CLASS Notes
Navy research ships. His work led to his securing 10 patents. For his efforts, Ronald was named a Distinguished Member of Technology Staff at Bell Labs. He has many fond memories of his time at Elon, such as touring with the choir around North Carolina and Virginia to sing Handel’s “Messiah.” He encourages current students to be focused and to set lofty career goals. He and his wife, Marcia, live in Burlington, N.C. James Sikes ’56 says that the two smartest things he ever did were marrying his beautiful wife, Helen Hodges Sikes, and attending Elon. Both decisions brought him wonderful opportunities for personal growth. He lives in Burlington, N.C.
’s Mary Lou Chandler Boal ’63 lives with her husband, Robert, in Madisonville, Ky. In April, she was featured in Kentucky Monthly magazine for her mission work in Cambodia and was named a Home Town Hero.
(l-r) Helen Horton Smith ’65, Glenda Pridgen Bell ’65 and Betsy Wright ’65
In September 1961, three freshmen — Helen Horton, Glenda Pridgen and Betsy Wright — met in the dorms at Elon. They forged a friendship that saw them through the challenges of college life, as well as life’s ups and downs after graduation. More than 48 years later, they continue to be close friends. Glenda Pridgen Bell ’65 of Raleigh, N.C., Helen Horton Smith ’65 of Jamestown, R.I., and Betsy Wright ’65 of Wilmington, N.C., reunited at a lunch hosted by Glenda. They are all grateful for the time they spent at Elon and the lifelong friendship that developed during their time as students. Charlie Avila ’66 and his wife, Debbie, hosted a small gathering of Alpha Pi Delta fraternity brothers from the mid- 1960s at their home
(l-r) Dave Hosmer ’64, Charlie Avila ’66, Bill Ruth ’66 and Joe Cote ’65
in Chaplin, Conn., on Sept. 11, 2009, and enjoyed reminiscing about their Elon days. In attendance were Bill Ruth ’66, Mary Coolidge Ruth ’66, Dave Hosmer ’64, Judy Hosmer and Dr. Joseph Cote ’65. Gail Campbell Allcock ’67 recently participated in the Greater Cleveland Triathlon Sprint Race and placed first in the 60-64 age division, winning a backpack full of goodies. She teaches fifth-grade science and social studies. She lives with her husband, Douglas, in Mentor, Ohio. Gail Campbell Allcock ’67 Robert L. Gregory ’67 recently was promoted to medical director at Excerpta Medica, an Elsevier business in medical education. He is responsible for development and direction of medical content for medical education and publications. He lives with his wife, Missy, in New Providence, N.J.
’s Hyman Sater ’72 and his wife, Liz, recently celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary. Hyman has been retired for the past five years. He is an avid sports enthusiast who loves running and biking. He and Liz enjoy spending time with their two sons and their three grandchildren. Robert A. Wortham ’75 is a professor of sociology at North Carolina Central University. He recently published W.E.B. DuBois and the Sociological Imagination: A Reader, 1897-1914 with Baylor University Press in August. He lives with his wife, Carol, in Durham, N.C.
‘It’s what we do’ Scott McBride ’91, an Army Apache helicopter pilot serving in Iraq, marked a milestone on Aug. 3, completing his 500th combat mission near Mosul. “I felt much more relaxed after the 500th mission than the first, but you still have to remain vigilant,” recalls McBride, the son of former Elon Chaplain Richard McBride. Scott had one of his prized possessions — his maroon Elon hat — close by during the milestone mission. “The hat was given to me by my father following an Elon football game I attended in 2008 prior to my current deployment,” he says. “It has logged flight time on every mission of this tour.” McBride joined the Army in 1992 and served for seven years as an infantryman and cavalry scout before being accepted into flight school in 1999. He began flying Apache helicopters in 2000. McBride recently completed his second tour of duty in Iraq following combat missions in Afghanistan, Somalia and Haiti. He says he is proud to serve in the military and thinks of Elon whenever he wears his hat. He offers the following message to alumni. “To my fellow alums: Rest easy tonight, there are those of us who allow you to sleep peacefully. We don’t mind, it’s what we do.”
Patrick G. Winters ’76 has been reelected to serve a second term as chair of the music department at Eastern Washington University, where he also serves as director of bands. He lives in Spokane, Wash., with his wife, Joyce, and their three children. Gregory E. Hicks ’79 earned a master’s degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a doctorate in education from North Carolina State University. He is assistant superintendent for human resources and finance for Orange County Schools and recently received the prestigious Excellence in Educational Leadership Award, the University Council for Education’s highest honor, at an Orange County school board meeting. He is only the second individual from North Carolina to receive the award. He lives with his wife, Marilyn, in Hurdle Mills, N.C.
Lorna Goudey Hodge ’79 is thrilled to announce that her oldest son graduated this spring from Sanderson High School in Raleigh, N.C., and is currently a freshman at Methodist University. Lorna says, “One more year before I’m an empty nester!” She resides in Raleigh, N.C., with her husband, Hugh. Art Matthews Medlin ’79 recently retired after 32 years as a teacher and coach. He lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
’s REUNION ’ Clinton G. Horton ’84 retired from the N.C. Office of State Personnel. He joined a musical group, The Magnificents, which he reports is one of the finest R&B/beach bands on the East Coast. The band
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