CRU SPIRIT
Members of Student Foundation gather for a photo during Charter Day, which celebrated UMHB’s 180th anniversary.
UMHBLIFE
SUMMER 2025 | VOLUME 45, NUMBER 3
PRESIDENT Randy O’Rear, Ed.D. ’88
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Rebecca O'Banion, Ed.D. ’93
EDITOR
Christi Mays
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Lauren Mendias
PHOTOGRAPHER
Hannah Van Beusekom
CONTRIBUTORS
Michaela Adcox ’25 Cru Athletics India Dunn ’21 Sarah Estrada
Brock Pfrommer ’25 Ashley Smith ’03 Jeff Sutton ’07 Randy Yandell '99
UMHB LIFE IS PUBLISHED THREE TIMES A YEAR BY THE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT.
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UMHBLIFE
SUMMER 2025 | VOLUME 45, NUMBER 3
DEPARTMENTS
02 | CAMPUS LIFE
A special gallery called “Capturing Independence” is on display in celebration of this year’s 180th anniversary.
05 | CAMPUS LIFE
Members of the Class of 1973 unveil Presidential Endowed Scholarship during this year’s Charter Celebration.
07 | ATHLETICS
Beach volleyball, women’s and men’s golf, and acrobatics and tumbling celebrate championships.
26 | ALUMNI NOTES
Alumna Molly Rodeffer ’20 is living her dream as she works at her favorite childhood destination.
FEATURES
BEYOND TRANSLATION | 10
New Language Lab created to help prepare students for mission trips.
DEAR FUTURE ME... | 12
Four recent graduates look back at the letters they wrote to themselves as freshmen and discover how much they’ve grown and learned in four years.
BUILT ON PRAYER | 18
For nearly two centuries, prayer has continued to be the backbone of everything at UMHB.
TRADING PLACES | 22
Students share cultural differences in exchange program with German academy.
ON THE COVER | GUIDED BY GRACE
Several members of the 2025 Revival Steering Committee gather to pray. Clockwise from top are Colton Morgan, Tytjana Horne, Caleb Marek, Caroline Rabalais, Owen Moffatt, Jess Hill, John Leroy Taylor IV, and Rylee Wilson. PHOTO BY Hannah Van Beusekom
Capturing Independence
In celebration of UMHB’s 180th anniversary,
The Musick Alumni Center and Museum at the Parker House has curated a special gallery featuring artwork that depicts the early campus in Independence, Texas, captured on both paper and canvas. The gallery includes special art samples, created by faculty, staff, students and alumni from the 1890s to 2024. The artwork reflects a deep connection to the historic Baylor Female College and its original campus in Independence. The pieces highlight the remains of the academic building, including its iconic entrance columns and the surrounding natural landscape, which features ancient live oaks and wide vistas. Stop by the museum to enjoy how artists have captured a piece of our legacy. The gallery will be open through the fall.
$1 MILLION GIFT
This past February, a $1 million gift was added to the Loye White Bray Endowed Scholarship. Since its establishment in 2014, the scholarship has provided full tuition for two UMHB nursing students each year. This gift will provide another full tuition scholarship annually.
"This scholarship has had a profound impact for a decade, not just on the nursing students who benefit from it, but also on the countless patients they go on to serve," said Dr. Randy O'Rear, university president. "Nursing is not just a profession; it is a calling to serve others with compassion and dedication. Thanks to this generous donation, future UMHB nursing students will continue to receive the support they need to complete their education, fulfill God's purpose in their lives, and make a lasting difference in the future of healthcare."
NOTEWORTHY
UMHB DEBATE TEAM BRINGS HOME TOP AWARDS
In February, the UMHB Speech and Debate team traveled to Corpus Christi for the “Speech on the Beach” tournament. Senior and captain of the team, Max Noreiga, freshman Anita Igwe, and sophomore Tony Morris tied for first place. Along with winning first place in the Debate Sweepstakes, the team won the Top Overall University Tournament Team Award.
The team then competed at the Speech and Debate Tournament in Washington D.C. and won first place and took home the Overall University Tournament Team Award. Tony tied for first place, Max finished third and Anita finished fourth.
While there, team members also learned persuasive debate techniques and how to incorporate speech and debate into their future career paths.
New Anesthesiologist Program COMING IN 2026
UMHB recently announced the development of a new anesthesiologist assistant academic program, the second program of its kind in Texas, launching in collaboration with Baylor Scott & White Health in 2026. This initiative will allow students to earn a Master of Science in Anesthesiology (MSA) degree.
Anesthesiologist assistants are highly skilled professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists as part of the
CRUNEWS
anesthesia care team to design and implement anesthesia care plans.
UMHB’s Master of Science in Anesthesiology will be a 28-month program that hopes to admit its first cohort of 25 students in the fall of 2026. This academic program is a recent addition to the many health profession degrees offered within the university’s Mayborn College of Health Sciences to prepare students for careers in the ever-changing environment of healthcare.
Fikes
Honorary Doctorate
During the Spring 2025 commencement, Temple businesswoman and philanthropist Kim Fikes was presented the Honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree, the highest honor the university can award to someone.
She and her husband, the late James Fikes, grew the CEFCO brand to more than 200 CEFCO convenience stores in four states and expanded from 12 to over 3,500 employees. In addition to her work, Fikes is passionate about helping young people, both medically and educationally, so they have the opportunity to grow and pursue their dreams. As a result, many in our community have benefited from the Fikes’ generosity. UMHB has been blessed with the beautiful Fikes Chamber Hall, the innovative Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation, and a generous endowment for student scholarships.
H O M E C O M I N G
OCTOBER 18 BELTON, TX
New Dean for McLane College of Business
Dr. Andrew Tiger, the new dean of the McLane College of Business, is a seasoned leader, educator and administrator who firmly believes in a valuesbased organization. He has served as the dean or department chair at three different universities, held an endowed chair of operations management position, and has developed several academic programs connected to local industries. Most recently, he served as the Norris-Vincent College of Business dean at Angelo State University. He has published more than 30 peer-reviewed journal
articles and maintains a productive and high-quality research agenda. He earned his Ph.D. in industrial engineering from the University of Houston and holds both a B.S. and M.S. in industrial engineering from the University of Oklahoma. His expertise in operations research intersects with many business disciplines, including operations management, supply chain management and analytics. He has experience working with a Fortune 500 company and has consulted for both large and small private companies.
CELEBRATING THE PAST
More than 150 alumni and friends came together on April 11-12 for this year’s Charter Celebration, a heartfelt gathering filled with shared memories and meaningful connections. The Class of 1975 marked a major milestone, with 18 members celebrating their 50th reunion and being inducted into the Heritage Club. Norman Northen ‘75, commemorating his 50th anniversary, reflected on how nice it is to come home.
“Today is a big day for reunions – it’s coming home, even though some of us never really left. Welcome home!” he told the audience during lunch.
The event also welcomed annual reunions for Historical Phila and Royal Academia, with each group revisiting cherished moments and the bonds that continue to endure.
Class of 1975
Class of 1970
Class of 1965
Eighteen members of the Class of 1975 were inducted into the Heritage Club during their 50th class reunion and presented UMHB President Dr. Randy O’Rear with a check for $25,000 for student scholarships. Nine members of the Class of 1970 and six members from the Class of 1965 gathered to share memories of their time on campus 55 and 60 years ago, respectively.
SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP Unveiled
Members of the Class of 1973 unveiled a plaque for a Presidential Endowed Scholarship, which the class created two years ago when the class was inducted into the Heritage Club. The plaque says the scholarship is offered as a “symbol of gratitude for the past, while paying forward their blessings to the generations yet to come.”
UMHB President Dr. Randy O’Rear thanked the class for its continued commitment to helping future students attend their alma mater.
“What’s
the greatest need of Mary Hardin-Baylor? I get asked that question very often, and the answer is always scholarships for our students,” said President O'Rear. “They’re worthy of your investment. What you’re doing may be the difference in one of our students being able to come to UMHB or having to choose somewhere else. You can take pride in that."
the prestigious John and Mary Hardin Visionary Leadership Award. More than 200 donors attended the annual donor event that recognizes and thanks them for their faithful generosity to UMHB. As the former owners of the Temple Bottling Company, the Flocas built a successful business and invested deeply in the community. Their commitment to supporting education and student success is evident in their many contributions to UMHB. Through the years, their generosity has helped shape the future of UMHB’s students, providing scholarships through the Central Texas Scholarship Fund, supporting the Isabelle Rutherford Meyer Nursing Education Center, the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center, the Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation, and the Jane and Mac Hickerson Crusader Golf Club.
FAITHFUL GENEROSITY
Pictured top left, UMHB President Dr. Randy O’Rear presents the John and Mary Hardin Visionary Leadership Award to Kathy and Ted Floca, while above, attendees enjoy fellowship, food and entertainment.
CHAMPIONS!
Beach Volleyball
The UMHB beach volleyball team won its second American Volleyball Coaches Association Small College Division III Championship this spring in Gulf Shores. The Cru earned a semifinal win over Stevenson University to advance to the title match, where they defeated Berry College for the title. Sophomores Natasha Thoms and Heidi Farrar were also named AVCA Division III Beach Volleyball All-Americans at this April’s event.
Women's & Men's Golf
This spring, the UMHB women's and men’s golf teams won the 2025 American Southwest Championship Tournament. It was the women’s 14th and the men’s 10th ASC title. Senior Izzy Crow won the women’s individual title, and freshman Cole MacMillan walked away with the men’s. The teams went on to compete at the NCAA Division III Championships, with women finishing 18th out of 34 teams and men finishing 24th out of 43 teams.
Acro & Tumbling
The UMHB acrobatics and tumbling team won the 2025 National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association Division III Tournament Championship this spring in Buffalo, N.Y., defeating Texas Lutheran University for the Cru's third consecutive national title. The team went on to compete at the NCATA National Championships and was the only Division III team to earn a spot at the national tournament.
Senior Kaydi Brechler was named Division III Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year and NCATA All-America Team; junior Natalie Podsednik, Specialist of the Year; freshman Riley Gray, Freshman of the Year; and junior Jackie McGuire was named to the NCATA AllAcademic Team. UMHB is in just its sixth season of acrobatics and tumbling and fifth full-competition year.
ASC Announces 10-Year Agreement
This March, the American Southwest Conference (ASC) announced a 10-year agreement that ensures the stability, strength and growth of the conference. With the return of McMurry University and Schreiner University, beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, the conference now has a united membership of six anchor members: UMHB, East Texas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, McMurry University and Schreiner University.
Cheer Competes at Nationals
UMHB Cheer finished 10th in the Open All-Girl Game Day Cheer competition at the Universal Cheerleaders Association College Cheerleading National Championship in Orlando this semester. The event is the most prestigious collegiate national championship in the country.
NEW LEADERSHIP
NEW VP for Athletics
Dr. Hunter Sims joins UMHB this June as the new Vice President for Athletics, replacing Randy Mann who announced his retirement in November. Sims previously served as the director of athletics at Howard Payne University. In addition, he acts as the ASC chair for athletic directors and the ASC football athletic director liaison. Sims also serves on the NCAA National Committee for Grants and the NCAA Division III Football Committee.
NEW Men's Basketball Head Coach
Sam Patterson joined the Cru as head coach for the men's basketball program this April. He worked for eight years as an assistant coach at Oral Roberts University, where he led the team to an NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2021 with wins over No. 2 Ohio State and No. 7 Florida. He also coached the Golden Eagles to an undefeated season in conference play in 2023.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
KENNETH McCALL
Finding His Voice
Kenneth McCall’s Journey Through Doubt, Determination & Destiny
When Kenneth McCall walked off the stage at Sam Houston State University with two regional singing awards in hand – First Place in the Edward Baird Singer of the Year Competition and the Linda Poetschke People’s Choice Award – it was more than just a win. It was the culmination of a winding, often uncertain journey through music, faith, family and perseverance.
“I was completely blindsided by the win. I just wanted to sing on the big stage,” Kenneth said of the two highest awards a singer can receive at the Texoma Region National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition (NATS). But it was a defining moment in Kenneth’s life as a vocal performance major at UMHB.
Kenneth’s path to this point wasn’t linear. After graduating high school in 2015, he began a music education degree, hoping to become a high school choir director. But college wasn’t what he expected, and he soon switched his major to vocal performance at the suggestion of a teacher who saw potential in him.
Then life shifted again. He left school for three years, got married, worked manual labor jobs – including at the H-E-B distribution center – and even ran a business. When he and his wife, Emma, discovered they were expecting their first child, Kenneth knew it was time to finish what he started. “I came back thinking I’d do music ed again,” he said. “But it felt like trying to put a square peg in a round hole.”
After facing roadblock after roadblock, Kenneth chose to trust his instincts and returned to vocal performance. “We prayed about it, and I felt like God was putting me where I needed to be.”
FROM DOUBT TO VICTORY
Kenneth McCall, who recently graduated, also won first place last summer at the NATS National Student Audition in the graduate category.
Dr. Samantha Balboa, former assistant professor of music and Kenneth’s voice teacher, saw the results of that decision.
“Kenneth has achieved outstanding success,” she said. “His accomplishments not only highlight his hard work and dedication, but through them, he is actively living out his purpose and delivering on the mission of UMHB.”
Now the father of a two-year-old son, Mason, Kenneth celebrated his perseverance and determination as he walked across the stage this past May to receive his diploma in vocal performance. He recently accepted an offer into Baylor University’s Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance program with a full tuition waiver, a graduate assistantship and a stipend. He has also been contracted to play The Count in "The Marriage of Figaro" for Opera of the Plains early next fall.
“I feel that God has led me every step of the way, especially when I was looking the other way. The amazing connections that I have made academically, musically and through church have given me so much. I truly am blessed beyond belief.”
"BEHOLD, I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU AN OPEN DOOR WHICH NO MAN CAN SHUT."
—REVELATION 3:8
From Setbacks to Success!
When Chaka Watson walked across the stage this May with his diploma in hand, it marked more than just an academic achievement, it was a triumph over hardship, loss and self-discovery.
Chaka, a native of Orange, Texas, overcame a turbulent childhood marked by the death of his mother from sickle cell disease when he was just eight.
“She was my best friend,” Chaka said. “After she passed, I had to live with my dad, who had just gotten out of prison. We didn’t have a relationship, and that was really hard on me.”
Struggling emotionally, Chaka found refuge with his grandparents, especially his grandfather, Leroy Breedlove – a beloved coach and teacher for whom the local high school football field is named.
“He was my role model,” Chaka said. “He showed me what impact a teacher and coach can have, and that inspired my career path.”
Chaka graduated this May with a degree in education and plans to teach high school biology and coach football and track.
“I want to work with high schoolers because I’ve been in their shoes – or worse,” he said. “If I can share my story and help just one kid avoid the mistakes I made, it’ll be worth it.”
After breaking some team rules, Chaka was kicked off the UMHB football team. He tried to play at several other colleges, but God kept closing door after door. After taking a couple of semesters off and working multiple jobs, he thought all was lost with his football career until a surprise call from UMHB Head Football Coach Larry Harmon changed everything.
“He asked me if I wanted to come back,” Chaka recalled. “Of course, I did!”
With special permission from the dean and UMHB president, Chaka was allowed to return and play once again for the team he loved, and as a sophomore, was part of the 2021 DIII National Championship team.
Chaka says football meant a lot to him, but credits his faith, family (especially his grandmother, Mary Breedlove, who was also an educator), and UMHB’s supportive community of donors for helping him reach graduation.
“ "Every time I felt like I didn’t have a way out, God always opened the door for me. Every time,” he said.
BEYOND TRANSLATION!
UMHB Language Lab Opens
Doors to Global Connection
BY CHRISTI MAYS
Jai Masih Ki – "Praise the Lord" in Hindi.
It was the first phrase a group of UMHB students shared with natives as they stepped into a new world on a mission trip to Southeast Asia in late 2023. For Dr. Sanfrená Britt `20, director of the UMHB Kingdom Diversity office, it wasn’t just a greeting; it was a defining moment.
“It gave this wonderful connection,” she said. “The people were hearing ‘praise the Lord’ in their language! Our students were speaking their heart’s language. It was so effective.”
That moment sparked the birth of a transformative initiative at UMHB: a new Language Lab.
The idea had been simmering in Britt’s mind for some time since she traveled to Morocco on a study abroad trip in 2023 with Dr. Jim King, a professor at the McLane College of Business. Though she and the students were prepped for cultural differences – including the importance of respecting religious customs in a deeply spiritual country – there was one obstacle no one could quite overcome: the language.
“I speak French, but I speak Creole French,” Britt explained. “So the people there could capture a little of what I was saying, but it wasn’t the same French. The language was a barrier.”
At times, everything had to be filtered through an interpreter, making it challenging to form authentic connections.
Later that year, during a mission trip to Southeast Asia with Director of Global Outreach Tiffany Horton, the language gap surfaced again.
“We prepared our students to share the Gospel, but how prepared were they to actually be in this culture?” Britt asked.
She watched students hunger to communicate, but the linguistic hurdles somewhat deterred their enthusiasm. That spark of eagerness became the seed of something new.
After Britt and Horton returned and debriefed, Britt suggested the two offices partner to create the Language Lab. The vision was to equip students heading out on mission trips not just with theological knowledge but with the basic language tools to build trust, show respect and foster understanding for the culture and people they visited.
The UMHB Language Lab officially launched soon after, with a simple but powerful structure. Using the university’s Canvas learning platform, Britt built weekby-week modules focusing on language basics, such as greetings, self-introductions, asking for directions and dietary needs. She set up synchronous Zoom sessions with native speakers from around the globe to prepare students for upcoming mission trips.
The first session included Russian, Hindi, Arabic and three Spanish tracks for student trips to Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and South Texas.
The sessions are just 30 minutes a week, but they are making an impact. Students not only listen and learn, they are tasked with recording their own videos to share with their peers. The goal isn’t fluency but familiarity, confidence and connection.
“Students also learn to enter those cultures with humility, not going in thinking everybody should speak English,” Britt said. “We want them to go in with a mind of learning and understanding how to respect things that are different.”
Equipped with new language and cultural skills, students traveled on eight mission trips over the winter break and have missions this summer in Indonesia, Nepal, Rio Grande Valley, Montana and Kenya. Next December, Britt will lead students on the first immersion trip to Morocco, and they will study Arabic before leaving.
“I am really excited to have a chance to learn Arabic,” Britt said.
But beyond vocabulary, the Language Lab is about preparing students to be global citizens, Britt said, “So that as they are preparing to walk into their career fields, they don’t just have a mindset of, ‘I’m from Texas’ or ‘I’m from the U.S.,’ but ‘I can step across boundaries across the world and still feel comfortable.’”
Dear Future Me…
BY CHRISTI MAYS
their future selves, filled with hopes, fears and dreams for the journey ahead. Now, those same students have crossed hand, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. As they reflect on their time at UMHB, those letters serve as powerful reminders of how far they've come academically, personally and spiritually. From nervous their stories are a testament to growth, perseverance and the transformative power of Christian higher education.
Finding Her Place
When Ashlyn Haney first stepped onto the UMHB campus in 2021, she was uncertain about her future, homesick for her home state of Colorado, and just beginning to navigate the realities of college life.
“I had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to help people, but beyond that, it was all a blank page,” she recalls.
That sense of uncertainty is echoed in a letter she wrote to her future self at the end of her first semester. Her words revealed a young woman wrestling with big questions, yet grounded in faith and a desire to grow.
“My major is undecided. I’m potentially leaning towards social work, but I have no idea!” she wrote. But after changing majors a few times, the Lord led her at the end of her freshman year to declare her major in psychology, and she walked across the graduation stage this May.
Ashlyn's first year was marked by unexpected challenges, like a frightening car crash with her roommate, but through it all she saw God’s provision and those tests helped strengthen her faith.
“I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself, especially on things I can’t control, and that’s been something I’ve had to learn – to let go and sit back and let God work things out that I can’t,” she said. “I’ve learned to give myself grace as I’m trying to figure out what the rest of my life is going to look like.”
Moving two states away from her family was one of the hardest things for Ashlyn her first semester, but she also remembers the other adjustments she had to learn, like
controlling her own schedule, learning time management and adapting to the Texas heat.
“It was horrible at first going to class,” she laughed. “I remember one time looking at the weather forecast in September and it was like 101 degrees that day and thinking, ‘What in the world?’”
Despite being far from home, she found community and strength in her new environment.
“I was really homesick at first,” she admits, “but I also loved the people I met. That made all the difference.”
One of the things she wrote in her letter was to “remember to always be kind and to love others and that you have a place in this world.” Four years later, she feels like with Christ’s help, she has done a pretty good job of following that advice throughout college.
“I always pray every day that I can love others as Christ loves us because I think it’s important to always be kind, and I still try to live by that."
What stands out most to her in reflecting on her letter is how much she’s grown and “come out of her shell.”
“I have grown so much. When I came in as a freshman, I was quiet and shy, but now, I’m more outgoing and I’m definitely more willing to talk to strangers that I’ve never met or get up in front of the class and talk to people,” she said. “I’ve kind of grown into myself and discovered who I am
MAKING MEMORIES
Ashlyn Haney’25 (pictured far right during Ring Ceremony), says she “came out of her shell” while at college, meeting some of her best friends for life.
From Dreams to Reality
When Louis Jackson wrote a letter to his future self as a freshman, he ended it with a prayer: “I pray that my future self does not squander the time at UMHB and stays on top of everything that I will need to get done.”
Four years later, standing on the other side of graduation, Louis can confidently say: mission accomplished.
Reflecting on his time at UMHB and how closely it mirrored the hopes he laid out in his freshman letter, he said, “I remember writing that letter and not really knowing what the next four years would hold.”
But reading it again now, four years later, he is proud of all he accomplished.
One of the biggest themes in his letter was a desire to stay active on campus. Louis hoped to participate in events like Crusader Knights and wanted to be a Cru Leader after experiencing the fun of Welcome Week earlier that year. Those ambitions became reality.
“Crusader Knights was such a fun and rewarding experience,” he said. He also participated in Stunt Night three years and was a Cru Leader his sophomore year.
His involvement went far beyond those roles. Throughout his four years, Louis strengthened his film production skills in Cru Films, a student organization that produces short films. As a freshman, he participated in his first short film with Cru Films, serving as an editor.
“Being a part of Cru Films short film this semester was a lot of fun,” he wrote. That involvement sparked a lasting passion, solidified his major choice and helped shape his college experience.
"Everything I prayed I would do — staying active, staying grounded and meeting amazing people — all came true. I did it, and I really didn’t squander the time!"
— Louis Jackson
He also followed through on his desire to build strong relationships. “I wrote about watching Ninjago every Wednesday with Katy (his freshman Cru Leader) and her friends,” he recalled with a laugh. “That was something we did every week to relax and get our minds off school, and it was great while it lasted.”
He also met his fiancé, Kelsie Keele, his freshman year during Stunt Night. The two got married just two weeks after graduation and moved to Round Rock where she got a job in nursing and he is looking for his first job as an editor.
Louis’ freshman letter closed with hope and determination, and his senior reflections reveal a student who not only hoped for but also had a fulfilling college experience at UMHB. “Everything I prayed I would do — staying active, staying grounded and meeting amazing people — all came true. I did it, and I really didn’t squander the time!”
LIVING HIS BEST LIFE
Louis Jackson ’25 made the most of his time at college getting involved in student activities and organizations.
From Tears to Triumph
When Grecia Macias first sat in a quiet corner of the library to write a letter to her future self, she had no idea how prophetic that moment would become. “It made me tear up a little,” she said recently, rereading the words she penned as a freshman. “It’s just crazy to see all that’s changed.”
Grecia was nearing the end of her first semester of college when she wrote that letter. Finals loomed, emotions ran high and uncertainty clouded her vision. In the letter, she wrote candidly, “Throughout this semester, there were many times where I felt like giving up because it was getting too difficult for me both emotionally and academically,” she wrote. “I would feel alone at times because I lost some friendships I thought would last, but God later placed special people in my life that I knew I needed.”
She remembers telling her mom that she wasn’t sure if she was cut out for college.
“I was so overwhelmed,” Grecia recalled. But her mom reminded her of her purpose: “The Lord called you here, and He opened so many doors for you to be here. He’s going to open doors that no man can open.”
And open doors He did.
Grecia struggled with anxiety, homesickness and a crushing sense of uncertainty.
“It was just one big question mark over me,” the Brownsville native said. Her breakthrough came after becoming roommates with Victoria Kuntz (featured on page 17). “She poured into me with so much wisdom from the Lord,” Grecia said. Their friendship, along with others that followed, brought clarity and encouragement.
Perhaps the most trying moment was her journey into the nursing program. After failing her entrance exam twice, Grecia surrendered her plans to God.
“If it’s not from you, Lord, I don’t want it,” she prayed. It was on the third try – in that same library where she wrote her letter – that peace wrapped around her like a blanket.
“I wasn’t nervous, I wasn’t shaking. I knew it was the Lord sustaining me and giving me the peace that I desired,” she said. That day, she passed, and she was accepted into nursing school.
Her faith and resilience guided her every step, along with a few scriptures she included in her freshman letter, especially Isaiah 41:10 and Jeremiah 29:11, verses she had cherished even before college. “God has not given me a spirit of fear,” she reminded herself.
Grecia’s vision for the future shifted slightly from what she wrote in her letter. Once set on becoming a physician assistant, she now plans to pursue a master’s in education and become a nursing professor some day. “About two years ago, I really found a passion for teaching,” she said. “I had so many amazing professors in the nursing program who poured into me, and just seeing how passionate they are about it, I’d love to talk about it and teach it to other students.”
Now, four years later as she starts her career as a nurse at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Grecia still hears her freshman words echoing to her from her letter: “Freshman me is
TRUSTING THE PLAN
While at UMHB, Grecia Macias ’25 learned to trust God’s plan for her through every challenge and success.
A Journey of Growth
When Victoria Kuntz penned her “Dear Future Me” letter as a freshman at UMHB, she was filled with dreams, spiritual passion and the uncertainty that comes with starting college. Now, having crossed the graduation stage, Victoria can look back with a heart full of gratitude and a story that beautifully bridges who she hoped to become and who she is today.
When she first arrived on campus, Victoria was a journalism major with dreams of becoming a news anchor. But practicality won over when she realized graduation would come a little sooner if she switched to public relations.
Her freshman-year letter mentions her love for her FirstYear Collective (FYC) Bible study group – a group that, years later, would circle back into her life, particularly her senior year this year when she served as director of the Easter Pageant.
“It’s super cool because my FYC group actually came back to me this semester,” she said. “My assistant director for Easter Pageant was also in my FYC group. That made a full circle.”
One of the most profound changes Victoria noted was in her faith.
“In my four years at UMHB, I was able to grow my faith and grow in everything and begin to see what the Lord has for me.”
She also spoke of the spiritual gifts she recently discovered in leadership, communications and pastoring, and marveled, “This girl in this letter would have been like, no way that’s gonna happen.”
Her path through college was far from smooth, as she dealt with health issues, homesickness and academic pressure.
"There were times I was overwhelmed, but every time, God showed up in ways I couldn't have imagined."
— Victoria Kuntz
But she says, “That was 100 percent God’s doing. There’s no way that wasn’t His plan.” The anonymous donor from her hometown church who paid her first year’s tuition was just one of many signs that affirmed her journey.
As she closes this chapter, Victoria is filled with peace and purpose.
“I feel like I’ve done the things I’ve been able to do and what the Lord has called me to, and I’m really fulfilled by my time here.”
One thing that stands out in Victoria’s freshman letter is the wisdom she offered herself: “God will give you more than you can handle, but never more than He can handle.” Now, as a graduate, she affirms those words with deeper understanding.
“I had no idea how true that would become,” Victoria said. “There were times I was overwhelmed, but every time, God showed up in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”
Victoria leaves UMHB with a degree, a heart shaped by faith and a future still unfolding. “It’s a bittersweet moment, but it’s also really sweet because I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life.”
FINDING HER PURPOSE
Victoria Kuntz ’25 discovered her gifts and grew in her faith while at UMHB.
RELYING ON PRAYER
Graduate student Anna Hoecke ‘23 says prayer has kept her joyful and motivated throughout her time at UMHB.
BY CHRISTI MAYS
Built on Prayer
HOW PRAYER HAS SHAPED 180 YEARS OF UMHB d
Over nearly two centuries, prayer has served as the guiding light in every corner of UMHB life – from historic revivals that transformed the student body to quiet personal devotions next to century-old trees. It has inspired missions across the globe, guided students through crises and formed the backbone of cherished traditions. Whether it was handwritten in letters from missionaries, spoken aloud in a crowded tent on the Quad, or silently whispered in the stillness of early morning, prayer has left an everlasting mark on the heart of the university.
From the first board meeting in 1845 to the quiet corners of campus where students still kneel in solitude, prayer has been the foundation of UMHB for more than 180 years, shaping not only the daily rhythm of student life but also the university’s culture and identity.
“Prayer was very much a part of UMHB from the very beginning,” said Associate Director of Museum and Alumni Engagement Beth Norvell ’03. “If you're going to start a Christian school, it better be a part of your core beliefs.”
Historical records back her up. Minutes from the 1893 Board of Trustees report pleaded for divine wisdom during a challenging time of debt and declining enrollment: “I am therefore persuaded that you never had greater need for wisdom and prayer than now.” Just five years later, the campus newspaper carried a student’s spiritual vision: “It is our prayer that this small wave may grow larger and larger until it reaches eternity's shore laden with the fright of precious souls.”
PRAYER AND REVIVAL
Firmly rooted in Baptist tradition, there is evidence in the UMHB archives that revival has been an important event on campus almost as long as the school has existed. One of the most notable revivals took place in 1901 and is described as “set to go down as one of the greatest revivals ever held,” with a packed house and 90 new additions to the local Baptist Church. In 1909, another revival reportedly brought salvation to every girl on campus.
Today, that revival tradition continues in a tent on the Quad, where students gather for three days of prayer and worship. When Norvell was a student, she remembers the 24/7 prayer that preceded the Revival, which still takes place today.
“My slot was 2 to 2:30 a.m.,” she said. “It was led by the Baptist Student Ministry and it was just so sweet.”
This emphasis on student involvement continues with prayer committees for Revival, Easter Pageant and Mission Emphasis Weekend.
The spiritual foundation also extends to physical spaces – both formal and informal – where generations have turned to God in prayer. Some of these sacred spots include Walton Chapel, the Parker Prayer Garden and the tree by Burt Pond, which has served as a popular prayer spot since the 1920s. There is also Luther Memorial, where students gather annually for the Easter Pageant, praying overnight the night before the show; and Vann Circle, the traditional site for the See You at the Pole prayer event each fall. Even the original site of the Cottage Home System dormitories, where Remschel Hall stands today, is remembered for its spiritual significance. “The Cottage Home girls were required to seek the Lord on certain things,” Norvell said. “It’s a special spot that’s just rich in history.”
CONNECTING THROUGH PRAYER
For alumni, prayer is a way to stay connected to the campus, and alumni-focused prayer walks are a special way they can uplift students from anywhere in the world.
“This year, based on feedback from alumni, we wanted to have a more focused effort on what is happening on this campus,” said Director of Alumni Engagement Jeff Sutton ’07. “We put together a guided prayer so that as a collective, alumni were praying for God to move.”
Prior to Welcome Week, alumni also gathered for a prayer walk around campus, returning to spots on campus that had impacted them most deeply – residence halls, academic buildings and even a favorite tree or
bench. “We tracked it so that we made sure each corner of campus had someone praying on it that evening,” Sutton said.
Even for those who can’t return to campus, there’s still a way to participate.
“You can pray from your home. You can pray from the other side of the world. Our prayer walks give people a way to connect with the campus in a real, meaningful way,” Sutton said. "It’s an intentional time to pause in the midst of busyness to just have a focus time to pray for this place that impacted our lives. We ask God to continue to do in the lives of students what he did in each of our lives."
INTEGRATING FAITH AND LEARNING
One of the first experiences students take part in when they arrive as incoming freshmen is the Dubbing Ceremony at Crusader Stadium, where students are dubbed “Crusaders Forever” and are prayed over. But it’s the day-to-day encounters with administrators, advisors, faculty and staff who incorporate prayer into campus life to encourage an integration of faith with education that helps students and faculty see their work and studies as part of a larger spiritual purpose.
After spotting a staff member praying with his daughter
and a group of seniors, one father posted on social media: "This pic is one of the many reasons we love that two of our kids attended the University of Mary HardinBaylor. This was simply another reminder of the blessing this university has been, and that our kids absolutely made the right choice.”
At UMHB, the sight of faculty and staff lifting students up in prayer is woven into the very fabric of campus life. Wherever you go, a willing intercessor is never far away like Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Christan Hammonds ’99. She is among the cherished prayer warriors on campus, who care deeply not only for her students’ academic success, but also for their walk with the Lord.
“I pray for and with my students often! I pray for them before the semester even starts, as I’m looking at their names on the roster, and as I walk around the classroom on day one, before they start filling in the chairs. I pray with them before each class and before each exam. I pray with them in my office. I pray for them when I’m at home,” she said. “There is nothing more powerful than prayer! Bare minimum, it brings peace. It can also bring clarity. And it always brings us closer to the Lord and in alignment with His heart and will.”
WALKING IN PRAYER
Graduate student Anna Hoecke ‘23 imagines praying in the same spots her great-grandmother, Olive Chaffee
GENERATIONS OF PRAYER
On the opposite page, an illustration in the 1929 yearbook depicts a woman praying, while a passage from the 1924 yearbook mentions prayer. Below, students pray during the 2025 Revival and during Easter Pageant rehearsals.
Boggs, did when she was a student on campus more than 100 years ago.
After hearing countless stories from her family, Anna is proud to be a student where her “Mimi Olive was a prayer warrior.”
“She was strong in her convictions, and I imagine she often took the ordinary walks across campus as opportunities to intercede,” she said.
Anna says prayer is her direct connection with God.
“Prayer is how I include Him in my experience of this world that is ever pushing away from its Creator. I don't pray because He needs me to. I do it because He wants a relationship with me and wants space in my life to speak.”
While at UMHB, she says prayer has kept her joyful and motivated throughout her undergraduate years and now while she pursues a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.
“The depth of my prayer has directly correlated to my success in school, and I've continued to learn the value, power and peace that prayer brings.”
PRAYER IS EVERYTHING
Each Monday morning throughout the semester, as the campus stirs to life, staff, faculty and administrators quietly gather in the President’s Suite. There, in a circle of
shared purpose and faith, a different voice leads a time of prayer and reflection. These moments of devotion breathe encouragement into the week ahead. It’s just one of the many ways administration continuously seeks guidance, expresses gratitude and strengthens the university’s spiritual connection with God.
“UMHB has always, from its beginning, been unapologetically Christian,” said President Dr. Randy O’Rear. “The beauty of the Christian life is that we go directly to God with our requests and petitions. While God’s answer may not always be what we want or when we want it, God is faithful, and God always provides.”
In its 180 years in Christian higher education, prayer has helped cultivate a sense of unity and continues to remind everyone of their shared faith and purpose. Prayer also demonstrates humility in that when we pray, we are acknowledging that there is one greater than all of us, O’Rear added.
“One thing that has been heartwarming and humbling during my time as president has been the number of people who tell me they are praying for our university,” he said. “This happens almost every week. I believe God answers those prayers because I have seen it happen, and I believe that he will continue to do so for the next 180 years and beyond.”
TRADING PLACES
BY CHRISTI MAYS
Students share cultural differences in exchange program with Germans
What do meeting a prime minister and visiting a Buc-ee’s have in common? The two experiences were some of the many “wow” moments that students from UMHB shared with German students as they visited each other’s countries this past semester.
After receiving a grant from the German Apprenticeship Training Exchange (GATE) Program, the Johanniter-Akademie in Leipzig, Germany selected UMHB as its American partner to host six exchange students for experiential learning and cultural immersion. This past December, six UMHB students traveled to Germany for two weeks (and met the prime minister of Saxony while there); and, in February, their German counterparts came to learn about all things UMHB and Texas (including an obligatory trip to Bucee’s).
Some of the other “wow” moments in Germany included a walking tour of Berlin with a stop at the Berlin Wall Memorial, a trip to a concentration camp in Weimer, and a tour of a family-owned wooden toy
FROM THE BERLIN WALL TO BUC-EE'S UMHB and Johanniter-Akademie students shared unforgettable “wow” moments on both sides of the Atlantic, discovering that cultural exchange can be as profound as meeting a prime minister – and as delightfully Texan as a Beaver Nugget stop.
factory. While in Texas, the German students were treated to a trip to the state capitol, hiking the massive granite boulders at Enchanted Rock, and a day exploring the Fort Worth Stockyards. UMHB students also took them on field trips to Foster Love, Helping Hands and Hope for the Hungry.
“What makes this program unique is it’s not a study abroad; there’s no class attached to it. The students just spend their whole time immersed in the other culture,” said Dr. Stephen Baldridge, dean of the UMHB College of Humanities and Sciences. “The students plan the schedule for the two weeks they’re here, so they also plan in time to hang out, go with them to class, and just see what day-to-day life is like with them.”
While the UMHB students were in Germany, senior EC-6 education major Eva Marx, said
BEYOND BORDERS
Whether exploring historic Berlin, hiking Enchanted Rock, or serving at local nonprofits, UMHB and Johanniter students didn’t just visit, they immersed, connected and grew through friendship and hands-on experiences.
she and her group enjoyed being there during the Christmas season and experiencing the markets, Christmas concerts, baking cookies and celebrating Saint Nicholas Day on Dec. 6. They also toured a few schools, including a school for students with special needs, visited a workshop for adults with disabilities, and went to the Leipzig English Church on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings with the six students from Johanniter-Akademie.
One thing that stood out to Eva on the trip was how welcoming, kind and generous everyone was.
“No matter where we went, the people took great care of us,” she said. “Another thing that blew me away was how much I felt at home with the Leipzig English Church's college group. They welcomed us with open minds and hearts, showed us love in many ways and we had a lot of rich conversations. This group showed me what it truly means to be fully united in Christ no matter our differences.”
Since the trip was limited to only six students, Baldridge said there was an application process that required students to share in a video why they wanted to be
"No matter where we went, the people took great care of us. Another thing that blew me away was how much I felt at home at the Leipzig English Church's college group."
— Eva Marx Senior, EC-6 Education Major
a part of the exchange program. Baldridge also said the trip was limited to students studying social work, nursing, education and pre-physician assistant (since those would match up with the training that Johanniter-Akademie offers in those fields).
Eva said the trip helped prepare her for her future career in education by challenging her to be flexible and problem-solve.
“We had to use both while we navigated public transportation, and when things didn’t go as planned, we had to improvise or make new plans,” she said. “This trip also pushed me out of my comfort zone because I really dislike crowds, and I was forced to be in major crowded areas like the Christmas markets and the trams or subways.
It helped me learn to try to find comfort even in uncomfortable situations.”
Her biggest professional takeaway, however, was seeing how the community continues to support people with special needs even into adulthood.
“Not only do these people receive money from the state, but they also have a special needs workshop facility where they give them jobs, teach them life skills, and provide physical therapy services and daily transportation.”
German social work student Alessio Friske also said he and his group felt really welcomed to Texas and enjoyed experiencing the cultural differences. He especially appreciated how the group was invited into professors’ homes on several nights
for dinner and fellowship, which doesn’t happen in Germany.
“I was really amazed by that,” he said. “I think it makes a closer community.”
At the end of each two-week stint, the 12 students gathered with their professors to discuss everything they experienced and learned. During their time in each country, they created a personal learning plan as well, which was shared with the GATE program which provides tiered funding for the exchange program for four years.
“The point is to make this sustainable financially long-term, and that’s what we’re exploring here right now,” Baldridge said.
As for Eva, even though she’s graduating in December, she hopes the program continues after she is long graduated.
“This exchange program has really opened up my eyes to the world and helped me to appreciate the variety of people and cultures that live on this planet. There is so much more to this world!” she said. “I feel very connected to Germany now that I have experienced daily life there and bonded with six very special people in Germany.”
She says she is thankful and excited to be given the opportunity to go on this trip because of her love of travel, learning new things and meeting new people.
“I am just beyond grateful for this experience! I have been blessed in so many ways, I have grown as person, and I have made what I hope to be lifelong friends."
TWO CULTURES - ONE COMMUNITY
UMHB students shared an evening with their German counterparts at one of the Christmas markets while they spent two weeks exploring Germany.
"I am just beyond grateful for this experience! I have been blessed in so many ways, I have grown as a person, and I have made what I hope to be lifelong friends."
— Eva Marx Senior, EC-6 Education Major
A PART OF THE MAGIC Today, 2020 UMHB graduate Molly Rodeffer walks the same streets of Magic Kingdom she once wandered as a child. But now, she’s part of the team that keeps it running – quietly, behind the scenes, making sure every roof tile is right, every carpet is clean and every ride is safe. Her roommate, Bethany Darwin ’20, who also works at Disney, photographed her on the grounds.
ALUMNI LIFE
MOLLY RODEFFER ‘20
Alumna Brings Magic to Life at Walt Disney World Living Her Dream
As a wide-eyed nine-year-old visiting Walt Disney World for the first time, Molly Rodeffer was captivated. The rides, the characters, the shows – all of it felt like stepping into a dream. Today, that dream is her reality.
Molly, who graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, is now a construction planner with Facility Asset Management (FAM) at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. And not just anywhere on the property – she’s stationed at the iconic Magic Kingdom.
“I am still shocked and extremely grateful to be in this job now,” said Molly. “Ever since I started dreaming of working at Disney, my goal was to be in a position where I could work in the parks and help continue to make magic the way I experienced it every time I visited. This truly is my dream job.”
From Guest to CAST MEMBER
Molly's journey to Disney began long before she donned her first name tag. Growing up, she experienced the magic of Disney at least five times, and during those trips, she discovered “Imagineering” – a team of engineers and creatives that builds the parks.
“That sounds like a dream job!” Molly remembers thinking, so she decided to major in engineering at UMHB where her father, 2014 alumnus Aaron Rodeffer, works. After her sophomore year, Molly took a leap of faith and paused her studies to participate in the Disney College Program in Fall 2018. It was a foundational step that reaffirmed her desire to blend her technical talents with a love for Disney magic.
After graduation, Molly returned to the resort in various roles –from steering boats outside Magic Kingdom as a watercraft cast member to starting her first professional internship with Disney’s Worldwide Safety Assurance team and then a second stint with the Facility Asset Management (FAM) program. That internship gave her a foot in
the door and in November 2024, she landed her full-time position with the FAM team in Magic Kingdom, where she now helps oversee construction projects throughout the park – from roof repairs to attraction updates.
A Day in the MAGIC
A typical day for Molly starts early – sometimes before sunrise – to check on a job or even multiple jobs she has in the works. From managing contractor relationships to juggling administrative tasks and meetings, her role requires a mix of technical know-how and logistical finesse. But the most magical part? “We get to pop into the park to check on projects. That never gets old.”
Engineering with IMAGINATION
Molly’s path to engineering wasn’t always crystal clear. In middle school, she dreamed of becoming a graphic designer, but a conversation with her mom, Megan Rodeffer, changed everything when she suggested Molly look into engineering.
“At first, I wasn’t interested – until I learned about Imagineering.” The concept of combining creativity with
engineering to design Disney parks sparked something deep inside her. Molly decided to major in mechanical engineering at UMHB and minor in graphic design to feed her creative side. UMHB’s engineering program, which fully launched around the time she began her freshman year, turned out to be a perfect fit – especially since her father worked on campus. “It was never really a question for me. UMHB was the college for me.”
Foundations in FAITH and COMMUNITY
Molly says her time at UMHB shaped her spiritually, socially and professionally. As a student, she participated in SearchCru and Revival, went on mission trips, played on the women’s golf team, and was crowned 2019 Miss Mary Hardin-Baylor.
“My time at UMHB was definitely the most formative for my faith,” she said. “There were moments of doubt, big decisions and rollercoasters of emotion, but God frequently reached out to me where I was at my lowest and my community at UMHB strengthened my faith with every step.”
That faith continues to be a guiding light in her role at Disney. “People come from all over to work here, and I’ve had beautiful opportunities to share my faith and build relationships,” she said. “There are a lot of people who think Disney is the ultimate source of happiness, but working here, I get to show that true joy comes from my relationship with Christ!”
IN MEMORIAM
UMHB profoundly mourns the loss of our alumni, faculty, staff, students and retirees. We express our deepest sympathy to their family and friends, and honor each of them here.
1950s
Alice Kight '51
November 14, 2024
Lynelle Mason '53
February 12, 2025
Nelda Sanders '54
UMHB Former Trustee
December 16, 2024
1960 s
Helen Louise Pope '60
December 14, 2024
Carolyn Bailey '65
November 6, 2024
Barbara Beymer '65
December 31, 2024
Glenda Adele Hargrove '67
December 20, 2024
1970 s
Joan Northen '70
December 8, 2024
Mildred "Mickey" Little HA ‘71
January 15, 2025
Kristine Lynn Alexander '78
January 26, 2025
1990 s
Donna Katherine White ‘98, '01
UMHB Retiree
November 11, 2024
2000 s
Gilbert Alan Mendoza '08
December 1, 2024
Friends of the University
B. Jane Haywood
UMHB Retiree
March 13, 2025
MEMORIAL GIFTS
November 5, 2024 - March 21, 2025
Evelyn Irwin Ashbrook
Hal and Jan Edwards Anderson
Carolyn Labit Bailey
Mark and Betty O’Hair Anderson
Betty Sue Craven Beebe
Beverly Norwine Adams
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Jerry Caldwell
Class of ‘93
Class of ‘94
Michael and Catherine Burkett
Cornelio
Glen and Glenda Dennis Cosper
Dani Beth Crosby
Thomas Dannelley, Jr.
Cliffa Foster
Mark and Melissa Foster
Tommy and Debby Garrett
Henry and Cheryl Garza
Tucker and Karli Ralston Glaske
Lester Grantham
Kelly and Lizzy Mattson Hankins
Annette Craddock Howse
Kathleen Kruse
Cindy Latham
Walt and Pam Manly
Richard and Grace Dannelley McDonald
Arnell Childs McMillin
Cindy Moya
Rebecca O’Banion
Randy and Julie Wheeler O’Rear
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Larry and Nelda Cook Perry
Kenneth and Velva Schrader Riddle
Burk and Cindy Breaux Roberts
Mary Lou Robinson
Shane and Lisa Martin Scott
Anthony and Linda Smith
Jeff and Jennifer Savage Sutton
Steve and Grace Coulter Theodore
Jim and Jan Evans Thomas
Bob Whitis
Dillard and Karolyn Norwine Whitis
Jay Whitis
Robert and Cynthia Weaver Willis
Randy and Kim Kittredge Yandell
Robert Bell
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Carolyn Blair
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Sue Allison May
Dr. Peter Chen
Ping Liao Chen
Jeff and Cathleen Early
John and Karen Vassar
Judy Boyd Colville
Peggy Boyd
Barbara Davidson
Gail Hill
Jerry and Margie Dawson
Arthur Gallagher
Robert Lee Dennis
John and Terry Potter
William Entzminger, Jr.
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Eileen Ernst Fox
Tom and Bonnie Ernst Hearon
Corliss Hill George
Joe George
Thomas Hamilton
Betty Reinhard Hamilton
Glenda Krupicka Hargrove
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Camlin Herrick
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Roger Hoelscher
Kenny Driska, Jr.
DJ Reinhard Hogwood
Betty Reinhard Hamilton
Donald Horne
Kay Buscemi
Martha Greenwood
Marjorie Shackelford
Patricia Ernst Hutcherson
Tom and Bonnie Ernst Hearon
Betty Kemp
Dillard and Karolyn Norwine Whitis
Bob Kelton
Mark and Betty O’Hair Anderson
Rebecca O’Banion
Randy and Julie Wheeler O’Rear
Evelyn Lane
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Randy and Julie Wheeler O’Rear
Angel and Elvira Lara
Eduardo and Elizabeth Lara
Katherine Lawler
William Lawler
Andrea Smith-Leach
Victor and Alexis Horton Turley
Dr. Mickey Little
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
June Burke
Virginia Hartati Carney
Michael and Cathy Burkett Cornelio
Kathleen Kruse
Family of Mattie Mae
Rebecca O’Banion
Randy and Julie Wheeler O’Rear
Charlotte Barnett Mackey
John Mackey
LaMay Greer Mann
Charlie and Kathy Kimmey
Randy and Julie Wheeler O’Rear
Susan Owens
Chuck and Jennifer Ramm
Robert Marwitz
Kathy Owens
Kent Owens
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Lynelle Sweat Mason
Patricia Lockridge Shannon
Dr. Dan McLallen
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Dillard and Karolyn Norwine Whitis
Dorothy Minten
Esther Minten
Janie Minten
John and Alice Minten
Ester Minten
Janie Minten
Caleb Benjamin Morgan
Lou Beth Birdwell
Margie Niekamp
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Joan Normand Northen
Mark and Betty O’Hair Anderson
Norman and Rebecca Silva Northen
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Edna O’Banion
Michael and Cathy Burkett Cornelio
Rebecca O’Banion
Dillard and Karolyn Norwine Whitis
Ron Owens
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Susan Owens
Helen Johnson Pope
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Debbie Potts
Andrew and Nancy Crowson
David and Jean Dickson
Richard and Grace Dannelley McDonald
Brenda Potts
Michael Stirman
Jane Prater
Julie Beechem
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Wilma Pritchard
Kent Owens
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Velma Putman
Dillard and Karolyn Norwine Whitis
Henry Ransom
Paul and Pam Dieckert
Marita White Root
Arnell Childs McMillin
Nealy Ross
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Nelda East Sanders
James and Jeannie Carnes
Justin and Kristel Carnes
Alton and Myra Felan Clendennen
Walt and Pam Manly
Rebecca O’Banion
Randy and Julie Wheeler O’Rear
Carl and Lucille Purfurst
Burk and Cindy Breaux Roberts
Barbara Shallue
Pat Lockridge Shannon
Steve and Grace Coulter Theodore
HONORARY GIFTS
Mark and Betty O’Hair Anderson
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Dr. Dan Atha
Deane and Becky Webb
Amy Bawcom
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Marina Black
Jim and Jan Lundbeck
Kelly Boggs
Esther Minten
Janie Minten
Dr. Brian Brabham
Todd and Kelly Kunders
Dr. Edna Penny Bridges
Janice Andrews
Esther Minten
Janie Minten
Emily Creel
Glenn and Tena Creel
Tanner Creel
Glenn and Tena Creel
Dr. Matt Crosby
David and Michelle Roueche
George Schneider
Kathy Owens
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Evan Smith
Layne and Chloe Pickens
Dave and Susie Marek
Jo Ann Reinhard Smith
Betty Reinhard Hamilton
Nancy Salibury Sullivan
Jorge and Susan Jackson
Wanda Wyatt Talasek
Nita Bulls
Ruth Tyroch
Delores Chupik Williams
Christene Weathers Westbrook
Pat Lockridge Shannon
Donnie White
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Alonzo Wood
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Teresa Edler Crothers
Michael and Liz Ball
Joel and Erin Young Shoemake
Randy and Kim Kittredge Yandell
Bonnie Daniel
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Martha Daniel
Jim and Jan Lundbeck
EXSS Faculty
Cliffa Foster
Randi Fishbeck
Larry Locke
The Honorable Henry Garza
Stephanie Newell
Graduate Counseling Program
Sydney Novoa
Ben Hammonds
Todd and Kelly Kunders
Rick and Nancy Hoxworth
Jim and Jan Lundbeck
Drew Humphrey
Mark and Betty O’Hair Anderson
Dylan Jones
Sonia Tilley
Alexander Klepac
Daniel and Laurie Klepac
Kennedy Klepac
Daniel and Laurie Klepac
Dr. Sydney Kutter
Holly Warren Matthews
Cindy Latham
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Jim and Jan Lundbeck
Alex and Katy Mundy
Kelsey Stapp
Drayton and Elizabeth McLane, Jr.
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Jim and Jan Lundbeck
Debbie Gwen Malone
Cynthia Malone Bailey
Randy Mann
Marv and Jennifer Ee
Pat McPeak
Chuck and Jennifer Ramm
Aaron and Jenny Midkiff
Gary and Gail Blanscet
Rochelle Emeigh Miller
Rebecca O’Banion
Amy Wright Moore
Rebecca O’Banion
Kevin Mottram
Patricia Mottram
Dr. Brenda Morton
Todd and Kelly Kunders
Dr. Gary and Mary Ann Morton
Jim and Jan Lundbeck
Beth Bennett Norvell
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Vicki Higgason McKay
Class of 1964
Betsy Dabbs Polgue
Dr. Randy and Julie O’Rear
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Jeff Smith
Don Owens
Jason Owens
Kathy Owens
Riley and Carolyn Allison Owens
Lynn Owens
John and Marna Clark Appleman
Marietta Parker
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Ashley Payne
Robin Payne
Brandon Payne
Robin Payne
Maegan Payne
Robin Payne
Jackie Ralston
Paul and Pam Dieckert
Ross Renfro
Marshall and Penny Renfro
Cindy Breaux Roberts
Mary Lou Robinson
Samantha Shamard
Todd and Kelly Kunders
Pat Lockridge Shannon
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Lynelle Sweat Mason
Joel Shoemake
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Gayle Sonne
Jim and Jan Lundbeck
Judy Lawler Summers
William Lawler
Jeff Sutton
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Vicki Higgason McKay
Ruby Wyche Thomas
John Thomas
Kim Thornton
Todd and Kelly Kunders
Dale and Nanako Tingleaf
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Caroline West
Jerry and Vicky Bawcom
Dr. Dillard and Karolyn Norwine Whitis
Thomas Dannelley, Jr.
Why I Give toUMHB
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
—Matthew 6:21
When David `21 and Kayla`21 Castles reflect on their journey together, UMHB is always at the center. It’s where they met, where they served, where they grew as leaders, and ultimately, where their love story began. Today, it’s also the place to which they intentionally choose to give back – a gesture rooted not in obligation, but in gratitude.
“UMHB has given so much to us,” David said. “It was our springboard as professionals and as a couple and we are thankful for it. It’s where we became who we are.”
Kayla recently finished her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth and is preparing to enter the professional world. During her time in the program, she was elected class president – a testament to the leadership skills she began cultivating at UMHB.
ROOTED IN GRATITUDE
2021 graduates Kayla and David Castles built their relationship and their foundation for life at UMHB, where they met, led, served and fell in love. Now, as young professionals, they continue to give back to UMHB with their time and finances.
David, meanwhile, serves as an associate relationship manager at Frost Bank in Downtown Fort Worth, stepping into commercial banking after completing his MBA with a concentration in finance. Prior to his current role, he interned with The Rainwater Charitable Foundation, building on a solid foundation laid during his undergrad years.
The Castles' story began on the UMHB campus in 2018. Both student-athletes – David on the football team and Kayla on the volleyball team – they quickly found common ground through shared passions, including their involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and their local church, First Baptist Belton.
“We became best friends right away,” David recalls, as they were both passionate about leadership and service and their values aligned from the start.
On a fall evening in 2021 on Dr. and Mrs. Randy O’Rear’s terrace, the couple got engaged. Their wedding in July 2022, officiated by their college pastor, Logan Reynolds, bookended their collegiate years with deep personal meaning. But their ties to UMHB didn't end there.
Even as newlyweds and young professionals, David and Kayla made the conscious decision to become donors to UMHB. For them, giving back wasn’t a future goal – it was a present priority.
“Before we got married, we made a list of words we hoped people would use to describe us as a couple,” David said. “One of those words was ‘generous.’ So we decided then that we would be relentlessly generous with our time, talent and treasure.”
Their commitment to generosity is not just philosophical – it’s practical and faith-driven. “Where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also,” David quotes from Scripture. “We want to make sure our finances reflect our values and what we believe.”
That belief is why they began giving to UMHB early in their marriage, despite being recent grads themselves. “Giving is especially meaningful for new graduates,” David said. “If you’re
"Giving isn't just financial, it's showing up, staying connected and being available. That's how we keep the UMHB family strong."
—David Castles '21
generous and God-honoring when your income is more limited, you’ll be generous when you have more. Like Luke 16:10 says, ‘He who is faithful in little will be faithful in much.’”
Their generosity is fueled in part by their own experience as scholarship recipients during their time at UMHB. They understand the impact a donor’s gift can have, and now they are continuing that cycle of generosity for the next generation.
In addition to financial giving, David continues to invest his time and leadership skills into the UMHB community. He has served
on the Young Alumni Board for three years and now leads as its president. He’s passionate about encouraging alumni to think of giving in broader terms: mentoring, volunteering, hosting events or praying for students.
David says giving isn’t just financial – it’s also about showing up, staying connected and being available.
“There are many opportunities to give as alumni, such as mentoring a college senior who is looking for their first job, hosting an alumni coffee get-together in your city or praying for the incoming freshmen class each fall. Of course, giving financially is an extremely important foundation too as it allows our university to maintain its excellence.”
Kayla and David’s story is a shining example of what it means to live out the values learned at UMHB: servant leadership, faithfulness and an unwavering commitment to service. For the Castles, giving back isn’t just about remembering where they came from, it’s about helping others discover where they’re meant to go.
And as they help continue the legacy of UMHB – one gift, one relationship and one act of service at a time – they remain focused on what Scripture says: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
