Your name: Fred Knox Reynolds III Your home: Moody, Alabama Your hometown: Birmingham, Alabama Profession: Retired from Eastern Airlines, Inc.; former owner of Mr. K’s, Inc. What is your secret for success? In a word, tenacity. Almost all problems have a
solution – it seems to me that the key to finding it is having the strength of will to pursue that solution until it is found. What is the best advice you have received? Take advantage of completing as much education as possible and spend considerable time with things that matter most – family and friends. How did Montevallo affect your career path? Montevallo gave me a wonderful lib-
eral arts education which enabled me to secure my job with Eastern Airlines which was a most enjoyable and successful career for 25 years. Favorite Montevallo memory: Several favorites: friendships (especially those all-night
dorm room confabs); a leading role in a winning Purple College Night production; and last, but not least, I found a Montevallo girl who became my wife over 50 years ago. Tell us about your family and its connection to the University of Montevallo: Of
course the connection starts with my great-grandfather, Capt. Henry Clay Reynolds, who was one of the founders and first President of the college. Several of his offspring stayed and made Montevallo their home. I have many fond memories visiting with them as a child in Capt. Reynolds old home (running up and down the steep winding stairs that led to a cupola overlooking main street and the Baptist church.) Everyone in the family was very proud to have that special connection to the college. Now, over a hundred years later, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Capt. Reynolds, Rachel Reynolds, is a student at the University of Montevallo. Naturally, her grandmother and I were thrilled that our only granddaughter chose our alma mater as the place to continue her education. As a descendant of one of the founders of the University of Montevallo, do you feel a special “ownership” of UM? Certainly being in such a position gives one a sense
of connection that few other alumni have. There is not only a feeling of pride in knowing that the Reynolds name is so well known and respected on the campus of the University but also a sense of responsibility to carry on the legacy of excellence created by my great-grandfather and the other founders. Some people believe that Capt. Reynolds still walks the halls in the building that bears his name. Do you agree? And if so, why do you suppose he does this? It certainly makes for a good story, doesn’t it? Who knows, maybe he really does. If so, I would like to think it’s because he still cares deeply about this thing that meant so much to him while he was alive. Being a part of something from its inception that ultimately becomes as important and positive a contributor to the lives of people of this state and beyond as the University of Montevallo has, would have to be a tremendously gratifying experience. On the other hand, maybe it’s to get away from the spirits of his three wives! (Just kidding). What do you suppose Capt. Reynolds would think (today) about the school he helped to establish? Aside from marveling at the changes brought on by more than a century’s worth of progress in science and technology, I believe he would be quite pleased with the current state of the University. I believe the same qualities that attract new students today—dedication of the faculty, small class sizes, a feeling of community, and the ability of the campus itself to project a traditional college “feel”—would provide him with a sense of pride and satisfaction.
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