UMHB Life | Winter 2011

Healing Page 14

PLUS: Nursing Education Center groundbreaking | Highest enrollment on record | Homecoming 2011

B I G P I C T U R E | In the weeks leading up to the Baugh Center for the Visual Arts groundbreaking ceremony, art students transformed a dozen shovels into works of art. These shovels were used to turn the dirt during the art center’s groundbreaking ceremony Friday, Sept. 30, 2011.

UMHBLIFE W I N T E R 2 011 | V O L U M E 31, N U M B ER 2

PRESIDENT Randy O’Rear, Ed.D. EDITOR-IN- CHIEF Paula Price Tanner, Ed.D. EDITOR Jennifer Meers Jones ’08 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS James Stafford Sarah Nunez ’11 PHOTOGR APHERS Jennifer Meers Jones ’08 Randy Yandell ’99 Abigail Davidhizar ’12

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UMHBLIFE W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 | VOLUME 31, NUMBER 2

D E P A R T M E N T S 5| C A M P US L I F E Groundbreakings for the Nursing Education Center and Center for the Visual Arts, highest enrollment on record, and more 12| AT H L E T I C L I F E Volleyball team advances to conference tournament, online video streaming for athletic events, and more 13| P H I L A N T H R O P Y Class of ’71 sets goal to raise first six-figure class gift by their Golden Anniversary in 2021.

26| A LU M N I L I F E Check out what’s happening in the lives of alumni and their families— plus profiles on Luke Nunnally ’07 and Elliot Barcak ’07; Darbi Winsman Tidwell ’01; and Pam Higgason Harris ’65 and Beverly Lisby Owen ’64

F E A T U R E S H E A L I N G K E N YA |14 Nursing students and faculty organize the first-known medical mission trip to the Kenyan village of Malikini July 27-Aug.10, 2011.

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A N U R S I N G S T U D E N T |18 Junior Ashleigh Holden documents the ups and downs of a busy week of exams, classes, and clinicals.

H O M ECO M I N G R E D ES I G N E D | 22 Alumni return to campus Sept. 30-Oct. 1 to experience a new and improved homecoming schedule including a family-friendly outdoor carnival and Stunt Night.

O N T H E COV E R | Nursing professor Joanne Woods and students Kelsey Anderson and Emma Smith take a break outside of the Kenyan medical camp where they treated close to 1,000 patients this summer.

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Nursing students demonstrate appreciation at groundbreaking Almost three hundred visitors attended a special groundbreaking ceremony for the new Isabelle Rutherford Meyer Nursing Education Center Friday, Oct. 21.

Special guests included representatives of the Meyer family, the Leroy and Merle Weir Charitable Trust, and other donors to the new facility. Guests and dignitaries were welcomed to the ceremony by nearly one hundred UMHB nursing students. Dressed in purple scrubs and lab coats, the students created a crosswalk across 9th Street, clapping and showing their appreciation.

University president Randy O’Rear began the ceremony by thanking all of the generous benefactors who had already pledged their support of the project. He also announced that the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Okla., approved a $2 million challenge grant for UMHB, to be used to help fund construction of the new Isabelle Rutherford Meyer Nursing Education Center. Under the terms of the agreement, the university must secure a total of $18 million for the project by Oct. 1, 2012; the foundation will then give UMHB the final $2 million to complete the funding needed for the project.

“We are on our way to great fundraising success with this building, and we praise God for the many friends who are stepping forward to bring this muchneeded facility to life,” O’Rear said.

Dr. Sharon Souter, dean of the College of Nursing, expressed her joy and excitement. “This building is a culmination of many years of dreaming. It will represent God’s love for the community as we prepare spiritually informed students to go out and provide his care.”

The Isabelle Rutherford Meyer Nursing Education Center will offer 76,100 square feet of space for the university’s Scott & White College of Nursing. The building will feature state-of-the-art simulation centers where students will practice their clinical nursing skills, in addition to high-tech classrooms designed for best practices in nursing education.

The facility will be constructed at 409 West 9th Avenue, across the street from the university’s York Science Center. Work on the $20 million facility began in December, and it is expected to be ready for use in the spring of 2013.

Nursing students Payton Price and Joshua Farnsworth escort Jane Meyer through the gathering of students who lined the street to express their gratitude at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Isabelle Rutherford Meyer Nursing Education Center.

Anonymous donor issues challenge to raise all funds for center by end of 2012 University officials announced in September that a donor, who has asked to remain anonymous, has offered a substantial challenge grant to help fund the construction of the new Isabelle Rutherford Meyer Nursing Education Center. The challenge specifies that, to receive the grant, the cost of the center must not exceed $20 million, and the university must raise all funds for the facility through gifts and grants by Dec. 31, 2012.

“This generous donor has pledged the largest challenge grant in the history of UMHB,” said Dr. Randy O’Rear, university president. “Meeting the terms of this challenge will enable our $20 million nursing facility to be funded debt free. We are excited about this opportunity and optimistic that we can meet this challenge by the end of next year.”

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Scott Dodd was named director of campus construction in October. Dodd earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He has extensive construction management experience and most recently worked at Flynn Construction as a project manager. Dodd and his wife Kelli, a high school math teacher, have two children, Zach and Coby.

Melissa Ford was recently promoted to director of graduate admissions. Ford had served as assistant director of alumni relations since 2007. She earned her undergraduate degree in professional studies from UMHB in 2007 and completed her master’s degree in human services from Liberty University in 2010, specializing in executive leadership. Ford brings exceptional skills in communicating, marketing, public relations, web site administration, and event management to the graduate school.

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A ROU N D CAMPUS

Farris Hall dedicated in October

On Thursday, Oct. 20, nearly 150 visitors attended a special dedication ceremony for Farris Hall, the university’s newest apartment-style complex.

Special guests to the ceremony included the family of Martha Farris, for whom the complex was named. Gordon Wiggers, chair of the university’s Board of Trustees welcomed those in attendance and described the new apartments as an example of “what God’s people can do when they work in his name.”

Ashleigh Holden, a junior nursing major from Plano, is one of Farris Hall’s first residents. She described the benefits of living in the new apartments, including the freedom to study in peace in her private bedroom. “They don’t feel like dorm rooms for students,” Holden said.

President Randy O’Rear said that the only thing that could have made the occasion more special would have been having Martha Farris in attendance; her health prohibited her from making the trip from her home in Floydada, Texas, for the ceremony. O’Rear described Farris as a passionate Christian and a faithful university supporter. After a prayer of dedication, Farris’s sons John and George joined other dignitaries in cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

Farris Hall is the first new facility to be dedicated as part of the university’s Campus Master Plan. The 82,750-square-foot Farris Hall houses 163 apartments in a mix of 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom configurations. Each unit has a shared living room, kitchen, dining room, and laundry area, plus a private bedroom and bath for each resident. The facility is located on a bluff overlooking Nolan Creek, offering residents beautiful views in every direction.

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RANDY YANDELL

Students honored at fall convocation Junior Bethany Greeson (pictured) and senior Luke Cielonko were named recipients of the Gary and Diane Heavin Servant Leadership Award during fall convocation Aug. 24. The award, which recognizes students actively involved in ministry and community service, comes with a $1,000 cash award for each student, a portion of which the student may choose to donate to an organization of his or her choice. Gary and Diane Heavin of Waco established a permanent endowment to fund the award, to remind students of the importance of philanthropy and community service.

Dr. Randy O’Rear and John and George Farris cut the ribbon during the dedication for Farris Hall, named in honor of Martha White Farris ’42.

Breaking ground: construction begins on art department’s new home In the fall of 2012, art students will make the long-anticipated move from the basement of Presser Hall into a brand new, state-of-the-art building on the corner of 9th Avenue and Shine Street. The $5 million project will provide art students with spacious classrooms, ample studio space, a designated art gallery, and an outdoor sculpture garden.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Baugh Center for the Visual Arts was held on campus Friday, Sept. 30. The ceremony marked the beginning of construction on the two-story facility that will offer 27,000 square feet of space dedicated to art education.

The building will be named in memory of Eula Mae and John Baugh, Houston philanthropists who were well known for their generous support of higher education and Texas Baptist causes. John Baugh was a founder of Sysco Corporation and also served as chairman and CEO of the company, which eventually became the world’s largest food distribution service.

During their lifetimes, Mr. and Mrs. Baugh made significant gifts to UMHB, and their family foundation stepped forward in 2009 to make a lead gift of $1 million for construction of the new art center.

The Baugh’s daughter, Babs Baugh, who serves as president of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation, touched the crowd by unexpectedly taking the podium and calling all students in attendance to come to the front.

“This is what it’s all about,” she told the audience. “These students are the future of our country, Texas, and the Baptist denomination. Students take many courses and directions at UMHB, but none more significant than the arts. It’s what your soul is made of, and how your soul expresses beauty, joy, and thankfulness to God.”

Tiffany Wurdemann was named assistant director for student organizations in July. Wurdemann is from Puyallup, Wash. She received both a B.B.A. in marketing and master’s in college counseling and student development from Azusa Pacific University. While earning her master’s, Tiffany worked with student organizations, leadership development, and residence life.

Rick Martinez was recently named director of physical plant.

He previously served as assistant director of facilities for the Wichita Falls Independent School District. Martinez grew up in Duncanville, Texas, and graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He and his wife, Julie, live in Belton with their three kids, Justis (a current UMHB freshman), Amanda, and Micah.

Matthew Irvine was named web services

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manager in October.

Before coming to UMHB, Irvine served as director of communication and technology at First Baptist Church Belton. Irvine graduated from UMHB in 2006 with a B.A. in communication.

Students surround Babs Baugh as she makes an impromptu speech about the importance of art education.

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A ROU N D CAMPUS foundation relations in November. Padilla previously worked as research grants and contracts manager at Scott & White Healthcare; she also previously served as a grants coordinator. She is a graduate of Penn State University with a B.S. in human development and family studies and a M.Ed. in counselor education. She and her husband, Julio, reside in Temple with their two children, Chrishan and Danica.

Susan Kolodziejczyk was appointed director of development in November. Kolodziejczyk previously served as executive director of community relations at Metroplex Health System. She has a B.A. in communications from Sul Ross State University and is currently working on a master’s in business marketing from Columbia Southern University.

Kolodziejczyk and her husband, Chris, have two children, Cooper and Grace, and live in Belton.

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Michele Padilla was named director of

Renowned speaker visits campus B Y S A R A H N U N E Z ’11 The university welcomed acclaimed international speaker Dr. Tony Campolo as guest speaker in chapel Wednesday, Sept. 14. Campolo has dedicated his life to Christian service, and currently serves as President of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE).

His speech stressed the importance of what it means to follow Jesus.

“It’s not how good you are; it’s what Jesus did for you on the cross that determines whether or not you are a part of His fellowship in the kingdom.

Your salvation depends on His work, not yours,” he said.

The evangelist, who has worked in developing countries to ensure education for at-risk children, discussed the importance of fighting for and helping the oppressed. He said, “The purpose of an education is to equip you to live more sacrificially and effectively for the poor and the oppressed of the world in the name of Jesus.”

Campolo recalled an encounter with a homeless man who offered him coffee. When Campolo asked this man about his generosity, the man responded, “I feel that when God gives you something good, you ought to share it with people.”

Tony Campolo is an associate pastor, ordained minister, author, and media commentator. He has appeared on numerous television programs such as CNN, The Colbert Report, and Larry King, and has published 38 works including A Citizen’s Guide to Faith and Politics, Stories That Feed Your Soul, and Choose Love Not Power.

The United States Postal Service recently released a new stamp in its Distinguished Americans series commemorating Oveta Culp Hobby.

Hobby, who attended Mary Hardin-Baylor in the 1920s, was the first secretary of the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and the first commanding officer of the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. The portrait on the stamp is based on an undated black-and-white photograph of Hobby in her WAC uniform, wearing the legendary service cap, the “Hobby hat.”

The portrait was painted by Richmond, Va.-based illustrator Sterling Hundley.

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COURTESY OF USPS

Stamp celebrates distinguished alumna

Fall 2011 semester boasts highest enrollment on university record This fall, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor enrolled the largest number of students in the school’s 166-year history, with an official enrollment of 3,137 students. This is up 181 students from a total of 2,956 students in fall 2010. “You could feel the electricity that charged Welcome Week, and that energy has not faded,” President Randy O’Rear said. “For the second year in a row, we have more than 1,000 new students on campus, and that cannot help but create excitement.”

H E A R D @UMHB // Lots of chatter is going on every day on Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Facebook page. A sampling of recent posts from students:

I want everyone to know that I was ten minutes early to band practice. I don’t think that ever happened in high school.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS GRADUATE STUDENTS After 5 classes in a row since 8 a.m., I deserved a good nap.

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F R E S H M A N C L A SS THIS YEAR LAST Y EA R

RACHEL PARKHURST

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I N T ER N AT I O N A L S T U D EN T S THIS YEAR LAST Y EA R

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BR AZIL, CHINA, GER MANY, GHANA, HONG KONG, INDIA, K ENYA, KOR EA, LEBANON, NIGERIA, RUSSIA, SPAIN, SRI LANKA, TAIWAN, ZIMBABWE

T H E F R E S H M A N C L A S S H A I L S F ROM S TAT E S I NC LU DI NG A R I Z ONA , C OL OR A D O, F L OR I DA , I L L I NOI S , L OU I S I A N A , M I S S OU R I , N E W H A M P S H I R E , N E W M E X IC O, OR E G ON, T E X A S, WA S H I NGT ON

MOR E T H A N H A L F OF U N DE RGR A DUAT E S T U DE N T S (1, 5 41) L I V E ON C A M P US

Making fried pickles so I can study and munch :)

So proud you were asked to play a disciple next year for the Easter pageant...what an honor!

The morning that I just really, really wanted a waffle some guy goes and breaks the waffle maker. Sad day :(

94 on my Psych test, that's what's up ;)

I love jamming out to Natalie Grant's "Your Great Name" on the way to class. Best way to start the day!

T H E CLA SS OF 2015 PLA NS TO ST U DY NURSI NG (21%), BIOLOGY (9%), E DUC AT ION (6 %), C H R I S T I A N M I N I S T RY/C H R I S T I A N S T U DI E S (4%), P S YC HOL O GY (4%), AC C OU N T I NG (2 %), S P ORT M A NAGE M E N T (2 %)

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Townsend Library turns 50 years old

N EWS BRIEFS // Miss MHB 2012 crowned

In September, Townsend Memorial Library celebrated its 50th anniversary with a display featuring a card catalog and various library tools, equipment, and photos. Director of Learning Resources Denise Karimkhani said the exhibit paid tribute to days gone by when the most sophisticated pieces of technology were typewriters or microfilm readers.

“Since most students today grew up with technology, it is unlikely that they give much thought to the rapid strides made in library and information science,” Karimkhani said. “I started here as the public services librarian in 1977, so I have witnessed transformations in my profession, in our building, and in the number and types of resources—advances I never imagined.”

Miss Burt Hall, Lauren Rodriguez from Okinawa, Japan, was crowned Miss Mary Hardin-Baylor 2012 on Nov. 5 in the annual Miss Mary Hardin-Baylor Pageant. Rodriguez is a 20-year-old junior education major and the daughter of Steve and Rachel Rodriguez. She has been involved in Stunt Night and leads the children’s ministry at Hope Community Church. Her platform was “Supporting Military Families.”

The present day building was dedicated in September 1961. The new building was a long-held dream for many, who had been using a “temporary” $10,000 frame structure—originally built to last no more than five years for the library—since the 1920s. The new library cost $327,000 to build and was designed to hold 75,000 volumes. With its new open stacks and air conditioning, this new library no doubt felt like a luxury to the students and faculty at that time. The building was named in memory of longtime university champions E.G. and Elli Moore Townsend.

The Campus Master Plan calls for all parking to move toward the campus’ exterior parameters in an effort to create a pedestrian campus.

As a result, King Street—the road running behind Presser, Stribling, and Remschel—will close as construction for the pedestrian walkway begins in early 2012. Permanent parking will be added along University Drive and Crusader Way.

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King Street closure makes way for pedestrian mall

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University offices open University housing opens Spring advising and registration Classes begin (day and evening) Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday (campus closed) Highways & Byways Concert Series: Wheatfield, Hughes Recital Hall, 7 p.m.

Summer Camps Job Fair, Mabee SUB, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Piano, Four Hands: Michelle Schumann & Matt Crosby, Hughes Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

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Charter Day Hillman Visiting Artists Series: Waterloo Sound Conspiracy, Hughes Recital Hall, 7 p.m.

Spring Business Job Fair, Lord Conference Center, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Writers’ Festival, Lord Conference Center Opera Production, Temple CAC, 7:30 p.m.

Cru Knights, W.W. Walton Chapel, 7 p.m.

One Voice Concert, Hughes Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Wind Ensemble Concert, W. W. Walton Chapel, 7:30 p.m.

6 Teacher Job Fair, Lord Conference Center, 2 - 4 p.m.

8 Spring Opera Showcase, W. W. Walton Chapel, 7:30 p.m.

12-16 Spring Break (campus closed) 22 Jazz Ensemble Concert, Hughes Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

23 Health Quest, Mayborn Campus Center Arena, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

26-28 Spring Revival, Quad, 7 p.m.

31 Highways & Byways Concert Series: 3 Penny Acre, Hughes Recital Hall, 7 p.m.

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Dr. Marlene Zipperlen ’67 has been chosen to receive the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award, which will be awarded during the university’s Charter Celebration, April 20-21.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest award given by the Alumni Association. Alumni selected for this honor have distinguished themselves in their professions, demonstrate pride in their alma mater, and reflect honor on the university.

Zipperlen, who has served as Dean of the College of Education at UMHB since 2003, was also the founding dean of the university’s first doctoral program. From her days as student government president as an undergraduate, to her years as a superintendent of schools in Rogers and Clifton, to her work with the doctoral program in education at UMHB, Zipperlen has represented the university well through every undertaking. She attributes her success to the education she received at her alma mater.

“My time at UMHB as an undergraduate student was one blessed with new experiences, a wealth of new friends, and a wonderful Christian environment which nurtured an aspiring young teacher,” Zipperlen said.

Zipperlen was nominated by Helen Harris ’75, Ed.D. ’11. In one of her first teaching assignments after graduating from UMHB, Zipperlen coached Harris on the varsity tennis team in Killeen ISD. Recently, the two were reunited when Harris worked with Zipperlen as a graduate student in the doctoral program and Zipperlen served as the chair for Harris’s dissertation.

“Dr. Zipperlen is known as an innovator in education,” Harris said. “She is an inspiration to her students, a leader among faculty, and a committed Christian. She continues to demonstrate initiative, innovation, creativity and a superior work ethic in every task she undertakes.”

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Dean chosen as distinguished alumna

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“God’s plan for me and for my career began at UMHB. It is an incredible honor, and I am humbled to be considered a distinguished alumna.

The university continues to inspire me, and provides me opportunities to influence both undergraduate and graduate students.

— DR. MARLENE ZIPPERLEN

The Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented during Alumni Chapel Saturday, April 21, at 10:30 a.m. Please join us for this and other Charter Celebration events!

Easter Pageant, Luther Memorial, 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Good Friday Holiday (campus closed) Concert Choir Spring Concert, Manning Chapel, 7:30 p.m.

Play Day Charter Celebration Weekend Robing and Ring Ceremony, W.W. Walton Chapel, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Midnight March Song & Jazz 5, Hughes Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

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N EWS BRIEFS // Online video streaming now available for athletic events In September, the athletic department signed a contract with Stretch Internet to provide free live video streaming of the Cru’s athletic events. The streaming schedule included live video streaming of all ten regular season football games, all home events, and select road contests in each sport. UMHB utilized Stretch’s Game Central feature, making all of the coverage options available through one link. Fans can access live video, live audio, and live statistics through the Cru’s athletic department portal at http://client. stretchinternet.com/client/umhb.portal.

Men’s soccer wins its way to ASC semifinals The men’s soccer team finished the 2011 season with an 11-4-3 overall record. The Cru went 10-3 in ASC play and advanced to the semifinals of the ASC Championship Tournament, tying eventual conference champion U.T.Tyler before the Patriots advanced on penalty kicks 4-1. Seven UMHB players were named to the American Southwest Conference All-Conference teams.

Volleyball advances to conference tournament for first time since 2007 In what can only be described as the volleyball team’s best season in a decade, first-year head coach Rob Frost led the Lady Crusaders to their first victory in the American Southwest Conference tournament since 1998, setting a new school Division III-era record for wins in a season.

In the opening match of the 2011 American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament Nov. 3, the Lady Crusaders grabbed an early lead and then battled back from a third-set deficit to post a 3-0 victory over Texas Lutheran Senior Sara Hayward attacks the ball University. The victory brought the team’s against Centenary College Sept.16.

The Lady Crusaders won 3-1. season record to 21-9, setting a new school single-season record for Division III-era wins, besting the previous mark of 20 set in 1998. The win was the first ASC Tournament victory for the team since 1998, when the Cru went on to win the inaugural conference tournament.

The Lady Crusaders advanced to face ASC West Division Champion McMurry University later that evening. The team had chances to put McMurry away, but the Cru could not hold off the War Hawks fourth and fifth set rallies in a 3-2 loss in the second round of the championship tournament.

The Cru then faced U.T.-Tyler in an elimination game Nov. 4. The team fought back from an opening set loss to tie the match, but the Cru comeback fell short in a 3-1 loss. The loss ended their season at 21-11 overall. The match eliminated the Cru from the conference tournament after UMHB advanced to the ASC Tournament for the first time since 2007.

Golf teams mentioned in Golf World Top 25 Polls The Cru men’s and women’s golf teams both received mention in the Golf World Division III Top 25 Polls released in the Nov. 7 issue of Golf World magazine. The poll ranked the women’s golf team 13th in the country. The women won three of their four tournaments this fall, beating every Division III opponent and finishing second only to McLennan Community College at the Lady Bulldog Classic. The men’s golf team received votes in Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches Top 25 Poll and have the 30th highest point total in the nation. They posted a pair of tournament victories during the fall schedule, winning the Schreiner Fall Classic and the UMHB Fall Invitational.

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A class of firsts: Class of ’71 sets goal to raise first six-figure class gift B Y S A R A H N U N E Z ’11 One class. One goal. A hundred thousand blessings.

The Class of 1971 is living out their class tagline of “making a difference” through an ambitious goal to raise $100,000 by their 50th reunion in 2021. The class hopes the gift will make a difference by providing scholarships for future students.

The class considers themselves a “class of firsts.” There were the first to walk the steps of Walton Chapel, graduate with males, adopt the Crusader mascot, and sing the co-ed words to “Up With the Purple.” They are now working to become the first to raise a six-figure class gift.

“It is our hope that by getting this started at our 40-year reunion, by 2021 we will be able to present our school with a ‘golden’ $100,000 gift,” class president Cathy Burkett ’71 said.

The process of raising the money is not impossible, but it requires dedication and patience, she said. “We are working with Michael Ball, the senior director of development, to implement a process where we will be in contact with classmates on a regular basis over the next ten years. We will then present the gift at our 50-year class reunion.”

According to classmate Vickie McKay ’71, their focus is to inspire each class member to make a contribution. “We will encourage everyone to begin a monthly contribution of an amount with which they are comfortable,” McKay said.

Acts 20:35 states, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The class may not receive a tangible gain in return, but they are certain their gift will touch many lives.

“I look forward to being able to financially help students to create just as many precious memories as I did,” Deborah Moore ’71 said.

McKay and her class acknowledge that had it not been for alumni before them, they may not have received a college education. “We just want to give back,” McKay said. “We love our university and see the great work that is being done and the wonderful students attending today, and we want to make a difference in their lives, just as UMHB made a difference in ours.”

The Class of ’71 poses for a picture while celebrating its 40th reunion at Homecoming 2011. It was during this time that the class officially accepted the challenge to raise $100,000 by 2021.

“We just want to give back. We love our university and see the great work that is being done and the wonderful students attending today, and we want to make a difference in their lives, just as UMHB made a difference in ours.”

— VICKIE McK AY ’71

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When the 20 UMHB nursing students, faculty, and community members arrived in the Kenyan village of Malikini late in the night July 29, 2011, the darkness of the sleeping village was overwhelming. The village does not have electricity, so once the sun goes down at 6:30, moonlight is the only source available to light the way. With their flashlights packed away with their luggage, at first the group had trouble navigating in the dark of night. But for sophomore nursing major Michael Mutinda, the roads were familiar. He had traveled them many times as a young boy living in Malikini.

“Growing up there, I know the problems we went through,” Mutinda said. “The village has been a very peaceful area, but there is no government support. There is no running water and the roads are not good. We rely on the rains, and when there is no rain (because at times the rains keep), then there is a lot of suffering.”

Mutinda experienced that suffering first-hand as a nine-year-old boy when famine swept through the country.

Food was scarce—over five hours of

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back-breaking labor earned Mutinda just a single cup of paddy rice.

After graduating from high school, he began working as a photographer, taking people’s photographs for green cards. He applied for the American Green Card Lottery Program and, two years later, received his permanent resident visa. He moved to the United States with his wife and daughter in 2003, then joined the U.S. Army and served as a medic for five-and-a-half years in Iraq and Korea.

Despite being thousands of miles from his village, the problems facing Malikini continued to consume his thoughts.

“When I was in Korea I was told about my cousin’s wife who died because of a snake bite. It took over three hours by oxen cart pull to take her to the hospital. She did not have any other options for medical treatment,” Mutinda said. “I still felt the problems within that area. I knew, something needs to be done. Somebody needs to wake up and do

Nursing students treat 945 patients in six days during medical mission trip to a Kenyan village

BY JENNIFER MEERS JONES ’08

something. But I kept thinking, what could I do? I’m not rich.”

Still, Mutinda could not shake the feeling a medical camp needed to be established in Malikini.

After Mutinda enrolled at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, those dreams began taking shape. A seemingly chance encounter on campus with adjunct nursing professor Dr. Glen Smith set the ball rolling on the university’s first medical mission trip.

Smith had been a missionary in Kenya prior to coming stateside, so when he noticed Mutinda’s accent he struck up a conversation. They discovered a shared passion for the people of Kenya and decided to bring their vision of a medical mission trip to the attention of Dr. Sharon Souter, dean of the College

of Nursing. Souter was immediately on board—she had been seeking opportunities for the College of Nursing to get involved in missions.

“The collaboration between those three leaders and the orchestration of God in details was absolutely beautiful,” said senior nursing student Kacey Carabajal, who went on the trip. “Many of us have had the desire to participate in a medical mission trip for a really long time, so it was just such a blessing to have the opportunity to go.”

MEDICAL CLINIC IN MALIKINI After a 20-hour flight, the group—which included nine UMHB nursing students, one Tarleton premed student, one Texas Tech pre-vet student, four UMHB faculty, and

five community members—arrived in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. The following day the group drove by 15-passenger bus to Malikini, arriving that night at the school dormitory they would call home for the next week and a half. Most of Saturday was spent setting up the medical camp and getting the equipment ready for the clinic, which would begin on Monday.

That Sunday, the group experienced their first Kenyan church service.

Christianity is widely accepted in the country, but the service revealed a unique blend of African culture and traditional Christian beliefs.

“We were all assigned to a church and were expected to participate in the service,” Souter said. “During the offering time one

Far left: Upon arriving in Kenya, the group participates in a massage circle to relieve jetlag tension before boarding the bus to Malikini.

Middle: Michael Mutinda holds up a Crusader “C” and sports a UMHB jersey during a soccer game with the villagers.

Left: Before leaving Malikini, the group poses in front of the school dormitory where the women stayed all week.

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person brought a live chicken. As part of the process, which is very normal there, they auctioned it off to the highest bidder. I’m not sure who won, but they gave the chicken to us, which we then gave back to the pastor of the church.”

The service provided the group with a taste of what was to come in the days ahead as they were put on the spot and asked to share their faith with the congregation.

“We thought we would just be sharing our testimony, but no, the pastor said, ‘You have the whole service; you are the sermon.’ We were able to cope with that pretty well, but it’s just an example of the process the students went through to learn how to, at a moment’s notice, share their faith through a translator with people who didn’t speak the same language,” Souter said.

The medical clinic started that Monday. In the next six days, the nurse practitioners and physicians would treat an astounding 945 people. The students assisted with assessment, spiritual counseling, and pharmaceutical advisory.

Every patient began with assess-

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ment, said senior Mandy Brawner, who worked in this area.

“We had three stations set up with students and translators,” she said.

“Patients would explain to us what was wrong in their words. This is when we were really able to see the cultural differences. In America, when somebody has a sniffle and a cough, most of the time they will say they have a cold.

That doesn’t necessarily mean they actually have a cold, but that is what they usually say. In Kenya, patients would say they had malaria or other common diseases. Part of our critical thinking was accessing the symptoms they were describing and determining what was actually wrong with them.”

Brawner said common ailments patients suffered from included general aches, back pain, malaria, head funguses, worms, stomach issues, acid reflux, and heartburn. “But they wouldn’t know what to call it,” she said. “They’d say, ‘Stomach hurts here when I eat.’ And then we had to figure it out by asking specific questions.”

The student would then write a report about the patient’s assessment and take them to the next room, which was spiritual counseling. This room was

set up similarly to assessment, with three stations. Each station had a student and a local pastor to serve as translator.

“Spiritual counseling was really another form of assessment,” said Carabajal, who was assigned to this area. “We asked the patients why they were here today and how we could pray for them. We checked to see if we needed to add anything to the assessment form. And mainly, we would ask about their spiritual lives, ask about their families, and get to know them in that relational aspect.

Then we would pray over them.”

Professor Dr. Bobbie Dixon, who oversaw the clinic’s assessment area, said she was most surprised by the patients’ reactions to the mzungus, the term Kenyans use to refer to white people.

“Our translators were pastors and experienced spiritual counselors,” Dixon said. “But there were times when we were short and we had to pull students from spiritual counseling to help in other areas. And the patients would say they preferred to have a student pray for them rather than the pastor; they thought the white girl’s prayers were stronger. They thought the mzungus’ prayers went straight to heaven.”

After spiritual counseling, the patient was taken to see one of three physicians: nursing faculty members Dr. Joanne Woods and Dr. Glen Smith, and Temple-based physician Dr. Ricky Kindle.

“As a nurse practitioner, I saw the patients in the clinic,” Woods said. “I primarily saw the women, and every single one who came in complained of back pain. It didn’t impact me initially until I saw them walking down the road, toting their little ones on their backs, and hearing about working in the rice fields and out in their gardens and cleaning their homes bent over all day. One lady I saw was in the rice fields from sun up to sun down every day.”

Woods said the thing that impressed her most was how loving and giving the people of Malikini were, despite the challenges they face.

“Just to come to the clinic they would dress up in their finest—the very best they had. The men came in suits, and they always had a smile on their faces. That really helped me keep things in perspective during the long days in the clinic,” she said.

Finally the patients were taken to the pharmacy, where students filled prescriptions, explained the medicine’s instructions,

and administered the first dosage.

“By the end of the week, we ran out of everything. We ran out of the cute little bottles that we put the medicine in.

So everybody started saving their water bottles, and filling water bottles with 100 cc of Malox or other medicines to give out to patients, making use of everything we had,” Souter said.

For student Kelsey Anderson, the trip took an unexpected turn when illness forced her from the role of a caregiver to the role of a patient.

“I actually contracted malaria,” Anderson said. “I was in Uganda for the two and a half months prior, and then I met the group in Kenya. It wasn’t until we started the clinic that I started showing symptoms, since it takes a week or two to get sick. So I had two days working at the clinic teaching patients about their medications in the pharmacy before I started to feel really run down. I spent the rest of the time in bed. But there were a couple of days where I was able to go sit in the clinic part of the time.”

It was during these times in the clinic that Anderson was able to minister to one small patient that left a lasting impression on the entire group.

“There was a two-month old little boy we called Baby Simon who was dying of AIDS. All I could do was sit in the treatment room and take it easy, but I got to hold him and try to feed him his medicine.”

Anderson said being sick helped her relate to the patients they were treating.

“It was different seeing it from the perspective of being sick. I was able to see people with the same illness I had, and it made me understand how horrible it would be if your parents had to say ‘I’m sorry but we have to wait until we have the money to get you medicine,’ just because they didn’t have even the little money it would cost to get malaria treatment.”

UNDERSTANDING TRUE SERVICE When recalling the trip, one common theme each member of the medical mission team brings up is service. Even more than the medical services they provided to the residents of Malikini, they remember the selfless way the village served them while they were there.

“One measure of love was they did everything they could to make us (continued on page 36)

Far left: Senior Kelsey Anderson administers medication to a patient in the clinic’s pharmacy.

Middle: Dr. Glen Smith comforts a crying child who visited the clinic with her parents.

Left: Junior Emma Smith encourages a Kenyan woman in the spiritual counseling area of the clinic.

For additional photos and to view exclusive videos of the trip, please visit life.umhb.edu.

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A

W E E K

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T H E

Life of a Nursing Student I have wanted to work in the medical field ever since I was a little girl. I considered being a doctor, but decided to major in nursing instead because so often it is the nurses who really get to form relationships with patients and their families. It is hard to believe that in only three short semesters my days as a college student will be over. My days at UMHB will one day come to an end, but the lessons and education learned will stay with me forever. Here is a glimpse into a week in my life: Sunday, October 16 My school week really begins Sunday around 2 o’clock, when I head over to my friend Corbin’s apartment for my weekly Sunday afternoon study session with Nicki, Corbin, Molly, and Danica.

These study groups help tremendously!

We study on our own, then meet to discuss what we’ve learned. Each of us often have information others do not have, so it’s good to hear other thoughts and opinions. Tomorrow is the last day of 3610 Nursing of Adults I, so tonight we are preparing for our final exam.

The course takes place during the first half of the semester. Then Nursing of Adults II begins and will last until the end of the fall semester. 3610 consisted of basic nursing care such as bed baths, administering meds, and nurse/client interaction; perioperative care; hygiene; the urinary system; nutrition; and the GI system. It sounds like a lot of information to learn in seven weeks, and it was!

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stick with us for the rest of our lives.

While cramming in a last few hours of studying for the final exam tomorrow morning, I couldn’t help but look around at my study group. The Lord has blessed me with four incredible friends. They are the ones I turn to for comfort and condolence when I feel overwhelmed (which, as a nursing student, is a feeling I’ve become accustomed to lately!)

I normally try to make it to bed before midnight the night before an exam, but my mind was going fullspeed tonight. I was pretty nervous about the exam and had a difficult time relaxing. I eventually fell asleep, but not before a lot of prayer. I prayed that God would relieve my anxiety and help me recall the information we studied.

Monday, October 17 After four hand slaps to the snooze button, I finally forced myself out of the bed to get ready for the day. On my way out, I grabbed a homemade cranberry orange muffin and a Diet Coke (because let’s face it, there’s no way I’m getting

through this exam without a few sips of liquid heaven—aka Diet Coke).

The final exam took place at 7:30 this morning. It was obvious the entire class was a bundle of nerves, but thankfully Mrs. Beamon blessed us with her words of wisdom as she prayed over each student. The faculty in the College of Nursing do not receive enough recognition for everything they do for us. They genuinely care about each and every student and spend countless hours (that often go unnoticed) preparing for class and lab.

I am so appreciative of all they do!

Once I finished the final exam, I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief—3610 is officially over. Did you hear that? OVER! To say I’m excited would be an understatement.

After making a quick lunch at my apartment (a honey wheat bagel with peanut butter), I headed out to work a golf tournament for UMHB alumni and donors. As a member of Student Foundation, I get the opportunity to work at many fun university events like this.

JENNIFER JONES

B Y A S H L E I G H H O L D E N ’13

Once the last golf cart drove by, I quickly took off to make it to class in time.

On my way back to campus I made a quick stop at Taco Bell for dinner.

I was able to pay for my taco using the new CruCard system. Students are now able to use their reloadable CruCards at several restaurants in Belton, such as Bodega Bean, Taco Bell, and Schlotzsky’s. I’m loving the convenience of this new system!

I made it on to campus just in time for my 7 p.m. Pharmacology lecture.

Tonight we thoroughly discussed a case study which dealt with a patient experiencing chest pain and heart issues.

We talked about different drug choices, nursing care plans, and interventions the nurse would need to make, depending on the severity of the situation.

After class, I always try to wind down by taking a

nightly jog. This is my favorite part of the day. As soon as I take the first leap onto the paved road and turn my music up loud, the world disappears. During this time, I do not think about nursing, I do not think about my schedule, and I do not think about everything I must finish that day. I simply focus on the music blaring in my ears and listen to the synchronized thudding of my feet as they hit the pavement.

Tuesday, October 18 I wake up at 8 a.m. and st start taarrt my day by reading Philippians 4:4-7. Lately, nursing nu ursing g ha has as cr created reate t d a lo lot ot of anxiety anxietyy and apprehension ap ppr p eh ehension o in n my my life, e ccausing au usi sing ng m mee

to doubt the Lord’s plan. I know that He knows best, but giving up control terrifies me. At the end of the day, however, He remains faithful, and His divinity remains true.

Armed with this reassurance, I head over to Wells Nursing and Science Hall for lab. Today we got to learn how to start an IV! I have learned so many skills since August, but this is my favorite so far. For some reason, this made me feel n actual nurse. like an We learned learn rned on a mannequin arm but were given g gi ven n

study group at corbin s ’

the clear to practice on each other. Whether or not I will allow myself to practice on a fellow student and vice versa is still up for debate.

After a quick lunch at the apartment, I head to class. Today, we learned about the respiratory system and disorders that go along with it. A guest speaker came and talked to us about the life of a respiratory therapist. She brought a lot of equipment she uses at her job, as well as pig lungs covered in cancer.

We were able to feel the lungs and see firsthand the effects of smoking.

After class, I rushed home to cook dinner before heading out to a babysitting job. Tonight’s menu included sweet potato fries and edamame. Random, I know, but I am trying to eat all of my food before going grocery shopping.

Such is the life of a college student!

I drive over to babysit Ella, who is two years old, while her siblings are at soccer practice. I love babysitting for this family. The parents have shown me such encouragement throughout nursing school. Both parents are doctors, so they understand the demands of school. Tonight, Ella and I go on a long walk. The beautiful weather and setting sun definitely helped me relax and clear my head. I must say, taking care of one child is so much easier than four!

I say goodbye to Ella and her family around 8 o’clock and head to the campus library to complete a few tasks.

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After a couple of Af hours, I go back to ho my apartment to get m rready for clinicals in tthe morning. I call it a night around 11 p.m. Thanks to my 5 a.m. wake-up call the next morning, my m bedtime is much earlier than it once was!

Wednesday, October 19 My carpool buddies Nicki and Chelsea and I arrive at Scott & White Hospital by 6:45 the next morning. We have clinicals every Wednesday and Thursday. I am on 6 North this semester, which is a basic med-surg floor.

Each week, a different student is chosen to be the charge nurse who assigns patients to each student. After receiving our assignments for the day, we meet in the nurse’s lounge to team up with our nurse mentor. She gives us our patients’ report sheets, which contain the patients’ information and everything we need to know that happened during the night shift.

I spend about 15 minutes looking up my patient’s medications and other important information then go to the room to meet the patient.

I have the same routine every day.

First, I get a Dinamep, which is the vital signs machine. This machine takes the patient’s blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and oxygen saturation. I talk to the patient and ask basic questions, such as, “How did you sleep?” and “Are you in any pain?” Talking to the patient helps me get an initial assessment. Listening to them gives me a general idea of whether or not they are anxious or depressed, and of any concerns they may have.

While in the room, I also perform a physical assessment. I listen to heart, lung, and bowel sounds; assess their skin and limbs; and observe any physical problems. I document everything on the computer, which is located inside the room.

I then go to get medications out of the med room and begin administering the 9 a.m. meds under the supervision of a nurse or faculty supervisor. We are required to know information about each drug given, meaning we have to look up the information either in our drug book or on the computer. After we give meds, we fill out the assessment sheet in our paperwork packets, which are due to our faculty supervisor every Friday.

There isn’t an actual schedule to follow during the day. We just have to give meds at the correct time, take vitals when ordered, and help the nurses with anything they need.

The nurses often have at least five patients, so we try to do anything that will make their jobs easier, such as vitals, blood glucose checks, ambulating patients, giving baths, or certain procedures we are allowed to do.

At 11:15, all of the nursing students go to the cafeteria and eat together.

This is a fun part of the day! It’s nice to step away from the floor and have different scenery. Once we finish lunch, we must administer afternoon meds, check on patients, and document information in the computer. The afternoons always go by quickly. We get vitals one last time just before 2 p.m. and make sure the patient has everything he or she needs. Then, we say goodbye to our patients and meet in the lobby of 6 North for our “post conference.” Ms.

Jordan and Ms. Smalley, the two faculty for 6 North, lead the 15 students in a debriefing of the day where they give us advice and constructive criticism. We are able to ask questions about how we can improve our quality of care and ways in which we can be more efficient with our time. The faculty really utilize this time to help all of us improve our skills and talk about any concerns we may have. We usually are able to leave by 2:30 and, as we do every afternoon after clinicals, Nicki, Chelsea, and I head straight to Sonic Happy Hour. A large Diet Coke is calling my name!

Back at the campus, I quickly jump in the shower to get ready for the night’s events, which include a Student Foundation meeting and Focus, the Wednesday night campus worship service. It is always so refreshing to sit in an auditorium full of students and worship the same God together.

Thursday, October 20 Today begins with another 5 a.m. wake-up call. I drank a lot of water this morning to rehydrate. I’ve learned over the past four weeks of clinicals how crucial it is to keep yourself hydrated, preferably with water. Did you know that you’re supposed to drink eight ounces of water immediately after waking up since you get dehydrated during the night? Just a little fun fact for the day. I grab a muffin for breakfast and leave for clinicals.

Upon arriving at 6 North, I learned my patient went home yesterday so I have a new patient assigned to me.

I follow the same routine as yesterday. Thursday clinicals are shorter, so we must work at maximum speed to ensure everything gets accomplished

for the day. Most days I don’t sit down for more than five minutes at a time.

From bed baths to administering medications to getting to know the patients, the day absolutely flies by!

Instead of going to lunch at 11:15, we begin post conference. We get done very early today and leave the hospital by 11:30. I am thankful for an early day because I have a busy afternoon ahead of me. I have been asked to speak at the dedication for Farris Hall, the new apartment complex that was recently built on campus and opened in August. I am lucky enough to be one of the first residents to enjoy Farris’ single-occupancy bedrooms and beautiful views of Nolan Creek.

After speaking at the dedication, I join the other Student Foundation members at the President’s Home to work at a dinner party for donors and trustees. It is a great opportunity to talk with the donors and trustees about the master plan. I have the opportunity to meet Jane Meyer, who generously donated $5 million for the College of Nursing Education Center.

She tells me about her decision to make the donation, and I tell her a bit about my experiences in the nursing program so far. What a privilege!

Friday, October 21 It is finally Friday! I was able to “sleep in” until 7 a.m. and then headed off to open lab, which is an hour of free practice time in the lab giving us the opportunity to practice the skills we learned that week. We sign up for this time a few days before in class. A faculty member is always there in case we have any questions. Today, we practiced nasotracheal suctioning; we have a simulation on Monday and I want to be as prepared as possible.

The lab finishes just in time for the nursing building groundbreaking.

This was such a monumental day for the College of Nursing. Every nursing student available gathered in their scrubs and white lab coats to line the street in front of Wells to express our appreciation as the donors and trustees made their way to the ceremony.

Our hope is that they understand how much we appreciate their decision to build this nursing facility.

This was a wonderful way to end a busy but productive week. Now I’m looking forward to a few days off where I don’t have to set an alarm or worry too much about school. And then it all starts over again Monday morning!

Katelyn Dean ’09, Deborah Baker ’09, and Sarah-Jane Sanders Menefee ’07 reunite on their old stomping grounds outside of the journalism lab during the first annual Bells and Bluebonnet Alumni Reunion breakfast, held Saturday, Oct. 1.

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New and improved schedule draws more young alumni and their families to campus for fall events

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER JONES

BY JENNIFER MEERS JONES ’08

Homecoming has taken on many formats since the university’s first celebration in 1909. Alumni who graduated before the football program began in 1998 remember homecoming as a spring event centered on traditions such as Charter Day, a formal dinner, and singing in the Circle of Songs. Younger alumni have always enjoyed homecoming in the fall— focused around tailgate parties, a big football game, and the halftime announcement of homecoming king and queen.

This year, alumni of all eras can enjoy the best of both worlds. The homecoming schedule has been reformatted to include a Homecoming Weekend in the fall and a Charter Celebration Weekend in the spring.

Director of Alumni Relations Rebecca O’Banion said the change was made because, in the past, homecoming activities have been limited by a tight schedule.

“A lot of the fall homecoming schedule was predetermined by football and various other events,” O’Banion said. “This new format allows us more time in the spring to devote to older traditions such as the Alumni Dinner and Awards, Alumni Chapel, and Circle of Songs. Moving the event to the spring also allows our alumni to participate in beloved traditions such as Midnight March and the Ring and Robing ceremonies.”

Fall homecoming weekend was held Sept. 30-Oct. 1, with a new schedule that included a family-friendly outdoor

carnival in the Quad, an enthusiastic Friday night pep rally at Luther Memorial, and a decisive win against Louisiana College on the football field that Saturday. Alumni of all ages said the decision to hold Stunt Night during homecoming weekend was a good one, O’Banion said.

“All ages of alumni enjoy Stunt Night. That is something that draws the generations together.”

O’Banion said responses to the schedule changes have been positive and she expects the new format to continue in the years to come.

“Those that attended fall homecoming really felt the events were right for them and met their needs. And those we have talked to about the spring events are excited about taking part in some of the traditions they remember, like Midnight March and Robing,” she said, adding that she hopes many alumni will choose to attend both the fall and spring events.

“We want to emphasize that we would love for all ome to both. We know that is not always possi alumni to come possible, so we hope alumni will pick the event that best meets their needs,, and best makes them feel that they ey have come home.”

Opposite page, from far left: A family enjoys the spinning teacup ride set up in the Quad during the carnival Friday afternoon. • The carnival was free event which offered many activities for children including a petting zoo, a bounce house, and a big slide set up on Moore Street (pictured). • Many alumni enjoyed horse-drawn carriage rides around campus during the carnival Friday.

This page: Abigail Summers, daughter of Ryun ’05 and Shavon Bassett Summers ’06, is ready in her purple and gold Crusader gear for the big football game against Louisiana College.

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JENNIFER JONES JENNIFER JONES

Clockwise from top left: A future Crusader cheers the Cru on to victory at the football game against Louisiana College. UMHB won the game 36-10. • Jacqueline Findley leads the seniors in song during their Stunt Night skit. The senior class received judges’ choice for best skit, winning possession of the coveted Stunt Night blanket for the year. • Participants run the final stretch of the Cru 5K Fun Run Saturday morning. • Current student Johnathan Clifton, wife Leanne, and son James enjoy the catered tailgate from Clem Mikeska’s Barbeque before the football game. • During Campus Run, students pile into the back of a truck and join the line of cars making their way to Tiger Field for the football game Saturday afternoon.

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RANDY YANDELL RANDY YANDELL

JENNIFER JONES ABIGAIL DAVIDHIZAR

Director of Baptist Student Ministries Dr. Shawn Shannon (center) was presented with an honorary membership into the Alumni Association during the Dessert Party Friday night. Director of Alumni Relations Rebecca O’Banion, senior Andrew Kester, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Melissa Ford, and Alumni Association president Cindy Breaux Roberts ‘90 presented the award to Shannon, who was nominated because of her deep love for UMHB. She rarely misses a campus event, and is the most commonly used campus figure in Stunt Night skits and Crusader Knights contestant videos. These activities are not what qualified Shannon for this award, but rather the spirit in which she does them. Honorary memberships into the Alumni Association are granted to individuals who, although they are not former students or graduates of the university, have shown love and loyalty to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

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Couch Cru captain Abby Criswell cheers on the football team during the Homecoming game against Louisiana College.

The Cru came out on top, winning 36-10.

A LUM N I LIFE ’61-63

Barbara Thacker Troutz has written a book on grief titled Resurfacing: Climbing Out of the Pit of Grief. Written after her son died in 2006, the book offers hope to those who are hurting and need direction in the storms of life, no matter what those storms are. Troutz takes normal, everyday circumstances and links them to scripture to address the solutions and directions found in God’s Word.

’74

Carolyn Tice Mitchell was one of seven faculty members from the University of Texas at El Paso to be selected to receive The University of Texas System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award.

She has worked as a senior lecturer in the department of communications since 1997. In addition to teaching a variety of advertising and public relations courses, she is the faculty adviser for the UTEP’s

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Student Ad Fed Club and the communications department’s Cotton Productions.

’75

Larry Zabcik has been the pastor of Temple Brethren Church for the past three years. He went on a mission trip with Ron Winsman, pastor of Ocker Brethren Church near Zabcikville, to the Czech Republic Sept. 14-22. Ron’s daughters, Dawnya Winsman Kimbrough ’01 and Darbi Winsman Tidwell ’01, are serving as missionaries in Africa.

’76

Herb Brubaker was recently named director and CEO of ITT Technical Institute in Little Rock. He and his wife, Jackie, may be reached at 617 Dogwood, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401 or herb.brubaker@sbcglobal.net.

’96

Dawn Conner Irons recently completed her master’s degree in coun-

seling at Dallas Baptist University and is working as a therapist at SoulCare Christian Counseling Center in Bedford.

Dawn and her husband, Brad Irons ’95, have three children, Christopher, Laura, and Joshua. They may be reached at 295 Belle St., Bedford, Texas 76022 or dawn@ bradirons.com.

’99

Billye Wiggins Rhudy graduated from Amarillo College with an A.A.S. in Mortuary Science in Dec. 2010. He is employed as a funeral director and embalmer at Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville.

’00

Melissa Dodd Dettmer is a stay-at-home mom and runs a graphic design business from her home. She is also the director of marketing and promotions for The Branch Women’s Ministry, a year-

Got news?

Alumni Life reports news received June 15, 2011, through October 15, 2011. If you have news to share, send it to: Alumni Relations, UMHB Box 8427, 900 College Street, Belton, Texas 76513 or send via email to alumni@ umhb.edu

JENNIFER JONES

’07

round volunteer position at Farmers Branch Church of Christ.

Her husband, Andy Dettmer ex ’97, graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a master’s in engineering, master’s in business administration, and a Ph.D in engineering.

He works as a civil engineer for Carollo Engineers in Dallas. They may be reached at MelissaDettmer@gmail.com.

’01

Kristie Brown Hernandez was inducted into Mesquite Independent School District’s Apple Corps at the Oct. 10 meeting of the Mesquite Board of Trustees.

Apple Corp teachers are nominated by their peers, approved by their principal and the administration, and inducted by the Board of Trustees. Kristie teaches eighth grade science at Agnew Middle School.

Kristin Bohacek and Allison Powell Glapa recently contributed to the 2011 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book launch.

Bohacek designed the layout for the website’s landing page, and Glapa edited the fantasy gifts video featured on the website. Bohacek has worked as a web designer with Neiman Marcus since 2009, and Glapa has been a multimedia designer with the company since 2007.

’08

Robert Mattson is the associate pastor for music and discipleship at First Baptist Church, Lampasas. His wife, Sandra Sanders Mattson ’92, is a choral director for the Killeen Independent School District. They may be reached at P.O. Box 1544, Lampasas, Texas 76550.

’10

Kathryn Frey is a missionary in Diosd, Hungary, teaching high school social studies at the International Christian School of Budapest. She serves with United World Mission.

WEDDINGS Tammie Lynn Martin ’98 to Mark Robert Browning, July 30, in Waco. Tammie is a reading teacher at Gatesville Junior High School, and Mark is an acquisitions assistant for Baylor University libraries.

Shelley Rene Dodd ’01 to Michael Scott Ford, April 9, in Arlington. Shelley received a Master of Science in nursing degree from Walden University in August, and is a vocational nursing instructor at Concorde Career College in Arlington.

Michael is a web developer and co-owns and operates Three Stream, LLC. Chad Stephen Widmer ’01 to Kelli Jo Hood, June 25, in Salado. Chad is a director of inventory and supply for the athletics department at UMHB. Bonnie Jean Hunt ’02 to Robert Wayne Johnson, Oct. 1, in Temple. Bonnie is employed by Perry Office Plus in Temple, and Robert is employed by Allumed in Temple.

Meredith Grace Akins ’06 to Dustin Lee Allen, July 23, in Belton.

Jessie James George ’06 to Christen Leanne Tolbert, Oct. 8, in Temple. Jessie is employed by Farm Bureau Insurance, and Christen is a physical education teacher at Killeen Independent School District.

Michelle Leigh Schroeder ’06 to Terry Howard Zikes, June 25, in Temple. Michelle is a first grade teacher at Thornton Elementary School in Temple, and Terry is a department supervisor at Home Depot.

Angela Renee Wass ’09 to Brett Matthew Otwell, Oct. 23, 2010, in Little River-Academy. Angela is a home health nurse in Temple, and Brett is a cell phone and radio tower technician.

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Brandon Brewer ’11 and Sarah Hughey ’11, June 11, in Little Rock, Ark. Brandon is an Apple specialist in Fort Worth, and Sarah is working for CD Ski & Sports.

Teaven Barnum ’10 and Sarah Wooten ’11, June 18, in Harker Heights. They are currently living in South Korea and working as ESL teachers. The photographer was Andrea Cullman Crosswhite ’05 (Crosswhite Photography).

Stephen Brett Cole ’11 and Meredith Rene Johnson ’11, Aug. 13, in Gatesville.

Stephen is employed at Hobby Lobby, and Meredith is manager of McAlister’s Deli.

Christopher Cody Galvan ’11 to Lindsey Rene’ Anderson, June 12, in Belton.

Jayelyn Johnson (current student), Mindy Manley Fuller ’98, Robyn Allison ’10, Angie Lara ’10, Shannon Woodruff ’10, Jordan Cash ’11, Rebecca Widmer ’11, Joshua Binney ’10, Allye Guthrie Crosby ’11, Ashlee Driskell ’11, Katie Imbrock ’11, Grant Imbrock ’10, Rebeka Retta ’90, Lauren Rodriguez (current student), Brooke Cast ’09, Sarah Wooten Barnum ’11, Teaven Barnum ’10, Abby Mayfield ’11, Jennifer Larkin ’11, Holly Gaskamp Woodruff ’10, Alanna McFarland ’10

Alyssa Pointer ’10 to Jarrod Glasby, June 25, in Waco. Alyssa is a registered nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, and Jarrod is a musician.

John Frederick Salerno, Jr. ’10 to Alexis Annikia Jardina, July 30, in Galveston. John is employed in the marketing department of Landmark Industries in Houston, and Alexis is a student at UMHB. Shane Thomas Schneider ’10 and Emily Caitlin Hall ’10, July 30, in Destin, Fla. Shane is a field engineer at R.T. Schneider Construction, and Emily is a first grade teacher at Temple Independent School District.

Jennifer Pickett Barnett ’03 and her husband, Jonathan, announce the birth of their daughter, Rowen Mills, May 25.

She joins big sister, Rhian Grace.

Allye Guthrie ’11 to Andrew Crosby, June 22, in Hawaii.

Kelli Williams Lewandowski ’03 and her husband, Jerry, announce the birth of their twin girls, Anna Rose and

Jennifer Annett Morales ’11 to Mark Anthony Diaz, June 25, in Temple. Jennifer is a teacher at Salado Independent School District, and Mark is employed at FedEx in Temple.

Grace Abigail, April 25.

BIRTHS Kris A. Klaus ’97 and his wife, Amie, announce the birth of their daughter, Kynsie Ryann, July 10. She joins big sister, Kelsie Grace. Kris is a pharmaceutical representative, and Amie is a vet

Daniel Lane Green ’10 and April Michelle Stone ’08, Sept. 3, in Belton. Daniel is a second-year student at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Benjamin James Milam ’10 to Diana Rene Joseph, June 25, in The Woodlands.

Levi Nathanael, Sept. 13. He joins siblings, Faith, Judson, Mary Ruth, and Ezra.

Grandparents are Bruce ’78 and Clair Cox Copeland ’78, and great-grandmother is Mary Anne Woodliff Cox ’68. AnneMarie ministers to her family from the home, and Nathan serves as pastor of First Baptist Church in Tonkawa, Okla.

technician.

Justin ’01 and Katie Keller Russell ’03 announce the birth of their daughter, Jiliana Nicole, May 26. She joins big sister Jordyn.

They may be reached at 115 Private Road 4663, Castroville, Texas 78009 or KatieSRussell@ gmail.com.

Anne-Marie Birkes Copeland ’02 and her husband, Nathan, announce the birth of their son,

Jill Hodges Martin ’03 and her husband, Drew, announce the birth of their daughter, Madison Leann, June 30.

They may be reached at martins728@yahoo.com.

April Marie Miller Sheppard ’03 and her husband, Phillip, announce the birth of their son, Kaiser Christian, June 23.

Proud aunt is Amy Jo Miller Gonzalez ’03.

Scott ’04 and Jessica Vance Sackreiter ’03 announce the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Grace, Oct. 15. She joins big sister, Annalise. Scott is an officer in the U.S. Navy, and Jessica is a stayat-home mom. They may be reached at jlvshs@hotmail.com.

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Elliot Barcak ’07 (left) and Luke Nunnally ’07

From classmates business partners B Y S A R A H N U N E Z ’ 11

An idea sparked in business class leads Luke Nunnally ’07 and Elliot Barcak ’07 to develop successful web marketing company For two alumni, a class project took on a life of its own and has now become what they say is the top hyper-local website in the country in a market of 100K. As a student in Dr. Barbara Dalby’s Strategic Management class, Luke Nunnally ’07 was challenged to create a compelling, profitable business model. The assignment sparked an idea that quickly became something more than a mere class project. Along with his roommate Elliot Barcak ’07, Nunnally developed a successful web marketing company built around selling online advertisements.

Nunnally, a business management major from Marble Falls, and Barcak, a sport management major from Friendswood, were inspired by a lesson Dalby taught on The Million Dollar Home Page, where a student made a million dollars in four weeks by selling online advertisement spaces. The two friends took this concept and gave it a local gaming spin.

“We developed a website and broke it into a large grid. We then started selling portions of this grid to local businesses,” Nunnally said.

And with that, Belboard was born.

What makes Belboard—and subsequent sites Wacoboard, TAMUboard, Athensboard, and Bearkatboard, among others—unusual is that when registered users click on advertisements, those ads may hold a prize. A user can receive anything from a free cupcake to a camera.

Belboard was an instant hit among 20-somethings and has quickly seen its age demographic increase as the concept spread through social media sites and word of mouth.

“Like Facebook, it started out with college kids and then went to the mass public,” Nunnally said. “Our return on investment for our advertisers keeps them renewing each year. One company is tracking a $4 co-purchase on a 25-cent coupon.

That’s $3.75 every time a customer walks through the door with one of our coupons. That’s something a small business gets excited about.”

Nunnally also serves as the chairman of the Temple Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours events. He often bumps into website users at the Chamber gatherings.

Nunnally said, at the last meeting, “a fellow came up to us and said how much he loved Belboard. He said he had been to every place advertised on the board except for Molly’s Deli, which was pretty new. Through our site, he had just won a free brownie there, so he was planning on going the next day to get his brownie. He was so pumped about it!”

Nunnally and Barcak hope to reach more areas in Texas, including Tyler, Lubbock, and Abilene. They recently received funding to expand to 15 new markets, and they currently manage a staff of 16, including recent UMHB grad, Matt Wilson ’11. Nunnally continues to operate the business from Belton, while Barcak operates the Huntsville and College Station markets.

Nunnally attributes the company’s success to their faithfulness in tithing.

“We tithe ten percent of everything we make through the company. We have noticed that the months we don’t tithe, we run out of money. We have found that if we tithe, we are blessed. It’s easy to see God’s faithfulness in that. That is the testimony of our business.”

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Crystal Carpenter Seiford ’05 and her husband, Kevin, announce the birth of their son, Jack Edward, March 15. Crystal teaches kindergarten in San Antonio.

Jeff ’06 and Charis Himmel Olchesky ’07 announce the birth of their daughter, Amerson Rose, July 5. Jeff received his MBA from The University of Tyler on May 14. He has worked at Pine Cove Camps in Tyler for five years and currently is the associate director of operations.

Esther Buchanan Houghtaling ’07 and her husband, Spencer, announce the birth of their daughter, Hannah Rachel, June 29.

DEAT HS Grace Hilliard Clark ’28, Sept. 10, in Killeen. She taught in rural areas before teaching in Rosebud schools. She was in the classroom for many years, however, when World War II took the men out of the school, she became principal and, for two years, the football coach. After retiring, she returned when the schools integrated remedial reading. She was an active member of the Methodist Church and after years of teaching the women’s Sunday School class, her class decided to name the class “The Grace Class.”

Julia Massey Babb ’35, Aug. 20, in Houston. She worked at Houston Baptist College as the associate director of financial aid, retiring as secretary to the chancellor.

Bethel Henson Lacy ’35, Aug. 12, in Kerrville. She taught school in Munford, Temple, and College Station. Bethel was active in the First Methodist Church Friendship Class in Virginia and Temple.

She was a member of the Civic Federation and in civic activities in West Virginia, City Federation of Women’s Clubs, and the Newcomers Club in Temple.

Emma Powell Cauthen ’36, June 15, in Temple. She was a retired teacher, having taught in Maysfield, South Elm, Buckholts, and Elm Ridge. Emma was a member of Cameron Gospel Tabernacle.

Kathryn Greer Kothmann ’36, Aug. 19, in Junction. She taught and retired as a junior high English teacher and was the organist at First Baptist Church in Junction for 55 years.

Ruth Imogene Dodson Jennings ex ’38-’39, July 28, San Antonio. She was a long-time member of Pruitt Avenue Baptist Church.

Dorothy Palmer ex ’47, in May, in Rosenberg.

Mary Crafton Baker ’58, Sept. 9, in China Spring. She taught public school for 25 years and retired from China Spring in 1991. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of China Spring. Mary and her husband, Bob, spent over 20 years taking care of foster children from the Methodist Children’s Home.

Bobbie Thorn Murray ex ’58, Aug. 10, in Cedar Hill.

Judy Morgan Angelo ex ’62-’64, May 30, in Big Spring.

Jan Jones ’63, Sept. 6, in Tyler. She began her teaching career at A&M Consolidated High School in College Station. She then taught at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler for 33 years, where she established an outstanding, award-winning theater program, recognized across the state of Texas. Jan also served as a Tyler Junior College adjunct faculty member before retiring. After retirement, she taught at All Saints Episcopal School, University of Texas Tyler, and Trinity Valley Community College in Athens. Jan had taught at East Texas Christian Academy since last year. Throughout the years, she not only directed and taught for the Student Players of Tyler, Brickstreet Theater children’s program, S.T.A.R, and The Acting Conservatory at Tyler Civic Theater, but her involvement also extended to the Stephen F. Austin Summer Rep Co. She recently directed the popular “Always…Patsy Cline” production at TCT. As a lifetime member of the Texas Educational Theatre

Association and TETA’s Adjudicator’s Organization, Jan contributed her knowledge to educators and schools across the state and the nation. She was the recipient of numerous awards, including TETA’s Founder’s Award and Emeritus Award, Who’s Who Among American Teachers, Robert E. Lee’s Teacher of the Year, the SFA University 2005 Outstanding Theatre Alumni, and the UIL Southwestern Bell Sponsor Excellence Award. She was the sister of Jane Jones Vardiman ’55.

Mary Jean Ross Milford ’65, Sept. 6, in Texas City. She spent most of her career as a dedicated choral director in the Santa Fe, Texas City, and Temple school districts.

Known as a strong woman of faith, she shared her beliefs as a missionary in Lugansk, Ukraine, for five years with the Ukraine-Texas Missionary Team and, upon her return, devoted much of her time to composing and arranging music to be shared freely among churches worldwide through the website “To His Glory.”

Charlotte Holmes Colbert ’68, Sept. 13, in Levelland. She was a teacher in the Dallas Independent School District for many years and then went on to real estate.

Jannett Sprayberry Pritchard ’71, June 10, in Copperas Cove. She worked for Exxon Oil Company in Hobbs, N.M. After her children were born, Jannett and her husband, Gene, moved to Copperas Cove and were owners of Western Auto Store.

While her children were small, Jan went to UMHB part-time while helping with the family business. She retired after 31 years of service as a teacher and counselor in the Copperas Cove Independent School District. She was also active in Delta Kappa Gamma and the Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, where she volunteered in many different capacities.

Maria Tamez Piñon ’72, Aug. 2, in Temple. She served as one of the last long-standing members of the Pioneer Ballroom. Most recently, she worked as an ESL instructor for Temple College. Maria was involved in LULAC, Texas Master Gardeners, Temple Independent School District’s Grow Your Own Scholarship Program, Hispanic Leadership Council, and the Santa Fe Railroad Museum Board.

She was an active member of Our Lady of

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Darbi Winsman Tidwell ’01 with her husband Blu and children Cason, Cambree, and Caedmon.

Darbi Winsman Tidwell ’01 establishes an orphanage for Zambian children COURTESY PHOTO

Darbi Winsman Tidwell ’01 was a 7th grader when she first felt God’s calling to missions. Little did she know then the big plans He had in store for her would include establishing an orphanage in Mapanza, Zambia.

As newlyweds after college, Darbi and her husband Blu felt drawn to Africa—specifically Zambia. They committed to a two-year assignment working in Zambian youth ministry with the International Mission Board. Once their assignment ended, they returned home so Blu could attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

“We thought we were back for good, but we just kept thinking about Zambia,” Darbi said. “It was in our hearts, especially the kids. We really felt if we could reach them when they are young it would make a difference. In our time there, we would see people come to Christ, but then problems came and they reverted back to what they had always known, which is witchcraft and promiscuity. Those cultural beliefs are deeply ingrained in them.”

This led to the idea of planting an orphanage in Zambia that would provide children with a quality education from a Christian perspective.

BY JENNIFER MEERS JONES ’08

Upon sharing this vision with their families, Blu’s brother offered to donate the money to get the orphanage started. Soon, plans were set in motion that moved New Day Orphanage from dream to reality.

The Tidwells spent a year in the States coordinating plans and raising money.

During a survey trip, Blu received 40 acres of land from a Zambian chief to use for the orphanage. In January 2010, the Tidwells and their three children made the permanent move to Zambia and began building the orphanage.

Darbi said the vision for New Day is different from a typical orphanage.

Instead of the goal being to adopt children out, they take orphans in and raise them to adulthood.

“We have three tenets to what we are doing,” she explained. “A Christian worldview is the first priority. The basic premise of everything we do is to teach them about Jesus so that when they grow up and encounter problems, instead of reverting to witchcraft, they will fall back on Christ.

Number two is providing them with quality education. We have a school on our property, and they are taught

by Zambian and American teachers.

The third aspect is retaining their Zambian culture. They live in a house with a Zambian house mother, so they still wash their own socks and learn to eat Zambian food. Our intent is not to raise little Americans; we want them to grow up and reach their own countrymen for Christ.”

Eight orphans currently live at New Day. A second building is currently being built on the property, which will house eight more students. The Tidwells hope one day they will have the capacity to house 80 to 100 children on the property.

All of this, Darbi said, wouldn’t have been possible without the foundation she established as a college student.

“I think UMHB was a turning point for me; it is where God became real and I made Him my own. I was raised in a Christian home; after graduating from high school, I had to make a decision about whether this faith was real to me—am I going to choose this for myself or not? UMHB was where I decided I was going to follow Christ.

In our lives, that has taken the shape of going overseas. Everybody’s life is different, but for us, that is what following Christ has looked like.”

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Guadalupe Catholic Church in Temple.

Evelyn Fry Aker ’74, July 9, in Temple. She began her career at Bell County Rehab Center and then worked as a special needs teacher and administrator for Killeen Independent School District for more than 25 years. She attended First Presbyterian Church in Temple, where she served as an elder and clerk of the session.

Vicky Compton Palmer ’74, Sept. 18, in Granbury. She was a nurse at Scott and White Hospital in Temple and Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and spent 17 years as a school nurse in Mesquite Independent School District. She was a member of First Methodist Church in Mesquite.

Michael L. Angel ’97, in August, in Temple. Before attending UMHB, he served in the U.S. Marines from 1973 to 1979. He was a biochemist for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

William Paul Wiggins, June 26. He was the father of Billye Wiggins Rhudy ’99 and the grandfather of Ben Rhudy ’08.

and the City-County Child Welfare Board.

In 1968 she was honored at the annual Victoria Chamber of Commerce banquet with the Community Service Award for long and devoted service to the children of Victoria. On Feb. 22, 1973, Hopkins School and the City of Victoria honored her with a daylong celebration of “Mary Frances McCall Appreciation Day.” She was a member of St. Phillip Episcopal Church, Beeville; and Trinity Episcopal Church, Victoria.

Ophelia Ashworth ex, Aug. 21, in La Feria. She worked for Lon C. Hill, Sr., in the valley and later worked as the first female collection agent for the IRS west of the Mississippi River. She was the bookkeeper for the Rio Grande Valley Shriners and a member of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of the Nile.

Iva Mildred Fussell, former professor, Aug. 2, in Waco. She was professor of English from 1954 to 1984 and chairman of the department for more than twenty years.

Evelyn Fry Aker Delia Lucky Stephens

Glen Fore, July 17, in Columbus. He was the brother of Greg Fore ’87.

Mary Louise Ranspot Brown ex, in September, in Austin. She attended UMHB and was the president’s secretary. She was later employed by Brown-Bellows Columbia Construction Company during the construction of the United States Naval Air Base at Corpus Christi, and then Brown Shipbuilding in Houston during World War II. Following the war, she was employed by the Texas Legislature and later was an administrative secretary with the University of Texas System.

Barry W. Stein ’87, June 15, in Belton.

He worked for the FBI and later served in the U.S. Army. After he graduated from UMHB, he worked for both juvenile and adult probation for 16 years.

Janice Ann Wilson Foraker ex, May 24, in San Antonio. She worked at Joske’s and Frost Bros. in various capacities. Later she worked as a bookkeeper and office manager.

Jacqueline Nash Mackey ’89, June 30, in Killeen. She had been on the nursing faculty at Central Texas College.

Robert Gibson ex, June 9, in Weatherford. He worked as an operator at Stuart Petroleum Testers Incorporated.

Connie Zumwalt Mathis ’90, MBA ’92, Aug. 13, in Milford. She worked at Texas Instruments in Temple and Paragon Trade Brands in Waco. She had worked at NCH Corporation Retail Products Group in Dallas as a human resource director since 2005. Connie and her husband, Johnny, were active in Trail to the Cross Cowboy Church in Hillsboro, where they helped with various horse shows and rodeos, as well as participating in them.

Mary Frances Haile McCall ex, May 24, in Victoria. She was a teacher and served as a principal of Trinity Episcopal Church School for seven years. She was also principal of Hopkins School for 20 years. She was active in numerous professional associations including the Gulf Bend Mental Health-Mental Retardation Association and the Social Advocates for Youth Association. She served on the board of directors of the Becky Lack Day Care Center and was instrumental in founding this organization to serve children of low-income working mothers. She also served on the board of directors of the Salvation Army

Desmond William Wilson, July 8, in Killeen. He was the father of Helen Wilson Harris ’75.

Kenneth Dale Davis ’77, July 10, in Temple. He served 23 years in the U.S. Army with tours in Vietnam and retired at Fort Hood, where he worked for civil service in the Corps of Engineers as an auditor and engineer tech. He retired after 20 years.

Donald Rose ’91, Sept. 30, in Temple. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967-1988.

After retiring he went to work with the

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U.S.D.A O.I.G., retiring in 2000. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion.

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ME MO R IALS Melvin & Delois “Speedie” Akers Armenta Redus Armstrong Georgia “Cotton” Allison James Allison John & Kay Allison Frank & Robbie Arp Gladys Dantzler Ruby Hill Holland Senior Citizens L. D. & Ann Milliorn Albert & Patsy Muse Julia Woodyard Nation Kent Owens & Darius Kerry & Kathy Owens Riley & Carolyn Allison Owens Rob Owens Gay Rohlack Mary Harrington Anger Patricia Robinson Smith Vivian Moon Arthur Glenna Morgan Stamps Ruth Flores Barnard Lawton & Peggy Bass Albin Betty Sue Craven Beebe Doris Speed Bollinger Randi Carter Johnette Shaffer Fisher Dr. & Mrs. Randy O’Rear LaVerne E. Boyd HOLT Texas, LTD Ralph & Shirley Clarke Montgomery Dr. & Mrs. J. A. Reynolds

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Spoon Sisters

BY PA M HIGG A SON H A RRIS ’65

Two friends recall how spoons, string, and radiators became their communication system in Stribling Hall Beverly and I lived on the third floor of Stribling Hall at the ‘T’ end of the hall. My room was next to the john; Beverly’s room was around the corner at the short end of the ‘T.’ During the fall, Beverly and I kept our windows open so we could holler across the space outside between our rooms to see if the other was ready to go to Hardy Hall, the bookstore, class, or come over to study or visit. Being able to communicate across the way saved us a million steps down the hall and around the corner. All was fine until it became too cold to keep our windows open. The chilly weather left us wondering what to do.

Our meals were all served family style in Hardy Hall (with a “hostess” at each table). One day I “borrowed” two

the steam radiator in each room, then tied a bright yellow cord to each spoon and ran the cord outside between our rooms. There was a space of about four inches between the bottom of the radiator and the floor. We could pull the cord which then would pull the spoon up to the bottom of the radiator.

When the cord was released, the spoon would clang when it hit the concrete floor. We could communicate!

Some might think this was just a repeat of the old tin can telephone, but not so. This invention was second only to the Alexander Graham Bell telephone, and it wasn’t long before we had made up a code of pull-dropskip-pull. “One-skip-skip-two” meant “I’m coming to see you,” and “onetwo-three-four” meant “let’s meet at the john door.” This code was second only to the Samuel F.B. Morse Code.

What was designed only to be cold weather communication became a mainstay of contact.

Others on campus heard about the spoons. Many came to see how they worked. They wanted Pam Higgason Harris ’65 and Beverly Lisby Owen ’64; to pull that yellow string.

Top right: The spoon’s handles are engraved with “The string lies in our hearts,” and the friends’ The end of the semester was names are on the spoon fronts. coming. We could not simply large serving spoons from the table. cut the string, pack up, and forget I thought we could use the spoons everything. The spoons had taken on until spring. I put a nail in each of our a life of their own. Beverly was graduwindows to leave a small gap open ating so we knew that would be the between the screen, window, and end of the spoons. There had to be a window sill. I placed a spoon beneath celebration—a ceremony.

After Sunday dinner just before Beverly’s graduation, we invited friends to attend the Ceremony to Remove the Spoons.

The room was packed and many others spilled over into the hall.

My suitemate Marty Wilkerson began the program with a welcome to guests. She gave her review of life with the spoons—of course, they interrupted her study; of course, they interrupted her sleep. She continued, “But those spoons never upset me because whenever I hear the sound of clanging spoons, I know it is the sound of friendship.”

Next, I read a poem I’d written for this special ceremony, and then, ceremoniously, we rang the spoons one last time and untied the string.

Although the spoons were only meant to be “borrowed” for the winter, we just couldn’t return them to an ordinary life amongst the regular serving spoons of Hardy Hall. I will confess that I am the one responsible for not returning the spoons (after all, Beverly portrayed Jesus in the Easter Pageant). Later, I had both spoons engraved with our names.

The year is now 2011. Fortyseven years have passed, but we are still Spoon Friends. Over the years every card and letter we have written has a crudely drawn sketch of two spoons with a line drawn between them. On that line we write “The string lies in our hearts.”

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Joan Barnes Brace Gary & Elaine Lund O’Neal Raúl G. Castillo Mary Castillo Neale Walnita Wong Char Helen Holmes Ruchti Charles W. “Chuck” Clements Evanell Rawson Shepperd

Dr. Thomas Preston Edwards Paul Acreman & UMC Physician Network Services Beverly Norwine Adams Stephen T. Bailey Benny & Caroline Bay Betty Sue Craven Beebe Arthur & Suzanne Boyer W. J. Bill Bryan Jack E. Byrom Oleta Henry Cox Dr. & Mrs. Jon A. Dula Jerry J. Fleming Charles & Ann Fox John & Irene Ullo Hancock Denzel & Margie Holmes Mickey & Jean Hurry Al & Anna Klaus Mary Farrow Long Frank & Judy Turner Norman Marietta Parker Dr. Seth D. & Geri E. Pomerantz Salado Intermediate School Scott & White Healthcare Benjamin L. Smith South Plains Community Action Agency Jerry Vitek Press & Jo Ann Webb Bob & Grace Richardson Whitis Jean Young Lisa Engram Elliott John Reese Chris & Jo Anne Roach Sara Pearson Smith Tara Coet Felmly Walter Coet Leonard C. Henry, Jr. Sarah Sims Furey Lou Provence Laine Dr. Iva Mildred Fussell Betty Sue Craven Beebe Lissette Ferlet Carpenter Wayne & Ann Speer Carpenter Jean Miller Lynch

UMHB LIFE | W I N T E R

Dr. William Harlow Donna Drew Fricker Creighton E. Hogan Randi Carter

Beatriz De Leon Fernando De Leon

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Patricia Ivey Moore Riley & Carolyn Allison Owens Betsy Dabbs Polgue Velva Schrader Riddle Shirley Cowan Sommer Bob & Grace Richardson Whitis Dr. Joyce E. Williams

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Mary Jane (Janie) Stephens Hogg Ruth Tucker Hess Edward Ellis Hogwood, Jr. Keith & Pam Hogwood Wilson Thomas L. Jones Jones Home & Auto Supply Robert Klingensmith Janice A. Andrews Mildred Laughlin Dr. & Mrs. J. A. Reynolds Dr. William B. Long Margaret S. Petrek Lillian Herbelin McKibben Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Mullins Keith McPherson Penny McPherson Mary Jean Ross Milford Terry & Kim Farley John & Alice Minten Dorothy Minten Esther Minten Janie Minten

Josephine A. Ruffin Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Bawcom Jay Frank Schultz The Andrew Smith Family John H. Shannon, Sr. Pat Lockridge Shannon William H. Sheppard Danny & Amy Mikes Dr. & Mrs. William K. Sisk Joy Lee Han James Todd Arlene B. Todd Cindy Tooker Kenneth & Velva Schrader Riddle Doris Jean Campbell Turnbo Nancy Huey Kimbro Arla Ray Tyson Mark & Betty O’Hair Anderson Betty Sue Craven Beebe Dr. & Mrs. Randy O’Rear Riley & Carolyn Allison Owens Marietta Parker Morris S. Tyson Dillard & Karolyn Norwine Whitis Lala Wagoner Kerry & Kathy Owens Riley & Carolyn Allison Owens Doris Wailes Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Bawcom J.T. & Winnie White Marita White Root Bill Wilson Kay Anderson

Elma Gonzales Morales Betty Herrera Martinez

Bill & Christel Wilson Jan Evans Thomas

Caleb Morgan Katherine Knapp Stutts

Christel Wilson Dr. Nora Stafford

Dorothy Lane Niesen Norman A. Niesen

Zachariah Matthew “Zach” Wright Dr. Aida Smith Sapp

Dr. Bobby E. Parker Paul F. McClinton

Charles Zimny Ellen Whitley

Stacey Price Preston Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Bawcom Merritt McKinnon Johnston Bill & Pat Reaves Cynthia Entzminger Kenneth W. Root Marita White Root

H O N O RA RIA Peggy Bass Albin Johnette Shaffer Fisher

(continued on page 36)

Attention CLASS OF ’63:: IF YOU ARE NOT RECEIVING CLASS INFORMATION ATION VIA THE

MHB ’63 GRAPEVINE, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: BWIEDERAENDERS@ATT.NET

YOU’LL RECEIVE UPDATES FROM CLASSMATES AND INFORMATION ABOUT OUR UPCOMING 50TH REUNION ALUMNI L I F E

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Dr. Jerry & Vicky Bawcom Michael & Ilene C. Miller Sunny Wilson Dr. Edna Penny Bridges Shirley Cowan Sommer

Dr. Beatrice Huston Velva Schrader Riddle

Helen Pearson Reese Dr. Raymond R. Reese

Victoria Robertson Kendig Pat Lockridge Shannon

Dr. J. A. Reynolds Dr. J. Alford & Cheryl Rash Moore David A. Reynolds Pat Humphrey Reynolds

Maxine Lockhart Helen L. Stein

Marge Bryant Randi Carter

Joan Marlow Myrah Lynelle Sweat Mason

Class of 1947 D J Reinhard Hogwood

Aleece Nelson Anita Newell Green

Class of 1948 Mildred Iverson Anderson

Julie Wheeler O’Rear George & Laura White

Dawn Dempsey Archie J. Burds, Jr., CPCM Betty Cianfichi Frances M. Jones

Dr. Randy O’Rear Christy Woods Carolyn Allison Owens Rev. & Mrs. Derald Dugger Carol A. Treible

Marjorie Ferrill Kay Schwertner Psencik Elizabeth Timmons Glazener Catherine Pledger Jones Dorothy Jean Reinhard Hogwood Pam, Keith, Daniel, Sarah, Avena & Madison Joy Betty Payne Huber Kathy Huber

Nadyne Owen Roberts Robert, Jayne Gayle & Sara Jennings Phyllis Rogers Dr. & Mrs. Randy O’Rear Pat Lockridge Shannon Sara Pearson Smith Pat Lockridge Shannon Mary H. Winn Michael Street Beverly Norwine Adams Katherine Knapp Stutts Carolyn K. Hohl

Riley & Carolyn Allison Owens Mark & Betty O’Hair Anderson

Carolyn Russell Watkins Marilyn Gore Phillips

Tommie Sue Patterson Randi Carter

Carol Woodward Pat Lockridge Shannon

Richard R. Raymond Merle Lucko Raymond

Healing Kenya (continued from page 17) happy,” Souter said. “The people cooked for us every day out of love, preparing three meals a day and snacks. And you have to remember, there is no electricity, just a small little generator.”

Most vivid in Souter’s memory was the African cuisine the villagers prepared for the group.

“For eight days straight we ate goat stew,” she said. “By about Wednesday we had eaten enough goat stew; we were all ready for other things. So they started making us cheese sandwiches. They were to die for—we loved them! The villagers changed to help us, because they realized that after several days of goat stew, we were ready for something else. So they made those provisions.”

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In a village without running water and electricity, even simple tasks Americans take for granted required a labor of love to prepare.

“The people of Malikini truly taught me what service was about. There’s no running water. Think about how much water it takes for 17 women to take a shower! The men used oxen, went to the river, and filled basins of water so we could shower. They heated a big black vat over some wood for us so we could have a warm shower, and that was all carried by hand. That’s service,” Souter said.

For Mutinda, seeing the people of his village serving and being served by the team he helped organize was a dream realized.

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“Every moment I was there, every student and every professor was working so hard, and I was so encouraged,” he said. “It has opened doors for many things. We are already planning another mission trip for 2013.”

Mutinda said, to his best knowledge, this was the first and only mission to visit the village of Malikini.

“When I came to the U.S., I heard many churches talking about going on missions to Kenya, and I would ask myself, ‘Where do they go? They do not go to our village.’ I’ve never heard of anybody taking a mission to Malikini.

But after this medical mission, I hope soon the door will be opened to a flow of visitors to that village.”

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