Alumni Profile: Jennie Teass Allman '67

Integral to the fabric of each Highlander’s experience are the threaded connections they make while attending Radford.

Whether through the guidance of trusted mentors, the lessons learned from professors, the memories made with classmates or the new friendships developed with fellow alumni – these interwoven threads form a rich tapestry that distinguishes every person’s experience at Radford while binding them to fellow Highlanders.

Jennie Teass Allman ’67 has stayed connected to her alma mater through a tight-knit group of alumni called The Golf Society of Radford College.

The Golf Society first sprouted at Seven Springs Golf Course in Chesapeake, Virginia, blossoming organically from friends who shared both a common interest in the sport and a love of Radford.

It began with a small group who wanted to learn to play golf. As Jennie and her husband Bill owned Seven Springs, it was only natural to start there. After the first gathering, the friends enjoyed dinner, music and storytelling at the Allmans’ home in Virginia Beach. These early gatherings quickly became annual events, which continued after the Allmans moved to Forest, Virginia, and settled into their new project, Ivy Hill Golf Club.

“We played golf, we ate good food and we formed strong bonds with each other,” recalls Allman. “Most of the attendees were younger than I, but we each had our stories about the importance of the Radford experience in our lives.”

Though the members of The Golf Society graduated in different years and pursued a variety of career paths, there was a sense of belonging among the Highlanders when they were together. And what began as simple fun evolved into something greater.

“We realized that we wanted our college spirit to live on forever. Late one night, the idea of starting a scholarship was born,” says Allman. The Golf Society created three scholarships named for three members of the group: Marjorie McCallister ’69, Cindy Smith ’69 and Allman.

“Several years passed, and the donations were good. But spread among three scholarships, they were not growing fast enough for this group. Without my knowledge, it was decided to combine all three scholarships into one and name the new scholarship in my honor. The willingness to combine their scholarships with mine to create a larger, more impactful scholarship is amazing but consistent with the spirit of our group. I am grateful for the honor,” says Allman.

Looking back on her experience at Radford College, Allman’s favorite memories were also her most challenging and rewarding experiences. She was elected chairman of student court and was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority and Cotillion Club. She also served as president of student government, working to make changes on campus and learning skills that would serve her later in her career. This position also led Allman to what she describes as “the greatest gift” – to work with the dean of women, Bonnie Hurlburt ’58, her beloved mentor. A full circle moment occurred when Hurlburt paid a surprise visit to The Golf Society after its first gathering back at Seven Springs.

After graduating from Radford in 1967, Allman taught English for two years before pursuing a career in business at IBM, Norfolk and Western Railway and then Norfolk Southern. Her final chapter in business included partial or total ownership of businesses that included Teass and Allman Furniture Store, Electromagnetic Painting, Seven Springs Country Club, Ivy Hill Country Club, Baldwin/ Allman Real Estate Investments and Oakwood Country Club. Allman has been a trailblazer throughout her life and has achieved great success in business.

As she tells her story, though, it is The Golf Society years that she calls “the most important chapters” of her life. After more than three decades, the group continues to thrive under the leadership of Smith and her “magical” weekly Zoom meetings, held every Thursday.

“Cindy creates a special time to share our lives with each other and to strengthen our love for Radford,” Allman says. “We would have drifted apart without Cindy and her hard work to keep us together. The Golf Society allows us to celebrate each other and our bond.

“Radford will always be important to us,” she adds. “We have led such different lives, but each of us has lived a positive life, and we celebrate the impact our scholarship will have forever.”