LaGrange College Columns, Winter 2022-23

Open Hearts

Professor builds lasting relationships in the Philippines

Homecoming memories Panther community bonds over shared experiences on the Hill

A Magazine for Alumni and Friends Vol. 27, 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 Jackson ’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.

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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.

HALLMARK OF THE HILL

We often say that the unique bonds formed are one of the distinguishing qualities of the LaGrange experience. If you need proof, just watch the interactions at Homecoming. Simply observing the happy reunions provides confirmation enough. Featuring relationships stretching from here on the Hill to the Philippines, this issue aims to capture just some of that joyful connection. —the Editor

Longtime Religion Professor Dr. David Ahearn has forged lasting relationships in the Philippines—and has helped LC students do the same.

Whatever course life takes after commencement, the Panther community bonds over shared experiences on the Hill.

PHOTO: The Panther Men’s Soccer team had a season for the record books, capturing the regular-season conference championship, double-digit wins, the first conference tourney win—and Coach and Player of the Year. See the story on page 16.

ON THE COVER: From Friday to Sunday afternoon, Homecoming provided a spirited range of events for students, alumni and friends. Pouncer was on hand for many of them, cheering for Panthers past and present.

POSSIBILITIES

FIRST-YEAR

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

FUEL

Energy. This year’s freshman class exudes it. When they arrived in the fall, you could almost feel it on campus. One senior told me that this group of students seems to have escaped the “fog of COVID.” They are involved: creating new clubs, engaging with faculty and seeking leadership opportunities.

And—they are here in larger numbers. This year’s class shows an increase of 94 students from the prior year. We also are enjoying a resurgence of international students on campus, with undergraduates from 10 different countries. All signs point to a return to pre-pandemic enrollment.

We did not, however, achieve this growth by chance. Our board, faculty and staff worked enormously hard to change every facet of how we recruit LaGrange students. We are employing text messaging, relationship-management software and targeted digital advertising.

While we still have two prior anemic COVID-inspired cohorts, it is exciting to feel the energy of a growing campus and the energizing hope that it brings.

At this most hopeful time of year, thank you for being part of this progress as we work to fulfill our mission to challenge the minds and inspire the souls of our students.

Business students place first at regional conference

Juniors Cindy Deleon (Accounting major), and Lindsey Green (Accounting and Marketing/Entrepreneurship double major), earned top honors in the Student Showcase at the 2022 Region 3 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Conference Nov. 4-6 in Asheville, North Carolina.

“Traveling to Asheville and participating in the Student Showcase was an amazing experience that I will never forget,” Cindy said. “From this experience, I was able to strengthen my presentation skills and, most importantly, network with professionals.”

Deleon and Green developed their presentation from the theme "Stronger Together: Creating Collaborative Alliances.”

“They worked very hard on their project, separately and as a team,” said

Dr. Cindi Bearden, Associate Professor of Business and Accountancy. “Cindy and Lindsey gathered their research, conducted interviews of campus personnel, requested written information from others and rehearsed individually and together multiple times.” She said the college, which has had multiple students win or present in past years, once had a team invited to participate at the

EXPANDED LEARNING, TUTORING CENTER OPENS

After six months of renovation work, the Moshell Learning Center and Tutoring Lab in Lewis Library opened its doors to students at the start of classes on Aug. 22.

The Learning Center has been in existence since the library was built in 2009, but renovations that began in February have expanded the area by converting the adjacent technical services area of the library into a tutoring lab.

The new Lab is named after Marie Turner Moshell, HA’17, an advocate and philanthropist who served on the college’s Board of Trustees for 12 years. Her children, Lane Riley, Turner Moshell and Sue Marie Waddell ’08, provided funding for the renovation.

Dr. Stacey Ernstberger, Director of the Tutoring Center, said the new lab provides a better learning environment for students.

international conference.

LaGrange College, a member of the council’s southeastern region, competed against institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Bermuda.

Each year, students create a proposed presentation, submit an abstract that is reviewed by the conference committee, and then wait to hear if they have been selected for presentation.

“I think these experiences are excellent opportunities to get students out of the classroom and into a professional setting,” she said. “They have to perform under pressure and present in front of faculty and administrators from many different types and sizes of colleges and universities.”

“The Tutoring Lab is now a separate room accessed through the 24-hour study area,” she said. “There are partitions throughout the space, which ensures a greater level of privacy and focus than in the previous location.”

PETERSON NAMED NEW VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Over the summer, Dr. Brian Peterson was named Vice President for Academic Affairs at LaGrange College. Previously serving as Senior Associate Academic Dean at Central College in Pella, Iowa, Dr. Peterson comes to the post with nearly 30 years of experience in higher education.

He brings to the role a passion for student success, according to college President Susanna Baxter.

“Brian has served more than a decade in academic leadership and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this very important role,” she said. “He is a collaborative, creative thinker who embraces the liberal arts and its connection to the workforce.”

“Most importantly, he has a deep love of students and has spent a career devoted to their success.”

Dr. Peterson began his academic career as an instructor of economics and has progressed through a range of faculty and administrative appointments.

“I am both honored and humbled to have been invited to work alongside the administration, faculty and staff at LaGrange,” he said. “The ability to develop these close relationships with faculty is a part of why students come to LaGrange, and my role as VPAA will be to create the academic conditions under which those relationships can thrive.”

Strategic Plan approved; work now begins

After nearly a year of strategic thinking, creating and planning, faculty and staff now shift to strategic action , thanks to the approval of a new college strategic plan by the Board of Trustees earlier this year.

Titled Empowering the Present, Building the Future, the new plan features four key themes—with multiple goals under each—that aim to create transformational change for the institution.

“Actually beginning the work of the plan is an exciting milestone to reach,” said President Susanna Baxter. “And there is much work to do.

“At the end of this five-year plan we will emerge with a future that’s amplified, with a campus that’s revitalized, with a regional reputation as leader in student-centered education, and with a real sense of college-community renewal.”

The life of the college will be transformed by the work accomplished through those four themes:

EMERGE— Future Amplified: LaGrange College will emerge as an academically vibrant campus that attracts a new generation of students with innovative, relevant academic programs that lead to an amplified future for our

graduates.

ENABLE— Campus Revitalized: Revitalization of campus is essential to support students, faculty and staff. Campus revitalization will enable the college to gain efficiencies, create diverse revenue streams and provide an inspired workplace.

ENGAGE— Student Centered: LaGrange College will be known regionally as a leader in student-centered educational experience. Faculty and staff will engage in policy and program development that is centered on student success.

ENSURE— Community Renewed: LaGrange College is committed to its community. We seek to ensure that the community is renewed in its interest and support of the college.

At the start of this academic year, each initiative related to these main themes was assigned an “owner,” a member of the faculty or staff who will be responsible for managing its accomplishment. Progress is charted on a spreadsheet visible to the entire campus community.

Key performance indicators are being finalized that also will reflect the headway being made.

LaGrange College receives Top 10 ranking

LaGrange College earned high marks in annual rankings released in September by U.S. News & World Report.

The institution was rated in the top 10 among 99 Regional Colleges in the South, and also was included on the publication’s lists of “Best Value Schools” and colleges with the “Best Undergraduate Teaching.”

“It is always nice to have external validation for what we know here at LaGrange College: We are a top-ranked institution that transforms the lives of our students,” said President Susanna Baxter.

“Their experiences on the Hill serve as a time to gain the skills and experience needed to live into their calling. Whether that be accountancy, education, nursing or on the main stage, our students leave here equipped for the next step.”

Factors considered in the top schools ranking include outcomes (graduation and retention rates and social mobility), faculty resources (class size and faculty salary), expert opinion of peer institution leaders, financial resources, student excellence (standardized test scores and high school class standing) and alumni giving.

The publication determines its “Best Value” schools by factoring academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid.

“The ‘Best Value’ and ‘Best Undergraduate Teaching’ rankings affirm what our families already know: LaGrange students receive an outstanding education at one of the most affordable private colleges in the Southeast,” said Dr. John

“We often hear from families with multiple children that their LaGrange experience has been more affordable than that of their student attending one of the state’s public institutions.”

To develop the 2023 rankings, U.S. News evaluated 1,500 U.S. bachelor's degree-granting institutions on 17 measures of academic quality.

NCAA GRANT RECIPIENT BUILDS AND SUSTAINS COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS

Antoine Prather '23 brings his lifelong passion for sports into his role as Assistant Athletic Director for Corporate Partners and Community Relations, a two-year internship funded through the NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women's Grant.

"In my position, I have been involved in creating season tickets for football, while also heading the golf tournament for Homecoming weekend," he said. "My other duties have been getting out in the community to form new partnerships and rekindle others to help support LaGrange College Athletics."

On three separate occasions,

Prather's role (at LC Athletics) has allowed him the opportunity to travel to NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis.

"In January, I was one of 30 students from Division III schools who were chosen to be part of the NCAA Immersion Program," said the Film and Media Arts major. "I also attended the Career and Sports Forum in June and the orientation for the Ethnic Minority and Women's Grant in July."

Terlynn Olds, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation, said she has been impressed with Prather's work ethic.

"Having Antoine Prather serve as the athletics intern has uplifted our vision of moving from 'Good to Great,'" she said. "In just 30 days on the job, Antoine was impactful in securing corporate partnerships along with sponsors for the golf tournament."

Head, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience.

Counseling student to serve veterans

After facing the pressures associated with working in a war zone, former Army Sgt. Bryan Hall ’23 has dedicated his post-military life to becoming a counselor and being a voice for veterans who tend to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder in silence.

“I have witnessed firsthand how PTSD is treated upon completion of the military,” he said. “I want to be able to help other service members who have sustained trauma be able to get through it in hopes of mental healing and clarity.”

Once he completes his graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at LC, Hall said he plans to start out as an Associate Professional Counselor.

“I will work my way up to a Licensed Professional Counselor,” he said. “I hope to start my own practice someday.”

Hall said the college’s CMHC program, which is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, equips him and his peers with the skills needed to excel in their desired career field.

“This two-year program has given cohort members a base of knowledge to

FACULTY NOTES

be able to successfully transition from graduate student into the field of clinical mental health counseling by way of accountability through CACREP standards and instruction by professors who hold LPC or MFT licensure,” he said.

After receiving their degrees, graduates have gone on to work in a variety of settings, including community agencies, mental health centers, hospitals, drug treatment centers, and counseling facilities serving children, adolescents and families.

Ratoya Mason ’20, who started working as the college’s Interim Director of Counseling and Career Services in September, said her professors provided her with the foundation needed to build her counseling career.

“They equipped me with a wide range of counseling styles that I have been able to utilize with clients,” she said.

Applications are open for the fall 2023 semester. Prospective students can learn more at lagrange.edu/counseling.

Dr. Vicki Pheil ’98, M’00, Assistant Professor of Education, received the Henry H. Hill Laureate Scholarship through the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education for her doctoral studies. She defended her dissertation in October and will graduate in December.

Dr. John Cook, Professor of Religion, had his article "The Travels of Panthera" published in the Oriens Christianus journal.

Dr. John Tures, Professor of Political Science, was featured in the Washington Post article “Biden, DeSantis

and how leaders can be defined by hurricanes.” In addition, he was interviewed by the Christian Science Monitor about political responses to disaster relief and was a guest on the Newsy television program “Morning Rush.”

Margaret Reneke and Austin Wieland, Professor and Associate Professor of Art, had ceramic pieces featured in an art exhibition at the Cochran Gallery in downtown LaGrange.

Alumna becomes first female Board Chair

The college welcomed a new era this summer when Kathy Reese McCollum ’81, M’17 began her term as the first female chair of the Board of Trustees.

“I am honored to serve as Chair of the Board and look forward to working with fellow trustees who are dedicated to LaGrange College,” she said.

She first became involved with the Board as an ex officio member after serving as president of the Alumni Association from 1995-1998.

In 2007, McCollum officially joined the Board as a new trustee. After her two consecutive terms ended in 2015, she was invited to return in 2016. McCollum has served on the Enrollment and Student Affairs Committees, now

known as the Enrollment and Student Engagement Committee.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and Christian education from LaGrange College, a master’s degree in business administration from Wesleyan College and a master’s degree in philanthropy and development from LaGrange College.

McCollum, whose three siblings, Dr. Ken Reese ’82, Karla Powers ’95, and Kerri Shoemaker ’95, are also LC alumni, said education was very important to her parents, who didn’t have the opportunity to go to college.

“My parents encouraged all of us to do as well as we could in school,” she said. “I think it’s pretty remarkable that

International students make return

Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic paused foreign travel, the number of international students is steadily rising among U.S. colleges and universities.

The out-of-country student population increased by four percent in the 2021-22 academic year, according to an “Open Doors” report from the Institute for International Education.

That trend is also evident at LaGrange College. This year, 12 international students enrolled from countries that include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Japan, Northern Ireland, Panama, South Africa and Spain.

“I decided to come to LC to pursue my dream of playing college basketball as well as find who I could be outside of basketball,” said Kamayi “Jay” Muvumba ’25, who moved to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2021. “I came to find where I should be in life after college.”

Women's Basketball player Maria Riera Soriano ’24, who left Spain after her father received an offer to work in the U.S. in 2017, said she wanted to come to LaGrange College to study international business.

“At LC, I am building the skills and qualities I need to learn for a future career in the business sector,” she said. “My post-graduate plans are to go back to Spain, and if an opportunity occurs for me to work there or any European country, I will take it and put into place those skills I learned at LC.”

all four of their children went to LC because they made that opportunity possible for us.”

Professor builds lasting relationships in the Philippines

by Debby Baker

There is no doubt that Dr. David Ahearn’s happy place is the Philippines, according to Tyler Martin Grant ’19, one of the longtime Religion professor’s former students.

“The people welcome him and his LC students as family,” she says. “I had the opportunity to go with him on a Jan Term trip as a student and again as a teaching assistant. He was committed to us having a meaningful and immersive experience and leaving with an understanding of Filipino culture.”

Her husband Eli Grant ’19 agrees.

“His passion for service and the wonderful people of the Philippines was infectious,” he says. “He inspired everyone to serve wholeheartedly while we were there.”

A perfect partnership

Dr. Ahearn’s work in the Philippines began with his introduction to Kapatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. in 2013.

“The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church made a commitment to build bridges with Methodist global missions, and the bishop asked the college if we could develop some kind of program with the Philippines,” he says. “I was asked to explore possibilities because I had already taken students to Japan and China for Interim Term.”

He participated in an exploratory visit with a delegation of clergy from North Georgia and discovered KKFI.

“I knew it would be a perfect fit for our students,” he says.

KKFI was founded 80 years ago by American United Methodist Women with a main emphasis on education.

“The communities they serve are at the very bottom of the Philippines social class system – the 10,000 people who live as squatters among the tombs at Manila North Cemetery; residents of Tondo, a slum area near the port; and a small community that scavenges at a dumpsite in a Manila suburb,” Dr. Ahearn says.

The organization helps with transportation and expenses to keep children in school. They also run programs to help teens resist drugs and pregnancy, as well as support a pre-K and a high school degree-completion program.

“On that first visit, I was able to meet some youth who are in the program,” he says. “I could see how much it means to them – KKFI literally throws them a lifeline.”

A gift from God

Nancy Caluya-Nicolas, executive director of KKFI, says Dr. Ahearn was an answer to a prayer.

“God sent us a beautiful person in

Since 2013, Dr. Ahearn has been traveling to the Philippines—and taking students with him—to learn and to serve.

she says. “For seven years, he brought students to the Philippines to help with our work. The students found the experience to be so moving that they shared it with their classmates, who asked to

Dr. Ahearn was keynote address at KKFI's 71st anniverUnfortunately, the Jan Term visits were halted by the pandemic, but that did not break the relationships

Many of them stay in touch on Facebook for years.”

Usually by the end of camp, Dr. Ahearn says he sees students carrying kids on their backs, holding hands as they walk around, in groups inventing new dances and playing games.

“Some of the children lack birth certificates because they were born outside hospitals,” he says. “They cannot get access to government services without an ID. A baptism certificate can substitute, so KKFI sponsors children’s baptisms. One of our former students, Joshua Daniel, became the godfather of one orphan child.”

and LC students immediately bonded,” Dr. Ahearn says. “The children idolize our students and treat them like rockstars.

Involving LC students in active service in the Philippines has been a cornerstone of Dr. Ahearn’s work there. As seen here, the relationships formed have been lifechanging for both sides.

Michael Bleimeyer ’20 says he still talks with some children he met in Manila.

“I dream about going back all the time. It’s been three or four years since I went, and I still talk about it almost every day.”

A gift of service

While in the Philippines, LC students have run a weekend youth camp for the children who live at the dumpsite outside Manila. KKFI has a

small farm so kids can experience trees and gardening. They also have tutored youth in the degree-completion program and assist with pre-K.

“I also have built a connection with Mary Johnston Hospital, a Methodist charity hospital in Tondo,” Dr. Ahearn says. “Our nursing students can do a week of clinical immersion there.”

A few years ago, they organized a new event.

“It’s called ‘Soles for Souls,” he says. “Many of the children have no shoes at all or wear worn out flip-flops passed down from older children. We distribute about 500 pairs of brand-new flip-flops to needy kids.

“It's amazing how a gift that costs less than $1 brings such happiness to the kids. Our students measure the children’s feet and fit them with the right pair. It’s true humbling service to those who have nothing.”

Caluya-Nicolas with KKFI says it is a joy to watch Dr. Ahearn interact with the children of Manila.

“It was no surprise at all that he opened his good heart to these children,” she says. “In fact, they call him their

‘Tatay’ (Father) David. He’s sent his own money to buy medicine to a boy for his heart ailment and to a girl who has a disability. He also sent funds for a malnourished student.”

A life-changing experience

The ministries in Manila not only make a lasting impression on the children, but also on LaGrange students.

“They are confronted with global poverty on a personal level,” he says. “They ask, ‘Why must Ismelda sort through garbage to find supper for her family?’ or ‘Why does Roberto sit through school all day with an empty stomach?’ The experience for our students is at first overwhelming emotionally, but together we learn to understand.”

Dr. Ahearn, who is retiring from LC at the end of the fall term after 37 years of service, says serving alongside the KKFI staff has deepened his love for the locals of the tropical country.

“The Filipino people in general are delightful—warm, hospitable, community-focused and pleasant,” he says. “KKFI is an exceptionally well-run,

capable, responsible organization with a culture of true Christian love.”

Dr. Ahearn says it has been rewarding to watch Filipino children he befriended over the years blossom into contributing members of society.

“I've been able to see some children make it all the way from elementary school to become college graduates,” he says. “Most of these graduates come back to work as social workers or teachers in their own communities.”

Looking ahead, Dr. Ahearn said he would like to continue the partnership between KKFI and LaGrange students.

“I would love to be an on-site host and advisor for LC professors who want to bring students on their own in the future,” he says. “Areas of interest could include teaching, counseling, nursing and ecology.”

While he doesn’t know what the future holds, Eli Grant knows that Dr. Ahearn’s work in the country has made an impact.

“I was able to see how the trips drastically changed not only the lives of the people we served but every student who went on the trip.”

HOMECOMING MEMORIES

PANTHER COMMUNITY BONDS OVER SHARED EXPERIENCES ON THE HILL

Alumni may be taken in different directions after graduation, but they can always find their way back home to their alma mater.

“This year’s Homecoming celebrated the Panther spirit that links our community together,” said Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations. “When alumni took part in the festivities with their children, we felt honored to be part of their family traditions.”

Visitors exuded pride for their Panther community as they participated in Homecoming activities that occurred Oct. 7-9. The crowd energy amplified from campus to downtown LaGrange, where guests gathered for Flashback Friday at Overlook Plaza and jammed out to the music of The Reasons Why.

Saturday brought about feelings of nostalgia as alumni congregated to the area surrounding Callaway Auditorium for the annual Red and Black Reunion Row tailgate. Classmates reunited and recalled stories of the past while enjoying meals cooked over a grill. The drumline from Callaway High School carried the hype all the way to the Panther football game at Callaway Stadium.

“Whether it is a favorite professor, a time-honored tradition or a cherished friendship, there are people and places that forever link the Panther community to LaGrange College,” Pirkle said. “Homecoming may last for a short period, but the memories that were created will last a lifetime.”

On the opposite page, Dr. Don Jolly HA’13, retired Mathematics Professor, is greeted by Sue Dinkins Kennedy ’72, left, and Debbie Dorough Mowery ’72 at the 50th reunion celebration. On this page, clockwise from top, The Reasons Why—a band made up of Ronnie Everitt ’94; Greg Gregory ’73, M’76; Sam Thrower ’75; and Chris Barnes—performed classic and modern hits for Flashback Friday at Overlook Plaza. Devin Billings ’12 tailgates with his daughter outside Callaway Auditorium. Jerry HA’19, H’21(center of group) and Beverly (with back to camera) Wilkinson converse with college staff at the Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars 10-year reunion. Catching up at the alumni tailgate are, from left, Theatre Arts Professor Kim Barber Knoll, Peggy Cobb Schug ’70 and Sheila Hodges.

Exemplary alumni honored at Homecoming

Sarah Decker Halpern ’02 and Max Wood ’81 were this year’s recipients of the Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award, and Dr. Conrad Clevenger ’14 was recognized with the Outstanding Young Alumni award during this year’s Homecoming ceremonies.

Halpern is a pediatric peritoneal dialysis coordinator at DaVita Dialysis. In her role, she conducts patient home visits to assess safety of environment for home dialysis and coordinates family-centered care of pediatric dialysis patients.

Halpern is also a clinical nurse educator in the transplant stepdown unit of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: Egleston, where she is responsible for training new clinical staff and caring for patients aged birth to 21 who are either pre- or post-kidney or liver transplant, in kidney or liver failure, dialysis dependent or have short gut syndrome and are in the intestinal rehab program.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from LaGrange College.

While at LaGrange, Halpern was a member of the Lambda Chi chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi and has been the fraternity’s alumnae advisor since 2003. Halpern was inducted into the LaGrange College Nursing Honor Society in 2004.

She is active in her community, volunteering as a nurse at Camp Independence, a place for children who are on dialysis or have had a transplant. Halpern also serves in the nursery at her church, St. Mary Magdalene.

Wood is the Director of the Office of Hearing and Appeals at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he oversees 30 administrative law judges in

Alexandria, Virginia.

Previously, he was the Attorney Advisor for Air Force Material Command at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from LaGrange College, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia School of Law and a post-graduate degree from the Air War College at the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base.

Before retiring with the rank of Colonel in 2016, Wood served 34 years in part-time and full-time roles in the United States Air Force and Georgia Air National Guard. He worked as a Judge Advocate and a reserve Air Force officer, with active-duty deployments that included traveling to the Philippines, Iraq and Pakistan. While in Baghdad, he served one year as the Department of Justice attaché to the U.S. Embassy.

In addition to his military service, he also has an extensive legal career that spans 37 years.

Following his five-year stint as a General Practitioner at his private law firm in Macon, Wood was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the 70-county Middle District of Georgia.

After working during both of President Bush’s terms in office, Wood continued his public service in the role of chief administrative law judge of the State of Georgia, where he spent six years working in the administration of former Governor Nathan Deal.

Dr. Clevenger is an R&D S&E Computer Science employee at Sandia National Laboratories, a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In his role, Dr. Clevenger develops software packages for various scientific models, focusing on large scale parallel C++ programming.

He has had articles published in the Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, Numerical Linear Algebra with Applications, ACM Transactions on Mathematical Software and the Journal of Numerical Mathematics.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from LaGrange College and a master’s degree and doctorate in mathematical sciences from Clemson University.

At LaGrange College, Dr. Clevenger participated in the Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars program. As a member of the program’s first cohort, he volunteered his time at Circles of Troup County and Our Daily Bread, an organization he co-founded in 2012.

HONORARY ALUMNI AWARDS CONFERRED ON

Dr. Joe Cafaro and Bobby Carmichael Jr. earned the distinction of being named honorary alumni during Homecoming.

Dr. Cafaro is a retired professor from LaGrange College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Florida Atlantic University, and a master’s degree and doctorate in modern European studies with a concentration in Russian history from Florida State University.

He came to LaGrange in 1984 as a history professor, a position he held until his retirement in 2017. Previously, Dr. Cafaro taught at Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College.

While at LaGrange, he prepared three lectures focusing on Spain, Croatia and Vietnam for the college’s 3D Journeys program. Dr. Cafaro also helped with the implementation of “Gateway to Success,” a college 101 program for entering freshmen. He served as its co-director from 1987-2000 and 2009-2011.

In his retirement, Dr. Cafaro became involved with Panther Treks, a LaGrange College alumni travel program that ran through 2020. He led trips in England, France and Italy. Carmichael is the vice chairman of LaGrange College’s Board of Trustees. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Auburn University and a graduate degree

Clockwise from top left, the Lamar Dodd Art Center, along with the Education and Nursing Departments at West Side, opened its doors to visitors during Homecoming. Here, “Ben” ’13 and Laura Terrell Ladd ’06 and daughter Norah visit with Art and Design Professor Margaret Reneke. Malachi Parker ’24 and Bailey Moss ’23 were crowned this year’s King and Queen. The Panther Football team charges onto the field for its matchup against Maryville College.

CAFARO, CARMICHAEL

from Louisiana State University’s School of Banking.

He was the president of Commercial Bank and Trust for 22 years and a Certified Public Accountant for seven years. He retired as the executive director of the Development Authority of LaGrange and the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority in 2018.

Carmichael, who has been a Board member since 1994, was first elected chairman in 2018. He has worked on the college’s three most recent presidential search committees.

PANTHER POINTS

CROSS COUNTRY The Panthers fielded a large team at six events this season. Freshman Kennedy Young consistently finished at the top of the women’s squad. A competitive men’s team saw sophomore Isaiah Oden earn top honors most often, closely followed by sophomore Luke Jarvis and freshman Steven Petty.

FOOTBALL The Panthers (1-8, 0-7 USA South) placed two members on USA South Athletic Conference All-Conference teams. Senior De’Queze Fryer was named Second Team Tight End/H-Back/Fullback. He had 35 receptions for 433 yards, scoring eight of the Panthers’ touchdowns. Senior Aaron Belt was named to the All-Sportsmanship team. He had 30 tackles for the year, 20 of them solo.

MEN’S SOCCER LC (11-5-2, 4-0-2 Collegiate Conference of the South) won the regularseason conference championship, a first for the program, and tied the record for wins in a season. Senior forward Enrique Hernandez was named conference Player of the Year, finishing the season with 21 goals—tying him for fifth in all of NCAA Division III. In his fifth season leading the Panthers, Head Coach Ryan Dickson was named Coach of the Year.

WOMEN’S SOCCER The Panthers (8-6-2, 4-3-1 CCS) advanced to the quarterfinals of the Collegiate Conference of the South Championship Tournament before falling to Covenant 2-1. The team was led in scoring by freshman Kaia King with 7 goals and 20 points, closely followed by senior Sydney Dailey with 6 goals and 15 points. King was conference Rookie of the Week twice during the season.

VOLLEYBALL LC (4-23, 4-13 CCS) advanced to the first round of the Collegiate Conference of the South tournament before the season ended with a loss to Maryville. The team was led by Senior Jharia Harris with 184 kills (214 points), senior Bailey Moss with 215 digs and freshman Morgan Martin with 203 assists.

Men’s Soccer breaks records

It was a season and team for the record books: The Panther Men’s Soccer team earned the regular-season conference championship, double-digit wins, an unbeaten record in the conference, its first conference tourney win—and Coach and Player of the Year.

The 2022 soccer season reached new heights for the Panther Nation. But not everyone was surprised, including Head Coach Ryan Dickson.

“The season was not totally unexpected, as we had moments the past few years where we fell a bit short,” he said. “The moment we knew that we deserved to be at the top was the 3-2 result over Covenant.”

That October win was a historic one for the program—a first against the Scots, a team that came into the contest regionally ranked. And it was a win that showed the grit of this year’s Panther team.

Senior Blake Webb calls it a “season highlight.”

“It was the first time we had beaten them in program history, and most importantly, it brought belief into the team that we could go on to win it all.”

Webb led the team in assists with 11 and tied for second in points with 19.

Senior Enrique Hernandez points to the season championship as his personal highlight.

“Winning the regular season has to top it off because it’s our first in school history,” he said.

Hernandez broke several school records during the season, becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer in both goals (42) and points (98). With 21 goals and 50 points this year, he also was consistently among the top three scorers in all of Division III.

As fate would have it, the season ended with a 2-1 loss against Covenant in the conference tournament final at a packed Panther Field. But both Webb and Hernandez say they’ll be back next year to take the team all the way.

“There’s only one thing left to do,” Hernandez said. “That is lead our team to win the conference playoffs and make it to the NCAA national playoffs.”

In November, Hernandez was named to the 1st Team of the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team, and Webb was named to the 3rd Team.

Classnotes

A GLOBAL EXPERIENCE TO SAVOR

Hungry for an international adventure? After these recent COVID-restricted years, you may be ready to venture abroad—whether in person or from your seat in Callaway Auditorium. Either way, join us for the upcoming 3D Journeys series “Taste of Tuscany.” The lectures begin January 23, and our in-person journey to Italy takes off in May. You can find more information on the inside back cover of this magazine.

MARTHA PIRKLE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

P.S. And don’t forget: If you’ve been enjoying your own international adventure, send us a photo featuring you in that exotic locale. Email it to alumni@lagrange.edu.

1950s

1957 Dr. Judy Greer H'07 of Oxford was honored by the Wesley Woods Foundation with the Heroes, Saints and Legends Award. The honor is given to leaders who have blazed historic trails and widened paths for others through extensive community leadership.

1960s

1960 Gerald C. Becham of LaGrange was honored by the LaGrange Lions Club with a donation to the LaGrange Memorial Library for his service as Regional Director from 1982-1987.

1960 Dr. Don Murphy, Ph.D., of Atlanta has been elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Psychotherapists.

Georgia Calloway Towns ’49, right, and Susanne Burnside ’62 of Raleigh, North Carolina, display their college spirit at their retirement home.

1968 Omar Lewis Humphrey of Pensacola, Florida, has been named to the 11-member board of directors of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, which supports and promotes the world-renowned National Naval Aviation Museum. He is a former Marine Corps fighter pilot, Vietnam veteran and retired public company financial services EVP.

1970s

1975 Bonnie Funderburk Dudley of LaGrange, a member of LaGrange College's Wisteria Garden Club and Elms and Roses Council President, was named Redbud District CoDirector elect for the coming 202325 term.

1975 Marcia Naglee Kates of Quinton,

Gerald C Becham ’60 of LaGrange, right, was honored by the LaGrange Lions Club with a donation to the LaGrange Memorial Library for his service as Regional Director from 1982-1987. He is joined by Lions Club President Shane Frailey, left, and Library Director Keith Schuermann.

New Jersey, is the co-owner and vice president of Kates Realty LLC.

1977 Brian Page of Atlanta authored the book “The Wright Engineers: Inventing the Airplane.”

1977 Dr. Joseph Hicks of Tokoyo, Japan, has published the book “Senryu - The Modern Senryu Poems of Shouzen Sugiyama in English Translation.”

* This issue’s Classnotes are from information received through November 14, 2022. (Unless otherwise noted, geographic locations refer to Georgia.)

50TH REUNION FOR CLASS OF 1972

1980s

1981 Kathy Reese McCollum M'17 of Macon has been named Chair of the LaGrange College Board of Trustees. She is the first female to hold this role in the history of the college.

1983 Martha Jane Cooley M.Ed.'84 of Marietta has been named to the LaGrange College Board of Trustees.

1984 Lisa Bonner Tunstall of Nashville, Tennessee, has been named to the LaGrange College Board of Trustees.

1986 Michael T. Fay of Miami, Florida, has been named to the LaGrange College Board of Trustees. He was also recognized in the Real Estate Florida 500 as one of Florida's most

influential business leaders.

1988 The Rev. Dr. Brian E. Germano of Newnan has been appointed to lead Crossroads United Methodist Church.

1988 Jeffrey Lofton of Washington, D.C., has written a novel, “Red Clay Suzie,” inspired by true events.

1989 Melanie Cummings of Phenix City, Alabama, was cast in “Twisted Tales of Poe,” a Lafayette Theatre Company production.

1990s

1990 Jennifer Beedy Booker of LaGrange has returned to the Hill as the new Alumni and Development

Jim Thornton ’94 of LaGrange, center, was inducted into the Georgia Municipal Association's Government Hall of Fame on June 27 at GMA’s annual convention in Savannah. He was mayor of LaGrange for nine years until Nov. 23, when he assumed the position of Director of Governmental Relations for GMA.

Coordinator.

1990 Billy Brady of Atlanta writes under the pseudonym of Foster Campbell. He has published “In Old Pima County” and “Georgia, From the Shadows.”

1991 Melissa Estes Kirkland of LaGrange has retired from the Troup County School system, where she served as the principal of Callaway Middle School. She is now working as a Physics Specialist at Auburn University - College of Sciences and Mathematics with its Science in Motion outreach program.

1992 DeeAnne Fuller of LaGrange is the Accounting Assistant at LaGrange College.

1992 Melissa Daniel Pittman of LaGrange will participate in the 20222023 Leadership Troup Class.

1993 Kelly J. Britsky of Americus graduated with a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Practice degree from the University of North Georgia.

1994 Jim Thornton of LaGrange will assume the role of Director of Governmental Relations for the Georgia Municipal Association in November 2022. He will resign as Mayor of LaGrange

1995 Tracy Schuster Fox of Waverly

to fulfil this duty.

Hall is the Chief Resource Officer for the Troup County School system.

Co- Chairs: Mary Wells Conway and Debbie Dorough Mowery

Members of the Class of 1972 pause for a photo at their 50th reunion celebration during Homecoming. They are, front row, from left, Debbie Dorough Mowery*, Gary Welden*, Marcia Elizer Floyd, Stan Moor*, Joyce Denmark Sanderson, Linda Parsons Otto, Donna Rouse Lockman, second row, Debbie Mays Gilmore, Judy Ziegler Griffin, Sandy Jerrells Walkup, Ellen Glenn Dreschel*, Doris Anthony Tomlin*, Suzanne Kiser Sanders, Sharon Nicholson Wedgworth*, Mary Wells Conway*, third row, Steve Segrest, Clay Clark, Steve Shuman*, Tom Walkup, Jim Matlock, Chris Austin*, Charles Robinson*, Bill Sanders, Sue Dinkins Kennedy and Anne Berg Lockman. Not pictured are Becky Pound Bocian, Wiley and Carol Kangieser Bryant and Bill Hodges. Mary Wells Conway and Debbie Dorough Mowery were co-chairs of the event. *Denotes planning committee member.

1998 Dr. Vicki T. Pheil M'00 of LaGrange was awarded the Henry H. Hill Laureate Scholarship through the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education for doctoral studies. She successfully defended her dissertation in October, earning her Ed.D. Pheil serves as the Psi Nu Chapter Advisor of Kappa Delta Pi

at LaGrange College. Also, she is completing her second year of a twoyear term as president of the Georgia Field Directors Association. Last year, she was awarded the Paul R. Hanna Laureate Scholarship through the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education.

GREER NAMED HEROES, SAINTS & LEGENDS HONOREE

Dr. Judy Greer ’57, H’07 received recognition for her charitable work during the Wesley Woods Foundation’s annual Heroes, Saints & Legends Awards celebration on Sept. 15 in Atlanta.

She was honored alongside Billye Aaron, widow of Hank Aaron, and Virginia Hepner, retired president and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center. The event, which was sponsored by the Georgia United Methodist Foundation and Wespath Institutional Investments, honors outstanding citizens who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities.

At LaGrange, Greer was a member of the college’s first women's athletic teams from 1955-57. She was inducted in the inaugural class of the LaGrange College Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and named a LaGrange College Distinguished Alumna. She earned her undergraduate degree from LaGrange College, master’s degree in physical education and counseling from Auburn University, and doctorate in physical education and higher education from the University of Georgia.

Kathy Randall Bryant ‘05 of Salisbury, North Carolina, was ordained as an Elder in Full Connection with the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church at the Annual Conference in June. Pictured with Kathy is her father, Ashley Randall and husband, John Bryant.

Executive Director of Get Troup Reading Kim Meyers, left, and April Canada Bartley '00, M'01 presented the 2022 Leadership Troup reading initiative to the LaGrange Lions Club. They are joined by Lions Club President Shane Frailey and Leslie Traylor, Member Engagement Director with the LaGrange-Troup Chamber of Commerce.

Matt ’07, M’09 and Casey Dugas Montgomery ’12, M'14 pause with President Baxter while visiting campus after returning from Albania, where they taught at an international baccalaureate program. They are currently teaching in Doha, Qatar.

LC friends met in LaGrange at Cracker Barrel. They are, clockwise from left, Bryan Basham ’79, M ’94; Chris “Moose” Vreeland ’78; Ron Farr ’77; Derek Bowen ’77, ’97; Ricky “Meatball” Jolly ’77; Steve Cagle ’78; and Randal Parmer ’76.

2000s

2000 Josh Fenn of Newnan was recognized by the Georgia 500 for Economic Development. He serves as the Executive Director for the Henry County Development Authority.

2003 The Rev. Jennifer Fletcher Anderson of Augusta has been appointed to lead St. John Augusta United Methodist Church.

2003 The Rev. Julie Schendel of Senoia has been appointed to lead Senoia First United Methodist Church.

Alumni gathered at the home of Ron ’77 and Cheryl Rhyne Farr ’77. They are, front row, from left, Karen Thompson ’80, Louise Wynne Smith ’79, Connie Jarrell, Susan Knight Walton ’77, back row, Scott Price ‘78, Sherryl Stephens Myrick ’78, Kerry Myrick, Jerome ’74 and Della Adsit Ridley ’75, Ron Farr ’77 and Reggie Jarrell ’75.

2004 The Rev. Erik Mays of West Point has been appointed to lead West Point United Methodist Church.

2005 Hanna Andrews Beall M'06 of LaGrange has been named principal of Hogansville Elementary School.

2006 Margaret Bagwell Frazier of Jonesborough, Tennessee, was consecrated a United Methodist Deaconess at United Women in Faith Assembly in Orlando, Florida.

2006 The Rev. Blair Tolbert of Marietta has been appointed to serve Marietta First United Methodist Church.

2006 Tara Stanford Vaughn of LaGrange will participate in the 20222023 Leadership Troup Class.

2007 Jon Godfrey of Parrish, Florida, has joined the music faculty at Florida Southern College as an Adjunct Professor of Guitar.

2007 Amy James Laney of LaGrange is a certified family nurse practitioner.

2008 Landon M. Baize of Peachtree City accepted a position as Field Marketing Manager at U.S. Oral Surgery Management.

2008 The Rev. Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins of Cartersville has been

Mary Pauley ’94, right, and Mellody Hartelius-Reaves, center, of LaGrange were given a campus tour by Jennifer Beedy Booker ‘90, Alumni and Development Coordinator.

Abby Noble ’06 of Macon, left, returned to campus with her niece, Sydney Hudson, and sister, Ami Hudson, for an Admission tour.

appointed to lead Trinity at The Well United Methodist Church.

2008 Shannah Meares Mabry M'09 of Pine Mountain is principal at Clearview Elementary School.

2010s

2010 Andrew Lowery is the facilities director for National Management Resources Corporation at LaGrange College.

2010 Wesley Meares of North Augusta, South Carolina, was selected as the recipient of the 2022 Augusta University Program Teaching Excellence Award, Master of Public Administration.

2011 Britt Gaylor M'13 of LaGrange accepted the boys basketball coach position at LaGrange Academy.

2011 George B. Lankford, Ph.D., of Herndon, Virginia, has been named to the LaGrange College Board of Trustees.

2011 The Rev. Kaylen Short has been appointed to lead Pine Mountain United Methodist Church.

2011 Caitlin Vest of New Bedford, Massachusetts, is the program director for ASPIRE, a substance abuse prevention program for middle school students. She has worked for a nonprofit mental health agency for five years.

A SEASON OF GIVING AND NEW BEGI INGS

LaGrange College students come from diverse backgrounds, but all have the goal to pursue their dreams and earn a degree.

However, not all can afford that goal without assistance. For undergraduates attending this fall, 44% needed significant help to pay for their education while 20% had no ability to pay on their own.

As a new year looms, the needs of these young men and women seeking to better themselves on the Hill remain. Please consider making a contribution that will help them and also provide resources that empower all students on campus.

Visit lagrange.edu/give scan the QR code or use the enclosed envelope

Kenyetta Alexander ’99 of Coral Springs, Florida, is a partner at Osherow, PLLC, law firm.

New and returning members elected to Board of Trustees

In July, the college’s Board of Trustees welcomed new members the Rev. Dr. Quincy Brown, Jane Cooley ’83, M.Ed.’84, Michael Fay ’86, Dr. George Lankford ’11 and Lisa Tunstall ’84. In addition, Dr. James Bruce, Edward Smith, Nancy Kight Stevens ’71, M. Ed’74 and James “Jim” Wood III ’78 rejoined the board.

The Rev. Dr. Quincy D. Brown is the senior pastor of Snellville United Methodist Church. He has nearly 30 years of ordained ministry experience serving as a youth pastor, associate pastor, college chaplain and vice president, church planter and executive pastor.

From 2017-2021, he served as the District Superintendent and Missional Specialist for the Central South District, where he oversaw 85 churches in DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Henry counties of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

A native of Gainesville, Georgia, Dr. Brown is a graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology (B.S. in Electronic Engineering Technology), Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Master of Divinity, cum laude), and Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational

Theological Center (Doctor of Ministry, cum laude).

Jane Cooley ’83, M.Ed.’84 is a

retired educator. She taught for 26 years in Cobb County, two years in Paulding County and two years in Troup County.

Cooley earned a B.A. and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from LaGrange College. She also has an Ed.S. in administration and supervision from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.

She has served as a trustee at Marietta First United Methodist Church, a board member of Marietta High School’s Mentoring for Leadership Program, and an interim youth minister at Marietta First United Methodist Church. She has served on the Leadership and Alumni councils and is a member of the Quadrangle Society at LaGrange College.

Michael Fay ’86 is chairman of the U.S. Capital Markets Group Executive Committee at Avison Young, a global commercial real estate firm. He is also principal and managing director of its Miami office.

Over his career, Fay has been recognized as a top producer and power leader in real estate by his firm and several national publications. He serves on the prestigious Florida Council of 100 as well as many other board appointments. His family foundation, Fay Family Investments, focuses on real estate and philanthropy.

He is a member of LaGrange College’s Quadrangle Society and received the Shackleford Alumni Achievement

Award in 2021.

Dr. George Lankford ’11 of Huntsville, Alabama, is the founder of NeoMax, an information technology firm. Previously, he worked in Virginia as a systems engineer for Infinimetrics and a data scientist for Leidos.

He graduated from LaGrange College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with a minor in Accounting. Dr. Lankford also holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

He received LaGrange College’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2017.

Lisa Tunstall ’84 is a strategic senior human resources business partner at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from LaGrange College and began her career in human resources, joining the medical center in 2017. Tunstall partners with senior leaders to provide people-related solutions to accomplish business objectives.

At LaGrange, Tunstall was a member of the Phi Mu Fraternity and the Alumni Executive Committee and is a member of the Quadrangle Society.

2012 Cody Furse of Kennesaw is the Program Coordinator for the Office of Executive Programs for Terry College of Business, a division of the University of Georgia.

2012 Nick Griffin of LaGrange will participate in the 2022-2023 Leadership Troup Class. He was also recognized with the Gail Hendricks Volunteerism Award at the ASPIRE Awards for his work with the West Georgia Wolverines, an adapted sports team that plays wheelchair handball, basketball and football.

2012 Gerald Lancaster of Temple is assistant aerial port manager in the U.S. Air Force at Dobbins Air Force Base.

2013 Austin Burns of New Bedford, Massachusetts, is the music minister at Pilgrim United Church of Christ and activities assistant at a skilled care facility in Middletown, Rhode Island. He teaches voice, piano and guitar and regularly performs his music at private events throughout New England.

2014 Meg Westbrook of Tucker is the executive and physician recruitment coordinator at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

2015 Leah Foster Chapman of LaGrange is the youth minister at

Keith Sims ’16 of Columbus received the Rising Star award from the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Columbus Valley magazine for his community contributions at the MercyMed Farm. He is shown here with, from left, his mother, Kathy Sims; wife, Anna Sims; and father, Dr. Mike Sims.

LaGrange First United Methodist Church.

2015 Caleb Cunningham of Glendale, California, earned a Master of Divinity from The Master's Seminary.

2015 Loishirl Hall of LaGrange is in a fellowship at DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF), which provides affordable and accessible legal services to modest and lower income D.C. residents. As part of the fellowship, 2022 graduates will receive a no-cost LL.M. in Advocacy from Georgetown University Law Center while working with DCALF.

Nick Griffin ’12 of LaGrange received the Gail Hendricks Volunteerism Award at the ASPIRE Awards for his work with the West Georgia Wolverines, an adapted sports team that plays wheelchair handball, basketball and football.

2015 Lindsey Cole Robinson of LaGrange and her business, The Local Chiropractic, are in their second successful year of hosting "The Season of Giving.” The food drive's goal is to provide holiday food boxes for 100 families in Troup County.

2016 Teresa Lee Foshee of Sharpsburg was selected as the Newnan-Coweta June artist of the month in the Newnan Times-Herald.

2016 Shelby Holcomb Goins MAT'21 of LaGrange is entering her sixth year at Callaway High School teaching graphic design. She won Teacher of the year for the 2021/2022 school year and serves as the student council advisor and head volleyball coach.

2016 Mary Kate Nix of LaGrange was promoted to Operations Manager at Sweetland Amphitheatre.

Keith Sims of Columbus was awarded the Rising Star award by the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Columbus and the Valley Magazine for his community contribution at the MercyMed Farm.

Nick Stavrow of Cohutta is an Actuary at Alliant Health Plans.

Michael Barcena of LaGrange is

Margaret Bagwell Frazier ’06 of Jonesborough, Tennessee, with her husband, Caleb, and their children Ruby and Everett at her consecration ceremony as a United Methodist Deaconess

Joe Montgomery M’20 of Rome pauses with President Susanna Baxter at the Leadership Georgia Gala.

an account executive in the therapy school division of Soliant.

2017 Marc A. Barnes, Ph.D., M'17 of New Orleans, Louisiana, has joined the United Negro College Fund as the first senior vice president, principal gifts officer.

2017 Kyle Gutowski of Atlanta became a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society.

2017 Alison Jiles of Carrollton joined LifeLink as a Family Care Coordinator.

2017 Tyler Langston of Tampa, Florida, is the business development manager at The Identity Tampa Bay, part of the Vinik Sports Group.

2017 Anthony Scolapio of Ponte Verde Beach, Florida, has rejoined the PGA Tour as the yield management specialist in the revenue operations group.

2018 The Rev. Garrett Wallace has been appointed as associate pastor at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.

2019 The Rev. John Dale Giefing

of Knoxville, Tennessee, has been appointed to the Holston Conference of East Tennessee of the United Methodist Church.

2019 Seth Golden of Macon and a Mercer Law Graduate passed the bar exam.

2019 Eli Grant of Auburn, Alabama, has accepted the position of theatre teacher at East Sanford School.

2019 Carolyn Harkness of Jackson is the head coach of the Troup County Comprehensive High School girls soccer team in LaGrange.

2019 C.J. Lord of Atlanta has been appointed as youth director at Oak Grove United Methodist Church.

2019 Mary Elizabeth Loftus Olson of LaGrange is the assistant district attorney for the Coweta Judicial Circuit.

2019 Carson Powell of McDonough is an associate scientist at Loxo Oncology at Lilly, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company.

Kortney Jennings '16 of LaGrange designed the 2022 Christmas seal for the Kappa Delta Foundation, which helps raise funds for scholarships, internships, educational opportunities and leadership training for KD members.

2020s

2020 Nathan Brown of LaGrange with Gay & Joseph, CPA, P.C., will participate in the 2022-2023 Leadership Troup Class.

2020 Melanie Bartlett Chambers of LaGrange was awarded licensed professional counselor association student of the year for 2022. She passed the national counselor examination.

2020 Kelton Hunt of LaGrange is an Adjunct Professor in the Music

During the 3D Journeys trip to Boston, President Susanna Baxter and First Gentleman Mark Huffman hosted a group of LC alumni living in the Boston area. Shown here are, from left, Rebecca Roth Nicks, Vice President for Advancement; Patrick Reynolds '15; Layla Zeitouni '17; President Baxter; James McGehee '10; Mark Huffman; and Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations.

Leah Foster Chapman ’15, center, is the youth minister at LaGrange First United Methodist Church.

Department at LaGrange College. He was also in “Twisted Tales of Poe,” a Lafayette Theatre Company production.

2020 Ratoya Mason of LaGrange is the Interim Director of Counseling and Career Services at LaGrange College.

2020 Jair Portillo of Gainesville earned a master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Valdosta State University. He will continue his work with DCI Consulting.

2021 Savanna Hicks Hunt of LaGrange is the Lower School Drama Teacher at LaGrange Academy. She was also cast in “Twisted Tales of Poe,” a Lafayette Theatre Company production.

2022 Riley Hammet of Atlanta started as a Sales Associate with Ryan Transportation Services.

2022 Sarah Brooks Powell of LaGrange will participate in the 20222023 Leadership Troup Class.

Professor completes swim from Alcatraz

Chad Daniel ‘12, left, Head Football Coach at West Jackson Middle School; and Evan Conway, son of the late Joel Conway M’02 and grandson of Tom Conway ’69, celebrate an undefeated football season and championship for Northeast Georgia Regional Middle School 7th/8th grades.

Being able to swim two miles through the cold, treacherous waters of the San Francisco Bay is a difficult feat, but Biology Professor Dr. William Paschal and his two daughters were up for the challenge. On July 16, they completed the journey from Alcatraz Island to the shore in under an hour.

“It was not an easy swim for a 55-year-old man,” Paschal said. “It gave me a real sense of accomplishment.”

He said the high waves, fog and strong currents increased the level of difficulty in his first open water swim.

“It was easy to get disoriented and lose sight of the target beach,” he said. “I actually swam much further as the current pushed me near to the Golden Gate Bridge.”

In preparation for the Odyssey Alcatraz Swim event, Paschal said he swam two to three times a week at the Troup

County Parks and Recreation pool.

“For the last five months, I got serious with my training, and each swim session consisted of swimming 3,500 yards without stopping,” he said.

He said the Alcatraz swim was a surreal experience.

“Being in those dark, cold waters, I felt so small in the vastness of the bay,” he said. “It was quite relaxing and serene.”

Paschal said the last 800 yards were the most grueling.

“I was swept far off course,” he said. “A kayaker redirected me and helped guide me into shore.”

He said he was proud to take part in the Alcatraz swim with his daughters.

“It was an experience that I will always cherish because we did it together,” he said.

Births

To Jase Crenshaw '08, M'09 and Brantley Cole Crenshaw M'17, a son, Hudson Crawford, on March 17, 2022

To Amy Hartman Harder '10 and her husband, Christopher, a son, Callan Anderson on May 10, 2022

To Rebekah Ralph M'10, Ed.S.'15 and her husband, William, a son, Weston Grant, on May 9, 2022

To Caitlin Vest-Burns '11 and Austin Burns '13, a son, Julian Kieran, on March 7, 2022

To Glenn L. Gantner '11 and his wife, April, a son, Kai Obi, on October 25, 2022

To Michael May '13 and Taylor Dixon May '14, a daughter, Anniston Beth, on March 16, 2022

To Conrad Clevenger '14 and his wife, Abigail Anne, a son, Landon Everett, on April 27, 2022

To Alyese Wilkerson Cross '14 and her husband, Jeremy, a daughter, River Lee, on January 18, 2022

To Katie Anderson Kent '14, M'17 and her husband, Zach, a daughter, Ruth Morgan, on June 17, 2022

To Elizabeth Pittman White '14 and her husband, Taylor, a son, Maxton, on March 14, 2022

To Samantha Murrah Simonton '16 and her husband, Christopher, a son, Luke James, on June 3, 2022

To Clayton Simon '17 and Rachael Thomas Simon '18, a son, Rome Clayton, on August 6, 2022

To Chris '18 and Delani White Smith '18, a daughter, Lucy Jeanne, on May 7, 2022

To Dustey Reeves Meadows '21 and her husband, Nate, a daughter, Everett Kate, on November 11, 2022

Engagements

Agrlin Fredrick Braxton '20 to Shania Reeves on May 30, 2022

Colby Ryan Heath '20 to Sandra E. Henson '22 on September 15, 2021

Maura Helena Webb '20 to Salvatore Catalano M'20 on May 29, 2022

Trenton Michael Cook '21 to Alanna Evelyn Martin '20 on April 24, 2022

DeMarcus J. Formbly '22 to Alexis Simmons '22 on March 29, 2022

Weddings

Jennifer Miller Allgood '95 to Eric Pitts '97 on May 20, 2022

Sarah Elizabeth Decker '02 to Benjamin Halpern on October 30, 2022

Alison “Alie” Mary Jones ’10 to Charles Terry on June 5, 2022

Precious Sewell White '11 to Ashley Elizabeth Bragg on August 27, 2022

Blake Thomas Schuck '16 to Ashton Pike on October 14, 2022

Jessica Ann Morton '17 to Zack Bias on May 14, 2022

Jesse Jaymes Stermer '17 to Summer Brooks on October 15, 2022

Andrew D. Vanderbrook '17 to Lauren

Olivia Johnson '18 on September 18, 2022

Emily Catherine Barrs '18 to Amber Johns on March 19, 2022

Christopher Daniel Jones '18 to Rebekah Jamison Lee '18 on November 4, 2022

Justyn Elwood Olson '18, M'21 and Mary Elizabeth Loftus '19 on May 2022

Jacob Cyrus Richards '18 to Katie Nicole Jacobsen '19 on November 5, 2022

Bonny Katherine Woods '18 to Justin Gunn on March 27, 2021

Lauren Michelle Sanders '19 to Evan Gresham on October 15, 2022

Elizabeth “Libby” Alden Compton '20, M'22 to Joseph Hastings on June 18, 2022

Kelton Davon Hunt '20 to Savanna Nicole Hicks '21 on June 18, 2022

Evan Phillip Johnson '21 to Heavyn Brantley on May 21, 2022

Whitney Moore '21 to Logan Wright on October 1, 2022

Joely Grace Peterman '21 to Nicolas Coker on August 13, 2022

Savannah DeeAnn Stephens '21 to

Whitney Moore ’21 wed Logan Wright on October 1, 2022.

Austin ’13 and Caitlin Vest Burns '11 of New Bedford, Massachusetts, with their son, Julian Kieran

Dale Thornhill on December 10, 2022

Jordan Christopher Barnes '22 to Dilyn Mckenzi Harrington '22 on June 18, 2022

In Memoriam

Mrs. Marjorie "Mardrie" Turner Fackler '41

Mrs. Ellen Walker Johnson '44

Mrs. Carol Maxwell Collins '48 Mrs. Bonnie Garver McCash '48

Mr. Horace Luther Carter Jr. '54

Mr. Brian Allen Hester '54 Mrs. Frances Brady Butler '55

Alumni and friends attended the wedding of Kelton Hunt '20 and Savanna Hicks '21 on June 18, 2022.

Mrs. Virginia Fort Bailey '57

Ms. Virginia Turner Clifton '57

Mrs. Margaret Chang Chi '58 Mr. Elroyce Malone Dodson '59

Mrs. Mary Ruth King Phillips '59

Mrs. Rose Elliott Watson '59

Mr. Richard Frank Dennis '60

Ms. Elaine Veronica Hopper '62 Mrs. Sarah Carolyn Jones Madaris '62

Mr. Hiram Andrew Owen Jr. '62

Mr. William Hugh Smith '64 Mr. Lowell Daniel Morgan '66 Mr. Andrew Armstrong Hunt Jr. '67

Mr. Robert Edmund Eble '73 Mrs. Ruth Sutton McBride M'75 Mrs. Amelia Denicke Lasater '76

Mr. Donald Ross Stone Jr. '77

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Cagle Carlisle '80

Ms. Darby Wilson Norman '84

Mrs. Carnice “Connie” Parker Olinger M'84

Mrs. Kim Smith Shirah '84

Mr. Thomas Perry Lee '87

Mrs. Mary Ellen Dailey Parkins '92

Mr. Jeffrey Shannon Smith '97

Mr. Vaden Stanley Horne '00

The Rev. Joseph Charles White Sr. '09 Mr. Mark Douglas Veon Ed.S.'11

Mr. Matthew Joshua Norton '14 Mr. Stephen Matthew Bartolotta '25 Mr. Jacob Lloyd Brown '25

Nina Wyman Bradford ’18 and her husband, Jack, of LaGrange with their children, Robert and Isla.

Kelton Hunt '20 and Savanna Hicks '21 married on June 18, 2022.

Lauren Gledhill Gann ‘12 was inducted as the 2022-2023 President of the Carrollton Dawnbeakers Rotary Club. Pictured with Lauren is her husband, Curtis, and daughter, Amelia.

Dr. Sybil Robison Allen, former faculty

Mrs. Martha Morris Estes, former faculty

Mrs. Dorothy Fowler, former staff

Mr. John Paul Illges III, former trustee

Mr. Forrest Clark Johnson III, former faculty

Dr. William Winfield Price, former faculty

Mr. Thomas W. Sheffield, former Leadership Council

Ms. Emily Glenda Turner, former staff

JANUARY 27

“Tuscan Roots: Ancient Etruria and Rome”

Dr. Kevin Shirley, History 10 a.m., Callaway Auditorium

FEBRUARY 27

“Tuscany: The Birth of the Italian Renaissance” John Lawrence, Art 10 a.m., Callaway Auditorium

MARCH 27

“Chaucer and Shakespeare

Send Roses: Their Thanks to the Poets of Tuscany”

Dr. Nina Dulin-Mallory, English 10 a.m., Callaway Auditorium

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEBRUARY 9-12

“No Exit”

DR. E. MALONE DODSON ’59, H’86

Longtime member of the college’s Board of Trustees and Chairman for seven years, Dr. E. Malone Dodson ’59, H’86 passed away on Sunday, August 7.

The Rev. Dodson earned his bachelor’s degree from the college and then his Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, preparing him for a long career as a United Methodist minister. He led five churches before moving to Roswell United Methodist Church, where he served for nearly three decades.

Active in the life of the college—and known for directing new students to LC—he was celebrated as the inaugural recipient of the Fuller E. Callaway Jr. Award for Lifetime Service to LaGrange College in 2006. He was also recognized with an honorary doctorate in 1986.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Raum Dodson ’59, their three children and extended family.

Jean-Paul Sartre’s drama exploring the themes of freedom and responsibility Black Box, Price Theater

FEBRUARY 18

Winter Preview Day for prospective students  FEBRUARY 23 -24 Winter break

MARCH 29-31

“The Marvelous Wondrettes” A musical comedy centered around a prom in the 1950s Price Theater

APRIL 3 -7 Spring break

APRIL 15 Spring Preview Day for prospective students

Colby Ryan Heath '20 and Sandra E. Henson '22 were engaged on Sept. 15, 2021.

Sarah Decker '02 wed Benjamin Halpern on Oct. 30, 2022

TASTE OF TUSCANY

Registration is open now for the 3D Journeys excursion to Tuscany, hosted by President Susanna Baxter and First Gentleman Mark Huffman. For details and rates on the May 10-20 trip, email 3DJourneys@lagrange.edu.

601 Broad Street LaGrange, GA 30240-2999 www.lagrange.edu

Vol. 27, No. 1

Published by LaGrange College (USPS 299-300)

Postmaster: Send Change of Address to 601 Broad Street LaGrange, GA 30240

Freshman enrollment surges

This fall, the college welcomed its largest freshman class since 2019. Final numbers show 226 new first-year students enrolled on campus, an increase of 94 from last year’s freshman class and 48 from the 2020 cohort.

“This influx of new students is a promising sign that we are beginning to return to pre-pandemic numbers after two COVID-19 influenced years,” said President Susanna Baxter. “Our Admissions team and coaches have worked tirelessly to help

more students hear about the opportunities available on the Hill.”

The college’s highest freshman mark was set in 2017 with 275 new students.

“This year’s class represents a

diverse and academically accomplished group,” said Dr. John Head, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience.

“Overall, they carry a 3.33 average GPA, and they come to campus from around the country—and world.”

While nearly 80 percent are Georgia residents, the remainder arrived from states as far away as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and countries including Argentina, Canada, Germany and South Africa.