Fall 2018 Arches - Global Impact

Arches Fall 2018

Tennessee Wesleyan University Magazine

Dear alumni and friends, Since your days at Wesleyan you have been impacting the world around you. From Athens, TN to small African nations, you have taken the lessons learned here to bring light to those around you.

The value of preparing our students to enter a global society is shared among our faculty and staff and is evident at our annual International Day held on campus. Our international community of students, faculty and staff take the day to share their traditions, culture and food, and help us all become better global citizens. The global impact has a growing presence on our campus and our Wesleyan impact is also seeing a growing presence around the world.

We have students traveling abroad to immerse themselves in different cultures and languages. Faculty are leading groups to other countries to provide insight into the global economy. Our fine arts groups are sharing their talents with the world as they tour throughtout the globe.

This past February, Tennessee Wesleyan strengthened our partnership with sister school, Nagasaki Wesleyan University, with a visit from their administrators.

You have taken TWU with you - wherever life’s path has led you. This issue is dedicated to the commitment each of you have shown to sharing your light with the world. The stories you’ll read in this edition are only the beginning of what is happening across the country and the world. Each of you continue to make us proud and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing family.

Filled with Bulldog Pride,

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Dr. Harley Knowles President

Arches

Tennessee Wesleyan University Magazine

Board of Trustees Members Mr. Jim Winer, CIC, Chair Mr. Hugh Queener ‘77, Vice Chair Rev. Dr. Vant Hardaway ‘71, Secretary Stephen W. Brumit ‘80 The Honorable Jerri S. Bryant ‘84 Dr. Stephen Byrum, Ph.D. ‘69 The Honorable Carl E. Colloms ‘64 Mr. Jeffery L. Cunningham ‘90 Price Foster, Ph.D. ‘63 Mr. Paul H. Gaffney ‘90 Ms. Patricia Ging Mr. Robert Goodfriend Ms. Laurie Hallenberg, J.D. Danny R. Hays, M.D. ‘57 Ms. Tenna Hornsby‘84 Mr. Bryan Jackson Mr. William (Bill) Killbride ‘72 Don J. King Jr., M.D. ‘68 Mr. Rick Lay ‘78 Mr. Trent Mansfield Mr. Larry Mauldin Dr. Regenia L. Mayfield ‘59 Ms. Marylin Miller Rev. Dan Moore ‘74 Charles (Butch) Peccolo Ms. Patricia B. Purushotham Rev. Thomas (Tom) Reed ‘73 Rev. Stella Roberts Mr. Jason Robertson Mr. Jerry Smith ‘61 Mr. J Lee Stewart ‘72 Hugh Walker III ‘65 Dr. Larry D. Wallace Mr. Kenneth Webb Mr. Mark White ‘76 Ms. Mintie Willson Ms. Shirley S. Woodcock ‘78

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Alumni Tennessee Wesleyan

A S S O C I A T I O N

Alumni Association Board of Directors Erica Peden ‘14 President Meloyne Adams ‘93 Joshua Bragg ‘14 Matt Dannel ‘09 Judi Davis ‘71 Ashley Ervin ‘10 Nathan Ervin ‘ 11 Dana Ferguson ‘13 ‘17 Matt Harper ‘13 ‘17 Abriel Hardaway ‘13 Frank Horning ‘75 Dianne Mitchell ‘81 Karen Morrow ‘15 ‘17 Greg Moses ‘07 Jordon Nelson ‘12 Mason Onstott ‘12 Karen Raby ‘13 Brooke Satkowiak ‘03 Lacey Stewart ‘06

CONTENTS 06

Transformation Is Air Apparent

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The Beauty of the Worldwide Church

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Driven Determination

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2018 Spring Commencement Recap

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New Scholarships

in every issue

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Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations Randy Nelson ‘93 Director of Alumni and Donor Relations Haley Duncan ‘16

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Letter from the President

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University Updates

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Campus Spotlight

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Advancement Updates

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Academic Updates

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Athletic Updates

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In Honor of / In Loving Memory of

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In Memoriam

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Class Notes

Director of Development Lacey McDonald Director of Marketing & Communications Katherine Davis Writers Dan Digmann Todd Cox Graphic Design Joanna Rowell Photography Tommy Botello Joanna Rowell Neil Crosby Ben Finch

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University Updates Renewing Partnerships With Sister School

Tree Campus Designation Awarded

February 15-19, four dignitaries from Nagasaki Wesleyan University visited TWU as a delegation intended to reestablish close connections between Nagasaki Wesleyan University and Tennessee Wesleyan University; as well as between Isahaya, Japan, and Athens, Tennessee. During the visit, city officials; including Mayor Chuck Burris and City Manager C. Seth Sumner, presented a proclamation highlighting the bond between sister cities (Athens and Isahaya) and sister schools. Representatives from Athens, TWU and NWU all share a desire to strengthen the relationship to enhance our future.

Thanks to a dedicated committee of students, led by biology faculty member Dr. Alex Pilote and Director of Facilities Management Mike Ingram, Tennessee Wesleyan has earned the 2017 Tree Campus USA recognition. This marks five consecutive years that TWU has been recognized for our commitment to promoting healthy trees.

Five-Year Study Showcases TWU Impact On Area Economy The conclusion of a recent five-year study of Tennessee Wesleyan’s direct economic impact on the local community shows approximately 90 percent of Tennessee Wesleyan’s expenditures are made, on the average, in the five counties of McMinn, Bradley, Monroe, Loudon, and Knox. During 2012-2017, Tennessee Wesleyan contributed more than $343 million to the local economy (an average of $68.6 million per year).

Introducing University Square With the closure of a portion of College Street the University strives to create a gathering space that connects the campus community with our greater-Athens community. This new space will include picnic tables and manicured landscaping that is both easily accessible and inviting for our communities to enjoy. The renovation project began in July and will continue throughout the coming year.

University Appoints New Trustees Seven area community and business leaders recently were elected to serve as members of the Tennessee Wesleyan University Board of Trustees.

NEW MEMBERS - Patricia Ging, associate dean, TWU education and behavioral science (faculty trustee) - Robert Goodfriend, entrepreneur and former president, Goody’s Family Clothing - Trent Mansfield, TWU senior (student trustee) - Marilyn Miller, co-owner and partner, Miller & McPhail CPAs - The Rev. Stella Roberts, former director, Connectional Ministries of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church - Kenneth Webb, former president and CEO, Cleveland Utilities - Mintie Willson, philanthropist and community advocate, East Tennessee area The TWU Board of Trustees provides institutional oversight and ensures TWU continues to effectively perform in accomplishing its mission.

TRANSFORMATION IS AIR APPARENT Dan Digmann

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BURDETTES ENSURE TWU STUDENTS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE THE WORLD With his loving wife, Jill, by his side, Dick Burdette spent his nearly 40-year career at United Airlines helping people see the world.

This commitment has continued into retirement for the 1966 Tennessee Wesleyan University graduate. He and Jill, who also attended TWU, have invested in once-in-alifetime opportunities that take off from Athens, Tennessee.

Together, the Burdettes now are making a world of difference for TWU students.

Reasons To Give Thanks For A Twu Telegram The Burdette Global Scholarship Fund provides TWU students with limited resources the financial assistance they need to travel abroad. It officially was established in 2015, but the case could be made that the scholarship actually was in development more than 50 years before then.

Everything started in 1964 with a telegram sent from Athens, Tennessee, to Long Island, New York.

The TWU director of admissions had transmitted the message to Dick Burdette informing him he was admitted to TWU and could start classes the winter semester of 1964. This is exactly what Dick was hoping for after he had completed courses at a two-year technical school in New York while working various blue-collar jobs.

“I was looking for something a little more fulfilling in my career, and I wanted to move away from New York,” he said. “I had applied to a few different colleges in the Carolinas and Eastern Tennessee, and Tennessee Wesleyan was the first to show interest in me.”

With his bags packed and mind set to pursue a business teaching degree, Dick left Long Island and was ready for his Bulldog life to begin.

It didn’t take long for him to follow his academic adviser’s recommendation and shift his academic focus from education to accounting. Dick said he still could teach business with an accounting degree, but it also opened the doors to more professional opportunities beyond education.

He quickly joined the choir and got connected with a group of friends, which included a woman he knew as Jill Rogers.

She originally was from Rogersville, Tennessee, and recently had transferred to TWU after spending a year studying at Florida Southern College.

“My sister attended Tennessee Wesleyan and I always had enjoyed being on its campus,” Jill said. “Dick and I always felt like we belonged there.”

Friends were key to Jill’s TWU experience, and when her friend Dick Burdette was talking about not going home to New York over Thanksgiving break—“It’s too long of a drive for such a short break,” he said—she invited him to have dinner with her and her family in Rogersville.

“We weren’t dating at the time, I just didn’t want my friend to be by himself at Thanksgiving,” Jill said.

It turns out, Dick never would be alone for the November holiday from that year forward.

United In Their Marriage, United For His Career Dick and Jill started dating in early 1965, and on June 9, 1966, they were married shortly after Dick graduated from TWU. While Jill never finished her studies at TWU, she has spent the past 52 years exactly where she always wanted to be.

“I wanted to be with him, so I was going to go wherever his job was going to take him,” Jill said.

Dick started working for United Airlines right away and spent the first eight years working in airport operations and customer service at airports in the New York City area, and then in Norfolk, Virginia, and Reno, Nevada.

He then transferred to United Airlines’ corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. He spent the balance of his career in positions ranging from revenue accounting to auditing, travel agency accounting and information systems design.

Dick made a lasting impact on the industry over the final decade of his career when he worked on the concepts that helped develop the electronic ticketing system that all major airlines worldwide use today.

“I remember when our team met and someone said, ‘Let’s get rid of the paper tickets.’ I laughed out loud and said, ‘That will never happen,’” he said. “But when we all put our heads together and really started looking into it, we saw what was possible.”

For his work on electronic ticketing, Dick received the Vision Award from United’s Information Services Division in 1999.

Coming Home To Help Others Travel Abroad

The Burdettes relocated to Rogersville following his retirement and have taken advantage of living within 125 miles

from their alma mater.

“I think we’ve only missed coming back for Homecoming two or three times since I retired,” Dick said. “We also regularly get together with friends from Tennessee Wesleyan throughout the year.”

But one question from Dick during a Homecoming visit is all it took to build lasting relationships with current TWU students. When he learned of the TWU choir and its plans to tour and perform in European countries including Germany, Prague and Vienna, he asked, “Do you ever take any alumni on these trips?” Four months later, Dick and Jill received a phone call from TWU inviting them to accompany the choir on its 2014 European tour.

It was one of the best times of their lives.

“We had no responsibilities on that trip so we could have gone sightseeing throughout the days, but we loved to be there to watch the students rehearse and talk with them,” Jill said. “Going into the trip, we didn’t know any of the students, but they took us in and made us a part of their experiences there. We still have contact with some of them even after they graduated.”

It made perfect sense to Dick and Jill to establish the Burdette Global Scholarship Fund. They have had incredible opportunities throughout their lives to travel and know how much it broadens people’s worldviews.

Among the students to receive the Burdette scholarship is Elizabeth Houk. With the scholarship, she was able to study abroad in Costa Rica and enhance her Spanish speaking skills for her minor in Spanish. It was her first time traveling outside of the United States.

Houk met Dick and Jill at the TWU scholarship luncheon earlier this year.

“Thank you for gifting me with an unforgettable adventure. It has touched my husband, my children, my family, and goes beyond just me,” Houk wrote in a follow-up letter to the Burdettes. “We are so excited to share this with our children one day and tell them about the beautiful places that are beyond our country as they grow up learning to speak, write, and read Spanish just as I did.”

Dick said he has been inspired by the mantra of one philanthropist that states, “Learn. Earn. Return.” But he said something he learned years ago in Athens, Tennessee, motivates him and Jill even more.

“In some ways, the time I spent at Tennessee Wesleyan opened my eyes to see that if you have the opportunity to help other people, you should take advantage of it,” Dick said. “We’re just providing a vehicle that will help to enrich students’ lives.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Belinda Biddle

Belinda received the 2018 Flame Award, voted on by her peers.

The Flame Award is given to a staff member with three or more years of consecutive service and is considered as having done an outstanding job in supporting and promoting TWU. HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT WESLEYAN? 5 ½ years WHAT POSITIONS HAVE YOU HELD? Admissions Counselor Jan 2013 to April 2014 Accounts Payable in Business Office April 2014 to January 2017 Student Accounts Manager January 2017 to present WHAT DEGREE DID YOU EARN FROM TWU? Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Accounting Emphasis WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WESLEYAN? There are so many things I love seeing students on campus and happy.

I love that we get to know them personally.

I love that staff gets to work together as a team and do what is best for students. I don’t think that happens on larger campuses.

I love that TWU is a family that always supports each other in times of need.

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Proud Heritage, Strong Future Campaign Update Your gifts to the Proud Heritage, Strong Future Campaign have been a tremendous blessing to TWU’s students, faculty and staff. This historic campaign has accelerated many strategic initiatives for the university and continues to exceed expectations for what is possible for the future of TWU. We’re looking forward to joining with donors to celebrate another significant milestone in the campaign at Homecoming 2018, with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Colloms Campus Center on Saturday, November 10.

The finish line is in sight, but it is not too late to be part of this exciting moment in TWU’s history. Help us finish strong and be part of this campaign by making a gift before December 31, 2018.

For more information about how you can make a charitable gift to TWU, please contact the Advancement Office at (423) 746-5330 or email advancement@tnwesleyan.edu

$16,000,000 Campaign Goal

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The Beauty of the

One Alumnus’ Reflection on the

In July, I got the opportunity to travel to Johannesburg, South Africa for the Global Young People's Convocation (GYPC). This event takes place every four years and gathers young people from the five United Methodist Jurisdictions (USA) and the seven United Methodist Central Conferences (international) for a time of diverse worship, leadership and ministry education, and for legislative work to be done around the Book of Discipline and other policies of the United Methodist Church.

Before I traveled to South Africa, I had never been 12 tnwesleyan.edu

outside of the United States before so this experience was new for me - but my time at Wesleyan helped prepare me to be an effective leader at the event.

This year's GYPC was made up of over 40 different countries, everywhere from the USA to Russia to Zimbabwe and everywhere in-between. The differing ideologies and cultures were challenging, as communication became difficult with different languages and dialects all being around one table; however, it

Worldwide Church

Global Young People’s Convocation

showed the beauty of the worldwide church. As we discussed topics that I think everyone was passionate about, obvious conflict and differing opinions arose. As we entered into those critical times, I thought back to my times at Wesleyan as a student leader. When difficult times appeared around student government or greek life, I learned that everyone at the table is passionate about what they care about and feelings come from the burning passion for whatever we are a part of to be the best it can be. At GYPC, I saw how all of us young people wanted the

church to be a unified body - where we all can bring our passions of loving and serving in Christ's name forward in all our different cultures and contexts.

I'm thankful for TWU for helping me to see the beauty in different opinions and ideas, and that all are welcome and encouraged because, in the end, we all care for the things closest to us and want nothing more than to see them thrive - whether it be a student organization or our Church.

By: Todd Cox, ‘18

ACADEMIC UP As the Chief Academic Officer at Tennessee Wesleyan University, the most rewarding time of year for me occurs at commencement. The privilege was mine this year to call the names of graduates representing nearly all of our 30+ academic majors. For the faculty members at TWU, there is a thrill in knowing that our graduates have met the challenges of our academic requirements and are prepared for the next step in their lives. The world is a better place as the class of 2018 leaves our halls to lead and serve. This thought drives the Office of Academic Affairs to seek new opportunities for prospective and current TWU students constantly.

Dr. Grant Willhite, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Kilbride Nature Sanctuary as a Site for Undergraduate Research

McMinn County Dual Enrollment Opportunities

Two TWU students under the mentorship of Dr. Patrice Cole and Dr. Alex Pilote begin a research project aimed at determining baseline data for the species composition of the Kilbride Nature Sanctuary. The students will set up several plots and survey species content and diversity. Their work will set the stage for continued monitoring of these plots as efforts are made to rid the area of non-native species and native species are introduced. Another TWU student is set to assist in the construction of a trail system on the property to enhance accessibility for groups engaged in ecological education and to highlight the research that is ongoing. This work is supported by the generous support of the Pete and Sally Smith Foundation.

Over the course of the last year, TWU has engaged with McMinn County High School and McMinn Central High School to offer a wide array of dual enrollment courses on campus at TWU. These courses are scheduled at times that are convenient for high school juniors and seniors and will provide these students access to university services and our outstanding faculty. Dual enrollment at TWU offers these students the chance to engage in the university atmosphere while still in high school.

Coming Soon - Occupational Therapy; Here Now – Pre-OT Excitement continues to build as Dr. Robert Mullaney constructs curriculum and engages with community partners in anticipation of a fall 2019 start date for a Masters in Occupational Therapy program.

The TWU Pre-Occupational Therapy program launched in the spring of 2018 and several current students who were interested in OT began classes in the second accelerated spring term. These students are excited at the prospect of being in the first graduating class of Masters of Occupational Therapy at TWU! *the MOT program is pending SACSCOC and ACOTE approval

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P D AT E S TWU Students Study, Travel and Serve Abroad This year, TWU students took advantage of the opportunity to engage in learning in different countries all over the world. During Spring Break 2018, Dr. Ana Barrios traveled with students to Costa Rica for an intensive Spanish language experience. Also over the break, Dr. Lisa Kirkland accompanied a team of nursing students to Haiti to provide medical services to Haitians in underserved regions. This summer, two students are again signed up to experience Japanese culture at Nagasaki Wesleyan University. TWU is set to return this favor as we plan to host students from Nagasaki Wesleyan in the Spring of 2019. At the end of May, several students in the Goodfriend School of Business traveled to Australia and New Zealand experiencing the culture and business environment of these countries.

HAITI

AUSTRALIA

COSTA RICA

Veteran Students Welcome at TWU Over the past year, TWU has been engaged in building out course equivalencies for military experience through a Veteran Reconnect Grant from the State of Tennessee. The grant funded the hiring of a Coordinator of Veterans Services and funds efforts to articulate and advertise the progress that veterans may have toward a TWU degree through their military service. TWU is thankful to our veterans for the sacrifices that they have made for our country. We are honored to be able to provide opportunities for these heroes to pursue a TWU degree.

Social Work Reaches Another Milestone TWU received word in March that the TWU Social Work Program has been granted Candidacy Status II by the Council on Social Work Education. Ms. Linda Garza and Ms. Tammy Walker have been integral in the labor-intensive process of program development and accreditation documentation. The program anticipates a third commissioner visit in the fall of 2018 with notification of accreditation in the spring of 2019.

Nursing Dual Degree Approved In the spring, TWU received word that SACSCOC has approved a dual degree program in nursing with Maryville College. Students who begin their studies at Maryville College may now complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the TWU-Fort Sanders Nursing program and receive their BSN from TWU and a degree in health science from Maryville College.

Driven Determination SALAMA LUMBASIO finds ways to succeed as her plans continue to change.

Dan Digmann 16 tnwesleyan.edu

There’s something deeply special about Tennessee Wesleyan University that nearly every student and graduate feels.

It struck Salama (Christine) Lumbasio the second she stepped onto campus a few weeks after leaving her home in the east African country of Kenya.

“You know when you go somewhere new

and it just feels right?” the 2013 TWU alumna asked. “That was Wesleyan for me, and I knew I didn’t need to look anywhere else. I knew that this was the place that would help me get to where I need to go.”

But even as a focused freshman, Lumbasio never envisioned that within five years of graduating from Tennessee Wesleyanshe’d return to Africa not as a full-time resident but as a visiting pediatric professional.

Just To Mention Divine Intervention It took drive, determination and overcoming unforeseen disappointments for Lumbasio to become the International Programs Coordinator for Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative.

“Bad things will happen, and sometimes you can’t connect the dots when you’re going through it,” she said. “Things are finally falling into place, and I think I can finally start to connect the dots.”

Lumbasio came to the United States with the ultimate goal of attending medical school and earning her medical degree.

She wanted nothing less than to return to Africa and serve as a doctor.

But, as Lumbasio soon learned, “God has different plans for me.”

She grew up in a Kenyan village where her father served as its chief. Fluent in seven different languages—Swahili, French, English and four tribal languages—Lumbasio was committed to caring for children and saw the need for more doctors to improve the health of her country.

Diseases like polio, measles and AIDS are prevalent throughout African countries. Children are among the hardest hit, she said.

“There are doctors from the U.S. and other countries who come in to volunteer and temporarily help, but I’ve never heard of a country that was built on handouts,” Lumbasio said. “We are smart people, we just don’t have the resources readily available. What Africans need are the tools to survive when the volunteers leave.”

Lumbasio set her sights on going to the U.S. and getting a medical degree. It had to start with an undergraduate degree, and she thought she had things in order when she received a scholarship to play basketball at a small college in the state of Tennessee.

The full-ride offer seemed a little odd to Lumbasio, considering she never had played the game and “… didn’t even know how to spell ‘basketball.’”

But she stands at 6’ 3” and by height alone could be a dominant force on the court. This aspiration shattered shortly after her 28-hour flight from Kenya to Tennessee. The coach who recruited her had just accepted a job at another university.

All part of God’s plan, she reminded herself.

Lumbasio quickly scheduled visits to other colleges in the region. Upon her trip to TWU, she stopped looking and canceled all other appointments.

Embracing Life As A Bulldog

Enduring Another Change In Plans Everything was going Lumbasio’s way.

She spoke at her TWU commencement, graduated with honors, and received a scholarship to pursue her master’s degree in tropical medicine at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She earned her graduate degree at Tulane and then moved to New Mexico to start medical school.

TWU was it. She settled into her new life as a Bulldog pursuing a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and, yes, standing tall on the court as a member of the women’s basketball team.

It didn’t take long for Jeff Rice, TWU women’s basketball coach, to know he found a gem in Lumbasio. While he didn’t look for her to lead the team in scoring, rebounds or assists, he knew she had what it took to lead by example.

“After meeting her, I knew she was a very driven student who just needed someone to give her a chance,” Rice said. “She was a special kind of student-athlete who wasn’t going to take anything for granted and knew this was her one shot.

Basketball was her vehicle to get to where she needed to go.”

Her dedication and drive extended way beyond the court as she touched the lives of so many others in the TWU community. Whether it was spending extra time in the organic chemistry classroom and lab or the 20 hours each week she spent working in the dining hall, Lumbasio impacted everyone she met.

This included Grant Willhite, TWU’s vice president for academic affairs who previously was one of Lumbasio’s biology professors. He said he saw she was a focused student the moment she set foot on campus.

“She was perhaps the only student I ever taught who logged time spent on each class to make sure that she was giving each adequate time,” Willhite said. “Salama was not handed her education in her home country. This experience kindled a fire in her to achieve her dream.”

Not so fast.

A glitch in the medical school’s international student application process prevented Lumbasio and students from outside the U.S. to enroll at that time. That’s right. God’s plan.

She instantly canvassed the city, stopping in countless medical and pediatric clinics looking for a job or professional experience. What she found was a pediatrician who was impressed by what Lumbasio had to offer and who had completed a residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Texas.

Conversations led to conference calls with medical center administrators to talk about the job to potentially work with the center’s international pediatric AIDS initiative.

“Within five minutes of the conversation, they asked me, ‘When can you start?’” Lumbasio said. “I had to take a leap of faith. I knew somehow God had a plan in all of this.”

New International Opportunity, Of Sorts In the middle of all this, she earned a second master’s degree at Mississippi College.

student life, who saw the amount of work she put into everything she did.

Lumbasio started her international role on June 1, 2018, based at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas. The job will involve traveling overseas 75 percent of the time to help improve the lives of vulnerable mothers and children.

“I am not shocked by her success at all. During her time at Tennessee Wesleyan, she set goals and worked hard to achieve them,” he said. “She never saw obstacles as a deterrent. They were only opportunities for growth and learning.”

Her first stop? Malawi, a country in east Africa near her home in Kenya. In her assignment, Lumbasio will serve as a diplomat and help the people of the country connect with the hospital and receive the service and care they need.

Lumbasio’s success comes as no surprise to TWU staff members like Scott Mashburn, TWU vice president for

And she still is growing and learning. After she is finished serving in this international role, Lumbasio is expecting to attend medical school at Baylor and become a doctor.

At least, that’s her plan right now.

ATHLETIC UPDATES

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Five All-American Performances lead to Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Best Finish at NAIA Championships At the 2018 NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the men’s track and field program finished with All-American performances from Cadarius Harris (100m Dash), Josh Parson (200m Dash), Dillan Elkins (200m Dash, 400m Race) and the 4x400m Relay Team (Kenny Benton, Elkins, Devonte Fletcher and John Gould) to give the team it’s best finish in program history of 15th in the nation.

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4x400m Relay Team Makes History at 2018 NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships Building on the history of becoming the first 4x400m Relay Team to qualify for an outdoor national championship prelim, the team Kenny Benton, Dillan Elkins, John Gould and Devonte Fletcher not only became the first 4x400m to qualify for finals of the event, they became the first relay team to finish as All-Americans.

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Women’s Track and Field Wins Third-Ever AAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship Conference championships from Shot Put (Rachel Lawhorn), 4x800m Relay (Hannah Rhodes, Karlie Yinger, Rosa Cisneros and Kuepper Feehan), 100m Dash (Alexandria Johnson), 4x100m Relay (Alexis Lankford, Johnson, Tranico Parson and Els Hooijdonk), 4x400m Relay (Feehan, Johnson, Parson, and Hooijdonk) and the 200m Dash (Johnson) helped the women’s track and field team win the third AAC Championship. Head coach Sam Roberts and assistant Michael Basuini were named Women’s Coaching Staff of the Year.

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Men’s Tennis Wins First-Ever NAIA Tournament Match Following a co-regular season AAC title and a runner-up finish in the AAC Tournament, the men’s tennis team qualified for the program’s third NAIA national tournament. Entering as the #16 seed, the team beat #17 seed San Diego Christian College to get their first-ever win in the national tournament. The win helped the team finish with its highest ranking ever, #15.

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Men’s Tennis Federico Staksrud, Men’s Lacrosse Roderick Williams Named All-Americans Federico Staksrud, a senior on the men’s tennis team from Buenos Aires, Argentina and Roderick Williams, a junior on the men’s lacrosse team from Birmingham, AL, were both named second team NAIA All-Americans in their respective sports.

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Baseball Wins 15th Regular Season Title in 17 Years; Earn 10th straight NAIA Opening Round Bid With the sweep of Milligan College to close out the regular season, the team clinched a share of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Regular Season title, their 15th in the last 17 years. With their run to the championship game of the conference tournament, they became one of two schools to qualify for the opening round each year since it began 10 years ago.

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Tennessee Wesleyan Wins AAC Women’s All-Sports Trophy At the annual CAA/FAR Conference meetings, it was announced TWU had won the AAC Women’s All-Sports Trophy.

This marks the third time the Bulldogs have won the Women’s All-Sports Trophy since its inception in 2015. The award is given to member institutions with the most successful all-around sports program for the year, determined by a point system based on team finishes in the regular season and tournament.

Alumni Ray Stone Takes Over Men’s Basketball Position after Alumni Mike Poe Resigns The men’s basketball program saw a coaching change for the first time in 14 years. Alumni Mike Poe resigned his position to take a similar position at Volunteer High School. Poe finished with 251 wins, second most in TWU history. Taking over for Poe will be associate head coach Ray Stone, an assistant of Poe’s for the past 14 seasons. Stone is also an alumnus of TWU.

Sam Roberts Named USTFCCCA South Region Men’s Track and Field Head Coach of the Year Track and field head coach Sam Roberts was voted by the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association as the South Region Head Coach of the Year. Roberts has received coach of the year awards on the high school level, as a college assistant and now a college head coach.

FIND FALL SPORTS SCHEDULES AT TWBULLDOGS.COM

The processional begins with a bagpipe selection.

Mintie Wilison is awarded the degree of Honrary Doctorate.

2018 TWU graduates process into their ceremony on the Old College Lawn.

Dr. Dover starts the ceremony with a prayer.

Class speaker, Kasey Combs, gives parting remarks.

Mr. Lamont T. Price of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development was the 2018 commencement speaker and left graduates with a message encouraging them to be consistent in how they live their lives by being the best version of themselves.

Senior members of the TWU choir preform the alma mata.

A 2018 graduate shows off her diploma.

2018 TWU graduates say their goodbyes and take photos with their favorite professors.

2018 Spring Commencement Recap Commencement Activities Conclude with Conferring of Degrees Traditional commencement-week activities began with the pinning and blessing the hands ceremony for our nurses in Knoxville. Both nursing students and main campus students selected professors to provide one last lecture before the formal ceremonies began.

Graduates, families, faculty and staff gathered in Townsend Auditorium Friday night for the Baccalaureate service where Rev. David Graybeal addressed the crowd. Speaking to the seniors, he urged students to take the lessons of service and learning they learned while at Wesleyan into the world and be the next great generation.

This year’s commencement speaker was T. Lamont Price, director of TNInvestco, a part of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Mr. Price urged the grads to remember the gift of community where they can serve, but also be served and mentored themselves. He also encouraged them to remember the values they’ve been taught by their parents, and the lessons they learned while at Wesleyan. Mr. Price ended his speech with Psalm 90:17, May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.

The class of 2018 also selected to hear from fellow graduate Kasey Combs. Kasey spoke of the friendships made, discoveries made in the classroom and the future they have all been awaiting. Finally, the 158 graduates were welcomed to the TWU Alumni Association by Erica Peden, ’14, president of the association.

As the new alumni exited Nocatula Gardens, a mixture of emotions could be felt across the campus. As we say goodbye to the class of 2018, we know this is just the beginning of the next phase. The entire Bulldog community can’t wait to see what happens next!

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Remember the values you’ve been taught at this university and stand even when it’s unpopular.

- Mr. Lamont T. Price

IN HONOR OF Billie Dean & Haley Wheeler Mr. James W. Grant

Bryan A. Jackson Jackson and Runyan CPA, PLLC

Dr. Burkett Witt Ms. Anna R. Lewis

Charles & Eva Oaks Ms. Marilyn R. Ward

Dr. J. Price Foster Mr. Jack Edmonds

Cecil Lee Mr. Daniel C. Smith

Dr. Danny Hays Ms. Rhonda Brandon

Drs. Sam & Stella Roberts Mrs. Michelle Crafton Mr. Bryan A. Jackson

IN LOVING MEMORY OF 1935 Wayne F. Strickland Athens, TN April 30, 2018

1949 Jackson M. Bane Pearisburg, VA May 12, 2018

1952 Evelyn M. Rainwater Lenoir City, TN May 22, 2018

1963 Martha W. Abbott Cleveland, TN January 1, 2018

1936 Nelle K. Ward Sweetwater, TN February 12, 2018

Betty S. Greenwell Ooltewah, TN March 3, 2018

1954 Edith S. Ward Lakeland, FL January 1, 2018

Joyce C. Bagwell Huntsville, AL March 19, 2018

1939 Mary Emert D. Willson Chattanooga, TN March 26, 2018 1942 Betty D. Moody Maryville, TN February 28, 2018 1947 Raymond Sutton Parrottsville, TN April 25, 2018 1948 James E, Johnson, Jr. Athens, TN December 24, 2017

Helen Jackman Webb Huntsville, AL July 17, 2018 1950 Reba B. Sparks Charleston, TN April 23, 2018 1951 Lee B. “Doak” Willett Athens, TN June 29, 2018 Tommy L. Phillips Champaign, IL July 14, 2018

1958 Ruth J. Hickman Decatur, TN May 22, 2018 1960 John J. Alise LaGrange, GA April 2, 2018 Gary Simpson Athens, TN February, 11, 2018 1961 Patricia J. Walker Knoxville, TN March 18, 2018

Dr. F. Joseph “Joe” Burger Athens, TN March 29, 2018

1964 Lundy W. Lovelace Chattanooga, TN January 3, 2018 Phillips C. Morris Salisbury, MD May 28, 2018 1965 Carolyn L. Burns Huntsville, AL July 7, 2018

Sarah E. “Betty” Lyle Cleveland, TN March 12, 2018 1966 Fred C. Hicks Englewood, TN May 5, 2018 1967 Wanda L. Griffith Cleveland, TN March 8, 2018 1968 Janice C. Butt Decatur, GA May 23, 2018 1969 Pamela B. Hutsell Athens, TN April 26, 2018 1970 James L. Early Humboldt, TN June 18, 2018

Emma Ruth Catlett Mr. Daniel C. Smith

Harold Overton Mrs. Shirley S. Overton

Ethan Tillman Clark, RN Mrs. Helen S. Clark

John & Della Sue Middleton Mrs. Tenna M. Hornsby

Greg Moses & Kristen Schrader Mr. R. Carter Runyan

Robert G. Large Mrs. JoAnn Wilson

Sandra Nipper Ratledge Cleveland, TN February 19, 2018 John Seaton Etowah, TN February 15, 2018 1971 David E. James Etowah, TN April 11, 2018 1972 Susan T. Hitch Maryville, TN March 30, 2018 1973 Thomas E. Gaby Athens, TN February 18, 2018 Evelyn H. Mullins Athens, TN June 30, 2018

1974 Don M. Geren Cleveland, TN May 8, 2018 Joyce M. McClenden Sweetwater, TN May 14, 2018 1985 Janice C. Wlliams Athens, TN May 4, 2018 2009 Craig A. Fitzpatrick Oak Ridge, TN March 30, 2018 Friends of Wesleyan: Rebecca M. Cook Athens, TN April 28, 2018 Daisy M. King Gatlinburg, TN July 3, 2018

Note: Honorees of Honors or Memorial gifts will be recognized at the Colloms Campus Center on bricks, bencehs, or rocking chairs and are not included in this publication. These will be invailed at the grand opening of the Colloms Campus Center.

Randall W. Kirkland Maryville, TN December 29, 2017 Jane E. Rusk Robinson Maryville, TN April 24, 2018 Robert R. Scott, Jr. Knoxville, TN January 1, 2018 Rev. Harold D. Underwood Wytheville, VA February 21, 2018 Shirley F. Porter Wheeler Sweetwater, TN March 20, 2018 Employees of Wesleyan: Jerry L. Dover Riceville, TN May 8, 2018 Nancy C. Ferguson Knoxville, TN March 1, 2018

Nancy K. Hinkle Rockford, TN February 28, 2018

Due to an unintended oversight, the following gifts were not included in previous editions of Arches during the time they were recorded:

HONORS William & Mary King Dr. J. Gabriel Clark

IN MEMORIAM

Cecil & Mary Arden, Alice Arden (daughter) & Charles (son) Dr. J. Gabriel Clark

IN MEMORIAM Alma Ward Sliger Ms. Marilyn R. Ward

David Harrod Carter, Harrod & Willhite, PLLC

James “Jimmy” Johnson, Sr. Mr & Mrs. W. Ed & Barbara Pickel

Austin McDonald Ms. Deborah Walker

Don F. Patrick 53’ Mr. W. Fred Cotton, Sr.

Bettye Best Thacker Ms. Mary Leigh Thacker

Don M. Watson Mrs. Catherine Watson Mr. William “Bill” B. Kilbride

Jane Rusk Robinson Ms. Georgia B. Blake Hon. Jerri S. Bryant Ms. Sarah E. Dunsmore Mrs. Betty J. Householder Mr. J. Alan Owen Mrs. Susan Robinson Mrs. Charla Sherbakoff

Bill & Bert Marshall Mrs. Kay Harper Betty Moody Mr & Mrs. W. Ed & Barbara Pickel Bill Grater Mrs. Betty Grater Billy Hutson Mrs. Barbara R. Smith Bob Lamb Mr. William “Bill” B. Kilbride Dr. Charles E. Peavyhouse Mrs. Eula W. Peavyhouse Col. James W. Brown Dr. Lynn W. Brandon Connie Akers Mr. John C. Cheek Dr. James E. Cheek Mrs. Judi H. Davis Mrs. Becky J. Green Ms. Betty Keirn Mr. C. Scott Mayfield Mrs. Marilyn Miller Mrs. Ginger R. Robinson Ms. Jean Wilson 26 tnwesleyan.edu

Don Shaw Mr. Ronald G. Dalton Mr. William “Bill” B. Kilbride Don W. Best Mrs. Sharon W. Gerkin Dr. Charles Turner (Mr. Senn) Dr. Jo A. Jackson Dr. Hugh White Mr. James S. Mosher Dr. Lawrence A. Roseberry Mr. Robert “Bob” A. Roseberry Elizabeth Harrington Mr. William L. Snyder Fay Akins Dr. Billy L. Akins Faye McMillan Ms. June M. Jaquish Hugh M. Willson II Mrs. Mintie Willson Heisse Johnson Dr. Billy L. Akins

Jim Harrison Dr. Billy L. Akins James “Phillip” Harris and daughter, LuAnn K. Harris Mrs. Sarah H. Harris Joyce Coulter Bagwell Mr & Mrs. Jim and Pat Blair Dr. Lynn W. Brandon Mr & Mrs. W. Ed & Barbara Pickel Deal Kathryn Nelle Kennedy Ward Ms. Sandra J. Guinn Kenneth (Dub) Duckett Ms. Brenda Sellers Kent W. Thomas Mrs. Vivian S. Thomas Lee B “Doak” Willett Dr. R. Danny Hays Lee B. “Doak” Willett & Irene Buttram Mr & Mrs. Dwain & Sally Ealy Len Bierman Mr & Mrs. W. Ed & Barbara Pickel Deal

Lola C. Scott Ms. Ann S. Davis Lundy Lovelace Mr & Mrs. W. Ed & Barbara Pickel Deal Martha Ann (Wampler) Abbott Ms. Betty R. Koeninger Martin Hykin Mr & Mrs. W. Ed & Barbara Pickel Deal Mary Emert Davis Willson Mr & Mrs. R. Glenn & Martha Huggins Mr. Michael L. Bevins Mr. Frank Carpenter Mrs. Rebecca Willson BB&T Wealth Management Mr & Mrs. W. Ed & Barbara Pickel Deal

Dr. Mary Greenhoe Mrs. Charlotte B. Baker Matney & Mildred Reed Mrs. Margaret Hubble Mr. & Mrs. Charles Williams & Charlie Williams Mr. Scott M. Emison Nancy Ferguson Ms. Victoria Battershell Ms. Nicole W. Howard Dr. Lisa D. Kirkland Dr. Kathlene D. Smith Anonymous NSF International

Ms. Debora A. Coyle Mrs. Martha E. Maddox Dr. Scott A. Mashburn Nancy Hinkle Ms. Reba B. Hall

Mr. Dale Hinkle Ms. Nicole W. Howard Mr. John L. Irwin Mr. Charles M. Jenkins Dr. Lisa D. Kirkland Mrs. Lillian Lambert Ms. Glenda H. Ramsey Dr. Kathlene D. Smith Anonymous Cross-Smith Funeral Home, Inc. Greater Knoxville Funeral Services Assoc. Inc Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Inc McGill Funeral Service Inc. Memorial Funeral Home, LLC Monroe County Beekeepers Assoc.

Mrs. Victoria Battershell Ms. Debora A. Coyle Mrs. Martha E. Maddox Dr. Scott A. Mashburn

Rev. Robert “Bob” E. Clarke Mrs. Florence E. Clarke Robert “Bob” Perry Mrs. Deborah A. Hahn McMinn County Education & Community Foundation Mr. William “Bill” B. Kilbride Rev. David E. Manner

Paul Riviere and Henry W. Riviere Ms. Anne L. Riviere

Shirley Wheeler Mrs. Lesa S. Allmon Ms. Virginia Burris Mr & Mrs. Dennis & Kay Frank Mr. Matt Hill Mr. Thomas L. Ingram Dr. Lisa D. Kirkland Dr. Scott A. Mashburn Mrs. Nilda Navarro Mr. Randy Lee Nelson Mrs. Melanie S. Oran Mr. & Mrs. Daniel & Doris Rodelius Mrs. Betsy L. Rotters Ms. Patricia Starritt Mrs. Judy J. Sullins Mr. & Mrs. Joe & Beth Williams Athens Area Music Teachers Associations Silver Key Realty

Randy Kirkland Dr. Lisa D. Kirkland

Sidney Milsaps Mr. William “Bill” B. Kilbride

Regina A. Allen Ms. Erica B. Peden

Thelma Hall Mrs. Elenor K. Van Pelt

Rev. David G. Smith Mrs. Sherry A. Smith

Wally Fowler Rev. David E. Manner

Rev. Ray & Jane Robinson Mrs. Bettye Kaye Richeson Mr. Mark H. White

Wayne Strickland Dr. Billy L. Akins

Nelle Kennedy Ward Ms. Marilyn R. Ward

C L A S S N O T E S Submit your note for the next edition of Arches at alumni@tnwesleyan.edu

The Daily Post Athenian’s “20 Under 40”

Baby Bulldogs

This annual list showcases young individuals who make the area of Athens the great community that it is.

This year’s “20 Under 40” showcases five of our alumni.

Ryne Frazier ‘16 Utility Forester with Athens Utilities Board Abby Carroll ‘12 Attorney at Worthington & Weiss Brianna Hanson ‘15 Program Coordinator at Athens Parks & Recreation Heath Stephens, attended in 2011 Operations Manager at Madison Carpet Outlet Tiffany Malone ‘04 Math Teacher at McMinn County Schools

Ashley Ervin (’10) and Nathan Ervin (’11) welcomed their baby, Hannah Claire, into the world on March 2, 2018.

Dr. Landon (’11) and Lauren (’11) Sherrill announce the birth of their twin girls, Iris Elaine and Ruby Elise. They were born on August 3, 2018 at 8:31 & 8:32 am respectively at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, TN.

Garrett Casson (’11) and Ciara (Frisbie) Casson (’12) celebrated the birth of their son, Jackson Riley, on April 10, 2018.

Claire Tucker (’75) President and CEO of CapStar Bank, has been appointed to the Nashville Healthcare Council Board.

Susan McCann (Jones) (’15) graduated in May from Chapman University in Irvine, CA with her Doctor of Pharmacy.

Dana Ferguson (’13) was one of more than 50 economic development professionals from Tennessee and ten other states who graduated from the 12th annual Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course (TBEDC) in Nashville this past May.

Emily Green (’17) accepted an Admissions Representative position at Daymar College in Nashville, TN.

Stephen Jaquish (’99) (second from the right), has been promoted to director of technology at Wilson Bank & Trust, having previously served as assistant director of technology. He also completed coursework with the Georgia Bankers Association and the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado.

Geneva Rutherford celebrated her 103rd birthday in June.

Geneva attended Wesleyan in 1934 and 1935. She played basketball and is a member of the Tennessee Wesleyan Hall of Fame.

N e w S ch o l a r s h i p s R e m e m b e r T e TEAMMATE AND FRIEND HONORS MEMORY OF CHARLIE WILLIAMS, ‘83 The Williams Family Annual Soccer Scholarship was established by Mr. Scott Emison, class of 1983, in memory of his classmate, teammate, and friend, Charlie Williams and Charlie’s parents Mr. & Mrs. Charles Williams. The scholarship will be awarded annually for a senior soccer player at Tennessee Wesleyan that has a minimum GPA of a 3.0 and that is involved in a variety of student organizations on campus.

Mr. & Mrs. Williams with Charlie’s brother, Hal.

Kneeling: Ezell Scruggs, Spencer Emison, Don Jones, Charlie Williams, Dan Eubank, Billy Gugate, Pepe Fernandes, Greg “Skully” Johnson, Brian Shaw Standing: Scott Trigg, Lorne “Quiche” Murphy, Brad Bethel, Russell Douglas, Hal Williams, Dave “Spidey” Essex, Jummy Shaklee. Gary “Shim” McBride, Gordon Sobel

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Charlie Williams was goalie for the men’s soccer team at Tennessee Wesleyan in 1980, 1982 and 1983. He was loved by his coaches, teammates and many others on campus. Charlie passed away in 2005 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Charlie’s mom passed away in 2011 and his dad in June 2009. Mr. & Mrs. Williams were ardent supporters of their sons, Charlie and Hal, and of all the players on the men’s soccer team. They were seen at many games both on the road and in Athens. Mr. and Mrs. Williams’ home in the Atlanta area was always open to the players. There were many weekends and holidays the Williams Family provided food, lodging and most importantly care and encouragement to the players. By the time Hal graduated in 1989, Mr. and Mrs. Williams had been involved in TWC sports for almost 10 years.

Scott Emison is challenging the teammates and friends of Charlie and the Williams Family to make a gift to the Williams Family Annual Soccer Scholarship to keep Charlie’s memory alive.

e a m m a t e s , F r i e n d s a n d Fa m i l y CONNIE AKERS MEMORIAL NURSING SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED Over the Summer of 2018, collective gifts from a letter campaign led by Judy Davis and Betty Keirn, along with a challenge gift helped establish the Connie Akers Memorial Nursing Annual Scholarship.

Connie Clary Akers served Tennessee Wesleyan students for 20 years as the on-campus nurse and Sigma Kappa advisor. She was a beloved member of the campus community and according to one friend was described as, “extremely devoted to students and willing to see them at any time, day or night.”

She continued to serve others as a nurse to Athens City Schools’ students and showed her dedication to community through her involvement with Sigma Kappa sorority, Girl & Boy Scouts, Grace & Mercy Ministries, the Good Faith Clinic, and many more. Because of her character and example of service to others, many friends and loved ones were inspired to give in her honor to establish this annual nursing scholarship.

As of August 15, 2018, the scholarship has raised $16,750 for students majoring in nursing.

For more information about these scholarships or about how to establish a named scholarship in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact the TWU Advancement Office at (423) 746-5330.

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204 East College Street Athens, Tennessee 37303 tnwesleyan.edu

HOMECOMING | NOVEMBER 9 - 11

It all Starts Here!

Celebrate Homecoming and the Grand opening of the Colloms Campus Center.