FALL 2018
ENDING ON A HIGH NOTE Piedmont's Music Conservatory Pg.10
A SHARED MENTOR
A story about history, inspiration, and baseball Pg.16
PRESIDENT'S REPORT Creating a roadmap—and vision—for 2023 Pg.12
JOURNAL FALL 2018
President James F. Mellichamp
Contents FEATURES
NE WS
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Vice President for Advancement Amy Amason
Maymester travel study program Often times a change of scenery can make a world of difference.
Director of Marketing and Communication John Roberts
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Remembering Mize A collection of rare memorabilia of the baseball great is included in a digital library.
Associate Director of Alumni Relations Laura Briggs ’16
Website Coordinator Brian Carter ’09
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Best of the best Piedmont is USA South's top conference for the second year running.
@PiedmontGA @PiedmontCollege
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President's Report
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Alumni
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Class Notes
Published by the Office of Institutional Advancement
Piedmont College
Outreach & Impact
Athletics
Development Coordinator Krysti Elam ’16
Send Address Changes to: Piedmont College Institutional Advancement P.O. Box 429 Demorest, GA 30535 or piedmont.edu/updateinfo
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Fine Arts
Director of Development Mark Elam
Coordinator of Development Services Chris Pearce
Programs
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Design Manager Regina M. Fried ’08 Director Annual Giving & Alumni Relations Pamela Fountain
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Taking a chance Conley Cathey ´73 constructed a hall-of-fame career in the telephone industry.
The Power of Partnerships A
popular, American race car champion who won the Indianapolis 500 three times in three different decades said, “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” Our students find SUCCESS here at Piedmont College where they receive the preparation and opportunity to achieve it.
Opportunities for student success abound at Piedmont College. Long noted for its excellent liberal arts education, Piedmont College also provides a myriad of opportunities for our students to experience the world outside of Georgia and the classroom. This year, more than 100 students participated in our growing Maymester programs, which provided challenging adventures in France, Peru, Germany, the U.S. and other overseas locations. (see page 2) Piedmont College athletes take on rigorous academics as well as embrace the challenging opportunities that our top-notch, Division III athletic programs offer. Leadership skills and self- discipline are required in order to excel in the classroom and playing fields. Success was evident this year (2017-18) when 123 Piedmont student-athletes were named by the USA South Athletic Conference to the Academic All-Conference Team. In addition to high academic scores, Piedmont College also claimed both the overall President's Cup and the Women's President's Cup for the second straight season. (see page 15) This marks Piedmont's second Overall President's Cup and the fourth Women's President's Cup in the last five years.
In recent years, Piedmont has been proud to partner with other Georgia and national institutions to provide innovative opportunities for our students to achieve success. Students interested in Engineering have the opportunity of a dual-degree program with the 3 + 2 Engineering Physics degree with Georgia Tech or Kennesaw State University.
Aspiring attorneys can start at Piedmont College and take advantage of the 3 + 3 early application program at the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, and earn an undergraduate and law degree while shaving off a whole year of tuition and classes. (see page 6) Piedmont College is the only institution in Georgia that offers a BS degree with a Certificate program in Cardiovascular Technology by teaming up with the acclaimed Northeast Georgia Heart Center. The School of Education at Piedmont College was chosen as one of five Georgia partner universities to offer the innovative MAT program in STEM studies with the Woodrow Wilson Foundation Teaching Fellowship. With the support of our loyal alumni, friends and supporters, Piedmont College will continue to provide top-notch facilities, extraordinary faculty, and innovative programs and opportunities to secure each student’s success. Please join us on this quest. We would love for you to call or visit us anytime to explore how, together, we can work for even more Piedmont College success in the future.
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DC/Pi
A Taste for Adventure
Pittsburgh
Maymester Travel Study: Opening eyes and bringing the world into focus Washington DC
By David Harrell
P
iedmont College junior Elliott Sailes, a data science major, dove into a heaping bowl of beef goulash with a side of potato pancakes. Emily West, a sophomore nursing student, met and fell in love with pickled pears (along with pickled pear jam, juice, and, yes, even candy). Jordan Approbato, music education sophomore, encountered a plate of calamari so delicious, “It made me cry.” (Now, that’s what you call REALLY GOOD!)
As they say, “When in Rome.” Which was precisely where Jordan found herself – and that memorable calamari. However, for Elliott, it was “When in Germany/Czech Republic.” And for Emily it was “When in Peru.”
The van
Machu Picchu hike
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This trio of happy foodies were among 74 Piedmont undergraduates – all hungry to see the world, soak up new and different cultures, dive into their studies, and, of course, sample local cuisines – who took part in the 2018 Maymester Travel Study program.
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Ireland
Ireland Germany Rome
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Franc France
While Elliott, Emily, and Jordan – and their travel companions, including faculty members – were busy exploring their chosen destinations, two other undergraduate groups were doing the same. One in Ireland and another in France/Switzerland. (Note: Graduate students also took their own international trips during Maymester. The 38 participating in 2018 brought the total of globetrotting Piedmont students this past May to 112 – the largest group ever.) How does Maymester Travel Study work? Here is a quick sketch of the details. Faculty members propose trips built around the subjects they teach. Each trip making the final list of options (based on the realities of costs and logistics) is tied to academic courses. Participating students enroll in the classes and earn six hours of course credit. The courses can be major specific (like the annual Walker School of Business trip to Germany/Czech Republic) or may be more universal (religion, history, or literature, for example) so they qualify to fulfill general education and/or elective requirements. This means Piedmont students in all areas of study can find a trip that works for them. Okay, enough of the fine print. The best way to appreciate the value of Maymester Travel Study – and why it continues to grow in popularity year after year – is to hear from those who have had their passports stamped.
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Rome
“I found it a spiritual experience and educational as well. Learning about a culture that is part of my ancestry is something I could only experience while in Ireland. While visiting Inis Mor Island, we went on a pilgrimage and stayed in a small house with an amazing local host. I walked outside as the sun was setting, which filled the sky with pink and purple clouds. My view was of the remains of an ancient church on the top of a hill, and I sat in the grass and watched the sun go down. It was magical.” — Rebekah Kanipe, studio
“It has made me more culturally aware. I feel like I can relate better to varied groups of people and situations. This was my first global experience, as well as my first time on a plane, so I had a lot of learning to do. I found that it is good to take safe risks – they help you grow. My Maymester trip made me want to travel more – outside of the U.S. I discovered that the stereotypes of people and things in foreign countries are not necessarily true, because the stereotypes that I had heard about French people were definitely not true.” — Jazmine Dunnavant, early
“The trip made me realize doing business overseas will be easier than I supposed. Once you get a feel for the culture and how the people operate, you can really expand your horizons. It was incredible to go somewhere I’d never been before and discover a world so different from my everyday life. I will never forget witnessing the beauty of Prague from the top of a guard tower. Stunning.” — Elliott Sailes, data science major, Germany/Czech Republic
childhood education major, France/ Switzerland
France
art major, Ireland
Geneva
Ireland
Germany
Peru France
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Piedmont students (left to right) Alaina Choiniere, Kaitlyn Loesel, and Olivia Gibson view artwork at the Musée d'Orsay, a museum in Paris.
Making it feasible for all “When I talk to students and parents about international travel, one of their first concerns is affordability,” says Associate Dean, School of Arts & Sciences, Associate Professor of Sociology, and Director of Travel Study Dr. Steven Jacobs. “And that is understandable. I impress on them what a great value the Maymester trips are. After all, it’s an investment roughly equal to the cost of taking the same classes on campus but also includes travel expenses – round-trip airfare, lodging, two meals per day, and admission to events and activities. “However, what I am most proud of,” he continues, “is that we are able to make these trips possible for students who might initially see them as an insurmountable financial obstacle. As part of Piedmont’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), we have established the Maymester Grant for
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Looking ahead: 2019 The undergraduate trips on the itinerary for this upcoming Maymester Travel Study include Ireland, Germany/Czech Republic, Galapagos Island & Ecuador, England & Scotland, Japan, and (how exciting is this?) a cycling tour of Vietnam.
traditionally underserved sudents. This financial support sends them off to the see the world even if they never imagined they would have the opportunity.” To sum up just how awe-inspiring and life-changing Maymester Travel Study can be, we turn again to the words of Jordan, our calamari aficionado: “I’ll never forget the moment I saw the Statue of David. I had the mindset of it’s just a rock, how grand can it be? One look and my jaw figuratively hit the floor. I stood there for a long time just staring at the masterpiece in front of me.”
Closer to home Maymester Travel Study can also include domestic trips. For instance, in 2018 there was a biking excursion from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C.
Piedmont and Mercer Law School form accelerated JD program P
iedmont College and Mercer Law School have launched a partnership that will give students the opportunity to earn their bachelor's of arts (BA) and juris doctor (JD) degrees in six years. The traditional path to earning a JD degree requires four years of undergraduate education and three years of law school. The 3 + 3 accelerated JD program helps qualified students reduce education costs and launch their legal careers sooner. Select Piedmont students who are majoring in Political Science or English, have completed at least 90 credit hours of coursework, earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better, and have a median or above Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score of Mercer Law’s prior entering class are eligible for the program. Accepted students become first-year law students at Mercer after completing their junior year at Piedmont.
Credits earned during the first year of law school are applied to both JD and BA degrees. After successfully completing their first year at Mercer Law, participating Piedmont students earn a BA and graduate with their class. The Honorable William S. Duffey, Jr., who retired in July as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia and gave the keynote address during Piedmont’s Summer Commencement, will serve as a mentor to students enrolled in or considering the program. “Mentoring before law school will give students a clear picture of expectations of them in law school and how to meet them. We also want to encourage them to begin thinking about where they may be called to serve in the profession,” said Duffey. “My role is to present material about law school studies and the market for legal services. This is an exciting opportunity for me professionally, and I consider it a privilege to partner with
Piedmont in its academic mission and service to students.” Although similar initiatives are in place in some states, the MercerPiedmont agreement is the first 3 + 3 program in Georgia between two separate institutions. “I was thrilled when my longtime friend Dr. Mellichamp wanted to discuss this unique opportunity for Piedmont students,” said Mercer Law Dean Cathy Cox. “This is a great benefit for students that plan to attend law school and choose to move quickly to finish their advanced degree a year earlier. Piedmont students will be a great fit for the supportive, collegial environment they will find at Mercer Law School.” —John Roberts
The Honorable William S. Duffy, Jr. will serve as a mentor to 3+3 students.
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Health careers and hands-on learning careers in health,” said Dr. Julie Behr, Dean of the R.H. Daniel School of Nursing & Health Sciences. “For some participating students, this program will affirm their interest in health care. For others, it will provide an opportunity for hands-on learning here at Piedmont and hopefully peak their interest in attending our college.”
It’s not often that a high school student gets an opportunity to learn on a college campus and be instructed by college faculty. This academic year 28 high school juniors who have expressed an interest in the health sciences field are visiting Piedmont College for four day-long sessions in nursing, athletic training, sports science, exercise, chemistry, and microbiology. The program, a collaboration between the college and the Foothills Area Health Education Center (AHEC), includes students from Habersham, Rabun, Stephens, Banks, and White counties. AHEC, a non-profit supported by federal, state, and local funds, helps recruit, train, and retain healthcare professionals for medically underserved areas. Selected students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher, be in good standing, and endorsed by a high school selection committee.
During their first session September 20, participants learned how to take vital signs and secure accident victims for transportation. They also explored how blood analysis can be used to solve crimes. Five Piedmont faculty volunteered to help with the program. After sessions in October and February students will complete the program March 27 by participating in Piedmont’s annual disaster drill, a day-long disaster simulation that involves area emergency agencies and more than 150 Piedmont students.
“The health scholars program is designed to promote
—John Roberts
Two of a kind
methods for teachers to teach the sciences and for students to learn (and get excited about) the sciences.
Bill Nye, The Science Guy Bill Nye, Our Science Guy They have the same name. They share a genuine passion. And they seemingly possess similar high-voltage, engaging personalities. So, what’s the difference? Location. While The Bill Nye is holding forth on television and stage, our Bill Nye is reaching out to teachers and students in local K-12 schools. As Director of Piedmont’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Innovation and Discovery Center, Our Bill Nye develops and shares creative, interactive
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And on his own time? “I’m into everything from Astrophysics to Molecular Biology and Environmentalism,” he says. “My latest endeavor is turning myself into an old-world naturalist – delving into wildlife management and studying the trees and plants in the Southeast.” No doubt, The Science Guy would be impressed by Our Science Guy (and perhaps learn a thing or two). —David Harrell
A glimpse of the past through a digital lens On-line library includes rare photos and letters from the Johnny Mize Collection By John Roberts
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nquestionably, Johnny Mize is Demorest’s most famous son. A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Mize was born in a house near campus and played three years for Piedmont as a teenager before breaking into the majors. Each year, hundreds visit the Johnny Mize Museum which opened in 2000 and is housed in the Johnny Mize Athletic Center. The displays there include photos, jerseys, and memorabilia from his 15-year career in the majors as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and New York Yankees. Until recently, baseball fans had to travel to the center to become immersed in the life of the hall of famer. Now, a digital compilation of Mize collectibles is making the Demorest native and his life accessible to everyone with a smart phone, computer, or tablet (and that’s a lot of people). When the Mize family began working with Piedmont to establish the museum, boxes of photos, letters, jerseys, and keepsakes were collected. Some of these items wound up in glassed displays at the museum. But much of it – boxes and boxes – were archived and stored in the bowels of the Arrendale Library. Craig Amason, Piedmont College Archivist and Director of
O U T R E AC H & I M PAC T
the Lillian E. Smith Center, says some of these are included in the digital collection. And they offer rare insight into the life of the “Big Cat”. It includes fan letters, family photographs, and images of Mize as a minor leaguer with the Rochester (New York) Red Wings. Amason said he and Bob Glass, Dean of Libraries, had longdiscussed developing a digital collection of Mize materials. “We have wanted to do this for some time, but we really lacked the equipment and the expertise,” says Amason. A state grant and cooperative agreement with the Digital Library of Georgia help turned dream to reality. With access to state-of-the-art digital scanners and digital library software, Amason, Glass, and Athens Librarian Xhenet Aliu began developing the library about a year ago. It is accessible through the Piedmont College Library webpage. To date, the collection includes approximately 50 items. But Amason says the college will add many more over time. “What we have up now is just the tip of the iceberg. We are planning to digitize the material that is on display in our museum and add more material that we have archived,” he says. “This will be a two- or three-year project and will grow.” Mize was born in Demorest in 1913 in a house adjacent to the Piedmont College campus.
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With thick thighs and muscular neck, Mize was powerfully built. This image was taken in Demorest when Mize was around 16 and playing baseball for Piedmont College while attending Piedmont Academy, a high school for young boys.
As a 15-year-old student at the Piedmont Academy, he caught the attention of Coach H.B. Forester. There were few rules on collegiate eligibility in the day and Forester quickly inserted the teenager in the lineup where he competed for three years. In 1936, Mize broke into the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals and soon became one of the most-feared sluggers in the National League. Big, graceful, and powerful, “The Big Cat� captured homerun titles in 1939 (28) and 1940 (43). Later, as a member of the New York Giants, he won two additional homerun crowns: 51 in
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Mize, a popular player, received his share of fan mail. Many of them came with words of encouragement when the slugger, despite his many records, was repeatedly denied entry into the baseball Hall of Fame. Fan John Preece (top left) and Andrew Sheppard (left) were among those who consoled Mize. Some letters showed creativity. In 1939, Mize received a note from a Dearborn, Michigan cartoonist who crafted an envelope illustration (above).
1947 (an honor he shared with Ralph Kiner of Pittsburgh), and 40 in 1948. Mize is, perhaps, best remembered as a pinch-hitter and part-time first baseman for the New York Yankees from 1949-53, where he helped the storied franchise to five consecutive World Series titles.
C O N S E RVAT O R Y of M U S I C
Almost Home Campaign for Music Conservatory on final stretch By John Roberts
A
performing groups have achieved national acclaim.
fundraising campaign to raise $7.89 million for a Conservatory of Music that will generate 20,750 square feet of space and help elevate the school’s music program to be one of the finest in the Southeast is nearly complete.
“For more than three decades, our music program has produced alumni who have achieved world-class success and developed performing ensembles that have played throughout our country,” said Piedmont College President James F. Mellichamp, who has served on the music faculty since 1982. “Now, we will have a facility that reflects our outstanding work.”
To date, $7.5 million has been raised and college officials and alumni are raising funds to push the total across the finish line. Workers are currently preparing a site adjacent to the Piedmont Chapel on Central Avenue for the project, which also includes the renovation of existing space on the lower level of the chapel. The conservatory’s two classrooms, concert hall, nine teaching studios, office space, and grand foyer will be completed next fall.
“Construction of the Conservatory of Music will be transformational for our programs” 2 SD07
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More than 200 Piedmont students participate in music academic programs, choirs, and performances. And Mellichamp says the college is grateful to the alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations who have made gifts.
EXISTING CHAPEL
MEN
93 SF
KITCH
WOMEN
93 SF
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STOR
8' - 10"
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STOR
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266 SF
20' - 10" 234 SF
234 S
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234 S
STUD
23' - 3" 234
STU
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138 SF
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WALL TYPE
VEST
122 SF
CONCERT HALL/ REHEARSAL 2442 SF
276 SF
1059 SF
GRAND FOYER
I.T.
60 SF
60 SF
ELEC
CIRC.
1703 SF
CLASSROOM
747 SF
315 SF
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TORY OF MU
STUDIO
CLASSROOM 496 SF
293 SF
STUDIO
14' - 0"
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252 SF
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136 SF
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JAN. MECH
63 SF 72 SF
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7' - 10"
326 SF
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69 SF
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311 SF
WOMEN
5' - 0"
AREA
EXISTING BUILDING
MECH
186 SF
9' - 10"
9' - 2"
362 SF
LOUNGE
9' - 2"
PRAC
73 SF
70 SF
MEN
3' - 8"
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PIEDMONT COLLE
304 SF
3' - 8"
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580 SF
MUSIC TECNOLOGY SUITE
12.06.2017
FINE ARTS
PRAC
172 SF
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197 SF
DESIGN -
OPEN DRAINAGE
STOR
78 SF
PRAC
170 SF
13' - 2"
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LIBRARY/ CONF RM
443 SF
MUSIC OFFICE
417 SF
DBA BECK ARCHITECTS, PLLC;
A single gift 10' - 0"of — Wallace Hinson, Chair “In recent years, from a friend of Department of Music Piedmont has enrolled the college is record classes and also providing completed construction projects to enhance academic for the purchase of 22 new Steinway pianos. As a result, programs, student life, and residential living,” said Thomas A. Piedmont will become one of an elite group of all-Steinway 7' - 5" 13' - 6" - 10" 13' 8" 6' 8' - 0" 11' - 0" “Gus” Arrendale III, Chairman of the Piedmont College Board 9' - 0" 22' - 10" schools. of Trustees. “The Music Conservatory will provide the finest instructional space for our students and signifies Piedmont’s Founded in 1987, the Piedmont Music Department includes growth and momentum.” degree programs in music performance, church music, music education, musical theatre, and arts administration. Beyond its impact on music scholars, the college serves the Graduates of the program have been admitted to the finest broader community by providing access to high-quality graduate music programs in the country, and the college’s
UPCOMING EVENTS
DECEMBER 7-8
$7.9m $7.5m music and arts events in northeast Georgia. Each year, the music department hosts approximately 40 public concerts and recitals that are free to the community. The music department has been housed in a former church fellowship hall that included a single classroom and several practice rooms. While providing more space for instruction, Piedmont’s Conservatory of Music will enable the program to achieve national accreditation, an achievement not possible with existing facilities. “Construction of the Conservatory of Music will be transformational for our programs,” said Dr. Wallace Hinson, chair of the music department. “And these new facilities will have a resonating impact on future generations of Piedmont students.”
Give now and help us end on a high note! www.piedmont.edu/conservatory
31ST ANNUAL SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS The Annual Service of Lessons and Carols is one of the region’s most beloved events celebrating Christmas. Celebrating 30 years, the Piedmont Chorale, Brass Choir, the Sewell Organ, various instrumentalists, and a visiting high school chorus are featured on this program of readings, carols, and anthems. Dr. Lauren Ringwall, conductor.
JANUARY Jan. 31Feb. 28
JOHN FOLSON: THE VANISHING Mixed media process combining aspects of painting and photography. Folsom aims to suggest the narrative potential of images, and his landscape scenes suggest the intersection of nature and technology. Represented by the Hathaway Gallery in Atlanta.
FEBRUARY 14-16
AND IN THIS CORNER, CASSIUS CLAY At the sound of the bell, young Cassius Clay, Jr. takes his first step into the ring and starts becoming the man the world would know as Muhammad Ali. This swift, vibrant, historical drama bobs and weaves through the iconic boxer's early life in Jim Crow-era Louisville. An unlikely hero is a classic story, but And in This Corner goes an extra, exhilarating round by exploring how remarkable communities help to create them.
For more news & events, visit www.piedmont.edu/FA PIEDMONT COLLEGE JOURNAL
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PRESIDENT'S
REPORT
2018 VISION 2023: MOVING PIEDMONT FORWARD
Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving. To reach the port of heaven, we must sometimes sail with the wind and sometimes against it; but we must sail and not drift, nor lie at anchor.” Colleges are paradoxical, they are steeped in tradition but are constantly changing. During the past decade, Piedmont has experienced a sea change. We have added programs, dramatically enhanced campus facilities, and grown our student body which stands at a record 2,450. These progressions have elevated the institution, helping Piedmont to thrive during a time when many small, private colleges have struggled and shuttered.
While celebrating our successes, we must guard against complacency and strive for continual improvement. Doing so requires that we systematically assess our performance and identify new goals that will help us reach our mission. Last fall, we launched the strategic planning process with a campuswide brainstorming session. As a group, we discussed the things we do well and the things we could do better. More than 200 faculty and staff participated in the exercise, which was moderated by our partner Credo, a nationally known consulting firm that specializes higher education strategic planning. Last December, we formed a strategic planning committee – composed of members of the president’s cabinet and a collegewide leadership team. The group met for a two-day retreat to explore ideas of strategic importance to the institution. From these discussions three mission-centric themes – thriving students, vibrant organization, and compelling story – emerged. The themes were presented to groups of college trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community leaders. These working groups developed initiatives and action items that aligned with the themes. Finally, the strategic planning team refined the goals and initiatives and developed a plan that has been titled Vision 2023: Moving Piedmont Forward. Like most good planning, the process was arduous. There were disagreements and compromises. We learned something about ourselves and reaffirmed who we are: an institution that is dedicated to the transformative power of education through reciprocal learning, the development of compassionate leaders, and the stewardship of our local and global communities.
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OUR STRATEGIC PLAN WILL DEVELOP THREE KEY AREAS: THRIVING STUDENTS
V I B R A N T O R G A N I Z AT I O N
In the coming years Piedmont will refine and improve our advising system, support student-mentoring programs, and develop more opportunities for students to take part in active, out-of-classroom learning experiences. The college will also offer more extra-curricular opportunities for our students, helping them to remain engaged in college life and to graduate.
Recognizing the importance of place, Piedmont will develop dynamic spaces to increase faculty and staff collaboration and satisfaction. Investments in professional development, improving on-boarding, and technologies will help the college attract and retain top faculty and staff.
COMPELLING STORY
With the final pieces of our plan falling into place, the real work begins. A leadership group of 20 faculty and staff members have been tasked with helping to complete initiatives within designated timeframes. These leaders will involve more faculty and staff in this collaborative push. We will track our progress and make needed adjustments along the way. In 2023, we hope to celebrate the completion of this plan and our college’s 125th birthday.
Piedmont has a story, and we need to tell it. The college will develop a comprehensive marketing plan, shared messaging, and inspiring story-telling that reflect our values, vision, and distinctive qualities. We will identify and strengthen the programs that attract students to Piedmont and unite the campus community, alumni, and friends through a capital campaign.
Since our founding in 1897, the Mayflower Ship has served as an enduring symbol of the college. The ship brought the Pilgrims to America and signifies our historical connection to the Congregational Church. Like Holmes, the Pilgrims embraced the notion of sailing and change. Hopeful and optimistic they left England in 1690 seeking opportunity and adventure. As we chart our own new course this restless, buoyant spirit embodies Piedmont. Sail on.
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PRESIDENT'S REPORT
ATHLETICS CATCH THE LIONS ONLINE Lions live online is more than a catchy phrase. It became a reality earlier this fall as the Mane Event Broadcasting Network began offering free broadcasts of all Piedmont home athletic events. The feature allows family, friends, alumni, and fans to follow Piedmont with free access to the Lions’ Network. The Mane Event Broadcasting Network is accessible through the Piedmont Lions webpage.
VALLEJO PLAYING PRO HOOPS IN ITALY Justin Vallejo ’18 is living the life that few Division III athletes dare to dream. He is a professional athlete. This August, Vallejo (6’6, 235) signed a one-year contract with Cestistica, an Italian team that is based in Ostuni (a coastal city on the heel of Italy’s boot). At Piedmont, Vallejo was a USA South All-Conference center. He started three years for the Lions and scored more than 1,000 career points. There are 16 professional basketball teams in Italy, each with a roster of 12 players. The season begins in early October and ends in March. Games are played on Sunday. Vallejo impressed European scouts at a spring combine camp in Virginia and was subsequently invited to a smaller camp in Lithuania. There, he caught the eye of his current Italian coaches. Just a few months removed from Piedmont, Vallejo – now a forward – is settling into his new digs, a coastal city that has been around since the Stone Age. Vallejo scored more than 1,000 points for Piedmont.
“I’m really enjoying it. I’m getting the language figured out,” he says. “The money is good for someone coming out of college, and I’m going to do it for as long as I can.” Afterwards, Vallejo is planning to put his mass communications major to work as a sports broadcaster.
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SPORTS SPRING ROUNDUP
USA South Commissioner Dr. Tom Hart (top right) presented the President's Cup to Dr. Mellichamp on October 2. Trustee Mack Guest (top left) also attended. Piedmont was also awarded the Women's President's Cup (right) and celebrated the day with a campus gathering.
TOPS IN USA SOUTH The 2017-18 sporting year was a great one for Piedmont. Piedmont had all 14 teams qualify for the conference championship tournament in USA South sponsored sports. Women’s tennis and women’s soccer claimed West Division titles while the women’s basketball team won the conference tournament for the second-straight year and advanced to the NCAA tournament. Recognizing those achievements, USA South Commissioner Dr. Tom Hart presented the President’s Cup to President James F. Mellichamp October 2 during halftime of the Piedmont – Toccoa Falls men’s soccer game. It was the second consecutive year that Piedmont has been awarded the Cup, which was established 40 years ago and recognizes the conference’s topperforming athletic program. Piedmont claimed the Cup by a margin of six points over Methodist University. The Lions were also awarded the Women’s President's Cup, which recognizes the top women’s program in the conference. Following the contest, the Lions, in fitting fashion, defeated Toccoa Falls 5 – 0.
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Keep up with all of our sports news, schedules, and scores at www.piedmontlions.com
A Call to Teach TWO DECADES REMOVED, FATHER AND SON SHARE A COMMON MENTOR
Through the Years Dr. Al Pleysier first joined Piedmont in 1982. He has kept the same office and held fast to traditional teaching methods, including chalk boards and grading papers by hand.
By John Roberts
C
ris Carpenter ’99 was at a crossroads during the fall of 1997.
As a professional baseball player, he had pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers, and Milwaukee Brewers. But after a storied 10-year career (where he compiled a 27-22 record mostly as a relief pitcher) his journey had taken him back to his native north Georgia. Carpenter had saved his money but was restless and energetic. He needed a purpose. He needed a job. Because
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he entered the draft during his junior year at the University of Georgia, Carpenter did not have a college degree. So, needing that and a bit of career inspiration, he enrolled at Piedmont College. So, there he sat. In a third-floor room in Daniel. The former ball player was thirty-three, married, had one child and twins on the way. He was surrounded by anxious college freshmen. It was his first day of class, and he felt old.
At 12:58 p.m. Dr. Al Pleysier, Professor of U.S. History, strode into the classroom. Thin, angular and dressed in a suit and tie, Pleysier had sharp features and blue eyes. And he was all business. The professor dispensed curt pleasantries, took roll, and then – in a soothing voice that belied his strict manner – launched into his first lecture: America during World War I. Baseball is a game of emotional measure, discipline, and command. So, Carpenter was immediately drawn to Pleysier’s command of the room.
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“Dr. Pleysier was so passionate about teaching. And he could tell stories. For me, he opened up a whole new world of learning,” says Carpenter. “After his class, I knew that I wanted to be a history teacher.” — Cris Carpenter same person had come to inspire father and son to a small baseball gathering last spring.
But he found much more in that first lecture. Inflecting and gesturing, the professor made the long-dead characters of history come alive. His stories erupted with color and emotion.
But he had never told the story to Pleysier until the two were reconnected earlier this fall. During a warm, hour-long conversation in the Mize Athletic Center conference room, the two discussed baseball, shared memories, their careers, and significant figures in U.S. history. Jane Carpenter was there. And so was Sam.
As a ball player, Carpenter had travelled the U.S. many times over. He had seen the historical attractions. But suddenly they seemed immensely more interesting. “Dr. Pleysier was so passionate about teaching. And he could tell stories. For me, he opened up a whole new world of learning,” says Carpenter. “After his class, I knew that I wanted to be a history teacher.”
As is often the case between teacher and pupil, Carpenter and his son conjured vivid memories of classroom quotes from Pleysier that helped shape their thinking or impacted their lives; moments that were lost to a professor that has spent most of his life in a classroom.
And he did. Carpenter graduated in 1999 and began teaching and coaching at his alma mater, Gainesville High School. Modest, Carpenter rarely spoke of the transformational experience. Only his wife, Jane, knew the entire story. In 2016, Carpenter’s son, Sam, enrolled at Piedmont. Like his father, Sam pitches, and he wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do beyond baseball.
They also shared stories of Pleysier’s stern classroom demeanor, unchanged through the decades. “I never smile in the classroom before Christmas,” says Pleysier, perpetually friendly outside the classroom. Then Cris Carpenter says: “In my classes, I still find myself impersonating you. You are the reason that I have been teaching over 19 years. I just wanted you to know that."
Until after the first day of a secondsemester class. “My son calls me and says ‘Hey, I want to be a history teacher. You see I have this professor Dr. Pleysier…’ and I thought, Oh my.” Linking past to the present, Cris Carpenter told the story of how the PIEDMONT COLLEGE JOURNAL
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Cris Carpenter, a former punter and baseball player at the University of Georgia, enjoyed a 10-year career in the majors, most of them with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pleysier nods, smiles, and enjoys the moment. A little more than a year ago, the professor, who has kept the same
Sam Carpenter, a junior and a hard-throwing left hander, was also inspired by Pleysier.
works in higher education. She thanked him for his class. “It will be with me for a lifetime,” she wrote.
office since joining Piedmont in 1982, was considering retiring to his home in the country. Should he continue teaching? “I prayed for an answer,” he said. The master teacher who had provided guidance to so many was seeking some of his own. About a week later, Pleysier received an email from a student who graduated in the 1990s and now
A month later, a similar note arrived – this one from a student who had taken Pleysier in the late 1970s as a high school student in Texas. Another, from a member of the Class of 2014, arrived last October. And now this. With misty eyes and an easy smile, Pleysier reads the notes and hears the stories. “All of this came so unexpectedly,” he says. “I think I have my answer.”
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SEIZING OPPORTUNITY Conley founded a business and built a career in telecommunications fighting for the little guy By John Roberts
I
n 1973, Conley Cathey graduated from Piedmont College with a BA in Business Administration. A few months later, he left North Georgia for good. And the move did not sit well in some quarters. Conley had grown up in the area and was entering his 17th year with Standard Telephone Company where he was managing the company’s district office in Cornelia. Standard had groomed Conley and he was knowlegable in every part of the business. But Conley saw an opportunity and branched out to a new career path
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that eventually led him to Texas where he co-founded a company that grew to four offices and employed more than 300. “When I left, some of the folks with Standard were not happy with me,” remembers Conley with a laugh. Conley began working for Standard in the stockroom shortly after graduating from South Habersham High School in 1956. He then left to join the U.S. Navy, where he cut his teeth in advanced communications serving as an Interior Communications Electrician on board ship. He served in a similar capacity
on a Submarine Tender in Scotland where he was “exposed to the latest communications advancements.” Rejoining Standard after his military service, company officials recognized Conley’s potential. He was affable, had a quick mind, was a keen negotiator, and had a knack for explaining complicated telecommunications functions to those outside the industry. Conley moved up the chain working in the Dahlonega District, and later managing the Cleveland District. In these capacities Conley learned every facet of Standard’s operation. By the early 1970’s he was managing the company’s largest district in Cornelia and attending Piedmont College night classes (as a 34 year old) to earn his business degree and help advance his career.
the late 70s, he moved from Lanham, Maryland to Dallas, Texas where he opened a Southwest Division. Conley enjoyed the battles waged against the larger companies on behalf of the independent companies. “It always seemed to be a David and Goliath situation because the larger companies did not want to acquiesce anything to the smaller ones,” says Conley. “But the smaller companies never took ‘no’ for an answer. It’s very rewarding to know that I played a small part in a lot of those victories.”
The 1970’s and 80’s were a period of rapid growth and change for the telecommunications industry that was rife with turf wars. When telephone calls were made, transmissions almost always traveled on lines that were owned by various companies. These companies, big and small. often disagreed on how to split the profits. In many cases these differences were arbitrated by State or Federal Regulatory Agencies.
In the early 1980’s Conley was traveling the country testifying before various state regulatory agencies. His counterpart, often representing the larger companies, was Roger Hutton, representing Southwestern Bell and the larger companies. The two struck a close friendship. In 1986, Conley saw another opportunity and partnered with Hutton to found Cathey, Hutton & Associates. Combining their knowledge, skillset, and contacts the two were able to offer a variety of services to telephone companies throughout the United States and various foreign countries, large and small.
A Maryland-based consulting firm, John Starurlakis, Inc., that represented smaller telephone companies in that battle recognized Conley’s gift for arbitration and offered the new college graduate a job in Maryland. In
In addition to negotiating settlements, Cathey, Hutton and Associates formed CHA Systems in 1994, a successful billing and operations
software for telephone companies. In 2006, CHA Systems became Omnia 360, prior to selling to a Londonbased private company. Cathey, Hutton and Associates later merged with Hicks & Ragland to create CHR Solutions. The firm offers a wide degree of engineering and software solutions and now serves a client list that numbers in the hundreds. In 2006, Conley received a lifetime achievement award from the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association to mark his 50 years of service in the industry. Now, retired, Conley lives in a retirement community in Dallas, Texas. To be sure, few have witnessed the changes he has. Consider this: When Conley first began working in telecommunications, telephone operators had to manually connect callers. “My greatest satisfaction and fondest memories have come in the consulting end of the business,” says Conley. “But I consider the cofounding of Cathey, Hutton & Associates as one of my greatest accomplishments. It brought together some really talented people.”
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Class Notes
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1990s 1
Dackri Davis ’93 recently became the Director of College and Career Success for Aurora Public Schools.
2000s 2
Anthony Cox BA ’02, MPA ’03 began his new position as Director of Enrollment Services, Upper School Admissions at Tallulah Falls School in Tallulah Falls, Georgia. Anthony previously served as Registrar at Piedmont College for 15 years. Nick Kastner BA ’03, MBA ’06 recently began his position of Director of Brand and Digital Strategy at Forum Communications, a communications agency in Gainesville, Georgia. He also teaches at the University of North Georgia as an adjunct professor. 3
Amber Kerr Lewis BFA ’05, MAT ’06, EdS ’08 married Scott Lewis in November 2017. Amber was named Teacher of the Year at Habersham Central High School for both 2011-2012 and 2015-2016 school years and named District Teacher of the Year for Habersham County Schools for the 2015-2016 school year Amanda Hendrix Rogers ‘08 began teaching 6th grade social studies at Tallulah Falls School.
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Bree Nelson MA ’08, EdS ’18 has spent her education career at Cartersville Primary School, where she teaches kindergarten, first, and second grade. Greg Neeley MBA ’09 and Jessica Taylor Neeley ’05 announce the birth of a son, Ethan John Neeley, June 10, 2018. Lisa Diehl MAT ’09 was selected as a Governor’s Teaching Fellow. Lisa is a lecturer of English at the University of North Georgia. Sandi Tatum Suda BA ’09, MBA ’11 and Tim Suda ’10 recently moved to Griffin, Georgia. In July, Sandi started her new job as Marketing Coordinator for Osmose Utilities Services in Peachtree City. In February, Tim started his new position as the Disaster Workforce Engagement Manager for the American Red Cross in Atlanta. Sandi currently serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and Tim received the Alumni Service Award in 2017. Erin Bowen MAT ’09 was awarded Teacher of the Year 2017-2018 at High Shoals Elementary School in Oconee County, where she serves as the PACE teacher for the Gifted Talented Learners.
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2010s 4
Zachary Stein BA ’10, MBA ’12 and Abby White Stein BA’ 09, MBA ’10 announce the birth of a son, William Thomas Stein, October 3, 2017 Anna Adams ’10 recently moved to Charleston, South Carolina. In August, she began at the Medical University of South Carolina as Fellowship Coordinator. Ryan Converse BA ’12, MBA ’14 is a licensee for Zaxby’s and recently opened his fourth Zaxby’s location this year in Richmond, Virginia. Chelsea Prince ’15 was named “Rookie Teacher of the Year” at St. Mary’s Middle School in St. Mary’s, Georgia. Elizabeth Haas MA ’16 was named Teacher of the Year 2017-2018 at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Georgia.
Class Notes 6
Lisa Knight ’18 recently moved to Athens and began her position as the Tuberculosis Program Coordinator for the Northeast Health District. Gabe Gutierrez ’18 , following graduation, began his new role at Piedmont as the Diversity Recruiter for the office of Undergraduate Admissions.
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Amanda Wolfrey Hadsall ’16 and her husband announce the birth of a daughter, Arryanna Dawn, March 26, 2017. Stacia Jones Coggins ’17 is currently working at the Athens Community Council on Aging in Athens, Georgia. She serves as Activities Coordinator at the Bentley Adult Day Health Center, where she support elders with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
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Ethan Amason ’17 was recently promoted to National Training Director for CLASS Leasing & Marketing in Alpharetta, Georgia. Amason joined CLASS in 2017.
Jessica Howard ’18 accepted a full-time position with ACG solutions in Cornelia, Georgia as a Junior Account Executive Dr. Eglin Mayfield, adjunct faculty in the School of Education at Piedmont, was recently awarded the Outstanding Educator of the Year award by the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals (GAESP) Dr. Mayfield was also recently sworn in as President of GAESP.
Upcoming events: www.piedmont.edu/alumni-events
Cave Tournament a grand success Sixty golfers enjoyed wonderful weather at the 30th Annual Coach Cave Memorial Golf Tournament October 16 at Bear’s Best golf course in Suwanee. The event was presented by Coca-Cola of Gainesville and featured a $30,000 cash prize for a hole-in-one sponsored by South State Bank. The tournament moved to northeast metro Atlanta for 2018 after being held in Clarkesville for a number of years. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Coach Cave Endowed Scholarship and athletic programs at Piedmont College.
Kings of the Green
The first-place team included (left to right) Aiden Cloud, Kevin Bullard, David Cloud, Sr., and David Cloud, Jr.
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In Memory 1940s Cola Wakefield Franzen ’42 of Hartwell, Georgia, died on April 5, 2018 at the age of 95. Cola graduated from Piedmont in 1942 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She graduated cum laude and was a member of the Torch Club. Born in Hart County, she was a retired Literary Translator in the publishing industry in Hartwell. Nellie “Gayle” Joyner Martin ’42 of Gadsen, Alabama, died on April 19, 2018 at the age of 97. Gayle graduated from Piedmont in 1942 after attending Southern Union College, where she met her husband, Ludger D. Martin ’42. She served as a teacher and administrative assistant for 14 years at Episcopal Day School in Gadsden. Gayle also taught at Jacksonville State University, where she received a Master of Arts degree in Music Education. She was a choir director at Central Methodist Church in Gadsden for ten years. She served as president of the Gadsden Federated Music Club and was an active member of the Alabama Music Teachers Association. Nettie Wallace ’43 of Montgomery, Alabama, died on August 7, 2018 at the age of 95. Nettie graduated from Piedmont in 1943 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Born and raised in Helena, Alabama, she was an avid Auburn fan. Nettie taught at Goodwyn Jr. High School and served as principal of Highland Avenue Elementary. She was also a member of Dalraida Baptist Church in Montgomery. James “Jim” Armstrong ’44 of Marietta, Georgia, died on July 13, 2018 at the age of 97. Jim graduated from Piedmont
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in 1944, where he was a star basketball player. He was inducted into the P-Club Hall of Fame in 1998. After graduating from Piedmont, Jim worked in marketing for AT&T for over 30 years. He was a member of Glenwood Hills Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. Mary T. Chambers ’47 of Tyron, North Carolina, died on June 18, 2018 at the age of 97. Mary graduated from Piedmont in 1947. She then spent 12 years with the National Organization of Camp Fire Girls, and began as co-director at Camp Ton-A-Wanda in Hendersonville, where she retired after 26 years. After retirement, she volunteered at the Henderson Settlement in Frake, Kentucky as part of the Red Bird Missionary Conference of the Methodist Church. Agatha McFarlin Payne ’48 of Homer, Georgia, died on February 4, 2018 at the age of 93. Originally from Carnesville, Georgia, Agatha graduated from Piedmont in 1948 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Agatha taught at Banks County Elementary School and was a member of Nails Creek Baptist Church. James L. Sanders ’48 of LaGrange, Georgia, died on May 21, 2018 at the age of 90. After attending Piedmont College, James graduated from Shorter College and received a Masters of Divinity degree at Emory University. He served for 48 years under The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. After retiring in 1995, he served as minister at Leland Methodist Church in Mableton and Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta.
Carl Nelson Wood ’49 of Marietta, Georgia, died on May 18, 2018 at the age of 93. Carl was born in Cherokee County, Georgia and raised in Pickens County. He graduated from Piedmont in 1949, where he met his wife, Dorothy Sanders Wood ’49 and played baseball and basketball. After receiving an M.Ed. in School Administration from Auburn University, Carl taught at Cumming High School. He later served as principal at Keith School and Allgood School in Marietta. Frances Jenkins Garrison ’50 of Jefferson, Georgia, died on February 13, 2018 at the age of 95. Frances graduated from Piedmont in 1950 and later earned a Master’s Degree at the University of Georgia. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, where she was a Sunday School Teacher. She taught for more than thirty years with the Jefferson City School System and the Jackson County School System. Gordon L. Craig ’51 of Ellijay, Georgia, died on March 6, 2018 at the age of 89. Born in Gordon County, Gordon was a graduate of Fairmount High School Class of 1945. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Piedmont in 1951, and later earned graduate degrees from Western Carolina University and the University of West Georgia. He served as a medic in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Gordon served Gordon County Schools as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal of Fairmount Schools.
Ellen Alexander ’58 of Lawrenceville, Georgia, died on February 5, 2018 at the age of 83. Born and raised in Toccoa, Ellen graduated from Stephens County High School in 1952. She graduated from Piedmont in 1958 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Ellen taught for over thirty years at Harmony Elementary School, Suwanee Elementary School, and Sugar Hill Elementary School. She and her husband, Hugh Alexander, owned Alexander Furniture Store in Toccoa for twenty-five years.
Reid Mullins ‘59 of Dacula, Georgia, died on April 15, 2018 at the age of 81. Reid was a graduate of Union Point High School. In 1959, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education from Piedmont, where he met his wife, Deloris Newberry Mullins ‘58. He later earned a graduate and post-graduate degree from the University of Georgia. Reid began his teaching career at Social Circle High School before serving as a coach and principal at Jackson County High School. Mullins also taught at Dacula High School and Snellville Middle School, where he retired after serving as principal for 20 years. Reid and Deloris remained very involved with Piedmont College as alumni and visited campus for many alumni events. Mullins received the Excellence in Education alumni award in 2004 and was inducted into the P-Club Hall of Fame in 1997.
1960s Thomas E. “Tom” Lawrence ‘64 of Griffin, Georgia, died on July 4, 2018 at the age of 75. Tom was a native of Syracuse, New York, and graduated from Piedmont with a degree in Business Administration. He retired after many years from Georgia Power as District Marketing Manager. He was a member First United Methodist Church of Griffin, the Kiwanis Club in Decatur, Georgia, and served on the Putnam County Board of Education. Charles E. Black ‘65 of Demorest, died on August 2, 2018 at the age of 75. Rev. Black graduated from Piedmont in 1965, where he met his wife, Diane Taylor Black ’64. Charles attended Cool Springs United Methodist Church and served 33 years in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. He retired as a teacher after 17 years with both White and Habersham County school systems.
1970s Lorna Landers Reece ’72 of Mt. Airy, Georgia, died on March 29, 2018 at the age of 87. Born in Cornelia, Lorna graduated from Piedmont in 1972 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary
Education. She served as an educator for 21 years, having taught at Baldwin Elementary and Hazel Grove Elementary. She was a member of the Habersham Retired Teachers Association and Hazel Creek Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and led the Children’s Choir.
1980s John H. Bridges ‘87 of Cornelia, Georgia, died on July 9, 2018 at the age of 59. Born in Atlanta, John graduated from Piedmont in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. John also played tennis during his time at Piedmont. He served in the United States Navy and was an inspector with Kubota Manufacturing Corporation. He was also a member of the Demorest Federated Church.
1990s Brenda Lovell Tench ’91 of Cornelia, Georgia, died on January 28, 2018 at the age of 59. Brenda was a Habersham County native and graduated from Piedmont in 1991 with a degree in Business Administration. Brenda served 33 years with Habersham Bank.
Eric Bernard “Bubba” Williams ‘96 of Adairsville, Georgia, died on July 20, 2018 at the age of 50. Better known as Bubba, Williams graduated from Piedmont in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, later receiving a Master of Arts degree in Education from Lee University. He devoted his career to helping adults with mental illness in the Rome-Floyd County area. He also volunteered as Chairman for an Atlanta-based homeless shelter, Task Force for the Homeless. Bubba remained very active as a Piedmont alumnus and attended many alumni events. The Piedmont College Alumni Association recognized Williams for his outstanding professional achievements with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010. He was also inducted into the P-Club Hall of Fame in 2003.
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Allison Bishop Hays MAT ‘98 of Athens, Georgia, died on July 15, 2018 at the age of 47. Originally from Atlanta, Allison attended high school at Athens Academy. After graduating from the University of Georgia School of Business in 1993, she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Piedmont College at the Athens campus. She was a member of the Heritage Garden Club, Junior League of Athens, and the First Presbyterian Church. Wendy Woodall Snow MAT ’99, EdS ‘12 of Hull, Georgia, died on July 16, 2018 at the age of 49. After receiving her undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia, Wendy earned her Master of Arts in Teaching and Education Specialist degrees at Piedmont College. She retired from Whitehead Road Elementary School after 15 years as a Kindergarten and ESL teacher. Wendy was a member of East Athens Baptist Church where she taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday School.
2000s Virginia Cheek Hayden EdS ‘06 died on May 27, 2018 at the age of 69. Virginia graduated with a degree in education from Auburn University, later receiving a Master’s degree from Oglethorpe University in 1990. Virginia attended the Gwinnett County Cohort and received her EdS from Piedmont in 2006. She retired from Gwinnett County Public Schools after teaching at B.B. Harris Elementary, Parsons Elementary, and Nesbit Elementary.
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Jennifer L. Smith MAT ‘06 of Snellville, Georgia, died on August 3, 2018 at the age of 51. Jennifer attending the Piedmont College Athens campus and received her MAT in 2006. She taught 5th grade for 12 years at Brookwood Elementary in Snellville, GA. Joseph R. “Joe” Pasquarelli ’07 of Gainesville, Georgia, died on May 22, 2018 at the age of 33. Joe graduated from Piedmont in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications. While at Piedmont, Joe met his wife, Jamie Telford Pasquarelli ’06, and was active in theatre. After graduating, Joe worked for the Gainesville Printing Post as a graphic designer. Karen Henderson Walker ‘09 of Woodstock, Georgia, died on July 21, 2018 at the age of 59. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern University, Karen attended Piedmont at the Cherokee County Cohort and received her MA in Early Childhood Education. She taught for 32 years in Forsyth County, Cobb County, and Cherokee County.
Friends Curtis D. Bradford of Demorest, Georgia, died on April 23, 2018. Curtis taught French at Piedmont College for 21 years until his retirement in 2010. In addition to Piedmont College, he taught at the College of Charleston and Carnegie Mellon University. He was also a member of Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church. Jean Kenney Harp of Redlands, California, died on July 1, 2018 at the age of 93. Jean was a talented artist and musician. She was also a gifted poet, having authored her own book of poetry titled Harp Strings. Jean was also an active member of The Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of the Mayflower Society. In memory of her husband, J. Edward Harp, Jean helped establish the J. Edward Harp Scholarship at Piedmont College. The scholarship has been awarded to a student every year since 1992. Allen Kidd of Toccoa, Georgia, died on June 10, 2018 at the age of 53. Allen served as a Campus Police Officer for Piedmont College, as well as North Georgia Technical College. He also served as a firefighter with the Habersham County Fire Department.
Save the Date!
Return to Piedmont for special alumni events such as the 40th & 50th Class Reunion, the Alumni Awards, and a Chamber Singers Reunion Concert. Visit us online for more information and event updates at www.piedmont.edu/alumni-weekend.
ALUMNI WEEKEND APRIL 12-13, 2019 Your college, your party.
piedmont.edu/alumni-events