Montevallo Today Winter 2013

President’s Message Dear Montevallo family, As we look around campus at the progress being made – from the promenade to Montevallo on Main, from pavilions added at the University lake to significant improvements at the library – how fitting is it that this year’s Homecoming theme is “Proud Past – Bright Future”? Montevallo is steeped in rich traditions that have laid a strong foundation upon which to build. As we move forward, the role of supportive alumni is more important than ever to assist in the success of current and future projects.

It is my pleasure to introduce Tracy Payne-Rockco as the person who will assist in carrying the message of Montevallo’s progress to our alumni in her new role as Director of Alumni Affairs. Her main responsibility will be to actively engage alumni and build relationships, which should be an easy task, since she has been a part of the Montevallo family since 1986.

Over the years, Tracy has had close ties to the University in several roles – student, staff member, administrator and alumna. She never passes up an opportunity to extol the benefits of the University of Montevallo, so the duties of her new position will come naturally.

As an example of engaging alumni in relationships with current students, Tracy will be assisting the Career Development Center with the newly developed alumni mentoring program, designed to complement the increased focus on internships for students. Tracy will be calling on your expertise and guidance, as well as your generosity, to help make this program a success.

Tracy is also working directly with other offices on campus, specifically both undergraduate and graduate admissions outreach, to strengthen the connection between alumni and the University. Our alumni are a vital resource in spreading the word to prospective students about the quality education and unique experiences enjoyed at Montevallo.

Please join me in welcoming Tracy to her new position. She is eager to hear the ideas our alumni have for building upon the foundation that has already been set in place. I know she will work diligently to keep the “Montevallo charm” alive and well, particularly as plans for Homecoming continue to unfold and the campus is abuzz with the sounds of “What’s it gonna be?!”

We hope to see you in February as we celebrate our proud past and embrace our bright future.

Best wishes,

MONTEVALLO TODAY Vol. CII, No. 1 Winter 2013 Montevallo Today (ISSN 1052-3634) is published three times a year by the University of Montevallo, Alumni Relations/University Relations, Reynolds Hall, Highland St., Montevallo, AL 35115. Periodicals postage paid at Montevallo, AL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, send address changes to Montevallo Today, Station 6215, P.O. Box 6000, Montevallo, AL 35115. Text, photographs and graphic images included in this publication may not be reproduced without written permission from the editor. The University of Montevallo does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or in the provision of services.

Montevallo Today

University of Montevallo alumni magazine EDITOR

Tiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00 bunttr@montevallo.edu

ASSOCIATE EDITOR & CLASS NOTES EDITOR Marsha Littleton littletonm@montevallo.edu

COPY EDITOR

Diane Kennedy-Jackson kennedyd@montevallo.edu

ALUMNI EDITOR

Tracy Payne-Rockco ’94, M.Ed. ’98 paynet@montevallo.edu

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Matt Orton, Brittany Headley ’14, Ashlynn Postell ’13, Tracy Payne-Rockco ’94, M.Ed. ’98

DESIGNERS

Tiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00, John Nicholson ’11, Hannah Stein ’14

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Brenda Aldridge

CONTRIBUTORS

Courtney Bennett ’11, James Bessette MBA ’12, Hollie C. Cost, Wesley Hallman, Cynthia Tidwell ’94

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION UMNAA President—Jim Methvin ’73 President-Elect—Michael Malone ’69 Past President/Parliamentarian Kit Waters ’78 Alumni Council Representative Ray Jones ’60 Admissions Representative Greg Embry ’96 Faculty Representative Carolyn Miller-Kirby SGA President Ashley Lowe ’13 UMNAA Vice Presidents Barbara Bonfield ’58, Cynthia Cephus ’88, Sandi Falkenhagen ’68, Wadia B. Josof ’79, Larry Peevy ’67, Laurl Self ’94, Keith Shoemaker ’98 Members at Large Jeffery J. Adams ’85, Matthew Arnold ’93, Glenda L. Bland ’89, Barbara J. Bradford ’56, Vera S. Cox ’56, Anne Caley Hamilton ’64, Claudia Sue Harrell ’73, Toni Leo ’80, Andy Meginniss ’68, Jalete J. Nelms ’90, Megan E. Randolph ’06, J. Corey Stewart ’03, David W. Thomas ’97, Warwick M. Woodall ’82 Ex-Officio John W. Stewart III Tracy Payne-Rockco ’94, M.Ed. ’98 Patrick McDonald ’01

In this Issue

page 6

On the cover

Tracy Payne-Rockco ’94, M.Ed. ’98 assumes the mantle of Director of Alumni Affairs at Montevallo. A familiar face on campus, she earned two degrees from UM and has been a staff member since 1999. Her previous endeavors have been with the Upward Bound and McNair Scholars programs. Tracy says she is looking forward to working with Montevallo alumni and getting to know those who hold Montevallo close to their hearts.

PHOTO: MATT ORTON

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Founders’ Day

Montevallo celebrated its oldest tradition October 11 while honoring award recipients from all across campus. Pictured above left are Jim Methvin ’73, president of the National Alumni Association, and Jeffrey Purvis ’02, recipient of the Alumnus Loyalty Award.

12 Condrey travels the world

page 12 page 22

Steve Condrey ’78 shares his views on success and his continuing support of the University of Montevallo. His current projects range from training Pakistani government workers to support of the gardens, named in honor of his parents, at the James Wylie Shepherd Observatory.

22 Alumni accountants share insight

This issue’s spotlight shines on alumni who hold degrees in accounting and on the variety of jobs they perform. Pictured at left is Darlene Wilson ’11, senior manager accountant and owner of RAM Tax Co.

Departments 5 Guest Essay

12 Montevallo Profile

6 Campus News

14 Class Notes

10 Sports

20 Alumni Activities

Introducing

vallo opoly Vallo Opoly is a UM-themed board game celebrating the University of Montevallo, created by UM’s Game Studies and Design program.

Order yours online today! www.montevallo.edu/games/ValloOpoly.shtm

Tracy Payne-Rockco named new UM Alumni Director

Montevallo recently welcomed Tracy Payne-Rockco to the office of Director of Alumni Affairs. A well-known face on the UM campus, she has been a member of the staff since 1999.

Tracy’s experience with Montevallo began in 1986 when she came to the University as a high school junior, one of the first participants in the fledgling Upward Bound program. She received the B.S. in sociology and the M.Ed. in counseling, both from UM, and later earned the Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama.

As a non-traditional student with a family, Tracy introduced her sons to Montevallo at an early age. They frequently accompanied her to the campus while she studied or worked in a lab.

She says, “My boys have reminded me on many occasions that they have been

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Montevallo Today

places on campus that even I have not – a fact they are quite proud of.”

Tracy worked in the Upward Bound office while she was a student, and that set the stage for her future career at Montevallo. She rose to the position of student development coordinator of Upward Bound, stepping down in 2003 to become the first project director of the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program at UM. Along the way, Tracy also served as the initial director of Montevallo’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, planning and supervising the delivery of the program.

She coordinated the activities of the participants as well as their attendance at national conferences.

She served on the UMNAA board of directors for four years and as vice

president for clubs for two years.

Tracy recently married Steve Rockco, a native of Montevallo and a local businessman. (See Class Notes – Weddings) She says she has learned a good bit from Steve about the city outside the UM gates and appreciates the addition of that quality to her new career path.

“I am very excited to be taking this new journey in my professional career, and also in my personal life, because for me, they are one in the same,” Tracy says. “I look forward to working with the Alumni Association and getting to know those loyal alumni who still hold Montevallo and its rich heritage near and dear, as I do. I also look forward to working with a leader like Dr. Stewart and the UM administration who are looking ahead to all Montevallo can and will be for future generations…it is exciting indeed!”

|Guest Essay|

A stroll across campus – a stroll across time

BY TRACY PAYNE-ROCKCO

Proud Past…Bright Future. That is the theme for this year’s Homecoming. I couldn’t be more excited because that perfectly sums up why I love Montevallo. Since campus buildings will be used as a design element to illustrate where we have been and where we are going as an institution, I thought that would be a great way to share my journey at UM as I embrace my new position as the director of alumni affairs.

Peterson Hall: The first time I stepped onto the University of Montevallo campus as a student in 1986 was at Peterson Hall, where the new and life-altering Upward Bound program was housed. I was a first-generation college student from a rural high school as well as a member of the inaugural class of Upward Bound students at UM. I was introduced to college life by Drs. Addie B. Crutcher and Cheri Flow, who guided me to become an independent thinker and encouraged me to make the decision that committed me to Montevallo in a most significant way.

Harman Hall: Here I developed my love of mathematics (hard to believe, I know!) and was challenged in a way that forced me to think analytically and critically. While my B.S. degree is in sociology and my M.Ed. is in counseling, I completed more than 50 credit hours in undergraduate- and graduatelevel mathematics. This building is also where my oldest son, Jeremy, spent more than a few nights on a couch in the computer lab while I attempted to figure out how on earth to pass a data structures class led by Dr. Gene Garza.

Farmer Hall: My first student worker position on campus was in Student Life in the Student Union building. It was also where a wise mentor told me I was not being sufficiently utilized sitting behind a student information desk and that I should go over to the Upward Bound office to seek a position there. That would begin my 20-year

association with TRiO programs, the association that was the driving force behind my attending graduate school and completing a doctorate in higher education administration. For the past nine years Farmer Hall was my “home away from home” while I served as director of the McNair Scholars program. The rewards of working with our McNair Scholars and my colleagues throughout the Southeast are too many to name here.

Jeter Hall: This is where I realized that, while I loved mathematics, sociology was the discipline that would lead me to my profession and my passion. I still appreciate that Dr. Stephen Parker showed me the world in a way I had never experienced and required me to think beyond the confines of my narrowly developed intellect at the time.

Palmer Hall: One of my most memorable experiences surrounding College Night as a student actually involves my son. We were invited by a friend who was in one of the productions, and during intermission, she found us and gave Jeremy, who was five at the time, a big kiss. He declared that he would never wash that cheek again!

Jeremy and I enjoyed College Night together for many more years.

Hanson and Tutwiler Halls: Since I was a non-traditional student with a family, I was not able to live on campus in the traditional sense. However, I served as hall director for Upward Bound for three summers, so I was able to have a bit of residential experience.

My youngest son, Alex, was 18 months old that first year, so I can say he literally grew up on the UM campus. Alex started at Montevallo as a freshman this year, so he will be making his own memories now.

John W. Stewart Student Retreat: On a personal note, since this is an introduction, I recently married Steve Rockco at the Student Retreat on the

UM campus. Because he has lived in Montevallo since he was a toddler and has business ties in the community, he knows people outside the gates of UM, while most of my experience is within. I so appreciate his adding this insight to my new career path that has led me to…

Reynolds Hall: Those who know me well will say that I am very analytical, factual, even skeptical, and not prone to “supernatural” experiences. However, after spending an afternoon in UM’s photo lab looking through hundreds of old photos and blueprints in preparation for Homecoming, I had a surreal moment. As I walked back to Reynolds Hall, I had an overwhelming sense that all the men and women who had walked that same path in front of Main over the years were walking with me.

As I approached Reynolds and turned to walk in, again I had an overwhelming feeling that they were lining the walkway and opening the doors for me.

Call it what you will, but I choose to believe they were welcoming me home!

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www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Campus News|

|Montevallo celebrates 116th anniversary|

Founders’ Day award recipients include, from left: Cynthia Tidwell ’94, Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award; Lois Reach Cooper, Outstanding Staff Service Award; Jeffrey Purvis ’02, Alumnus Loyalty Award; Brett Noerager, University Scholar; and Jill Wicknick, Faculty Service Award.

Montevallo celebrated its oldest tradition – Founders’ Day – on October 11 as Palmer Hall filled with university alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of the University who had come to commemorate 116 years of service to education in the State of Alabama.

With a nod to the leaders who originally established an institution of higher learning for women, Montevallo Mayor Ben McCrory, Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock and UM President John W. Stewart III each spoke about contributions made to the Montevallo Development Cooperative District (MDCD) by the three entities represented. The MDCD was the subject of the Founders’ Day theme, “Commitment to Shared Success.” These speakers recognized UM’s Founders’ Day as an appropriate occasion not only to honor the establishment of the University of Montevallo, but also to recognize the formation of a coalition to extend the benefits of the University, the city and the county to future students and citizens.

Each year at Founders’ Day, the

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University community recognizes an outstanding faculty member as University Scholar. This designation honors significant contributions to scholarship and creative endeavor – contributions reflected in the recipient’s teaching and service.

Assistant Professor of Biology Brett D. Noerager, a member of the faculty since 2007, was named the 2012 University Scholar. Noerager, an active member of the UM community, represents UM’s faculty on several committees. In addition, he advises Golden Key International Honour Society, the Biology Club and Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society.

A prolific researcher, Noerager has published five national peer-reviewed papers since his arrival at UM, one of which was published in the journal Science. This journal is foremost in the fields of both biology and chemistry and publishes only “cutting edge” research.

Jill Wicknick, associate professor of biology, is the recipient of the 2012 Faculty Service Award, presented by the Faculty Senate. The purpose of this award is to recognize a professor’s

dedication to the provision of service and his/her impact upon the University community. The recipient must have demonstrated exemplary service to the University at all levels.

Since joining the Montevallo faculty in 2003 as an assistant professor of biology, Wicknick has been an active force in support of service and environmental issues at the University and surrounding community. One of her first projects was revitalizing the recycling program at UM, influencing the City of Montevallo to do likewise. She has served as faculty adviser for the University’s Environmental Club since its inception in 2004 and was a key leader in the development of the Environmental Studies minor, which received approval in 2009.

A strong advocate of community service, Wicknick is a member of the Service Learning leadership team and is active in Montevallo Matters Day, a workday for incoming freshmen during orientation. She also serves on the executive committee of Montevallo Connection, an organization that promotes

Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock speaks at UM’s Founders’ Day convocation October 11. Dudchock, Montevallo Mayor Ben McCrory and UM President John W. Stewart III each spoke about the Montevallo Development Cooperative District, the partnership formed by the city, county and University.

interaction between University students and school children (Future Falcons) in the community.

The UM National Alumni Association presented Jeffrey Purvis with the Alumnus Loyalty Award. Purvis, who graduated with a B.S. degree in social work in 2002, held leadership positions in several honor societies and a social fraternity, served as a Montevallo Master and was Senior Elite in Social Work.

He was employed for a number of years with the Alabama Department of Human Resources, eventually becoming a director of a facility for boys, but when the family business, A.C. Legg, called, Purvis joined the company as a business analyst.

Today, Purvis serves as treasurer of the Junior Board of Directors of the National Alumni Association and supports the University, particularly the Social Work Program, with financial gifts.

One nominator wrote, “He contributes monthly donations to the Social Work Program, which directly supports (sic) student activities. Additionally, Mr. Purvis attends all of the alumni events hosted

by the Social Work Program and makes an effort to speak directly with students as a mentor, providing advice and encouragement. He has been doing this every year since his graduation in 2002.”

Recently, Purvis has taken on the role of unofficial mascot for UM’s athletic teams. Dressed in a purple bodysuit, he energizes the fans and cheers for the athletes.

The UM National Alumni Association named Cynthia P. Tidwell, a Montevallo alumna (class of ’94) and associate professor of chemistry, as the recipient of the Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award for 2012.

A member of the faculty at Montevallo since 2000, she is a co-coordinator of undergraduate research at UM, chairs the Admissions Committee and advises the Chemistry Club. One nominator wrote, “Cindy resurrected the Chemistry Club because she felt the need for students to connect with the department and each other. Under her leadership, the club has grown in size and service to the community.”

She has received many honors and fellowships including the University of Montevallo Committee on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR) Distinguished Faculty Mentor, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, McNair Faculty Mentor of Honor and was named “Favorite Faculty Member” by several UM athletic teams.

One of Tidwell’s students said, “It can be argued that the most important

tool she offers as an educator is her availability. In addition to frequent opendoor office hours, she was never hesitant to schedule individual or group study sessions for students.”

One nominator said, “Her enthusiasm and excitement in teaching increase students’ motivation in learning chemistry, providing a lively and enjoyable learning environment.”

Lois Reach Cooper, executive assistant to the president of the University, received the 2012 Outstanding Staff Service Award. A member of the UM family since 1983, Cooper has served in the Admissions Office, the Division of University Advancement and the President’s Office.

After 12 years in Admissions, Cooper became the assistant to the vice president of University Advancement. In that capacity, she not only managed the daily operations of that office, but also administered the activities of the UM Foundation Board.

In the words of one nominator, “During a crucial transition period while the Foundation searched for a new director, Lois was the go-to person for many of the decisions and transactions needed to keep the Foundation on solid footing.

Along with the Foundation Board chairman, Lois provided the consistency and knowledge that was necessary to move the activities of the board forward.”

When asked to characterize Cooper’s loyalty to the University, one nominator used a single word: “Unquestionable.”

Visitors view the poster exhibition for Montevallo’s Commitment to Shared Success.

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www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Campus News|

|Service Learning| The Office of Service Learning has enjoyed one of the busiest semesters in its existence. The Montevallo Chamber of Commerce became their newest officemate, new initiatives were born, and long-standing ones continued to flourish.

As UM students are learning about serving others, they are sharing those lessons with younger students in local middle and high schools, extending the reach of service learning far beyond the gates of the University.

A group of 30 Montevallo Middle School students from the Gifted Resource Class (GRC) gathered at the John W. Stewart Student Retreat recently for the inaugural David Mathews Center for Civic Life Students’ Institute, coordinated by the Mathews Center and UM’s Office of Service Learning. During the two-day institute, students deepened their understanding of what it means to be an engaged citizen. They focused on the community issue that concerns them most – retaining youth in Montevallo.

Members of a GRC English and literature class at MMS also learned about civic engagement. Pursuing an idea put forward by a UM sociology class,

Service Learning and MMS, they have collaborated to publish the first issue of the Prentice Village Voice newsletter.

The Voice spreads the word about the progress of revitalization in this neighborhood while providing the Blueprints mentor Andrew Mechum discusses students with an college options with MHS 9th graders. educational experience as well Other students involved in service projas a means to bring members of the ects included a group of biology students community together to bridge generawho helped city workers spread mulch tional gaps. in a local park and playground and the The Blueprints College Access brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha, who asInitiative, an early college awareness sisted with the annual golf cart mainteprogram, coordinated by Alabama Posnance at the Montevallo golf course. sible and UM Service Learning with The faculty and staff of the Office the guidance of AmeriCorps*VISTA of Service Learning are “practicing Courtney Bennett ’11, successfully what they preach” as they go into the completed five sessions with Montecommunity to promote the concept of vallo High School 9th graders this se“neighbors helping neighbors.” Hollie mester. Approximately 30 UM students Cost and Deborah Lowry, two memserved as “near peer” mentors to the bers of the Service Learning faculty, 9th grade class, covering topics such as along with Bennett, presented a prostudy habits and how gram on the revitalization projects to pay for college. in the Shoal Creek Prentice Village The program culmineighborhood. Bennett and Montevallo nated in a campus city councilwoman Dee Woodham visit to the University, co-hosted a workshop at Montevallo where the students High School encouraging students to experienced a college be civically engaged. class first-hand.

In the ultimate position of comThroughout the munity service, Hollie Cost, Service fall, more than 20 Learning Coordinator in the DepartFalcon Scholars in ment of Service Learning and CommuAction served at eight nity Engagement, was recently elected agencies including the mayor of Montevallo. In this role, Montevallo Boys and she will be able to take the “town and Montevallo High School students particiGirls Club, Safepating in Blueprints College Access Initiagown” concept to new heights. house and the Shelby tive, an early college awareness program County Arts Council. coordinated in part by UM Service Learning.

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Montevallo Today

|Undergraduate Research program prepares student Corey Duke for future career| Corey Duke, a senior psychology major with minors in chemistry, biology and philosophy, participated in the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program at the University of South Alabama this summer. He worked on an interdisciplinary project involving engineering, chemistry and biology. The project focused on the development of a potential biofuel that could be produced from bacteria and would help lower our dependence on petroleum-based fuels. His work on the project involved cultivating the bacteria that produce a molecule that could be used as a biofuel and finding and sequencing the genes involved in its production. His research group successfully cultured 81 types of bacteria and sequenced the genes likely involved in the production of this biofuel. This research is ongoing and looks quite promising.

Duke says that he still hasn’t fully processed how much he learned and took away from this summer program, even though it was several months ago. Every day, he says, is one more in which he realizes another way in which this experience has affected his life. “The challenge of it was my favorite part. I had to constantly be on my toes intellectually. It made me realize just how much I really have taken away from my education at Montevallo. I really enjoyed the hard work I put in and getting to be a part of something so cool,” he said. At times, it was an intense immersion into the world of research, as his days sometimes involved more than nine hours in the lab, then the processing of data and writing of what became a 24-page research paper during the evenings.

The National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in which Duke participated was very competitive, and only

Corey Duke prepares an experiment in a lab at the University of South Alabama while participating in the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates this summer.

nine other students from institutions all over the country were selected. “I knew that I would be with brilliant students from top-notch schools and wasn’t sure what to expect. It was so exciting to see that I was up there with them and to realize how much I did know. I feel it’s a huge testament to UM,” Duke says.

“I would definitely recommend trying to participate in a program like this one to any student considering research. It

was challenging, exciting and extremely rewarding. I grew and learned so much – I’m still realizing just how much I truly did.”

Duke worked in the labs of Dr. Sinéad M. Ní Chadhain, Dr. Kevin West and Dr. Jim Davis at South Alabama. He plans to attend medical school and hopefully specialize in either neurology or surgery following graduation from UM.

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www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Athletics|

|In sports...|

The UM men’s soccer team celebrates after winning the Peach Belt Conference tournament championship.

The athletes at Montevallo have had a busy autumn, both on and off the fields of play.

The men’s soccer team captured its fourth conference tournament title in school history with a win over USC Aiken in the Peach Belt Conference tourney. Montevallo claimed its second Peach Belt Conference tournament championship. The Falcons, who also won the tournament title in 2010, also own a pair of Gulf South Conference tournament championships.

The UM team, entering the tournament as the No. 2 seed, defeated No. 7 seed Clayton State University and No. 3 seed Flagler College before taking down No. 8 seed USC Aiken in the championship match.

After the game, Montevallo coach Ken Hassler said, “Everybody played with tremendous heart tonight. Our older guys have shown great leadership all year.”

Several players received individual recognition including freshman Pierre Omanga, who scored two goals in the title match and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Junior Gary O’Neill, who also scored a goal in the championship match, junior Brendan Ledgeway and senior Mike Rinzema joined Omanga on the All-

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Montevallo Today

Tournament team. Senior Shane Howard, as well as Ledgeway, Rinzema, Omanga and O’Neill were named to the All-Peach Belt Conference team.

In addition, goalkeeper Ledgeway was selected 2012 Daktronics NCAA Division II All-American honorable mention following the release of the organization’s All-American teams recently. Ledgeway is one of five goalkeepers nationally to earn this recognition, which is voted on by members of CoSIDA, the College Sports Information Directors of America.

The York, England, native capped a spectacular junior season by being named the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year. Ledgeway was also named first team All-Peach Belt Conference and first team Daktronics NCAA Division II All-Southeast Region following the season.

The Falcons earned their seventh bid (their third consecutive bid) to the NCAA Division II men’s soccer tournament in school history this season.

Montevallo ended its season with a 3-1 loss to Wingate University in the opening round of the Southeast Regional.

The women’s soccer team claimed the final spot in the Peach Belt Conference tournament after a 3-1 win over

visiting Young Harris College in its annual “Think Pink” match benefitting the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation. Montevallo advanced to the Peach Belt Conference tournament for the third time in four years since joining the conference in 2009.

Montevallo players took the field wearing their “Give cancer the boot” pink t-shirts. The team also recognized five special members of the Montevallo community who have been directly or indirectly impacted by breast cancer.

Coach Trish Hughes and the Lady Falcons wear pink to raise awareness for breast cancer

After the match, the Falcons welcomed their special guests and other members of the community to a “Think Pink” luncheon.

The Falcons’ four seniors, Alyssa Maxwell, Britt Gable, Katy Hutto and Nicola Stolworthy, were honored following the final regular season match.

“It’s exciting to be back in the playoffs,” said Montevallo coach Patricia Hughes, who guided the Falcons back to the Peach Belt Conference tournament following a one-year absence. “It was a great day all around.”

The Falcons ended their season with a 1-0 loss to Armstrong Atlantic State in the Peach Belt Conference tournament quarterfinals. Armstrong Atlantic State entered the match ranked No. 1 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II poll.

Just six months removed from playing in the NCAA Division II national championship game, the men’s basketball team was selected as the Peach Belt Conference preseason favorite for the first time in a poll of the conference’s head coaches.

The Falcons also earned a national ranking in two separate preseason NCAA Division II polls. Montevallo was ranked No. 11 in the initial National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II poll and were also ranked No. 16 in the preseason NCAA Division II Bulletin poll.

Montevallo prepared for the 20122013 season with a pair of exhibition games against NCAA Division I op-

ponents from the Big Ten Conference (Purdue) and the Southeastern Conference (Ole Miss).

The Falcons remained No. 21 in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II poll, released just before press time. Conference play began in mid-December.

Freshman women’s basketball player Jade Pennock became the first player in program history to earn a major Peach Belt Conference honor after being named the conference’s co-Freshman of the Year during the conference tournament awards banquet. Pennock was also named second team All-Peach Belt Conference following her freshman season.

University of Montevallo sophomore Taylor Beverly (pictured right) recently was named the Peach Belt Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the first time in her career, which also made her the Falcons’ first ever player to earn the weekly award since joining the conference in 2009.

“I am so proud of Taylor and thrilled for Montevallo women’s basketball,” said Montevallo coach Cindy Hilbrich. “This is a huge step in the right direction for our program!”

The sophomore continues to rank among the top scoring and rebounding leaders in the Peach Belt Conference.

The Falcons began Peach Belt Conference play in mid-December.

For the second year in a row, the University of Montevallo baseball team participated in the Light the Night Walk benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Falcons filled balloons, took tickets and helped with clean up and break down at The Summit in Birmingham.

Each year, in communities all across the United States and Canada, teams of families, friends, co-workers and local businesses and national corporations come together to raise funds during the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk events, bringing help and hope to people battling blood cancers.

Every Light The Night walker is encouraged to become a Champion For Cures by raising $100 or more to help fight blood cancer.

The event in Birmingham raised more than $250,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Proceeds from the Light The Night Walk help advance the organization’s mission of curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improving the quality of life of patients and their families. The mission is carried out through funding extensive research for treatments and cures, government advocacy, patient assistance programs, community outreach and education programs.

For more information on the Light The Night Walks, visit the organization’s website at www.lightthenight.org/al/

BSS Distinguished Alumni Award NOMINATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 31

Purpose:

Criteria/Eligibility:

To recognize an alumnus from the Dept. of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS) who has:

Nominee must have received an undergraduate degree from the University of Montevallo/ Alabama College with a major from the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

1. Excelled in his/her professional career; and/or 2. Demonstrated an exceptional contribution to his/her University or Department via personal or professional service; and/or 3. Demonstrated an exceptional contribution to his/ her community via personal or professional service.

Behavioral & Social Sciences

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For more information or to nominate, please visit: http://www.montevallo.edu/bss/ www.montevallo.edu/alumni

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Montevallo Today

|Montevallo Profile|

Steve Condrey Class of 1978, human resources consultant and world traveler

Tell us about your family: I’m married to Samantha Webb, professor of English at UM. Sam and I met in 2001 on a UM-sponsored trip to London and Paris and married in 2002. Meeting Samantha was the luckiest (and best) moment of my life. My mother, Virginia Evans Condrey (now deceased), graduated from UM in 1935, and afterwards worked in the Admission and Records Office during the 1930s. My father, Samuel Condrey, a Birmingham native, met my mother while she attended UM. I have a sister, Charlotte, who is a retired artist living in Montevallo, and a brother, Richard, who lives in Baton Rouge and is retired from LSU as a professor of marine biology.

What is your profession? I am president of a human resources consulting firm specializing in compensation systems for state and local governments as well as colleges and universities.

I also have a significant career of volunteer service. I was appointed by President Obama in 2010 as Chairman of the Federal Salary Council. The Council provides recommendations to the President’s Pay Agent on locality pay adjustments for the nation’s 1.8 million General Schedule employees. I travel to Washington several times a year for meetings of the Council.

I’m also President-Elect of the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA), and will become President of ASPA in March 2013. ASPA is the professional association for public administration scholars and practitioners with 9,000 members from more than 70

countries. I travel extensively for ASPA. During 2011 and 2012, I traveled across the U.S. and abroad to Australia, Korea, Italy, Macedonia, India and three times to China to represent ASPA and promote its mission of good governance.

Awards and honors: I was elected in 2012 to the National Academy of Public Administration. Election to the Academy is the highest professional honor in public administration.

Besides my appointment by President Obama and election as ASPA President, I was also named Hill Fellow by the University of Georgia in 2004, received an honorary doctorate from Uzhgorod National University (Ukraine) in 2008, and received the Pugliese Award for lifetime service from the Southeastern Conference for Public Administration in 2009.

Secret to success: If an opportunity presents itself, be sure to say “yes” if you think it may be a good one. And then be prepared to work hard and do a good job. You never know when working on one project may lead to an even better opportunity.

Best advice: “Treat others with respect” – from my mother. And, “Be a peacemaker” – from my long-time assistant and friend, Linda Seagraves. My best advice to young consultants working with me is to be a good listener – it is a real key to success and a skill most people have to develop.

What’s new? I am helping Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) explore the possibility of establishing a Center for Public Management Excel-

lence. The Center would provide training and development programs for government and NGO officials in Pakistan.

Eventually, the Center may offer the Master of Public Administration (MPA).

It is a great honor to be asked to help develop this Center, which will help to reform and further professionalize Pakistan government service.

Educational Foundation: I graduated from UM in 1978 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration. I received the MPA degree from the University of Tennessee in 1979 and the Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Georgia in 1990.

UM project involvement: I have been involved in supporting the James Wylie Shepherd Observatory at UM. My mother, Virginia Condrey ’35, was an avid gardener, and my father, Samuel Condrey, also an avid gardener, was an officer in the Merchant Marine during WWII, navigating ships around the world by the stars. My family is supporting the “Virginia and Samuel Condrey Gardens” at the Observatory. UM professors Michael Patton and Michael Sterner have secured a master plan for the garden from Jason Powell, owner of Petals from the Past, who generously donated his services.

Favorite Montevallo memory: Taking Professor Jack Hamilton’s Political Parties and Constitutional Law classes. Jack is, without a doubt, the best professor I’ve ever encountered. He has been my most significant mentor throughout my career.

|Class Notes| 1961 Robert Turner and his family have sold the property at the corner of Main and Boundary streets in Montevallo to the University.

Originally housing the Alabama Coach Co., the building most recently held a restaurant and ice cream parlor. Robert, who resides in Jacksonville, Fla., writes that he hopes the University and the city enjoy the property for many years to come.

1969 Rick Marshall and his wife, Judy Stephens Marshall ’68, M.A. ’89, reside in Montgomery where Rick has served as pastor of Eastern Hill Baptist Church since 1994. He recently gave the keynote address at the State Legislative Prayer Breakfast.

Judy has retired after a teaching career of 26 years, most recently at Clanton Elementary School in Chilton County. The Marshalls are enjoying their three children and six grandchildren.

1970 Edgar Torbert and his wife, Julia, reside in Tucker, Ga. Edgar has served as assistant to the provost at Georgia State University in Atlanta for 25 years.

1971 Charles Denham of Hernando, Fla., has had his third novel published. What the Heart Remembers was chosen as a finalist for the 2012 Golden Acorn Excellence in Writing contest, sponsored by Romance Writers of America.

Ann Steinhoff M.Ed. ’73 of Las Cruces, N.M., has retired after a 41-year career in education. She had taught in the Decatur, Ala., city schools for nine years, then in the Gadsden school district in New Mexico for 32 years. She is currently a part-time faculty member at Dona Ana Community College in Las Cruces.

1972 Pamela Robinson Callahan of Crestview, Fla., has retired from teaching in the Okaloosa County

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schools and is homeschooling her granddaughter.

(From left) Jan Chance, Becky Coffee Paradise and Don Chance, all from UM Class of 1972, along with Becky’s husband, Michael Paradise, recently enjoyed a reunion in Denver.

Jan Shewmake Chance and Becky Coffee Paradise, best friends and roommates for two years at UM, had lost touch with each other after graduation, but after 40 years, they found each other on Facebook.

They, along with their husbands, Don Chance ’72 and Michael Paradise, got together in Denver recently for a reunion. Jan spent 20 years in voluntary service to the Girl Scout Council of Virginia Skyline before relocating to Baton Rouge, La. Becky, a retired USAF lieutenant colonel, resides in Littleton, Colo.

1973 Tim Holcombe was recently re-elected to the Madison City Council in Madison, Ala. Tim and wife Sharon Lynch Holcombe ’77 recently celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary.

Their daughter, Rosalie Holcombe ’11, is employed with the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group in Birmingham.

1974 David Elwyn Bearden of Helena has been appointed to the Shelby County Commission to fill the seat previously held by his uncle, Joel Bearden Jr. The elder Bearden died two days after his re-election to the position in November.

Montevallo Today

George Steven Buckner M.Ed. ’78 of Flat Rock writes that he enjoys supervising interns for Athens State University’s College of Education and still has time to travel.

David Vest and his wife, Jan Gustavson Vest ’74, reside in Panama City, Fla., where David teaches GED classes at Bay Correctional Facility. Jan is a life coach working with adults with disabilities for ResCare of Florida.

1976 Sharon Anderson, a member of Montevallo’s City Council from 1986 to 2004 and Montevallo mayor from 2004 to 2008, was recently recognized as a Hometown Hero at the Mayor’s Breakfast at the American Village.

John Draper III M.Ed. ’84, Ed.S. ’94 has been named president of Cambridge Strategic Services, a national organization assisting school leaders in strategic planning. His office is in Reston, Va., near Washington, D.C., but he presents to school systems nationwide.

1977

Lynn Gurganus ’83, M.Ed. ’90 and his son, Gray, visited the Grand Canyon in October for a one-day rim-to-river and back hike.

Lynn is UM’s Director of Admissions emeritus.

1982 Donna Smith Landers of Teague, Texas, retired three years ago, but she writes that she missed the students so much that she went back to work part time as a substitute teacher and bus driver. Donna is active in her community, and she and her husband, Michael, are enjoying their grandchildren.

Palmer Griffin M.Ed. ’82, Ed.S. ’86 of Dalton, Ga., has retired after a 35-year career in teaching and school administration, most recently as assistant superintendent of operations in Dalton.

1983

Dorothy Fojt Moore M.A. of Guntersville was recently honored by the Girl Scouts of NorthCentral Alabama as a 2012 Woman of Distinction. The award recognizes women who have made special contributions to their community through civic, academic or professional involvement. Among other achievements, Dorothy founded The Whole Backstage Community Theatre of Guntersville 44 years ago.

1984

Jack Webb of Orlando, Fla., is enrolled at the University of Central Florida where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in legal studies.

Shearie Archer of Mobile recently was named the “Best Mobilian Right Now” for her work with not-for-profit organizations. She is the executive director of Ozanam Charitable Pharmacy, which assists persons with limited income in receiving free, life-sustaining medications.

Shearie also has served for five years as director of development and programs for the Bay Area Food Bank and is active in numerous other charitable organizations. Her daughter, Alexis Archer, is a student at UM.

1988 Lewis Brooks M.Ed. ’99, Ed.S. ’03 has been named assistant

superintendent of administration for the Shelby County Board of Education. Lewis has served public education in a variety of roles for 23 years, the past 18 years in Shelby County.

furniture. He will also serve a term on the board of directors of the AASSP. Bill has been assistant principal at Oak Mountain Middle School near Birmingham since 1998.

John Francis was recently promoted to associate professor of international management in the College of Business Administration at San Diego State University in California. He teaches MBA and undergaduate courses in business strategy and international management.

1995 Ann Guttery Brasher of Homewood is the project manager for the National Center for Sports Safety, a nonprofit organization founded to promote the importance of injury prevention and safety on all levels of youth sports through education and research.

1996

1992 Tammi Stewart Dahle M.Ed. ’95 has accepted the position of dean of students at UM. She will oversee operations in the division of student affairs. Tammy has served the University for 13 years, most recently as director of the Career Development Center and Counseling Services.

1994

Billy R. Herron ’96 and Chris Hagan ’94. Billy is the on-court emcee for the Pacers and Fever; Chris works with Fox 54 in Indianapolis.

Billy R. Herron of Ft. Wayne, Ind., has been named on-court emcee for the NBA Indiana Pacers and the WNBA Champion Indiana Fever.

1998

Greg DeJarnett has accepted a position with the Alabama State Department of Education. He will work with school systems having high suspension and expulsion rates to help lower those rates through positive behavior support. Greg had served as principal of Chilton County High School since 2008 and had worked in the Chilton County system for 19 years in a number of positions.

The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals has named Bill Sellers M.Ed. Alabama’s Assistant Principal of the Year. He will represent Alabama as the candidate for the National Assistant Principal of the Year program sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and Virco, a manufacturer of school

1999 Jeremy Arnold recently accepted the position of pharmacy manager at Rite-Aid in Oxford.

Jeremy and his wife, Rene Boyd Arnold, have three children.

Bryan Marcus is serving as the political officer at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo.

programs and general audiences numbering in the tens of thousands. They also worked with several university and community music programs, teaching and collaborating with local and national artists.

2001 Patricia Hughes M.Ed. has been named assistant athletic director for external relations at UM. She will manage and coordinate the external relations for the athletic department including community engagement, game environment, sponsorships, fundraising, tickets and special events. Trish has served as the Falcons’ head women’s soccer coach for the past twelve years.

Andy Milstead recently received the Ph.D. in Romance languages from the University of Alabama.

Andy and his wife, Meredith Bird Milstead ’03, reside in Calera.

Victoria Washington Peoples of Clanton has published a book, I Died, but I Shall Live. Written from a Christian perspective, it is an autobiographical account of love, marriage and divorce.

Portions of the proceeds will help support initiatives to combat domestic violence and breast cancer awareness.

2002

Kirk Norris M.Ed. ’04 was named Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 1A Boys Basketball Coach of the Year for the 2011-2012 season. He led the Georgiana High School Panthers to their first Final Four tournament in Birmingham, finishing the season with a 24-9 record. Kirk also was chosen to coach the Alabama South boys basketball team for the Alabama High School Athletic Association All-Star Sports Week 2012, held in Montgomery.

2003 C. J. Robinson of Clanton has been appointed chief deputy district attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit. C. J. had served as the deputy district attorney for Chilton County for 15 months and as an assistant district attorney in the 19th Circuit for three years.

2005

Melba Johnson-Shanks of Birmingham recently received the Recognition of Accountability Verification and Excellence Award from the Alabama School Counselor Association (RAVE). She is also a National Board Certified teacher in early childhood through young adulthood school counseling.

Chris Griffin and Adam Wright ’04, two members of the music group Act of Congress, report that the group recently spent 35 days in Southeast Asia as cultural ambassadors on a tour sponsored by the U.S. State Department. Act of Congress performed for ambassadors, State Department officials, news

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Barbara Forrest, director of human resources and risk management at Montevallo, recently was listed as a Top H.R. Executive by the Birmingham Business Journal. Barbara has served UM for 24 years in various positions and says, “I’m living my dream job.”

2006 Millard Dawson is the general

www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Class Notes| manager of personal training at Max Fitness and Fitness for Women in Auburn. After graduation from UM, Millard had worked as a physical therapist technician and played minor league baseball and indoor football.

The second biannual Meister/Pike Woods Party was held in October at the Mentone home of Charlie Runnels ’74 and his wife, Andi. Brothers, spouses and guests enjoyed food, fun and fellowship. After dinner, everyone gathered around a campfire and told stories of college days.

2009 Ashley Ebrahimi recently completed nursing school and is a registered nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham.

2011 Courtney Bennett of Montevallo is an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) working with the UM Office of Service Learning and Community Engagement as well as the Blueprints College Access Initiative.

Crystal Gentry Crim of Montevallo has been named special projects coordinator for the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging in Calera.

2012 Jay Allen of Montevallo is attending Birmingham School of Law.

WEDDINGS 1994

events throughout the Southeast for A&M Productions. He also is the owner of Rockco Monument Company in Montevallo.

2003

2006 Lauren LeCroy and Kyle Green were married Sept. 22. The couple resides in Homewood.

2010

exam. Janessa is a creative designer for Jeunesse Global, a network marketing company specializing in providing youth-enhancing solutions.

BIRTHS 2000

Katie Vines M.Ed. ’07 and Eric Anderson Craig were married May 12 at B&A Warehouse in Birmingham. UM alumni in the wedding party included Lindsay Banks Miller ’03, Abby Woodham Presley ’05 and Joey Reimel ’05. Photograpers were Luke Lucas ’06 and Jackie Marsh Lucas ’04 of Little Acorn Photography in Montgomery.

Katie is a psychiatric therapist at Jefferson Clinic P.C. in Birmingham, and Eric is operations manager for Swagelok Alabama in Pelham. The Craigs reside in the historic Forest Park area of Birmingham.

Alisha Schmitt and Chad Ezell were married May 19 in Brentwood, Tenn. Alisha is pursuing a degree in medical laboratory science while working in a diagnostics lab in Nashville.

Chad is an IT analyst, also in Nashville. The Ezells reside in Christiana, Tenn.

2012

Leslie Brislin Youkey and her husband, William “Dec” Youkey ’01 are pleased to announce the birth of their second son, Ethan Vincent Youkey, on Aug. 14. Ethan was welcomed into the Youkey home in Mobile by big brother Declan.

2001

2005

Tracy Hodges-Payne M.Ed. ’98 and Steve Rockco were married Aug. 11 at the Stewart Student Retreat on the Montevallo campus.

The couple resides on Lake Mitchell in Clanton. Tracy recently was named director of alumni affairs at UM, and Steve is a camera operator at college athletic

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Jamie South and Brian Pope were married Sept. 7. The couple resides in Huntsville where Jamie is a social worker at Southern Care Hospice and Brian is the senior regional IT manager for Comcast Cable.

Montevallo Today

Janessa Mobley and Jordan Barrios ’10 were married Sept. 1 in Helena. UM alumni in the wedding party included Jessica Guindon ’12, maid of honor; Lauren Simon ’11, bridesmaid; and Chris K. Davidson ’11, groomsman. After a honeymoon trip to the Sandals Grande in St. Lucia, the couple resides in Winter Park, Fla. Jordan is an accountant for HD Supply in Orlando and is pursuing the MBA at Columbia College and preparing for the CPA

Leslie Norris M.Ed. ’04 and husband Kirk Norris ’02, M.Ed. ’04 of Andalusia celebrated the birth of their son, Brady Evan Norris, Aug. 26. Leslie is a physical education teacher at Opp Elementary School, and Kirk is athletic director and head boys basketball coach at Georgiana High School.

2002

Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind for a number of years, retiring in 1980.

1939 Grace Ross Brandis, 94, of Vancouver, Wash., died Nov. 17.

Veda Avery Long, 93, of Auburn died May 18.

Tabitha Turri and her husband, Joshua Copeland ’01, welcomed the birth of their first child, a daughter, Gwendolyn Rowe Turri-Copeland, March 1. The family resides in Toney.

2003

1943 Mary Adams Gibson, 91, of Fairhope died Oct. 18. She was a retired teacher and school administrator.

Dona Walden Wehner, 89, of Augusta, Ga., died Oct. 26.

1944 Sarah Ann Culberson, 89, of Gadsden died Sept. 18. She was retired from Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and was active in the arts in Gadsden.

The editorial staff of Montevallo Today wishes to apologize to Jessica Alred, her husband, Adam, and their two children, Camille and Phillip. For the second time, we have printed congratulations to the Alred family on the arrival of their children but have failed to include photos. Both omissions were purely accidental, but nonetheless were the result of oversight on our part. The photo here is of Camille Findley Alred, born April 13, 2010, and Phillip Charles Alred, born Nov. 1, 2011.

2007 Stacy Smith Barnes and husband Rick Barnes ’05 celebrated the birth of their first child, Fiona Joy, April 5, 2011. The Barnes family resides in Hollywood, Fla., where Rick is the music director at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church.

DEATHS 1937 Callie Selena Hardy Shaddix M.A. ’63, 95, of Talladega died Nov. 12. She was a teacher at the

Lonie Crawford Wood Killebrew, 89, of Ft. Gaines, Ga., died Sept. 23.

1945 Gene Thompson Glisson M.A. ’89, of Foley died Oct. 3. She was a retired teacher of vocational home economics.

Winifred Cleiland Morton of Montgomery died Nov. 16. She was a homemaker.

1946 Frances Nybeck Anthony Smitherman Albright M.A. ’63 of Montevallo died Nov. 7.

After a career in teaching and school administration, she retired in 1986 and worked part time in UM’s department of foreign languages as a departmental secretary for a number of years.

Mary Virginia Buntley Bodiford, 90, of Foley died Oct. 22.

1947 Virginia Louise Paulk, 87, of Chickasaw died in October. She was a retired teacher and school administrator.

1948 Lillian Jean Bobo Arendall of

Mobile died Nov. 21. She was a homemaker.

1960

Betty Pasche Ridley, 84, of Houston died Aug. 24. She was a retired administrative assistant for General Electric.

Cora Prudence “Pru” Menzies Crews, 73, of Carbondale, Ill., died Oct. 25. She was a retired church secretary.

Frances Lu Roberts, 85, of Coffeeville died Oct. 28.

She was retired from United Securities Bank.

Helen Rhodes Thompson of Mobile died Aug. 11. She served the Mobile County Department of Human Resources for 28 years, retiring as assistant director.

1949 Charlotte Gibbs Thompson, 85, of Cullman died Oct. 27.

She was a retired teacher.

1950 Eleanor Armbrester Harris, 83, of Auburn died Nov. 20. She was a teacher in Auburn city schools for 22 years.

1951 Anne Marie Gramling, 82, a long-time resident of Atlanta and recently of Montgomery, died Sept. 23. She retired in 1988 after a 37-year career with Eastern Air Lines.

1952 Anita Eloise Foster, 83, of Mobile died June 11. She was a retired teacher in the Mobile County schools with 32 years of service.

1953 Jennie Lind Anderson Coe of Enterprise, recently of Gastonia, N.C., died Oct. 14. She was a retired teacher and school administrator.

Florence Bickley Grabryan, 81, of Sheffield died Oct. 5. She was a dietician and former lieutenant in the U.S. Public Health Service.

Carol Elizabeth Kelley Melton, 80, of Hopewell, Va., died March 7.

1958 Melba Jean Barrentine Lollar, 74, of Hayden died Oct. 16.

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1962 Michael David Barkalow, 73, of Pelham died Oct. 28. He was an employee of Thompson Tractor for 40 years.

Faye Moore Churchill-Kunkel, 83, of Birmingham died Sept.

28. She was a speech pathologist at the Alabama School for the Deaf and Blind and later at Brookwood Hospital, opening the Hearing and Speech Clinic.

She also taught speech pathology and audiology at UM from 1966 to 1978. Faye is survived by a number of Montevallo alums including her son, George Murphree ’73 and his wife, Nancy Murphree ’74; son Lyndon Churchill ’79 and his wife, Lisa Coretti Churchill ’80; daughter Jimmie Lynn Churchill ’73; and son Robert Churchill ’77.

1964 Donna Lee McElroy of Mobile died Sept. 2. She was employed with Morrison Assurance Co. and Vance Electrical Contractors.

1965 Ethel Joyce Williams, 69, of Chatom died Jan. 3, 2012. She was a retired teacher with the Washington County schools.

1966 Jo-Ann Harper, 68, of Heflin died Aug. 28. She was a teacher for more than 30 years.

1968 Therese Gunter Livingston M.A. 89, of Cedar Bluff died Aug. 11. She had worked as a chemist, a Farm Home Administration demonstration agent, a teacher and an insurance agent.

1973 Lee Wilson Fisher Jr., 61, of

www.montevallo.edu/alumni

Birmingham died Oct. 1. He had served John Carroll Catholic High School for 33 years as band director, dean, assistant principal and principal. At the time of his passing, he was an adjunct professor and coordinator of clinical experiences in UM’s College of Education.

Elizabeth Gravlee Wilks M.A. of Birmingham died Nov. 1. She was a teacher and school administrator, retiring in 1987.

1976

CONDOLENCES

1999

Warren B. Steidinger Sr. of Mountain Brook died Sept. 16.

He was retired from Sears.

1949

To DeAnna McCarley Smith of Calera on the death of her father, Donald G. McCarley, who died Nov. 18. He was the owner of DME Industrial Services.

DeAnna is UM’s vice president for business affairs and treasurer.

1979 Jo Ann Weaver Baker of Vestavia Hills died Oct. 21. She taught in the Shelby County school system for 27 years, retiring in 2000.

After retirement, she sold real estate for ReMax Advantage.

To Avaline Patton Childers of Birmingham on the death of her husband, James W. Childers, on Sept. 14. James retired from Southwestern Publishing Co. after 32 years of service. He and Avaline met while they were both teaching at UM during the 1950s.

Montevallo Spirit Babies

Clockwise from top left: Garrison Wagoner Owens and Lillie Marie Owens, children of Amy Wagoner Owens ’97, ’99 and Rodney “Bo” Owens ’96; Aidan Joseph Smith, son of DeAnna McCarley Smith ’99 and husband Chris; Avery Knight, daughter of Amanda Knight ’11 and husband Ryon; James Rumbley, son of Kristia Rumbley ’01 and husband Bo; John Thomas Jackson, son of Holly Jackson M.ED ’10, Ed.S ’11 and husband Jay, who works at UM’s physical plant; Reese Ann Marie Payne, granddaughter of Tracy Payne-Rockco ’94, M.Ed. ’98 If you would like to be included in the next issue, please send your pictures to paynet@montevallo.edu

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The next spirit feature will be pets.

Montevallo Today

HOMECOMING SCHEDULE 2013

T U E S DAY, F E B R UA R Y 5 5:30 p.m.

College of Education Alumni Recognition Dinner

Anna Irvin Dining Hall

F R I DAY, F E B R UA R Y 8 10:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m.– 6:30 p.m.

5:00 & 6:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Preview and Early Bidding of Art Auction UMNAA Board of Directors Meeting Global and Community Outreach Reception Class of 1963 Reception (5:00) and Dinner (6:00) UMNAA Alumni Awards Dinner (by invitation) College Night Productions

The Gallery at Bloch Hall Farmer Hall Multi-Media Room GLOCO Building Ramsay 106 Anna Irvin Dining Hall Palmer Auditorium

S AT U R DAY, F E B R UA R Y 9

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

11:00 a.m. – Noon

11:00 a.m. – Noon Noon

2:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Alumni Coffee & Registration Reynolds Hall Vallo Opoly Game Sales Reynolds Hall UM Bookstore Open (10% discount for alumni) Farmer Hall Kinesiology Coffee Myrick Hall Library Open House to view yearbooks and College Night material Carmichael Library Music Department Reception Fraser Seminar Room, Davis Hall Behavioral and Social Sciences/Social Work Reception Jeter Student Lounge Family and Consumer Sciences Coffee Ackerley Room, Bloch Hall 17th Annual Alumni Art Exhibition and Silent Auction The Gallery at Bloch Hall Stephens College of Business Reception Morgan Hall English and Foreign Languages Reception Sarah Palmer Commons

Comer Hall, Room 202, 2nd Floor Communication Studies Alumni Brunch Mass Communication, Room 104 Homecoming Awards & Recognition Luncheon Anna Irvin Dining Hall • Distinguished Alumnus Award • Nathalie Molton Gibbons Alumni Achievement Awards • Honored Classes/UMNAA Business Purple & Gold Basketball Game Myrick Hall 1943 Class Reunion and Photo Ramsay Lobby 121 1953 Class Reunion and Photo Tutwiler Parlor 1963 Class Reunion and Photo Ramsay 106 Alabama College Society Meeting & Coffee Reynolds Hall College Night Club Meeting Carmichael Library, Ground Floor Minority Alumni Reception Stewart Student Retreat President’s Reception Flowerhill Art Auction/Bloch Party The Gallery at Bloch Hall 2003 Class Reunion and Photo James Wilkinson Student Life Center (Farmer Hall) McNair Scholars Program Reception McNair Office, Farmer Hall 1973 Class Reunion and Photo King House 1983 Class Reunion and Photo Farmer Hall Multi-Media Room (SUB 2nd Floor) 1993 Class Reunion and Photo Reynolds Hall Young Alumni Event Main Street Tavern College Night Productions Palmer Auditorium

Homecoming Reservation Form

Purple and Gold Productions:

Thursday, Feb. 7 Friday, Feb. 8 Name

Saturday, Feb. 9 Address E-mail

Class of ’43 or ’53 Phone

Class Year Class of ’63 ENCLOSED IS A SEPARATE CHECK FOR: Class of ’73 Class Gift for Class of ’83 Department Class of ’93 Unrestricted gift Class of ’03 Young Alumni Event *Tickets for Friday or Saturday productions may be ordered only by ALUMNI who have made a minimum $25 contribution to the University Minority Reception since October 1, 2012. Those individuals may order two tickets for either Friday or Saturday, but may not order tickets for both nights. Tickets

Reunions:

will be mailed two weeks prior to the event or are available for pick-up from Advancement and Alumni Affairs in Reynolds Hall.

Return forms to: University of Montevallo • Station 6215 • Montevallo, AL 35115 Make checks payable to: University of Montevallo Foundation ____ Please mail my tickets ____ I will pick up my tickets I prefer: ____ GOLD tickets ____PURPLE tickets ____No preference

Other:

______ tickets @ $10 each = ______ ______ tickets @ $15 each = ______ ______ tickets @ $15 each = ______ ______ attendees ______ class ______ tickets @ $15 each = ______ ______ tickets @ $15 each = ______ ______ tickets @ $15 each = ______ ______ tickets @ $15 each = ______ ______ tickets @ $15 each = ______ ______ tickets @ $10 each = ______ ______ attendees

Homecoming Luncheon (Sat.) Class Photo

Class of ’63 Medallions

______ tickets @ $15 each = ______ ______ @ $10 each = ______ ______ @ $10 each = ______

Total:

$

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www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Alumni Activities| The UM Alumni Junior Board sponsored a family fun night at the UM Falcon men’s soccer game on October 22. Delicious BBQ from Full Moon and lively music by DJ Zach Banks ’08 were enjoyed by more than 30 alumni and family members. For the kids (and young at heart), jumping in the bounce castle, face painting and playing kiddie soccer were available prior to the start of the soccer game. Kudos to the Junior Board (pictured right), especially Patrick McDonald ’01, Dan McBrayer ’08 and Julie Harbin ’00, for organizing this family friendly event for our alumni.

The Shelby County Alumni Chapter held its annual fish fry on October 30 at the John W. Stewart Student Retreat on campus. The house was packed as alums showed up to enjoy the culinary perfections organized and prepared by the family of Dean Nathews ’62. The Shelby County Chapter works diligently to raise money for its scholarship through its annual events such as the fish fry in the fall and BBQ dinner in the spring. Special thanks to the Nathews family for coordinating the event and to Kirk Lightfoot ’76 for contributing to the success of the evening’s festivities. Pictured, from left: Terry Griffin, Emma Nathews ’04, Bill Nathews ’75, Calyn Nathews, Dean Nathews, Ann Nathews Griffin ’76 and Kirk Lightfoot ’76.

More than 20 alumni and friends from the Huntsville Area Alumni Chapter showed up on a drizzly night at The Tavern at Bridge Street on December 4. Special guest presenters for the evening included Eddie Baker ’04, who assisted on location in coordinating the meeting; Greg Embry ’96, Director of Admissions; and Jim Methvin ’73, President of UMNAA. It was exciting to see a room of UM alumni ranging from the Class of 1973 to the Class of 2008 who were all enthusiastic about making the Huntsville Alumni Club a very active one.

Pictured, from left: Eddie Baker ’04, Matt Arnold ’93, Michelle Griffey Massey ’08 and Mark Massey.

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Montevallo Today

On December 6, the Alumni Junior Board combined work with pleasure at Jefferson’s in Hoover. During the board meeting, the new Junior Board members were announced, and retiring members were recognized. Plans for spring activities were discussed including Homecoming and the spring soirée. After the formal board meeting, other young alumni joined junior board members together in a celebration to kick off the holiday season. Pictured from left: Matthew Reynolds ’08, Lindsey Sherrill ’07, Jason Booi ’04, Jeffrey Purvis ’02 and Russell Hooks

|Junior Board of Directors|

Officers

Meet the Vice President – Julie Elkins Harbin

President Patrick McDonald ’01 Vice President Julie Harbin ’00 Treasurer Jeffrey Purvis ’02 Secretary Dana Wright Marshall ’06 Social Chair Dan McBrayer ’08

What was your favorite aspect of Montevallo as a student and your favorite aspect now?

My favorite aspect of Montevallo as a student was the size. I truly felt that the faculty and staff knew me, helped to guide me and had my best interests at heart.

I also loved the campus itself. It is so picturesque and beautiful. It is what college is supposed to look like.

My favorite aspect of UM now is the unique relationship that alumni have with each other and with the University. There are more than 100 years of history and tradition at Montevallo, and every alumnus has a special story to tell. I love meeting alums and hearing about their experiences at Montevallo.

Directors

Why did you get involved with the Junior Board?

The idea of working together with other young alumni for the betterment of our University was so appealing to me. I have a great passion for the University of Montevallo, and this is how I can give back to a place that has given so much to me.

What would you like the alumni to know about the Junior Board?

I would like them to know that anyone that has graduated in the past 15 years is eligible for participation on the Board. Anyone can find out more information, including an interest form to submit, on our section of the UM website. I would also like the alumni to know that our Junior Board events are open for any alumni to attend, regardless of their graduation year. Our events are not exclusive to “young” alumni. Being involved with the Junior Board has been an extremely rewarding experience for me. I have met so many alums that are either younger or older than me, that I wouldn’t know otherwise.

They are now some of my closest friends. I have had so many opportunities to attend special events on campus and to keep connected to the University. I would highly recommend getting involved in some way with the University.

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Wes Anania ’06 Eddie Baker ’04 Zach Banks ’08 Jason Booi ’04 David Clemons ’03 Kelly Curry ’08 Andrea Echols ’12 Terra Moody ’06 Cedric Norman ’09 Tiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00 Lindsey Sherrill ’07 Kaci Slaughter ’09 Austin Smith ’07 Lauren Smith ’06 Aimee Sumrall ’08 Angela Thomas ’05 Christopher Willis ’07 Christopher Winslett ’04

www.facebook.com/UMyoungalumni www.montevallo.edu/alumni

|Alumni Activities| Who would you like to thank for your success? I would not have had any success in life if it weren’t for my family. When I graduated in 2010, the economy had recently crashed, and for a recent college graduate, that was a very discouraging time. I was very fortunate to have an amazing support system that held me up when it seemed like forever before I found my first job.

JORDAN BARRIOS, ’10

Words of wisdom you would offer students: The working world of accounting is very different than the classroom. There is so much variety, and always new things to learn. Even if classroom accounting doesn’t seem very exciting, having that knowledge opens up so many opportunities in different fields and allows you to branch out in whichever direction you find an interest.

MARIANNE DAVIS, ’96

Manager of Corporate Accounting at Altec Industries, Inc.

Accountant at Siemens Corporation

How did Montevallo affect your career choice? I knew I wanted to be a business major, but I wasn¹t sure about accounting. During my sophomore year, my adviser (who also happened to be my dad) suggested accounting, and that decision has ended up giving me a lot of opportunities and rewards so far.

LAUREN KEET, ’04

Audit Manager at Warren Averett, LLC

Words of wisdom you would offer students: You will spend a great deal of your life working, so work at something you enjoy.

What was your favorite aspect of Montevallo? I was a non-traditional student, so I didn’t experience campus life. The interaction between students and instructors, that small class size allowed, was one of my favorite aspects of Montevallo.

HOWARD SCHWASS, ’85 Senior Estimator at Bento Construction, LLC

What was your favorite aspect of Montevallo?

The interaction with the professors was, and still is my favorite part of the University. While I was a student, I enjoyed the lively discussion/debate with many of the professors during class. Now that I am an alumnus, I enjoy speaking at the University and catching up with the professors.

JOSH BUTLER ’06 Vice President, Regulatory Oversight & Relations Lead at BBVA Compass

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Montevallo Today

|Professional Spotlight: Accounting| Alumni in the accounting field share a few words

What was your favorite aspect of Montevallo? The small class size and the truly caring nature of the professors. My senior year, I lost my transfer scholarship due to timing and did not have a renewed scholarship. I decided that it would be more cost effective for me to transfer to UAB. I went to my classes at UAB for a week and realized that I hated it! I called Dr. Rovelstad and told him what a terrible decision I had made and how much I missed Montevallo, and his response was simply, “Meet me in my office in an hour.” By the time I arrived in Montevallo, Dr. Rovelstad and Dr. Martin had gotten me readmitted to the University, back in a dorm room on my sorority hall, two scholarships to help with my tuition, and they had purchased my books for the semester from their own personal funds. I will never forget that act of kindness and will continue to pay it forward through service and giving to the University. I owe much of my success to them!

Words of wisdom you would offer students: My advice is to be yourself and find a career you enjoy. This was the most valuable advice given to me when I first started considering career paths and future employers. If you remember to always be yourself and find a career where you like the people and the work you perform, you will find the job that is the right fit for you.

BRIANNE COLBURN, ’11

Assurance Experienced Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP

MEGAN RANDOLPH, ’06

Tax Manager at Warren Averett, LLC

How did Montevallo affect your career choice? Economic development is not a career that most people set out to pursue. Most find their way into it by happenstance.

UM gave me the tools I needed to be effective. The broad-based liberal arts education and solid business acumen that I received at UM were just what I needed to prepare me for all of the challenges in this profession.

How did Montevallo affect your career choice? Montevallo enhanced my career choice. I have been working in the accounting field for many years and felt a degree would confirm my position in this career and solidify my abilities to advance professionally by allowing me to expand the accounting services of my business. My education is continuing, though, and Montevallo gave me the “push” I needed.

DARLENE WILSON, ’11 Senior Manager Accountant, Owner at RAM Tax Company, a division of DC Finance Management, LLC

MATT ARNOLD, ’93 President & CEO at Marshall County Economic Development Council If you would like to nominate someone for the Alumni Profile (located on page 12) or for the new Professional Spotlight, please email us at today@montevallo.edu The next profession to be featured will be social work.

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www.montevallo.edu/alumni

FAMILY WEEKEND

FRIDAY, FEB. 15 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Party on the quad

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Main Quad

1:00 p.m.

Family reception

SAC

Cafe dinner for students Main Quad Pep rally Field next to SAC

1:00 p.m.

Baseball game

Baseball field

7:00 p.m.

After party

1:30 p.m.

Women’s basketball

SAC

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Campus tours Art exhibit

Carmichael Library Bloch Hall

8:00 a.m.

Registration & breakfast SAC

4:00 p.m.

Baseball game

Baseball field

10:00 a.m.

Pep rally

SAC

10:30 a.m.

Zooperstars

SAC

11:00 a.m.

Basketball game

SAC

Various times

Local worship services

Various locations

1:00 p.m.

Baseball game

Baseball field

Noon

Alumni athlete reception SAC Zooperstars SAC Halftime cheer/ show SAC

Student Retreat

SATURDAY, FEB. 16

*to be televised by CBS

SUNDAY, FEB. 17

*Schedule subject to change