Class Notes

60s

Linda Boykin Lyles ’67 (Biology) and husband Thomas Lyles ’68 (Business) live in Satsuma, AL. Linda is a member of Mobile College’s charter class. 70s

Mel Himes ’71 (English) lives in Deltona, FL, with his wife, Arleen. Mel is the owner of Mel Himes & Associates Insurance Agency. Bob Barnard ’72 (Business Administration) lives in Valley Head, AL, with wife Margie. Bob was a State Farm Agent for 44 years before retiring in 2017 and is a retired lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Bob and Margie have 2 sons, 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. John Bush ’75 (Religion, English) and wife Jeanette live in Taylors, SC. They have 3 children and 2 grandsons. John started Across Festivals ministry in 2003 and the couple has been in full-time ministry for 50 years. Woody Sharitt ’76 (Human Performance/Exercise Science) and wife Anita Sharitt ’75 (Nursing) recently moved to Pace, FL, from Duluth, GA. Both are retired; Woody worked over 40 years with Reynolds+Reynolds and Anita spent the past 21 years as a certifi ed orthopedic nurse at Peachtree Orthopedics. Alan Davis ’77 (Religion, History) lives in Powder Springs, GA, with his wife of 45 years, Karen. Alan is senior associate pastor at First Baptist Church Powder Springs where he has served for 39 years. Kermit Soileau ’78 (History) lives in Georgetown, GA, with wife Pam. He is pastor at Georgetown Baptist Church.

90s

Brian Smith ’90 (Religion) lives in Fort Bliss, TX, working as a brigade chaplain for the 11th ADA BDE. He recently served at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School as a course developer and instructor.

Charles Coburn ’94 (Music Education) retired from Regions Bank in 2021. He and wife Angie live in Gardendale, AL.

Garry Morrison ’95 (Religion) lives in Concord, NC, with wife Virginia. Garry is secondary and New Testament educator with Charlotte-Mecklenburg School and Fruitland Bible College. He also serves on the ministerial staff at First Missionary Baptist Church of Concord.

Linda Angelina Stevens ’79 (Biology, Mathematics) lives in Mobile, AL. She retired from Lockheed Martin in 2012 as a procurement specialist at NASA John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. She is an abstract artist and her work has been exhibited at Innova Arts and Mobile Arts Council. 80s

Jennifer Magnoli Alberstadt ’96 (Education) lives in Daphne, AL, with husband Joe. Jennifer has worked with Baldwin County School System as a teacher and a reading specialist for 25 years. They have 2 sons, Miles and Ben.

Emily Reid Pierce ’96 (Education) lives in Warner Robins, GA, with husband David. Emily is a kindergarten teacher with the Houston County Board of Education and they have 3 daughters.

Krystal Walker ’97 (Psychology) lives in White Bluff , TN, with husband Zivko. Krystal is a consulting product analyst. She also performs wedding ceremonies as a wedding offi ciant.

Deryl Pendleton ’82 (Sociology) is an insurance agent in Mobile, AL.

46 TORCHLIGHT | Spring 2022 CLASS NOTES TORCHLIGHT | Spring 2022 William Bomar ’88 (Theology, Psychology) lives in Huntsville, AL, with wife Barbara. He completed a

Master of Ministry from Huntsville Bible College in 2020. William is enrolled at Liberty University and will graduate in May 2022 with a Doctor of Ministry. The couple has 3 grandchildren: Eli, Willow and Aspen. Loren Robinson ’88 (Religion) lives in Mobile, AL, with wife Kathryn. Loren is pastor at Sonrise Baptist Church and Hope of the Nations Church. He also serves as chaplain with Hospice of Light/Singing River Health System in Ocean Springs, MS. The couple has 5 daughters and 5 grandchildren. Tracy Tanner ’89 (Physical Education) lives in Tallahassee, FL, with wife Yelanda. Tracy has worked with the Florida Department of Children and Families for 25 years and currently serves as Government Operations Consultant. The couple has 2 daughters and 1 son.

Marcus Montgomery ’98 (Accounting) lives in Powder Springs, GA, with wife Cynthia. He is a senior IT manager with Honeywell. 00s

Richard Ross ’01 (Music) lives in Pensacola, FL, and is a physical therapist for Community Home Health. He also serves in the church, working with youth and in the music department.

Jaclyn Smith Foster ’02 (Social Sciences) lives in Tuscaloosa, AL, with husband Nick. Jaclyn teaches at Tuscaloosa Academy and was named Alabama’s 2021 History Teacher of the Year and a 2021 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions.

Garth Smith ’05 (Education) and husband Jeremy live in Spanish Fort, AL. Garth is an instructional coach for Baldwin County Board of Education and was awarded Teacher of the Year for Swift Elementary School in 2012. They have 3 children: Gabi, Drew and Lily.

Joshua Nicholson ’05 (Theatre) lives in Pompton Lakes, NJ, with wife Desiree. Joshua is the Founder of Church Media Market LLC.

Andy Botts ’07 (Worship Leadership) lives in Elizabethtown, KY, with wife Lauren. Andy is worship arts pastor at Severns Valley Baptist Church.

Steven Foxworth ’08 (Social Sciences) lives in Orlando, FL, with wife Melanie. They have 2 daughters, Olivia Grace and Elena Joy. Steven has his master’s in educational leadership and is an engineering and technology middle school teacher at Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy where he also serves on the administrative leadership team and as a technology coach. Steven was recently voted Teacher of the Year at his school in Polk County. 10s

Dakota Cantrell Jolly ’14 (Psychology) lives in Durham, NC, with husband Cyril. They became foster parents in February 2020.

Kelsey Moore ’14 (Worship Leadership) lives in Auburn, AL, and is a digital media specialist at Inner Spark Creative. Brooke Sanders ’15 (Sociology) lives in Mobile, AL, where she is a social worker with Alabama Baptist Children’s Home. Molly Gray Snyder ’15 (Political Science) lives in Pace, FL, with husband Chris and their daughter, Addison. Molly is assistant state attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Nicholas Denton ’10 (Music Education) lives in Pittsburgh, PA, with wife Rachel. Nicholas is a music teacher at HF-Seville Specialized Learning. They have 2 children: Florena and Kairos.

Lawrence King ’11 (Music, Psychology) lives in Mobile, AL, with wife Mauria. They have a son, Lawrence, and a daughter, Lauren. He works as long-term care administrator for Ball HealthCare Services, Inc. He is a member of a number of professional and social organizations including 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile where he serves as treasurer.

Jeremy Crews ’13 (Theology, Humanities) lives in Waco, TX, with wife Katherine. Jeremy is school chaplain and director of Faith Development and Cultural Harmony at Live Oak Classical School. They have 2 children: Emmaus Hope and Atlas Brave.

Wes Gay ’13 (Music) lives in Buford, GA, with wife Cassandra and their 3 children. Wes owns Wayfi nder, a marketing agency.

Garrett Hughes ’13 (Global Business) lives in Spanish Fort, AL, with wife Melyssa Hughes ’20 (Education). Garrett is apprentice funeral director at Hughes Funeral Home and Melyssa is a kindergarten teacher at Daphne Elementary School. They have a son, John Pearson.

Shanon Snyder ’13 (Christian Studies) and husband Tyler live in Stigler, OK. Shanon is a special education English teacher for Eufaula High School. Shanon and Tyler recently moved to Oklahoma after spending 10 years in New Orleans serving in various non-profi t and ministry roles.

Renisa Winborn ’13 (Leadership and Cultural Studies) is a patient care secretary with Kindred Hospice in Mobile, AL.

Kayleigh Clinkenbeard Bitowf ’16 (Marketing, Management) lives in Kentucky with husband Chase. 47umobile.edu CLASS NOTES Kayleigh works for Salameh Plastic Surgery as marketing strategist.

Ryan Ivy ’17 (Theology) lives in Las Vegas with wife Kierstyn where they are church planters with the North American Mission Board.

Dylan Miller ’17 (Worship Leadership) lives in Griffin, GA, with wife Madeline. Dylan serves as an associate worship minister at Dogwood Church in Tyrone, GA.

Jared Sisson ’17 (Worship Leadership) and Emily Sisson ’17 (Worship Leadership) live in Mobile, AL, where they both serve on staff at Cottage Hill Baptist Church.

Meshelle Graham Baker ’17 (Worship Leadership, Music Business) and husband Jay Baker live in Semmes, AL. Meshelle is an adjunct instructor at the University of Mobile teaching Intro to Graphic Design and is the author of a children’s storybook, “Cocoa and Snow,” available in the Makers Collection at The University of Mobile Store.

Kierston Pangborn Lowe ’18 (Nursing) lives in Pensacola, FL, with husband Jared Lowe ’17 (Sociology) Keirston is a charge nurse in the PICU at Ascension Sacred Heart. Jared is a CRA manager with Escambia Couty BOCC. They have been foster parents since 2020.

Tyna Orth ’18 (History) lives in Theodore, AL, and is a teacher with Saraland City Schools. Brandee Reyna Guzman ’18 (Education) is a 5th grade math teacher at Saraland Elementary School. Brandee and husband Reuben live in Saraland, AL.

Meredith Holm Taylor ’18 (Communication) and Zach Taylor ’20 (General Studies) live in Tampa, FL. Meredith recently graduated with her Master of Arts in Teaching. Zach serves with the U.S. Coast Guard as Petty Officer 3rd Class. They have a daughter, Georgia Renee’.

Joshua West ’18 (Kinesiology) lives in Saraland, AL, with wife Karna and their 2 children, Tristan John-Thomas and Landry Anne-Marie. Joshua is an instrumentation and electrical technician with Arkema Chemical. He founded and is the director of Saraland Soccer Academy.

Erin Burnett ’19 (Theology) lives in Prattville, AL. She serves as children’s ministry director at Thorington Road Baptist Church.

Emiliee Rogers Manning ’19 (Education) lives in Tuscaloosa, AL, with husband Trey. Emilee serves as associate children’s minister at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa.

20s

Johny ‘Trey’ Northcutt ’21 (Musical Theatre) lives in Orlando, FL, and works for Walt Disney World Resort.

Marriages

Meredith McCarson Layne ’10

(Communication) married Alex Layne on Nov. 13, 2021. She is national promotions manager for Sony Music Entertainment. The couple lives in Smyrna, TN. Jared Sisson ’17 (Worship Leadership) and Emily Sisson ’17 (Worship Leadership) were married on March 6, 2021.

Dakota Cantrell Jolly ’14

(Psychology) married Cyril Jolly on Dec. 27, 2020.

Dylan Miller ’17 (Worship Leadership) married Madeline Miller on April 11, 2021.

Kayleigh Clinkenbeard Bitowf ’16

(Marketing, Management) married Chase Bitowf on July 17, 2021.

Brandee Reyna Guzman ’18

(Education) married Reuben Guzman on Dec. 21, 2021.

New Life

Molley Granberry ’13 (Biology) and Ben Granberry ’14 (Communication) welcomed daughter Adalyn Mae on Dec. 28, 2021.

Garrett Hughes ’13 (Global Business) and Melissa Hughes ’20 (Education) welcomed son John Pearson on Sept. 25, 2021.

Tyler Crane ’14 (Business Administration) and Sarah Crane ’17 (History) welcomed their second child, Emmalyne Sue, on Sept. 9, 2021.

Bethan Morgans ’14 (Art) and Jordan Garcia welcomed son Declan Tobias Morgans on July 27, 2021. Samantha Moats ’14 (English) and Adam Moats ’13 (Intercultural Studies) welcomed twins, Wendell and Camille, born May 18, 2021.

Meshelle Graham Baker ’17

(Worship Leadership and Music Business) and husband Jay welcomed daughter Melody Rose on July 13, 2021.

Meredith Taylor ’18 (Communication) and Zach Taylor ’20 (General Studies) welcomed daughter Georgia Renee on May 13, 20.

In Memoriam

Dr. Michael A. Magnoli, a member of the 1967 charter class of Mobile College and the second president of the University of Mobile, died May 1, 2021. As a student, he served as editor of The Rampage yearbook and was a campus leader, helping establish many of the university’s traditions that continue today.

He joined the Mobile College development office, becoming president upon the retirement of founding president Dr. William K. Weaver Jr. (pictured at left).

Magnoli led a change in organizational structure that resulted in Mobile College becoming the University of Mobile on July 1, 1993. Under his leadership, the college expanded athletic facilities and started an intercollegiate athletic program that is now one of the largest in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The university won its first NAIA national championships in men’s and women’s tennis, men’s golf and women’s soccer during his tenure. The first master’s degree programs were started in education, business administration, nursing and religion. Residential and academic facilities were constructed. The university opened a branch campus in Nicaragua, graduating over 250 students until the campus was sold in 2000.

Several of the university’s signature landmarks were established during Magnoli’s presidency, including The Gift fountain sculpture by Mobile artist Casey Downing Jr. Lyon Chapel, originally built in 1883 as St. Stephens Baptist Church in St. Stephens, Alabama, was moved to campus and restored in 1988.

William ‘Bill’ Whitfield ’68 (Religion) passed away on Dec. 20, 2020. Bill was a longtime pastor of Cypress Shores Baptist Church and Dauphin Way Baptist Church. He served in the Marine Corps before attending Mobile College. He attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and later earned a doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. W. Clayton Hoffman ’67

(Psychology), a member of the Mobile College Charter Class, passed away on Jan. 13, 2020, in Amarillo, TX. He received a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He served as a pastor, psychologist and chaplain throughout his career. During his distinguished military career, Col. Hoffman served as a chaplain in the United States Army and earned many honors, including the Bronze Star. In Operation Desert Storm, he wrote, with two other chaplains, and implemented the “Redeployment/ Reunion Program,” a debriefing program presented to all returning soldiers. He was assigned to the Pentagon where he served in the office of the Chief of Chaplains and wrote the “Family Life Chaplain Counseling Program.” He retired in 1997 after 31 years of service. While serving as director of pastoral services at High Plains Baptist Hospital, he developed and taught a Lay Ministry Training Class combining scripture, psychology and counseling techniques so students could effectively minister as a believer. He retired as a pastoral counselor from his private practice. He served as a leader in numerous civic and church organizations, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He truly lived out the motto that “Success Begins at Mobile College.” He and his wife Mary are the parents of Clay, Ashley and Chris. Charles M. “Mack” Clark, retired professor of art and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, passed away Dec. 17, 2021. Described as “a true Southern gentleman” with a quick wit, he designed the ceremonial mace carried at graduation during Dr. Mark Foley’s presidency. Clark served as director of the university’s “Art With a Southern Drawl” juried competition for 14 years. He is survived by wife Susan, daughter Molly and 2 granddaughters.

Ronald Bell “Ronnie” Holladay, a member of the University of Mobile Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2021, passed away on Aug. 26, 2021, at the age of 74. A 1969 graduate of Auburn University, he was a cattleman and cotton farmer. Among his many honors and leadership roles, he was inducted into the Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor in 2009, named Father of the Year in 2008 by the Alabama Cattlewomen’s Association, and served as president of the National Beef Board and state president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. He was a deacon at Benton Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and sang in the choir with his wife of 54 years, Mitzi.

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