Doing the Real Work for the Good Life Reinhardt Magazine
Board of Trustees
Members
Phillip M. Landrum, III
Chair
Warren R. Calvert
Vice-Chair
Rev. Dr. James B. Mooneyhan (RU-1966)
Secretary
Ray H. Cox
Treasurer
Sharon J. Bartels
John H. Bennett, Jr. (RU-1965)
Dr. Elizabeth Bowser (RU-1968)
Tom W. Carter (RU-1961)
Lewis A. Cline (RU-1991)
Dr. Richard L. Dixon
Dr. Jeffrey R. Dobson (RU-1965)
Dr. L. Austin Flint
Dr. Russell A. Flint
James K. Hasson, Jr.
Alicia M. Ivey (RU-2004)
Ben L. Looper
Steve McClure
Hon. M. Ellen McElyea
Pete Nettles
Patience E. Peterson
Hon. John A. Pipkin, III (RU-2001)
Glenn A. Rivers, III
Dr. Randell E. Trammell (RU-2003 & 2009)
Huie L. Turner, Jr. (RU-1983)
R. Lamar Wakefield
Fred J. Weir, III
Dr. C. Ken White (RU-1961 & 2021)
Kevin Williams
JoEllen Wilson (RU-1961)
Emeriti Members
Robert E. Byrd
G. Dennis Harris, Jr. (RU-1958)
Hon. Joe Frank Harris
William G. Hasty, Jr. (RU-1967)
Lynn H. Johnston
Deborah A. Marlowe
Hugh Peterson, Jr.
Hon. Marion T. Pope, Jr.
A.R. Roberts, III
Dr. Nancy G. Simms (RU-2025)
Ex-officio Members
Bishop Robin Dease
Dr. Mark A. Roberts
Rev. Dr. Jessica Terrell
Luke Williams (RU-2018)
University Leadership Team
Mark A. Roberts, Ph.D.
President
Ken Wheeler, Ph.D.
Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs
K. Johnson Bowles, M.F.A. Vice President, Advancement and Communications
Joseph Wiegand, J.D., Ed.D. Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Walter May, Ph.D. Dean of Students
Jennifer Prine M.A., (RU-2001 & 2013)
Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management and Marketing
Jonathan Burton, M.A. Ed, Executive Director of Athletics
Editor-in-Chief
K. Johnson Bowles
Vice President, Advancement and Communications
Contributing Writers
Suzy Alstrin
Director of Media and Public Relations
K. Johnson Bowles
Vice President, Advancement and Communications
Caitlin Brown (RU-2025)
Work-Study Student, Reinhardt Communications Division
Allison Dorman
Director of Legacy Giving and Sponsored Agreements
Copy Editors
Allison Dorman
Director of Legacy Giving and Sponsored Agreements
Madeline Nagy
Assistant Director of Prospect Research and Records Management
Catherine Orlandi (RU-2025)
Contributing Photographers
Suzy Alstrin
Director of Media and Public Relations
K. Johnson Bowles
Vice President, Advancement and Communications
David Finney (RU-2021)
Sports Information Director
Raynah Roberts (RU-2019)
Javen Wimberly (RU-2023 & 2024)
Special Populations Enrollment Specialist
On the Cover: DETAIL, HERBERT NORRIS MABRY (Roswell, Georgia, 1897-1978) (RU-1922), Summer Sunset, 1920, oil on canvas, 33.75 inches x 18 inches, Collection of Reinhardt University, Gift of Dr. Kemp Mabry in 1982.
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In this Issue
Reinhardt Magazine takes a new dynamic direction in 2025. For many years, the Magazine has served as a vehicle for highlighting the best news stories from throughout the year. With the rise of readership and the popularity of the University’s weekly newsletter, the Reinhardt Eagle, the University wanted to change the design and content of the Magazine to give readers something different. Reinhardt Magazine now offers in-depth, compelling stories with beautiful images focused on a theme illustrative of the University’s mission, vision, values, ethos, and strategic direction.
This edition of Reinhardt Magazine focuses on the University’s ethos, “Doing the Real Work for the Good Life” (Verum Opus ad Vitam Bonam). The stories share how students, faculty, staff, and alumni endeavor to be fulfilled intellectually, physically, and
spiritually through their work and personal lives. Many find joy seeking challenges to learn, live, and serve every day. They love to grow and support a greater good.
Visually, the Magazine takes its cues from Reinhardt’s beautiful, bucolic, and safe campus located in the rural northern reaches of Cherokee County just north of Atlanta. The campus features more than 600 acres of rolling hills, mature trees, an arboretum, gardens, a lake, hiking trails, and lush fields in the small town of Waleska, Georgia. In this edition, elements refer to nature through art (e.g. a landscape painting by a 1922 Reinhardt graduate featured on the cover and scientific illustrations from the 19th and early 20th Centuries) as well as through contemporary photographs of the article’s subjects set in nature. - KJB
Letter from the President
When Reinhardt University began the strategic planning process, our learning community articulated core aspirational statements to guide the work:
Mission: To Educate the Whole Person with Challenge and Care
Vision: To Be a University Where Diverse Talents Grow Together
Values: Learning, Serving, and Leading
To these three common statements found across higher education institutions, Reinhardt added and adopted a fourth—To Do the Real Work for the Good Life (Verum Opus ad Vitam Bonam).
We call the fourth core statement the University’s “educational ethos.” Definitionally, an ethos expresses the spirit of a community as informed by its core values and aspirations. Doing the ‘Real Work’ means that we as a learning community strive to spend our time and attention on the things that will return to us and to our community. If we invest our lives in the ‘Real Work,’ the inevitable harvest is the ‘Good Life’—a life lived through the values of learning, serving, and leading. Doing the Real Work for the Good Life is also a way of driving home the idea that the University seeks to create a constructive environment for students and a positive outcome for Reinhardt graduates.
With this edition of Reinhardt Magazine, readers get a glimpse of how the educational ethos is not just a statement but a reality in the lives of many. What’s particularly exciting is to know that the storied lives that we celebrate herein are, indeed, Reinhardt’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors who are sharing their diverse talents and interests and expertise with others daily.
This edition of Reinhardt Magazine is a record of what we celebrate most— the people who make Reinhardt… Reinhardt.
Onward,
Mark A. Roberts, Ph.D.
(Right) Dr. Mark Roberts, President.
EXPANDING THE LIFE OF THE MIND
-
An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.
Benjamin Franklin (American polymath, 1706-1790)
Breaking Barriers, Building Purpose
Daniela Rangel | RU-2026
The first in her family to attend college, Daniela Rangel (RU-2026) is transforming opportunity into purpose. “Being a first-generation student means everything to me and my family,” Rangel explained. “My parents worked incredibly hard so I could have opportunities they never had, and that motivates me every single day.” That motivation has led her to academic excellence, tireless service, and fearless leadership.
With a deep curiosity about the intersections of history, politics, and religion, Rangel shapes her time at Reinhardt into a calling. Outside the classroom, she seizes opportunities to strengthen her voice.
“I learn best by being involved and doing real things. It’s never been just about building a resume. It’s about figuring out who I am, what I care about, and how I can make a difference.”
A spirit of determination defines Rangel’s journey. Rangel was one of only two students in Reinhardt’s Diverse Talents and Scholars Program selected to present at the Georgia Collegiate Honors Conference in February 2025. Her presentation, “The 14th Amendment and Native American Citizenship: The Overlooked Implications for Indigenous Rights,” highlighted her passion for historical research and amplifying marginalized voices.
In September 2024, Rangel became one of only 16 scholars nationwide to attend Harvard Divinity School’s prestigious Diversity and Explorations (DivEx) Program. Describing it as an “inspiring experience,” Rangel appreciated the program’s engaging discussions. “I attended a fascinating lecture titled, ‘After Luther: Faith, Will, Law, and the Questions of Goodness.’ The professor’s insights sparked a deep discussion, creating a thoughtprovoking environment.”
Most recently, in Spring 2025, Rangel’s peers elected her president of the Student Government
Association for the 2025-2026 academic year. That same semester, she was inducted into the Alpha Chi Honor Society.
After an internship with Cherokee County’s Community Development Agency in the summer of 2024, Rangel delivered a presentation to the Board of Commissioners about the projected population growth based on permits and housing. A website dashboard she created detailing the county’s residential, commercial, and transportation projects equally impressed the officials.
“She aided our agency with an extremely valuable work product that benefits Cherokee County greatly,” stated Community Development Agency Director Brantley E. Day. “We’ve been wanting to complete these projects for quite some time, and Daniela helped us move agency priorities and objectives forward rapidly at a critical time.”
Since high school, Rangel has volunteered with the Cherokee Family Violence Center, where she worked and volunteered for five years as an advocate. It was there that she realized her career aspirations. “Working at the center opened my eyes to the deep, human impact of the justice system. I saw firsthand the trauma carried by survivors. It was there that I realized the law isn’t just about rules. It’s about people,” she explained. “That experience solidified my desire to become a prosecutor who advocates for victims, holds offenders accountable, and works to rebuild trust in communities that often feel abandoned by the system.”
Looking ahead, Rangel hopes to attend law school while continuing religious studies—a path shaped by her experiences, mentors, and the values she embraces at Reinhardt. Because of a community that believes in potential, students like Daniela don’t just succeed—they shape the world around them, proving again and again why Reinhardt’s motto matters. – SA
(Left) Daniela Rangel (RU-2026), 2025-26 Student Government Association president.
Guiding, Growing, Inspiring
Kylie Stover | RU-2019, Lab Coordinator and Instructor
On the day she graduated from Reinhardt University, Kylie Stover (RU-2019) turned to look one last time at the Samuel C. Dobbs Building and John L. Franklin Science Center and said to herself, “I want to work here one day.” At the time, she had no idea how that dream would unfold—only that Reinhardt had changed her, and she wanted to pay it forward.
Now, the alumna has come full circle. After earning a master’s degree at Kennesaw State University in 2022, she returned to Reinhardt as a lab coordinator and biology instructor. During her undergraduate classes, she fell in love with the sciences, especially field biology and lab work, and shifted her path to environmental conservation. Her purpose, she says, is to share her passion for bettering the environment with students.
Stover believes every person is curious and wants to know why things work and why things happen. Both in the lab and in the field, she passes on a love of learning, illustrating to her students how insights and new knowledge can be found everywhere. She leads them into forests and coastlines, working together to preserve plants and their habitats.
Stover integrates students in dune restoration research and coastal conservation on Georgia’s Barrier Islands. She explains, “When I was an undergrad, I realized the importance of taking as many opportunities as possible and having a mentor take me under their wing. Former Instructor of Biology Keith Ray (RU-2006) was vital to my attending graduate school. Now, I try to give opportunities to students so they can have an idea about graduate school, fieldwork, and what it takes to conduct research. I’m trying to incorporate as many students as possible so I can mentor them and create aspiring scientists.”
In her role as manager of the chestnut orchard on a nearby farm owned by Reinhardt trustee Dr. Austin
(Right) Lab Coordinator and Biology Instructor Kylie Stover (RU-2019).
Flint and Emerita Associate Professor Bea Flint, Stover engages her field students in its mission. Together, they work to bring back the American Chestnut, which was nearly eradicated by blight in the 20th Century.
Stover’s mission is sincere: to leave the environment in a better state than how she found it, and to inspire others to do the same. To each new class, she exudes her belief in the metaphor that every seed that is planted can make an impact, advising, “Pay attention to what you like, and what you’re good at. Try new experiences and explore possibilities. And, you have to remain curious.” Her return to Reinhardt shows that the impact of this place doesn’t end at graduation—it multiplies, as students become mentors, and passion becomes purpose that shapes the world around us. – SA
To each new class, she exudes her belief in the metaphor that every seed that is planted can make an impact.
EMBRACING CHALLENGES AND GROWTH
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (American writer, 1803-1882)
Ralph Waldo Emerson (American writer, 1803-1882)
Potential in Motion
Gabriel Gutierrez | RU-2026
For Gabriel Gutierrez (RU-2026), embracing personal growth means being open to new experiences. Driven by a goal to reach his full potential, he eagerly takes on new challenges.
Gutierrez comes from the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa. He began winning Spanish national indoor volleyball championships at the age of 14. By 16, he was living independently to train with the Canary Islands’ professional team. At 19, Spain recruited him to compete on the country’s national beach volleyball team, leading to 9th place in the World Championship in Thailand in 2021.
Simultaneously, Gutierrez attended Murcia University in Murcia, Spain, to pursue a degree in marketing. The dedication required to be a professional athlete in Spain while attending a university presented difficult choices. At one point, Gutierrez had to choose between a competition in the Netherlands and taking a final exam. He chose the competition and failed the course. Although proud of his athletic success, deep down, he truly wanted to achieve a degree.
Realizing it was time for a change, Gutierrez spoke with another Spanish pro-volleyball player, Alex Sanchez (RU-2026), and learned information that changed the course of his life. Sanchez explained he attended Reinhardt University, where he could simultaneously achieve a superior education while competing on the volleyball team.
Gutierrez followed suit. In August of 2023, he left his small island behind and traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to a place he had only seen on a map. He embraced the change and reflected, “In Europe, college is typically a place you go and study from 9 to 5 and then go home. You don’t live on campus or spend time with the people you study with. It is so much better here, and I love it.”
Gutierrez strives to learn from and contribute everything he can to Reinhardt’s volleyball program while studying business and marketing. Throughout the school year, Gutierrez balances his studies, practices, and responsibilities as the manager of the girls’ volleyball team, as well as performing as a student worker for the Advancement and Communications Division. During the 2024 summer break, he chose to make the most of his time in America, staying on campus to work with summer camps, improve his English, and travel. “It’s so different in the U.S.,” he says. “I love exploring the differences between states and between East, West, North, and the South.”
Impressively, Gutierrez spends his time gaining media literacy and learning about internet culture to make connections between classroom exercises and real world examples. He expounds, “I also love everything about social media, like influencers. I try to learn what people do for a living and how they got their positions. It’s my goal to work on social media and marketing, and I want to see all the paths I can take to achieve that goal.”
From the Canary Islands to the heart of Georgia, Gutierrez’s journey shows how Reinhardt’s reach— and its impact—extends far beyond campus, made possible by those who believe in the power of education to change lives. – SA
He left his small island behind and traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to a place he had only seen on a map.
(Left) Gabriel Gutierrez (RU-2026) playing for the Spain National Beach Volleyball Team.
Impacting the Written Word
The James Dickey Review
What began as a saddle-stitched newsletter at DeKalb Community College in Dunwoody, Georgia has evolved over four decades into a nationally known annual literary magazine published by Reinhardt University Press since 2016. The James Dickey Review, named for the award-winning poet and novelist, features original creative work from writers around the world.
Volume 40 of the James Dickey Review features 33 writers, including new poetry by 2005 Pulitzer Prize winner Ted Kooser, a book review by Reinhardt Dean Emeritus Dr. A. Wayne Glowka, and an essay by Reinhardt President Mark A. Roberts. The cover features original artwork from the first edition of Dickey’s novel Deliverance (Houghton Mifflin, 1970), provided by artist Wendell Minor.
The James Dickey Review is not just a noteworthy journal; it serves as a training ground for its editorial staff. Each year, Reinhardt’s creative writing program engages its graduate students, along with a few select undergraduates, in its production.
These developing writers and editors describe the process as both arduous and fulfilling. Students dedicate long hours, but say the finished product is well worth the effort. Referring to the University’s motto, the latest edition’s Managing Editor Lauren Dose (RU-2023 & 2026) reflects, “For me, the ‘real work’ does not feel like work at all, because we do it in pursuit of the ‘good life’—a life made meaningful through art and creative expression. My job here is to engage with art critically, which I already do for pleasure.” She adds, “It is incredibly fulfilling to know that we are capable of offering fresh insight to experienced and accomplished writers.”
The James Dickey Review sets the standard for all that the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program does, which has the goal of achieving excellence,” states Professor Bill Walsh, the editor-in-chief and director
of Reinhardt’s Etowah Valley M.F.A in Creative Writing program.
The publication exposes readers to a wide range of works by up-and-coming writers as well as established ones. It offers writers an outlet to share new works and receive encouragement, recognition, and professional development. Dr. Roberts reflected, “It is an honor to be included in the 40th anniversary edition of JDR . The essay I submitted was carefully reviewed by the editorial team; they offered excellent guidance, which made the work much better. It is unusual to be a part of such a learning community where a president, who is also a writer, gets to receive quality advice from students attending his own college… But that’s the Reinhardt way.”
Author Clifford Garstang’s 2025 ranking of nearly 300 literary magazines placed the James Dickey Review at 68th. Walsh elaborated, “It has a good national reputation as being a high-quality magazine. It’s hard to get in, hard to publish, and we only take the best work.” Keeping these standards in mind, it aims to continue to touch the lives of writers, readers, and student editors for years to come. – SA & CB
It is unusual to be a part of such a learning community where a president, who is also a writer, gets to receive quality advice from students attending his own college… But that’s the Reinhardt way. - Mark Roberts
(Right) James Dickey amongst ferns and the cover of the 40th edition of the James Dickey Review.
RADIATING A SENSE OF PU RPOSE
The
best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.
- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Hungarian-American psychologist, 1934-2021)
Doing the Real Work for the Good Life
Kelley Roberts | Assistant Professor
At Reinhardt University, the phrase “Do the Real Work for the Good Life” isn’t a tagline. It is a lived philosophy. Few individuals exemplify that ethos more vividly than Kelley Roberts. As an assistant professor of cybersecurity, a lifelong learner, a skilled builder, and a devoted naturalist, Roberts is deeply embedded in the Reinhardt community and wholly committed to a life of curiosity, resilience, and intentional living.
A Life of Many Roles with Singular Purpose
Kelley Roberts resists simple definition. She teaches cybersecurity at Reinhardt, is married to University President Mark Roberts, is the sister of Director of Institutional Research Charlotte Ingram, and is a mother and grandmother. While these roles are significant, they only hint at the complexity of her character. She lives a life fulfilled by family, intellectual pursuits, curiosity, connection to the natural world, and purpose.
“I learned from my father to be independent,” Roberts explains. “If something needed to be done, he found a way to learn how to do it. That mindset shaped who I am.” This deeply rooted self-sufficiency, paired with an insatiable curiosity, has shaped every chapter of Roberts’ life. Whether guiding students through the intricacies of cybersecurity or designing and constructing functional spaces on her farm, she finds fulfillment in thoughtful action, hard work, and quiet excellence.
Some may want to label Roberts a ‘Renaissance woman,’ but that’s not quite what makes her so interesting and emblematic of Reinhardt’s ethos. She is fascinating because of her mindful, clear-headed sense of purpose to live a life defined by her own sense of joy and what a ‘good life’ means to her.
(Left) Kelley Roberts, assistant professor.
Nurtured by Nature and Family Traditions
Roberts’ connection to the natural world was planted in childhood. Her grandmother’s passion for gardening left an indelible mark. “She enjoyed her garden very much, and I helped her as a child,” Roberts recalls. That early inspiration blossomed into a love for working the land. Roberts continues the family connections with growing food on their 20-acre farm in Waleska, which features open pastures, wooden areas, tiered ponds, dogs, geese, chickens, and structures including a home, barns, and sheds.
The property also features a 5,000-square-foot garden surrounded by a protective fence that Roberts built herself, which thrives under her care. “There is something deeply fulfilling about walking out to see my garden,” she says. “I think to myself, ‘I built this. This is my garden.’ It fills me with joy.” For Roberts, gardening isn’t a hobby. It is an immersive experience in learning, sharing, and healing. Last Mother’s Day, she and her son created new garden beds using the Native American method known as ‘three sisters’ planting. By allowing corn, beans, and squash to grow in harmony, the method supports a self-sustaining mini-ecosystem. “It is a beautiful example of how nature thrives through interdependence,” she says. Gardening also brings therapeutic peace. “Putting my hands in the soil grounds me. It helps release tension and brings clarity. Manifesting something I imagined and watching it come to life is incredibly fulfilling. If you can get your hands in the soil, it’s a good feeling.”
A Natural State of Flow
Hungarian-American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (1934-2021) famously described ‘flow’ as the mental state where people are most productive and fulfilled. In his seminal work, Flow:
The Psychology of Optimal Experience, he concluded that people are happiest when they are in a state of concentration or complete absorption with the activity at hand. Csikszentmihalyi identified how intrinsic motivation optimizes and enhances positive experience, feelings, and overall wellbeing. As a champion of positive psychology, he determined, “Only through freely chosen discipline can life be enjoyed.”
Roberts lives in this state of flow. Her days are filled with tasks requiring focus and creativity, from scouting plants for medicinal purposes to imagining new ways to utilize and sustain her land. Roberts possesses what can be described as an autotelic personality—she does things because they are intrinsically rewarding, not just to achieve external goals. Traits like curiosity, persistence, humility, and enjoying challenges motivate her love of engaging in the natural world.
“What makes me happy is being out on our property. I’m either scouting out different plants that grow here, looking for good places to plant new things, or building a garden. I’ve built some structures on the property. I dream of how to utilize the land and what I want to do with it—how to encourage it to sustain itself. I also like learning any skills that help me to take care of myself,” she gleams.
With a focus on wellness, she carefully considers how she cares for herself by practicing yoga and eliminating processed foods. Her dream is to grow everything she eats and do it with sustainability in mind. She muses, “I don’t know how long that will take—probably a long time. I would love to install some solar panels. We have two wells on our property that need electricity to run, so if I could have solar backup that would make me very happy.”
Her interests are ever-evolving. She recently took up beekeeping, not to harvest honey but to support pollinators. “I am learning how bees live. Eventually, I want to create a more natural hive environment by carving out logs for them. My goal is to help them thrive. If I receive a little honey, that is just a bonus.” She also built a chicken coop and started raising chickens. Her energy and determination seem boundless.
A Passion for Knowledge
Roberts is deeply committed to learning. Her practical knowledge is extensive, spanning plumbing, electrical work, construction, woodworking, and systems design. These skills were born out of necessity. “When Mark and I were just starting out, we did not have much. I was a stay-at-home mom, and if something broke, I had to fix it. I believed I could, so I learned how. I read books, researched solutions, learned the skills, and gathered the tools slowly over time.”
Developing the farm represents Roberts’ main goal. To accomplish this, it’s more than just food production and management. It’s about building, repairing, and fixing all manners of things. For her daughter Zoe’s wedding, she wanted to build a deck on their pond to serve as a stage for the ceremony. Roberts designed it, and her sister, Charlotte, helped build it. Charlotte marvels, “Kelley is extremely varied in a lot of ways, and there is an overriding love to learn. She is very good at figuring things out— accomplishing things.”
This hands-on approach to life has been central to her teaching at Reinhardt, which she started several years ago to temporarily fill in when another professor became ill. With a B.S. in Mathematics and Chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University and an M.S. in Computer Science from Kennesaw State University, Kelley equips her students with technical knowledge and critical thinking skills. “My work supports student growth, academic success, and career readiness,” she explains. “I help students become leaders and innovators, not just employees.”
Roberts has made a significant impact in developing the cybersecurity program, and her contributions elevate the University. By aligning coursework with emerging needs in the cybersecurity field, she ensures Reinhardt graduates are well-prepared for the workforce. Thanks to her foundational work, the University has now hired a full-time professor to take over the program so Roberts can pursue her love of the farm more fully. She reflects, “The most rewarding part of working at Reinhardt is discovering the wide range of exciting careers that my graduates are moving into. Their success warms
Reinhardt Magazine (Top right) Eggs, herbs and flowers from the Roberts’ farm. (Middle right) Kelley Roberts, assistant professor of cybersecurity, works on building a deck on her property. (Bottom right) Kelley Roberts and one of her chickens.
my heart and makes the time and effort that I put into the programs worth every second.”
Living a Life of Intention
Kelley Roberts represents the best of what it means to live intentionally. She chooses to engage deeply, to learn continuously, and to contribute meaningfully. Whether cultivating a garden, nurturing students, or designing a new building project, she works with a sense of purpose and quiet determination.
And when she rests, she rests fully. “I do things in bursts,” she says with a laugh. “Sometimes I decide I am not working today, and I’ll just watch television. That’s part of the balance, too.”
For the Reinhardt community, Roberts serves as a compelling example of how a life lived with purpose, humility, and passion can have a powerful impact. She is a builder—in every sense of the word. And her story invites all of us to embrace our own curiosity, our own capacity for growth, and our own vision of the good life. – KJB & AD
300 Miles to Self-Discovery
Elizabeth Smith | Assistant Professor
A 1000-year-old tradition draws people from around the world to experience a spiritual pilgrimage across Portugal to reach the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia, Spain, where the remains of the apostle Saint James the Great are believed to rest. Reinhardt Assistant Professor of Mathematics Elizabeth Smith found personal fulfillment in the extraordinary practice, walking a 300-mile pilgrimage route, and fulfilling a dream.
Traditionally, the quest is undertaken during a transition in life. Smith’s youngest child graduated from college, so she felt the time was right to experience spiritual self-discovery and an opportunity for reflection. Smith described her experience, “It’s pretty amazing. I cried a million times. I cried from being happy—happy tears over and over. You walk alone, but if you feel lonely even for a minute, someone joins you to walk together for a few miles.”
Along the route, Smith met people of all ages from around the world and learned their stories, “You can talk to people with many different thoughts and beliefs and opinions on the different rituals and messages. We all agreed on one key point: what a fantastic world this is where you can disagree on aspects and still have admiration and respect for different beliefs, cultures, foods, age groups, and physical abilities. Everyone is there to enjoy this journey. It’s life-changing and amazing.”
Carrying only a ten-pound backpack, she slept in hostels and even a monastery where the priest said a special prayer for her the night before her birthday. She cooked dinners with people she’d met only moments before. For the first time in her life, she kept a journal and intends to make that a new part of her routine. “I’m not a journal keeper. I’m a math person, not a feelings person, so it felt out of character to have so many feelings and emotions
and write them down, but you’re supposed to try stuff you don’t normally do.”
Back home near Waleska, Smith has a lifestyle farm with livestock and a large garden. Despite all the work entailed, she gives her time and energy to others daily. She tutors her students, attends their performances and athletic events, helped lead study abroad programs, volunteers at the Waleska United Methodist Church, and participates in charity events in the community, often with her family. Helping students on move-in day is one of her favorite things to do, along with accompanying them on study abroad programs, explaining, “I’d do anything for students.” Smith finds fulfillment in being involved, “For me, church, work, life, and family, can all meld together at Reinhardt University.”
In the Fall of 2025, Smith plans to spend a sabbatical leave from the University to complete an even longer pilgrimage. Starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, France, her 500-mile route will cross the Pyrenees Mountains before she reaches the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. By continuing her pilgrimage, Smith is not only seeking personal renewal but also modeling the lifelong journey of growth, reflection, and compassion that she so generously encourages in her students. – SA
It’s pretty amazing. I cried a million times. I cried from being happy— happy tears over and over.
- Elizabeth Smith
(Left) Assistant Professor of Mathematics Elizabeth Smith during her pilgrimage across Portugal.
Cherishing the Path into the Shade
Jillian Martinet | RU-2024
A future educator reveres her Reinhardt experience for setting her on a path for a life she did not anticipate. Jillian Martinet (RU-2024)’s parents worked hard to make ends meet in Southern California. No one in her family had attended college, and as a teenager, she didn’t see it in her future. The dreams of her father, however, became a recurring thought. “He implored, ‘Mi hija [my daughter], I want you to work in the shade, not in the sun.’ That goes along with earning a degree and working hard in that aspect, so you don’t have to work physically hard all your life,” Martinet explains.
As a high school softball player, Martinet decided to visit Reinhardt; she immediately felt a sense of home. An athletic scholarship offer sealed her fate, “My family was over-the-top excited because it meant I had a chance to better myself.” She enrolled in the Price School of Education and went on to be selected for the Jack Davidson Memorial Scholarship, the William I. H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation Scholarship, and other academic and leadership scholarships.
“Without having scholarships, I would not have gone to college. Now, I’ve graduated debt-free and with a job offer to teach middle school in Cherokee County,” Martinet said. “I had never thought I would be able to get an apartment and be on my own, so that’s huge. Having a degree is even more huge. I wore the cap and gown, but my whole family accomplished this degree—because I wouldn’t have been able to make it without their support.”
In 2023-2024, Martinet led her colleagues as the student government president. At the 2025 commencement ceremony, she delivered a heartfelt student reflection about overcoming challenges during her collegiate experience. Reminding her peers of their collective journey and the future ahead,
she said, “While our stories are different, one truth connects us: You don’t grow by chasing someone else’s life. The grass isn’t greener on the other side. It’s time to water your own grass. That might sound simple, but living it—that takes grit, takes grace, and a whole lot of growth. Watering your own grass grows roots. It grows resilience, and it grows opportunities.”
Martinet’s personal reflections sparked dialogue with people who did not know her background and only knew her as the athlete, scholar, and leader she became in college. “It opened the conversation about learning more about people, accepting people for who they are, and not where they’ve been or who they’ve been before, but who they are that day when you meet them. I wouldn’t have changed my life in any way because it will help me when I become a teacher, and I have students who are struggling with something similar. I’m thankful for everything that I’ve experienced.”
“I’m very, very thankful, and I think about it often. Five years ago, I didn’t think my dreams would ever come true, and now I’ve accomplished those goals and those dreams, and now I’m setting new ones.”
As Martinet begins leading her own classroom, her voice echoes Reinhardt’s vision: that education is not only a path forward, but a promise to lift others along the way. – SA
While our stories are different, one truth connects us: You don’t grow by chasing someone else’s life.
- Jillian Martinet
(Right) Jillian Martinet (RU-2024) at the 2025 commencement. (Far right) Jillian Martinet (RU-2024) reading to a group of middle school children.
WIDENING THE FIELD OF VISION
The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (American polymath, 1809-1894)
From Waleska to the World Stage
David Friedberg | RU-2024 & 2025
An alumnus and a coach from Reinhardt University represented the United States at the 2025 Summer World University Games in Germany July 16 thru 27. Pressure is nothing new to David Friedberg, a graduate of the class of 2024 and a 2025 graduate student, but this international stage marked a powerful first. He represented his country with his coach, Josh White, by his side.
Friedberg earned an invitation to the U.S. team by consistently surpassing the qualifying standard of 72 meters, including launching a 75.06-meter throw to finish seventh at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. A dominant force in collegiate track and field, he’s captured three National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championships, four Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) titles, and holds the NAIA national record in the javelin with a mark of 76.08 meters.
Friedberg states, “I’m truly blessed to compete at a high level and represent Team USA at the World University Games. My goal is to take the javelin title and continue to build on it for the future. I’m excited for what’s to come!”
Reinhardt’s Assistant Track and Field Coach (Throws), Josh White, joined Friedberg to serve as the throws coach for the U.S. team. Their selection is a testament to years of relentless dedication, discipline, and training.
Organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the World University Games are one of the largest multisport events in the world. Over 8,500 student-athletes from 150 countries competed across 18 sports during the 12-day competition. The event was broadcast on FISU.tv and other platforms, reaching over 300 million viewers worldwide.
Coach White, who helped develop Friedberg’s talents over the years, not only supported him overseas, but also recruited and oversaw the entire roster of U.S. throwers at the Games. His appointment speaks volumes about his coaching expertise and the respect he commands in the national track and field community. “I’m excited to be joining David as part of the official Team USA coaching staff as the throws coach,” White relayed before their departure. “The opportunity to wear the USA uniform does not come around very often. I am really excited for David to compete at a high level on the biggest stage at the World University Games, especially so early in his career.”
For both men, this is more than an international assignment— it’s a milestone moment shaped by hard work and unwavering commitment. They are proud to represent Reinhardt, the NAIA, and the United States on a global stage, carrying with them the spirit and strength that defines true champions. – SA
For both men, this is more than an international assignment— it’s a milestone moment shaped by hard work and unwavering commitment.
(Top left) David Friedberg (RU-2024 & 2025) working to perfect his javelin throw outside the James and Sis Brown Athletic Center. (Bottom left) David Friedberg (RU-2024 & 2025) and Josh White, Reinhardt Assistant Track and Field Coach (Throws) at the 2024 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championships.
Following the Story Within
Jessie Fanczi Latimer | RU-2019 & 2023
When faced with a difficult choice about her life’s direction, Jessie Fanczi Latimer (RU-2019 & 2023) dug deep into herself to overcome self-doubt, build courage, and prioritize her goals. She realized achieving a dream requires combining selfreflection with confidence.
Since childhood, Latimer aspired to be an author. A fellowship for graduate school at another university caused her to pause and reflect on which steps she wished to take to achieve her dream, “I just had this moment where I realized I was about to spend the next two years writing research papers instead of the one thing I truly wanted to write: the novel I’d been dreaming about for a decade.”
Amid criticism from those around her, she built up the courage to pursue her passion, “I realized that it’s okay for people to disagree with my priorities. My heart wasn’t in that fellowship program.”
Latimer withdrew from the fellowship and applied for Reinhardt’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA) program. “I knew this was what I truly wanted, and where I felt like God was leading me.” Not only did she polish her writing skills, but her professors inspired her to believe she was capable of getting published. She finished her young adult fantasy novel Again Behold the Stars (Quill and Flame Publishing House, 2026), obtained a literary agent, and received a publishing offer for an August 2026 release—in print, e-book and audio book versions. “My lifelong dream is coming true, and it would not have happened so soon if I hadn’t gone to Reinhardt,” she says with pride. “I learned it’s okay not to follow the path everybody else thinks you should follow.”
That life lesson also applied throughout Latimer’s book-writing process. She explained, “I learned how to let others critique my writing, how to decide which critiques to take to heart and which to disregard.”
(Right)
Again Behold the Stars tells of a story within a story, as 17-year-old Rigby finds herself transported into the pages of her favorite novel, where she must change the ending to prevent the brooding antagonist, Wick, from dying at the end. But when Wick accidentally learns he’s a fictional character, his actions threaten to erase the entire story-world— with Rigby inside.
This story, in a way, mirrors Latimer’s realization what is most important and pursue life-changing results. Because of her gratitude for the many fulfilling experiences made available to her through Reinhardt’s undergraduate and graduate programs, Latimer remains involved at the University. Recently, she served on the Alumni Board of Governors (ABOG). “I’ve been involved because I feel like I owe so much,” she explains. “I want other people to leave Reinhardt feeling like it was the best time of their life. So many of the best things in my life are thanks to Reinhardt, and things that happened during those years—many of my best friendships, the growth I’ve had with the Lord, and my leadership experiences—made me more confident as a person and as a writer.”
Latimer encourages alumni to think of how they can offer an internship, referral, or extend a hand to others who graduate from their alma mater, hoping that everyone can follow their dreams. – SA
She realized achieving a dream requires combining self-reflection with confidence.
Jessie Fanczi Latimer (RU-2019 & 2023).
Learning as a Lifelong Journey Lendsey
Bishop | RU-2025, Christine Dean | RU-2023, and Tyler Ingram | RU-2023 & 2024
For Reinhardt’s dedicated faculty and staff , learning doesn’t stop with a degree—it becomes a lifelong journey toward making a difference through personal growth. Pursuing a degree rekindles their passion and curiosity, enhances skills, and renews a sense of purpose.
Lendsey Bishop (RU-2025)
Juggling college coursework, a full-time job, and motherhood isn’t easy, but for Reinhardt’s Payroll and Purchasing Administrator, Lendsey Bishop, education is more than a goal. It’s a promise to herself and to the young girls watching her every move.
Bishop is advancing her professional path by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business. Despite the demands of being a mother of two, working full-time, and actively serving with the Service League of Cherokee County, Bishop has maintained a well-organized schedule that allows her to follow her academic goals.
At the 2025 commencement ceremony, she proudly received her associate’s degree—a milestone she called the fi rst step in a pursuit of knowledge. Inspired by her progress, she’s even considering earning a master’s degree.
Driven by a deep passion for helping others, Bishop strives to expand her impact in the community. She also wants to lead by example, especially for her children. “I would like for my daughters and the younger generation to know that if you put your heart and mind into something, you can achieve it no matter what challenges come your way.”
(Left to right) Payroll and Purchasing Administrator Lendsey Bishop (RU-2025), Associate Professor of Communications Christine Dean (RU-2023), and Assistant Director of Residential Life Tyler Ingram (RU-2024 & 2025).
Christine Dean (RU-2023)
Reinhardt’s communications studies students learn and prosper from Associate Professor Christine Dean, thanks to the master’s degree she earned at Reinhardt in 2023 as well as her vast experience in the field. She pursued a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Creative Writing to obtain a terminal degree and increase her opportunities as a faculty member in higher education. Ultimately, her pursuit of an M.F.A. provided the pathway to teach at Reinhardt as well as the guidance to finish a book she’d been working on for 15 years. Dean previously traveled the world as a television producer for professional wrestling for two decades.
On September 11, 2001, in New York City, she endured the heartbreaking loss of a loved one during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers. The profound impact of that day redirected her path towards a career in education. “I went into teaching because of 9/11. It changed my whole trajectory of what I wanted to do with my life. I needed to do something meaningful and important,” she reflects.
Driven by a newfound purpose, Dean pursued a Master of Arts in Media Arts at Texas Christian University and eventually earned tenure and promotion at State University of New YorkPlattsburgh. Today, she channels her passion into enhancing Reinhardt’s communications studies program, striving to empower her students and make a lasting, positive impact.
Tyler Ingram (RU-2024 & 2025)
In pursuit of professional growth and motivated by a desire to enhance the student experience, Assistant Director of Residential Life Tyler Ingram received a master’s degree in business administration in 2025. “This was a deeply intentional decision rooted in my commitment to personal growth and professional excellence.” He explains, “Working in university housing, I quickly realized the complexity of the work—balancing operations, student development, crisis response, and team leadership requires a broad and evolving skill set. I wanted to deepen my understanding of higher education administration and leadership strategies, as well as better serve the students and staff I work with every day.”
Ingram’s strikingly calm demeanor and strong organizational skills are key to his effectiveness. Combined with his characteristics of empathy, strategic thinking, adaptability, and genuine care for the student experience, he helps maintain an inclusive, safe living environment that supports student success.
“To maintain resilience and mindfulness, I prioritize reflection and boundaries,” Ingram explains. “I make time to reflect, assess the situation, and celebrate small wins with my team. Most importantly, I lean on a strong support system of colleagues and mentors, and I try to foster the same sense of community within my team. Leading in housing is demanding, but it’s also rewarding, and I stay motivated by the impact we make on students’ lives every day.” – SA
For Reinhardt’s dedicated faculty and staff, learning doesn’t stop with a degree — it becomes a lifelong journey toward making a difference through personal growth.
Pursuing a degree rekindles their passion and curiosity, enhances skills, and renews a sense of purpose.
LIVING IN ALIGNMENT WITH VALUES
You have to pick the places you don’t walk away from.
- Joan Didion (American journalist, 1934-2021)
A Life of Building Impactful Relationships
Ed
and
Sylvia Robertson | Professor
and
Associate Professor
Positive relationships with family, friends, and community members enrich our lives. For some people, it takes time and effort, but for Ed and Sylvia Robertson, it appears to come naturally. Since 1986, “Dr. Rob” and Sylvia have been establishing lifelong connections throughout the Reinhardt community. When the pair first started courting at Alma College in Michigan, they often discussed the meaningful, personalized attention the faculty gave to their students. Inspired by their experience, they agreed they wanted to become supportive mentors in a small college setting. It didn’t happen right away. For over a decade, Dr. Rob worked as one of a handful of Mesozoic Cenozoic stratigraphic palynologists in the world, examining and interpreting organic samples of fossilized pollen and spores to advise the oil industry in exploration. But when his employment ended, Sylvia looked at him and said, “If we’re ever going to do the small college dream, the time to do it is now.”
Creating a Legacy
Dr. Rob became a professor of biology while Sylvia became an associate professor of social work and worked in the Academic Support Office at Reinhardt. Dr. Rob reflected on his sudden career change, “Just because you can do something that is well-paid doesn’t mean you have to do it. I discovered that the children of Appalachia, my kids at Reinhardt, needed me. So, at 40 years of age, I found out who I was, and where I was going.”
From year one, the couple immersed themselves in campus life, and their connections with students developed inside and outside the classroom. Known for dramatically making a point, Dr. Rob kept students engrossed in studies thanks to his teaching style. Once he even jumped off a desk to demonstrate electron energy. Others valued the guidance and
kindness they found in Sylvia. On Instagram, one alumnus wrote, “Dr. Rob literally changed my life. If not for him, I would never have found my purpose in life.” Another expressed, “The Robertsons made an impact on my career and life, still felt today.” Even in retirement, the couple invites student groups to their home. Alumni pay visits, send kind notes, and invite them to weddings and baby showers.
Investing in Students
The Robertsons didn’t become teachers to receive gratitude. They truly want to make a difference and enjoy interacting with students. Dr. Rob explains, “I’m of the philosophy that the worst thing that can happen to kids is that they get bored. Children are like a glass of water with silt in the bottom. Our job as teachers is to be the stick that goes down and agitates it, so it comes up. It becomes their responsibility on how to bring it back down. I discovered I could challenge the kids and make them react. My purpose was for the kids to understand how good they are and for the staff to get excited.”
Sylvia beams when she thinks about her former students, “What’s important is being involved, being affirming, and expecting the best of them.”
Dr. Rob adds, “We are bound to the students because we invest in each other. We’re genuine. I’ll say it as I think it is. Sometimes it’s unvarnished. It’s also the ability to go to a student and say, ‘You are a person of worth.’ So, it’s an investment in the students and their investment.”
Although they’re now retired, Dr. Rob remains involved in the University by tutoring part-time and working in the Samuel C. Dobbs Building and John L. Franklin Science Center. His convenient location in the atrium adorned with fossils and a giant crystal allows professors to bring students directly to him to receive
(Left) Ed and Sylvia Robertson in their flower garden.
help. With their daughter Charity Robertson serving as the Director of the Tutoring Center and as an assistant professor of biology, the family continues to have a positive impact on Reinhardt students.
Finding Joy in the Community
Realizing the importance of life outside of work, the Robertsons live a multifaceted life engaged in the life of their church and family while encouraging others to grow in their relationships. As active members of the Waleska United Methodist Church, Sylvia is involved in the United Women in Faith, and Dr. Rob cooks for a monthly men’s breakfast. They also fi nd great joy in participating in the lives of their children and grandchildren, all while maintaining a thoughtful commitment to each other. As members of Better Marriages of Georgia, they conduct an online group for marriage enrichment where they mentor other couples on communication and facilitate conversations about shared experiences. Sylvia explains, “We found out that we weren’t alone with the stuff that was tough. We help other couples grow their marriages and keep ours growing, too. We want a world where couples can have a little more joy.”
A part of Dr. Rob and Sylvia’s bond comes from their love of gardening and the fruits of their labor. Dr. Rob grows a lush, colorful garden. Since 2007, he has transitioned from tomatoes to zinnias, all the while recreating his youth helping his father, who had a greenhouse: “While I’m planting or cutting my flowers, in my head, I’m fi nishing conversations with my dad. I’m reliving my childhood.” The Robertsons can be found at Waleska’s weekly farmers’ markets, selling beautiful, freshly cut bouquets. Non-stop customers and conversations indicate just how popular this couple is throughout the community. And the Robertsons treasure each and every visit.
In summarizing the couple’s life, Sylvia reflected, “I now think having purpose is to be in meaningful relationships.” Dr. Rob declared, “We are literally living the dream. We ended up doing what we wanted to do with our life.” – SA
(Right) Gladiolus grown by the Robertsons. (Far right top) Zinnias from the Robertsons’ garden. (Far right bottom) A mixed bouquet cut from the Robertsons’ garden.
From Mentorship to Meaning
Erin Concepción | RU-2012
A volunteer experience with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta sparked a lasting passion in Erin Concepción (RU-2012) to give back. For 15 years, she mentored two young girls, forming life-changing bonds that enriched their lives as well as her own. Inspired by the profound impact of those relationships, she continues to be involved as an alumni mentor, supporting other matches. She finds fulfillment attending events to tell her story and help recruit new mentors.
Concepción explains that adult mentors in the program foster positive development in children facing adversity. “The most rewarding experience was seeing one of my mentees graduate from high school,” she reflects. “It makes me realize that I did my job right.”
Concepción cherishes the memories of the deep conversations and shared experiences with the girls. “It was a learning experience for me—understanding all aspects teenagers go through and seeing life through their eyes,” she shares. “We talked about everything from mental health to cultural differences. One girl’s family is from Mexico, and my family is from the Philippines. We did a lot of comparisons of our cultures—similarities and differences. The whole experience changed my life.”
Having parents who instilled the values of volunteering and giving back, Concepción pursues their teachings. She expanded her focus to fostering alumni engagement at Reinhardt. Today, she serves on the Alumni Board of Governors (ABOG) Events Committee, where she works to strengthen connections and cultivate a vibrant alumni community. Her experience as a big sister broadened her perspective on the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships—a lesson she carries into her role on the ABOG.
Concepción finds joy in fostering connections and helping fellow alumni stay engaged. Grateful for the organizational management and leadership degree
(Left) Erin Concepción (RU-2012).
that paved the way for career advancement to run a department within a Kroger store, she feels a strong bond with Reinhardt. “I still feel that connection and want to give back to where I earned my degree,” she says.
Concepción’s journey illustrates that alumni engagement begins with a spirit of connection, a desire to give back, and provides a reminder that Reinhardt’s legacy is strengthened every time a graduate chooses to get involved. – SA
The most rewarding experience was seeing one of my mentees graduate from high school. It makes me realize that I did my job right.
- Erin Concepción
In Pursuit of Justice
Meagan Hurley | RU-2014
Alumna Meagan Hurley (RU-2014) was awarded the 2024 Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award for her career dedication and successes in championing justice and advocating for the innocent, overturning wrongful convictions, and instructing law students to do the same. As keynote speaker at that year’s Evening of Honors, she told the students to keep an open mind about what their future might look like and to listen to the voice that is trying to guide them.
President Mark Roberts introduced Hurley by saying, “Meagan has dedicated her career to championing justice and advocating for the innocent. Her unwavering commitment to overturning wrongful convictions and securing the release of those wrongly accused exemplifies the very best of our University’s spirit. We celebrate Meagan’s outstanding achievement and commend her for her remarkable contributions to our community, to our state, and to our nation.”
Meagan Hurley delivered the following speech:
“What you should know about me, and some of the professors and administrators that have been here for a long time probably remember, is that when I graduated from Reinhardt in 2014, I was adamant that I was going to be an investigative reporter. I had zero interest in becoming a lawyer. Literally none. I had a professor who told me it seems like I like to argue a lot and maybe I should try law school. I said no, the only lawyers I have ever met I don’t like. It’s just not for me. I tell that story for a couple of reasons that I’ll expound upon.
“I was very committed to a future as an investigative reporter. Because of the many things I learned about myself over the course of my three and a half years at Reinhardt, I learned that I really enjoyed, and I was pretty good at research and writing. To me, journalism is the first rough draft of history. I was so interested in that as a profession because I had
learned through some experiences that I received here that I could tell really complex stories in a way that would make people pay attention. And I thought the world probably doesn’t need another lawyer, but maybe, just maybe, I can educate my community and spark some meaningful conversations that can get us all on the same page about working toward justice Because you see my time at Reinhardt really reinforced in me the paramount values of truth, number one, and of course, justice.
“I served as the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper at the time, then called the Hiltonian. And I think Walter May [Reinhardt’s Dean of Students] would probably agree that I learned how to be a little fierce when necessary to pursue truth and justice. That’s what I wanted to do as a professional and that is what I did. When I left here, I went on to work as a newspaper reporter first at a small newspaper here in Georgia, and then, I went over to our neighboring state of Alabama and worked at a larger daily community newspaper. And as fate would have it crime, court, and politics were the three areas that I had the most coverage responsibilities, and over the course of the years that I spent inside those courtrooms, day after day after day, largely covering criminal court, I was changed about my perspective and what my role should be in pursuing truth and justice. Frankly, I wrote a lot of stories about injustice, especially those experienced by marginalized people in the criminal legal system. And after a while, I reached a point where I could not write another of what felt like the same story again and again and again.
“And that was my last straw because it didn’t seem like there were any solutions to some of these pervasive problems in sight. So, my perspective changed, and I decided that I had spent enough time on the sidelines, and I should try to tackle some of
(All photos in this article) Meagan Hurley (RU-2014) in front of the Georgia State Capitol.
these things head-on. And that is what led me, after all of my nay-saying in time to law school, ultimately. I went to law school with the sole purpose of helping people that I believed had been lost or forgotten by what I think most people can agree is at best, an imperfect system. So that’s what I did, and that goal remained my constant throughout law school and going into my years of legal practice at the Georgia Innocence Project and now as a legal educator at Mercer School of Law, where I help students learn how to litigate these post-conviction issues.
“I am grateful, thankful, and blessed to live the life that I live, and to meet, know, and serve some of the most objectively wonderful humans, some of the best that you could probably meet, who are often my clients—what most of you probably don’t imagine when you think about some of the best people out there. You know the old adage goes, find what you love, and you never work a day in your life. And I can tell you that has certainly been my experience.
“Over the course of the years that I have been involved in the law I have had the utmost privilege of working on teams that have freed and exonerated three men who served a combined 90 years in Georgia prisons for crimes that they factually did not commit, as proven by forensic evidence. I’ve also witnessed countless transformations by other clients who have been dealt with, objectively, probably some of the hardest hands you can imagine in life, and I’ve seen them grow into kind, caring, and compassionate people. One of the best parts about
the work that I have had the privilege to do, is I’ve never had to charge a single red cent for any of my legal services. But on most days, despite that, I feel rich, because I get to wake up and seek justice each day, and I get to teach future lawyers to do the same.
“Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would be where I am today, both physically or metaphorically. And part of the lesson that I want to instill tonight, especially in new students, is to keep an open mind about what your future might look like. I promise you, 10 years ago, I had no idea that mine would look like this, and I’m so glad that it does. So be willing to take the leap of faith and listen to the voice that is trying to guide you to your calling. But perhaps the most important advice that I want to impart is to speak out against injustice whenever and wherever you see it—you can usually do something. And as Dr. King has always said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” Sometimes doing what’s right may be scary, it may not be pretty, and it may not be popular, but I’m here to tell you to do it anyway because it matters.
“The years that I spent here at Reinhardt were some of the best and most transformative of my life, and I would not have had the personal and professional successes that I’ve had, if not for the wonderful community here. Reinhardt shaped me into the person that I am today, someone who takes very seriously the core values of faith and service. Thank you, Reinhardt, for bestowing this award on me, and thank you for believing in me, and the rest of you on this stage.”
So be willing to take the leap of faith and listen to the voice that is trying to guide you to your calling. But perhaps the most important advice that I want to impart is to speak out against injustice whenever and wherever you see it — you can usually do something.
- Meagan Hurley
REMEMBERING AND REFLECTING
What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.
- Helen Keller (American author, 1880-1968)
At Reinhardt University, every life leaves a meaningful imprint. Through acts of service, moments of learning, and the relationships they built, these individuals helped shape this community in lasting ways.
In remembering those who have recently passed, their names are printed as homage.*
Their contributions to Reinhardt’s mission to educate the whole person with challenge and care and to inspire lives filled with purpose, are honored and deeply felt. Their legacy continues through everyone who carries their memory forward.
Betty Aaron (RU-1949)
Charles K. Allen (RU-1976)
Buddy Autry (RU-1960)
Nadine Basta
Ruth Beard (RU-1946)
Elizabeth D. Benjamin (RU-1972)
Grace H. Boswell (RU-1947)
Lewis Brown
Patricia Ann Causey (RU-1969)
Eddren Chester (RU-2027)
Betty Cobb
Charles K. Cobb
Astra Nyomi Cook
Dr. Franklin R. Croker (RU-1954)
Lillie M. Crowe
Larry Daniel (RU-1960)
Ouida W. Dowis
Dr. Bill DeAngelis
Dr. Floyd Falany
Dr. Bob Formaini
Tony Garrett
Steve Garrison, Jr.
Joan Gilmore (RU-1956)
Brian Goodhind
Jim Hakes
Al Hanson
Marie Holt (RU-1942)
*This list of names is inclusive from April 2023 to May 2025.
Reinhardt Magazine
Aubrey C. Howell
Linn Howell (RU-1966)
Judy Jones (RU-1961)
Jean Krueger
Leonard Leo
Robert G. Lipscomb (RU-1965)
Will Magruder
Robert Leroy Mann
George McClure
Ernest McCurley
Rev. Milton McGuirt
Beverly Tarpley McMurray (RU-1962)
Peggy Moore
Howard A. Olson
Steve Pate (RU-1970)
Dr. Walton H. Reeves
Dr. Garland Reynolds
Jane Smith Seay (RU-72)
Robert Lee Sewell (RU-1964)
Peggy R. Simpson
Debra Morgan Spruill (RU-1976)
Kellett Anne Bentley Taylor (RU-1998)
Sheila Ann Taylor (RU-2007)
Bruce Thompson (RU-2021)
Dr. C. Scott Wilkerson
Dr. Bill Wolfe
Steven Franklin Wood (RU-2001)
Floyd Falany (1936-2025)
One of Reinhardt’s most beloved and consequential leaders, Dr. Floyd Falany, passed away on May 26, 2025, at the age of 89. Dr. Falany served as the 17th president of Reinhardt from 1984 until his retirement in 1999. Prior, he served as Executive Vice President and Dean of the College from 1982-84 and Academic Dean and Professor of Behavioral Science from 1973-84.
Dr. Falany was known far and wide for his unyielding enthusiasm for the University along with its students, faculty, staff, and donors. He traveled through Georgia spreading inspirational words and sage wisdom, which sparked multitudes of alumni, friends, and strangers to champion Reinhardt’s
efforts. The enormous impact is deeply felt today. Through his visionary leadership, zeal for education, a hearty sense of humor, and unwavering faith, Dr. Falany’s contributions were far-reaching.
From constructing facilities, securing endowments, and building academic and athletic programs to engaging some of the best-known and most successful philanthropists, business leaders, and politicians, Dr. Falany was peripatetic on a mission to serve the University and a greater good.
Dr. Falany’s magnanimous nature—big-hearted, courageous, and story-laden—is forever intertwined with Reinhardt and those who had the blessing to know his smile and laugh.
Floyd Falany (1936-2025)
Nadine Basta (1975-2025)
Bill DeAngelis (1946-2024)
Brian Goodhind (1972-2024)
Bruce Thompson (1965-2024)
C. Scott Wilkerson (1968-2024)
Nadine Basta (1975-2025)
Former Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Cybersecurity Nadine Basta passed away on May 23, 2025, at the age of 49. Basta served the University from 2015 to 2021. She spearheaded curriculum development and launched one of Reinhardt’s most popular majors, cybersecurity. She also taught mathematics courses and served faithfully on faculty committees.
Basta discovered her passion for teaching while instructing workers at a Canadian construction company on how to use software she developed. She went on to serve as an instructor at Shorter University, Reinhardt University, Herzing University, and Georgia State University. She enjoyed speaking at conferences regarding computer science and authored six books in the fields of technology, cyberattacks, and mathematics.
Bill DeAngelis (1946-2024)
Dr. Bill DeAngelis served the University from 2002 to 2015 in roles including dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences and the program director for the Psychology Department. He passed away on August 1, 2024, after a brief illness.
DeAngelis earned a Ph.D. in Biopsychology at the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctorate at the Emory University School of Law. He became a member of the Georgia Bar and opened a private law practice in Decatur, Georgia.
Dr. DeAngelis played a key role in the University’s academic growth, including adding a political science major in 2011, and in the new addition to the Samuel C. Dobbs Science Building. A ceremony in April 2024 bestowed emeriti status to recognize his contributions and legacy.
Brian Goodhind (1972-2024)
Brian Goodhind (RU-2020) passed away on July 22, 2024, after a valiant battle with cancer. Goodhind coached the Eagles women’s volleyball team starting in 2017 and earned the distinction of Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Coach of the Year for each of his first three years while leading the team to the national tournaments. In 2021, Goodhind led the efforts to add men’s volleyball to Reinhardt’s athletic program and developed its success.
Goodhind was a graduate of Newberry College in Boston, Massachusetts, and he earned his master’s degree from Reinhardt in 2020. His unwavering passion for volleyball, coupled with his optimism and encouragement, left a lasting impact on students both on and off the court.
Bruce Thompson (1965-2024)
Bruce Thompson (RU-2021), a well-respected alumnus and Reinhardt Board of Trustees member, passed away on November 24, 2024, following a battle with cancer. He was 59 years old.
Thompson, the Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner, was elected to office after completing his Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Reinhardt. Previously, he served six years in the U. S. Army National Guard, founded and ran numerous businesses, and served eight years as a state senator. He strove to improve his communities and advocate for others.
Thompson loved his family deeply and was firmly rooted in his faith. He possessed a servant’s heart with a unique vision for identifying needs in his communities and working tirelessly to fulfill them. In a social media post, Governor Brian Kemp wrote, “A successful businessman and respected leader of his community, Bruce was a passionate voice for what he believed in throughout his years of service to the people of Georgia.”
C. Scott Wilkerson (1968-2024)
Dr. Carey “Scott” Wilkerson, who served as a core faculty member of Reinhardt’s Etowah Valley Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program, passed away on July 7, 2024. He was 55 years old.
As a highly accomplished writer, Dr. Wilkerson published poetry, fiction, and drama. He also authored numerous opera libretti and plays which were successfully produced on stages in several states and in Germany. His remarkable achievements included the honor of twice being a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet, recipient of two Lillian E. Smith Writing Fellowships, and a Georgia Author of the Year Award nomination in 2022.
At Reinhardt, Dr. Wilkerson joined the MFA staff in 2018, providing lectures on writing and literary topics. In 2020, his role transitioned into working with students one-on-one. In addition, he worked at Columbus State University for 17 years as an associate professor of creative writing.
7300 Reinhardt Circle Waleska, GA 30183-2981
HERBERT NORRIS MABRY
(Roswell, Georgia, 1897-1978) (RU-1922)
Summer Sunset, 1920 oil on canvas
33.75 inches x 18 inches
Collection of Reinhardt University
Gift of Dr. Kemp Mabry in 1982
Norris created this painting, Summer Sunset, and a companion piece, Winter Twilight, while a student at Reinhardt in 1920. His son, Dr. Kemp Mabry, noted that his father was a talented musician and artist but had little opportunity to develop his talents. Norris was also a gifted storyteller, and with the encouragement of his son, he wrote two books: Cobb County Reflections, and They Went Before. Both books are in the collection of Reinhardt’s Hill Freeman Library.
The two paintings, Summer Sunset and Winter Twighlight, were given to Reinhardt in 1982 by Kemp and originally hung in the Burgess Administration Building. They now hang in the JoEllen Bell Wilson (RU-1961) O ce of Advancement. About the gift, art professor Curtis Allen Chapman, II (1943-2016) remarked, “These paintings are a fine addition to the college’s collection both because they are very high quality and were done by a Reinhardt student,” and “they provide a valuable link to our past.”
