Class Notes

22 VILLAGES IN 2022

How one Kentucky Wesleyan alumnus is changing lives in Africa, one well at a time

Some would say that after completing 11 mission trips to Haiti, one's urge to help others might be fulfilled. For Brian Hall '87, that was just the beginning.

Following his final mission trip to Haiti where he had been aiding earthquake rebuild efforts, Brian was still passionate about helping others, but ready for a change. He felt led by God to help with water and water storage systems in sub-Saharan Africa after learning that on average, women there walk 3.1 miles per day to get clean water. "Children often miss school to help their mothers get the family clean water," Brian explained. "And if they don't miss school for that reason, they miss because they don't have clean water to bathe in, and they're too embarrassed to go to school."

Brian found a contact in Memphis, Tenn., who helped him contact leadership in Africa. He raised $8,000 in 2016 for the first wells and sent the funds to Africa, hopped on a plane and prayed that he hadn't been swindled. "I met my new friends at the airport and together, we were able to drill one well and build two 10,000 liter storage tanks, bringing clean water to about 5,000 people," Brian remembered. From there, the momentum grew. "The next year, we did three wells, followed by five, then seven and then 14 in 2021."

In 2020, after a social media push from Brian's former classmate LaDonna Koebel '89, Kentucky Wesleyan alumni got involved in Brian's efforts. Alumni contributed 95% of the funds raised for the well placed in the village of Tingoli in 2020, and then fully funded the well placed in Adupe in 2021. Brian said it means the world to have the support of his fellow alumni. "To know there are people in the United States – people from Kentucky Wesleyan College – supporting this effort means more than I could ever say," Brian shared.

Going forward, Brian's dream is that various affinity groups from the College will band together and each adopt a village. "I'd love to see a Sigma Nu-sponsored village, and I know the Kappa Deltas could join to adopt one. It would be great to see one adopted by the soccer team, too."

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1962

Bill Carlyle reached his 900th win as head coach of Walters State Community College men's basketball in Morristown, Tenn.

1964

Trustee Emeritus Terry Woodward was inducted into the University of Kentucky's Hall of Distinguished Alumni. Terry is a trustee emeritus at KWC and a member of the College's Alumni and Athletic halls of fame. The College celebrated the dedication and naming of the Terry Woodward Center for Business Studies in 2020, recognizing his influence as an Owensboro business community leader and his generosity in funding the College's first endowed chair, the W. Terry Woodward Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurial Studies, in 2007.

1966

Dick Kirtley received the Lifetime Business Achievement Award from the Greater Muhlenberg Chamber of Commerce. Dick and his family have operated Fantastics Screen Printing & Embroidery in Greenville, Ky., since 1991. 1

1967

Trustee Sonny Hall was recognized by the Greater Owensboro Realtor Association for 55 years as a licensed realtor. 2

1969

George W. Tinsley Sr. was featured on the BrightTALK's "Welcome to the New Workplace" webinar, presented by Verizon Wireless. Check out George's episode, "Serving Up Great Experiences When Uncertainty's Back on the Menu."

1978

Bill and Sheila (Felty) Ryle celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. They met over an Oreo cookie while students here at Kentucky Wesleyan. 3

1980

Mike Brown was named head boys' basketball coach at Tell City High School in Tell City, Ind. Michael Wade was named to the Top 20 People to Know in Accounting in Louisville, Ky.

1985

Lisa (Pointer) Bryant retired from Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline. 4 Paula Yevincy was named executive director for United Way of the Ohio Valley. 5

1993

John Lewis won the Louisville Society of Professional Journalists' Metro Journalism Contest. He earned first place in the Sports Reporting: Broadcast Division for his work telling the stories of athletes whose lives were impacted by the pandemic. John is a sports journalist for WDRB, the FOX affiliate in Louisville, Ky. 6 Wesleyan Sweethearts Ed and Dr. Jodi (Parks) Krahwinkel celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Trustee Greg Risch finished the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville Marathon. 7

1994

Coach Doug Sandifer led the Daviess County High School men's soccer team to the regional championship. Trustee Steve Divine was inducted into the Muhlenberg County High School Athletic Hall of Fame. 8

1996

LaTasha (Vanleer) Shemwell released another single and music video, "Air Therapy." She also did a beautiful cover of the "House of the Rising Sun." 9 Jim Leonard received his first Sports Emmy. He is a remote technical manager for Major League Baseball

1997

Dr. Angelos Stergiou and his team at SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc. received the Advances in Cancer Research Award from the RedDoor Community. He was also featured in an interview about improving the U.S. healthcare system. 10 Chris Jackson was named a Kentucky Super Lawyer for the fourth consecutive year. 11

1998

Charles Love was interviewed on WDRB News about suicide prevention and other mental health issues. He is clinical director at The Growth Center for Counseling and Wellness in New Albany, Ind. 12

2000

Dr. Amanda (Ford) Winburn was elected president of the Mississippi School Counseling Association (MSCA). Dr. Winburn serves as an associate professor at the University of Mississippi.

Jennifer (Vaughan) Montazemi began a new role as contract management professional with Humana. 13

2001

Heather (Hargis) Nally was named assistant principal at Country Heights Elementary School in Owensboro, Ky. Heath Greenwell was recognized as an Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisor. The status is earned "through demonstrated excellence in client service, completion of industry recognized qualifications and extensive experience serving the complex financial situations of affluent clients." Heath is one of 17% of Ameriprise financial advisors who achieve this honor. 14

2002

Matt Hughes was named editor of the Messenger newspaper in Madisonville, Ky. Secret Service Agent Bo Alexander spoke to the Rotary Club of Owensboro about the agency's focus on fraud and scams.

Katy (Evans) Harrison renewed her National Board Certification in Literacy for Early and Middle Childhood. 15

2003

Courtney (Yerington) Burton graduated from the Academy of Police Supervision. Courtney is a sergeant at the Owensboro Police Department.

Panther women's basketball alumna Amanda (Peters) Clarke was inducted into Central Hardin High School's Athletic Hall of Fame.

2006

Keith Cottoner was named executive director of the H.L. Neblett Community Center in Owensboro, Ky. 16

2007

Harrison Price was promoted to senior manager of the tax services division at Riney Hancock CPAs PSC.

Wes Meserve and his colleagues at Hancock County High School were recognized for best practices by the Kentucky Department of Education during their 2021 Continuous Improvement Summit identifying ways to streamline learning during the pandemic. Dr. Amy French published her newest American College Personnel Association publication, "Creating Inclusivity While Providing Accommodations: A Practical Guide to Champion Individuals with (Dis) abilities on Campus." 17

2008

Tara (Scott) Wilkins was promoted to team lead at Marion County Outpatient, Cummins Behavioral Health. Tara received her master of social work at Walden University in 2020 and recently obtained her certification as a clinical trauma specialist. Panther football alumnus K.O. Lewis began a new role as assistant principal at Newton Parrish Elementary School in Owensboro. He was also featured by the Owensboro Times for his work as a local artist. 18

Lincoln Latham and his family welcomed baby girl Annie Lea. The Lathams are now a family of six. 19 Amanda Morgan began a new role as senior change partner, bank at USAA.

2009

Heath Smith accepted a new position as commercial consultant II at Caterpillar, Inc. Heath is a member of the Americas Regional Pricing Team, overseeing parts pricing in the U.S., supporting dealers and sales execution teams and leading key price reviews, commercial consultations and other strategic projects. 20 Ashley (Braun) Gendek began a new role as an English teacher at Owensboro Innovation Academy. 21

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2010

Ben and April Allen welcomed baby girl June Frances-Bell. 22

Dr. Ben Wilson was featured in "UK Now" for his work as a surgeon for UK HealthCare Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine and head team physician for Morehead State University. 23 Danielle Roe was named head girls' basketball coach at Catholic Central High School in Springfield, Ohio. 24 Wesleyan Sweethearts Rob Coulter and Michaela Polivick '21 were engaged. Tory Stanley was named to the Top 20 People to Know in Accounting in Louisville, Ky.

2011

Chris and Allie Hirsbrunner welcomed baby girl Blair Lynn. John Kirkpatrick was named boys' head track and field coach at Daviess County High School. 25 Jeremy and Rebecca (Rather) '14 welcomed baby girl Avery Jean. Lauren (Bennett) Moore began a new role as an analytical development specialist at Kentucky Bioprocessing. 26

2012

Justin Jones was promoted to major with the Madisonville Police Department. Justin and wife Miranda welcomed baby girl Tatum Grace. 27

Mason Pennington and Keely Ham were engaged. Dr. Maddy (Bogle) and Dan Bruckner welcomed baby girl Presley James. 28 Head coach Courtney (Chinn) Calloway, assistant coaches Kate Duke '15 and Larry Kirk (former Wesleyan women's soccer coach) led the Ohio County High School women's soccer team to a regional championship for the first time in 13 years. Courtney (Chinn) and Jake Calloway welcomed baby Dennis Cole. Evan and Allie Riney welcomed baby girl Bradley Clare. Ryan Moore began a new role as tax manager at Wilkin-Guttenplan CPA's & Advisors. 29 Wesley Whistle is the principal advisor to U.S. Senator Bob Casey, D-Pa., on education policy. Wesley's portfolio includes immigration, LGBTQ+ issues and arts and humanities. 30

Panther baseball alumnus Jordan White was named partner at Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP.

2013

McKena (Tichenor) and Austin Campbell welcomed baby Fender Russell. 31 Chelsea (Adams) Sherek was promoted to business controls manager at TP ICAP. Chelsea provides intelligence to risk and compliance functions and works with the energy/commodities and Latin American divisions of the company. 32 Trisha Zivkovic and Jason Geiger were married. 33

Adrian Christopher and his wife welcomed a baby boy.

2014

Katie Armstrong started a new job as NICU nurse at Baptist Health Paducah in Paducah, Ky. Heath Williams was promoted to senior manager at BKD CPAs & Advisors. Amanda (Aldridge) and Mitch Fleck were married. 34

Hillary (Lantrip) Croft was named Kentucky Child Support Attorney of the Year. The Hopkins County Child Support Unit, where Hillary is the director, was recognized as one of three top performing counties in the state. She and her husband, Dan, also welcomed baby boy Callen Bruce. 35 Rebecca (Rather) and Jeremy Gray '11 welcomed baby girl Avery Jean. Tyler Emberton and Haley welcomed baby boy Parker David. Wesleyan Sweethearts Summer (Crick) and Kirk Aldridge '17 were married. 36 Taylor (Edge) Deveaux was promoted to manager in the audit and assurance services division of Riney Hancock CPAs PSC. She and husband Basil Deveaux '16 also welcomed baby boy Basil Romeo Deveaux III. 37

Panther Basketball alumna Shelbi Tyra was inducted into Grayson County High School's Athletic Hall of Fame. 38

Wesleyan Sweethearts Taylor (Gaddis) '15 and Ryan Brewer welcomed baby girl Amelia Beth.

2015

Kyle Winters began a new role as manager of Active Nutrition & Supplements in Owensboro, Ky. Luke Woodyard and Lauren Workman were engaged. 39 Skyler Stewart and Andy Shively were married. 40

Sara (Fleischmann) Williams was promoted to supervisor in the tax services division of Riney Hancock CPAs PSC. 41

2016

Alex Free and Lauren Smith were married. 42

Tyler Shewmaker was named assistant coach for Vanderbilt University baseball. Seth Lasher began his new role at Wesleyan as an admissions counselor. 43

Jordan Roberts began a new role as a travel nurse. Her first stop is in Nashville, Tenn. Katie (Miller) and Austin Pierce welcomed baby boy Creighton. Basil Deveaux was named Champion Ford's 2021 Salesman of the Year.

Simeon Pogue began a new role as digital marketing analyst at Oswald Marketing Group. 44 Wesleyan Sweethearts Bria (Wright) '17 and Marcus Fillyaw were married. Wesleyan Sweethearts Taryn (Lewis) and Dr. Michael Polio were recently married; Taryn finished physician assistant school and Michael finished dental school. 45

2017

Zach Lake and Melissa Hardesty were engaged. Logan O'Bryan began a new role as patrol officer at the Owensboro Police Department. 46 Katie (Laughlin) Hagan began a new role as marketing coordinator at eXp Realty in Louisville, Ky. Audrey Sanders earned her master of education in counseling and human development from Lindsey Wilson College. 47 Jennifer Walker-Crawford was accepted into the Wharton MBA class of 2024. The University of Pennsylvania program has a 9% acceptance rate. 48

2018

Katy Holland and Troy Hart were engaged. Chris Morgan was named the boys' and girls' golf head coach at Breckenridge County High School. 49 Wesleyan Sweethearts Elise (Gunder) and Ethan Maxey '20 were married. 50 Anna Lake and Carlton Crasher were engaged. Summer (Newsome) and John Allen were married.

Liz Gordon began a new role as bid coordinator for Hindman Fine Art Auctions in Chicago. She is also involved in Second City's Conservatory Program and has been performing for Second City for a year. 51 Madison Weber secured a new job at Florida State University as a wig and makeup designer and member of the teaching faculty at FSU beginning in fall of 2022. She will complete her master of fine arts in hair and wig design from the Cincinnati University College Conservatory of Music this spring. 52 Wesleyan Sweethearts Jaclyn (Parker) '19 and Levi Tanner were married.

Kelsey (Humphries) and Tyler Allen were married. 53

Wesleyan Sweethearts Haley (Replogle) and Johnothan Reynolds were married.

2019

Wesleyan Sweethearts Kara (Kelley) and Zach Allen were married.

Jacob Winkler was recognized by Key Realty for being a $4 Million Dollar producer. Kayce Dallas began a new role as a therapist with Family Options, Inc. in Owensboro.

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Logan O'Bryan '17 with Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson

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64 Elizabeth Greer and Ricky Ramirez were engaged. 54

Wesleyan Sweethearts Lexie (Mullen) '21 and Adam Brown were married.

2020

Alyssa Nichols began a new role as quality lab tech at Glenmore/Sazerac Distillery in Owensboro, Ky. 55

Dustin Bullock began a new role as a conservation educator with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. 56

Wesleyan Sweethearts Kylie (Foster) and Alex Franzen were married. Alex was also promoted to outside sales coordinator at Chick-fil-A. 57

Sam Bland completed the St. Jude Nashville Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. 58

2021

Ariel Kennedy is a seventh grade teacher at Breckenridge County Middle School. 59

Adam Bouchard committed to continue his track & field career at the University of Florida.

Panther baseball alumnus Chase Andrews was featured by WEVV about his work as a catching coach for the youth of Owensboro. 60

George David Marsch completed basic training for the U.S. Air Force. He was also named Top Male in his physical fitness training.

Kyle Miller began his career as a graphic designer with Sky Unlimited, Inc.

Kenzie Tomes was published in the Messenger-Inquirer about her experiences starting her career as communications and events coordinator for the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

Chelsea Arnold was accepted into NKU's Salmon P. Chase College of Law. 61 Jo Griffin was named graduate assistant for the University of Evansville men's basketball team as a graduate assistant.

Keyton and Josiah Bonebrake were married.

Kaylee Clifford began her career as a victim advocate in the Commonwealth Attorney's Office in Oldham County, Ky. 62

Wesleyan Sweethearts Lauren Elliot and Brayden Sisson were engaged. 63

Tripp Grenier began his career as a physical education teacher at Cravens Elementary School in Owensboro, Ky. 64

Wesleyan Sweethearts Brooklynn (Moore) and Jaxon Lindsey '22 were married. Brooklynn is now a sixth grade language arts and science teacher at Southern Elementary School in Beaver Dam, Ky. Jaxon enlisted in the United States Army and is in basic training at Ft. Benning, Ga. 65

Briana Willoughby began her career as a victim advocate at New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services. She was also recently engaged to Andy Jarboe.

Samantha Yake completed the St. Jude Nashville Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon.

2022

Megan Crawford began her first job as choral and band teacher for Union County Middle School and Union County High School. 66

Friends of KWC

Panther Athletic hall of famer and former men's basketball coach Guy Strong was inducted into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

Bracken Darrell was a 2022 recipient of the Edison Achievement Award. He took several classes at Kentucky Wesleyan and was the 2012 commencement speaker. Darrell is president and CEO of Logitech.

When asked what he would like us to share with his Kentucky Wesleyan family, Brian had this to say: "I'd like them to know what $5 or $20 or $100 means – it means you are changing lives. I can show pictures all day, but you can't truly imagine what these people go through daily. To see the way they are singing and dancing and praising us for providing such a basic human need – it's life-changing."

So far, Brian has raised over $150,000 and impacted over 225,000 people. Brian's next trip to Africa is planned for fall 2022, and he is hopes they can raise enough money to adopt 22 more villages. "The best part is that the water is secondary. Sharing the love of Jesus Christ in these efforts always comes first."

Brian welcomes those interested in joining his efforts to contact him at brian.hall@ejco.com.

Basketball & Cheer Alumni Day

We had the best time reuniting with our basketball and cheerleading alumni at our fifth Annual Basketball & Cheer Alumni Day in February. We rooted for Panther basketball at the Owensboro Sportscenter and then spent a lovely evening with President's Circle members at Bar Louie.

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