Alumni Connections Dr. Bruce McLarty (‘75), vice president for spiritual life at Harding University, has been named to succeed Harding University President David B. Burks when Burks retires from the position in June of 2013. Prior to joining the Harding University faculty, McLarty served as a minister for congregations in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. He and his family had also served 15 months as missionaries in Meru, Kenya, in East Africa. For 14 years McLarty was the pulpit minister for the College Church of Christ in Searcy, Ark. See the full announcement: http://www.harding.edu/ president.html John Craig (‘94) is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at University of Tennessee and is practicing cardiovascular surgery at Baptist Hospital Memphis. He and his wife Julie have a son Thomas and daughter Emily. Before moving back to his hometown, John was the Chief Cardiac Surgery Resident at Harvard Medical School/ Massachusetts General Hospital. Linda (Hilbun) Bonnin (‘ 77) has been appointed vice president of Communications, Public Relations, and Marketing at the University of Memphis. This division manages the university’s internal and external communications, including media relations, marketing, advertising, publications and special events. See the full announcement: http://www.memphis.edu/mediaroom/releases/july12/bonnin.htm “The leadership and learning opportunities I had at Harding Academy laid the foundation for my professional career. I still keep in touch with several of my teachers even though it’s been 35 years since I graduated. The relationships you build at Harding last a lifetime. I am so grateful for my time there.” Christina (Cianciola) Himelrick (’06) graduated from the University of Memphis in December 2011 with a degree in marketing. She was married to Tyler Himelrick on January 7, 2012. Chrsitina works for Wagner Construction, Inc. Tyler is a customer sales representative with Mid-South Solutions. Congratulations to Chris Nunn (‘09) who was drafted by the San Diego Padres at the end of his junior year (spring 2012) with the Lipscomb Bisons. When asked recently how his experience at Harding Academy helped prepare him for college ball and beyond, Chris commented, “Harding prepared me academically but more importantly, Harding helped prepare me as as a man and to understand the important things in life. I developed relationships I really cherish. I am grateful for my coaches. They told me I had potential and pushed me to grow as an athlete and a person. I appreciate that more and more as I get older. (Chris is pictured here pitching for the Eugene Emeralds, the Class A Short-Season affiliate of the San Diego Padres.) Daniel Wickliff (‘08) and Emily (Lynn) Wickliff (‘08) were married on December 18, 2011. They live in Memphis, Tenn., where Daniel works for Signature Advertising and Emily works for Ann Taylor Loft. They have launched Emily Grace Photography, specializing in wedding and portrait photography. Congratulations to Matt Underwood and Liz Lee Underwood (‘03) on the birth of Ellie Grace Underwood, born October 25, 2012 at 6:50 p.m., 7lbs 7oz, 20.5 inches. Matt is a Bible teacher and head football coach at Jackson Christian School. Liz is a clinical pharmacist at Jackson-Madison county general hospital. Mallory (Sharp) Baskett (‘08) and Nathan Baskett (‘07) were married December 17, 2011. They currently reside in Bloomington, Ind., where Mallory is working on a graduate degree in Art History. Nathan is teaching. Joe Blalock (’95) and his wife Becky (Ray) Blalock (‘96), a former teacher at Harding Academy, announce the birth of their son, Mason Andrew, on Jan 27, 2012. Becky and Joe live in Brandon, Miss. Nick Bates (‘08) and Maria (Brummett) Bates (‘09) were married October 8, 2011. Nick is a certified Lexus mechanic and Maria works in the engineering department of the Marriott. Emily (Seward) Hughes (‘07) and husband Trey announce the birth of their daughter, Madeline Grace. She was born on November 16, 2012 at 3:52 p.m. and was 7lbs 7 oz and 20 1/4 inches long. Whitney (Dees) McPherson (‘06) and Taylor McPherson (‘06) were married October 5, 2012. They are both graduates of the University of Memphis. Whitney received her Masters of Tax in 2012 and currently works for CBIZ Thompson Dunavant public accounting firm as a Senior Tax Accountant. Taylor is a Financial Advisor with Mid-South Financial Group. Kelsi (Nickleson) Hopkins (‘05) and Smith Hopkins announce the birth of Annette Grace (Annie Grace) Hopkins on December 29, 2012. Smith is Education Minister at Germantown Church of Christ.
Kelly (Gossett) Dell (‘08) married Harrison Dell on December 31, 2011. Kelly received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Harding University in May 2012. They live in Searcy, Ark., where Kelly is working on her Master’s degree in Reading. Michael Gossett (‘06) is in his third year of graduate work at the University of Maryland. He will receive his MFA in Poetry in May 2013. 27