Mars Hill: The Magazine of Mars Hill University - Fall 2017

The Lunsford Years “Preserving the Past; Assuring the Future”

The Magazine of Mars Hill University | Fall 2017

MAGAZINE STAFF: Editor: Teresa Buckner, Director of Publications Associate Editor: Mike Thornhill ’88, Director of Communications Additional Contributors: Rick Baker, Sports Information Director Dr. Rod Caldwell, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies Bud Christman, VP for Advancement Amy Garrison, Director of Alumni Relations

President’s Leadership Team Dr. Dan Lunsford ’69, President Dr. Carol Boggess, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jim Brown, Assistant Vice President for Academic Administration Dr. Grainger Caudle, Executive Director of Planning and Auxiliary Services Mr. Bud Christman, Vice President for Advancement Mrs. Samantha Fender, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Dr. Joy Kish ’82, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources & Strategic Initiatives Rev. Stephanie McLeskey, University Chaplain

Mars Hill [mahrz hil] noun 1. A site in Athens, also known as the Areopagus, where Paul used persuasive reason and logic to preach Christ to the intellectuals of first-century Greece, as detailed in Acts 17:21 of the Bible.

2. A town in the mountains of North Carolina known for the beauty of its surroundings and its welcoming, small-town atmosphere.

3. A university in the town of Mars Hill which strives to provide the best in liberal arts education for its 1200-some students.

4. A concept (esp. for faculty, students, staff, and alumni of Mars Hill University) signifying that place where faith meets reason, to lay a foundation for a life of character and compassion.

Mars Hill, The Magazine of Mars Hill University is published regularly by the Office of Marketing and Communications. It is distributed, without charge, to alumni, donors, and friends of the university.

Notices of changes of address and class notes should be addressed to the Alumni Office, Mars Hill University, P.O. Box 6792, Mars Hill, NC, 28754. Phone 828/689-1102. E-mail alumni@mhu.edu.

Letters to the editor and all other correspondence regarding the magazine should be addressed to the Office of Marketing and Communications, Mars Hill University, P.O. Box 6765, Mars Hill, NC, 28754. Phone 828/689-1304. Fax 828/689-1105. E-mail tbuckner@mhu.edu.

Postmaster: Send address changes to the Alumni Office, Mars Hill University, P.O. Box 6792, Mars Hill, NC, 28754.

Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.

Mr. David Riggins, Director of Athletics Mr. Neil Tilley, Vice President for Finance & Facilities Management Dr. Laura Whitaker-Lea, Associate Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students

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Cover Photo: Dan and Beverly Lunsford at their home in Mars Hill.

Photo by Teresa Buckner.

In This Issue: Letter from the President............................................ 4 Special Section: The Lunsford Years............................. 5 Commitment to a Stronger Institution.................................... 6

Commitment to University Excellence.................................... 8 Commitment to an Inviting Campus..................................... 10 Commitment to a Quality Curriculum................................... 12 Commitment to a Partnership.............................................. 14

Reconnect with Your Mars Hill at Homecoming 2017.....16 Schedule for Homecoming 2017

Ziffer Delivers Graduation Keynote.............................17

Virginia Hart..............................................................18 An Icon for Athletics and Much More

Status Report: The Campaign for Mars Hill...................21 Choir Performs at Carnegie Hall..................................22 Historic trip to NYC in pictures

Nursing Program Receives $2M Grant..........................24 Lunsford Festival Turns 50..........................................26 MHU Football Alums Succeed......................................27 Class Notes...............................................................28

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 3

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

When the Mars Hill (then) College Board of Trustees inaugurated me to the college presidency in November 2003, I told the assembled group that when I completed my tenure as president, I wanted Mars Hill to be stronger than when I started. Now, as I approach the end of my presidency, that goal is still as important to me as it ever was.

This issue of Mars Hill, the Magazine, will review some of the accomplishments and happenings of the past 15-plus years, since I became interim president. That is a good thing, if for no other reason than it is helpful for an institution to ask often the questions about where it has been and where it is going, especially at a time of transition and change.

My hope, though, is that alumni and friends who read this issue will keep a couple of things in mind.

First, exploring the accomplishments of the past few years is not just a matter of recounting what has been done, but also of examining why those things have been done. For me, it really is all about enhancing the student experience. My life was influenced so profoundly by my Mars Hill student experience, and it is my fervent hope that every initiative accomplished during my tenure as president has helped create a greater transformative experience for the students of today.

Personally, I love to see faculty and staff of the institution develop new skills, advance in their professions, get recognitions, and experience other barometers of professional success and satisfaction. But the reason Mars Hill University exists is to provide a transformative experience for students. If everything we do is not undertaken with that in mind, then we are missing our primary purpose.

Second, I am well aware that none of the successes of the past 15 years could have happened without a team of people who were willing to invest their time, money, and talents in this grand old institution. Like most presidents, I’ve gotten a lot of credit when things went well at MHU— and sometimes, I’ve gotten blame when things went badly. That’s OK; it goes with the territory.

But I know the truth: it’s a team effort of trustees, donors, faculty, staff, parents, and other friends, all working behind the scenes to make the institution what it is.

I have every confidence that the Presidential Search Committee will find the right person to succeed me as president. The ideals that make this university great are bigger and more lasting than one presidency and my prayer is that the next president, whomever he or she may be, will embrace those ideals and all that Mars Hill represents.

There are seasons of life, and seasons in the life of an institution. For Beverly and me, the end of my presidency at Mars Hill marks the end of one season and the beginning of another. We look forward to embarking on a smaller and less involved role as president emeritus and former first lady. There will be a new season to explore and embrace. But for Beverly and me, this has been a good season—a very good season indeed.

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Dr. Dan Lunsford ’69 President

Special Section:

The Lunsford Years: 2002 - 2018

Lunsford with Dan and Beverly hair of the faculty, -c en th , ft) (le in 2003.

George Peery l inauguration tia en id es pr e after th

Mars Hill University President Dan Lunsford announced in January that he will retire next year from the position he’s held for 15 years.

Mars Hill, the Magazine takes this opportunity to look back at the past decade and a half, and to look at some of the major accomplishments and happenings of the Lunsford Years.

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 5

The Lunsford Years The Lunsford Years Prior to his inauguration, Dr. Dan Lunsford chose “Preserving the Past; Assuring the Future” as the theme for his presidency at what was then Mars Hill College. Consistent with that theme, he said he had one goal in mind for his tenure: “The bottom line commitment that I made to the trustees and to myself was that, when I finished my journey as president, the institution would be stronger than it was when I started,” Lunsford said. “And I believe we’ve done that.”

The word “stronger,” had a multi-pronged definition, he said, encompassing enrollment, financial status, facilities, student programming, and other measures which would make Mars Hill a more vibrant, impactful institution in the region and in the lives of individual students.

In his first letter to the Mars Hill community as president in From These Stones magazine (the precursor to Mars Hill, the Magazine) Lunsford emphasized the community aspect of Mars Hill: “The celebration of [my inauguration] wasn’t about me. It wasn’t about one individual. The inauguration served as a celebration of community, of education, and of our place in Western North Carolina.”

Now, over 15 years since he first sat in the president’s chair, his emphasis is similar: “It’s not been just Dan Lunsford, it’s been a team effort.

It’s been the hard work of trustees, faculty, staff, administrators, donors,” he said. “Any organization is stronger if you have the ability to understand that no one person owns all the good ideas.”

The trustees of Mars Hill College appointed Lunsford interim president on February 4, 2002, following the resignation of President Max Lennon and Chancellor Robert Knott. The college began a presidential search, and ultimately chose the man already sitting in the presidential chair.

On May 9, 2003, the board of trustees voted to remove “interim” from Lunsford’s title and name him president of the institution. His inauguration took place on November 9, 2003.

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Perhaps in no area has Dr. Lunsford’s influence been realized at Mars Hill more than in his commitment to the university’s financial stability.

For example, the university’s endowment has more than doubled in the past decade and a half, from $24,676,174 (December 2001) to $52, 079,173 (May 2017). And during his tenure the first comprehensive capital campaign in the school’s history was completed, with the overall goal of $35.5 million exceeded by 7.6%. The current campaign, Building Our University, is now in its final year and all indicators are the campaign’s $42 million goal will be surpassed. What these expanded resources have tangibly meant, of course, have been new academic buildings, new and refreshed residence halls, an expanded endowed scholarship program, new academic offerings such as nursing, and upgraded athletic facilities.

An event with both financial and substantive implications for the institution was the new relationship formed with the Baptist State Convention in 2007. That fall, Mars Hill—like all the Baptist higher education institutions in the state— formed a new relationship with the convention which maintained financial support for Baptist students, and yet ensured more autonomy in choosing trustees and making other institutional decisions.

Lunsford said he is proud of the institution’s financial position, its influence, and its potential.

But, he said, he hopes that he and his presidency will be remembered for more than a list of things accomplished.

“I would hope that I would be remembered as a person who not only talked the talk but walked the talk of my belief in the place and the people; that even in difficult times, with difficult decisions, I would be remembered as a person of fairness and concern for people on a human level; that I supported the Christian values and tenets of the institutional legacy; and that, at the end of the day, I was a good and decent man, who certainly made mistakes, but who did this job with integrity and a heartfelt desire to make the place even better.”

Commitment to a Stronger Institution

Dr. Lunsford makes a practice of visiting each freshman general studies class each year in an effort to get to know the students better.

Dr. and Mrs. Lunsford reenact Dr. Moore’s horseback entrance to the campus during the sesquicentennial celebration, 2006.

Dr. and Mrs. Lunsford, as well as trustees and donors, host Sen. Elizabeth Dole at the new Ferguson Math and Science Center, 2008.

Dr. Lunsford signs an agreement between MHU and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He is pictured here with Chief Michell Hicks, 2014.

Dr. Hope Williams, president of NCICU, presents the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to Dr. Lunsford, 2017.

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 7

The Lunsford Years A new and exciting era began for Mars Hill College on August 15, 2013, as the institution experienced its second name change in over 150 years, becoming Mars Hill University.

According to Lunsford, the move to university status was one that had been contemplated and discussed by his administration and the board of trustees for around a decade before the change took place. The college’s expansion, both in terms of enrollment and variety of offerings, increased in the years prior to the change in status, setting the stage for the move to university status.

“I was lobbied by alumni to move the college to university status,” Lunsford said. “I agreed with the idea, but I did not think the timing was right until we had graduates of a master’s program. And in fact, we did not transition until we had our first master of education graduates in spring 2013.”

The change to university status, Lunsford said, is the standard among small faith-based private colleges when they begin a graduate program.

“The designation emphasizes to the larger world the robustness and comprehensiveness of the academic program and, with that, the opportunities that it brings for students.

Furthermore, the university title enables the institution to better market itself, particularly to

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foreign students, who may consider a “college” to be a high school.

Concurrent with the change in status, the university established the Presidential Lecture and Performance Series. According to Lunsford, the series was not intended to replace, but to add to, the already-engaging and scholarly speakers who are regularly brought to campus through the MHU Visiting Artists and Lecturers Series and the various academic departments.

The first in the series was a lecture titled, “Let’s Save America,” a lecture on economics and debt in the United States.

Other speakers and programs have included former governor of N.C., James B. Hunt; former US Ambassador to Kuwait, Australia, and Jordan, Edward Gnehm, Jr.; and the President’s Own US Marine Band.

By design, the format varies from a performance, to a lecture, a discussion, or even a debate. The goal, however, is always to further broaden the scope of conversation available to Mars Hill students, faculty, staff, and the community at large.

“This series brings distinguished and knowledgeable individuals to campus to lecture on a wide range of timely and timeless topics and to provide high quality performances in the cultural arts. These events are intended to complement the university’s emphasis on the liberal arts,” Lunsford said.

Commitment to University Excellence

Above: the university celebration, 2013.

Former NC Governor James B. Hunt, 2013

Former US Ambassador Edward Gnehm, 2014

Steve Fisher, adventure kayaker and entrepreneur, 2016

NC Senators Tom Apodaca and Terry Van Duyn, 2016

The President’s Own US Marine Band, 2015

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 9

The Lunsford Years By any accounting, the campus of Mars Hill Lunsford notes that, inescapably, Mars Hill University looks quite different now than it did in University must compete for students and faculty 2002 when Dan Lunsford took on the role of interim against a growing variety of educational options. president.

“It is certainly true that part of the motivation In the past 15 years, the university has undertaken for new facilities is to enhance our capability to around 30 major facilities projects, including the attract faculty,” he said. “We already had very addition of ten new buildings or structures on strong science and business programs; but new the campus, and numerous upgrades to existing and upgraded facilities like Day Hall, the Ferguson/ facilities. Some of these projects were obvious, like Wall complex, and Ferguson Health Sciences, affect the addition of Troy and Pauline Day Hall (2016) our ability to attract and keep good faculty, which to Main Street, Mars Hill. The striking three-story in turn, affects our ability to attract and keep good structure has become a hub of activity on the students.” campus, and has formed a bridge of connection Each step builds on others in the course of between the campus and the town as never before. institutional history, Lunsford said. For example, Other changes are much less evident to a casual observer and yet they are impactful to the student experience, like the addition of Wifi to every building on campus.

the Judge-McRae School of Nursing with its two nursing degrees (RN to BSN and prelicensure BSN) would not have been possible without construction of the Ferguson/Wall complex for all the necessary foundational science classes. Another example is the master of management degree, which began in summer 2017 and which would not have been possible without the construction of Day Hall.

Still others, while smaller in terms of expense and scale, have made a difference in the campus culture. Lunsford cited the renovation of the Carter-Humphrey house, where numerous visitors, parents, and speakers have found a quiet place of Such dreams become a reality, Lunsford said, solitude and reflection during their visits to campus. when donors and friends adopt the dreams of the institution, and blend them with their own.

“It all matters,” Lunsford said. “New buildings, renovations, even the landscaping on campus. It all goes in to making Mars Hill the inviting place that it is.”

In addition to those mentioned above, new construction during the Lunsford era includes Bailey Mountain Residence Apartments (2006), Ammons Family Athletic Center and Merrill According to Lunsford, decisions about Press Box (2006), a new entrance arch (2006) the improvements to facilities are made with an eye Founders Memorial (2007), the Asheville Center toward improving the totality of the experience for for Adult and Graduate Studies (purchased and students, employees, and visitors to campus. renovated in 2012), the Community Life Pavilion In many instances, better facilities have a direct (2012), and Laurel and Dogwood residence halls impact on the quality of the academic environment, (2013).

Lunsford said. An example is the completion in Major renovations not already mentioned include: 2008 of Ferguson Math and Science Center and the Turner and Brown residence halls (2002), Nash renovation of Wall Science Building in 2009. Prior Education Hall (2004), Azalea Townhouses (2012), to 2008, science classes at Mars Hill were taught in Belk Practice Field, Henderson Baseball Complex Wall, built in 1940. The building had outdated lab (2013), the Rural Heritage Museum (2013), Huffman facilities, and it was unable to accommodate the Residence Hall (2015), Owen Theatre (2016) number and variety of science classes needed at Moore Fine Arts (2017), and other less extensive Mars Hill. renovations through the years, too numerous to name.

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Commitment to an inviting Campus

Rural Heritage Museum, renovated 2013

Ammons Family Athletic Center, completed 2006 Merrill Press Box, completed 2006 Don Henderson Field, completed 2013

Ferguson Math and Science, completed 2009

Day Hall, completed 2016

New entrance arch, installed 2006

AGS Center, purchased and renovated 2012

Ferguson Health Sciences, completed 2016

Bailey Mtn. Residential Apartments, completed 2008

Huffman Dormitory, renovated 2015

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 11

The Lunsford Years Upgrades in curriculum, while more nuanced and certainly less visible than facility changes, are absolutely essential if a university is to be responsive to the needs of society, according to Lunsford.

Over the past 15 years, changes and additions to the curriculum of Mars Hill University have included six new bachelor’s degrees, a graduate program which now includes three master’s degrees, a research fellowship for faculty/student collaboration, a complete makeover of the general education curriculum, special licensure for reading teachers, a certificate program in community service, and the first-ever online classes at MHU. “Curriculum has to be responsive to where we are as a society and what students need,” Lunsford said.

For example, when MHU began offering online and semi-online classes through the adult education program in 2008, its purpose was to meet the needs of an increasingly online world.

Another example, he said, is the addition of art therapy as a major in 2012.

“Twenty years ago, nobody talked about art therapy.

Today, we know that art is a wonderful way for people with dementia, traumatic brain injury or post traumatic stress disorder to communicate and connect,” Lunsford said.

Criminal justice as an undergraduate degree followed a slightly different path. For many years, Mars Hill had offered a sociology degree with a very popular concentration in criminal justice. As student demand grew, trustees and administration responded by hiring Dr. Barbara Sims, now chair of the criminal justice department, to develop the concentration into a major.

According to Lunsford, the addition of nursing degrees was something that was discussed at Mars Hill as early as the 1970s. When regional hospitals began requiring that nurses have bachelor’s degrees in nursing, the need for more nursing education in the region was apparent.

Then, a lead gift from alumni Norman (’84) and Linda (’86) Judge-McRae for development of the 12 Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017

curriculum, and the hiring of Dr. Cathy FranklinGriffin, dean of the school of nursing, enabled Mars Hill to develop two new majors: the registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing (RN to BSN), and the four-year, prelicensure bachelor of science in nursing.

A listing of curriculum upgrades during the Lunsford era would also include a bachelor of arts degree in integrated education, a blend of elementary education and special education. This major was spearheaded by education professor Chris Cain, and began in 2010.

The newest undergraduate degree at MHU is the bachelor of fine arts, which is set to begin in the coming academic year. The BFA program helps students prepare for professional careers in the visual arts or graduate study, and offers two concentrations, in graphic design/photography or ceramics/sculpture.

Graduate degrees at Mars Hill University began in 2011 with the addition of the Master of Education degree (MEd). This degree is specifically tailored for working elementary teachers who want to pursue graduate education. Two additional master’s degrees are beginning during the 2017-18 academic year: the Master of Management (MM) and the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ).

Also set to begin this year is the certificate in community engagement, which is designed to assist undergraduate students in becoming effective and successful change agents for social justice in non-profit, government agency, and social enterprise environments.

The Hart-Melvin Research Fellowship, while not a major, certainly adds to the educational program of the university by expanding opportunities for faculty/student research.

The fellowship, created by the class of 1960 in 2010, is named for retired physical education professor and coach, Dr. Virginia Hart, and professor of history and religion, Dr. Robert Melvin, who passed away in 2010.

Commitment to a Quality Curriculum Presidential search

Art Therapy Major, 2012

Hart-Melvin Fellowship, 2010

Master of Arts in Education, 2011

Criminal Justice, (B.S.) 2013, (M.A.C.J.) 2017

Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2017

Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 2016

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 13

The Lunsford Years

Commitment to a Partnership “This journey at Mars Hill, it has been a partnership of Beverly and me together. She has certainly been immensely supportive and involved. It means a lot to me that this place that I love, in many ways means as much to her as it does to me.”

The Presidential Art Collection, for which the Lunsfords purchase student art to adorn buildings on campus, was the brainchild of Mrs. Lunsford, as was the Wall of Presidents in the president’s office suite. For that project, Mrs. Lunsford spent months locating portraits of all the past presidents of the institution.

Anyone who spends any time around Dan Lunsford knows that his wife, Beverly, is his closest confidant Both Lunsfords say they are looking forward to and his most reliable sounding board. Though she more time for personal projects and travel, but they has never had a paid position at the university also believe they will miss their roles as president (and both Lunsfords say they like it that way), she and first lady. has sought to use her gifts to contribute to the university and to the presidency in various ways for “That’s part of what Beverly worries about missing,” the past 15 years.

Lunsford said, “the opportunity to see the students grow and develop and do wonderful things.”

“Her support and help have no doubt enabled me do the job Because of longer,” Lunsford their desire to said. “She travels continue to with me and she come to sporting engages donors events and to be and friends of involved in the the university in life of university, such an incredibly the Lunsfords positive way. In say they have fact, some of no desire to our donors and move after friends are more Dr. Lunsford’s interested in retirement. visiting with her “We’re not going to than with me!” move. We’ll stay As a former public in the community school teacher of and participate art, English, and in the life of the gifted student curriculum, Mrs. Lunsford has lent campus. I don’t want to get in the way of the next her eye for color to several renovations on campus, president, but Mars Hill, both the university and the including most notably, the Carter-Humphrey town, have become too much of the fabric of who Guest House. Mrs. Lunsford was the primary we are as individuals and as a couple. So, we’ll be decorator for that renovation project, choosing around to continue to be as supportive as we can artwork and objects for the decoration with a long be in ways that are appropriate.” Lunsford said. history of connection to the institution.

“Because this is home. This is home.”

She is also among those consulted when color schemes are chosen for new buildings.

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Dan and Beverly Lunsford in front of Marshbanks Hall in 2017 and in 2003. 2017 photo by Teresa Buckner; 2003 photo by Marla Milling.

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 15

Reconnect

Mars Hill Hill Mars

With Your

Homecoming 2017 ~ October 20-22 Friday,October 20* Chili Cook-off: L ion’s Den Patio from 5 pm–7 pm 1967 50th Reunion: R eception in Sam’s Dining Room, 5:30 pm; Dinner in Redway Dining Room, Pittman Dining Hall, 7 pm Student & Alumni Cookout & Games: C hapel Field, (bring your own chair or blanket), 5:30 pm

Jim Thomas Black Box Theatre Dedication: B lack Box Theatre, 5:30 pm 1977 40th Reunion Dinner: Main St. Burrito in downtown Mars Hill, 6 pm (Dutch treat)

Saturday,October 21* Registration: Blackwell Hall Foyer and Lunsford Atrium (First Floor, Day Hall), 8 am–11 am 1977 40th Reunion Reception: Continental breakfast and official reunion event, Ponder Atrium (First Floor, Ferguson Math and Science Center), 9 am Alumni Band Rehearsal: Meares Stadium, 9:30 am 1957 60th Reunion: Continental breakfast, Peterson Conference Room, Blackwell Hall, 10 am P.E. Majors Reunion: Chambers Gym, Room 107, 10:45 am Athletics Reunion Reception: C hambers Gym, 10:45 am Lacrosse Alumni Game: B elk Field, 11 am Women’s Basketball Alumni Game: C hambers Gym, 11 am Choir Concert: B royhill Chapel, 11 am Clogging Performance: A nderson Amphitheatre (behind Marshbanks), 11 am Reunions on the Quad: ( Greek life, majors, music, SGA, cheerleaders, etc.), 11 am–1 pm Kid’s Korner on the Quad: S uper fun activities for children of all ages, 11 am–1 pm

BBQ Lunch on the Quad: P urchase lunch tickets at registration or on the quad, 11:30 am–1 pm Phi Mu Alpha Event: C hapel Field, 12 pm Women’s Basketball Alumni BBQ Lunch: Location tba, 12:30 pm Lacrosse Reunion Picnic: Anderson Amphitheatre (behind Marshbanks), 12:45 pm Pre-game Alumni Band Performance: M eares Stadium, around 1 pm Mars Hill Lions vs. Wingate Bulldogs Football Game: Meares Stadium, 1:30 pm Groundbreaking for Ammons Athletic Field House: Field House building site (to the left of the football field), following the ballgame Dedication of Pottery Kiln: M oore Building kiln room, time tba Dedication of Historic District with Walking Tour: beginning at Spilman, 4:30 pm Phi Mu Alpha Event: Moore Auditorium,5 pm–9 pm ~~ Hilltop Café Hours: 8 am–11 am Bookstore Hours: 10 am–4 pm

*Times and locations are tentative. For an updated schedule of homecoming events, check in often at: www.mhu.edu/homecoming and like the Mars Hill Alumni Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/MarsHillAlumni.

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Ziffer Delivers May 2017 Keynote Address Walter Ziffer, a teacher, writer, scholar, and retired Mars Hill religion professor, gave the keynote address during the spring commencement ceremony for Mars Hill University on May 13, 2017. Drawing from his life story, part of which includes surviving the Holocaust, in which several family members were killed, Ziffer urged the graduates to view their life choices through a lens of ethics, remembering that those choices have consequences.

The university conferred 155 bachelor’s degrees and three master’s degrees at the ceremony. Social work was the most popular major among the graduates, with 27 students receiving their bachelor of social work degrees. Twenty-two students received degrees in business administration, and 17 in biology.

Eight students graduated with dual degrees, having completed requirements for two majors. Five students who received bachelor of science in nursing degrees were the second group to earn degrees through the university’s Judge-McRae School of Nursing. The three master’s graduates made up the fifth cohort to earn graduate degrees since Mars Hill added its master of education program.

Student speakers were Savannah Maynor of Asheville, North Carolina, a summa cum laude graduate who earned her degree in integrated education; and Katrina Dodson of Marshall, North Carolina, a magna cum laude graduate of the RN to BSN (registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing) program.

Music performance major Michael Lyons of Arden, North Carolina, performed “The Cardinal of Venice” on the trumpet.

Lily Chapman a summa cum laude elementary education major from Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, delivered the invocation.

Top to bottom: Dr. Walter Ziffer gives the keynote address; Lawson Hoover receives his outstanding graduate medal for chemistry; Christiaan Davis receives his diploma from President Lunsford; Savannah Maynor gives a student speech at the graduation

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 17

VIRGINIA HART:

An Icon for Athletics...

Virginia Hart, (left) at her desk in the P.E. department, and (above), working in Pittman Dining Hall.

by Teresa Buckner

For the past 18 years, students at Mars Hill University have known that the feisty little lady behind the cafeteria counter most mornings could make a heck of an omelet. A few, particularly the athletes, might have realized that “Miss V”, was once a coach and physical education teacher at MHU. Fewer still might realize that the tennis complex at Mars Hill is named for her. But probably very few are aware of the role that Dr. Virginia Hart has played in the life of Mars Hill University for over 18 Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017

six decades, and how much they—as athletes, or as women, or as future educators, or even as students of the institution—owe to her legacy.

Hart’s role at the university has many aspects, but when it comes to women’s athletics, her legacy is pretty easy to articulate.

“Well, I started it,” she says simply. And it’s true.

To understand the role that Hart has played at Mars Hill University, it is necessary to understand how

and Much More few opportunities in athletics existed for women when she came to Mars Hill in 1941. A university that now boasts eleven women’s varsity sports had nothing of the sort when Hart arrived in Mars Hill as a freshman. That did not keep her from loving the place, though.

“I made up my mind that I loved Mars Hill from the first day I was a student,” she said.

Her first goal, in fulfillment of her parents’ wish for her, was to get a degree in business. Her parents, devout Baptists, had learned about Mars Hill College through Baptist Courier magazine, and suggested a business degree as a reliable way for their youngest child to make a living.

with an office and connected living quarters inside the McConnell Hall, which then held the gym.

Her first duty, of course, was physical education classes.

Her goal as a teacher and as a coach, she said, was always to be “firm, fair, and friendly” with her students.

At the time, women’s varsity athletics was nonexistent.

Coach Virginia Hart, undated photo.

Hart became the faculty sponsor for several intramural clubs through the Women’s Recreation Association or the Women’s Athletic Association, in addition to coaching the men’s tennis team.

Hart’s mother called her Virginia, but when she came to Mars Hill, she used the nickname her father had given her, “Jinks.” It was her P.E. teacher, Grace Cowan, who changed Hart’s plan to major “I had lots of clubs,” she said. “At any one time, I in business with an astute observation. As Hart had at least 100 girls participating in clubs to stood beside the pool one day, cheering on some play volleyball, tennis, archery, gymnastics, even classmates during a competition, Cowan said: camping: we’d go up and spend the night on Bailey “Jinks, you’ll never be happy behind a desk.” She Mountain or Little Mountain.” recommended that Hart consider majoring in P.E..

A major part of her job also was planning the After some thought, Hart wrote her parents and, college’s annual May Day celebration, a task with their permission, changed her major. In which involved planning the programs, leading addition to Grace Cowan, she lists English professor numerous practices, and even hiring seamstresses Ramon Deshazo (“Papa D”), as a favorite teacher to make dresses for the court. In her spare time, she and role model. Papa D, she said, inspired in her a sponsored the cheerleaders and the majorettes, lifelong love of poetry that continues today. and coordinated the concession stand for football In 1943, she graduated from Mars Hill, then a junior games. college, and headed off for Winthrop College. But before she left, she went to deliver a message to Dean R.M. Lee, who was in the middle of hiring a replacement for the retiring Cowan.

“Before I left here, I stood in Dean Lee’s office door, and I said, ‘Dean Lee, the next women’s physical education teacher you hire, tell her she won’t be here but for two years, because I’m coming back!”

Hart said.

Her words proved prophetic, and 20 days after her graduation from Winthrop in 1945, she joined the faculty of Mars Hill College as a physical education teacher. Her beginning salary was $150 a month,

In 1964, Hart founded the first-ever “extramural” basketball club for women, with the help of four students: Mavis Dowdle, Joy Hawkins, Beverly Keller, and Morty Roe. The team played women’s teams from Western Carolina, Appalachian State, East Tennessee State, UNC Greensboro, and other well-established schools.

“To me, that was varsity,” Hart said. But the college continued to call it “extramural athletics” until 1970, when the team was finally called the women’s varsity team.

Hart continued coaching the basketball team until 1974, when she turned it over to Coach Barbara Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 19

Virginia Hart Hollingsworth while she took a leave to get her doctorate in education at UNC-Greensboro. (She had gotten her master’s in physical education in 1952 from Peabody College.)

Marilyn “Que” Tucker, now commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, was a member of that 1970 team, the first that was actually called a varsity team by the college.

Prior to coming to Mars Hill, Tucker had heard that Coach Hart was someone she needed to meet. So, when Tucker ran into a petite female P.E. teacher on campus, she went up and introduced herself.

“Coach Hart said, and I’ll never forget this, ‘why don’t you come by the office and let’s chew the fat?’” A few days later, Tucker stopped by Hart’s office and Hart encouraged her to go out for the women’s basketball team. She did, and became a player. That would be the first of many “chew the fat” sessions between Tucker and Hart.

“What I admired the most about her was that there was that sense of caring,” Tucker said. Tucker said Coach Hart quickly became her counselor and confidant in addition to her coach.

“To have a person like Coach Hart who made me feel like she valued me as a person—not as a black person, but as a person—made me feel that this is somebody who’s pretty special.”

she was a music major at Mars Hill. She and Hart developed a relationship of mentorship and friendship during her student days. Later, Hart encouraged her as she continued her graduate work at UNC-G, Hart’s alma mater. The two remain close friends today.

“I would say she is an icon at Mars Hill,” Alexander said. “She is just one of those people who stands out in my mind as having made Mars Hill the amazing, caring place it was.”

According to Tucker, Hart clearly cared about all her students, male or female. But her influence was especially helpful for female athletes at Mars Hill, at a time when the greater society was recognizing the value of women’s athletics.

“For women’s athletics, her voice, her advocacy, those were the things that helped women’s athletics be able to move to the next level at Mars Hill,” Tucker said.

In addition to founding the varsity women’s basketball team, Hart founded the women’s varsity volleyball program and the women’s varsity tennis program, which she coached until 1986, one year after she retired in 1985.

Hart notes that she assembled teams each year, with very little scholarship money. There were no scholarships at all for basketball and volleyball, and all the money she had for all tennis scholarships was equivalent to one football scholarship.

“She cared about her students and players beyond the court.

If there was any way she could Coach Hart (front row, black turtleneck) with the 1970 basketball team. Que Tucker is beside her at front help us do what we needed President Dan Lunsford, who right. to do to be successful, she was a student in Hart’s P.E. was going to do that,” Tucker class, describes Hart as a said. “And she was concerned that we would look trailblazer in both athletics and academics. at physical education as a profession, that it wasn’t just recess; it wasn’t just playtime. She personified “It would be a mistake for us to hang all of Virginia Hart’s legacy on athletics, as important as that the whole mind-body-spirit connection, and that is,” he said. “She was also passionate about the meant a lot to me in my formative years at Mars academic side of health and physical education.”

Hill,” Tucker said.

Over the years, Hart has directed several weddings, Joanne Alexander ’57, now a trustee emeritus at and coordinated many student development Mars Hill University, learned that Hart’s concern events. Lunsford sees these involvements as for students extended beyond her players when 20 Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017

evidence of her concern for her students beyond the basketball and tennis courts.

“How many women did she mentor and help them believe they could have significant roles of leadership, way before it was popular?” Lunsford said. “She was ahead of her time in encouraging women to step out and take chances in athletics, as well as in their careers.”

In addition to her career, Hart said she enjoyed a number of hobbies, which include traveling, fishing, gardening, and bird watching. She has traveled extensively in the United States, Europe, the Carribean, and even took a mission trip to the South Pacific.

Hart scholarship at MHU. And, for her many contributions to both men’s and women’s athletics at Mars Hill College, Hart was in the first group of people inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame, in 1987. When Mars Hill College built new tennis courts in 1991, it named the new courts the Virginia Hart Tennis Complex.

Hart continues to love Mars Hill. Many years ago, she bought a house a mile from campus which she calls “Hart’s Hideaway,” and she is a regular contributor of both money and time to the institution.

Coach Hart, indulging in one of her favorite pastimes, fishing.

“I’ve done my share of traveling, and I’ve fished in most of those places,” she said.

Hart had a few part-time jobs after her retirement in 1985. And then, in 1999, she came to work for Chartwell’s Dining Services in the Mars Hill cafeteria.

“When I talk with alumni, her name often comes up,” Lunsford said. “Sometimes people say, ‘why would she do that? Why would she want to work in the caf?’ The reason, in my opinion, is that she just enjoys interacting with people, and specifically, with Mars Hill students.”

She also likes making omelets. Soon after she started at the caf, she began keeping the sheets on which students place their orders. She now estimates that she has made over 100,000 omelets.

Last spring, following some issues with her health, Hart decided to hang up her apron and retire for the second time.

“I decided that at 93, I guess I had worked long enough.” she said.

Today’s students may not fully appreciate Hart’s legacy at MHU, but administration officials, faculty, staff, and alumni do. Many of her former students and players have funded the Virginia

When asked about what she thought her legacy at MHU would be, she references the old saying: “I’d rather see a sermon any day as hear one.”

“I want them to know that I am a Christian,” Hart said.

“That I try to live the kind of life that I would set an example. And I want people to say that I lived a sermon, rather than preaching one.”

Building Our University Mars Hill’s second ever comprehensive campaign, the Building Our University Campaign is in its final year (with a closing date of May 31, 2018).

Completion of the $42 million overall goal is now within sight, but important fundraising is still needed to accomplish the project goals for the Ammons Field House and the renovation of Wren Student Center. Naming opportunities for both of these priorities are available.

Be on the lookout in the next month for an upcoming brochure which will more fully update you on the campaign’s progress.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 21

The MHU Student and Alumni Choir Perform at

Practice makes perfect! Conductor Rod Caldwell (right) led members of the MHU Student and Alumni Choir in rigorous practice sessions on May 25 and 26, prior to their historic performance on May 27 in Carnegie Hall.

22 Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017

Carnegie Hall Background photo credit: Jeff Goldberg / Esto

Photo by GroupPhotos.com © 2017

The Mars Hill University Choir, along with alumni and friends, participated in a performance of the Fauré Requiem on the main stage at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, May 27, 2017, in New York.

The performance, conducted by MHU Director of Choral Studies Rod Caldwell, also featured university organist Cathy Adkins, baritone Kenneth Overton, soprano Susanne Burgess, and the New England Symphonic Ensemble (Preston Hawes, Concertmaster). Over 100 people associated with Mars Hill participated in the venture.

The project, which was some 18 months in the making, began with the invitation to perform and then quickly proceeded to the recruitment and invitation of singers. From there, countless hours of fundraising, planning, and preparation became the hallmarks of this “once in a lifetime experience.” The performance, hailed as one of the finer performances of the work in the New England Symphonic Ensemble’s 30-plus years at Carnegie Hall, was well received by all.

Participants arrived in New York for two half-day rehearsals at the Grand Hyatt at Grand Central Terminal on Thursday and Friday, May 25 and 26. This was followed by the dress rehearsal and performance at the hall on Saturday. After the concert the entire ensemble was treated to a cruise of New York Harbor.

In the down time between rehearsals, choir members were able to take in the sights of New York, including the 9/11 Memorial, museums, shows, concerts, and the New York Ballet. While the focus of the trip was the performance on Saturday, Dr. Caldwell stated that, “the cultural enrichment provided by the opportunity to perform in one of the great artistic centers of the world cannot be underestimated. This was truly a mountaintop educational moment for our students.”

More pictures and comments from participants may be found at www.mhu.edu/carnegie.

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 23

Nursing Program Receives $2M Grant

by Mike Thornhill

Mars Hill University has been awarded a federal grant of up to $2 million over the next four years to help train Western North Carolina nurses. The Nursing Workforce Diversity grant will provide $500,000 for Mars Hill in the fiscal year that began July 1, and is expected to be renewed for three more years.

Nursing to serve the local Western North Carolina region and disadvantaged regions throughout North Carolina. The grant gives Mars Hill an opportunity to increase the number of nursing graduates who are diverse, representative of their communities, and skilled in serving disadvantaged communities with cultural sensitivity and compassionate care.

The goal of the Nursing Workforce Diversity program, administered through the US Department “We are extremely grateful for the generous of Health and Human Services, is to increase award of the Health Resources and Services access to nursing education for students from Administration (HRSA) Nursing Workforce Diversity backgrounds that are underrepresented among grant,” said Cathy Franklin-Griffin, professor of the current nursing workforce. For Mars Hill, nursing and dean of the Judge-McRae School of that dovetails perfectly with the very reason Nursing (JMSON). “This grant provides JMSON— the university began its nursing programs. The the youngest school of nursing in western North university established the Judge-McRae School of Carolina—with resources to enhance successful 24 Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017

inclusiveness in our pre-nursing and nursing student populations.”

turn, will enhance the medical care of citizens of the region.”

Mars Hill University will use the grant money to hire Franklin-Griffin said the grant will help enable the specialists and mentors with the skills to recruit university’s nursing graduates to take to their local students of diverse backgrounds into the nursing communities the foundations of nursing education program and to help those students develop the excellence at Mars Hill University: courageous skills necessary to succeed and graduate. But the advocacy, ethical leadership, cultural competence, bulk of the money will go to new scholarships health promotion, and community involvement. awarded to 50 students in the pre-licensure “This is definitely a win-win situation for all involved bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program and now and seeds a rich harvest of future nursing 25 students in the registered nurse to bachelor graduates and healthier communities,” she said. of science in nursing (RN to BSN) program. The She also acknowledged the efforts of the overarching goal of the initiative is to provide a university’s fundraising office, particularly those of more diverse and inclusive nursing workforce to the foundations engagement and prospect research populations of the largely disadvantaged, health director Stacey Sparks, who spearheaded the grant care underserved, and economically challenged application process. counties of rural Western North Carolina and This project is supported by the Health Resources throughout the state. and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US “We are pleased that the US Department of Health Department of Health and Human Services and Human Services saw the merit in our proposal (HHS) under grant number D19HP30867 Nursing and I am proud of the university’s nursing faculty Workforce Diversity for $500,000. This information and advancement staff for the high quality or content and conclusions are those of the author proposal,” said Mars Hill University President Dan and should not be construed as the official position Lunsford. “This grant will enhance the capacity to or policy of, nor should any endorsements be provide the high quality nursing education to more inferred by HRSA, HHS or the US Government. people across Western North Carolina, which, in

Nursing Program Accreditated by CCNE The bachelor’s degree in nursing at Mars Hill University (Judge-McRae School of Nursing) received word in May that it has been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education(www.ccneaccreditation.org).

nursing degree (BSN) graduate from an accredited program; that is vital to the pursuit of a higher degree in nursing,” said Cathy Franklin-Griffin, dean and professor in Mars Hill’s Judge-McRae School of Nursing.

The accreditation follows a site visit by CCNE last September to assess whether the program meets nationally recognized standards for nursing education. The CCNE accreditation is retroactive to September 2016, and extends through June 2022.

Two cohorts of students have graduated from the university’s registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing (RN to BSN) program. The university’s first cohort of pre-licensure BSN students, along with a third cohort of RN to BSN students, will graduate in May 2018.

“This means that students who graduate from Mars Hill University with a bachelor of science in

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 25

50

The Bascom Lamar Lunsford “Minstrel of Appalachia” Festival Turns

Brandon Johnson (left) plays on the festival stage with Roger Howell (center), recipient of the 1999 Lunsford Award for lifetime service to traditional music; and Carol Rifkin, the 2016 recipient.

Western North Carolina’s second oldest folk music festival is turning 50 years old, and Mars Hill University is planning a celebration.

A weeklong series of events is planned for the golden anniversary celebration, beginning Monday, October 2. years The most significant change LUNSFORD for 2017 will be the ticketed festival Lunsford Festival evening concert, which will move from its traditional Saturday slot OCT to Friday, October 6 at 7 pm 6&7 Saturday’s daytime festivities, MHU MARS HILL, NC including the music and dance stage, will operate as usual from 10 am until 4 pm on the upper quad of the university and will be free to the public.

YEARS

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2|0|1|7

Organizers say the weeklong celebration will give them an opportunity to pay proper tribute to Bascom Lamar Lunsford’s legacy. “We will have scholars to talk about Lunsford’s contributions, music and dance to spare, and a few really special treats worthy of a golden anniversary,” said Brandon Johnson ’10, a consultant to the festival.

26 Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017

Lunsford dedicated his life to traveling the Appalachian Mountains to find, memorize, and record the songs and dances so intimately woven into the mountain culture. He started the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville in 1928, and from there was enlisted to help start the National Folk Festival. He became instrumental in the creation of multiple festivals throughout the United States, but it wasn’t until Mars Hill pharmacist Ed Howard formulated a plan to name a festival in honor of Lunsford that he ever let one of his festivals carry his name.

“This festival was founded as a musician’s festival, and every year it brings the best that the mountains have to offer,” said Johnson, a regular performer on the Lunsford Festival stage. “Speaking from experience, it’s a time and place that we all look forward to every year.”

For updates and information, visit the festival website at www.LunsfordFestival.com or call (828) 689-1262.

The 2017 Lunsford Festival: Evening concert: October 6, 7 pm Daytime events: October 7, 10 am - 4 pm

Williams Drafted by Jaguars Former Mars Hill football standout Marquez Williams signed a fouryear contract this spring with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was a seventh-round draft pick, 240 overall, during the 2017 NFL Draft.

Williams played three seasons at MHU and was selected to the AllSAC team twice before finishing his collegiate career with the Miami Hurricanes as a graduate student under the coaching of Mark Richt.

“Marquez is a very physical player that will be a perfect fit for the Jaguars. We are very proud of him and wish him great success”, said Lions head coach Tim Clifton.

Marquez Williams goes for the block during his Mars Hill days.

During his tenure with the Lions, Williams was named to the South Atlantic Conference All-Conference second team in 2014 and first team in 2015. In his time with the “U” he served as Miami’s starting fullback in 2016 and saw action in all 13 games, making five starts.

Williams made his debut for the Canes on September 3, against Florida A&M and caught the team’s first touchdown of the season.

Mattox Receives Panthers Graduate Scholarship Carl Mattox has been awarded the Foundation of the Carolinas - Carolina Panthers Stadium Corporation Graduate Scholarship.

Mattox, a four-year member of the Lions’ football team, was a Mars Hill Presidential Intern this year.

Mattox, a senior linebacker from Athens, GA, had a very successful career for the Lions playing in 39 games for MHU. He recorded 161 career tackles (98 solo), 11.0 tackles-for-loss, 15 pass break-ups, 3.0 sacks and one interception. He was named a first team All-South Atlantic Conference selection in 2016 and a second team All-SAC pick in 2015. During his junior campaign, Mattox was named a first team CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division II football team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Carl Mattox tackles a North Greenville foe (above) and speaks at the dedication of Day Hall in August 2016. (below)

Scholarships are awarded to one male and one female studentathlete in North Carolina or South Carolina on the basis of leadership, citizenship, and academic merit.

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 27

Class Notes Mars Hill, the Magazine of Mars Hill University welcomes your personal snapshots when you send in news of weddings, babies, accomplishments, etc. Send your news and photos to alumni@ mhu.edu, or Alumni Office, P.O. Box 370, Mars Hill, NC 28754.

1970s Michael L. Robinson ’77 retired from Mars Hill University in May after 10 years on the faculty. He led his final concert as band director April 20. Prior to 2007, he taught for 30 years in the state’s public schools, including 25 years at Asheville High School.

1980s Dr. James Douthit ’83, has been named dean of the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University. He comes to ASU from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY, where he was associate vice president for academic affairs.

1990s James “Jim” Lewis ’91, assistant principal of Owen High School, has been named Assistant Principal of the Year by the NC Association of Educators. Lewis is in his seventh year as assistant principal at Owen.

2000s Andrew Shelton ’07 has been hired as director of bands and instructor of music at Mars Hill University. He fills the open position left by the retirement of longtime band director Mike Robinson. Shelton did his graduate studies at the New England Conservatory and Columbus State University. He comes to his alma mater from North Buncombe High School in Weaverville, NC, where he has served as band director since 2012.

2010s Cathryn J-C Hughes ’10 earned her doctorate in educational leadership (EdD) from East Tennessee State University in May. Dr. Hughes has been an 28 Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017

educator with Yancey County Schools since 2011 and serves as the itinerant ESL teacher in the county’s high school and middle schools.

Joseph Kee ’10 began a new job as Siler City (NC) Parks and Recreation Director in February 2017.

Since 2010, Keel has worked as the Recreation Athletic Coordinator for the Town of Aberdeen, NC. Neil Coates ’14 married Emily Dean on September 10, 2016 in Broyhill Chapel. The couple lives in Atlanta, GA, where Neil is an IT systems analyst for Printpack Corporation.

Kelsey Lanae Hiatt ’16 (MEd) married Bradford Perley on June 17, 2017 at the Porter Center on the campus of Brevard College in Brevard, NC. Carl Mattox ’17 has received the Foundation of the Carolinas - Carolina Panthers Stadium Corporation Graduate Scholarship. Maddox has just completed his undergraduate degree in business administration and is now enrolled in the university’s master of management program.

Faculty Dr. Harley Jolley, retired professor of history, was inducted into the Caldwell County Hall of Honor in April 2017. Jolley grew up in Caldwell County before coming to Mars Hill to serve as a history professor. In addition to his teaching position, Jolley is a veteran of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a Pearl Harbor survivor, a retired seasonal interpretive ranger for the National Park Service, and the author of several books.

Cassandra Rising ’09 has recently taken a position with the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina recruiting foster parents for what she describes as a “nationwide growing foster care crisis.” Currently in North Carolina there are over 11,100 children in foster care, which is an all-time high. This number has grown at a rate of 28% in the last five years alone.

Readers who are interested in learning more about foster care opportunities in North Carolina may contact Cassandra at crising@chsnc.org.

In Memoriam 1930s

Priscilla Horence Pendleton Mast ’35, Morganton, NC, February 15, 2017 Robert Dorsey Womble ’38, Dunn, NC, March 26, 2017

Gene Theodore Davis ’45, Shelby, NC, January 22, 2017 Edgar Bryan Morton ’45, Proctorville, NC, March 13, 2017 Hazel Lee Swann ’45, Cary, NC, June 22, 2017

Herbert Jay Brendle ’39, Yadkinville, NC, January 27, 2016

Oral Gentry Allen ’46, Knightdale, NC, December 22, 2016

Hazel Ruth Bell Kuszmaul ’39, Homer, AK, March 15, 2017

William Halton Loftin ’47, Lakeland, FL, July 7, 2016

James Stedman Mitchell ’39, Sylva, NC, June 17, 2017

Bonnie Jean Moore McGuffin ’47, Columbia, SC, March 31, 2017

1940s Emily Katherine Perkinson Lyda ’40, Milledgeville, GA, January 30, 2017 Robert Hughes Hudgins ’40, Statesville, NC, June 9, 2017 Madlyn Lora Bailey ’41, Burnsville, NC, March 22, 2017 Annie Rose Carter Hobbs ’41, Bunnlevel, NC, November 30, 2016 E. Barbara Thomas Causey ’42, Sanford, NC, February 9, 2017 Robert Franklin Clodfelter ’43, Winston-Salem, NC, March 23, 2017 William Francis Morgan ’43, Winston-Salem, NC, May 31, 2017 Ralph Henderson Langley ’43, Huntsville, AL, January 13, 2017 Joseph Clarence Edwards ’43, Roanoke Rapids, NC, February 3, 2017 Dorothy Nadine Paxton Rankin ’44, Fincastle, VA, July 7, 2016 Hugh Aldean Snow ’44, Winston-Salem, NC, May 3, 2017 Jeanne Claire Wall Cole ’44, Mooresboro NC, June 7, 2017 Foster Thomas Givins ’44, Spartanburg, SC, February 10, 2017

William Douglas Davis ’47, Cullowhee, NC, April 14, 2017 Sue Rachel Berry Huffman ’47, Hickory, NC, June 3, 2017 Lilly Anne Graham Raynes ’47, Mt. Pleasant, SC, May 28, 2017 Max Montgomery Howie, Sr ’47, Charlotte, NC, June 1, 2017 Nellie Barbara Zoellner Gomez ’47, Springfield, MO, January 15, 2017 Glen Charles Fincannon ’48, Wilmington, NC, March 1, 2017 Grace Elizabeth Pringle Pemble ’48, Leesburg, FL, February 7, 2017 William Thomas Padgett ’48, Palmetto, GA, February 17, 2017 Robert Ross Blackwell ’48, Blanch, NC, April 27, 2017 Edwin Desso Creech ’48, Laurinburg, NC, February 12, 2017 Imogene Eakes Currin ’49, Oxford, NC, February 13, 2017 Mary Jeanette Franklin Randall ’49, Hickory, NC, February 28, 2017 Jack Alvern Painter ’49, Raleigh, NC, March 21, 2017 Helen Townsend Pate Parks ’49, Durham, NC, March 20, 2017 Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 29

In Memoriam

Anne Cosby Hanback Coleman ’49, Richmond, VA, May 26, 2017 Betty Jean Sluder Waters ’49, Lenoir, NC, June 14, 2017 Imogene Smart Kirk ’49, Wendell, NC, June 14, 2017 Luther Derieux Dunn ’49, Willow St, PA, August 13, 2016 Helen Elizabeth Lewis Raynes ’49, Greensboro, NC, April 23, 2017 1950s

May 28, 2017 Jane Elizabeth Cook Corn ’54, Laurens, SC, June 23, 2017 Herbert Wayland Baucom ’55, Silver Spring, MD, June 6, 2016 Robert Ashmore Hughes ’55, Greenville, SC, March 11, 2016 Thurston Davis Carroll ’55, Charlotte, NC, January 19, 2017 Harry Edward Johnson ’55, Oak Ridge, TN, December 18, 2016

Betty Jane Harper Christenbury ’50, Gastonia, NC, February 18, 2017

James Carswell Hinson ’56, Pensacola, FL, April 6, 2015

Charlotte Janet Smith ’51, Granite Falls, NC, February 20, 2017

Walter Larry Brown ’56, Chattanooga, TN, January 29, 2017

Cecil Ashcraft Knight ’51, Raleigh, NC, April 3, 2017

John David Heafner Sr. ’57, Mocksville, NC, January 31, 2016

Linley Henry Gibbs, Jr. ’51, Burlington, NC, April 28, 2017 Jacqueline Bowers Harward ’51, Norwalk, OH, January 5, 2017 John Leslie Humber ’52, Raleigh, NC, February 25, 2017 Kenneth Chester Anders, Jr. ’52, Greenwood, SC, March 20, 2017 David Andrews Lloyd ’52, Vienna, VA, March 24, 2017 Asa Moye Manning ’52, Raleigh, NC, May 18, 2017 Erwin Rae Potts ’52, El Dorado Hills, CA, May 18, 2017 Thomas Edgar Hartis ’53, Kannapolis, NC, January 13, 2017 Barbara Louise Capps Kisselburg ’53, Boiling Springs, NC, January 26, 2016 Douglas Wayne Cooper ’54, Greer, SC, March 15, 2017 Dexter Lynell Conner ’54, Scottsdale, AZ, October 26, 2016 Stephen Everett Davenport ’54, China Grove, NC, 30 Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017

Lorene Poteat Barnhardt ’57, Lake Park, NC, February 19, 2017 Marilyn Lee Malone Gordon ’58, Morganton, NC, February 10, 2017 Margaret Elizabeth Parker Ward ’58, Arden, NC, February 8, 2016 John Arthur Clark ’58, South Burlington, VT, December 6, 2016 Clara June Hughes Talley ’58, Matthews, NC, November 6, 2016 Rachel Ann Miller Palmer ’58, Lilburn, GA, October 4, 2016 Richard Hudson Vance ’59, Pineola, NC, March 27, 2017 Virginia Louise Lewis Bishop ’59, Candler, NC, February 20, 2017 1960s Verna Nora Dryden Asplen ’60, Cambridge, MD, January 30, 2017 Ernest Nelson Causby ’61, Morganton, NC, April 2, 2017

In Memoriam

Marcia Ann Dearing ’62, Bowling Green, KY, August 14, 2016

John Michael Dickson ’74, Hendersonville, NC, May 31, 2017

Jackie Burns Whitt ’62, Newtonsville, OH, January 6, 2017

Carolyn Hudgins Palmer ’75, Swannanoa, NC, April 20, 2017

Judith Faye Pearce ’62, Wake Forest, NC, February 17, 2017

Patricia Elaine Genes ’76, Sevierville, TN, April 26, 2016

William Christopher Maddry ’62, North Wilkesboro, NC, February 11, 2017

Mark Alan Davis ’77, Everett, WA, March 10, 2017

Billy Kay Pate Mobley ’63, Hendersonville, NC, March 4, 2017 Marilyn Hinson ’63, Kershaw, SC, June 3, 2017 Walter Jones McLendon Jr. ’64, Beaufort, SC, February 27, 2017 Stephen Doughty Bitter ’64, Asheville, NC, February 6, 2017 Julia Ruth Teeter Cox ’64, Asheville, NC, February 22, 2017 Robert Speers Leonard ’66, Anaconda, MT, March 6, 2017 Rebecca Ann Hinkle ’67, Salisbury, NC, February 22, 2017 James Thomas Wylie ’67, Easley, SC, July 7, 2016 John Michael McIntosh ’68, Stanley, NC, May 21, 2017 Eugene Johnston Irvin ’69, Concord, NC, May 10, 2017 1970s JoAnne Rouse ’70, Lafayette, CA, March 26, 2017 William Everett Collier ’71, Harrison, TN, May 19, 2017 Thomas Michael Keever ’72, Raleigh, NC, March 11, 2017

Elbert Lee Henderson ’78, Easley, SC, February 20, 2017 Charles Ray Wellmaker ’79, Vero Beach, FL, February 6, 2017 1980s James Henry McCombs ’80, Morganton, NC, March 25, 2017 Rev. Mark Steven Denton ’80, Morganton, NC, June 12, 2017 Paul Travis ’84, Greenville, NC, February 18, 2017 Michael Nelson Austin ’85, Greensboro, NC, February 9, 2017 1990s Joseph Ray Simmons, Jr. ’90, Winston-Salem, NC, January 28, 2017 Michael James Willis ’94, Bakersville, NC, May 15, 2017 2000s Richard William Lowrance ’04, Hollis, NH, November 5, 2016 Faculty H. Page Lee, retired professor of religion, Mars Hill, NC, May 18, 2017

Mary Meglone Woodward ’73, Huntersville, NC, May 21, 2017 David Richard Corbin, Jr. ’73, Russellville, KY, September 27, 2016 Cynthia Stewart Chance Rosenberg ’74, Raleigh, NC, February 18, 2017

Dr. Page Lee, from The Laurel, 1983

Mars Hill, the Magazine | Fall 2017 31

PO Box 370 Mars Hill, NC, 28754

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