Class of 1988 (30th Reunion) (L-R) Row 1: Stephanie Hooks Tinkey, Lynn Abney, Kecia Whitlock Cawthorne, Beth Herndon, Ginger McQueen Reeves Row 2: Julie Taylor Lee, Gwen Futral Gallagher-Howard, Ricky Rogers-Randall, Jody Bethea Riggs Row 3: Susan Baynes, Amanda Blakey Jacobsen, Chrystal Smith Sherwood, Pamela Lohr Hendrix Row 4: Dawn Christian Stevens, Cecilia Underwood Not pictured: Meredith Henderson Tyree, Susan DeBay
this past spring! “I had a great time at Alumnae Weekend. It was wonderful to spend time with classmates. I even won the ‘award’ for traveling the farthest to attend.” Associate Professor of Music at Wesleyan Ellen Futral Hanson ’83 is married to Jeff Hanson, Bibb County State Court Judge, and they have two college-age sons. Ellen also directs the Chancel Choir and Wesleyan Ringers Handbell Choir at Martha Bowman UMC in Macon. According to 2018 Alumnae Award Recipient Beth Koon ’83, “It was an awesome experience to return to campus for the GH83 35th reunion! I am still employed as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt at my hometown hospital in Winter Haven, FL. In my “spare” time, I serve my community as vice president of the Humane Society of Polk County (Central Florida’s ONLY no-kill shelter) and on the boards of Angels Care Center (faith-based medical clinic in rural Polk County), Polk State College Institutional Review Board, Polk County HUB, and
the annual Pink Pampering Event. I also volunteer for the local Chamber of Commerce and other fundraisers. I’m a Bird Nerd, with a cockatiel and parakeet who bless my home. Such a blessed life!” (See Page 46). Maconite Kim Barksdale Tyson ’83 is teaching part time at Vineville Academy after retiring from full-time teaching in 2015. Recently, Hazel Bodner Berger ’85 relocated to Nashville, TN, to work in her family’s business Fresh Hospitality as the chief administrative officer. The group has 172 restaurants in 19 states, including Taziki’s, Big Bad Breakfast, Biscuit Love, I Love Juice Bar, Martin’s BBQ, and Grilled Cheeserie.
1988 (30th Reunion)
Class of 1988 Reunion CoChairs Lynn Abney and Gwen Futral Gallagher-Howard offered a “Hoddy Toddy” welcome to classmates who returned for the wearin’ of the green - with green hats, fascinators, and leis all included as standard 30th
reunion gear. While classmates traded news on families and careers at Friday’s class party at Carrabbas Italian Grill, GKs let their creative energy emerge at a Wine & Painting Party in Oval Hall on Saturday. All agreed that after 30 years, Wesleyan is still first for friends. Lynn Abney ’88 of Atlanta has worked with United Healthcare, Inc, as a behavioral health manager for 21 years. Daughter Katelynn (13) is in 7th grade at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Peachtree Corners, GA. “I feel so grateful for life as it is,” writes Lynn. “It’s not my plan but it is God’s.” In Columbus, GA, Kecia Whitlock Cawthorne ’88 works as the corporate compliance and quality improvement director for New Horizons Behavioral Health, the community MH/SA/DD service center. Kecia and Eddie Cawthorne have been married for 23 years and have two children, Win (18) and Mary Elizabeth (16).
Prayers go out to Ana Fernandez ’88 of Orlando, FL, who lost many family members last year, including her parents, Maximo A. Fernandez and Argentina G. Fernandez. (See Sympathy) Gwen Gallagher-Howard ’88 is married to Alan Howard and between them they share seven children and five grandchildren. Gwen is executive director and founder of Helping WIN Inc., a non-profit that provides emergency cash assistance to women battling poverty in Jacksonville, FL. The beat goes on with Beth Herndon ’88 of Decatur, GA, who plays drums in a jazz band and trombone in a concert band that are part of the Atlanta Freedom Bands community organization which increases LGBTQ acceptance through visibility as performing artists. “I love teaching my high schoolers about nutrition, interior design, and fashion. I also have become a Boy Scout mom and drive loads of boys all over. My husband and I have been married for more
Wesleyan Magazine Spring/Summer 2018