Class Notes

ClassNotes

’60s | DON WRIGHT ’61 was honored in March by the Ector County ISD with the naming of the Don Wright Field Event Venue at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas. Don was a member of the track team while at McMurry.

CARLTON

VILLERS ’63 and Sally Finch Villers ’65 were honored as McMurry’s 2016 recipients of the Cross and Flame award for the Northwest Texas Conference. The Villers accepted their award the Sunday after Homecoming at Aldersgate UMC in Abilene.

’70s | PEGGE

PRICE BRENEMAN

EX ’72, who went on to graduate from Texas Tech University in 1973, recently retired from Hollis + Miller Architects, located in Overland Park, KS and Lee’s Summit, MO (both in the Kansas City Metro Area). Breneman was hired in 1984 as the first interior designer for the firm, which was established in 1950. Pegge developed and grew the interior’s department over the past 32 years. She is an accredited professional interior designer, associated with NCIDQ and a member of IIDA (International Interior Design Association). Emphasis of the firm’s work is in the K- 12 Educational, Higher Education, Government and Commercial markets. Pegge is now retained as a consultant to Hollis + Miller Architects. Her husband is Jim Breneman, an architect in the Kansas City area.

’00s | BRENDA BREEDEN ’00 was recently selected to serve a four-year term on the Program Advisory Group of the national United Methodist Women’s organization. The 63-member group includes a representative from every conference in the church nationwide. Breeden represents the Northwest Texas Conference. She is a 30-year member of St. James UMC in Abilene and has been active in local and regional church activities for years. Congratulations on your position, Brenda! ’01s |

ALANA WILSON JETER

’01, McMurry Director of Annual Giving, enjoys the calm after Homecoming weekend in front of the Gamma Sigma tipi with her children Ben and Zoe – Ala Cumba!

CAMMIE PETREE ’83 is this year’s recipient of the McMurry Alumni Association’s Heartbeat of Campus staff service award. Coach Petree accepted the award at Homecoming – congratulations, Coach!

’05s |

JENNIFER VODAK JULIAN

’05 and her husband Daniel welcomed their 3rd daughter, Norah, on 8/29/16. Congratulations on your new addition!

’08s | SARAH

DRISKELL

’08 attended Homecoming 2016 with daughter Violet, who is sure to be a Future War Hawk!

’09s | RYAN DAVIS ’09 accepted the position of Director of Student Life at Santa Fe University of Art and Design in July. Congratulations on the new position, Ryan!

’13s | KENNA CORNELIUS ’13 married Jonathan Rummel this summer. Several McMurry alumni were present for the event – congratulations Kenna and Jonathan! MELODY STONE ’13 just returned to the United States after teaching for 2.5 years in Sendai, Japan. She taught English as a Second Language to 4 year olds at MeySen Academy, a private Christian school, and had learned about the opportunity through a connection at McMurry. “God truly had an amazing plan for me in Japan, “Melody explained, “I made a difference in these kids’ lives and they made a tremendous impact in mine! I will forever be a better person because of my experiences in Japan.” Melody is now back in Texas, teaching third grade in Midland. ’14s | MARCUS ROMERO ’14 was named the new Taylor County Veterans Services Officer.

’15s | VIVIAN VAN ZANDT-CURTIS ’15 is pictured at her wedding this summer with Delta Beta Epsilon alumnae and former Keymen. Congratulations Vivian!

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Jonathon Kimbrell ’04, graduated from McMurry University with a bachelor of fine arts degree and a drive to become a full-time artist.

With a pop art style inspired by popular 20th Century culture and music, Kimbrell is a painter, screen printer, graphic designer, photographer, and record label owner in Dallas, Texas.

“It’s exciting and scary all at the same time to see how fast time flies and where I’m at today,” Kimbrell said. “What I’ve truly learned since college is that you can’t have expectations in any kind of career, because there are so many different things that will fly at you from all directions. This becomes inspiration and opportunities so you just have to be open and flexible. Be a chameleon.”

Following graduation, Kimbrell opened his first studio “Napkin Art Studio,” that morphed into what is now “Jonathon Kimbrell Creative” with services including graphic design, logo design, branding, and fine arts. Kimbrell’s work can be found at JonathonKimbrellCreative.com and according to Kimbrell, most everything he does is inspired by his love for music.

It was only fitting that Kimbrell took his rivaling passion for music and his hobby of collecting vinyl to become the founder and co-owner of Classic Waxxx Records, an independent label that produces both new music on vinyl and preserves classics.

Kimbrell’s passion for visual arts and music blossomed while an undergraduate student at McMurry, where he was active in the student radio show, photography, painting, and a contributing scenic designer for the theatre department.

“Charles Hukill from McMurry’s theatre department was the one who really ignited a passion in me to be a painter after graduation,” explained Kimbrell. “He gave me creative freedom and encouragement, and helped me realize what I probably wouldn’t have on my own. Plus, he’s a music junkie like myself.”

Kimbrell says the one-on-one instruction he received in his education at McMurry benefited him in his career and urged him to “take the ball and run with it.”

“You’re not a name on a roll sheet when you’re at McMurry,” Kimbrell said. “You’re encouraged to ask questions and approach your professors. That McMurry culture of being warm and inviting, I wouldn’t have traded that for the world.”

Kimbrell says the one-on-one instruction he received in his education at McMurry benefited him in his career and urged him to “take the ball and run with it.”