Class Notes
Harkness ’84: Goodbye to “The Gentle Giant” James “Curtis” Harkness, ’84, an MVP men’s basketball player and former member of Lander’s Student Affairs staff, died on July 3 in Simpsonville, at age 51. He graduated with a business degree and went on to receive a Master of Education in student personnel services at the University of South Carolina. At the time of his death, he was vice president of Student Diversity and Community Affairs at Greenville Technical College. At 6 feet 10 inches tall, Harkness was one of the first “big men” of Lander basketball. He was 1982-84 team captain, voted most valuable player in the 1983-84 season, and averaged 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds a game in his senior year. He also played professional basketball in Australia. Harkness established Lander’s Minorities on the Move, a Multicultural Affairs program that promotes diversity opportunities, including the Minorities on the Move Gospel Choir. Randy Bouknight, vice president for Student Affairs, described Harkness as “a super young man who will be missed.” His obituary noted that Harkness was often referred to as “the gentle giant” because of his size and kindness.
Col. Barton Hayward: “A Very Popular Teacher” Col. Barton Hayward, U.S. Army (Ret.), a longtime Lander adjunct faculty member, died June 12 in Columbia after a lengthy illness. He was 81 years old. Hayward taught U.S. history and geography at Lander for several years beginning in 1990. Dr. Robert Figueira, former chair of the History Department, remembers him as “a very popular teacher, who had remarkable life experiences in service to his country.” Hayward’s 30-year military career included tours of duty in Korea, Germany, Vietnam, Egypt, Israel and Romania, where he served as Defense and Army Attache. After retiring from the Army, he taught for more than 20 years and was academic dean at Camden Military Academy in Camden, S.C. Among his survivors are his wife, Evelyn, and two children.
Tunstall Jr. ’77: Well-Respected Jurist and Friend Greenwood Family Court Judge Billy Tunstall Jr., ’77, died on July 27, at age 58, after a lengthy battle with cancer. While at Lander, he was singled out as the Most Outstanding Student in Economics in 1976 and again in 1977, when he also won a Golden L Award. Tunstall, a resident of Ninety Six, received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law and entered private practice in Greenwood in 1980. He was a member of the South Carolina Bar Association’s House of Delegates from 1991 to 1997, when he was appointed to the Family Court bench. His survivors include his wife, Dee’L Tunstall; his parents, Billy and Doris Tunstall; four children; two sisters and a brother. In published tributes, Tunstall was remembered by lawyers and members of the judiciary as a fair, very patient and deliberative judge who had a love for the bench.
Matthew L. Bell ′96 and Christina Bell, Greenwood, a son, Tucker Lawrence, Feb. 29. Tucker joins older brother Gibson. Traci Young Goldman ′99 and Matt Goldman, Greenwood, a daughter, Emma Haynes, Sept. 7, 2011. Traci teaches at Springfield Elementary and Matt is an electrician with Lander’s Physical Plant. Proud grandparents are Jerrel Goldman ′69 and Linda McKinney Goldman ′70. Beth Campbell Quick ′00 and Joseph Quick, Lexington, a daughter, Leah Harper, July 5. Leah joins big sister Julie, who is 3. Tonya Whitman Phillips ′04 and Josh Phillips, Due West, a son, Whitman Uriah, April 12. Tonya is a chemistry lab manager in Lander’s Physical Sciences Department.
In Memoriam Virginia Taylor Rushton ′30, Greenville, July 20. Virginia was a retired schoolteacher and a member of Highland Heights United Methodist Church. Surviving are her son, daughter, seven grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren. Mary Cook Stuckey ′36, Stuckey, Feb. 15. She was a schoolteacher and a member of Indiantown Presbyterian Church. Surviving are two sons, two daughters, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a sister. Bernice Boozer Hill ′37, Cayce, May 5. Bernice retired after 37 years of teaching. She was a charter member of the Lutheran Church of The Transfiguration in Cayce. Surviving are her daughter, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Ena Hall Cobb ′40, Hodges, March 31. Ena was a member of Hodges Methodist Church and a retired postmaster with the U.S. Postal Service in Hodges. Surviving are two sons, three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Daphine Faircloth Thomason ′41, Clinton, Dec. 29, 2011. Agnes Griffith Copleston Wade ′43, Charleston, July 1. Agnes was a retired registered nurse with Charleston Memorial Hospital and a member of Grace Episcopal Church. Surviving are two sons, two stepdaughters, three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Jean Carol Taylor ′44, Lancaster, June 26. Jean was retired from Springs Industries and a member of First United Methodist Church. Surviving are two nephews and two nieces. Nellie Edwards Bruce ′46, Abbeville, June 17. Nellie was a longtime volunteer with Meals on Wheels and a member of Grace United Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband, son, daughter and brother.
Lander Magazine • Fall 2012
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