Columns, Winter 2023-24

GOLDEN MILESTONE

Nursing program celebrates 50 years

BEGIN AGAIN

Generations of Panthers return for Homecoming

A Magazine for Alumni and Friends Vol. 28, No. 1 PRESIDENT

Susanna L. Baxter

VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT

Rebecca Roth Nicks

EDITOR

Dean Hartman

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Lindy Oller

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR DIGITAL MEDIA AND DESIGN

Stacy Gorman Ortiz ’00

ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS EDITORS

Martha Pirkle

Jennifer Beedy Booker ’90 LaGrange College (USPS 299300), including Columns, its official publication for alumni and friends, and the Progress Report and Annual Donor Roll, is published quarterly by LaGrange College, 601 Broad Street, LaGrange, GA 302402999. Periodical class postage paid at LaGrange, GA, and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LaGrange College, 601 Broad Street, LaGrange, GA 30240-2999.

Correspondence should be directed to the Communications and Marketing Office at the above address or emailed to dhartman@lagrange.edu.

Georgia’s oldest private institution of higher learning, LaGrange College is consistently ranked among the South’s top colleges by U.S.News & World Report.

A four-year liberal arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, LaGrange offers more than 50 areas of study with an emphasis on global engagement and service.

PICTURE PERFECT An October visit by a photographer to campus allowed me the opportunity to see campus through someone else’s eyes. The professional was instantly impressed with the scenic opportunities that surrounded him. Perhaps frequent exposure had diluted the beauty of what is all round me. If you haven’t visited lately, plan a trip: The Hill is ready for its close-up.

—the Editor

FEATURES 8

GOLDEN MILESTONE The college’s Nursing program is celebrating 50 years of training men and women for hands-on medical care.

12 BEGIN AGAIN Eight decades of LC alumni returned to the Hill to celebrate Homecoming 2023.

AROUND CAMPUS 2 3 4 5 6 7

POSSIBILITIES MANUFACTURING SUMMIT PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR NEW LOVICK P. CORN PROFESSOR UPDATED ENGLISH MAJOR PCOM AGREEMENT

ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

20 LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS 22 NEW TRUSTEES 25 SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 27 U.S. DIPOMAT ROBERT ALLEN 28 IN MEMORIAM 29 CALENDAR PHOTO: New banners appeared in late October on campus, adding a pop of color and a reminder of the college’s distinctive characteristics.

The new, vibrant artwork features the college’s logos along with encouragement to EXPERIENCE the Challenge, Inspiration, Community and Transformation found on the Hill.

ON THE COVER: Assistant Nursing Professor Brooke Kinney ’03 uses a patient simulator to instruct students in the Nursing Department’s facilities in West Side. The program’s 50 years of progress are covered in the story on page 8.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

POSSIBILITIES

A CARING COMMUNITY

by Dr. Susanna L. Baxter, 26th President of LaGrange College

When listening to alumni reminisce during this fall’s Homecoming activities, I was struck by how their memories involve not just this campus but also the LaGrange community. I hear stories of sojourns to West Point Lake, friendships built at local houses of worship, and of food runs to places like Charlie Joseph’s and Pizza Villa.

We are truly blessed with a deep and rewarding town-gown relationship.

Recently, we hosted a summit on campus to receive insight from area manufacturing employers on their workforce needs—so that we can respond with appropriate academic programming. We see it as part of our mission of service.

After graduating from LaGrange, 23 percent of our alumni remain in Troup County, where they work in careers that make this region a better place.

It would be hard to imagine this area without LaGrange College graduates serving in such vital roles as teachers and nurses, helping to make this a truly caring community.

Our community on the Hill suffered a shock this November as one of our seniors was killed in a senseless act of violence while home for Thanksgiving break. A defensive back on the Panther Football team, Kevin Debruce was known as a bright light with a contagious laugh. As we mourn his loss together, we are comforted by our connectedness as a caring community.

The tragedy serves as a painful yet powerful reminder of the difference each of us can make and of the strength of togetherness. As we move through this season of gathering and giving, please know that we are all wonderfully connected as part of this caring LC community. And from that, we can draw great strength.

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AROUND CAMPUS

LIFT marks 10 years of teaching students to lead While hiking through the North Carolina mountains lugging a 50-pound backpack, freshman Delacey Wilkerson found the inner strength to overcome obstacles holding her back.

“I learned I am capable of more than I realize,” she said.

Over the summer, Wilkerson and nine other freshmen took part in a four-day Outward Bound wilderness experience as part of LIFT—Leaders Inspired for Tomorrow.

The leadership development program, which admits 10 freshmen each year, is the college’s most prestigious honor for entering students. To apply, participants submit a leadership/service resume and a short essay that describes a prominent leader in their lives.

Ted Beason H’16, who co-founded LIFT with his wife Ann H’14, said their son Amos inspired the program 10 years ago.

“At the time, my son was on the board and later became chairman of the Outward Bound School in North Carolina,” he said. “My wife and I were fascinated with the possibilities of the

program. So, after having conversations with LC’s Dean of Students, we had our first cohort.”

Jacob Gaetanos ’17, a member of the inaugural LIFT class, said the experience helped shape him into the person he is today.

“LIFT pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and learn about myself and develop into the kind of person I wanted to be,” he said. “It helped me learn how to handle situations and work

better as a member of a team.”

Beason said it brings him joy to see students who have been impacted by the program.

“I am excited about the people I have been able to meet,” he said. “When they go through their time in the program at LaGrange College they become leaders, and they band together and make friendships in this experience that causes them to have a real impact on campus.”

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS HOSTS MANUFACTURING SUMMIT Employers from local industries attended a Manufacturing Summit on campus in September and engaged in sessions with college faculty and staff and local officials.

“This event was a groundbreaking opportunity to discuss how the college can provide programs that will help Troup County manufacturing firms be successful,” said Dr. Brian Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The topics discussed included a proposed engineering technology major and local education partnerships.

“The sessions were rich and full and will help inform the college on the next steps we take with an engineering program and other initiatives,” Dr. Peterson said.

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AROUND CAMPUS

COLLEGE EARNS ’BEST VALUE’ RANKING For the fifth consecutive year, LaGrange College has been named a “Best Value” institution by U.S. News & World Report.

“Receiving this recognition affirms our commitment to providing a transformative education that is affordable for our students,” said President Susanna Baxter.

When determining its “Best Value” schools, the publication factors academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid.

“These are schools that are above average academically and cost considerably less than many other schools when the financial aid that they dispense in the form of need-based grants and scholarships is taken into account,” U.S. News explained.

“Families are often surprised by the amount of financial aid LaGrange College has available to its students,” said Dr. John Head, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience.

Wilkinson named Philanthropist of Year It was a landmark day for Jerry Wilkinson on Nov. 3 when he was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Greater Atlanta Chapter.

The founder and chairman of the Wilkinson Companies, a privately held real estate investment and management firm, Wilkinson is a former college Trustee, was named an honorary alumnus in 2019 and received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 2021. He was nominated for Philanthropist of the Year by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, one of the numerous nonprofits he has worked with, helping increase its capacity and contributing to its distribution of more than 100 million meals in a year.

“His tireless work at LaGrange College can best be seen in his sponsorship of the Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars Program,” said President Susanna Baxter. “Jerry generously gave $1 million to endow this pioneering program, which has helped countless people as students have contributed more than 20,000 hours of service to local nonprofits since its inception.

His work with it has been transformative for the college and is just one of many reasons why he deserves the Philanthropist of the Year award.”

In addition to creating the endowment, Wilkinson and his wife, Beverly, regularly contribute to the program to fund improvements to its facilities, to bring in renowned speakers for the Scholars and to boost their weekly hot-meal service for 4

Jerry Wilkinson (center, in green jacket) pauses with his family and representatives of the Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars Program after the ceremony naming him Philanthropist of the Year.

those in need, Our Daily Bread.

“The Wilkinson family’s vision is to create seeds through this program that will grow and spread the passion to serve,” said Jeff Lukken, Director of Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars. “His humility and his life experiences in selfless service provide the greatest model of servant leadership.”

Lukken noted Wilkinson also has worked directly with dozens of Scholars, encouraging them to grow their understanding of service and fostering their passion for it, and urged them to share their calling with peers and people in the community.

AROUND CAMPUS

Wieland named Corn Associate Professor of Art Austin Wieland officially received a new role with a prestigious pedigree on Nov. 13, taking on the title of Lovick P. Corn Associate Professor of Art and Design.

With the new title, Wieland will “advocate for the fine arts programs of LaGrange College and work to create and sustain closer ties between the college and the local and regional art communities,” said Dr. Brian Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The endowed professorship was created two decades ago to honor former LC Board member Lovick Pierce Corn.

“Lovick Corn and his wife, Betty, were stalwart supporters of the Lamar Dodd Art Center,” Dr. Peterson said. Mr. Corn also chaired a college campaign from 1995 to 2000 that raised more than $37 million, a feat that nearly quadrupled the original goal.

Wieland joined LaGrange College in 2015 as an assistant professor of art and became associate professor in 2022.

Hailing from the small town of Bryan, Ohio, he discovered his passion for sculpting clay and ceramics in middle school. By high school, he was spending two to three hours per day in the art studio. However, he would soon face a life-altering challenge.

“I turned 16, and about a month later I was diagnosed with a really aggressive type of cancer,” Wieland said.

To cope with multiple surgeries and constant doctor visits, he dove full-force into his craft.

“It just took that stress away,” Wieland said. “So, I em-

barked on art therapy before I knew art therapy was a field.”

Wieland would overcome his battle with cancer. He would go on to college, initially majoring in mechanical engineering—before changing to art.

When he first came to visit LaGrange, he was impressed not only by the college’s facilities but also by the passion for art demonstrated by people in the community. It let him know he had found a place that matched his passion.

“We’ve almost doubled the size of our program with the number of freshmen and transfer students we’ve had come in this year,” he said. “It’s really an exciting time right now for fine and performing arts at the college. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next couple of years.”

HENRY HALL REMOVAL: By the time students returned to the Hill this fall, only portions of former dormitory Henry Hall remained to greet them. When October arrived, students walked by a cleared lot beginning to turn into greenspace.

Slated for removal by the college’s master plan, the facility had been closed since 2021 and could not be cost-effectively adapted for student needs. Next steps call for renovations to the college’s traditional residence halls, with an eye toward possible student town homes in the future.

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AROUND CAMPUS

Updated English major broadens scope of media The English Department expanded its major this fall to support students interested in pursuing fields such as public relations, entertainment and sports information.

“We looked into what other successful English programs were doing, considered feedback from our majors in recent years, explored the kinds of careers strong writers can pursue now and made some positive changes to our program based on our research,” says Professor and Program Coordinator Dr. Anthony Wilson. “The name change to English Writing and Publication Studies reflects our focus not just on what our students know, but on what our students can do.”

He says the program has shifted toward a more process-centered approach instead of a traditional contentoriented approach that emphasizes literary history.

“We still provide a strong foundation in literature in our survey courses, but our upper-level courses focus more on various kinds of writing,” says Dr. Wilson. “We have also broadened the range of options students have for their senior capstone projects to include more creative and less traditionally academic possibilities.”

Dr. Justin Thurman, Professor

and Director of the Writing Center, says the department worked on designing a degree program flexible enough to respond to the range of human expression that changes almost daily.

“Our classes now attend to a broader scope of media, including film, television and graphic novels,” he says. “We also discuss changes in writing technologies, including large language models and artificial intelligence.”

Students can now enjoy a range of new courses available to them, according to Dr. Thurman.

“We have a survey of creative writing (poetry, fiction, drama and creative nonfiction), sports writing and a variety of themes for our introductory composition classes that includes horror, science fiction and African American literature,” he says. “In addition, the Scriptwriting class in the Film and Media Arts program is now an elective.”

Dr. Wilson says the versatility of

the major allows students to be able to apply what they have learned to a variety of careers.

“The skills they develop in our courses set them up for success whether or not the fields they go into are specifically English-focused,” he says. “Being able to communicate clearly and to explain complex ideas in ways people can understand is valuable in nearly any setting. Our recent alumni include lawyers, freelance writers, marketers, teachers, journalists and entrepreneurs.”

FACULTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Dr. John Cook, Professor of Religion, had his articles "Christianity," "Crucifixion" and "Pontius Pilatus" published in The Tacitus Encyclopedia (WileyBlackwell). He was also featured in a documentary entitled “Death in Britannia” that aired on PBS in November.

English Professor Justin Thurman’s story “Some Kinds 6

of Drifter” was published in Mid-American Review, a national literary journal.

Political Science Professor John Tures had his article “Media and polling shape U.S. presidential races and favored candidates” published in USA Today and Savannah Morning News.

AROUND CAMPUS

NEW SIMULATOR BOOSTS GOLF PROGRAM Panther golfers can get practice time even in bad weather thanks to a new indoor simulator installed in Callaway Education Building by a generous donor.

“The Foresight GC3 simulator will help the team develop their skills off the golf course,” said Head Golf Coach Shannon Lipham. “It gives them the information they need to play at their best.

“Nineteen of the Top 25 NCAA Division III golf programs had some type of indoor facility in 2021,” he said. “Being able to have this simulator really leveled the playing field.”

He said he is building on the foundation of former Head Golf Coach Lee Richter, who led LC to be one of the premier Division III programs in the country.

During Richter’s tenure, the program won three conference championships and the 2003 United States Collegiate Athletic Association national championship.

PCOM Georgia agreement opens new pathways LaGrange graduates will benefit from a new partnership with PCOM Georgia in Suwanee, a private not-forprofit educational institution offering doctoral and master’s degrees in health care.

The affiliation agreement guarantees positions for up to three LaGrange College students who meet requirements for each of PCOM Georgia’s DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) programs.

PCOM Georgia is a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1899. The college also has an additional campus in Moultrie, Georgia.

“We are thrilled to work with one of the nation’s oldest medical schools,” said President Susanna Baxter. “I look forward to hearing success stories from PCOM Georgia regarding students

coming from LaGrange College.”

“For LaGrange College, this is an opportunity to provide additional pathway options for our students,” said Dr. Brian Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “This is what LaGrange does best: provide a rigorous education in the liberal arts that will prepare students for graduate programs like these. We’re excited about beginning this partnership and developing it into the future.”

LaGrange College students who attend PCOM Georgia will continue to experience the benefits of a small campus focusing on student success. Both the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and the Doctor of Pharmacy programs offer state-of-the-art learning facilities and interprofessional education opportunities, culminating in a diverse and vibrant learning environment empowering students to reach their full potential.

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Golden Milestone Nursing Department celebrates 50 years

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rom the living room of a Tudor style house to the large training classroom at a former magnet school, LC Nursing has grown and evolved as a program that motivates its students to be nothing less than the best.

“The faculty feels a sense of responsibility because what we do to develop nurses is going to have a long-term impact in the LaGrange community and beyond,” says Dr. Maranah Sauter, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Nursing. “We receive a lot of good feedback from Nursing Directors who say the LC graduates set the bar high.”

She says the department’s reputation as a strong Nursing program started with the foundation laid early in the life of the program.

A Nursing student works on perfecting her skills in one of the department’s classrooms.

Origins of LC Nursing The planning process for the college’s Nursing division began in 1964. In a letter of intent submitted by Mary Hogan, LC’s first Nursing chair, it says the “purpose of the associate degree program is to meet the needs of the area for nursing.” A nursing shortage, not unlike today, was apparently a challenge even back in the 1960s.

When it came to finding a space for LC Nursing, the college decided on purchasing Sunny Gables, a Tudor style house on Broad Street that was built for the Nix Sisters in 1926, and last occupied by former Trustee Lewis Price Sr. and his family, according to an article from LC’s Hilltop News. The Nursing program also utilized the Mitchell Building, the former carriage house located directly behind Sunny Gables as a skills lab.

“Classes were taught in what is now the living room at Sunny Gables,” says Dr. Sauter. “The faculty also taught in a mobile classroom placed near the Mitchell Building.”

Expanding to a four-year program After 20 years of having an associate degree program, the college began offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Former Department Chair Dr. Sandra Kratina was the driving force behind the establishment of the four-year degree.

“Dr. Kratina put LaGrange College Nursing on the map,” says Dr. Sauter. “She was one of those people who had the highest standards. She wanted her students and the faculty to be at their absolute best and she led by example.”

Even though they both joined the nursing faculty in 1983, Dr. Sauter says her department chair had a lot of teaching experience under her belt.

“She was a wonderful mentor," she says. “We worked closely together to build the new BSN program. It was an incredible challenge.”

Dr. Sauter succeeded Dr. Kratina as Department Chair where she served until 2005.

In a lab, Nursing students use a simulator to practice providing medical care.

Changing spaces In 2001, LC Nursing bid farewell to Sunny Gables after the program was shifted to the third floor of the Callaway Academic Building.

The program soon started to outgrow its new surroundings, according to Dr. Celia Hay, who served as Department Chair from 2005 to 2019.

“We were very crowded after getting settled in at CAB,” she says. “There was one larger classroom and a conference room that could hold 12 students. “So, we taught in other spaces on campus including Smith Hall, the Science and Math classrooms, and even Henry Hall at one time.”

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LC NURSING THROUGH THE YEARS

1973

First class of Associate Degree (ADN) students admitted

LC’s first class of Nursing students enrolled in 1973.

1995

College transitions to a Bachelor of Science (BSN) program

2001

Nursing program moves from Sunny Gables to the HIlltop campus

2016

College acquires West Side for Nursing, Music and Education programs

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In 2016, the Nursing Department transferred to West Side, a former public school on Panther Way that was acquired by the college. Turning the building into a large, renovated space proved to be a good transition for the department.

“I enjoyed being part of the process of designing the Nursing area at West Side,” says Dr. Hay. “It was a proud day when we moved into our new headquarters at West Side.”

Alum Brent Gay ’05, who works as a Chief Nurse Anesthetist at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia, is one of the many LC nursing graduates in critical roles.

To help pay for his LaGrange College education, he earned the George E. Sims Nursing Scholarship. It is funded by the Callaway Foundation and awarded each year to a number of nursing students who are residents of LaGrange and Troup County, according to Dr. Sauter.

“The nursing program could not have been possible without the generous support of the Sims Scholarship and we are grateful for the continuing support that it continues to provide,” she says.

Graduate outcomes LC Nurses have gone on to work for such employers as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Shepherd Center, but primarily Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center.

Coleman Foss, senior vice president and president of Wellstar West Georgia, says the hospital has employed many LC graduates in various roles from nursing, care coordination, quality/safety and leadership, to clinical team members.

“The partnership between LaGrange College and Wellstar is an important alliance between education and healthcare,” he

Kayleigh Hester ’13 (center), her mother, Kim Murphy ’93 (right) and her grandmother, Doris Almand ’75, represent three generations of LC Nursing graduates (top left photo). Sandra Blair (center photo) gives instruction to Nursing majors. Students hold candles at the department’s annual pinning ceremony (top right photo).

says. “We value the relationship because it means that we are educating, recruiting and hiring members of our community to care for our community. This helps us enhance training, improve community health and foster initiatives that are mutually beneficial to both the college and hospital.”

Tracy Gynther ’90, chief nursing officer at Wellstar West Georgia, who is also a graduate of the LaGrange College Nursing program, says over half of the current nursing staff at the hospital are LC Nursing graduates.

continues to teach senior students each semester.

“Each year is something new because you have different students every time,” she says. “I learn so much from the students and we challenge each other. Over the years much has changed in nursing and it is exciting to look forward to how the process of educating nurses will continue to evolve.”

A Nursing major engages with a student at the annual health fair hosted by the department on campus.

An ever-evolving program Associate Professor and current Department Chair Dr. Sarah Jones ’08, Associate Professor Sandra Blair ’99, Assistant Professor Brooke Henderson Kinney ’03 and Assistant Professor Dr. Ryan McArthur ’04, ’14 are all LC graduates who currently serve on the Nursing faculty.

As a professor, Dr. Jones says she enjoys being able to see her students succeed.

“I love it when the lightbulb goes off and they understand a concept you are teaching them, or connect the dots on a clinical case study, or ace a skill they have been spending hours on in the classroom,” she says.

After 40 years of teaching students, Dr. Sauter says being in the classroom is something that still brings her joy. She

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BEGIN AGAIN Generations of Panthers return for Homecoming

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elebrating the different eras of your journey wasn’t just the territory of Taylor Swift this fall as alumni and friends from eight decades gathered on campus for Homecoming 2023.

Held October 13-15, the event brought together alumni and friends from the 1950s to the present and featured everything from cookouts and art shows to a sock hop-inspired “Grease” ball, complete with poodle skirts and leather jackets.

“In many ways, the weekend did feel like a journey through time as alumni reminisced about the unique aspects of their years on campus,” said Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations. “Yet, regardless of the era, that unifying Panther spirit was evident.”

The 38th Panther Memorial Golf Classic, multiple class reunions and the nighttime downtown party were highlights of Friday’s events. The Alumni Association’s most prestigious honors were also presented.

(See the stories on the following pages.)

Saturday picked up the pace with tailgating, football, and more. Sunday’s Alumni and Community Memorial Service was followed by the Sports Hall of Fame Induction (story on page 25) to close out the weekend.

Enjoy the photo essay on these pages that capture some of the weekend’s highlights. And, if you missed this year’s festivities, mark your calendar for Homecoming 2024, October 25-27.

Gathering at the Flashback Friday party in the upper left photo are, from left, Alumni and Development Coordinator Jennifer Beedy Booker ’90; Marilyn McClanahan Huberdeau M’01, M’08; Marc Huberdeau M’99; Alumni Executive Committee Member Rhett Yates M’99; and Matt Jones ’98.

Above, right, Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award Recipient David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris ’09 speaks with students. At left, from left, Jim Duttera ’67, Larry Smith ’68, Jerry Wynens ’67 and Jimmy Motos ’68 participate in the 38th Annual Panther Memorial Golf Classic.

Alumni from the classes of 1971-1973 (below) celebrated 50 years at their Homecoming reunion at the Lamar Dodd Art Center.

They also contributed a bench that was dedicated during a ceremony at Caswell Plaza.

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Outstanding alumni celebrated at Homecoming David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris ’09 and Florence “Pippy” Rogers ’79, M’81 were the recipients of the Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award, and Dr. Hunter Jonus ’14 received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award during this year’s Homecoming ceremonies.

Dr. Jonus is a research instructor in the Pediatrics Department at Emory University’s School of Medicine in Atlanta. Previously, she served as a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University.

Dr. Jonus has had numerous, impactful national and international abstract presentations and articles published in journals for the field of cancer therapy and research.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from LaGrange College and a doctorate in toxicology from the University of Georgia.

She and her husband, Jasen M’15, have one daughter, Julia.

Harris is a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning producer and songwriter.

Harris’ productions and songs have garnered numerous gold and platinum records, accumulating over two billion streams worldwide.

Throughout his career, Harris has collaborated with esteemed artists, writers and producers such as H.E.R., Alicia Keys, Teyana Taylor and Babyface, among others. His work as a producer and executive producer on H.E.R.’s selftitled album earned him a Grammy for Best R&B Album of the Year in 2019.

He received his bachelor’s degree in music from LaGrange College and pursued a master’s degree in music technology from New York University.

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Three alumni were celebrated at the annual Alumni Awards luncheon at Homecoming.

Pictured are, from left, Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient Dr. Hunter Jonus ’14 and Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award recipients David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris ’09 and Florence “Pippy” Rogers ’79, M'81.

He and his wife, Deborah, have three children.

Rogers is a retired educator and principal who worked in the LaGrange City and Troup County school systems.

She taught at Dawson Street Elementary School, Eastside Primary, West Side Elementary and West Side Fine Arts Magnet School and has earned Teacher of the Year honors at the school and district level.

She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from LaGrange College.

Rogers is active in community service, volunteering as a board member for Alpha Delta Kappa and as an ambassador and advocate for the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

She has served as chair and vice chair for its board of directors. Rogers was honored for her decade of advocacy with the Alzheimer’s Association during National Volunteers Week in 2021.

At LaGrange, she established the Florence “Pippy” Rogers Scholarship for students.

Before the Homecoming football game, Xavier Mann ’86 and his friends (above, from left) Kenneth Ward ’80, M’88, Keith Colbert ’89, Bernard Hardnett ’87, Willard Caldwell ’89, Cheryl Hoggs Stiggers ’84, Cheryl Hines Ward ’82, Janice Johnson Hall ’84 and Chip Lawson ’86 gathered for a cookout. At left Catherine Mashburn ’73 and Jere Brownlow ’73 both reminisce while looking through a yearbook at Red and Black Reunion Row. At right, President Baxter speaks with Larry Coleman ’75 (left) and Dr. George Baker ’74 (right), at the Association of Black Collegians meetand-greet event at West Side.

Below left, the Rev. Dr. Ashley Jenkins gives a prayer at the alumni and community memorial service. Below right, from left, Dr. John Kay ’58, Dr. Judy Greer ’57, H’07, Carole McGarity Jacobs ’58 and Marjorie Steis Bowling ’58 gather for a luncheon at West Side. (bottom right photo).

HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD PRESENTED TO RICHTER Lee Richter was recognized with the Honorary Alumni Award at Homecoming.

Richter came to the college in 1993 as the head golf coach, a role he held until his retirement in 2021.

He earned degrees from Central Alabama Community College and Troy University.

Richter received numerous awards, including USA South Coach of the Year, Division III Southeast Region Coach of the Year and Great South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

In 2013, the Callaway Education Building’s gymnasium was named in Richter’s honor to show appreciation for his generous support of the college.

Richter and his wife, Sally, have made contributions to the golf program, the Panther Club, the painting of red paws down Panther Way and upgrades to the men’s and women’s locker rooms in Mariotti Gym. In addition, Richter and his siblings established a scholarship fund in memory of their parents, Horace and Dorothy Richter.

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PANTHER POINTS CROSS COUNTRY Panther cross country teams competed in seven events this season. Senior Lindsey Green often finished first for the women’s squad, while Santiago Vasquez was a top runner in the CCS and consistently placed first for the men's team.

FOOTBALL The Panthers (0-9, 0-7 USA South) placed two members on USA South Athletic Conference AllConference teams. Junior wide receiver Devonte Scott was given Honorable Mention honors. He completed 17 catches for 223 yards, scoring two LC touchdowns.

Junior To'Mari Vinson was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.

MEN’S SOCCER LC (6-9-1, 3-4 Collegiate Conference of the South) finished fifth in the CCS. Senior forward Enrique Hernandez, sophomore midfielder Matthew Webb and junior defender Robel Teshome were all named to the second All-Conference Team. The Panthers also had freshman defender Nicholas Griner voted to the AllSportsmanship Team.

WOMEN’S SOCCER The Panthers (6-7-4, 3-4-1 CCS) advanced to the quarterfinals of the Collegiate Conference of the South Championship Tournament before dropping the game to Piedmont 2-1. The team was led in scoring by junior Briana Suarez with 9 goals and 20 points, closely followed by sophomore Kaia King with 5 goals and 15 points. King was voted to the All-Conference Second Team.

VOLLEYBALL LC (4-21, 3-13 CCS) advanced to the first round of the Collegiate Conference of the South tournament before the season ended with a loss to Huntingdon. The team was led by sophomore Meredith Orton with 113 kills (146 points), sophomore Riley Morgan with 159 digs and freshman Sarai Holmes with 255 assists.

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Two women’s sports set to debut Panther Athletics will increase its program from 16 to 18 teams, with the addition of Women’s Golf and Women’s Flag Football. The college’s Board of Trustees approved the two sports during its October meeting.

“These new programs will help enhance LaGrange College’s efforts in recruiting high school athletes,” said LaGrange College President Susanna Baxter. “We will be able to showcase the college’s academic offerings and outstanding outcomes to a new population of prospective students.”

The Women’s Golf and Flag Football teams are set to begin competition in fall 2024 and spring 2025, respectively.

“These two sports are historic additions that will bring excitement and energy to campus,” said Terlynn Olds, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. “We will be able to broaden our domestic and international base of student-athletes — and allow more women to enjoy the Panther experience.”

The Golf program, which began at LaGrange College in 1993, will see the Women’s team compete in the USA South Conference, where seven other institutions have Women’s Golf programs.

Shannon Lipham, Head Coach for Men’s Golf, will assume both coaching and recruiting responsibilities for the Men’s and Women’s teams. The program recently acquired an indoor practice room with a simulator thanks to donor funds.

To oversee the Women’s Flag Football program, a national search will begin immediately for a head coach. LaGrange will be the second institution to add flag football in the Collegiate Conference of the South, with other competitors located within a two-hour drive from LaGrange.

“In Georgia, there are 7,000 girls participating in high school flag football,” Olds said. “These athletes in Troup County and throughout the state will have an additional option to continue the sport at the collegiate level.”

Recruiting began for the new teams in November.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Classnotes FEELS LIKE HOME Eight decades, count ’em. Alumni from class years ranging from the 1950s to the 2020s were on campus for Homecoming 2023. And while the stories I hear are diverse, the underlying theme is the same: a shared love for this place and the difference it has made. If you couldn’t be here, we missed you! Please make plans to visit your home on the Hill for Homecoming 2024, October 25-27.

—MARTHA PIRKLE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS P.S. Stay in touch by following “LaGrange College Alumni” on Facebook.

1970s

1974 Dr. George Baker of LaGrange has opened ReNew Infusion & Wellness LaGrange with his daughter, Dr. Joy Baker ’02.

1977 Garrett Strang of Paris, France, is a street photographer and owner of Garrett Strang Photography. He published “Paris in the Raw.”

1979 Francee Crayden Mitchell of LaGrange was named Teacher of the Year for Troup County Career Center.

1979 Florence “Pippy” Rogers M’81 of Moreland was tapped to lead the board of the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association into the “Era of Treatment.”

1980s

1982 Carol Howington Cain of LaGrange, directed 32 youth in the stage adaptation of “Winnie-ThePooh” for the Lafayette Society of Performing Arts.

1982 Laura Thompson Lamb of LaGrange illustrated the book “Wooly Willy’s Baaa Humbug Christmas” by Marcia Camp Johnson.

1983 Dwayne Shattuck of Los Angeles is Executive VP, Production, at ITV

On a visit to Hills and Dales in LaGrange Dr. Carolyn Bradley ’57 was greeted by LaGrange College Gift Officer Michael Anderson and Vice President for Advancement Rebecca Roth Nicks.

Studios America, a partner company to Tomorrow Studios, which produces the live action series “One Piece.” Shattuck also produced 52 episodes of the TV series “Mad Men,” which won multiple Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, Directors Guild and Producers Guild awards.

1984 Andree Robinson of LaGrange was promoted to major at the LaGrange Police Department.

LC friends who gathered for lunch in LaGrange are, from left, Patsy Burdette Wynn ’74, M ’10; Carolyn Mitchell Wynens ’69; Nancy Nesmith Williamson ’71; Gail McLachlan Sherman ’78, M’80, Ed. S.’12; Patty Solomon ’71; Martha MacMillian Chewing ’73; Mary Wells Conway ’72; Mary Hamby Hall ’73; and Laura Phipps Adams ’73.

1984 Mike Wilson of LaGrange was the Grand Marshall of the downtown LaGrange Christmas parade, along with Troup County School System 12 Plus students from New Ventures.

1986 Michael T. Fay of Miami has been named to South Florida Business Journal’s 2023 Power Leaders Real Estate list.

1986 Dr. Gretta Howard Milam M’93 of LaGrange was awarded “Best Professor” in the LaGrange Daily News contest of “The Best of Troup County.”

* This issue’s Classnotes are from information received through November 10, 2023. (Unless otherwise noted, geographic locations refer to Georgia.)

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ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Alumni who gathered following Dr. Don Jolly’s Memorial Service are, from left, Joe Shibley ’75, Mary Hamby Hall ’73, Laura Phipps Adams ’73, Susan Anderson ’74, Suzanne Sanders ’72, Mary Wells Conway ’72, Chris Austin ’72, Debbie Dorough Mowery ’72 and Pat West Watson ’72.

While visiting Iceland David Johnson ’73 (right) met with former LaGrange College Rotary exchange student Helgi Bernodusson ’73, who lives in Iceland. During college David and his wife, Susan ’72, were Helgi’s resident directors in Boatwright Residence Hall.

1988 Jeffrey D. Lofton of Washington, D.C., was placed on the Center for Fiction 2023 First Novel Longlist for his debut novel, “Red Clay Suzie.”

Director of Recreation for Lowdes County.

1989 Jamie Camp of Fenton, Michigan, is the owner of Great Lakes Storm Damage Inspections.

1990s

1993 Trina Stewart Pruitt of LaGrange was awarded Teacher of the Year at Long Cane Middle School.

1995 Efren Munoz Medina of LaGrange was named the Teacher of the Year for LaGrange High School.

1996 Audrey D. McCray of LaGrange was named the Teacher of the Year for Hillcrest Elementary School.

1998 Kelly Cooper Doughman M’99 of LaGrange has been named principal of Hollis Hand Elementary school.

1998 Kellie Hubbard of Pine Mountain has been named an assistant principal at Franklin Forest Elementary School.

1998 Katrina Stargell-Goss M’98 of LaGrange was named Teacher of the Year for West Point Elementary School.

1998 Jennifer McCoy Ward of LaGrange was named Teacher of the Year for Troup County Comprehensive High School.

1999 Jennifer DeMooney Claybrook M’01 of Columbus, Mississippi, is the

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1999 Jasen Hauser of North Hollywood, California, is the creator and writer of Disney+ and Disney’s “Pretty Freekin Scary.” He is also a staff writer for “Raven’s Home,” seen on the Disney Channel.

2000s

2000 Katie Tillotson Brown M.Ed.’04 of LaGrange is the transition manager at GVRA Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Warm Springs.

2000 Josh Fenn of Newnan has been named one of the 500 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine.

2000 Nicole Hester Robinson of Waco is the Assistant Principal at Friends (from left) Chris (Moose) Vreeland ’78, Reggie Jarrell ’75, Ron Farr ’77 and Scott Price ’78 gather to cheer on the Atlanta Braves.

Stormy Weathers ’97 was selected as the Georgia Athletic Officials Association and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association official of the year.

Whitesburg Elementary School.

2000 Karen Meyrath Shannon of Ackworth is a middle school teacher in the Paulding Country School District.

2001 Brandon Eley of LaGrange is the president at Michael Ellis Footwear, owner at CORE Marketing Group and, along with his wife, Tracy Sellars Eley ’99, founder of 2BigFeet. He is an adjunct professor at LaGrange College teaching Entrepreneurial Finance.

2002 Dr. L. Joy Baker of LaGrange opened ReNew Infusion & Wellness LaGrange with her father, Dr. George Baker ’74. She continues to serve as Director of Quality & Safety for Women’s Health and Department Chair of OB/GYN & Pediatrics at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center.

2002 Samantha Longshore Johnson M’11 of LaGrange is teaching mathematics at Harris County Middle School.

2003 Michael Fouts of Moreland, county administrator of Coweta County, received the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association.

2005 Rob Dicks M’05 of LaGrange

ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Randell Parmer ’76 featured his painting dedicated to LC’s “New Dorm” (Henry Hall) at the VAAL Art Exhibition at the LaGrange Art Museum.

A Delt get together at Country’s BBQ reunited Billy Brady ’90, Al Johnson ’93, Bill Shiflet ’91 and Mike Trimeloni ’87.

Grant Miller ’07 of Dallas, Texas, returned to Georgia in the fall and paid a visit to LaGrange.

While in town, he visited longtime campus Postmaster Austin Cook ’69.

has been named by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer as a 2023 Volunteer Service Award winner.

2005 Arshaad Norwood of Villa Rica is an art educator at Westlake High School and a professional muralist in Atlanta.

2006 Blake Morton of Macon has opened the Morton Law Firm, specializing in criminal defense, family law and personal injury.

2007 Jeremy Dockins of LaGrange is the assistant special agent in charge for the West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office based in Carrollton.

2008 Rachel Samples Jones of Aiken, South Carolina, an analyst for the Advanced Technologies and Analysis Division at Savannah River National Lab, is part of a crew staying at the Mars Desert Research Station in southern Utah for a two-week analog mission.

2008 Danielle MacMinn Snider of Atlanta is a family nurse practitioner at Georgia Tech Stamps Health

Education at Walden University.

Services.

2012 Elissa Marks of Lawrenceville is the early education library associate for the Gwinnett County Public Library.

2009 J. Andrew Cantrell of Duluth received his Master of Science in Economics from Purdue University.

2012 Taylor Smith of Dacula is the senior account executive, high-tech & semiconductor at Airspace.

2009 Keita Placide M’09, Ed.S.’11 of LaGrange is an assistant principal at LaGrange High School.

2013 Kayleigh Murphy Hester of LaGrange was selected by the LaGrange Daily News for its “20 Under 40” honors. She received her Family Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing from Auburn University and serves patients at the Children’s Clinic of LaGrange.

2010s

2010 Mrs. Nekita Leak Leonard of LaGrange was named Teacher of the Year for Clearview Elementary School.

2011 Jackie Belcher of LaGrange is the Director of Financial Aid at LaGrange College. She has served the college and students through the Financial Aid office for over 20 years.

2011 Corbin Clinage of Brentwood, Tennessee, is director of construction at LifePoint Health.

2011 Catherine Coleman of Grantville is the manager of customer care, warehouse and logistics operations at Delta Flight Products.

2013 Henry Jacobs of West Point is the Deputy Director for the nonprofit Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

2013 Lindsey Hull Perkins of LaGrange was named to the LaGrange Daily News’ “20 Under 40.” She is the

Jeff Benefied ’94, M’11 of LaGrange spoke about the Truth in Nature program at LaGrange Lions Club. He is the volunteer program coordinator for the LaGrange Chapter and is a teacher at Troup County Comprehensive High School. Here, he pauses with Sherriff James Woodruff.

2011 Elizabeth Richardson Doerr M’11, Ed.S.’13 of LaGrange is the new principal of Hillcrest Elementary School.

2011 Kyle T. Veatch M’11 of LaGrange was named Teacher of the Year for Callaway High School.

2012 Paige Dixon Fowler M’14 of LaGrange received her Ph.D. in

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ALUMNI & FRIENDS coordinator at Lee County High School.

2016 Tejay Rae Dowden M’16 of LaGrange was awarded Teacher of the Year for Gardner Newman Middle school.

2016 Shelby Holcomb Goins MAT’21 of LaGrange was selected for the LaGrange Daily New’s “20 Under 40” honors. She is a Callaway High School teacher, student council advisor and head volleyball coach.

2016 Nicki Stone of Griffin is helping conduct a children’s acting workshop for students in Covington, Virginia.

LaGrange College’s Leadership Council welcomed new members earlier this year.

They are, shown from left, Bill Hunnicutt; Brad White ’99; Diane Harrell ’89; John Harrell ’93, M’17; Joe Montgomery M’20; and Jackson Daniel ’82, M’17. Not pictured are Steve Boatner ’85 and Sandy Lee.

director of surgical services at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center.

is the Executive Director for DASH, a nonprofit that focuses on neighborhood revitalization.

2013 DJ Thomas of LaGrange, executive pastry chef for Local Three, a restaurant in Atlanta, was a contestant on the Fox show “Crime Scene Kitchen.”

2014 Tyler Miller M’15 of Orange Park, Florida, is the girls basketball coach at Saint Johns Country Day School.

2014 Nate Crawford M’17 of LaGrange

Brothers Paul Bailey ’85, second from left, and Michael Bailey ’86, far right, visited campus to see Paul’s mentor, Dr. Sue Duttera. Joining them is Rommel Osborne.

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2015 Dave Hensley of Marietta is a senior financial planner - pro athlete division at Ronald Blue Trust.

2015 Jonathan Thompson of Leesburg is a teacher/varsity football offensive Lloyd Buchanan ’06 did vocal arrangements and production for "AMEN," the latest record by the band The Heavy. He also worked with the group on their previous records "Hurt and Merciless" and "Sons."

2017 Terry Craft of LaGrange engineered and played drums on the new single by musical artist Zeph, “You Don’t Like Me Like That.”

2017 KaDarius DeAndre’ Griggs of LaGrange took on the role of John Laurens in the original production “The Spirit of Lafayette” produced by the Lafayette Alliance at Price Theater.

2017 Jamarkis Holmes of LaGrange is the boys track and field Coach at Callaway High School. In an additional role, he serves on the defensive staff for the Cavaliers football team.

Michael Fouts ’03 of Moreland, county administrator of Coweta County, received the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Mitch Parks ’04 is one of the guitarists for Ed Sheeran on his current +-=÷× Tour.

2017 Lane Knowles of LaGrange was selected by the LaGrange Daily News for its “20 Under 40” honors. He is the co-owner of Beacon Landscaping, LLC, and a licensed realtor at Coldwell Banker Spinks Brown Durand. He serves on the Chapter Advisor Board for Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and is an active member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church.

2017 Tyler Langston of Tampa, Florida, has been named the director of new business at Knox Sports.

Matt Aiken ’02 has written the novel "School of Sleuths.”

The Rev. Erik Mays ’04 (second from left) of West Point United Methodist Church served up some “Soul Food” to students with the help of Chaplain Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins ’08 (far right).

2017 Sam Shattles of LaGrange is a senior cost analyst at Interface.

2017 Lawrence West, a cruise director for Carnival Cruise lines, was awarded Rookie of the Year and several other outstanding awards at Carnival’s Entertainment Leadership Conference.

2018 Abbey Brown of Nashville, Tennessee, is an assistant accountant

at Tennessee Personal Assistance Inc. 2018 Caleb Brown of Brunswick is a featured performer at “COUNTRY TONITE” in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

2018 DeAundra Green of Duluth is a music producer, audio engineer, songwriter and singer and works as a distribution coordinator at Cannon Solutions America as well as an audio engineer at Hopewell Missionary Baptist church.

2018 Trey North of Westfield, New York, is the assistant director for strength and conditioning at Virginia

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21

ALUMNI & FRIENDS

New trustees begin service at LaGrange College Four new members joined LaGrange College’s Board of Trustees at the start of the 2023-2024 academic year.

Dr. Linda Buchanan is a retired higher education administrator. She previously served for eight years as the second female president at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia. Her professional background includes leadership roles at Iowa Wesleyan College, LaGrange College and Midway College. Additionally, Dr. Buchanan served in the United States Navy, retiring at the rank of captain.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois, a master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University and a doctorate from Georgia State University.

Stuart Countess M’92 is the president and chief executive officer of Kia Georgia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia.

Prior to working at Kia, Countess began his 30-year manufacturing career with Hughes Aircraft Corporation before moving into automotive at the Mercedes Benz assembly plant in Vance, Alabama.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in business administration from LaGrange College.

At LaGrange College, he serves on the Leadership Council and received the Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award in 2019.

Dr. Miriam C. Harris ’00 of Washington, D.C., works for a federal contractor as a senior program manager/advisor, directing programs at the U.S. Department of State.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from LaGrange College, a master’s degree in public administra-

22

tion from Georgia College & State University and a doctorate in organization and management from Capella University.

Dr. Harris began her career with the U.S. Department of Air Force-Civilian as an outstanding scholar intern. After serving the federal government in various departments/agencies for 20 years, she left federal service as an Assistant Division Chief (Procurement Policy) at the U.S. Secret Service.

At LaGrange College, she received the Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award in 2019.

Ternisha Miles Jones ’03 of Troy, Alabama, is an assistant attorney general and prosecuting attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit of Alabama.

She is also a major and a Judge Advocate General in the Alabama Army National Guard.

She received a bachelor’s degree in political science from LaGrange College, a master’s degree in international relations from Troy University and a juris doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Jones worked as assistant district attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit of Alabama before being named an assistant attorney general and prosecuting attorney assigned to the Criminal Trials Division.

At LaGrange, Jones received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2014 and served on the Leadership Council from 2015-2017.

The board also welcomed returning member Bill Plybon.

Plybon is a retired attorney. He worked as counsel for Alston & Bird after serving as Vice President, Secretary and Deputy General Counsel at Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. Prior to working at the beverage company, Plybon was an equity partner with the trial and appellate practice group of Alston & Bird in Atlanta, where he led the firm’s hundred-lawyer team assembled to investigate Enron Corporation, working on behalf of the court-appointed independent Bankruptcy Examiner.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Kansas and a juris doctorate from Emory University.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins ’08 passes the Presidential gavel of the Alumni Executive Committee to Spencer King ’00.

Amy Baxter ’06 was awarded Teacher of the Year at Central Elementary School in Carrollton.

Tech.

several musical associations.

2018 Kelsey Seals of St. Petersburg, Florida, is in her third year at the Missoula Children’s Theatre in Montana as Tour Production Associate. She is involved in all of the children’s programming at MCT and recently served as musical director for “Legally Blond.”

2019 Robert Allen Jr. of Fort Valley completed an assignment as the Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and his next post is in Shenyang, China. He shared his journey with LC students at a forum held on campus.

2018 Jalen A. Smith of LaGrange was included in the LaGrange Daily News “20 Under 40.” He has his master’s degree in music education from Georgia College and State University.

He serves as the choral director at Gardner Middle School and on Nick Rider ’08 of Atlanta is a tax partner at M & J. He is a board member of the Georgia Society of CPAs, having received the distinguished member award, and is also on the board of the Atlanta Angels nonprofit.

2019 Ellie Boykin of Florida received her master’s degree in theatre performance in 2022 at Southern Mississippi University. She completed her first year as a seventh-grade teacher in Florida and will teach the first-ever theater class at Pryor Middle School.

Asti White ’17 of Atlanta obtained his Master of Divinity at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He is the pastoral resident at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.

Cheryl Magby ’02 has been named the fullservice community schools grant manager for Communities in Schools of Georgia at the State office in Atlanta.

2019 Mallory Pressley Carson of LaGrange is an emergency room nurse at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center.

2019 Brennen Wilkes M’21 of LaGrange is a social studies teacher at Gardner-Newman Middle School.

2020s

2020 Laine Fletcher of Valdosta is in her final year at Auburn University, pursuing a master’s in speech language pathology with a focus

Meagan Cascone ’17 of Dallas is the PAIR director (arts integration program) and the associate director of education at the Springer Opera House. She played Adelaide in the Springer’s production of “Guys and Dolls.” She also taught for the Muscogee County School District’s Summer Learning Experience and the Springer Theatre Academy this summer.

She directed “The Itsy-Bitsy Spider” for Theatre for the Very Young in the fall.

23

ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Roommates Andrea Andrews Miolen ’11, Anna Adams Stanfield ’09, M ’10 and Amy Hartman Harder ’10 enjoyed a weekend at the beach.

in vocal health and performance.

She is an inaugural member of the Alabama Voice Foundation’s Student Board and has work published in the Journal of Voice. After graduation she plans to pursue work in a voice center helping performers maintain and rehabilitate the voices.

2020 Ratoya Mason of LaGrange has been named the Director of Counseling and Career Services at LaGrange College.

2020 Dylan T. McCullough of Atlanta is a senior financial analyst on the Core Merchandise Finance Team at The Home Depot.

2020 Payton Smith of Denver, North Carolina, contributed to Political Science Professor John Tures’ column “Intel from the Ivory Tower: The Real Winners in the Ohio Referendum,” which was published in the Pagosa Rhett Hollon ’19 of Prattville, Alabama, is the marketing director for Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA).

He has created his own brand for Foldin Feathers Waterfowl.

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President Susanna Baxter and Sarah Decker Halpern ’02 hold the 3D Jouneys banner during the May trip to Tuscany. Joining them are, second row, Susan Hall, Tammy Rogers M ’02, Mark Huffman, Jane Boyle, Jane Cooley ’83, M ’84, Sunny Gantner, Mary Decker, Chuck Gantner, Ansley Harvey Hunt’02, Martha Pirkle, third row, Rick & Donna Dvorak Schimmel ’70, Elain Blair, Laura Shedd, Murray Schine, fourth row, Lauranne Buchanan, Nancy Stevens ’71 M ’74, Ric Selbie, Roger Stephens, Debbie Burdette, Sue and Scott Landa, fifth row, Jim Boyle, Hank Dobbins, Tom Pirkle, Whit Perry, David and Kathy McCollum ’81, M ’17, Speer Burdette and Cindy and Bill Miller. Not pictured are Gay and Howard Staats ’72.

Daily Post.

2021 Emily Boswell of Watkinsville was selected as a Golden Apple award winner by WRBL and Kinetic Credit Union, recognizing standout educators. She is a first grade teacher at Lonnie Jackson Academy in Columbus, Georgia.

2021 Rachel-Marie Cartwright of

Kelton Hunt ’19, Jason Hernandez ’19 and Dr. Toni Anderson reunite at a Symphony event.

Birmingham, Alabama, is on national tour as part of the Peppa Pig Sing-Along Party and Peppa Pig’s Adventure live shows.

2022 Tyler Evans of LaGrange worked as the lighting designer at Tibbetts Opera House in Michigan this summer designing “The Little Mermaid,” “Grease” and “Lend Me a Tenor.” He performed as an actor Agrlin Braxton ‘20 has become the Soapstone Ridge District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America Atlanta Area Council.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Seven join LC Sports Hall of Fame The largest-ever class of inductees joined the LaGrange College Sports Hall of Fame to cap off Homecoming 2023. This year’s inductees included Panther athletes from a 35-year span: Jeffery Cotton ’83 was a two-year basketball letterman for the Panthers.

In 1983 he was an NAIA All-American second-team selection. In his senior year he ranked in the top 10 in five individual season categories. As a Panther, Cotton averaged 23.7 points and ranks third all-time in field goal percentage (.597).

Jennifer DeMooney Claybrook ’99 was a student-athlete, head coach LaGrange College's Athletics Department recognized seven alumni who were inducted into and athletic director for nearly three the LC Sports Hall of Fame at Homecoming. Shown at the ceremony are, from left, Jennifer DeMooney Claybrook '99, Connor Blair '18, Jeffery Cotton '83, Scott Stillwell '01, Logan Lanier '17 decades at LaGrange College. As a and Kathryn Covington Scherer '13. Not pictured is honoree Stephanie Clark Swift '08. softball player, she was named to NAIA All-District and GAAC All-Conference game (12.2) and is ranked third on the list of career shutouts (6) teams. She holds nine top 10 individual career records at LC. In Stephanie Clark Jensen ’08 was a four-year soccer 1999, Claybrook was named as the college's most outstanding letterman for the Panthers. She was named to the GSAC Allfemale student-athlete.

Freshman Team as well as earning 2nd Team All-Conference Scott Stillwell ’01 was a three-year soccer letterman for the honors in 2004. Jensen was a three-time Panther MVP and Panthers. He was a two-time team captain and collected three recognized with GSAC honors all four years. consecutive team MVP awards. As the goalkeeper, he holds the Katie Covington Scherer ’13 lettered in volleyball for career record for total saves (646), the career record for saves per three seasons and in basketball for four. She ranks in the top 10 Stephanie Clark Swift '08 was one of seven alumni inducted into the LC Sports Hall of Fame. Pictured at the ceremony are Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Terlynn Olds, left, Swift, and LaGrange College President Susanna Baxter.

in four individual career volleyball records and five in individual career basketball records. In both sports, she made five GSAC All-Conference teams, including being named Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year in basketball.

Logan Lanier ’17 was a four-year member of the golf team.

He was selected to the USA South All-Conference Team four times and was a two-time Division III PNG first-team AllAmerican. In his senior year, he earned the Jack Nicklaus Award as the DIII National Player of the Year and won the USA South tournament.

Connor Blair ’18 played quarterback for the Panther football team for four years. In his senior season, he made the USA South All-Conference team after leading the conference in six QB categories. Blair also set four individual career records for the Panthers.

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ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Ciara Hornsby ’18 of Valley, Alabama, a first-year teacher at Chambers Academy in LaFayette, Alabama, has been named the school’s Secondary Teacher of the Year.

in “Alice in Wonderland.” In the fall he served as lighting supervisor at Cumberland County Playhouse in Tennessee.

2022 Addie Kate Pruett of LaGrange is the social media and marketing specialist at the Abbott Business Group.

2023 Jacob Jeffords of Marietta is pursuing his master’s in business administration at Shorter University and is the graduate assistant coach for the men’s lacrosse team there.

2023 Antoine Prather of LaGrange is the Assistant Athletic Director for

Guy Wegienka ’20 graduated from the Georgia Fire Academy Basic Firefighter program at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia. He received his NPQ FF 1 certification along with his NPQ Hazardous Material Awareness and Operations certifications and will be serving Troup County.

Eli Grant ’19 of Auburn, Alabama, is currently serving as the drama teacher and drama club director at East Samford School. The club performs a fall play and spring musical under his direction. This year they performed “Charlotte’s Web” and “Matilda the Musical, Jr.”

Corporate Partners & Community Relations at LaGrange College.

Births

To Mitch ’05 and Lindsey Hull Perkins ’13, a daughter, Blaire Tolen, on March 10, 2023 To Hill, Jr. ’13 and Samantha Snowden Daniel ’12, a son, Salem Elijah, on July 12, 2023 To Henry ’13 and Robin Fabrick Jacobs ’22, a daughter, Florence Ruth, on October 26, 2023 To Trevor Lane ’13 and his wife, Elyse, a daughter, Harper Mae, on October 16, 2023 To Tyler Eady ’15 and his wife, Jenna, a son, Silas Raymond, on November 2, 2023 To Avery Shead Britt ’16, M’20, Ed.S.’22 and her husband, Zack, a daughter,

Addie Kate Pruett ’22 (third from left) represents the Abbott Business Group at the fall Fair on the Hill.

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Erielle Robinson '22 of Tallahassee, Florida, is on the cheer team for the Orlando Solar Bear hockey team. She was filmed as an extra on the set for “Genius:MLK/X” coming soon to Disney+, and she is a recruiter for the Fortune 500 company Insight Global.

Baylee Arrington, on September 13, 2023 To Dr. Kalin Ogelsby Matherly ’16 and her husband, Joseph, a son, Tate Aaron, on June 27, 2023 To Matt ’17 and Anna Britt Crawford ’19, a daughter, Alice Ann, on October 17, 2023 To Lane ’17 and Lauren Venters Knowles ’17, M’20, a son, Kirby Lane Knowles, Jr., on June 29, 2023 To Zach ’18 and Katie Beth Walls Laney ’18, a son, Riley Bo, on September 15, 2023 Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Dr. Kelly Veal, left, student Cassaundra Wilbert and Caroline Stinson M’20 attended the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia Conference in Savannah.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS To Olivia Llewellyn Foster ’20 and Rj Hairston, a son, Marshall Hugh Hairston, on August 14, 2023 To Lauren Tate Carr ’21 and her husband, Edward, a son, Henry Davis, on September 5, 2023

Engagements

Brittany N. Gray ’14 to Travis Wade on January 22, 2022 Lafayette Society for the Performing Arts’ “A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum” featured several alumni and was enjoyed by college President Susanna Baxter and Theatre Arts faculty.

Pausing for a group photo are, front row, from left, Jeff Sargent ’84, Cathy Wright Hunt ’81, Aria Mabry ’25, Carol Howington Cain ’82, Beth McClanahan, Savanna Hicks Hunt ’21, Valerie Longshore-Sargent ’03, Kim Barber Knoll, KaDarius Griggs ’17, back row, Daniel Miller ‘24, Will Gray ’25, Tyler Evans ‘22, President Baxter, Carlie Jones ‘24, Luke Hopper, Tim Fitz-Gerald and DeLion Lance ’17.

Patrick Riley ’16 to Ashlyn Bryant on May 20, 2023 Wesley L. Dismuke ’17 to Zasmine Hymes-Green on October 7, 2023

Weddings

Rev. Blair Tolbert ’06 to Zach Johnson on May 13, 2023 Cory Aycock ’19 to Jess Breeding ’23 on May 28, 2023

Alumni who gathered during the 2023 UMC North Georgia Conference in Athens included, from left, the Rev. Lindsey Matthews Solomon ’05, Kathryn Schroeder Owen ’11, Denise Roberts Wilson ’84, the Rev. Mary King Kurrass ’05, the Rev. Dr. Jessica Terrell ’03, the Rev. Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins ’08, the Rev. Jenny Fletcher Anderson ’03, Elissa Marks ’12, the Rev. Blair Tolbert ’06, Aria Mabry ’25, Elissa Chandler Lamoree ’20, Peggy Freeman Pool ’74, the Rev. Kaylen Short ’11, C. J. Lord ’19, the Rev. Garrett Wallace ’18, and the Rev. Erik Mayes ’04.

Shamar L. Slappy ’19 to McKenzie Grace Reeves ’22 M’23 on August 19, 2023 Peter Thomas “P.T.” Alford Jr. ’20 to Alyssa Scott on September 23, 2023 Colby Ryan Heath ’20 to Sandra E. Henson ’22 on January 29, 2023 A. Guy Wegienka ’20 to Olivia Long on March 3, 2023 Worth Oliver Jackson ’22 to MiKaela Parmer on May 6, 2023

Alumni who celebrated the May wedding of the Rev. Blair Tolbert ’06 and Zach Johnson included Noelle Stephens ’06, Courtney Burnette Spaeder ’06, Katie Dresdow Baughman ’06, Nate Baughman ’05, Margaret Bagwell Frazier ’06, Dr. Amber Byrd Dodgen ’06, Dr. Andrew Dodgen ’06, Meghan Park Bennett ’07, Laura Kennedy Halliday ’06 and Dr. Jane-Marie Fatkin McKinney. The officiants included the Rev. Dr. Jessica Terrell ’03.

Allen begins career as U.S. diplomat in China Robert Allen Jr. ’19, who visited 14 countries through college, the Peace Corps and the Department of State, will set out on his biggest adventure yet as a foreign service officer at the United States Consulate General in Shenyang, China.

Allen (at left in photo) will represent America as a diplomat in the consular affairs section after he completes his Mandarin language training at the Foreign Service Institute.

“During this time of great power competition between the United States and China, it means everything to be here, especially in such a critical region as Shenyang — which borders North Korea and Russia respectively,” he said. “I look forward to serving the American people dutifully, while also learning as much as possible about Chinese culture.”

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ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Shamar L. Slappy ’19 married McKenzie Grace Reeves ’22, ’23 on August 19, 2023.

Drew ’17 and Lauren Johnson Vanderbrook ’18 married on Sept. 18, 2022.

Guy Wegienka ’20 wed Olivia Long on March 3, 2023.

Cristinne A. Botica ’23 to Zachary Kay on July 27, 2023

Mrs. Ellen Stewart Davidson ’66 Mrs. Emily Tillman Peterson ’67 Mrs. Jerilyn “Jerrie” Jiles Holmes ’68 Mrs. Susan Chandler Lumpkin ’72 Mr. William Henry Whitfield, Jr. ’72 Dr. Stephen Douglas Krau ’73 Mr. Johnny W. Nelson ’73 Mr. Douglas Keith Wedgworth ’73 Mr. Sylvan “Syl” Llewyllen Harris Jr. ’74 Mr. Walter Royal ’74 Mrs. Linda Elaine Becton Barber ’77 Mr. Charles Keith Allen ’79 Ms. Joyce Lavon Simpson ’80 Mr. Fred Rocco Padovano ’94 Ms. Teresa Lynn McGhee ’02 Mr. Aubrey Preston “Wes” Westmoreland M’04 Mr. Carlos Alfonso Soler-Portela ’16 Ms. Melanie Bartlett

Chambers ’20, M’23 Dr. Dwight Dean Gatwood Jr., former faculty Mr. Howard R. Park Jr., Former Leadership Council

In Memoriam

Mrs. Beverly Thomasson Gnehm ’38 Mrs. Daisy Shepherd Luckey Aukerman ’44 Mrs. Pellie Jones Manning ’44 Dr. Grace Hadaway Boswell ’49 Mrs. Bernice Davis Spier ’50 Mrs. Sue Rainey Harris ’51 Mrs. Wilma Lee Frye Hardy ’55 Mr. Otis E. Smith Jr. ’58 Mrs. Virginia Stafford Slaydon Hatler ’59 Mrs. Susan Williams Burrow ’61 Mrs. Suzanne Cooper Burnside ’62 Mrs. Dianne Scott Matthews ’63 Mrs. Sandra Ruth Thomas Market ’64 Mrs. Charlotte Hodges Smith ’65 Mrs. Sandra “Jane” Shuford Bishop ’66

Rev. Blair Tolbert ‘06 and Zach Johnson married on May 13, 2023, in Marietta.

Cristinne A. Botica ’23 married Zachary Kay on July 27, 2023.

Senior LaKevin Debruce was tragically killed on Nov. 18 in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.

Kevin was an Exercise Science major and a defensive back on the Panther football team. He was known as a selfless leader and a hard worker— both on and off the football field.

“LaKevin always wanted to go the extra mile. He would put in a little bit more work, smile a little bit more, laugh a little bit louder and love a little bit harder,” said a tribute written by his teammates. “If you thought you were going 100% in anything you did, LaKevin would tell you that you could go a little bit harder, and that’s what made him a beacon for all of us—not only his team, but his classmates, his roommates and anyone he had the opportunity of touching their lives.”

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ALUMNI & FRIENDS

PORTUGAL: A Tailor-Made Journey from Lisbon to Porto

Registration is open now for the 3D Journeys excursion to Portugal, hosted by President Susanna Baxter and First Gentleman Mark Huffman. For details and rates on the March 18-29, 2024, trip, email 3DJourneys@lagrange.edu

3D Journeys offers three complimentary lectures to enrich and inspire: January 22 “Portugal and the Age of Discovery” Dr. Joe Cafaro, History 10 a.m., Turner Hall

February 26 “The Religions of Portugal” Dr. John Cook, Religion 10 a.m., Turner Hall

March 11 “From Airbnb to Unbabel: International Business in Portugal Viewed Through a Cultural Lens” Dr. Linda McMullen, International Business 10 a.m., Turner Hall

UPCOMING EVENTS February 8 Conversations with President Baxter – Macon Home of David and Kathy Reese McCollum ’81, M’17 February 13-16 “Dancing at Lughnasa” Brian Friel’s drama that follows the lives of five unmarried sisters in rural Ireland in the summer of 1936 Price Theater

February 24 Winter Preview Day for prospective students

April 13 Spring Preview Day for prospective students

March 25-April 1 Spring break

April 18-21 “I Love You Because: A Modern Day Musical Love Story” Price Theater

April 11 Conversations with President Baxter – Rome Home of Joe M’20 and Rebekah Montgomery

October 25-27 Homecoming 2024

February 19-20 Winter break More events at lagrange.edu/homecoming 29

PERIODICAL U.S. POSTAGE PAID LAGRANGE GA AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES

601 Broad Street LaGrange, GA 30240-2999 www.lagrange.edu Vol. 28, No. 1 Published by LaGrange College (USPS 299-300) Postmaster: Send Change of Address to 601 Broad Street LaGrange, GA 30240

Political Science professor receives national honor In November, Political Science Professor Dr. John Tures earned the Rev. Leo Foley Outstanding Educator of the Year award, an honor the Alpha Delta Gamma National Fraternity bestows on a college or university faculty member who has most influenced or assisted a chapter during the previous school year.

“Dr. Tures exemplifies a selfless nature that we strive to instill in our students,” said Dr. Brian Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Whether helping students with research or

advocating for the fraternity, his attitude has always been ‘How can I serve?’”

In a nomination form written by a LaGrange College Alpha Delta Gamma member, Dr. Tures is described as a teacher who goes above and beyond the

normal call of an educator.

“Dr. Tures has given quality advice to the members of the chapter and works diligently to allow the members of the chapter to fulfill their duties while also participating in class events and research studies,” he said. “He is an advocate for the chapter, an unofficial advisor for its members and a supporter of the fraternity’s values. He is someone who every educator should strive to be and who every Alpha Delta Gamma member should look to for success.”