Class Notes

Linda Wells McDaniel ‘85 is celebrating the publishing of her first children’s book, One Mother’s Prayer. The book is based on a true story between her son, Jonathan, and herself, and it is available for purchase online at major book retailers worldwide. 

Danielle Rogers ‘21 and Salem Kirkland ‘22 are celebrating their engagement! The McMurry alumni family wishes them a lifetime of happiness ahead.

Sara Botello Benavidez ‘82 recently welcomed her first grandchild, Brooks Manuel Leonard, into the world. Brooks is the son of Benavidez’s youngest son, David, and his wife, Brooke.

Congratulations to Miranda Priddy Shackelford ‘13, who received her MBA from Southwestern College in May!  Dorian Block ‘15 was selected as one of a cohort of three for OPERA America’s 20222023 Mentorship Program for Opera Leaders of Color, where he will work to hone his skills in leadership and progressing intersectional diversity in opera.

After 20 years in education, Emily Jurecek Hill ‘01 has hung up her dry-erase markers and started a business with her fiancé called J&E Horse Hauling L.L.C.

Bryan Hollis ‘84 has been living in Kentucky since 2007 and has worked at a plastic auto parts factory since 2013. He loves living in the Bluegrass State!

After teaching at the elementaryschool level for 19 years in Abilene and Merkel ISDs, Laura Beard King ’99 has recently taken the position of executive director of Young Audiences of Abilene, Arts for Learning under the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council. Young Audiences provides arts education opportunities to young students to inspire their learning through the arts.

Amanda Findley Hunter ‘98 has been selected for Midland ISD’s Aspiring Principals Academy for the 20222023 school year. Congratulations, Amanda! Erica English ‘09, a McMurry volleyball alumna, will soon be known as Erica Barney when she marries her fiancé, Carlton Barney, on January 15, 2023. Carlton proposed on September 25, 2022, a few months before Erica received a promotion at work. She is now an outpatient supervisor for the Ambulatory Treatment Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center. 

Becky Goodwin Snyder ’84 retired in May 2021 after 34 years in education, 21 as a school librarian. She recently moved to La Grange, after 33 years in Galveston County, Texas.

Dr. Andrea Pobanz ‘00 was recently appointed as organist at Saint Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin, Texas. Saint Mary is the cathedral parish of the Catholic Diocese of Austin and serves 127 parishes in 25 counties in Central Texas. Along with playing for services, Dr. Pobanz will also accompany the Schola Cantorum, an ensemble of approximately 35 professional and volunteer singers. She is excited to take the bench and be part of the rich musical history at the cathedral.

Suzanne Paylor Miller ‘02 and Steven Miller ‘00 just celebrated their one-year anniversary. They wed in November of 2021 in Benbrook, Texas, and reside in Haslet, Texas. Steven is a project manager for Lockheed Martin, and Suzanne teaches health science at Northwest High School.

Francesca Macariola Carlton ‘19 has been living a simple but fun life since she graduated. She is married with two children — a boy and a girl. She works from home and recently received a promotion. Her family does community service with friends from Girl Scouts and sells popcorn with friends through Cub Scouts.

On September 9, 2022, Traya Joiner Brownfield ‘20 married Leo Brownfield IV ‘20, a football transfer from East Texas Baptist University who played his last year as a War Hawk in 2019. 

Joaquin Rueda V ‘95 was promoted to officer In charge of the Houston Quarantine Station in September. He is based out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where his area of responsibility is the Texas coast and the state of Louisiana. Robyn Remschel Grosch ‘18 recently married and moved to San Antonio, Texas, to work with Comal ISD as a general education assistant at Rahe Bulverde Elementary School.

After 44 years, Brian Truncali ‘82 has returned to his hometown of Bridge City in beautiful Southeast Texas to help his second brother (out of five) watch over their 89-year-old mother and open Truncali Law, P.C., a relaxed practice focusing on family and education law. He closed on his new house in November.

Shannon ex ’89 and Robert Duke Marshall ’92 are glad to be back in Abilene after living in the Panhandle region of Texas for 23 years! Shannon and Robert have two beautiful daughters, Katelyn (and husband, Jacob) and Kyleigh (and boyfriend, Jake), and two awesome grandchildren, Elijah and Riyah. Shannon is the principal at Thomas Elementary School, and Robert is the President and CEO of Hendrick Home for Children — both in Abilene.

Dr. John Chapman III ‘96, previously the superintendent for the CarroltonFarmers Branch ISD in North Texas, was chosen to be superintendent at Comal ISD. Congratulations to McMurry alumna and professor Dr. Jori Sechrist ’01, who has been elected as the 2025 president of the Southwestern Sociological Association. Her four-year term begins with her serving as vice president and then president-elect of the organization.

Crista Hill ‘03 started a new role as director of veteran and military affairs at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in July.

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