhl Regional
Medical Center in Germany.
“We are very proud to bear the ETSU and
General Shale Brick Natural History Museum
name. Without the support of community businesses like General Shale Brick
and AGC Flat Glass North America who donated all of the brick and glass for
the construction of the museum, we, literally, would not be standing here
today,” Said Jeanne Zavada, museum director.
9
campus briefs
President’s Pride at 30
President’s Pride, a student service/honorary organization
unique to East Tennessee State University, celebrated its 30th
anniversary this year.
Frist Global Health Scholars
program established
Since its inception in 1978, the students of President’s Pride
have volunteered to assist their university without the incentive
of scholarships or special recognition.
The group currently consists of 75 members, nominated by
faculty, staff, and other members of the organization. During
the most recent selection process, more than 100 students’
names were placed in nomination. Of those, some 60 were interviewed by a panel
of members and staff, and half of those were invited to membership.
All President’s Pride members offer a unique blend of scholarship – a 3.0 grade point average
is required – and dedication to service. They volunteer their scarce free moments to support
their university, without pay, without special consideration, but with great satisfaction.
Photo collage highlights history of bluegrass music & ETSU
Bluegrass, Old-Time & Country Music Program
“The ETSU Walls of Time: A Bluegrass, Old-Time
and Country Music Photomural”; as a tribute
to bluegrass musicians.
This artful collage of 222 large and small
photographs portrays more than 600
individuals. Identifying plaques provide
names and other infor mation keyed to
figures showcased on the walls outside the
Jack Tottle Bluegrass Suite which houses the
musical program’s office and rehearsal areas.
The photomural, named for “The Walls of Time,” a song by Bill Monroe and Peter
Rowan, has two major components, according to professor emeritus Jack Tottle,
the ETSU program’s retired founding director.
Some of the former students featured are Grammy and Academy of Country Music
award-winning superstar Kenny Chesney; Tim Stafford, Award-winning band Blue
Highway; IBMA Award winners Adam Steffey and Barry Bales, who, like Stafford,
have enjoyed success with Alison Krauss and Union Station; Jennifer McCarter of The
McCarters; Beth Stevens of The Stevens Sisters; Jill Andrews of the Everybodyfields;
Becky Buller of Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike; and Martha Scanlan, formerly of The
Reeltime Travelers and now a solo artist.
Quillen College of Medicine at 35
campus briefs
Starting the James H. Quillen College of Medicine was no easy
feat. Difficulty getting the medical college up and running
came in the form of talks of a joint venture with the
University of Tennessee falling through and the Tennessee
Board of Regents voting eight to seven to kill a proposal
for a freestanding medical school in 1974. Conditional
per mission was
finally granted from
the Veterans Affairs
Medical Center,
Mountain Home, to establish the school later on
March 4th, 1974. The Quillen College of Medicine
was named for the Tennessee First congressional
district Congressman, James H. Quillen, who
helped the school secure grants and meet
federal accreditation guidelines.
10
When the first class enrolled in 1978, talk of starting a
medical school had been going on for over 10 years. The
local population increase, more doctors, and the new
college of nursing at ETSU were all factors that led to the
decision to create a medical school. However, the college
now has a reputation for training primary care doctors in
rural areas and ranks eighth among 126 medical schools
whose graduates enter family practice.
Quillen College of Medicine overcame the weekly
rumors that it would be shut down and celebrated its
35th anniversary in March. When the school began, there
was not even a laboratory for students to utilize. Since its
inception, the college has awarded 750 medical degrees
and 50 doctorates.
A generous gift from the Hope through
Healing Hands Foundation, established
by Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill
Frist will allow students in East Tennessee
State University’s College of Public Health
to expand their educational experiences
by serving and learning in developing
countries. The Frist Global Health
Scholars program will provide funding
for students who want to complete
their field placement education at an
international location. Support for three
ETSU students will be available during the
first year, thanks to an additional gift by
the Niswonger Foundation.
“Senator Frist visited our campus last
fall as part of the Leading Voices in
Public Health lecture series. During his
speech, the Senator spoke eloquently
about the importance of public health
and global health in advancing
the cause of worldwide peace and
diplomacy,” said Dr. Randy Wykoff,
ETSU dean of Public Health. “Nationally
and internationally, the Senator has
been a leader in advocating for the
importance of U.S. health professionals
learning, studying, and serving abroad.
We are tremendously grateful that he,
and philanthropist, Scott Niswonger, have
now given our students the opportunity
to participate in the kind of experiences
for which he has so strongly advocated.”
Frist said, “We are excited to have the
opportunity to provide support for ETSU’s
College of Public Health students to
implement their skill sets with service
to underserved communities. This is a
unique time for students to cultivate
their global health interests not just for
their education but also their careers.
We hope to encourage a commitment
to global health, at home and abroad,
among Tennessee’s best scholars moving
into health care.”
athletics
ETSU student-athletes set the bar even higher in the classroom
Over the past few years ETSU student-athletes have continued to excel both on the athletic field and in the classroom. After
a record-breaking year in 2007-2008, Buccaneer student-athletes not only sustained what it means to be a student first, but
pushed it to a new level this fall, improving from last fall’s numbers in all areas.
The fall of 2008 semester grade reports were recently released and ETSU student-athletes combined to post the athletic department’s highest overall cumulative GPA all-time with a 3.15; while non-athlete students enrolled at ETSU only had a 3.03 GPA for
the fall semester. Furthermore, Buccaneer student-athletes also raised their A-Sun All-Academic numbers by six percent, as an
incredible 61 percent of eligible student-athletes received the honor. Of the 14 ETSU athletic teams, 13 of the squads posted a
GPA of 2.8 (B- average) or higher with 11 earning a team GPA of 3.0 or better.
Additionally, of the 227 student-athletes at ETSU this fall, 154 (68 percent) earned Buccaneer Honor Roll, posting a 3.0 GPA or
better. Also this fall semester, 66 Buccaneer student-athletes posted a 3.7 GPA or better, (14 athletes with a 4.0 GPA) earning a
spot on the school’s deans list. This accomplishment marked a 94 percent improvement from fall 2007.
Tiggs takes unlikely road
to Division I success
Kevin Tiggs does not have
the typical “big-time”
college basketball story ...
A kid from the heart of Flint,
Mich., who grew up with a
cousin and did not have
either parents in his life, Tiggs
saw unimaginable things
back in his hometown, and
still always has a smile on
his face ... Having played
only one year of high school
basketball, he later enrolled
in Mott Community College
and was not recruited to
play basketball ... While
playing pickup in the Mott
gymnasium, he was asked
to come back and try out
for the team ... Two years later he was the JuCo
Division II Player of the Year and led the Mott team
to a national title ... Today, he’s a Top 20 scorer in
Division I and leading our team to a conference
title and NCAA berth ... One other interesting note
is that when he came to ETSU he asked to wear the
No. 42 jersey, which is ETSU’s ONLY retired number ...
The coaching staff and administration debated for
a long time on what to do, but ultimately decided
to ask Tom Chilton (the man who wore it), if he was
OK with Tiggs wearing the number ... He was and
in October of 2007, Tiggs and Chilton met in our
arena to exchange pleasantries. Chilton told him
to live up to the number and Tiggs has ... Chilton
is No. 6 on our all-time scoring list and averaged
over 26 points a game in just three seasons back
in the late 1950s and early 60s ... Tiggs has certainly
lived up to that name.
ETSU earns 4th straight A-Sun Crown
Ever since joining the Atlantic Sun Conference four seasons ago the ETSU
men’s tennis team has done one thing well, win championships. Just like
it has each of the past three years the No. 63-ranked Bucs closed out the
regular season by earning its fourth consecutive A-Sun crown, dropping
league rival No. 65-ranked USC Upstate 4-3, at the USC Upstate Tennis
Complex in Spartanburg, S.C.
Overall, in the A-Sun ETSU (11-7, 9-0 A-Sun) has dominated league play,
posting an incredible 41-1 record in the past four seasons, while individually
senior Enrique Olivares now sits as the winningest singles player in league
history with a remarkable career conference mark of 30-1.
“Words can’t describe what this team accomplished today,” said head
coach Yaser Zaatini. “Our guys have worked so hard to get to this point.
We started off the season playing such a tough non-conference schedule
and our young team had to go through the process of maturing and
learning how to play to their potential. With the help and leadership of
both seniors (Enrique Olivares and Alex Ahlgren), the underclassmen kept
working hard every day and learned to gain the confidence to win in
this league. As a coach you take one match at a time, but looking back
over the past four seasons and the accomplishments this program has
achieved it just leaves you speechless.”
Bucs improve again at U.S. Collegiate Championship
Sophomore Rhys Enoch fired a final
round 1-under-par 71 to finish tied for
ninth on the individual leaderboard,
helping to lift the 28th-ranked ETSU
men’s golf team to a 12th-place finish
on the final day of play in the U.S.
Collegiate Championship at the Golf
Club of Georgia’s Lakeside Course.
Enoch, who improved during
each of the tournament’s three
rounds, moved up 17 spots on the
leaderboard during Tuesday’s third
round. He ended the event seven
strokes back of Alabama’s Bud
Cauley and UCLA’s Erik Flores, who
finished tied for first at 4-under 212
for the tournament.
New ETSU Softball Stadium Dedicated
on February 20th, 2009
Summers–Taylor Soccer Stadium
Dedicated on November 7th, 2008
Pictured from l to r:
Grant Summers, Lena Summers
Benisch '02, Barbara Summers
Squibb, Rab & Nita Summers
Paul E. Stanton, Jr. ETSU President; Nancy Stanton,
ETSU’s First Lady; Bob Propes, General Shale Brick;
Wayne Basler, ETSU Foundation Past Chairman;
Joe Grandy, Ferguson Enterprises; Gerald and
Cassandra Thomas, Thomas Construction
athletics
Pictured from l to r: David Mullins, Athletics Director;
11
athletics
ETSU program revolutionizes athletes’ training
By Joe Avento • Courtesy of the Johnson City Press
athletics
Hidden in what used to be a couple of racquetball
courts in East Tennessee State’s Memorial Center,
several scientists are revolutionizing the way
athletes train.
Along the way, they’re hoping to revolutionize
the way coaches coach as well.
ETSU’s Center of Excellence for Sports Science
and Coach Education held an open house for
the media on Thursday, and after an extensive
tour, it was apparent how much was going on
inside the former racquetball courts.
Run by the husband-wife team of Mike and
Meg Stone along with Mike Ramsey, this is sports
science at its finest. When athletes come through
these halls, they no longer run just for the sake of running, lift just for the sake of lifting
or train just for the sake of training.
These scientists are taking the guesswork out of working out and infusing a whole lot of
knowledge. They’re assuming nothing and not taking anything for granted. They check
everything from an athlete’s hydration levels to body-fat composition. The athletes are
tested and given workouts specifically designed for their particular sports.
It’s all in an effort to attain peak performance, and the folks here say it’s not being
done this way anywhere else.
“We want to be a role model for the rest of the country when it comes to sports science,”
said Ramsey, an assistant professor with a doctorate in exercise physiology. “There is
not another program in the country doing what we have going on. There are other
programs, but there is no true sports science program working with athletes.”
The athletes are the keys to the program. About 90 percent of ETSU’s athletes work with
the program, according to Mike Stone, the director of the sports science lab and the
former head of sports physiology for the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Ramsey said other programs study regular people — Joe the Plumber’s name was
referenced a couple of times on Thursday — but none concentrate solely on athletes.
“You can do pretty much anything with an untrained person,” Ramsey said. “There’s a
lot of research going on with training people who aren’t athletes.”
The program has established a relationship with ETSU’s department of athletics. Both
are benefiting.
The athletes don’t have to become scientists themselves to reap the benefits of the
program.
“They really simplify things for us to understand everything that’s going on,” said Troy
Mendez, an outfielder on the ETSU baseball team. “It takes a lot of knowledge to
understand what’s going on. They do all the numbers and we just play.”
Mendez says he can see the results when he’s on the field, adding he’s had more
doubles than singles in preseason scrimmages.
“We’ve definitely seen lots of improvement in explosiveness and strength,” he said.
“What it’s done for us on the field has been great. Our power numbers are way up.
Our coach has been very excited about this program.”
The program has worked with Olympic hopeful boxer Charlie Watson and former world
champion sprinter Zhana Pintusevich-Block.
Research projects are underway, some in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic Committee.
The whole thing started almost three years ago when the Department of Kinesiology,
Leisure and Sports Science began working with the athletic department. The program
became known as the Sports Performance Enhancement Consortium. The Center of
Excellence was opened last October.
“It’s grown almost too fast,” said Mike Stone, who has a doctorate in exercise science and
was named the 1991 national sports scientist of the year. “It’s about to overwhelm us.”
ETSU also plans on offering a doctorate program in sports science, the first of its kind in
the country.
“It is going to happen,” Mike Stone said. “Because of the economic climate we’ve had
to put it off for a year. It will happen either 2010 or 2011. We’ve already had people
knocking the door down to get into the program.”
Meg Stone, the director of the program, knows a thing or two about peak performance.
The two-time Olympian from Scotland set the NCAA women’s shot put and discus
records while competing for Arizona in 1981 — and those records still stand. She was
also the first woman to be head strength coach for a Division I men’s athletic program,
at the University of Arizona.
“If you perform yourself, yeah that feels good,” Meg Stone said.
“But when you see somebody else you worked very closely with
perform well, I don’t know which one is more satisfying. It’s great
to help a young athlete develop.”
The science isn’t just for athletes. Coaches can learn from the
program, and that’s one area Meg Stone stresses. The group runs a
“Coaches College” each December. It’s an opportunity for coaches
of any sport on any level to learn about sports science. The college
has grown from 35 participants to 91 to 150 last year.
“We’ve gotten the word out,” she said. “We’re growing.
“To me it’s one of the most important focuses of my life ... when a
man or woman steps on a field of play to be conditioned and well
enough coached to be able to fulfill their potential. I’m a wee bit
12 passionate about that. We’re on a mission to get that accomplished.”
Dahl, Burton sweeping A-Sun
Senior runner Heidi Dahl and
junior thrower Jarrod Burton had
productive weekends in their 2009
Outdoor Track and Field season
debut and continued to collect
records and recognition.
Dahl made her season
debut for the Bucs and
she came away with
an impressive showing
at the Stanford
Invitational. Dahl –
who was coming off a
NCAA Championship
appearance in the
mile during the indoor
season – set a regional
qualifying mark in the
1500m run on Cobb
Track, located on the campus of Stanford
University. The Orem, Utah native finished
seventh overall in her section one race with
a time 4:23.70. Less than 24 hours after setting
a Regional Qualifying time in the 1500m, the
senior runner returned to the track to do the
same in the 800m. Dahl won her section in
the event and finished fourth overall with
a qualifying time of 2:06.41.
Meanwhile, Burton
highlighted the
Bu ccaneer tr ack
and field team in
its outdoor season
debut at the Milligan
Relays by breaking
ETSU records in both
the hammer and shot
put, while setting a
new meet record in the discus. Burton,
who already held the previous school mark
in the hammer and shot put, won all four
throwing events – including the javelin. The
dominate thrower shattered his previous
record by over 12 feet in the hammer with
a mark of 176-00.75 (53.67m), and his toss of
51-06.50 (15.71m) in the shot was five inches
longer than his old Buccaneer best. Then,
in the discus, Burton won the event with a
meet record of 149-04.75 (45.54m). Overall
Burton capped off the sweep in the throws
by winning the javelin (167-07.75).
Bucs ride Mendez’s hot bat
to 9-3 win over Tennessee
Senior left fielder Troy Mendez continued his hot
hitting as ETSU defeated in-state rival Tennessee
at Cardinal Park, 9-3.
The Bucs (13-11, 5-7 A-Sun)
have won five of their last
seven meetings against
the Vols. With the loss,
Tennessee falls to 11-16 on
the season.
Starter Chas Byrne limited
the Vols to three runs (one
earned) on four hits with
four walks and a season
high seven strikeouts as he
improved to 3-1 on the year.
advancement
College of Business & Technology inducts new Hall of Fame members
A Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to alumni of the College of Business and Technology
who have significant accomplishments in business or public service.
Dr. Ronald E. Carrier
Dr. Ronald E. Carrier is President Emeritus of James Madison University (JMU), where he served for nearly 28 years.
When he was appointed in 1971, the institution was known as James Madison College, and he was the youngest
college president in the Commonwealth of Virginia. During his tenure, the school saw its enrollment increase
from 3,800 to 14,000 students while new facilities totaling $240 million were constructed, the operating budget
increased from $10 million to $200 million, 40 new programs came online, and five colleges and a graduate
school were established.
James Holmes
James Holmes is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Elizabethton-based Carter County Bank. Holmes began his banking
career as a management trainee with First Peoples Bank in Johnson City. And, from 1971-1975, he was a bank examiner for the
State of Tennessee Department of Banking. In the fall of 1975, Holmes joined Carter County Bank as Senior Vice President with
responsibility for lending and investments. He assumed the post of President and CEO in 1991.
Excellence in Business Award recipients may not be ETSU graduates, but must have significant accomplishments
in business or technology, exemplary service to the community and a demonstrated commitment to the
college and to ETSU.
Ruth Ellis DiGregorio
Ruth Ellis DiGregorio founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Empire Bank (currently Bank
of America) based in Johnson City. She is now retired.
In addition to her 30-year banking career, DiGregorio was the owner and operator of Tennessee Pottery from
1989-2006. DiGregorio’s many accomplishments include having been named the recipient of the State of
Tennessee First Lady Award in 1976, serving on the Tennessee Board of Regents, and serving as president of the
Johnson City, Jonesborough, and Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
Gary Mabrey
Gary Mabrey is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Johnson City, Jonesborough, and Washington County Chamber
of Commerce. He has served 21 years with the organization, which holds a four-star accreditation rating from the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce. At the national level, Mabrey holds positions on several committees and boards of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
including chairman of the Accrediting Board and member of the Federation Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, Small
Business Council, Homeland Security, Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, and the Executive Leadership Forum.
Business Horizon Award is presented to graduates of the ETSU College of Business and Technology who are
establishing noteworthy careers as well as a commitment to the college and the university.
Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas, who was a member of the varsity track and field team and also served as vice president of
Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1984 and went on to earn a law
degree at Mercer University.
Thomas settled in Atlanta and founded the law firm of Mark Thomas and Associates, which will celebrate its 10th
anniversary this month. The firm’s specialties are injured victims, including those with catastrophic personal injury,
product liability, and mass torts. Thomas has obtained several settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million.
Thomas Tull
Thomas Tull is the Senior Director for Guest Services with Mountain States Health Alliance. He is responsible for designing,
implementing, and overseeing guest services initiatives for the health system, which has more than 1,400 beds. During his varied
work experiences, Tull has been employed by Proffitt’s Department Stores in management and as corporate security director; at
ETSU as a coordinator in the Family Medicine Department within the James H. Quillen College of Medicine; and with Blue Ridge
Medical Management Corporation in public relations and marketing services.
We all know the economic situation in the world is shifting. Old markets and industries are
disappearing and new opportunities are emerging. Don't let the shifting business world leave
you behind. Prepare for the future with an MBA.
ETSU offers two MBA tracks. In our traditional program you can earn your MBA in two
years. We also offer an accelerated MBA track. The accelerated program offers the same
courses, taught by the same faculty as the traditional MBA, but the time frame is 12 months.
You attend class every third weekend. Forty percent of the instruction is on campus and the
remainder is online.
ETSU is a great university with exceptional students, faculty and staff. Come be one of us.
Pete Cornette
MBA Coordinator
423-439-4622
cornette@etsu.edu
It's tough,
but it's more ,,
than worth it!
"The Accelerated MBA program
at ETSU is a fast-paced, challenging
program with
real credibility in
the work world.
The faculty and
administration
work hard...and
so do you."
Bob Barnwell
Accelerated MBA
Program Student
advancement
ETSU's business school is accredited by the premier business school accrediting agency,
the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. Less than 5%
of business schools worldwide meet the rigorous standards of the AACSB. Our programs
are nationally ranked by Princeton Review and Business Week. In fact, this year in Princeton
Review the business programs were ranked fourth in the nation in "Quality of Classroom
Experience" and fifth, in "Family Friendly."
,,
Dear Graduates,
13
advancement
2009 Roan Scholars Announced
Emily Kate Eisenhower
❧ Cocke County High School
Craig Woods Mitcham
Cheyna Linzie Haas
❧ North Greene High School
Shianne Grace Murray
❧ Dobyns-Bennett High School ❧ Mitchell High School, N.C.
Gatton, Green & General Shale
Brick honored for philanthropy
Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Dr.
Charles Manning presented the Regents’
Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to C.M.
“Bill” Gatton and to General Shale Brick and
Richard L. “Dick” Green for their leadership
giving to ETSU. This acknowledgement of their
“selfless generosity” came as the university
and the ETSU Foundation recognized and
honored top contributors
during the annual
Distinguished
President’s Trust
dinner.
East Tennessee State University officials
have announced the newest members
of the Roan Scholars Leadership
Program. The outstanding high
school seniors selected for the Roan
Scholars Class of 2009 participated in
a rigorous interview process with 55
other exceptional nominees.
The Roan Scholar awards are based
on performance and merit as noted in
nominations submitted by the students’
high school principals. Candidates
undergo personal interviews by
panels of regional community leaders
before being selected to participate
as Scholars. The scholarship portion
of the Roan Scholars Leadership
Program includes full tuition, room
and board, and a book allowance. In
addition, the Higher Education Division
of Dell Computer Corp. provides a
new laptop computer and printer to
each incoming Scholar. Outside of the
classroom, Roan Scholars participate in
numerous activities with area leaders
to broaden their horizons and enhance
their leadership skills.
Louis H. Gump, a Johnson City
businessman and entrepreneur,
modeled the ETSU Roan Scholars
after the Morehead-Cain Scholars
Program at the University of North
Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he was
a Morehead Scholar. Selection
criteria are demonstrated leadership,
character, intellectual curiosity and
physical vigor. Gump’s vision was for
ETSU to attract and retain some of the
region’s most promising young leaders
through this concept.
advancement
Music students at ETSU are reaching for the
stars and having their dreams come true thanks to
the many donors who have supported music student
activities and scholarships. Without your help this
would not be a reality.
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ETSU Friends of Music is revising its bylaws to include a
name change to ETSU Music Alumni and Friends. Alumni
have always played an important role in promoting
the excellence and future of its university as well as
its Department of Music. Both alumni and friends are
making a big difference in the lives of music students.
If you haven’t visited ETSU for some time, please do.
You will be excited to see and hear all of the
outstanding programs taking place
in the Department of Music.
Alumni Association honors
Stanton, Manahan with
Scholars designation
A surprise announcement during East
Tennessee State University’s annual
Distinguished President’s Trust (DPT) dinner
last month effectively “turned the tables”
while honoring ETSU President Dr. Paul E.
Stanton Jr. and Dr. Richard A. Manahan,
vice president for University Advancement
and president/CEO of the ETSU Foundation.
The annual DPT dinner recognizes the most
loyal supporters of the university through
the ETSU Foundation.
The ETSU Alumni Association board of
directors has now designated the “Paul
E. Stanton Jr. Honors Scholars” and the
“Richard A. Manahan Scholars” as two of
the highest recognitions an undergraduate
student at the university may achieve.
The Alumni Association acts as a steward of
both the Committee of 1000 and Challenge
2000 scholarship endowments, with the
Committee of 1000 endowment serving
as an anchor of support for ETSU Honors
College students.
This “Stanton Honors Scholars” designation
of Committee of 1000 recipients reflects
the stature of academic achievement
and leadership embodied by Stanton
over the years and pays tribute to the
president’s commitment to exemplary
teaching and student learning at its finest
while acknowledging his actions to “unite
and elevate” ETSU’s various academic
honors programs into a comprehensive
Honors College.
In addition, designating Challenge 2000
recipients as “Manahan Scholars” highlights
the personal achievement, leadership and
academic ability evidenced by Manahan,
while lauding his steadfast stewardship
of the ETSU Foundation and creating
partnerships among alumni, friends of the
university and the community.
Dorothy Grisham, ETSU Alumni Association
board president, said these designations
were made to recognize the significant roles
played by the two longtime university leaders.
“The Alumni Association board of directors
has been considering how we might
place a lasting tribute to this special time
in the history of ETSU and the leadership
of Dr. Stanton and Dr. Manahan, as well
as the team they have guided with such
ongoing achievements,” Grisham said.
“With great admiration for their concern
and willingness to serve during these
difficult times, we offered this gesture of
support and tribute for the significance
of their work and as a symbol of our ETSU
Pride in their steadfast leadership.”
advancement
ETSU Foundation honors top contributors
Top donors from the private sector were honored by East Tennessee State University
for generous contributions to the ETSU Foundation during the Distinguished President’s
Trust (DPT) dinner at MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center
February 20th.
The DPT – comprised of more than 1,150 contributors whose individual cumulative
gifts to the ETSU Foundation have surpassed the $10,000 level – welcomed 69 new
members at the dinner.
“I always enjoy and look forward each year to this occasion,” ETSU President Dr. Paul
E. Stanton Jr. told the gathering. “This evening allows the university to offer our thanks and
gratitude to our leading supporters on behalf of our students, faculty and staff who reap the benefits from your generosity.
The Distinguished President’s Trust members enable ETSU to achieve even higher levels than we would be able to accomplish
within the limits of state and federal dollars alone during these challenging times. You are the bedrock of our private support.”
Many of the donors are permanently recognized on the President’s Society Wall of Honor located on the main ETSU campus in
Johnson City. The second floor of Burgin E. Dossett Hall administration building features engraved portraits of President’s Society
members whose significant lifelong contributions to the ETSU Foundation exceed $50,000.
Dr. Richard A. Manahan, vice president for University Advancement and president/CEO of the ETSU Foundation, said that
President’s Society members have cumulatively given more than $154 million to the university, including planned and estate gifts.
“This year’s honorees for the ETSU Foundation Wall of Honor join with other President’s Society members to continue the outstanding
legacy of leadership that provides the ‘Margin of Excellence’ for private support,” Manahan said. “Their continued gifts –
especially now – assure a promising future for quality education at ETSU. And, as the ultimate beneficiaries of this generosity,
the university’s students, faculty and staff are always grateful for this stellar record of giving.
“With $13.2 million in current and planned gifts this past fiscal year, together with past years of generous support from ETSU’s
alumni and friends, these achievements will make the future even brighter for ETSU and for those we serve in our region and
around the world.”
Tim P. Jones, past chairman of the board of the ETSU Foundation noted, “On behalf of the members of the ETSU Foundation,
it is truly an honor to recognize these donors on the Foundation’s Wall of Honor for the President’s Society. These individuals,
businesses and other organizations have generously invested in the people and programs of the university. They know the quality
educational experience that ETSU provides in so many academic areas, and the many other cultural and economic benefits
ETSU gives to our region and its people.
“These honorees are very important and enable ETSU to be the best regional university in the nation. I am grateful to these and
all donors, and encourage others to join the ETSU Foundation President’s Society Wall of Honor in the days and years ahead to
build together an even better university.”
The Platinum Society, Level I, recognizes those donors whose cumulative contributions total $1 million. James C. and the late
Mary B. Martin, Johnson City, were honored at this level for their generosity.
With cumulative contributions of $500,000 to $1 million, new Gold Society members are Dr. Michael and Judith Woodruff,
Johnson City.
New Silver Society members, with cumulative contributions of $100,000 to $500,000, are Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS), Bristol;
Beulah Snyder Rose Foundation, Erwin; Dr. Festus O. Adebonojo, Bill Breeding, Drs. Art and Margaret Hougland, Dr. Priscilla W.
Ramsey, Dr. Ginger Hawk Rutherford and the late Col. Frank E. Rutherford, and Sabre Printers, Johnson City; Joseph and Sarah
Morgan, Jonesborough; Estate of Inez Reynolds/In Memory of Inez and George Reynolds, Surgoinsville; Betty Donahue and
Lonette and the late Lester Seaton, Jacksonville, Fla.; and Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, New York.
The Bronze Society recognizes donors with cumulative contributions of $50,000 to $100,000. New members are Phil Bachman
Toyota, Martha Street Culp and the late ETSU President Emeritus Dr. Delos P. Culp, Drs. Michael B. and Karen Fallgatter, Dr. T.
Watson and Linda Wright Jernigan, Gary M. and Jackie Mabrey, Mountain Empire Oil (Ryan Broyles), and Dr. Sheng and Lily
Tchou, Johnson City; Louise Luchetti Skalko, Jonesborough; David and Alice Jones Torbett, Knoxville; Estate of Fred W. Bruce/In
Memory of Fred and Anna Bruce, Powell; Daryl S. and the late Harold E. “Bud” Frank, Atlantic Beach, Fla.; Bill and Jean Frank,
Amelia Island, Fla.; and Penn Virginia Corp., Radnor, Pa.
Hamilton carries forth grandmother’s legacy with scholarship endowment
advancement
As ETSU approaches its Centennial of service to
the people of our region and beyond, Berwyn L.
“Dick” Hamilton, (B.S. ’66) of Bristol, Tennessee,
was reminded of his grandmother’s legacy at
ETSU. Esther Elizabeth Whitaker-Carder attended
East Tennessee Normal during 1911-12, ETSU’s
first year of operation as “the Normal.” To honor
his late grandmother’s pioneering connection
with ETSU from almost 100 years ago, Dick
and his wife, Joyce, established the “Esther
Elizabeth Whitaker-Carder Memorial Scholarship”
Endowment in the ETSU Foundation. The first
recipient of this scholarship is Kelly Blue, a junior
Nursing student. The endowed scholarship will,
in perpetuity, assist future generations of ETSU
students while the scholarship also serves as an
important, living link to ETSU’s heritage with the
late Mrs. Whitaker-Carder and her classmates
from those first, early days of the university.
15
the distinguished president’s trust
the distinguished president’s trust
the distinguished president’s trust
The Distinguished
President’s Trust
16
16
the distinguished president’s trust
the distinguished president’s trust
the distinguished president’s trust
17
17
18
19
ETSU Annual Fund?
What is the
Making Your Gifts to
the ETSU Foundation...
This annual drive seeks gifts from ETSU alumni, faculty/staff,
retirees, and friends to support many student, faculty, and
alumni programs and scholarships. The ETSU Annual Fund
assists departments, whether for academic or athletic
excellence, particularly for programs not funded or not fully
funded by the state. Your annual gifts, no matter what
Outright Gifts:
the amount, truly make a difference for your university
Include cash, checks and pledges of future funds.
and all the people ETSU serves in so many ways.
If the donor’s employer MATCHES charitable contributions, the impact of the gift can be increased, and
the donor will receive recognition at the appropriate
level for the combined gift and the match.
Shares of Stock:
In publicly traded companies can be given, and may
have real tax advantages to you by allowing you to
avoid capital gains taxes for stock which has appreciated in value and has been owned by the donor for
more than one year.
Planned Gifts:
Include bequests from a last will and testament,
charitable remainder trust and lead trusts, charitable gift
annuities and other arrangements that may offer significant tax and estate planning advantages to the donor.
Life Insurance Policies:
May offer a simple and cost effective way to benefit the
university by naming the ETSU Foundation as the owner
and beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Payments by
the donor of the policy’s premiums may also result in a
tax-deductible gift to the Foundation.
Retirement Plans:
May also name the ETSU Foundation as the beneficiary,
and may serve to assist the donor with his or her tax and
estate planning.
Gifts of Personal Property:
Such as books, jewelry, art, professional equipment, and
other items may be given.
Gifts of Real Property:
May be given to the ETSU Foundation, or included in a
planned gift.
20
Gifts may be designated for an endowment or non-endowment (restricted) fund.
Thank you for making an annual tax-deductible gift
to the ETSU Foundation today!
For more information or to give online
visit www.etsu.edu/advance.
Challenge
2000
An Endowment for the 21st Century
How many times as alums or friends of your university
have you thought, “I would like to help students
financially but my gift wouldn’t make a difference?”
Now is your time to make a difference for ETSU students!
The Challenge 2000 Endowment is a “partnered”
endowment. With your gift or pledge of $1000
(completed over a three year span) along with
matching funds of $1000 from the ETSU Alumni
Association, you can become a member of the
Challenge 2000, “An Endowment for the 21st
Century.” Your gift, partnered with others, will
complete a $2 million endowment which will produce
scholarships for generations of ETSU students.
Matching funds are ready now. Please don’t let
this opportunity slip away. Join today!
Estate Planning
Many alumni and friends
include the ETSU Foundation
in their estate planning.
Recently, Sherry Campbell
of Newport, Tennessee,
gave the ETSU Foundation
life insurance policies, naming
the ETSU Foundation as both
owner and beneficiary of the
policies. Sherry’s relationship
with ETSU has deep roots as her
paternal grandfather, Roy T. Campbell, Sr., was a member
of the East Tennessee Normal School Class of 1917.
They wish to “touch the future”
and provide faculty resources.
They care about an even brighter
future for generations to come. You can join them
in the ETSU Legacy Circle.
Whether it is a bequest in your Last Will and
Testament, a Charitable Remainder Trust, a Life
Insurance Policy, IRA Account, or other planned
gift, you can touch the future at ETSU. You don’t
have to be an Oprah Winfrey or Bill Gates to share
your legacy at ETSU. You just have to be You!
We’d be honored to work with you and your
financial advisors to develop a planned gift that
uniquely suits your needs as well as the legacy
you wish to leave for ETSU in the ETSU Foundation.
Please contact us today––Richard A. Manahan
or Jeff W. Anderson, J.D., 423-439-4242, or
e-mail: andersjw@etsu.edu.
Sherry notes
For some time I had wanted to fund a scholarship endowment
for future generations of Cocke County students so they could
attend ETSU, while also naming the scholarship for my father,
Roy T. Campbell, Jr. The solution for me was a gift of life
insurance policies. With life insurance I can know confidently
that the Roy T. Campbell, Jr. Scholarship will be funded at
my passing with a specific amount of death benefits. During
my lifetime, I will continue to pay the premiums. For many
donors, the payment of the premiums to the ETSU Foundation
can result in a tax-deductible gift. I would encourage all
alumni and friends of ETSU to consider this option to ensure
critically-needed support for the university.
“
“
“Touch the Future
Today at ETSU!”
Thank you, Sherry, for sharing your experience as a member
of the ETSU Legacy Circle and the ETSU Distinguished
President’s Trust. For more information regarding life insurance
or planned giving to benefit the university, please contact or have
your financial advisors contact Dr. Richard A. Manahan or Jeff
Anderson, J.D., at 423-439-4242, andersjw@etsu.edu, or visit the
Planned Giving web site at www.etsu.edu/advance.
21
looking forward » | « looking back
An Optimistic and Humorous Memoir of a Farm
Boy’s Attending ETSU Before and After World War II
By Colin F. Baxter
Never imagining that I was about to be transported back to
another time in the almost century-year-old history of East
Tennessee State University, my own undergraduate alma mater,
I picked up the telephone in the History Department office. A
cheerful and happy voice greeted me on the other end of the
line, it was that of William M. Groseclose calling from Knoxville
where he now lives with his wife Irene. We were soon engaged
in a lively and fascinating conversation about Mr. Groseclose’s,
or “Bill’s” days as a college student at ETSU before and after
World War II. Chuckles and laughter filled the air as Bill shared
his recollections as a student at what was then East Tennessee
State Teachers College, and upon his return from World War II,
called East Tennessee State College, the name being officially
changed in1943. Soon after the phone call, two audio tapes
arrived by mail, followed by a third, in which Bill remembered
the people, campus life, and dramatic events of a generation
of students that had a rendezvous with destiny.
The door of opportunity opened when Bill’s former high school
principal, W. C. Waters, who had become superintendent of
schools, told him that State Teachers College in Johnson City
had a National Youth Administration (NYA) program, a New
Deal measure intended to help young people attend college.
In addition to taking twelve quarter hours of course work, the
NYA student would work four hours a day, five days week. In
return for tuition, room, and board, they received $2 a week
spending money—“Folks, I had never had $2 a week spending
money in my life,” said Bill.
looking forward »|« looking back
Upon his arrival at State Teachers College, Bill went to the NYA
project behind the old cafeteria: there were two sixty-feet long
frame buildings, a woodworking shop under Wilbur Bond, and a
sheet metal shop, to which Bill was assigned, under J. D. Snook, a
pilot and “a great guy” who instilled in him a desire to fly. Wilbur
Bond later became grounds manager for the entire campus
and served in that position for many years. Forty boys from all
over east Tennessee were part of the NYA program: they were
“a great bunch of guys.” They worked hard, including pouring
concrete for the industrial arts building, but had a lot of fun.
By the fall of 1941, students were aware of the critical situation
in Europe. They did not worry about Japan since they just knew
the Japanese would not “jump on the big old United States.”
A war in the Pacific just could not happen, said Bill. On the
afternoon of Sunday, December 7, 1941, he was standing along
the highway thumbing a ride on the east side of Morristown when
a car pulled up and the driver gave him a ride to Johnson City.
The driver said, “you’re a college boy, where is Pearl Harbor?”
Bill replied that he had never heard of Pearl Harbor. The driver
then told him that the “Japs” were not dropping but raining
bombs on a place called Pearl Harbor. Turning up the volume
on the radio, they quickly found out that Pearl Harbor was the
U.S. naval base on the island of Hawaii.
By the time he reached the campus some students were crying
while others spoke in hushed tones. Some tried to enlist that
night but the recruiting offices were closed. No one went to bed
that night, he says. Bill’s roommate, “Hawkeye,” was certain
that he would not be drafted, since he was blind in one eye.
Although his roommate was drafted for limited service, relates
Bill, “Hawkeye” eventually found himself serving in the Pacific
as a mechanic on a B-25 bomber, and sleeping almost every
night in a foxhole.
The next morning, Monday, everyone was still in shock. Classes
22 were suspended for the day, and at noon President Roosevelt
addressed a joint session of
Congress and the nation via radio.
Bill and other students listened to
the speech in the cafeteria on a
small radio that long-time Chef
Hyder Bundy had brought out so
that they could hear the President
ask Congress for a declaration
of war: “Yesterday, December
7, 1941—a date which will live
in infamy—the United States
of America was suddenly and
deliberately attacked by naval and
air forces of the Empire of Japan.”
The speech remains vivid in Bill’s
memory: “It seems like yesterday.”
It was the first time, and the last
time, that Bill ever heard the word
“infamy.” “Things like that just
couldn’t happen,” he said.
At seventeen years of age, Bill
Groseclose was too young to enlist.
The winter quarter ended the last of
February, 1942, and by March 1, the start of the spring quarter,
few of the boys were left. With only eighteen boys left, the dorm
was somewhat “spooky.” Bill returned home at the end of the
spring quarter and waited for his draft notice. In the meantime,
he enrolled as a day student at Carson-Newman College.
Drafted on December 13, 1942, Bill entered the Navy officers
training corps, then pre-flight school in Athens, at the University of
Georgia, followed by more training at Auburn University, where
he learned to fly. However, the Navy decided that it had enough
pilots, and closed down the pre-flight program. Bill was sent to
the Great Lakes Naval Station. The Navy then reopened the
flight school program, but on August 14, 1945, the war ended.
Bill shares the story, with his typically wonderful sense of humor,
of his commanding officer’s advice before they left the Navy
and returned to civilian life: the commanding officer said that
someday your grandchildren may be sitting on your knee when
they ask, “What did you do in World War II grandpa?” “Tell
them,” he said, “that you volunteered for the Navy and you did
everything the Navy told you to do for three years, and that it
wasn’t your fault you did not get shot at.”
With the end of the war, Bill, like millions of veterans jumped
at the opportunity offered by the GI Bill, which paid them $50
a month and paid for tuition and books. Although he had
planned to enroll at the University of Tennessee, where his sister
was in graduate school, Bill decided instead to join many of his
old friends at what was now East Tennessee State College. He
obtained his blue course registration card and enrolled for the
winter quarter at ETSC—“It was the best thing I ever did,” Bill said.
He remembers wearing the “Ruptured Duck” patch on his
uniform---a golden eagle but veterans said it look like a “ruptured
duck”---to show that he was an honorably discharged veteran
of World War II. That winter quarter of 1945 he noticed many
changes at the former State Teachers College though many
of the professors were still there, including President Sherrod.
Coach Jim Mooney returned after distinguished service with the
Navy in the Pacific. The dorms and temporary housing were
overflowing with new and returning students. Bill spent the next
year and a half at ETSC, and finished in the winter quarter at
the end of February 1947. In June, Bill returned to the campus
for graduation. That same day, the dedication of the new D. M.
Brown Science Building occurred. A copy of the 1947 Yearbook
was placed in the cornerstone of the
Brown Building. He remembers that
President Sherrod and Dean Burleson
retired in 1947.
Bill Groseclose visited ETSU a few years
ago, and he did not recognize a lot
of things. “It doesn’t look the same
now, but progress has to go on,”he
said. In all of its many transformations
since its founding in 1911, eighty-fiveyear-old Bill Groseclose comments
that ETSU is a great school: “I am just
thankful to God that I went to school
there,” he said.
summer camps
summer academic camps
Enrich Your Child’s Summer @ ETSU! Visit www.etsu.edu/alumni/index.asp for a
summer filled with learning and beneficial play. From improving academic skills
to shaping interests for the child’s future in art, medicine, music and more…
Art, Music, &
Drama Camp
Ages 10 and older
8:00 am – 5:00 pm ea. day
July 6-17, 2009 (two weeks)
Children ages 10 and older
will participate in activities
such as script writing, scenery
production, and acting and
dancing. This is a two-week
camp so that the campers will
have the opportunity to produce the play at the end of
the two-week period and attend a play at Barter Theatre.
The cost is $250 per camper,
or $235 per camper when
regi ster i n g f o r m o re t ha n
one camp or with a sibling.
Registration:
www.faculty.etsu.edu/dyed/
campregistration.htm
Computer Camp
for Teens
Ages 12 and up
8:00 am – 5:00 pm ea. day
June 15-19, 2009
This camp is designed for teens
who want to have creative
use of computer programs to
design a web page, explore
digital art, or publish/print their
own work. Campers will also
have the option to visit the new
Center for Physical Activity and
swim, play racquetball, play
basketball, or use the indoor
track. The cost is $175 per
camper, or $165 per camper
when registering for more than
one camp or with siblings.
Registration:
www.faculty.etsu.edu/dyed/
campregistration.htm
Digital Media Camp
Ages 15 and up
(rising Sophomores, Juniors,
and Seniors)
July 13-17, 2009
Digital Media Center:
www.avl.etsu.edu/
Registration:
www.faculty.etsu.edu/dyed/
campregistration.htm
Paleo-Pioneer Camp
Session 1: July 7-11, 2009
Session 2: July 14-18, 2009
Session 3: July 21-25, 2009
Ages: 8-12
Location:
Gray Fossil Site
Natural History Museum
Contact:
Visit www.grayfossilmuseum.com
or call (423) 439-3640
Celtic Fiddle &
Guitar Workshops
July 9 – Friday, July 11, 2009
Contact:
Jane MacMorran
asis@etu.edu
Appalachian, Scottish, and
Irish Studies
Office: 423-439-7992
Piano Camp
July 13 - 17 2009
ETSU Summer Piano Camp is
a day camp designed for students Grades 7-12 who have
studied piano for at least two
years. A variety of classes are
offered including private lessons, piano ensemble/piano
four-hands, master classes in
piano and chamber music,
piano literature, music theory, ear-training, percussion
ensemble, chorus, and supervised practice sessions.
A limited number of
scholarships are available
to qualified students. For
more information regarding
scholarship assistance and
the 2009 ETSU Summer Piano
Camp, contact:
Ms. Jerilyn Paolini
Summer Piano Camp Director 423-439-4418 or
PAOLINI@etsu.edu
Nursing Summer
Internship Program
June 22-27, 2009
Grades: 11-12
Location:
ETSU Main Campus
Johnson City Medical Center
Contact:
Tina Bishop, Coordinator
bishop@etsu.edu
(423) 439-4578 or
1-888-37NURSE
Science & Forensics
Ages 12-15
June 1-5, 2009
July 20-24, 2009
8:00-5:00 each day
The Science and Forensics
Camp invites those age 12
and older who have an interest in science and criminology
to attend. Activities include
finger printing, fiber analysis,
and bone identification. Activities such as dry screening
will take place at the Gray
Fossil Site. The fee is $175.
Registration:
www.faculty.etsu.edu/dyed/
campregistration.htm
Girls in Science &
Technology [GIST] 2009!
Session 1: Girls entering 5th
grade
June 9 - 13
8:30 am - 11:45 am
20 Campers
Girls Entering 6th Grade
June 23 - 27
8:30 am - 11:45 am
20 Campers
For information on the Girls
in Science and Technology
Camp, go to: www.cscidbw.
etsu.edu/gist.
ETSU SPORTS CAMPS
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
CAMPS
June 1 – 4 & June 15-18
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
This camp is designed to offer
individual instruction. Included are fundamentals in shooting, screening, rebounding,
individual defense, team defense, and individual offense.
Instruction is customized to
the skill level of the individual
camper while new skills are
added. Campers will learn
through a variety of demonstration, drills and discussions. Games will be played
each day to give campers
a chance to apply the skills
they have learned.
Buccaneer Soccer
Academy
www.bucsoccer.com
Elite Residential Academy
Boys Ages: 12-18
July 25-28, 2009
Full-Day Camp
Boys Ages: 8-16
June 8-11
Lil’ Bucs Half-Day Camp
Boys Ages 5-7
June 8-11
Buccaneer Volleyball
Camp I – All Skills Camp
June 10 & 11 from 9-4 Boys
and Girls 10-18
New Camp II – Setter
Libero Camp July 24 12-4 Girls
10-18
Camp III – Individual Camp
July 24 – 27 Girls 10-18 Overnight option
New Camp IV – Jr. Buc
Camp July 25-27 9am – noon
Boys and Girls 7-10
For information about
Men's Basketball Camps,
or other camps at ETSU,
visit
www.etsubucs.com
Visit www.etsu.edu/alumni/index.asp for a summer filled with learning and beneficial play.
summer camps
Campers will have the opportunity to work in the ETSU Scott
Niswonger Digital Media Lab.
Individual projects will be developed in animation, graphics and video.
A parents' reception and final
exhibit of the campers' work
will be presented the evening
of the 17th. The cost is $375
per camper, or $365 when
registering with siblings or with
Computer Camp for Teens.
A letter of reference is required from a high school
technology or art teacher in
order to be accepted to this
program.
Campers will have lunch and
dinner, if desired. Each camper will be expected to participate in all activities.
23
class
classnotes
notes
2000s
Meredith S. Mitchell (B.S. ’08) and Colby Stephen
Guice of Brevard, N.C., were married on July
19, 2008.
Ryan Powell (B.B.A. ’08) married Christa Tingle
on September 12, 2008, in Hatteras, N.C. Ryan is
employed at Eastman Credit Union, and Christa
is the area director for Young Lives in Kingsport,
Tenn. The couple resides in Johnson City, Tenn.
Patrick Scott (B.B.A. ’08) married Elisabeth Lyle
on September 13, 2008, in Knoxville, Tenn. Patrick
is employed by Pershing, Yoakley & Associates
PC; Elisabeth is employed by The Trust Co. The
couple resides in Knoxville.
Sarah Culp (B.M. ’07) and Charles Searles (B.S. ’07)
were married August 16, 2008, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Lynne Little (B.S. ’07) has been promoted to
elementary principal at Providence Academy
in Johnson City. She has served as a fifth-grade
teacher at Providence for the past four years
and is working toward a master of educational
administration at Liberty University.
Ashley Tidler (B.B.A. ’07) married James Wolard
on August 2, 2008. Ashley is employed by the
Knoxville Academy of Medicine, and James is
employed by St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Amanda Vanover (B.S. ’07) married Walter
Malone on September 13, 2008. Amanda is
employed as a field engineer with Robins &
Morton; Walter is employed as a 4-H agent in
Sullivan County by UT Extension. The couple
resides in Kingsport, Tenn.
Lolita Turner (B.S. ’07) has been hired as a human
resources assistant in the Office of Human
Resources at ETSU after serving the office as a
student worker.
Adam Hall (B.S. ’07) has been teaming up with
Bill Rambo to produce several sports web videos
for The Greeneville Sun.
Adam Tilson (B.S. ’06) took a position as a quality
control engineer for Nuclear Fuel Services Inc.
in Erwin, Tenn.
Kapunza Kinunda (B.S. ’06; M.S. ’08) works at
Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tenn.,
as a systems analyst.
Ashley Short Schaffer (B.B.A. ’06) married Jeremy
Schaffer (B.B.A. ’05) in July 2007. Ashley is a
portfolio specialist with SunTrust Banks, and Jeremy
is a treasury analyst with Green Bank. The couple
resides in Jonesborough, Tenn.
Wes Greer (B.B.A. ’06) is employed as a cost
accountant and assistant estimator for Crawford
Drywall Inc. in Elizabethton, Tenn. Wes and his
wife, Mandy, live in Elizabethton.
class notes
Lilly selected as next
director of schools
24
Dr. Gary Lilly (M.Ed.
’97; Ed.D ’04) has
been selected as
the next director of
schools for the Bristol Tennessee City
School System. Lilly
has worked for the
school system for 15
years as a teacher,
Avoca Elementary School principal and
director of technology.
Regan Manning (B.S. ’06)
married Darnell Adams
on October 28, 2006. The
couple now resides in
Knoxville, Tenn.
Picture
yourself
Fain Grogg (B.S. ’06)
finished 26th out 154 in
the New York Marathon
in November 2008 with
a time of 2:06, and he
finished 7th out of 32 in
the Marathon of Palm
Beaches with a time of
1:46.
Katherine Matthews
(M.A.T. ’06) married Maher
Matta (B.S. ’07) on July 26,
2008, in Kingsport, Tenn.
Maher is employed by
the Virginia State Police
and the couple resides in
Richmond, Va.
here!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Cattails at MeadowView Resort in Kingsport
43rd Annual Alumni Golf Classic
Sally E. Sachsenmaier (B.S.
’06, M.A. ’08) of Raleigh, N.C., and Jeffery
Clayton Hyatt announce their marriage on
May 17, 2008.
Bill Rambo (B.S. ’06) is living in Greeneville where
he is the online web design director for The
Greeneville Sun Newspaper/Jones Media. He
has been with The Greeneville Sun for one year.
Keely Richardson Goodwin (B.B.A. ’06) married
Nathan Goodwin (B.B.A. ’01) in August 2006.
Nathan is publisher of the Elizabethton Star,
and Keely is Innovation & Market Development
Representative at Eastman Chemical Company
in Kingsport, Tenn.
Susan Peterson (B.B.A. ’05) married Adam Greever
(B.B.A. ’05; M.B.A. ’06) on December 15, 2006.
Susan is a licensed massage therapist and Adam
is employed by the ETSU Office of Information
Technology.
Sharon Leinaar (B.B.A. ’05; M.A.C. ’07) married
Joshua Overton (B.S. ’05) on July 12, 2008, in
Johnson City, Tenn. Sharon is employed by Joseph
Decosimo and Co. in Chattanooga, and Joshua
is employed by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The couple resides in Rossville, Ga.
Army First Lieutenant Richard T. Oakley (B.M.
’05) deployed to Afghanistan in late June 2008
in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He
is stationed at a remote Forward Operating
Base in Eastern Afghanistan where he serves as
a Fire Direction and Fire Support Officer for 1st
Battalion, 6th Field Artillery.
William Savell (B.B.A. ’05; M.A.C. ’07) accepted a
position with OTICS Corp. of Morristown, Tenn., as
a financial specialist beginning November 2008.
Julie Sayers (B.S. ’05) works for Banana Republic
in Chicago and attends graduate school at
Northern Illinois University.
Amy Thomas (B.B.A. ’05; M.Acc. ’06) married
Michael Childress (B.S. ’99). The couple has one
son and lives in Kingsport, Tenn.
Jonathan Bailey (B.S. ’04) works for Faithful &
Gould, an international construction consulting
company, and lives in Gray, Tenn. with his wife,
Priscilla.
Michael Alderman (B.S. ’05) works for GE
Healthcare in Myrtle Beach, S.C., as a BMET II.
He was married to Ashley Collier on December
8, 2007.
Jeremiah Jenkins (B.F.A. ’04) is renovating the
interior of a school bus for the Art Bus, an ETSU
campus project that will give guided tours of
Johnson City’s historical features and will include
music and comedy. The Art Bus will give tours to
incoming freshmen and anyone else interested in
this “speak-easy on wheels.” Jeremiah’s degree is
in sculpture and ceramics, and he has a master’s
degree from the San Francisco Art Institute.
Whitney Kelly (B.S. ’05) married Brian Sangid
on June 14, 2008. Whitney is employed by the
Southern Appalchian Ronald McDonald House
Charities Inc., Brian is employed with Clinical
Management Concepts. The couple resides in
Johnson City, Tenn.
Dr. Jill Hobby (Ed.D. ’04) married Dr. Philip Meyette
on June 21, 2008. Jill is an assistant principal for
Knox County Schools, and Philip is a physician at
East Tennessee Primary Care and the Knoxville
Medical Director for CVS Minute Clinics. The
couple resides in Knoxville, Tenn.
Christopher Shawne Brown’s (B.F.A. ’05; M.F.A. ’08)
photography was featured in an art show titled,
“New Directions 2009” in Seattle, Washington’s
Wall Space Gallery.
Matthew Hood (B.S. ’04) married Abigail Howard
on October 11, 2008. The couple lives in Johnson
City, Tenn.
Toni Manship (B.S. ’05) has been hired as an early
intervention coordinator in the Center for Early
Childhood Learning and Development at ETSU.
Prior to attaining this position, she worked as a
TRACES case management specialist for Frontier
Health. She and her husband, Mason, reside in
Fall Branch with their two sons.
Joshua DeLancey (B.B.A. ’05) is a recruiter with
the U.S. Army and was recently promoted to
Sergeant First Class. He and his wife, Demetria,
live in Mount Carmel, Tenn.
Aaron King (B.S. ’04) was hired by n-tara
interactive, a full service interactive agency,
to join its development team.
Jennifer Solly (B.S. ’04) married Kevin Keck (B.B.A.
’05) on June 24, 2006. Jennifer is a dental hygienist
and Kevin is an account executive for Citadel
Broadcasting. The couple resides in Corryton,
Tenn.
T. Cory Lewis (B.B.A. ’03) is the founding president
of T.C. Lewis & Co. Properties, a full-service real
estate company operating in eastern Tennessee
and western North Carolina.
Join the ETSU Alumni Online Community at www.etsualumni.org • Classnotes posted up-to-the-minute on www.etsualumni.org
class notes
Chrissa Holden (B.B.A. ’03) married Dustin Pearson
on September 2, 2006. Chrissa is employed at
KV Pharmaceutical and the couple lives in
Gray, Tenn.
Trinity Broyles (B.B.A. ’03) married Callie Pryse on
November 15, 2008, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Daniel Perry’s (B.S. ’03) film, Egg Fight, was
featured in the annual Southern Appalachian
International Film Festival. The documentary
focused on Elizabethton’s legendary 185-yearold Peters Hollow Egg Fight. Daniel resides in
New York.
Jonathan Minga (B.A. ’03) graduated from law
school in 2008 and passed the Tennessee Bar
Exam. He is now working as an associate at Mark
Slagle & Associates, practicing criminal defense
law and domestic relations law.
Jessica Holt (B.S. ’03; M.A. ’05; M.A. ’07) has been
hired as a research assistant in the Department
of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the
Quillen College of Medicine.
Julie Soward (B.S. ’03) married Robert Winter
(B.B.A. ’01). Julie is a speech pathologist for
Brookdale Senior Living and Robert is employed
by Cherry Creek School District. The couple
resides in Denver, Colo.
Anna Webb Ellis (B.B.A. ’03) married Jarrett Ellis
on May 19, 2007, and is employed as a sales
associate with Twin Creeks Log Home Supply.
The couple lives in Kingsport, Tenn.
Ezra Pearson (B.S. ’03) and his wife, Charity, had
their first child, Nadia, in November 2008. They
live in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Heather C. Burdette (B.S. ’03) and Andrew
Baumgartner of Noblesville, Ind., announce
their marriage on June 7, 2008, in Kokomo, Ind.
Dennis Higdon (B.B.A. ’02) and Ann-Marie Higdon
(B.S. ’02) are adopting their first child, Millie Ann
Higdon, age six weeks.
Stephen R. Wilson (B.S. ’02) has been hired as an
account executive with Time & Pay. Stephen is a
recipient of many sales awards from his numerous
years in the financial services industry.
Anthony Kiech (B.S. ’02; M.S. ’07) has been hired
as a technology development coordinator in
the office of eLearning at ETSU. He and his wife,
Jaime, live in Johnson City.
Arch Jones (B.B.A. ’02) was recently named
Private Client Financial Services Relationship
Manager for First Tennessee-Johnson City region.
Leslie Almaroad (B.S. ’02) married William Olin (B.S.
’02) on September 6, 2008. Leslie is employed
at WCYB in Bristol, Va., and William is employed
at Brock Services, LTD., in Kingsport, Tenn. The
couple resides in Bluff City, Tenn.
Rachel Ralston (B.S. ’02) has joined the law firm of
Hunter, Smith and Davis LLP. She will concentrate
on general corporate transactional law and
bankruptcy. She received her law degree and
M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee.
Kristopher Geswein (B.B.A. ’01) married Maria
Lee on July 22, 2006. Kristopher is employed by
Regions Bank and the couple lives in Knoxville,
Tenn.
Matthew Wilhjelm (B.B.A. ’01; M.B.A. ’04) and
Karen Wilhjelm (B.S. ’02; M.S. ’04) gave birth to
twin boys Brock Matthew and Bryson Craig on
12/11/07. Matthew also accepted the VP of
Rebecca Duncan (B.S. ’01; M.P.H. ’03) is a
manager of risk management and process
improvement at Bristol Regional Medical Center.
She is one of five professionals from Wellmont
Health System to be appointed to the Tennessee
Center for Performance Excellence 2008 Board
of Examiners.
Amy Clark (B.S. ’01) married Kenny Lawson
Jr. on September 20, 2008. Amy works for the
Tennessee Department of Human Services and
Kenny works for Tusculum College. The couple
resides in Kingsport, Tenn.
Jason Sandos (B.S. ’00) has been hired as a fulltime assistant in media relations and director
of the Buc Sports Network in the Department
of Intercollegiate Athletics at ETSU. He lives in
Johnson City.
Brian Clough (B.B.A. ’00) was recently promoted
to Branch Manager for Manpower Inc. in Johnson
City, Tenn.
Dr. Rachel Houchins (B.S. ’00; M.D. ’04) has been
appointed as Instructor of Clinical Neuropsychiatry
and Behavioral Science at the University of South
Carolina School of Medicine. Rachel was named
the 2007-2008 Resident of the Year and Teacher
of the Year.
Dr. Mark Jones (B.S. ’00; M.D. ’04) is a PGY5
resident in the Department of Surgery/Palmetto
Health. Mark has completed a surgical critical
care fellowship and will graduate in June 2010.
Crystal Coward (B.S. ’00) married Aaron Cromwell
on May 3, 2008. Crystal is employed by the
University of Tennessee; Aaron owns and operates
Cromwell Lumber Co.
Daniel Lewis (B.S. ’00; M.D. ’04) has been hired
by Takoma Regional Hospital and recently
completed a primary care sports medicine
fellowship at Wake Forest University.
Benjamin Michael Smith (B.S. ’00) and Rebecca
Sexton Smith (B.S. ’02) of Williamsburg, Va.,
announce the birth of their son, Alastair Benjamin,
on August 21, 2008.
Michael Bryan (B.A. ’00) was one of the inaugural
winners of the First Performance Excellence
Awards given out by Clear Channel Radio on
September 9, 2008.
Haynes teaches at the
Army & Navy Academy
David Haynes
(B.S. ‘93; M.Ed.
’98) was recently promoted to
the position of
Head of Upper School at
The Army and
Navy Academy
located in Carlsbad, California.
Army Navy is an
all boys 7-12 boarding military school.
He credits Ms. Starlet Williams, Dr. Louise
MacKay, and Dr. Terry Tollefson as ETSU
professors that influenced his career.
Lori Erickson (B.B.A. ’99) has been hired as a wage
and salary manager in the Office of Human
Resources at ETSU. She and her husband, David,
live in Unicoi with their two children.
Kristopher Aaron Umbarger (B.S. ’99) has been
hired as new solutions developer at BCTI.
David Dockery’s (B.S. ’99) side business, Suck
Creek Wings, recently placed second in the Cook
It Up—Hot Wings Division at the International
Scovie Awards for 2009. The Scovie Awards is
the most prestigious contest in the world for fiery
foods and BBQ.
R. Ford Davis (M.B.A. ’99) joined TriSummit Bank
as vice president of commercial real estate in
July 2008. Davis holds more than 12 years of
experience in commercial real estate banking
and residential construction lending.
Reginald Todd (B.B.A. ’99) works as assistant
director of operations for Hospice & Palliative
Care in Charlotte, N.C. His wife, Kenya (B.S. ’97),
is a human resource director for Choicepoint Inc.
Kenny Thomas (B.S. ’99; M.S. ’01) works as an
operations instructor for Xcel Energy in Monticello,
Minn. Kenny was recently featured in Nuclear
Professional Magazine.
Christopher Campbell (B.A. ’00; M.P.A. ’06)
married Constance
Eaton on September
27, 2008, in Kingsport,
Te n n . B o t h a re
employed by the
• Boston Rocker - 27” D x 23” W x 40 1/2” H
City of Kingsport and
• Standard Chair 18 1/4” D x 23” W x 34 1/2” H
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• Choose all black or black with cherry finish crown
Tenn.
and armtops
ETSU Chairs of Excellence!
1990s
Stephanie Bauer
Daniel (B.S. ’99)
currently serves
as assistant vice
president and
legal counsel for
Fifth Third Bank
and is an adjunct
faculty member
for the University of
Tennessee College
of Law. She lives in
Knoxville with her
husband, Scott
Daniel.
• Your choice of logo: University Seal, Mountain, ETSU
Alumni, ETSU PRIDE, QCOM or Foundation, engraved
on cherry crown or silk screened on black crown
• Brass recognition plaques available engraved
Rocker or chair with logo =
Personalization under logo (front of chair)
1st line =
2nd line =
3rd line =
Brass plate engraved =
$25.00
Shipping & handling =
Standard 4-6 week delivery
Rush orders available at additional charge
$310.00
$25.00
$10.00
$10.00
$29.50
CALL
For more information or to order your chair call the ETSU Alumni
office at (423) 439-4218 or visit www.etsu.edu/alumni/
Join the ETSU Alumni Online Community at www.etsualumni.org • Classnotes posted up-to-the-minute on www.etsualumni.org
class notes
Cynthia L. Cloud (B.S.N. ’01; M.S.N. ’07) is working
as an adult nurse practitioner at Dermatology
Associates in Kingsport, Tenn. She has completed
advanced training in cosmetic dermatology.
Finance and Corporate Administration for Free
Service Tire Company in Johnson City, Tenn., as
of October 2008.
25
class notes
Joseph Shi (M.B.A. ’99; M.Acc. ’00) is working as a
senior tax accountant for Watson Pharmaceuticals
Inc. in Corona, Calif. He is also the founder and
owner of Alson Tableware Inc., an importer and
wholesaler of tableware. Joseph and his wife,
Jennifer, live in Alhambra, Calif.
Leighta Laitinen (B.S. ’96) has been named
executive director of the Children’s Advocacy
Center of the First Judicial District. She joins the
organization from Mountain States Health Alliance
(MHSA) where she served as community and
government relations manager.
Todd Brown (B.B.A. ’93) earned a master’s
certificate in public administration from the
Askew School of Public Administration and
Policy at Florida State University. Todd is currently
employed as a regulatory supervisor/consultant
with the Florida Public Service Commission.
Jonathan Pierce (B.S. ’98) is the store manager
at Office Depot in Kingsport, Tenn. Jonathan
and his wife, Anne Marie, live in Kingsport with
their two daughters, Abigail and Anna-Claire.
Kourtney Weavil (B.S. ’96) and Greg Gunther
announce their marriage on May 24, 2008, in
Raleigh, N.C.
Miranda Gray (B.S. ’98) is now serving as director
of marketing and communications at King
College. Before joining King in June 2008, she was
the vice president of marketing and sales at First
Community Bank. She is also a 2002 graduate
of Leadership Kingsport and was a 2001 winner
of The Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA’s 40
Under Forty award.
Christopher Mathes (B.S. ’95) was named
chairman of the training committee by the
Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association. Chris is currently
serving his first term as Sheriff of Carter County.
Madeline Boyle-Whitesel (B.S. ’93) was recently
promoted to Senior Vice President at Bank of
America. This year marks her 10th year with Bank
of America. She currently manages a group
within the Card Services Division. Madeline now
resides in Phoenix, Ariz., with her husband, Carl,
and her two children.
Richard Smith (B.B.A. ’98) married Rebecca
Moriarty (B.S.E. ’00) on May 27, 2006. Rebecca
is employed by Sullivan County Schools, and
Richard is employed by HSBC Bank. The couple
resides in Bluff City, Tenn.
Robbin Hill (B.A. ’98) is a research and
development tax credit expert and green
building tax expert. Robbin is a guest speaker
on both subjects.
Joetta Stansberry (B.S. ’97; M.Ed. ’06) has
been hired as an early intervention specialist
in the Center for Early Childhood Learning and
Development at ETSU after serving as a direct
support professional for the Dawn of Hope Inc.,
Johnson City.
Terry McKinney (B.S. ’97) has been hired as
an information technology coordinator in the
Center for Community Outreach at ETSU. He
lives in Johnson City.
Jason Buchanan (B.S. ’97) and his wife, Marcy,
have a one-year-old son named Brooks, and
Jason owns Buchanan Insurance Company in
Gray, Tenn.
Robert Chikos (B.A. ’96) earned a Master of Arts
in special education from Northeastern Illinois
University in December 2007. He currently works
as a special education teacher at Crystal Lake
Central High School in Crystal Lake, Ill.
Greg Jones (B.B.A. ’95) and his wife are expecting
their first child in April 2009.
Tom Tull (M.B.A. ’95) has been selected to serve
on the 2008 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality Award for the third
year. Tom is senior director of guest services for
Mountain States Health Alliance.
Keith Bowers Jr. (B.B.A. ’95; B.S. ’96) and his wife,
Tracy, welcomed the birth of their son, William
Kingsley Bowers, on August 27, 2008. William has
an older brother, Keith, and two sisters, Allison
and Isabelle.
R. Michael Browder (Ed.D. ’93) is featured in
The Journal 100 for his service as CEO of Bristol
Tennessee Essential Services since 1977 and his
involvement in economic development. He
has served as chairman of the American Public
Power Association and chairman of the Sullivan
County Economic Development Commission,
among others.
Amy Stevens (B.S. ’93) is a system director of
marketing communications for Wellmont Health
System. Amy presented a program on internal
communications at a national conference
in Washington, D.C., called “Bridging the
Company Divide: Using Vocus to Enhance Internal
Communications.” The presentation’s main
purpose was to enhance communication with
the health system’s board of directors. Amy has
worked for Wellmont Health System for nine years.
Thomas Carr (M.A.T. ’93) and Robin Goodson
Carr (B.G.S. ’94) celebrated their 30th wedding
anniversary on
November 30,
2008. Tom is retired
from teaching at
West Greene High
School, and Robin
has been employed
by the Niswonger
Per forming Arts
Center since 2004.
Visit www.facebook.com
& sign up
to keep in contact with fellow
ETSU Alumni.
class notes
Keyword: ETSU Alumni Association
26
This online community allows you to rekindle
old friendships and share your experiences
and accomplishments with others from ETSU!
Chad W. Whitfield
(B.S. ’93) has been
named partner with
Hunter, Smith, and
Davis LLP. He is a
member of the firm’s
corporate practice
group and estate
planning practice
group. Whitfield has
more than 12 years
of experience in
the areas of estate
administration,
estate planning,
es ta te ta xa ti on,
succession planning,
and charitable
giving.
John Eller (B.B.A. ’92; M.B.A. ’03) has been a
purchasing agent for 20 years and works for
UKWest. He and his wife, Melissa, have two
children; their daughter is a sophomore at ETSU.
John lives in Oxford, N.C.
Melanie Hornsby (B.S. ’92; M.C.M. ’97) has earned
her Ph.D. in Public Affairs from the University
of Texas at Dallas. Her dissertation is titled,
Administration of Transparency: The Effects of
the Public Information Act on Texas Counties.
Melanie was also named one of the “2007 21
Leaders for the 21st Century” by the publisher of
Inside Collin County Business. Leigh is the public
information officer for Collin County, Texas, and
resides in McKinney, Texas, with her husband,
Bobby Chacon.
Bryan Morton (B.S. ’92) and his wife, Sabrina,
opened a women’s clothing store in Bristol, Tenn.,
called What’s Her Face?
Scott Marmo (B.S. ’92; M.Ed. ’94) of the
Marmo Financial Group in Johnson City, Tenn.,
achieved membership for the fourth year to
the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table—the
Premier Association of Financial Professionals.
This distinguishing career milestone is achieved
by less than one percent of the world’s life
insurance and financial advisory professionals.
Shane Smith (B.S. ’92; M.A. ’95) completed a
Master of Arts degree in Security Studies from
the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey,
California. Shane currently works at Offutt Air
Force Base in Nebraska.
Dr. Allen Musil Jr. (M.D. ’92) is the senior vice
president of medical services and medical
director of Frontier Health, Northeast Tennessee’s
and Southwest Virginia’s leading provider
of behavioral health, substance abuse,
developmental disabilities, and vocational
rehabilitation services. Allen was featured in East
Tennessee Medical News HealthCare Profiles 2008.
Donald Harvill (B.S. ’92) and his wife Leigh,
welcomed Jackson Leo on January 28, 2009.
Ken Bailey (B.S. '92) and his wife, Sandy,
welcomed Kenneth N. Bailey, III (Trey) on October
8, 2008. Ken and Sandy also have two daughters,
Meredith, 7, and Lauren, 4. Meredith played tee
ball on the South Lawn of the White House in July
during the first Tee Ball "All Star" game hosted by
President and Mrs. Bush.
Dr. Julie Dunn (M.D. ’91; RES ’98) received a
Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) Award
of Excellence for Meritorious Service, Medical
Staff. While serving as Director of Trauma at
Mountain States Health Alliance, she presented
the importance of trauma centers to the
state legislature and found funding for their
improvement.
James W. "Jim" Warren (B.S. ’90), Owner/Principal
of the Tri-Cities Realty Group of Bristol, VA/TN, was
named 2008 "Realtor Of The Year" by the Bristol
Tennessee-Virginia Association of Realtors, having
Join the ETSU Alumni Online Community at www.etsualumni.org • Classnotes posted up-to-the-minute on www.etsualumni.org
class notes
Charles Archer (B.S. ’89) completed his Master of
Arts in organization management from Tusculum
College in December 2006 and was promoted to
Director of Information Systems at Tusculum College.
Michael Gibson’s (B.B.A. ’86) son, Chad, was
initiated into Sigma Chi at the Beta Sigma Chapter
in August 2008. Mike lives in Knoxille with his wife,
Michelle, and their three children.
Dr. Cindy Epps, R. N. (B.S. ’78), has been
promoted to the position of Associate Dean
at the School of
Nursing at the
University of
West Georgia,
Carrollton, GA.
She has been
with UWG for 12
years.
Jeff Edwards (B.B.A. ’89) completed a degree
in accounting in December 2008, graduating
magna cum laude.
David Wagner (B.B.A. ’86), executive vice
president of Bank of Tennessee, is the new city
executive of the Bristol and Blountville markets.
David is a member of the Wellmont Bristol Regional
Hospital board, a member of the Wellmont
Foundation Board, chair-elect for the Bristol TN/VA
Chamber of Commerce, member of the Bristol
TN Industrial Development Board, chair of the
Bristol Tennessee Housing and Redevelopment
Authority, and treasurer of the Mountain Empire
Chapter of the American Red Cross. David and
his family reside in Bristol.
As Associate Dean she will administrate the
undergraduate nursing program, which
consists of over 250 nursing majors and
600 pre-nursing majors. She also supervises clinical professors and serves as the
Director of the Newnan campus of UWG
School of Nursing. She also teaches graduate and undergraduate courses. Dr. Epps
earned her B.S.N. from the University of West
Georgia and M.S. and Ph.D. from Georgia
State University.
John King (B.S. ’88) has been promoted to chief
development officer of King College. Prior to this
position, he served for three years as director of
alumni and annual giving for the college.
Dr. Cindy Epps, R.N.,
promoted to Associate Dean
Dr. Epps has ministered on medical missions
in Uganda, Kenya, the Philippines, and
Paraguay. She is married to Bishop David
Epps (B.S.W. ’75), who is pastor of Christ
the King Church in Sharpsburg, GA. He is
currently serving as a bishop to Tennessee
and Georgia. The Epps have three adult
sons. They reside in Sharpsburg, GA.
also served as their 60th President. A Delegate
to the Virginia Association of Realtors, he was
inducted into the Virginia Honor Society in 2007.
Jim is also a Director of the Tennessee Association
of Realtors. He resides in Bristol, Va., and owns
Hamilton Gap Farms, LLC in Mendota, Va.
Brenda White Wright (B.G.S. ’90; M.A. ’05; Ed. D.
’08), the retired president and CEO of Girls Inc.
in Kingsport, received the 2008 National YWCA
One Imperative Award. She was nominated by
the YWCA of Bristol.
Vicki Snodgrass (B.B.A. ’90) is the director of
Kingsport Chamber of Commerce Kingsport
Leadership programs, which includes: LINK,
SHOUT, and EN.C.ORE. Vicki and her husband,
Duane, live in Kingsport, Tenn.
1980s
Britta Milhorn (B.S. ’89) is a system director of
clinical knowledge management and service
excellence. Britta was one of five professionals
from Wellmont Health Systems to be appointed to
the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence
2008 Board of Examiners.
Pete Peterson (B.S. ’87; M.C.M. ’07) is featured
in The Journal 100 as city manager of the city
of Johnson City. Pete holds certification as
an International City/County Management
Association Manager, one of roughly 1,000 local
government managers worldwide granted
the credentials that are based on experience,
education, and adherence to high standards.
Jack Dempsey (B.S. ’87) is featured in The Journal
100 for being the second of only two general
managers of WJHL-TV in Johnson City, Tenn. He
is also a member of numerous media and local
organizations including the Barter Theatre board
and Rotary Club.
Renee Lockhart (B.B.A. ’87; M.A.C. ’89) has
been promoted to a vice president position of
Heritage Family Funeral Services Inc. She has
been with Heritage for 19 years and worked as
chief financial officer of the company. Renee also
serves as a director of the ETSU Alumni Association
and is a member of the College of Business and
Technology Hall of Fame, Class of 2003.
Kevin Jones (B.B.A. ’86) was promoted to Chief
Executive Officer of the Johnson City Federal
Credit Union. He resides in Kingsport, Tenn., with
this wife, Paula, and their two children.
Beverly Loveday (B.S. ’86; M.A.T. ’90) was voted
the State Sponsor Elect for the Tennessee Junior
Beta Club Convention this past November in
Nashville, Tennessee. The annual convention
hosts over 6,500 plus students in grades 5-9, their
sponsors, and guests.
Michael Woodard (B.B.A. ’86)
accepted the position of Chief
Financial Officer at Benton Oil
Service in Chattanooga, Tenn.
He and his wife, Holley, reside
in Ooltewah, Tenn., with their
four children.
Dr. Nga Notaro (M.D. ’86) is a
pediatrician living in Buffalo, N.Y.
Nga is married to John Notaro,
and they have three children.
K e l l y R a y Te r r y ( B . S . ’ 8 6 ) ,
principal sales representative
for Medtronic Cardiovascular,
received the President's Club
Award for sales achievement,
May 2008. Kelly Ray has been
employed by Medtronic since
May 2004 and has a 20-year
career in sales, including surgical
and pharmaceutical.
Tommy Greer (B.B.A. ’86) is featured in The Journal
100 as managing partner of Blackburn Childers
& Steagall PLC. Tommy has been with BCS for
the last 14 years and is involved in many local
organizations.
R. Alan King (B.S. ’86) authored the book titled
Twice Armed: An American Soldier's Battle for
Hearts and Minds in Iraq, released by Zenith Press,
September 2006. Twice Armed was awarded
the 2008 William E. Colby Military Writers’ Award.
Dr. B.J. King (B.B.A. ’86; M.Acc. ’95) has been
named to the post of Associate Vice President
for Financial Services at ETSU. She had most
recently served the university as interim assistant
for Business and Finance/Comptroller.
Mrs. Kimberly C. Baggett (A.D.H. ’85) opened
FireStation Pottery to further her artistic passion.
She had been teaching in Florida at Creek Wood
High School since 2002 and wanted to follow in
her aunt’s footsteps by opening her own business.
Leslie Tentler Ridings (B.B.A. ’85) has been named
a partner with Hunter, Smith and Davis law firm.
Leslie practices in the area of commercial and
civil litigation and workers’ compensation law.
Ginger Begley (B.S. ’85) married Chadwick Moody
on October 4, 2008, in Kingsport, Tenn. Ginger
is employed with Sullivan County Schools and
Chadwick is employed with Exide. The couple
resides in Colonial Heights, Tenn.
Scott MacMorran (M.B.A. ’84) has been named
the Northeast Tennessee Regional President
of GreenBank.
Mark Thomas (B.B.A. ’84) attended the
inauguration of Elizabeth Kiss, the eighth president
of Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. Mark, of
Mark Thomas & Associates, P.C., practices law
in Atlanta, Ga.
For close to a century,
the core mission of ETSU has
been to prepare people for
rewarding careers in
anything from digital
media to medicine. ETSU
has developed into one
of the nation’s best buys
for college education, and our
commitment to excellence in higher
education remains steadfast.
The Alumni Association works hard every semester to
provide alums with the latest alumni news and classnotes.
However, the rising cost of paper and postage makes it a
challenge to keep printing ETSU Today. Help support ETSU
Today and the Alumni Association Programs.
Call 423-439-4218 or
visit www.etsualumni.org to make a gift.
Join the ETSU Alumni Online Community at www.etsualumni.org • Classnotes posted up-to-the-minute on www.etsualumni.org
class notes
Dede Norungolo (B.S. ’89) recently graduated
from the University of South Carolina, Columbia,
with a master’s of rehabilitation counseling.
Since 2006, she has worked with S.C. Vocational
Rehabilitation working with survivors of traumatic
brain injury (TBI) as well as those individuals with
other disabilities. Dede is a TBI survivor having
survived a serious car accident in 1999.
Scott B. Hollenbeck (B.S. ’88; M.E.D. ’95) has
been working for Frontier Health for 20 years. He
is the director of the Children and Youth Services
at Nolachucky Holston Area Mental Health.
Hollenbeck is a first contact for families and
individuals dealing with severe and persistent
mental illness throughout Northeast Tennessee.
He manages individual, family and group
therapy and case management services for
children and families in Greene, Hawkins and
Hancock counties.
27
class notes
Lynch leaves
a winning legacy
Mary Gail Manes (B.S. ’81; M.S. ’96) works for
Itillious, an information security company out
of Atlanta, Ga.
Michael Carrier (B.S. ’73) has been named
President of the Oklahoma City Convention
and Visitors Bureau.
Brian Combs (B.B.A. ’81) joined Array Holdings,
a leading supplier of valves to the oil industry,
as Chief Financial Officer. He lives in Tulsa, Okla.
Gary Mabrey III (B.S. ’73; M.C.M. ’74) is featured
in The Journal 100 for serving the Tri-Cities for 21
years as president and CEO of The Johnson City/
Jonesborough/Washington County Chamber of
Commerce. Gary is a member of several U.S.
Chamber committees including the Committee
of 100 and the Small Business Council.
Robert Wilson (M.C.M. ’81) is the deputy city
manager administrator for the City of Bristol,
Tennessee, and has accepted the position of
assistant city manager with the City of Johnson
City, Tennessee.
Mike Smith (M.E.H. ’81), head coach of the
Atlanta Falcons, was awarded NFL Coach of
the Year.
??
David “Nick” Lynch passed away on December 31, 2008 in a car accident. Lynch
was a football coach and athletic director
at Suitland High School. Suitland High had
never made it to playoffs before Lynch
began to coach in 1996. Lynch turned
them into a powerhouse, winning two
Maryland Championships and going to
playoffs 9 times. Lynch played football
for ETSU in the late 80s.
Delmer Wallen Jr. (B.S. ’80; M.C.M. ’98) is currently
serving in Kuwait as a logistics officer with Task
Force 134. Delmer is responsible for logistical
support for a prison camp in Iraq. Delmer is
married to Vicki Jo Wallen,
Jennifer Bauer (B.S. ’80; M.A. ’86; M.A.T. ’96) was
featured on the cover of HER magazine for her
contributions to Sycamore Shoals State Historic
Area in Elizabethton as park manager. Tennessee
State Parks were chosen as best in the nation
in 2007 by the National Recreation and Park
Association in part because of Jennifer’s efforts.
Joseph Ward (B.S. ’80) is the leading masonry sand
salesman for Currituck Sand Company, located
in Moyock, N.C. Joseph lives in Chesapeake, Va.
1970s
Mr. Mark F. Montgomery (B.B.A. ’84) was added to
the team of marketing professionals by Absolute
Communications Inc. Prior to joining Absolute, he
was a director of marketing and communications
for AFG/AGC Flat Glass.
David Davis (CER ’79), featured in The Journal
100, is the former representative for the first
congressional district of Tennessee in the U.S. House of
Representatives. He also owns Shared Health Services.
Stephanie Christmon McClure (formerly Leeper)
(’83,’87,’90), moved to Amarillo, Texas, in 2005
to join Texas Tech University Health Sciences
Center at the School of Medicine. In 2008, she
married Jack McClure.
Bobby Castle (B.B.A. ’79) joined SmartBank in
Sevierville, Tenn., as First Vice President and
Commercial Lending Officer. Bobby spent the
past 25 years as Vice President and Commercial
Lending Officer with Home Federal Bank.
Brian Boatright (B.B.A. ’83; M.B.A. ’03) is a
financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments
in Asheville, N.C. Brian married Nicole Casselberry
in April 2008.
Ron Ramsey (B.S. ’78) is featured in The Journal
100 as Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee. Ron
became Tennessee’s First Republican lieutenant
governor in 2006 and is past-president of the
Blountville Business Association.
Richard Davenport (M.B.A. ’83) has accepted
a position with Earl E. Whaley & Company as its
regional vice president in west Tennessee and
Mississippi. He and his wife currently reside in
Franklin, Tenn.
Jim Young, Jr. (B.B.A. ’82) works for CarpetExpress
in Dalton, Ga.
LET YOUR LEGACY
LIVE FOREVER AT
ETSU!
Bill Powers (B.S. ’76) and his wife, Linda, are living in
El Paso, Texas, where Bill is a broker in the apparel
industry between Mexico and the United States.
They have been married for 32 years and have
two grown children, Andy and Laura.
Judge J. Ronnie Greer (B.S. ’74) was honored as
the 2008 Trial Judge of the Year by the Tennessee
Chapter of the
American Board
of Trial Advocates
(ABOTA).
Give a planned gift:
class notes
• Bequest in last will and testament
• Charitable remainder trust OR
Charitable gift annuity for lifetime income
• Life insurance policy
• Remainder gift from retirement plan
• Other planned gifts
28
We welcome the opportunity to work with you and your
financial advisors.
Please contact Dr. Richard A. Manahan or Jeff Anderson,
J.D., at (423) 439-4242, ETSU University Advancement, P.O.
Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37614-1710 or email,
andersjw@etsu.edu.
Richard “Dick”
Green (B.S. ’73)
is featured in The
Journal 100 for
his advancement
to the position of
president and CEO
of General Shale
Brick Inc. Dick
began his career
with General Shale
as a management
trainee and moved
up to his current
position in 1994. He
is a board member
of The Sequoyah
Council and serves
on several boards
in the region.
Scott Sagnette (B.S. ’73) is CEO and founder of
Softech Systems, an education tracking and
office attendance software company, based in
Roanoke, Va. Softech has clients in six countries.
Jo Carson (B.S. ’73) was featured in HER magazine
for her upcoming book, Spider Speculations: A
Physics and Biophysics of Storytelling.
Phillip A. McDaniel (B.S. ’72) is retired after having
sold his pharmacy and is living in St. Croix, U.S.
Virgin Islands.
Mitch Cox (B.S. ’71) is featured in The Journal
100 for starting his firm, Mitch Cox Development
Group, in 1979, building the 2020 Northpark
complex, and being active in community
organizations such as Junior Achievement.
Harold Bowerfind (B.S. ’70) and his wife, Jacquie,
have been married for 22 years and live in
Marietta, Ga. Jacquie runs her own interior
design business, and Harold has been with SCL
Laboratories out of Santee, Calif., for five years
as district manager in the diagnostics division.
They have two daughters.
1960s
Kathryn Wilhoit (B.S.N. ’69) was named to
the Board of Examiners for Nursing Home
Administration.
Kenneth S. Weaver (B.S ’69, M.B.A. ’77) was
unanimously voted by The Board of Mayor and
Alderman of Spring Hill, Tenn., as their new City
Administrator.
Joyce Weems Smith (B.S. ’68; M.A. ’79; M.Ed.
’83) and her husband, Wendell, celebrated their
40th wedding anniversary on June 30, 2008. The
Smiths have two children and four grandchildren.
Frederick Devault (B.S. ’68) is retired after 34
years as a journalist. He helped win the Pulitzer
at the Winston-Salem Journal Sentinel and broke
the story of Garth Brooks’ retirement. Frederick
and his wife, Jennifer, have two children and
live in Austell, Ga.
A. Ramzi Abdulwahab (B.S. ’68) is living and
working in Saudi Arabia with his wife, Nada, and
traveling all over the world. He spends a lot of
time in Lebanon, his original home.
Marlin Simon (B.S. ’67) is involved with the
Christian Boaters Association and worked with
sea turtles in Grand Cayman for eight years. He
has owned several different businesses in the
Keys, including dive and fishing charters and a
towing service. Marlin has been the pastor of a
church in Islamorada, Fla., for 21 years.
J. Michael Kelly (B.S. ’66) recently announced his
retirement as dean of Virginia Tech’s College of
Natural Resources, effective September 2009.
William “Bill” Locke (B.S.’66; M.A. ’68; Ed.D. ’76) is
featured in The Journal 100 for serving as president
of Northeast State Technical Community College.
Bill is a Vietnam veteran and a retired lieutenant
colonel from the U.S. Army Reserves.
Dan Mahoney (B.S. ’66) is featured in The Journal
100 as the owner of Mahoney’s Sportsman’s
Paradise. Dan served on the Johnson City
Join the ETSU Alumni Online Community at www.etsualumni.org • Classnotes posted up-to-the-minute on www.etsualumni.org
class notes
Board of Education for six years and is a former
chairman. He has also served on the boards
of ETSU National Alumni Association, SunTrust
Bank, ETSU Foundation, and the Mountain States
Hospital Foundation.
Helen McCormick Gray (B.S. ’64) has retired
from a 34-year career as a kindergarten teacher
and is enjoying spending time with her three
grandchildren.
Minnie Moody Miller (B.S. ’64; M.A. ’73) is retired
from a 30-year career in education in Johnson
County, Va., where she taught school and served
as superintendent. Minnie lives in Johnson County
with her husband, Robert.
John Dickson Jr. (M.A. ’64) is retired from
Holston Defense Corporation after working
as a safety technologist for 31 years. John
officiated basketball for over 40 years for
TSSAA and is a blood donor for life. John and
his wife, Elizabeth, live in Kingsport, Tenn., and
have six children.
Edwin Gerace (B.A. ’64) is investment vice
president and financial advisor for UBS Financial
Services and serves as chairman of the Johnson
City Development Authority and Johnson City
Symphony Orchestra. Edwin and his wife live in
Johnson City.
Nyoka Hardin (B.S. ’64) taught for 30 years in the
Carter County School System and is now retired.
Nyoka and her husband live in Elizabethton and
have four children and four grandchildren.
Daniel Gordon (B.S. ’64; M.A. ’66) has worked
as a sales manager for 14 years for The Supply
Room Companies. Daniel is a retired LTC after
28 years in the U.S. Army, receiving five awards
of Army Commendation. Daniel and his wife,
Evangeline, have two grown children and live
in Christiansburg, Va.
Kay Harman Peters (B.S. ’64) is a retired teacher
for Roanoke County Schools in Virginia. Kay is
married to Bill, an employee of Fluid Energy, and
they have three grown children. Kay and Bill live
in Lake Wylie, S.C.
Mary Troutman Barnett (B.S. ’64) taught in the
Carter County School System for 38 years and is
now retired. Mary and her husband, Ted, live in
Elizabethton, and Mary spends her time enjoying
home, family, and church work.
Lucretia Meece (B.S. ’64) is a teacher trainer and
ESL teacher in Johnson City, Tenn. Lucretia has
served in the Peace Corps in the Ukraine and
has three grown children.
Herbert Clark (B.S. ’64) is a State Farm insurance
agent and is active in many local civic
organizations, including the Clinton City School
Board and the Rotary Club. Herbert and his wife,
Beverly, live in Clinton, Tenn., and have one son.
Calvin Click (B.S. ’64) owns Click Industries in
Houston, Texas, where he lives with his wife,
Carla, and their three children. Calvin spent
seven years in the U.S. Peace Corps in east
Africa.
Karen Thornton (B.S. ’64) is a rights, ethics, and
compliance investigator for the DeKalb
Community Service Board in Georgia. Karen
has been a Peace Corps volunteer in India, a
social worker in Atlanta, and a Red Cross disaster
mental health volunteer. Karen lives in Stone
Mountain, Ga., with her partner, Betsy Henderson.
Charles Snapp (B.S. ’61) is
featured in The Journal 100 as
executive director of Johnson
City/Jonesborough/Washington
County Economic Development
Board. During Charles’ time with
the EDB, several companies have
started up or relocated to the
county.
Charles Armstrong (B.S. ’60)
served as the President of
C&C Bank, Knoxville, Andrew
Johnson Bank, Greeneville, and
the ALCOA Banking Company,
Alcoa, Tenn. He retired from the
U.S. Small Business Administration
and resides in Powell, Tenn., with
his wife.
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choose from–– music
to mathematics,
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Ask your guidance counselor or transfer advisor or
visit www.etsu.edu/admissions
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Stuart Wood (B.S. ’60) is featured in The Journal
100 as owner of Holston Distributing and
Warehouse Central located in Johnson City, Tenn.
Stuart is the former chairman and president of
the ETSU Foundation Board.
1950s
Robert Reece (B.S. ’59) is a retired chemist
from Tennessee Eastman and enjoys working
with his church and golfing. Robert and his
wife, Judith, have three children and live in
Kingsport, Tenn.
Robert Boragine (B.S. ’59; M.A. ’60) is a pastor at
United Methodist Church in Rogersville, Tennessee.
Bob has been a Rotary Club member for 33 years
and is chaplain of the Hawkins County United
Way. His wife is employed by Holston Electric
Coop and they have one grown daughter.
Dr. Robert Lewis (B.S. ’59) is now the director of the
Doctor of Ministry program at Hood Theological
Seminary after serving as senior minister of First
Presbyterian Church in Salisbury, N.C.
James Mays (B.S. ’59; M.A. ’74) is a teacher
and principal for the Sullivan County Board of
Education in Tennessee. James and his wife,
Brenda, have two children.
Dr. Benjamin Earnest, Jr. (B.S. ’59) owns a private dental
practice in Lakeland, Fla., and is an assistant professor
at the University of Florida. He and his wife, Jody
McCall, have seven children and 18 grandchildren.
Thomas Elliott (B.S. ’59) is retired from the U.S.
Army, and an administrator of a major law firm.
Thomas and his wife, Peggy, have three children
and live in Roswell, Ga.
Gwendolyn Rowland Eads (B.S. ’59; M.A. ’62) is a
teacher in the Johnson City School System and
has one son and two grandchildren.
Vonda Little Conchin (B.S. ’59; M.A. ’60) has
retired from the teaching profession and lives
with her husband, Willard, in Meridianville, Ala.
Dr. George Litton (B.S. ’59; M.A. ’62) is retired from
Cleveland County Schools in North Carolina, and
he and his wife, Jolene, have two children. He
received his Ed.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Samuel Kincheloe (B.S ’59) entered the U.S.
Army Special Forces in 1959 and retired after
28 years. Samuel is now a self-employed real
estate broker in Indialantic, Fla.
Edward Colley (B.S. ’59) is a retired professor
emeritus and served as coordinator-director of
financial aid, veterans’ affairs, and recruitment
for 26 years at Virginia Highlands Community
College. Edward and his wife, Carole, live in
Suwanee, Ga., and have two grown sons.
Dennis Kyle Ripley (B.S. ’59) and his wife, Patsy,
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on
March 15, 2008. Kyle is retired from the F.W.
Woolworth Co. and is employed by Live Oak
Memorial Gardens in Charleston, S.C. Patsy is
retired from Service Merchandise. The couple
resides in Charleston and has four children and
nine grandchildren.
Capt. Robert Hodges (B.S. ’59) is retired after 30
years as a U.S. Navy chaplain. He is involved in
People to People in over 30 countries, including
continuing activity in China and Tibet. Robert
built and lives in a traditional Japanese
farmhouse, and he and his wife, Mary, have
two children.
Katrina Hunter (B.S. ’58; M.A. ’69) is a retired
educator who worked as a business instructor
for community and two-year colleges and
worked in administrative positions. Katrina has
lived in Tennessee, Virginia, and currently resides
in Burnsville, N.C.
Kenneth Davenport (B.S. ’58) is the owner of
an optical shop in Charleston, S.C. He serves as
Treasurer of the Charleston Local Development
Corporation and is past president of Hospice
of Charleston. Kenneth has four children and
attends First Scots Presbyterian Church.
James Matson (B.S. ’58) is retired after teaching
art in middle and high school for 28 years in
Baltimore, Md. James and his wife have two
children and live in Parkton, Md.
Mary Aeberle Ford (B.S. ’58) is an elementary teacher
in the Johnson City school system. Mary and her
husband, Charles, have two grown children.
Dr. Elia Dimitri (B.S. ’58) has retired from the
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School as
a physician educator. He and his wife, Candace,
have three children and reside in Nashville.
class notes
Maureen Haggerty (B.A. ’64) is a teacher in
College Station, Texas, and taught in the Peace
Corps in Africa and Peru. Maureen has two grown
sons, Gregg and Joel.
David Hurley (B.S. ’63; M.A.’68)
resides in Roanoke, Va., and
has run 55 marathons in 47
states. He will be running one
in Olympia, Wash., in May, one
in Kona, Hawaii, in June, and
plans to complete the 50 states
in Wichita, Kan., "The Heartland
of the USA" in October ’09.
Sidney Campbell (B.S. ’57) is a retired teacher
from Cecil County in Maryland. Sid is past
president of the Cecil County Retired Teachers’
Association. He and his wife, Katherine, have
two children and reside in Childs, Md.
29
Join the ETSU Alumni Online Community at www.etsualumni.org • Classnotes posted up-to-the-minute on www.etsualumni.org
class notes
Bobbie Street Gouge (B.S. ’57) worked as an
educator for 35 years with Carter County Schools
and the Board of Education. After retiring, Bobbie
worked as a tour guide visiting all 50 states,
Canada, and Mexico.
James Huffaker (B.S. ’57) is a pastor at Flint River
Larger Parish. James and his wife, Almeda, have
three grown children and live in Albany, Georgia.
D.C. Pratt (B.S. ’56) has retired as a teacher
administrator and worked in various fields such
as writing poetry and short stories. He has been
recognized for his community service by county
commissioners and state legislature. D.C. and
his wife, Pat, have two children and live in
Fayetteville, Ga.
Fred “Pal” Barger (B.S. ’55) is featured in The
Journal 100 for his contribution to the Tri-Cities
through his Malcolm-Baldridge Award-winning
restaurant, Pal’s Sudden Service. Barger is a
member of the Tennessee Restaurant Association
Hall of Fame.
Mary Looney Cooper (B.S. ’55) is a retired teacher
of 39 years and lives in Blountville, Tenn. She
attends Blountville Methodist Church and was
Worthy Matron in the Eastern Star.
Ann O’Dell Klocke (B.S. ’54) has been working
as a home extension agent and living on a farm
with her husband in Newark, Mo. Ann and her
husband, Kenneth, have four children.
Theodore McCown Jr. (B.S. ’53) and his wife,
Jane, have owned Unique Boutique for 30 years,
selling mastectomy items and women’s apparel.
Ted also worked as assistant city manager for
Kingsport and as an affiliate real estate broker
before he retired.
Jimmy Hartsell (B.S. ’50) is retired from teaching
for 37 years in the Tulsa public schools and four
years as an assistant to the Tulsa mayor. Jimmy
and his wife, Alma, have two children.
Clyde Cates (B.S. ’53; M.A. ’55) resides in
Hampton, Tenn., and is retired as a counselor
from Carter County Schools.
Clyde Holsclaw (B.S. ’50) has retired to Amelia
Island, Fla., after working as a teacher, coach, and
being employed by Amelia Island Golf Club. He
and his wife have five children, 10 grandchildren,
and one great grandchild.
Helen White Young (B.S. ’53) is retired as a medical
technologist for First Choice Healthcare, and
she and her husband, John, live in Johnson City.
They have four children, 17 grandchildren, and
one great grandson.
Bill Wilkins (B.S. ’52) and his wife, Kay, celebrated
their 40th wedding anniversary in 2008. They
have three children and five grandchildren and
reside in Elizabethton.
Betty Swingle Helton (B.S. ’52) owns Betty’s Child
Care and Preschool in Garland, Texas. Betty has
two grown children and has lived in Greeneville,
Tenn., Nashville, Tenn., and Dallas, Texas, since
graduating from ETSU.
Dr. Nat Hyder Jr. (B.S. ’51) is employed a s
a p h y s i c i a n with Rural Health Services
Consortium in Rogersville, Tenn. Nat is a MasonShriner and was awarded t h e O u t s t a n din g
Physicians Award by the Tennessee Academy
of Family Physicians. Nat and his wife, Elizabeth,
have four children.
Nancy Hull Walling’s (B.S. ’51) granddaughter,
Heather Walling, has graduated from ETSU.
George Woodward (IA&T ’51) is retired from
the U.S. Army
Missile Command.
George and his wife
Mary Anne live in
Huntsville, Alabama,
and have three
grown children.
M.Ed., M.B.A., Ed.S. Graduates:
Are you ready
for the next
challenge?
Is a Doctorate
next on your list?
Want to improve your
understanding of leadership?
The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
Analysis announces formation of a Post Secondary and
Private Sector Leadership (PPSL) cohort at ETSU for August
2009 (fall semester).
class
classnotes
notes
This program of study leads to the Doctor of Education
degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership. The focus of the
program is on the professional development of postsecondary or private sector leaders who have a strong desire to
enhance their knowledge of leadership principles and to
become more effective leaders.
30
Application can be made through the School of
Graduate Studies online at www.etsu.edu/gradstud and
information about the program can be obtained at
www.etsu.edu/coe/elpa.
Contact Dr. Jim Lampley at 439-7619
or email at lampley@etsu.edu.
Clemmer College of Education
Dr. Charles Solomon
(B.S. ’51) worked
for Lockheed
Martin Corporation
from 1951-1970
a s a n e n g i n e e r,
has published 10
books of prose and
poetry, and founded
Grace Fellowship
International. Charles
and his wife, Selma,
live in Sevierville,
Te n n . , a n d h a v e
three children.
Samuel Wiles (B.S. ’51)
practiced dentistry
for 51 years before
retiring and is active
on the boards of
several organizations,
including the Holston
Home for Children,
and is a member of
the Foundation of UT
and ETSU. Samuel lives
in Kingsport, Tenn.
Gene Quarles (B.S.
’50; M.A. ’55) has
been a teacher
for 57 years and
received the 20002001 Classroom
Teacher Award from
TEA. Gene and his
wife, Carolyn, live in
Morristown and have
two children.
Roscoe “Charlie” Bayless (B.S. ’50) is a teacher
and basketball coach for Carter County. Charlie
and his wife, Jane, have four children.
1940s
Peter Hambaugh Jr. (B.S. ’49) is a chemist with
Bowaters Southern Paper Co. in Calhoun, Tenn.
Peter and his wife, Dorothy, had two children, and
Peter lives in Athens, Tenn.
Elizabeth Cheek Camper (B.S. ’48) worked as a
substitute teacher for 31 years in Arkansas. She
enjoys spending time with her girls on weekends
and resides in Heber Springs, Ark.
Joe Ottinger Lintz (B.S. ’47; M.A. ’63) is retired from
Greene County as a librarian. She and her husband,
Charles, live in Greeneville, Tenn.
Louise Crookshank Carmack (B.S. ’46) is a retired
elementary school teacher of 37 years. She has
traveled to places such as Barbados, St. Martin,
Trinidad, and Scotland, among others, and currently
resides in Hendersonville, Tenn. Louise has one son.
Willard Conchin (B.A. ’46; M.A. ’58) is a retired
teacher and minister. Willard lives in Meridianville,
Ala. with his wife, Vonda.
Helen Susong Brown (B.S. ’45) is an office manager
for Brown’s Truss Co. and lives in Maryville, Tenn.
Helen has four children.
Nola Clow (B.S. ’43) is retired from teaching
elementary and high school and lives in Santa
Paula, Calif. Nola has one grown son.
Kathryn Cooper Lockett (B.S. ’41) earned a master’s
degree at Columbia Bible University in 1946 and
taught Bible school in Mississippi and Kingsport,
Tenn., for over 30 years. Kathryn is retired and lives
in Johnson City.
Geneva Garland Mashburn (B.S. ’40) is a retired
teacher from the Unicoi County School System
and received the Education Award, one of eight
awards given by The Erwin Record each year.
o b i tua ri e s
1990s
James C. Martin (M.S. ’98) of Leicester was an
accomplished Eagle Scout and belonged to The
Order of the Arrow. He worked as a computer
instructor with A-B Tech and played a major role
in several energy conservation projects through
the federal government and Western Carolina
University. He is survived by his parents, his wife,
Amy Parker Martin, and their two children Parker
and Hannah. On November 16, 2008.
John R. Lyons (B.S. ’97) worked as an employee
of JCPenney, Appalachian Christian Village InHome Services, and an EMT. He was an active
member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Knights
of Columbus, and the Eucharist Ministry Program.
He is survived by three brothers and three sisters.
On November 4, 2008.
Teresa Foulke (B.G.S. ’96) worked for 18 years
in the Department of Family Medicine at ETSU
Quillen College of Medicine and was a member
of Grace Fellowship in Bristol. Teresa is survived
by her husband, Bart, and their two sons. On
October 18, 2008.
Join the ETSU Alumni Online Community at www.etsualumni.org • Classnotes posted up-to-the-minute on www.etsualumni.org
class notes
Jeffrey Collins (M.P.H. ’90) was born in Cincinnati,
Ohio, and lived in Burlington, N.C. On March 18, 2009.
1980s
April Lynn Greene (B.S. ’89) of Mooresburg passed
away. On September 19, 2008.
Belinda Ann Justis Goodman (B.S.N. ’89) was
a nurse and is survived by her husband of 22
years, William “Greg” Goodman, and their two
sons, Miles Goodman and Jake Goodman. On
October 16, 2008.
Kim Aji Cox (B.S. ’83) was from Mosheim and the
son of Wanda Ogle Cox and the late Eugene
Coman Cox. Kim was preceded in death by his
wife, Susan Taylor-Mitchell Cox, and is survived
by a son and a daughter. On March 18, 2009.
William M. Bowlin (B.S. ’82) was a member of
the Hamblen County Democratic Party where
he served as treasurer for several years and
campaigned for state representative twice.
He worked with the Hamblen County Sheriff’s
Department, U.S. Marshal’s Service, and as a
Special Investigator with the Department of
Human Services. He was a member of the Army
Reserves and served on active duty during
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as
a Lieutenant. On September 17, 2008.
Mary Coley (B.S. ’81; M.Ed. ’87) was retired
from teaching library science in the Unicoi
County school system. She was highly involved
in community endeavors, including the GFWC
Erwin Junior Women’s Club, Girl Scouts, and PTA/
PTO. She is survived by her husband of 49 years,
Dr. George C. Coley, and their three children.
On September 23, 2008.
Beverly Ann Jones Smeltzer (B.S.W. ’80) worked
as a social worker and was passionate about
animals and their welfare. She was preceded in
death by her parents, and she is survived by her
husband, Michael Carpick Jr., their two children
and six grandchildren. On March 16, 2009.
1970s
Sheree Flanery Waldrup (A.D.H.’77) was a dental
hygienist and was preceded in death by her
husband and father. Sheree is survived by her
daughter, mother, and stepchildren. On March
3, 2009.
Marvin Payne (B.S. ’79) passed away on March
6, 2009.
Catherine Foster Cunnane (A.S.N. ’79) was a
registered nurse with St. Francis Hospital for
over 30 years in Charleston, S.C., and attended
Seacoast Church. Catherine is survived by a son,
daughter, two brothers, and four grandchildren.
On March 2, 2009.
Sharon Tabor (B.S. ’79; M.Ed. ’83) taught
at E m m e t t E l e m e n t a r y School in Sullivan
County, Tenn., for 23 years and attended First
Baptist Church in Bristol. She is survived by
her son, Adam Tabor, and her parents. On
March 6, 2009.
Lisa ReMine (B.S.N. ’78) passed away on January
17, 2009.
Gylfi Jonsson (B.S. ’78) was a retired employee
of International Paper Company. He was a
veteran of the United States Navy and served
Mark your calendars Now!
FALL OPEN HOUSE!
Peggy Stanley (B.S. ’76)
passed away on October
19, 2008.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sally Markham Tinsley
(B.S. ’75) was employed
by WYYD radio station
and was a former Miss
Bedford County. She is
survived by her daughter
and son. On March 2,
2009.
As part of Homecoming 2009,
introduce your high
school senior to college
life at ETSU! For details,
contact Admissions at
(423) 439-4213 or
1-800-GO2-ETSU.
You may also visit
our web site at
www.etsu.edu.
Charles B. Hogan, Jr.
(B.S. ’75) worked as
a supervisor for the
Department of Human
Services in child protective
services and was cofounder of REACH (Reaching and Educating
Abused Children). He was also a longtime
counselor for PASAAC (Project Against Sexual
Abuse of Appalachian Children). He is survived
by his two children, Jeremy Hogan and Maggie
Hogan. On October 13, 2008.
Thelma Barnes (B.S. ’71) taught school at
Blountville Elementary and Holston Elementary
until she retired in 1976. Thelma authored several
books and was active in her community. She is
survived by four daughters and their families.
On February 10, 2009.
David Howard Reynolds (B.S. ’75) was a 26-year
employee of Philips Consumer Electronics Co.
and enjoyed collecting arrowheads, among
other things. David was a member of Pine Springs
Baptist Church and Greeneville Masonic Lodge.
He is survived by his wife and sons. On January
14, 2009.
Kenneth Wayne Grindstaff (B.S. ’69) is preceded
in death by his parents and one daughter,
Hillary Grindstaff, and is survived by his wife, C.
Lynn Grindstaff, and his daughter, Madison. On
November 14, 2008.
Robert Andrews (B.F.A. ’75) was a computer
drafting technician at Ragan Smith Associates
Inc. in Nashville for 30 years. He was preceded
in death by his parents and is survived by his
sisters, Carol Burleson and Beverly Anders. On
February 21, 2009.
Dr. William B. Biddle, Jr. (Ed.D. ’73) was a high
school band director in Virginia and Tennessee
and later retired from Walters State Community
College as the Chairman of Humanities. He
earned many international awards for his wildlife
photography. He is survived by his wife of 52
years, Catherine Taylor Biddle, and their two
children. On October 6, 2008.
Michael Tucker (B.S. ’73) was a former member
of the University of Tennessee swim team and
a member of Central Baptist Church. He was
a former partner of Tucker Pontiac-Buick in
Wytheville and Courtesy Motors in Erwin. He is
survived by his mother and his son. On February
4, 2009.
Bascom Regen Peebles Sr. (B.S ’72) was recruited
by Coach Bear Bryant and played for the
University of Alabama football team alongside
Joe Namath. He later graduated from Nashville
School of Law and operated an insurance
company in downtown Columbia, Tenn. He is
survived by his wife, Julie Ann, and their son. On
January 12, 2009.
Lanny Bowers (B.S. ’72; M.A. ’74; Ed.D. ’85)
was dedicated to the advancement of higher
education and for the past nine years served as
vice president of Academic Affairs at Northeast
State Technical Community College in Blountville,
Tenn. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Bowers, and
two children. On February 19, 2009.
Vernie Wilson Brewster (B.S. ’71), wife of David
Brewster, passed away on March 4, 2009.
1960s
Arnold “Mickey” Greer Jr. (B.S.’69) was retired
from the CM&S division of Eastman Kodak after
36 years of service. Mickey was an elder and
sang in the church choir at Bethany Presbyterian
Church where he was a member. He loved
spending time with his grandchildren and at his
condo in Hilton Head. He is survived by his wife
of 53 years, Mary Lynn Greer, and their three
children. On March 18, 2009.
W. Frederick Meredith (B.S. ’68) worked for
Fisher Scientific and the American Red Cross
of Charlotte, N.C., before being called to the
ministry. Frederick also served as a volunteer
with several organizations and as a Bible study
teacher. He is survived by his wife of 40 years,
Jeni Williams Meredith, his mother, children, and
grandchildren. On January 15, 2009.
Johnnie D. Jordan (B.S. ’67) taught an Adult
Sunday School Class at Second Baptist Church of
Clinton. He was an educator and avid traveler.
On September 18, 2008.
Gary Gage (B.S. ’67; M.A. ’71) resided in
Pensacola, Fla., since 1972. He enjoyed golf and
taught as a professor of business administration
for over 30 years at Pensacola Junior College.
Gary is survived by his wife, Linda, their two sons,
his mother and his sister. On February 24, 2009.
Ruth Crowe (M.A. ’67) was an educator and
guidance counselor in the Hawkins County
and Kingsport City School systems for 32 years
and was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa. She
is preceded in death by her husband, James
Crowe. On February 13, 2009.
John S. Waddle (M.A. ’66) was an educator and
coach, retired from the Greene County School
System after 30 years of service. He loved farming
and was a member of The Crossing, where he
taught the adult class. He was a member of
the Tennessee Education Association and the
Greene County Education Association. He is
Join the ETSU Alumni Online Community at www.etsualumni.org • Classnotes posted up-to-the-minute on www.etsualumni.org
class notes
Ella Jo Bradley (B.S. ’78; M.A. ’80) was a
distinguished artist and a teacher retired from
the Hawkins County School System after 37 years
of service. She was a member of Rogersville
First Baptist Church. She is survived by her
husband, Andrew Bradley, Jr. and her children.
On November 20, 2008.
in the Vietnam War on
the USS America CV66.
He is survived by his wife,
Sue, and their two sons.
On September 26, 2008.
31
class notes
A SECOND CHANCE!
PRINT your message carefully in this grid. 3 LINES TOTAL!
TWENTY SPACES PER LINE! EACH letter, punctuation mark and space must fit into ONE block.
Number of
Bricks _____
X $60 =
$__________
ETSU PRIDE Walk!
Celebrate ETSU’s Centennial!
Purchase an
Inscribed Brick Today!
Still only $60!
survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Brooks
Waddle, their son and two granddaughters.
On October 6, 2008.
Harold Debord (B.S. ’66; M.A. ’73) was a teacher
and principal for Johnson City Schools for 30
years before retiring to Orlando, Fla. Harold
was a former member of Central Church of
Christ in Johnson City and an active member
of Kissimmee Church of Christ. He is survived by
one sister and several nieces and nephews. On
February 24, 2009.
Thomas Russell (B.S. ’65) of Rogersville, Tenn.,
passed away on October 14, 2008.
Lockhart climbing the
ladder
Renee Lockhart
(B.B.A ’87; M.A.
’89), Chief Financial
Office of Heritage
Family Funeral
Services, Inc. of
Elizabethton, has
been promoted to
the position of Vice
President and CFO
of the company.
class
classnotes
notes
“Renee has been with Heritage for 19
years and has served our company
well,” said Richard Tetrick, President
and CEO of the firm. “She is most
knowledgeable about the company in
general and knows all of the intricacies
of our financial operations. She is
respected by all the associated of our
company and has certainly earned this
promotion.”
32
She served as a Director of the ETSU
Alumni Association and is a member of
the College of Business Hall of Fame,
Class of 2003.
Courtesy of the Johnson City News & Neighbor.
Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________ State: _________________ Zip: _____________________
Phone: ________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________
Charge my brick to: ❏ VISA ❏ MasterCard ❏ Discover (check one)
Account #: ______________________________ 3digit security code: ___________ Exp. Date: _________
Signature:___________________________________________________________________________________
Signature:
Detach and mail this completed form with payment to:
ETSU PRIDE Walk (PHASE II)
Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37614-1710
All inscriptions will be subject to approval by the ETSU Foundation in its sole discretion.
For more information, please call University Advancement at (423) 439-4242
Barbara A. Watson (B.S. ’65) was originally
from Bristol, Va., and was a member of
Friendship Baptist Church. She is survived by her
husband Denver “Bo” Watson, her son, and two
daughters. On September 14, 2008.
Connie Mack Farmer (B.S. ’65) passed away
on January 3, 2009.
Thomas F. Coughenour (B.S. ’64; M.A. ’71)
served as the head coach of the track and
cross country teams at Dobyns-Bennett High
School. He was named Tennessee State Cross
Country Coach of the Year six times and was
inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2001
with many state and regional team wins. He is
survived by his wife, Barbara, and his children.
On November 5, 2008.
Robert Mahaffey Thomas (B.S. ’63) passed away
on March 10, 2009.
James Bailiff (B.S. ’62) passed away on October
15, 2008.
Robert Lewis Rodefer (B.S. ’62) was a certified
public accountant and served as a colonel for
the Tennessee Jaycees. Robert was involved in
several community organizations, including the
YMCA and the Holston United Methodist Home
for Children. He is survived by his wife, Margaret,
and their three children. On January 12, 2009.
Harold W. Broyles (B.S. ’61) was a former
production manager of Ball Zinc Products,
now Jarden Zinc Products, and was a former
employee of Mountain Empire Oil. He is survived
by his wife of 42 years, Rose Keller Broyles, and
one son and daughter-in-law. On January
25, 2009.
Edward Brakus Sr. (B.S. ’61) was a teacher/
administrator in Maryland after serving in the
U.S. Air Force and was a member of Forest
Presbyterian Church. He was an avid golfer and
played minor league baseball for the Phillies.
He is survived by his wife and their two children.
On February 8, 2009.
Jane Harvey Thomas (B.S. ’60) was a member
of Central Baptist Church in Johnson City and
worked for the Social Security Administration
in Johnson City for a time. She was preceded
in death by her parents, and is survived by her
daughter, Melissa Osborne, two grandsons and
a brother. On October 13, 2008.
Douglas Livesay (B.S. ’60) completed a tour
in Korea with the U.S. Air Force, and then
transferred to the Air National Guard. Douglas
received a Commercial/Instrument Pilot’s rating
and held the positions of crew chief, among
others, with 6,000 hours of flying time. He retired
as a Senior Chief Master Sergeant in 1989 after
33 years of service. He is survived by his wife,
Patricia, and their son. On February 27, 2009.
1950s
Harold Worley (B.S. ’59) passed away November
18, 2008.
Patsy Ruth Walsh Voorhees (B.S. ’59) was a
member of the Chi Omega sorority and did
extensive work toward a Ph.D. at Tennessee
Tech. Her poetry was published in several
publications, and she wrote a children’s book
titled, I Am a Tree. Patsy helped found Angel
Wings and supported the humane society and
Knoxville Feral Cat Friends. She is survived by
her son, Daniel Williams. On November 18, 2008.
Roy Willett Jr. (B.S. ’58) was retired from the
Internal Revenue Service and attended First
Christian Church in Greeneville and Cornerstone
Christian Church in Knoxville. He loved animals
and gardening and is survived by his wife of
40 years, Mary Willett, and their daughter. On
March 4, 2009.
Billy Gene Pierce (B.S. ’58) was employed by
Hercules Inc. of Radford, Va., in management
and supervision and served on the town council
of Dublin, Va., for 12 years where he had served
as vice mayor. He was a member of the Caldwell
Springs Baptist Church and the Henry Clay
Masonic Lodge #280. He loved to golf, fish, play
his guitar, and sing. He is survived by his wife of
55 years, Grace Ensor Pierce, two children, and
seven grandchildren. On November 3, 2008.
Samuel Wesley Wright (B.S. ’57) passed away
on January 17, 2009, in Auburndale, Fla.
Dr. Frank Knight Sr. (B.S. ’56) practiced obstetrics
and gynecology for 30 years and delivered
thousands of babies. After retiring, he started
a second career working for the Peninsula
State Health Department. He is survived by
his wife, Barbara, their four children, and 10
grandchildren. On February 25, 2009.
Hannah Crockett (B.S. ’55) was a retired school
teacher who taught for 25 years in the Carter
County school system and eight years in North
Carolina. Hannah was preceded in death by her
husband, Charles McDaniel. On March 20, 2009.
James E. Heaton (B.S. ’54) was a U.S. Navy
Veteran of World War II who served on the USS
Roper. He was a retired teacher and coach,
having served 44 years at Unaka High School
Join the ETSU Alumni Online Community at www.etsualumni.org • Classnotes posted up-to-the-minute on www.etsualumni.org
class notes
Help us write your story...
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www.etsualumni.org
We’re very interested in putting you in the next ETSU
TODAY as well as keeping our records up-to-date.
Fill us in, won’t you?
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(Middle initial or Maiden) (Last)
á Retiring
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ETSU Degree(s) and/or Year(s)
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Home Address _______________________________________
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Employer’s Address __________________________________
(Street Address)
______________________________________________________
(City, State, Zip)
Employer’s Phone # __________________________________
E-mail address _______________________________________
Spouse’s Name: _________________________________
(First) (Middle initial or Maiden)(Last)
ETSU Degree(s) and/or Year(s) Attended__________
Last 4 Digits S.S.#_________________________________
Occupation/Title ________________________________
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Send to: ETSU Alumni • Box 70709 • Johnson City, TN 37614-1710 or use www.etsu.edu/alumni
and Cloudland High School in Tennessee and
Cranberry High School and Avery County High
School in North Carolina where he received the
distinction of Avery County Man of the Year.
Heaton was a Sunday school superintendent,
teacher, and Elder at the Minneapolis Christian
Church. He was also a Mason and Shriner. On
September 30, 2008.
Veta Stout Wilson (B.S. ’46) taught fourth grade
at Mountain City Elementary until her retirement
in 1982. In 2001, she established the Veta Wilson
Scholarship Fund at First Christian Church to assist
graduating members with the cost of vocational
school or college. Her husband precedes her
in death, and Veta is survived by her daughter.
On October 31, 2008.
Betty Jean Johnson Irish (B.S. ’51) taught in the
Washington and Sullivan county school systems
before serving as financial vice president of Irish
& Associates, an engineering company she
helped her husband establish. Betty was an
accomplished pianist, calligrapher, and artist. She
is survived by her husband of 57 years, Herbert
Irish, four children, and eleven grandchildren.
On February 12, 2009.
Frances Winslow Love (B.S. ’43) passed away
on December 10, 2008.
Archie Monroe Kelley (B.S. ’51) was an ordained
Methodist minister for 41 years and served in the
U.S. Army during WWII at Fort Meade, Maryland,
achieving the rank of sergeant before his
discharge in 1946. Archie is survived by his wife
of almost 61 years, Mary Ruth Kelley, and their
three children. On February 22, 2009.
Charles Gibson (B.S. ’50) passed away on January
16, 2009.
1940s
Robert Ernest Cardwell, Jr. (B.S. ’48) was retired
from Great Lakes Research Corporation as a
mechanical engineer. He is survived by his wife
of 60 years, Marjorie Nelle Hyder Cardwell, and
two sons. On December 13, 2008.
Winifred Black Lawson (B.S. ’42) was born in
Greencastle, Pa. and was a member and
president of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, of which her
daughter and granddaughter are now members.
On December 13, 2008.
Elizabeth R. McNew (B.S. ’41) of Gadsden, Ala.,
a native of Greene County, was 90 years old.
On October 19, 2008.
1930s
Shepherd Anderson (B.S. ’39) was a captain in
the U.S. Army during World War II and a member
of Unicoi United Methodist Church. He was also
a member of the Tri-Cities Beagle Club and won
many trophies for his favorite hobby. Shepherd
is survived by his wife, Elsie Ball Anderson, and
a daughter. On January 4, 2009.
FACUL TY
Dr. Helen Hollingsworth taught English and English
Literature at ETSU and co-authored a book
with Dr. Kevin E. O’Donnell entitled, Seekers of
Scenery. She retired in 1998 and returned to
Fayette County. She is survived by one sister and
one brother. On November 19, 2008.
Homecoming
at
ETSU
If your class year
ends in 9, this is
for you!
Save the
Date!
Homecoming is set
for November 13th and 14th
Circle the weekend on your
calendar, and join us for Alumni
Return to the Classroom and
Luncheon Under the Tent!
Visit the professors who taught you
so much, and the friends who helped
you make sense of it.
Parents, join us for open house of
Saturday!
We'll see you then!
Join the ETSU Alumni Online Community at www.etsualumni.org • Classnotes posted up-to-the-minute on www.etsualumni.org
class notes
Arthur Salyer (B.S. ’49) was a World War II Navy
veteran and worked as a teacher at Bristol
Tennessee High School. He left teaching to
support his growing family and continued his love
of teaching through jail ministry and Gideons
International. Arthur was preceded in death by
his wife of 64 years, Mildred Fleenor Salyer, and
survived by his three daughters. On January
5, 2009.
Thelma E. Winfield (B.S. ’42) was a schoolteacher
for 10 years with Sullivan county and 32 years
with the Bristol, Tenn., school systems. She was a
member of Blountville United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and
her husband, William “Bill” Winfield. On October
7, 2008.
Gerda Paula Bogren Lambe set up the first office
of contracts and grants in the ETSU College of
Medicine and worked there until her retirement.
She was born in Sweden and enjoyed exercising,
gourmet cooking, and reading French literature.
On January 20, 2009.
33
Homecoming is set for November 13th & 14th – Watch for details!
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Because of You…
Because of Our Students…
Because of our Contributors…
During “Rainy Days”…
Your Spirit and Support
Keep Us Reaching Higher