October 2023 | www.guilford.edu
MAGAZINE
Bright Bulbs These Guilford entrepreneurs found a problem and became the solution
Natalie Hodge '01
NURTURING OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT Friends, A FAMILIAR STORY IN THE WORLD OF BUSINESS is the impact of the liberal arts on the creation of Apple Computers. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, shared in interviews how his own liberal arts undergraduate experience helped shape his early thinking of elements of what would make up the initial design components of Apple products. This issue of Guilford College Magazine highlights members of our Guilford community leveraging their liberal arts education into entrepreneurial ventures. In the stories you will read here, we learn about several of the ways that our alumni are engaged with developing new businesses, creating jobs and ultimately finding ways they can be engaged in shaping new possibilities. Recognizing the role a Guilford education plays in the work of these and other Guilford entrepreneurs, we’re exploring ways we can enhance elements of our liberal arts curriculum to encourage more innovation and entrepreneurship among our students and alumni. Among those you’ll meet in this issue is Lou Anne Flanders-Stec, Guilford’s new Senior Executive Director for Innovation and Engagement. Joining us from the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, where she served as Executive Vice President of Entrepreneurship , Lou Anne will play a vital role in helping us think about ways we can support Guilfordians who have an interest in entrepreneurship. The College will never lose the richness of the liberal arts. We see that every spring in our graduates who leave us with a respect for our shared history, an
understanding of the underpinnings of our government and appreciation for art, literature and culture. But that’s not all. Through the stories of Guilford’s entrepreneurs, you see that many of them point to the impact their education had in helping them think critically and innovatively, and ultimately generate the ideas and work they are now pursuing. This spirit of entrepreneurship is not a new path for our College, but rather an enhancement of what we are already doing. Entrepreneurship has always been woven into Guilford’s curriculum. Think about it: A Guilford education helps you deal with ambiguity and think critically. A Guilford education helps you spot opportunity. A Guilford education equips our students to leave this College with the skills to envision, create and execute. In implementing our new strategic plan, we will explore ways we can encourage this entrepreneurial spirit among many of our students while encouraging the pursuit of liberal arts foundations for much of their work.
“Entrepreneurship has always
been woven into Guilford’s curriculum. Think about it: A Guilford education helps you deal with ambiguity and think critically. A Guilford education helps you spot opportunity. A Guilford education equips our students to leave this College with the skills to envision, create and execute.”
Best regards,
Kyle Farmbry President W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 1
EDITOR Robert Bell ’11 CONTRIBUTING WRITER Robert Lopez DESIGN Chris Ferguson PHOTOGRAPHY Julie Knight Michael Crouch ’10 & ’12 COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING TEAM Ty Buckner, Vice President of Communications & Marketing Robert Bell ’11, Assistant Director of Communications & Marketing Michael Crouch ’10 & ’12, Associate Director of Communications & Marketing LaToya Marsh, Director of the Bryan Series Aziz Peregrino-Brimah, Digital Content Manager Lydia Saunders ’23, Presidential Fellow FUNDRAISING TEAM LaDaniel Gatling II, Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Relations Stephanie Davis, Director of Annual Giving & Donor Relations Elizabeth Freeze, Director of Development for Major Gifts Rick Lancaster ’88, Director of Development for Strategic Engagement Lauren Reinking, Director of Alumni Relations & Engagement
The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Welcome to Guilford College: Home of the entrepreneur. OK, to be fair, Guilford doesn’t have an entrepreneurship degree — though starting this fall students are able to pursue an entrepreneurship minor. We’re still that small liberal arts college that produces some of the best teachers in the state. We still graduate dozens of law enforcement professionals every year who are dedicated to serving their communities. Our business grads are working for some of
CONTACT US Office of Communications & Marketing New Garden Hall Guilford College 5800 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro, NC 27410 P / 336.316.2239 magazine@guilford.edu
Wall Street’s biggest firms — Main Street’s, too. But for every teacher, police officer and banker out there, Guilford produces a number of graduates eager to venture out on their own. They want to put to use those critical thinking skills for which the College is known. Oftentimes those problem-solving skills are on display in a more traditional workplace. But increasingly Guilfordians are using them to find solutions to unsolved problems or fill
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This issue of Guilford College Magazine lifts up those
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adventurous souls who made the leap, took a chance on a audience. We hope you enjoy their stories as much as we enjoyed telling them. And speaking of stories, if you have a Guilfordian you want to lift up, drop me a note.
Guilford College Magazine is published by the Office of Communications & Marketing. The views expressed within these pages do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the College. Guilford College does not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military status, veteran status or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law, ordinance or regulation. For our complete statement, please visit www.guilford.edu/nondiscrimination.
— Robert Bell ’11 Editor
IN THIS ISSUE
22
08 24
4 Stories from the heart Guilford stories from Zac Apple ‘10 led to one of the College’s biggest bequests.
6 Investing in Guilford Lou Anne Flanders-Stec thinks Guilford’s a good investment. Her job is to convince others.
8 Super author! Comic book writer Jadzia Axelrod ’01 is something of a superhero in the LGBTQIA+ community.
12 A special partnership President Kyle Farmbry has always had a strong connection with South Africa. He wants Guilford to share in that bond.
14 Bright bulbs Meet five entrepreneurial Guilfordians who saw a need in their world and set out to fill it.
20 Huddled against time The race is on to learn how Guilford’s last apple tree has survived for more than a century.
22 A different perspective Marius Pascale doesn’t teach students right from wrong. He teaches them how to think critically.
24 Catch Adam Smith (if you can) After a successful professional football season, the blur that is Adam Smith ’16 is slowing down. For now.
October 2023 On the Cover Entrepreneur Natalie Hodge ‘01 kept failing at her business ventures before she found her passion.
26 It runs in the family Author Anita Grant Jones honed her writing skills listening to her father’s stories.
28 Remembering Gertrude With the passing of Gertrude Upperman ‘69, Guilford loses one of its most devoted alums. W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 3
PHILANTHROPY
STORIES FROM THE HEART With every story they heard from the grandfather of Zac Apple ‘10, William and Myrtle Pickard fell in love with Guilford. Those stories led to one of the largest gifts in the College’s history. IN A LIFE THAT STR ETCHED 95 YEARS, Myrtle F. Pickard served with the Red Cross, tutored thousands of elementary school students in Raleigh, and could pick up a pair of knitting needles on Monday and create a sweater for husband William by Friday. The couple had no children and for most of their 66 years together, they lived a life of modesty, volunteering at schools and hospitals, sharing a used car and wearing jeans to grow a backyard garden together. The Pickards’ biggest luxury in life, says Pam Couch of Raleigh, a niece, was a fondness for travel, and there was no part of the world too remote. Gibraltar. England, Germany. Even when the Pickards moved into a retirement home in 2007 they continued to travel. William, a retired IRS accountant and auditor, died in 2017; Myrtle, who worked for the state, died in February of this year. The Pickards had many other interests. One of those was investing —
MYRTLE AND WILLIAM PICK ARD, SHOWN HERE IN GIBRALTAR, GAVE THEIR ENTIRE ESTATE — MORE THAN $3.7 MILLION — TO GUILFORD.
specifically in bank stocks and bonds. William and Myrtle’s shrewd investing
largest individual gift to Guilford in
footing and gives it more time to
and modest ways helped them amass
the College’s history, and second largest
increase revenues to offset assistance
more than $3.7 million by the time
ever. In 2005, the Corella and Bertram
during the pandemic.
she died.
F. Bonner Foundation donated $4.5
If the size of their estate was a surprise to family members, it was
“We are incredibly grateful for this
million to establish a Bonner Scholars
wonderful act of generosity,” says
Endowment.
Danny. “This gift affirms to the Guilford
even more surprising where they
Danny Gatling, Vice President for
community that we are serving our
directed that fortune: to Guilford
Advancement and Alumni Relations
students well, and preparing them to
College, a school neither attended nor by
at Guilford, says the gift will provide
change their part of the world.”
many accounts ever set foot on.
revenue for the next three fiscal years
The story of William and Myrtle and
that helps keep the College on sound
their generosity to Guilford is the final
William and Myrtle's bequest is the 4 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
chapter in a series of shorter stories —
their place in the world and that their
all originating from Zac Apple '10.
money was going to go to this college
Zac played baseball at Guilford
in Guilford County,” recalls Pam.
before graduating with a degree in
“Everyone agreed and encouraged them
Exercise & Sport Science. During his
to move forward.”
time at Guilford, Zac would often tell
Zac didn’t learn of the Pickards'
his grandfather, David Hix, about his
gift — and the role his stories played in
experiences at Guilford,.
inspiring their generosity — until the
David would often
College reached out to
share his grandson’s
him this summer.
stories about Guilford
He grew up in
with his good friends
Gibsonville, N.C., a
William and Myrtle.
rural, largely white
With every passing
town in Guilford
story David told them,
County, 26 miles east of
the Pickards, both of
the College.
whom graduated from
Zac says coming to
N.C. State University,
Guilford “was a bit of a
were falling in love with
cultural shock.”
Guilford College. It is common for millionaire philanthropists to give to schools that are already well resourced and where they often have a personal connection. Pam says her uncle and aunt were anything but common.
“Not just the diversity on campus
“The diversity and what I
but in the classes
learned about other cultures really prepared me to be able to deal with the real world, and acceptance and what I now do as a teacher and with my teammates.”
I took, too,” says Zac, a teacher and head baseball coach at Rockingham County High School in Reidsville, N.C., “You didn’t just learn about geography in a geography class.
— Zac Apple ’10
“They always
You learned about
believed smaller
the people and the
schools were the
cultures and the
best place to get an education because
impact countries had on those cultures.
the class sizes are so much smaller and
The diversity and what I learned about
the personal attention a student gets,”
other cultures really prepared me to
says Pam. “I think with every story
be able to deal with the real world,
they heard about Guilford, they started
and acceptance and what I now do as a
falling in love with the school.”
teacher and with my teammates.”
After William died, Myrtle gathered
Danny says the gift will help
her nieces and nephews, grand nieces
Guilford continue to grow. “We’re
and grand nephews, and told them of the
excited about the transformation a
couple’s intended bequest to Guilford.
gift like this can bring to the College,”
“She told us that everyone in the family had their opportunity to make
he says. “It’s a great start to the academic year.”
Lauren Reinking is Guilford’s new alumni director Lauren Reinking, Guilford’s new Director of Alumni Relations & Engagement, could see and hear the passion Guilfordians have for their College when she interviewed for the position. “There’s something special about Guilford that's unique to every alum,” she says. “You can hear it in their voice and see it in their smile. I’m excited to be part of that passion." Lauren, who started her new position Sept. 12, brings a diverse range of experience to Guilford, having held previous roles in both the cultural and higher education sectors. Most recently she was the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at the University of Chicago, where she worked with thousands of alumni to encourage them to stay connected and active with their alma mater. Before that she worked as Director of Volunteer Services for the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Lauren says Guilford alumni will play a vital role in the College’s future. “Our alumni are our biggest ambassadors,” she says. “They spent four years at Guilford. Who better to share the stories and experiences of Guilford to others and attract students.” Lauren also knows the importance of connecting with alumni and teaching them the importance of philanthropy. “It’s important to give back to the College that helped you get your start.” Danny Gatling, the College’s Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Relations, says Lauren brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. “We’re eager for Lauren to meet with and connect with our alumni,” says Danny. “Lauren understands our commitment to growing our alumni engagement and fostering important partnerships that will last a lifetime between the College and alumni. We’re excited to have her helping build those connections.”
•
W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 5
CAMPUS NEWS
INVESTING IN GUILFORD The College has many revenue streams not being used. Meet Lou Anne Flanders-Stec, whose job is to tap into those streams and find others. FINDING ADDITIONAL INCOME streams can seem daunting for liberal arts institutions like Guilford. Pushing administrators and faculty beyond their traditional academic comfort zones and into the worlds of research, real estate, and commerce can prove anxious. Even some alumni wring their hands at the idea of their college losing the focus of its mission. Stop right there. Lou Anne FlandersStec has heard those worries before — the ones about liberal arts colleges straying from their mission of building students into well-rounded citizens. “Guilford has always been working in an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit,” says Lou Anne, Guilford’s new Senior Executive Director ofInnovation and Engagement. “That’s played out for years at Guilford in social innovation, and how to really engage,educate and address social issues with creativity and innovative thinking. What we want to do now is see how we can enhance those areas and maybe turn them into revenue for the College.” That way of thinking should not be a significant leap for the College, says Lou Anne. She points to established Astronomy and Physics departments have with NASA. She talks about the artificial intelligence research taking place with Analytics faculty and students. “How do we leverage those partnerships already in place? How do we grow them?” she asks. “There 6 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
LO U A NNE F L A N D E R S - S T EC H A S T HR I V ED IN T HE E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L W O R L D. IN HER N E W R O L E , S HE ’S B R IN G IN G T H AT W O R L D TO GU IL FO R D.
PHOTO BY ROBERT BELL ’11
partnerships that Guilford’s
are (faculty) books that have been written that are sitting on shelves that haven't been published. What can we do to get them published?” In her new role, Lou Anne is responsible for facilitating and strengthening connections between Guilford faculty, students, staff, alumni, industry leaders and investors, and the community. That entrepreneurial world is one Lou Anne has thrived in. After receiving her MBA in Finance from the University of North Texas in 1991, she worked for a private equity group, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and became steeped in the process of entrepreneurship exits — building a business that is viable to be purchased. Lou Anne moved from New York to Greensboro in 2002 to work for the Piedmont Angel Network where she helped fund 11 local companies. Before coming to Guilford this summer, she was the executive vice president of entrepreneurship at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce for seven years. “Lou Anne brings a skill set and leadership experience that will immediately help to further advance our efforts in innovation, entrepreneurship, and business engagement,” says President Kyle Farmbry. Lou Anne says the College has identified three so-called pillars of revenue the it can explore: Real estate, innovation and investor funding. That’s already begun. The College earns revenue from the Eastern Music Festival, which has been a strong partner for 62 years. This summer the College rented its athletic facilities to various sports camps. Leaders are exploring other properties on campus to leverage, too. The second pillar is finding or creating research at Guilford that, as Lou Anne says, “can be used changing lives beyond the campus.” Those types of ventures need funding and Lou Anne says the College is interested in setting up an angel-investment system to help faculty members and other people tied to the school launch start-up businesses. PHOTO BY MICHAEL CROUCH ’10, ’12
The idea, says Lou Anne, is to generate start-up capital to help get those businesses off the ground. It would fill, at least partly, the gap between a would-be Guilfordian entrepreneur’s out-of-pocket spending and more traditional venture-capital and private-equity investments. Lou Anne says this seed money would not be philanthropic but rather real investment money. “We’re looking at whatever efforts we can to help researchers, alumni, students turn their work into commercial enterprises,” she says. “When the project or program succeeds, so will the investors.”
•
New address for Friends Center Friends Center has moved into its new digs at Worth House I, after having spent nearly a decade at the Campbell House. Wess Daniels, William R. Rogers Director of Friends Center and Quaker Studies, said the program was in need of more space, and that Worth House I will allow it to more easily host meetings and classes. The move was motivated by a good problem, says Wess. “At Campbell House, we just couldn’t get all the Quaker Leadership Scholars Program students in there,” he says. “I have taught classes at the Campbell House, but they have to be pretty small classes. Worth House I, also gives us more room to bring in interns and grad assistants. And we usually have three or four Friends Center Fellows, who are work study students, and this provides a little more space for them to have a desk and to set up.” Wess said the new space will also be easier for students to find. “It’s not too far from where we used to be,” he says. “But there’s a walkway up to (Worth House I), you can see the middle of campus from it (it’s 250 steps from the quad), and if you’re in the middle of campus, you can point to the house. The Campbell House is on campus, but George White Road ran between it, and most of the rest of campus. It felt almost like it was on a different campus.” Friends Center celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, and, Wess says, “nurtures the Quaker ethos of the college and the spiritual life of our community.” The Center is open to students of all faiths, and offers workshops and classes on community building. Worth House I was once the Alumni House. Wess says he connected with representatives of Black Alumni of Guilford College (BAGC), Alumni and Friends of Guilford College (AFOG) and Save Guilford College “to ensure that this space continues to be a home for alumni, and we are excited that this move can deepen our connection to the entire alumni community.”
W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 7
AWESOME ALUMNI
CAPED AND QUEER, JUST LIKE HER Writer Jadzia Axelrod '02 is helping bring queer superheroes to life. Her fans are loving every page of it.
Jadzia Axelrod '02 couldn’t walk into a book store and find an LGBTQIA+ section for young adults. Those books, almost entirely self-published or put out by small niche presses, were often shelved separately from other romances in bookstores.
“Guilford certainly has a very
welcoming vibe to encourage who you really are. A lot of colleges do, but Guilford especially.” — Jadzia Axelrod ’02
The world has changed, of course, and
lot of the emotions Taylor feels are absolutely the emotions I felt. Even with all the sci-fi rigamarole that goes on it's still very grounded in my experiences and what I wanted to say.” “Guilford certainly has a very welcoming vibe to encourage who you really are,” she says. “A lot of colleges do, but Guilford especially.”
Jadzia is helping lead the charge.
Jadzia has been a fan of comics and
Her DC Comics graphic novel Galaxy:
of course, but Jadzia drew on her own
superheroes since her father gave her a
The Prettiest Star was released last year
experiences growing up in Tennessee
Flash comic book he’d bought at a yard
and tells the story of Taylor, an alien
and later at Guilford College, where she
sale when she was maybe eight.Through
princess who has been living on Earth
came out as queer, to tell Taylor’s story.
the years, it’s been easy for Jadzia to
disguised as a human boy, but who, with
“Are you kidding?” she asks, laughing.
every new chapter, finds the strength
“A trans teenager alone on another
to live her true self. It’s science fiction,
planet? A lot of me is in that book. A
8 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
draw comparisons between superheroes and the LGBTQIA+ community. “This idea that there is a life that
PHOTO COURTESY JADZIA A XELROD ’02
GROWING UP IN THE EAR LY 1990s,
you have, that other people don't
what they are,” she says. “That sort of
necessarily have and that life is
visceral excitement was perfect for a
more colorful than the life you're
comic book. I was hooked.”
experiencing, a life that is often more
Galaxy: The Prettiest Star, which
rewarding and more exhilarating, but
earned sweeping praise from readers
also more dangerous,” Jadzia says. “A
and critics, was so successful DC Comics
lot of the (LGBTQIA+) community can
approached Jadzia to put together
relate to that. Sometimes you wear very
The DC Book of Pride: A Celebration of
different clothes in that life than your
DC’s LGBTQIA+ Characters, which was
day-to-day life. There's a very powerful
released in June.
queer metaphor in superheroes. I think
In July, DC released Hawkgirl,
that's why a lot of queer people love that
Jadzia’s newest comic. Hawkgirl is the
concept so much.”
latest adventures of one of DC’s most
In the same breath Jadzia admits there’s a darker side to that superhero
heterosexual superhero, which is out of
metaphor many in the LGBTQIA+
the norm for Jadzia.
community can relate to. “Sometimes
These days Jadzia is married to Mae
you have to keep your secret for your
(Kalwaic) Axelrod. The two met when
own safety and the safety of the people
they lived next door to each other as
you love,” she says.
first years in Binford Hall.
The exception in Jadzia’s life was
Jadzia says it’s “sad and frustrating”
Guilford, a nest lovingly lined with
to see teens today experiencing what
students and faculty who accepted her and many other LGBTQIA+ students. “Being at Guilford was more like me
old self, but not now. “It's such a wonky sci-fi idea that
feels like many of the same cultural forces fighting against LGBTQIA+
you would never be able to pull off
representation that she experienced
joining up with my Justice League pals,
effectively in any other medium even
growing up. She’s determined to do
rather than going back to my secret
with computer special effects being
her part in affirming their place in the
identity at home,” she says. Jadzia was raised on the Sunday
H AW G I R L A R T B Y O T T O S C H M I D T. © D C C O M I C S
popular superheroes. Hawkgirl is a
world through her writing. It’s weird,” she says, “Obviously I'm not
comics section. She still has that Flash
the first one to write a gay comic book.
comic book her father gave her. Even
But it does feel like there's such a dearth
now, all these years later, she remembers
in publishing in general and comics in
the panels from one scene in particular
particular. Mainstream comic creators
of Flash trying to be his superhero self
are rarely given an opportunity to really
and his secret identity at the same time.
tell these stories. I’m happy I get to do
In it, Flash moves through the room
it. And I understand the responsibility
in a blink taking off his costume and
of that. But also I'm a little angry that
putting on clothes and taking off his
there's not more of us out there.”
costume again, over and over trying to
That anger pales to the joy she gets
be two people at once, a metaphor that
from readers of her work. “I've heard
might have been lost on Jadzia’s 8-year-
several times that people have never seen themselves in a book before until
TOP: JADZIA A XELROD’S 2022 GR APHIC NOVEL GAL A X Y: THE PRET TIEST STAR TELLS THE STORY OF AN ALIEN PRINCESS TR APPED IN THE BODY OF A HUMAN BOY; RIGHT: JADZIA'S NEWEST PROJECT IS WRITING A NEW HAWKGIRL SERIES FOR DC COMICS.
they read Galaxy,” she says. "They come up to me and say things like, ‘This is such a really beautiful book,’ and, “I wish I had been around when I was younger.’ That’s very humbling.”
•
W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 9
JEFF & LOUISE: A LOVE STORY 32 YEARS IN THE MAKING In 1991, Jeff Albright missed his chance to confess his feelings to fellow first year Louise Lesserman. More than three decades later, he got a second chance. But this spring day was different.
wishes before Louise and her mother
’94 and Louise Lesserman stood in
Jeff and Louise didn't know what
drove off. Then came the tears. Jeff
the parking lot near Binford Hall, the
to say. Louise’s car was packed. She
and Louise became fast friends since
residence hall where Louise lived in her
was heading home to Tennessee and
first-year orientation that year, and
first year at Guilford. The place where
wasn’t coming back. Instead, she was
Jeff wondered if he might never see
both sat on the outdoor steps at night
transferring to a college in Nashville so
Louise again.
talking about nothing and everything
she could be closer to her boyfriend.
until the small hours of morning.
There were hugs and smiles and well
“I just remember dropping to my knees and crying,” recalls Jeff. “I had
LOUISE AND JEFF ALBRIGHT SITTING ON THE STAIRS OUTSIDE BINFORD HALL, WHERE JEFF PROPOSED TO LOUISE LAST YEAR. 1 0 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
PHOTO BY ROBERT BELL ’11
IN THE SPRING OF 1991, Jeff Albright
S UR R O UND ED BY T HEIR C HIL D R E N , LO U I S E A N D J EF F G O T M A R R IED IN B E AU FO R T, N .C . B ELO W, F IR S T Y E A R S LO U I S E A N D J EF F O U T S ID E HER B IN FO R D H A L L D O R M R O O M IN 1 9 91 .
so many feelings for Louise but never
stairs. He was holding a ring. This time
acted on them. Now she was leaving,
there were no tears, only smiles.
and I remember thinking I’d missed
On a Sunday afternoon in July, Jeff
my chance.”
ferry that connects Beaufort, N.C.,
ago. Love is kind, it does not boast and
to Sand Dollar Island. They wanted
is not jealous. But above all, love is
the island all to themselves, their
patient. That patience would be tested
six children and Jeff’s best friend, an
because theirs was a love story 32 years
ordained pastor. After the wedding
in the making.
ceremony, everyone ran into the water,
Louise ended up marrying that
splashed around, and began searching
boyfriend after college. A few years
for sand dollars, long a symbol of rebirth
later Jeff married, too. They kept in
and renewal. There were also stories of
touch through phone calls and emails.
Guilford and love and second chances.
Sometimes, when Jeff’s job took him on
They’ve been married three months
the road, they’d even meet for lunch.
now and Jeff and Louise are still trying
“He was like the best friend you could
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA ALBRIGHT
and Louise paid for all 40 seats on the
That was more than three decades
news with Jeff, he couldn't believe it.
to make sense of – and celebrate – their
have,” says Louise. “Even after Guilford I
That's when Jeff told Louise that he was
love’s winding journey. “There are times,”
always felt comfortable talking to him.”
also getting divorced.
says Louise, “Where we’ll be watching a
Louise and her husband had three
By now you've probably figured out
children. So did Jeff and his wife. They
the rest. Jeff and Louise reconnected
both had successful careers which
as friends first, but that friendship
meant there was always something to
quickly evolved into dating. “It was like
from bonding in your teenage years in
talk about. They even talked about the
we were those two freshmen back at
one big way: Time is too short being coy
troubles each was having in their own
Guilford,” he says. “I laugh more in one
or playing games. “We don’t look at it as
marriages.
day around her than I had in one year.”
we lost 30 years,” says Jeff. “We think
In August of 2022, Jeff and Louise, a
about what we can do with the time we
“I remember telling Jeff, ‘Why does
movie on the couch and I’ll just hit pause and say, ‘How did we get here?’” Reconnecting in your 50s is different
marriage have to be so hard?’” Louise
couple now, were roaming Guilford’s
have left. Louise saved me. I may have
recalls. “Jeff never pushed me one way
empty campus when they walked past
lost multiple years of my life, but we’re
or the other. He just did what he always
Binford and those same steps they’d
going to make the rest of them count,
does and that’s listen.”
spent so many nights sitting outside
you know?”
In 2019, after separating from
together as first years. They sat down
Louise says she gives Guilford the
her husband, Louise moved to North
to talk. About Guilford, their lives and
credit for her path crossing Jeff’s. “I
Carolina to live with her sister. Her
how grateful they were that 31 years
was only there a year, but it feels like
children were grown, and she wanted
later love gave them a second chance.
my school. How can it not? Look who it
a fresh start. When Louise shared her
That's when Jeff bent to one knee by the
brought to me.”
•
W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 1 1
PRESIDENT FARMBRY EARLIER THIS YEAR SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE UNIVERSIT Y OF PRETORIA.
‘MY SECOND HOME’ ASK KYLE FAR MBRY why he so
student at Germantown Friends School
who were political prisoners and
loves his adopted second home of
in Philadelphia.
learning firsthand about people whose
South Africa and listen to his stories
He still remembers his sophomore
lives have been turned upside down by
of walking through Cape Town under
year at George Washington University
the apartheid government, and some
the immense brow of Table Mountain
sitting in his dorm room, brimming with
of its actions and then finding ways
and the heavy weight of over 130 years
joy and pride when Nelson Mandela
to rebuild or to build a society that
of history in Johannesburg — a history
was released from prison. He still
they wanted to build. I just remember
that closely parallels that of the U.S.
remembers his first visit to the country
thinking how I wanted to spend more
But it’s not enough to listen. You
in 2002 staring out at Table Mountain
time there and I wanted others to see
need to watch. The eyes first. See how
and the Atlantic Ocean crashing
this place that was so special to me.
Kyle’s widen. And the smile. Subtle at
against the shores.
“Really, for the past 21 years the
first before stretching to a grin. South
“Everything about the country — the
Africa is the faraway country in the
geography, the people, the food — is just
life. It's been like my second home.”
throes of upheaval Kyle read about and
beautiful to me,” he says. “I remember
It’s a part of his life Kyle wants to
talked about in class as a middle school
that first visit, hearing from people
share with Guilford students, faculty
1 2 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
country has been such a big part of my
PHOTOS BY ROBERT BELL ’11
President Kyle Farmbry has always had a special connection with South Africa. He wants that for Guilford, too.
and staff. He’s devoted many hours and stories doing just that. Just this year the College signed agreements with two South African universities, the University of Pretoria and the University of Venda, to examine partnerships that would benefit both parties. In September, Venda staff and faculty traveled to Guilford to meet with the College’s faculty and administrators to learn more about one another. Earlier this summer, members of Guilford’s inaugural MBA class traveled to Cape Town to study and focus on the entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem of the country. Kyle envisions faculty and student exchanges and joint research that could lead to additional revenue streams for both institutions. He wants the College
PRESIDENT FARMBRY, DASIA WASHINGTON '23 AND LATAYLIN MA XWELL '23, GRAB A SELFIE ON A PRIVATE RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA THIS SUMMER.
to help find private funding that would enable local high school students to visit
“A lot of times these trips are life-
thinking they knew what they wanted
South Africa as a means of exposing the
changing,” he says. “So many times I’ve
to do for a career but now they see a
students to Guilford.
seen through my students who have
whole bunch of other things in front of
Besides helping grow Guilford,
gone on South Africa trips that they
them they might want to engage in.”
Kyle says trips to South Africa help
want to go again or somewhere else.
“And, really, that’s what college —
students grow, too. He says he loves
I’ve had former students who had an
especially Guilford College — is about.
seeing students and faculty experience
amazing experience and then have
Putting these opportunities in front of
the range of emotions he first felt
decided that they suddenly are thinking
students to discover what they really
21 years ago.
about the Peace Corps or they’re
want to do with their lives.”
•
W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 1 3
Bright Bulbs These five Guilford entrepreneurs found a problem and became the solution. The original charter of Guilford College, drafted during the horse-and-buggy years of the 19th century, established a boarding school dedicated to the advancement of science and literature. These days, the College is equally dedicated to the advancement of the next Bill Gates. This is not a pivot by Guilford. Ideas have always taken seed in our students just as they have by those who developed a vaccine to suppress a global pandemic and made AI a reality. Those innovations might never have happened without allowing change makers the space to fail, as well as the support to try again. In that sense, the College has always been fertile ground to discover those light bulb moments. Here are five alumni who saw a problem in their corner of the world and set out to correct it. Some people call those change agents entrepreneurs. We call them... Guilfordians.
by Robert Bell ’11
14 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
THE VIDEOGRAPHER
Telling stories through video and passion
I
n her own unblushing words, Natalie Hodge ’01 was a serial business failure. She sold cosmetics, a career that lasted about as long as this sentence. Next came real estate.
“I thought I couldn’t have any less passion for something
when I sold cosmetics, but then I got into real estate,” she says, only half-joking. “It just wasn’t for me.” Neither was the travel company she opened. She didn’t know it at the time, but with each failed venture, Natalie was learning. More important she was closing in on finding her true passion of telling stories and helping others find their own passion. Today Natalie owns and runs Rudy’s Girl Media in Martinsville, Va, a multimedia content development company. In November, she’s launching her own cable channel station. RGMTV will air original TV shows, independent movies and lifestyle content across southern Virginia. The difference between Rudy’s Girl and all the others that came before it? “Passion,” she says. “I know people make money doing things they don’t love but that is not my recommendation for a great life. When you love what you do, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
“I know people make money doing things they don’t love but that is not my recommendation for a great life. When you love what you do, it’s the best feeling in the world.” — Natalie Hodge ’01
Natalie comes from a family of entrepreneurs that goes back to her grandfather and grandmother, with third-grade educations, opening a convenience store in Martinsville in the late 1940s. All these years later she’s never forgotten those roots. “My grandparents were African-Americans with limited educations who dared to think of themselves in a different way. That’s always been true for me.” A few years ago, Rudy’s Girl started a YouTube channel, Hometown Hustle, which highlights successful businesses in 11 southwest Virginia cities and offers entrepreneurial inspiration and advice for others. Natalie says the channel is geared toward high school or college students and young entrepreneurs just getting started. “Anyone stepping into entrepreneurship who might need some help filling in the gaps to their business,” she says. “I want to be there to help them. Because there’s something I really love about being an entrepreneur and making those decisions and being out on your own, you know?” W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 1 5
K Y L E K I S ER ’ 16, HI S W IF E C A R LY K I S ER ’ 1 6 A N D T H E IR C HIL D R E N , JAC K A N D AU D R E Y.
THE CEO
Has Kyle Kiser’s startup found a remedy for high drug prices?
K
yle Kiser ’06 wasn’t one of those entrepreneurial wunderkinds out of college. Are you kidding? He couldn’t wait to start work in his family’s employment
benefits business and hoped to work happily ever after. Like most entrepreneurs, that didn’t last. Kyle became frustrated with one of the most basic questions of the healthcare industry: Who picks up the check? At the time there were two options for managing health care costs: The provider shifted costs to the patient or the employer.
“All I know is I wasn’t looking to sell a product or be a cog in the wheel. I wanted something a little more purposeful.”
make better (read: less
— Kyle Kiser ’06
went looking for a solution.
“There was no third option,” says Kyle, “so the more I worked in the business, the more I grew frustrated.” But with that frustration came curiosity. Kyle has always
expensive) decisions when prescribing medications. Like all entrepreneurs, Kyle, a Guilford Trustee who is married to Carly Matteson Kiser ’06, encountered a problem and The problem: Two out of
three Americans delay or ignore health care because of the costs associated with medications.
been intrigued at how things work. Just have lunch with him
The solution: Give doctors the data they need to provide
at a restaurant. Chances are while you’re looking at the menu
alternate medications or pharmacies that are more affordable.
Kyle is looking at how the staff is working together — or not.
A CEO's income is nice, but Kyle says the money doesn’t come
“I’ve always liked looking at systems,” he says. “It’s interesting
close to the satisfaction of helping others. He knew as a first-
to me how the kitchen interacts with the hostess staff and how
year at Guilford he wanted to do something meaningful after
they both interact with the bar. It’s all a series of small systems
college. He just didn’t know what.
working within one larger system. If you like to observe and
“All I know is I wasn’t looking to sell a product or be a cog in
think about systems, the American health care system is about
the wheel. I wanted something a little more purposeful,” he
the most complicated one you can observe in the world.”
says. “I was clueless as to what that was, but isn’t that what
Today Kyle is CEO of Arrive Health, which helps physicians 1 6 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
Guilford helps you discover? Your purpose in life?”
THE PRODUCER
Brian Lowit gives voice to under-the-radar bands
B
rian Lowit ’98 didn’t wait to graduate from Guilford before showing off his entrepreneurial side. He was a sophomore spinning records at WQFS, the College’s
radio station, when he seized his opportunity. Brian grew up in Falls Church, Va., a suburb of Washington D.C., and was a big fan of the city’s legendary independent punk music scene. “I wanted to be more than just a fan of the music,” he says. “I wanted to be more involved in it, but it
“I wanted to be more than just a fan of the music. I wanted to be more involved in it.” — Brian Lowit ’98
was frustrating being so far removed.” Using connections he had with bands and other producers back home, he started his own record label. That’s the truncated
story behind Lovitt Records, which has produced albums for more than 1,000 bands nationwide. Over the last three years at Guilford, Brian ran Lovitt Records out of the dorm room and apartments he lived in. Most start-ups require heavy support from venture capitalists. Brian worked in the College’s mailroom and as a tour guide for Admission, using his paychecks to fund the business. The first album he produced was for a Washington punk band. Lovitt Records sold out all 1,000 albums. Brian wasn’t just the producer; he loaded the albums in his car and drove to record stores in Greensboro and across the state, persuading store owners to stocks their bins with them. “I took that money and invested it back into another album for another band and just grew the business,” says Brian, a member of Guilford’s Board of Trustees. He still runs Lovitt Records and he also manages Dischord Records, a legendary punk label that has evolved into one of the most respected and enduring independent labels in the country. Brian doesn’t just press vinyl for a living. He also scoops ice cream. He opened his own store, Mount Desert Ice Cream, in Washington in 2018. “Guilford really handed me the opportunity of independence and creative thinking,” he says. “They never shot me down, they always encouraged me. I think that’s why so many people leave Guilford ready to succeed independently.” W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 1 7
THE SCRIBE
Mike Reiney pushes paper’s big comeback
R
Wistful paper executives remember.
That quid-pro-quo business model
Ever since the world became digitized,
works and word of mouth is spreading.
they’ve seen consumers choose screens
“Once you have 20 big customers in your
and clouds over paper and pens. So guess
database and you bend over backwards
which product Mike Reiney ’17, and
for them, word is going to spread,” he
his then-fiance Poojah Patel , chose to
says. “That makes the next sale a
“[The notebooks] were always made in the cheapest form and the ink would just bleed through the paper. I just thought to myself, ‘Gosh, we can make these so much better.’”
reinvent when they quit their jobs at a
little easier.”
— Mike Reiney ’17
emember paper? Post-its to
the board members help out in their free
stick. Memos to sign. Letters
time and let them know that we can help
to write.
those foundations, too,” says Mike.
tech startup to build The Scribes? Even on paper, an online, luxury notebook company in a highly commoditized market seemed a bad idea. Mike never saw it that way. Before starting The Scribes, he attended trade shows around the country. His suitcase would be filled with the obligatory promotional materials — keychains, koozies and notebooks. But of all the giveaways, it was the cheap, flimsy notebooks that made Mike cringe. Like many entrepreneurs, Mike saw a need not being filled and set out to fill that space. “They were always made in the cheapest form and the ink would bleed,” he says. “I just thought to myself, ‘Gosh, we can make these so much better.’ ” And The Scribes do. Last year, the company grossed more than $1 million in sales and is on pace to do even better this year. The company has carved a niche in the highly competitive personal notebook industry not just by what they sell but what they do. The Scribes has donated thousands of notebooks to Boys & Girls Clubs, juvenile detention centers and Title I schools. When they go looking for new clients, like they did with Kirkland & Ellis, one of the largest law firms in the country, they first do their homework. “We want to know which foundations 1 8 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
THE BAKER
Dima Kash needed dough so she baked a plan to stay home
M
any people discovered a love of baking during the pandemic. Dima Kash ’12 realized her passion could be more than a hobby.
She was working for a startup accelerator in Cleveland
when, in 2020, the world almost overnight pivoted to social distancing, Zoom and face masks. She was already on maternity leave taking care of Mark, her two-month-old son. That’s when she decided to give baking sweets a shot. For years she’d been dabbling at baking, a hobby she started
“I think practice makes perfect whether that’s in the kitchen or in how I brand myself.”
limiting how man people
— Dima Kash ’12
Quarantine Cakes.
could gather in one place, Dima switched her baker’s cap for a marketer’s hat and — voila! — The eight pre-sliced
cakes were a hit from the start. “Everyone wanted one,” says Dima, who was selling a dozen Quarantine Cakes a day.
living in Mary Hobbs Hall. From cupcakes, she advanced
Business has slowed down a bit since the pandemic’s end,
to cookies, then cakes. Today, Cleveland Sweets is one of
but orders still keep Dima busy. Her customers range from the
Cleveland's most popular bakeries, selling indecision-inducing
neighbor down the street to the City of Cleveland. If you want a
arrays of cookies and cakes.
wedding cake in June, it’s best to get on Dima’s schedule sooner
Two not-so-minor business decisions differentiate Cleveland
rather than later. Such is the demand for Cleveland Sweets.
Sweets from the rest of the city’s pastry pack. First, Dima runs
What makes her success even sweeter is Dima taught
Cleveland Sweets out of her home. That eliminates one of her
herself everything. From sales to inventory to marketing
company’s biggest expenses (rent) and gives her a nice home-
— most of her customers come through word of mouth or
business tax break at the end of the year. She has a license
Instagram (@ClevelandSweets). “I’m pretty dedicated to my
and is inspected regularly. Second, unlike her baking days at
practice,” she says. “I think practice makes perfect whether
Guilford, all of Dima’s goodies are made from scratch. “You
that’s in the kitchen or in how I brand myself. From where I
really can taste the difference,” she says.
started up until now I feel like there's been a lot of growth in
Early in the pandemic, when health officials suggested
such a short time. There’s room to grow and that excites me.”
•
W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 1 9
HARVEST TIME The seasons are numbered for the last apple tree from a 19th century Guilford orchard. The race is on to learn how it survived all these years. JUST YAR DS FROM THE EAR LY College at Guilford’s classrooms, in the shadow of Bryan Hall, stands the sole survivor of a Quaker orchard that was planted in the 19th century. A gnarled tree, its weathered bark a mottled, stony gray, has borne witness to more than a century of Guilford’s
GUILFORD'S CENTURY-OLD APPLE TREE HUDDLES AGAINST TIME AT THE CORNER OF GEORGE FOX ROAD AND QUADRANGLE DRIVE. LEFT, WOMEN REST IN GUILFORD'S ORCHARD IN THE 1920s.
development from what is now the intersection of George Fox Road and Quadrangle Drive. It still produces apples in late summer and early fall, but its remaining years may be few.
cabling it together would only make it
That’s why some are now trying to
weaker. But, its longevity could provide
preserve its legacy. Diane Flynt, author
some valuable insights.
of Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived, a history
“We are looking for varieties that are
of apple cultivation in the region, last
disease-resistant and will flourish in hot, humid conditions,” she says. “And this
nurseries for grafting to produce more
College Art Gallery, brought the tree to
tree has really had no special treatment.
trees of that variety. She also gathered
Diane’s attention last year.
It’s not been sprayed as it would in a
and sent leaf samples to Washington State University for DNA testing. “I really want to make sure that we
Not much is known about Guilford's apple tree or the orchard where it once thrived. A photo taken around the
commercial orchard, or given any kind of disease prevention. Yet, it’s survived.” What she would like to see is perhaps
preserve the genetic material,” says
turn of the 20th century (above) shows
a small orchard with about a half dozen
Diane. “That tree could come down in an
a group of women lounging under
trees grown with the cuttings she
ice storm easily, it could be blown over in
apple trees in the campus orchard, but
gathered. “They’ll still be there when
a heavy summer thunderstorm.”
exactly when the orchard was planted
the grand old dame hits the ground,
is not known. Diane said the center
which hopefully won’t be for a dozen
of the College’s last tree is gone, and
years or so,” Diane says.
Terry Hammond '81, retired founding director and curator of the Guilford 2 0 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
•
TREE PHOTO BY ROBERT BELL ’11
year sent cuttings from the tree to
A LENS INTO WAR Photographer Lynsey Addario shares her images and stories at next month’s Bryan Series. TWO-TIME PULTIZER PRIZE-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario knows the impact a single image can have on a viewer. A scene once snapped is forever lost to time, but the moment captured can stay with viewers forever. “The best photographs can bring a viewer from the other side of the world into the most intimate or terrifying space in someone else’s life in an instant,” says Lynsey. On Nov. 9, Lynsey will try to do just that when she shares her images and stories about the human toll of war as part of Guilford College’s 2023-24 Bryan Series of lectures. Armed with only a Nikon camera, Lynsey has documented wars and conflicts over the past 15 years, but
have a platform if myself and others aren’t out there documenting their stories." Lynsey also wants to
For tickets to the 2023-24 Bryan Series please go to guilford.edu/bryanseries
for the Bryan Series kicked off last month with pilot Sully Sullenberger. Tickets to hear Lynsey
it’s not so much the conflicts she
share with Bryan Series
and future Bryan Series
documents as it is the people impacted.
attendees the “story behind the story”
speakers Charles Bolden, a two-
“Those are the stories I focus on, the
of being a wartime photographer in
time Space Shuttle commander, and
people who need to be seen and heard
Ukraine working for The New York
distinguished news anchor Judy
from because they’re the ones who don’t
Times. The 19th subscription season
Woodruff are still available.
•
W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 2 1
FACULTY PROFILE
EDUCATING ETHICAL LEADERS Philosophy professor Marius Pascale doesn’t teach students right and wrong, but rather how to see new perspectives. CEOS PL AYING FAST AND LOOSE
in the world today. “The desire by so many
goods — before tossing everything into
with the rules. Family members sharing
people to ignore ethics, professional
the dumpsters behind the store.
their Netflix password. Politicians
ethics, codes of ethics, there’s been
From a business perspective, the
getting caught with their hands where
a strong reaction to that. I sense a
logic seemed simple: The company
they shouldn’t be. Ethical questions
strong push to make things better for
was committed to selling fresh food
these days seem to come fast and
themselves and for other communities.”
to its customers and the move made
furious from large corporations to
In a sense, Marius sees himself in
financial sense, given that the healthy
Guilford’s students. He’s always had
tax write off kept the chain profitable,
small-town churches.
the innate curiosity to be drawn to
which, in turn, kept employees like
some people as an abstract or
An education in ethics can strike
complex, abstract, multidimensional
Marius on the payroll.
indulgent endeavor. But Marius
subjects, ask questions and explore all
Pascale, Visiting Assistant Professor
the sides to an issue.
of Philosophy, points to a handful of students in Guilford’s Class of 2027 as a potent rebuttal. While poring over the 50-plus fall applicants for the College’s second class of Ethical Leadership Scholarship Fellows (see sidebar), Marius was inspired by the passion found in many of the students’ essays and videos. “There’s a strong desire for change
disperse to families in need?
“In Guilford students, I think
we are seeing a much more increased propensity and capacity to see the complexity of ethical issues.” — Professor Marius Pascale
from many of the students, particularly
“It’s a great ethical question to ask of a class,” says Marius. “Which need is more important, or how can we effectively balance them?” For the record, the grocery store decided to report the pounds of food disposed of to the corporate offices, but quietly arrange for local charities to pick it up. Marius readily admits that decision
change towards character, towards morality, towards trying to affect
Marius had a different take. What if the food went to area charities to
poses yet another series of ethical His mother likes to tell the story of
questions, and that’s the point. Ethics
positive outcomes,” says Marius, who
Marius once asking her on the trip to
is not always straightforward. There
came to Guilford last summer after
preschool what would happen if he woke
are numerous factors to take into
teaching at Rider University in New
up the next day and the past three years
account. There’s often no perfect
Jersey. “So many of the applicants
of his early life had all been a dream.
answer that leaves you feeling good
— many (Guilford) students, actually
He also remembers working in a
after leaving one of his ethics classes.
— have a desire to define good,
grocery store’s produce section in
Abortions, gun bans, the death penalty,
understand how they can be good
upstate New York to help put himself
the Netflix password you borrow from
themselves and, just as important, be
through college when one of those
your kids at college.
good for others.”
ethical issues arose.
What’s important, he says, is the
Marius says students’ curiosity to
Every week Marius and other
process. There is no universal formula
look at today’s issues with an even more
employees moved around the store,
for thinking through a concrete ethical
critical eye than before might be because
gathering hundreds of pounds of food —
dilemma. One of the many important
of what they’re seeing — or not seeing —
produce, packaged meats, cheese, baked
parts of the process, Marius says,
2 2 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
Help develop our future leaders
PHOTO BY ROBERT BELL ’11
M A R I U S PA S C A L E S AYS M A N Y GU IL FO R D S T U D EN T S “ H AV E A D E S IR E TO D EF IN E G O O D, U N D ER S TA N D H O W T HE Y C A N B E G O O D T HEM S ELV E S A N D, J U S T A S IM P O R TA N T, B E G O O D FO R O T HER S .”
is intersectionality — the consideration
exposed to much more. Not just more
of marginalized groups, cultures and
information, but also more perspectives,
perspectives when making decisions.
and more experiences, both their own and
Marius teaches both normative and
others. I think they've become much more
applied ethics classes at the College —
willing to recognize that there are different
ethics, medical ethics, ethics of data,
perspectives to a lot of things.”
environmental ethics, philosophy of law,
He loves when students start to see those
philosophy of horror and death. He says
differing perspectives because that’s when
Guilford students are open to considering
the passion starts to take hold. “They take
other views in large part because most of
what they know and what others know
the College’s faculty long ago incorporated
and … use it to both understand their own
the concept into their courses.
position and understand the positions of
“In Guilford students, I think we are
What is the role of Guilford College in developing tomorrow's leaders with good character? At a time when many see a crisis in leadership around the world, Guilford is answering this question through the Ethical Leadership Fellowship Scholarship program. Now in its second year, the Ethical Leadership Fellowship Scholarship program teaches Guilfordian scholars to be more than just effective leaders. The program also nurtures ethical leaders who will carry those values, virtues and visions with them into their lives after Guilford. Ethics, inspired by the College’s Quaker ethos, have always been a cornerstone of Guilford’s curriculum. The Ethical Leadership Fellowship program goes even deeper. The Ethical Leadership Fellowship Scholarship is a four-year, merit-based program in which students learn more about developing strong ethical and character traits through classes, conversations and campus and community leadership projects. Guilfordians who want to help grow the Ethical Leadership Scholarship program can donate through the QR code below.
others and better develop a deeper, maybe
seeing a much more increased propensity
even newer perspective,” says Marius.
and capacity to see the complexity of
“That’s when students learn and grow. Maybe
ethical issues,” he says. “Students are
even see the world in a whole different
growing up in environments where they're
perspective — in their work and their lives.”
• W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 2 3
ATHLETICS
GOOD LUCK CATCHING #4 If you think keeping up with former Guilford All-American Adam Smith ’16 on the football field is hard, try doing it off the field. THIS TIME OF YEAR ADAM SMITH ‘16 looks and acts as unassuming as a high school business teacher, which is good since that’s what he’s paid to do. Springtime, a season of change, is a little different. That’s when Mr. Smith at Springbrook High School in Hyattsville, Md., takes on the role of Adam Smith, wide receiver for the Carolina Cobras, Greensboro’s professional football team in the National Arena League. You think playing professional football is demanding? Try first managing five classrooms four days a week before hopping in your Jeep Wrangler for a six-hour drive to Greensboro to squeeze in a Friday practice before Saturday night’s game. Within an hour or so after the game, Adam’s back in the Jeep for the ride back to Maryland, where some of Mr. Smith’s biggest fans — his students —
A DA M S MI T H ' 16 L ED T HE N AT I O N A L A R EN A L E AGUE W I T H 2 1 TO U C HD O W N S T HI S S U M M E R , IN C LU D IN G T HR EE F R O M K I C KO F F R E T U R N S .
are waiting Monday morning to see “Yeah, I guess you could say it was a
professional football player on the side.
really good year,” he says. “I had a lot
USFL. He also had a private workout
of fun.”
with an XFL team.
“It can be hard,” says Adam. “Actually
the Canadian Football League and the
it’s very difficult, but I guess that’s how
The biggest fault Cobras coach James
At 29, he knows there are fewer
much I love the game. It’s always been a
Fuller can find with Adam is that there’s
football games in front of him than
part of my life and I love it so much.”
only one of him. “If I could clone him and
behind him. He’s hoping for a chance
Football has loved Adam back, too,
get two or three of him I’d be happy,” he
to play on a bigger stage but is grateful
over the years, but nothing like the past
says. “He does so much for this team. I
for any stage, really. “We’re going to see
season, his best year ever. Adam racked
hope other, bigger leagues take a chance
where life takes me here in the coming
up nearly 1,300 all-purpose yards and
on him because he’s worth taking a
months,” says Adam. “Everybody
21 touchdowns en route to All-League
chance on. He’s that good.”
dreams of playing in the NFL, that
honors for the Cobras. His three kickoff
In fact, Adam’s season has caught the
would be huge. I know I can’t play
returns for touchdowns also led the
attention of bigger, outdoor leagues.
forever but I want to experience the
league.
He has spoken with team officials in
highest level I can.”
24 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
•
PHOTO COURTESY OF ADAM SMITH ’16
their business teacher, who dabbles as a
Master’s students, master jugglers Four of Guilford’s 2023-24 Presidential Fellows are student athletes. That leaves them with little time to rest. COMPETING FOR THE WOMEN'S soccer team is one of Gracie
covered and collect a stipend. But with only so many hours in a
fulfilled away from the public eye, is her pursuit of a master’s
week, how do they pull off three jobs at once? “Google calendar
in business administration, a degree that will set her on a path
is my friend,” says Gracie. “Without it, I don’t know where I’d be.”
for her career.
All four student-athlete Fellows could have made life easier
Those athletic and academic jobs are braided together,
on themselves and not played sports this year. Instead they
but to make them possible, Gracie and three other Quaker
took advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to
student athletes have taken on third jobs. Since August,
athletes because of COVID-19.
Gracie, Julius Burch ’23, Grace Calus ’23 and Lydia Saunders ‘23
“My view of college is you have to pay for it so why not get
have been working at Guilford as the College’s second class of
the most out of every single day,” says Grace. “When I’m gone
Presidential Fellows.
and graduated, I’ll have a nine-to-five job and I won’t have
They work 20 hours a week supporting departments across the College on key projects.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CROUCH ’10, ’12
In exchange the Fellows have tuition, room and board
Mayer's '23 two full-time jobs at Guilford. Gracie’s second job,
these recreational and fellowship opportunities. I’m going to take advantage of everything available.”
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GR AC E C A LU S ' 2 3 , LY D I A S AU N D ER S ' 2 3 , J U L I U S B U R C H , ' 2 3 A N D GR AC IE M AY ER ' 2 3 A R E PA R T O F GU IL FO R D'S 2 0 2 3 -24 C O H O R T O F P R E S ID EN T I A L F EL LO W S . W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U | 2 5
COMMUNITY NOTES
Anita Gail Jones continues her father’s storytelling ways Anita Gail Jones ’76 grew up in southwest
out loud. I couldn't really hear where the
Georgia listening at the knee to one of her
problems were in the written word until
favorite storytellers, her father Silas Jones.
I was listening to the spoken word. It’s
“He would tell these stories that started
infinitely a part of my process to marry
as a true story about growing up but then
the two and go back and forth.”
he would embellish them, turn them
Anita’s book is the first of a two-book
into tall tales and they were amazing,”
deal signed with publisher Henry Holt
says Anita, who would go on to become
and Company. The second book, with
a storyteller herself at schools in and
a working title of Headrag, is about a
around San Francisco. “I learned so much
young woman from southwest Georgia
about narrative and pacing listening to
who moves to New York to become a
my dad and his stories.”
model in 1985. The story is inspired by
These days Anita has her own story
Anita’s own journey to New York as a
to tell. It’s the one about a writer whose father planted a story in her years ago that has finally come to light. The Peach Seed, a time-traveling love story that toggles from the Civil Rights Movement in Albany, Ga., to the 1700s and the shores of Senegal. In between are two teenagers separated for decades but are now reunited. The book was released in August after being named a finalist in the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially
model and the struggles and racism she
“Really, all I’ve ever done after
Guilford is create jobs for myself. That’s what Guilford teaches you to do. You’ll have opportunities for sure but it also prepares you to make your own way.” — Anita Gail Jones ’76
Engaged Fiction.
faced along the way. “Because of my frustrations with the industry I started writing,” says Anita, who began writing the book in the 1980s. Anita was a Fine Arts major at Guilford. She remembers James McMillan, who led Guilford’s Art Department, telling her one day that she would have to create a job for herself after Guilford. “That really floored me,” she says. “I thought ‘aren't you supposed to be telling me what my job paths are? Aren’t you supposed to be
Anita didn’t know it as a child, but those oral stories passed down by her father would come back to help
preparing me for a certain job?’” It wasn’t until later in life that James’ words resonated with
her when she sat down to start writing The Peach Seed in 2006.
Anita. “Really, all I’ve ever done after Guilford is create jobs
“When I was writing, I always needed to hear it,” she says.
for myself. That’s what Guilford teaches you to do. You’ll have
“When I was struggling with a section I would always speak it
opportunities but it prepares you to make your own way.”
Newton Cowan ’89 was installed as associate pastor for pastoral care at First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro in July. An Economics major at Guilford, he first worked in sales and entered the ministry at mid-career. 2 6 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
Don Edwards ’89, who has years of experience as a hot air balloon pilot, has been named the executive director of the Carolina BalloonFest. Don has worked as the event director for the Albuquerque (N.M.) International Balloon Fiesta since 2010.
•
Brandon Rothfuss '15 is the new Director of Revenue for the Greensboro Swarm, the NBA G League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets. Brandon, who played soccer at Guilford and later professionally for the Memphis Americans, previously worked in development and partnership marketing for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.
Leslie Alexander ‘95 became the new Superintendent of Watauga (N.C.) County Schools in August. An Education major at Guilford, she was most recently the Chief Human Resource Officer and Area Superintendent of Leadership Development of Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools.
Robby Poteat ‘07, a former men’s assistant basketball coach at Guilford, is Georgia Tech’s new executive associate athletics director for development and executive director of athletics development. Robby spent the past 14 years as an athletics administrator at the University of Dayton.
We Want Your News Share your news with classmates and friends! Submit your Community Notes online to our Alumni Directory via magazine@guilford.edu. The deadline for the April 2024 issue is February 1.
Note: Community Notes may appear in print or online. Please share information that is appropriate for all audiences.
IN MEMORIAM
REMEMBERING GUILFORDIANS The following Guilfordians died recently, and we offer condolences to their families and friends. A more complete list of obituaries is available on the Community Notes page at www.giving.guilford.edu.
Gertrude Upperman: Passionate Guilford Supporter Gertude Upperman ’69 was among Guilford’s first African-American graduates, a notable achievement to be sure. But what she longed for was to be remembered just like her classmates. Not as a pioneering Guilford graduate, not as an African-American Guilford graduate. Gertrude, who died Aug. 2 at the age of 76, was frequently described as both through the years. In the spirit of Quaker simplicity, Guilford graduate was fine by her. Carletta Judd says her sister was proud of her role in shaping Guilford’s history, but that work paled to her passion for the College itself. “She paved the way for other Black students to follow at Guilford — and I’m sure she took pride in that — but her true pride came not in her accomplishments but in the College itself,” says Carletta. “She would brag about the College whenever she had the opportunity.” Those opportunities came up often.
and staff members, too. Her father,
a family member to experience the
Friends and family say it was not
James Stewart, owned a television
school's Quaker values. “He realized
uncommon for Gertrude to drop a
and electronics repair shop in the
that a Quaker education taught you
reference to her alma mater when she’d
neighborhood. He helped install Dana
basic core values … that everybody has
run into friends at the hair salon or
Auditorium’s first audio system. And
a purpose for being here,” she said. The
waiting in line at the grocery store. “It
it was in Persimmon Grove’s basement
College teaches you the worth of every
was always Guilford this and Guilford
that Jim, Bruce Stewart '61 and Jim
person, no matter what nationality,
that,” says Carletta smiling.
Newlin '60 helped form and hold New
race, color or creed.”
In hindsight, Guilford and Gertrude
Garden Friends School's first classes.
Gertrude Upperman arrived at the
seemed made for each other. She grew up
In a 2012 interview, Gertrude said
across Friendly Avenue two blocks from
she attended Guilford to honor a request
tumultuous years of the Civil Rights
Guilford. The family’s neighborhood was
by her great-gradfather, who worked in
Movement. Gertrude was concerned
home to many of the College’s faculty
Guilford's cafeteria and always wanted
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College in 1965 during some of the most
(Continued on page 30)
during her first few weeks at Guilford
Gertrude graduated with a degree
— but not for herself. She wanted fellow
in Sociology. She moved away from
first-year students to feel as relaxed
Greensboro only to return a few years
as she did at the College. A few weeks
later and spent the rest of her life
service to the College, Gertrude received
after she enrolled, on the advice of
volunteering with different groups on
the Charles C. Hendricks '40 Distinguished
her father, she invited many of those
campus such as serving on the Friends
Service Award, the oldest and most
classmates to her home for a pig pickin’.
of the Library board and taking part in
notable of Guilford’s alumni awards.
As Gertrude recalled, many of her white
presidential search interviews.
classmates were reluctant. They had
She was a charter member of Brothers
organizers of the Black Alumni of Guilford College (BAGC). In 2019, recognizing the sum of her
Gertrude’s son, Joseph Upperman says his mother was a passionate advocate for
come to Guilford from northern and New
and Sisters in Blackness, the first Black
Guilford. “You could see the love in her
England states and had few encounters
student organization on campus, and
eyes and in her words about Guilford,”
with Black students. Over barbeque and
was a member of the Alumni Association
he says. “When she was talking about
sweet tea, students bonded.
Board of Directors and among the
Guilford, she was always smiling.”
•
Debra Kiliru’s life made others’ lives better Debra Kiliru ’99 always stood tall. Even The daughter of a white Jewish mother when she was frail and dying in the hospital, from New York and a Kenyan father, everyone around her looked up. Debra grew up in the pineapple fields of Christopher Keiser ’98, who raised two Kenya before mother and daughter moved daughters with Debra, knew that look well. to Durham when Debra was 13. Debra's “That’s how you felt when you spoke to her,” grandfather was instrumental in bringing he says. “Talking to Debra was like you were Quakerism to Kenya, and those Quaker roots always looking up.” led her to Guilford, where she met Chris. Friends and family say that’s how she Chris says she was not the shy, timid lived her life, too. Debra died unexpectedly first year student. “She was active at April 23 after an extended illness, but not Guilford and the community from the before spending most of her adult life in the beginning,” he says. The two of them service of others. started One Love Roots, a student-led group Gill Green ’99, like Debra, a Bonner that created the Cooperation Celebration Scholar, shared a house off campus with Festival at the College. The festival was Debra and three other Guilford students conceived as a fundraiser to start an their senior year. organic farm in the meadows, where He says Debra spent a lifetime bringing Guilford’s current farm is located. together people of different faiths, races In 2012, the family moved to Ghana, and socioeconomic backgrounds. “She where they ran an organic farmers market. created community wherever she went,” Debra also visited local schools and helped says Gill, who likened his friend to Anansi reform the teaching methods of many of the spider, the mythic figure in West the country’s post-colonial schools. “She African folklore who incited pride and a wanted the schools to reflect what we had sense of invincibility in underdogs. at Guilford, which was less about ‘repeat “Debra loved Anansi,” says Gill, “and that's after me’ and more like ‘think for yourself’ who she was, this positive, elegant person and experiential learning.” who could spin a web and connect all these Debra was instilled with a servant’s people together and magic would happen.” heart and streak for social activism long — Gill Green ’99 For more than 20 years Debra spun those before she showed up at Guilford. Chris webs for a wide range of nonprofits. She says the College nurtured those qualities. designed domestic and international wellness “Guilford was like a blank palette for Debra programs, focused on food and agriculture, to live into her passions and be affected by nutrition education, cultural connections and youth leadership for the type of the type of education you get there,” he says. “Now we’re dozens of schools and nonprofits in North Carolina and beyond. seeing the fruit of her time there play out after her passing.”
“[Debra] was this positive,
elegant person who could spin a web and connect all these people together and magic would happen.”
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Larry Addleton ’64,
Anne Watson Strowd ’49 a
who taught high school chemistry before his love of food and cooking pulled him in another direction, died March 30. Larry left teaching after a few years to open Knightdale (N.C.) Seafood and BBQ, a longtime favorite of locals.
librarian and department administrator at Duke University, died March 28. Anne and her late husband Elvin ’48, who met in the library at Guilford, traveled to Europe after retiring and were proficient fishermen — even catching some trophy king mackerel.
Georgeann Kivett Pace ’49, an executive secretary with textile giant Burlington Industries in North Carolina, died April 6. Georgeann was an avid craft person and tried every new craft that came down the road. She loved playing bridge and making baby caps for local maternity hospitals throughout the Triad.
Betty Hughes Nichols ’51, one of Greensboro's first women residential builders, died March 8. Betty graduated from Guilford with a major in English. She went on to earn a master’s in Education at the University of North Carolina and taught high school. She also financed
and built homes around Forest Oaks Country Club.
Charles Gaylord Neelley ’52, a retired Navy Captain, died June 10. After 30 years of military service, Charles studied art. His passion for Western art led him to move to Story, Wy., and the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains.
Harry Redfearn, a longtime business man, teacher and mayor of Cedar Point, N.C., died May 6. Harry served as commissioner and mayor for a combined 20 years providing his community, among other things,
the addition of sidewalks and street lights. He also loved to fish and hunt quail.
Sarah Malino, professor of History Emerita, died Sept. 7. Sarah was an active Jewish faculty member connecting students to the community and supporting campus opportunities relating to Jewish faith and practice. She worked with several former and current faculty members, alumni and students on a collaborative research project of the origins, evolution and impact of 40 years of the Women’s Studies program for a 2013 celebration that coincided with her retirement. She was also a founding board member of the Women's Resource Center and the Guilford County Anti-Racism Alliance.
LAST LOOK
″
″
Joni Robyn Schwabe
and Rob Newman
“
THIS WAS MY SENIOR PHOTO FOR THE YEARBOOK. There wasn’t any social media back then so of course everyone wanted to find a photo that would stand out, you know, for the rest of time. That’s Joni Robyn Schwabe up there with me. We hung out a lot together. The train station was about a mile from campus (near the corner of West Market Street and Guilford College Road). It’s not there anymore, but the house I lived in my senior year is nearby and still standing. I don’t remember a lot about that day except it wasn’t easy getting up there. A lot of shimmying and shoving, but it was worth it because the photo is still around. I see it every once in a while on the internet. I guess it’s going to be around for the rest of time. I hope so.˝ — Rob Newman ’75
Do you have a photo and memory of Guilford you want to share for Last Look? Send them to Robert Bell at magazine@guilford.edu.
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