IN THE KNOW

Passing the Gavel

Mr. Kurt Momand, 1977, was the Young Harris College Board Chair for a full four-year term. During the last few months of his term, he was awarded the Young Harris College Medallion, the highest honor bestowed by the College to alumni and friends who have made extraordinary contributions to YHC. This award was presented at Commencement 2022, the same ceremony where Momand passed the gavel to the new Chairman, William “Bill” Johnston, 1975.

Johnston is the third in his family to graduate from Young Harris College. His grandfather is an alumnus of the Class of 1906, and his brother James T. “Jim” Johnston, Jr. graduated in 1970. All three have served on the Board of Trustees. Johnston is now the Senior Vice President of Stephens, a financial services firm in Atlanta with locations throughout the US. In July 2006, he was elected President of the Alumni Association and served as an Ex-Officio Trustee for two years. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in April 2015, and has served on the Development, Executive, and Finance Committees, the Strategic Planning Task Force, and has been the Chair of the Endowment Committee for five years. He was elected Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees in the spring of 2020, and he was officially elected as Chair of the Board of Trustees at the annual Spring Trustees Meeting in April 2022.

Johnston shared that he is “deeply honored” and “looks forward to continuing the mission of the College,” supporting leadership, faculty and staff, and current students along the way. The College is excited about all that will happen under his leadership!

Candler Ginn grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and received an Associate of Science degree from YHC in 1977. He then earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Georgia and a Master of Business Administration in Finance at Mercer University’s Macon campus.

Ginn is a longtime alumni volunteer for YHC, which culminated in him serving as President of the Alumni Association Board from 2015–2017. He remains a member of the Board today. In 2018, the YHC Alumni Association presented Ginn with the Spirit of Young Harris Award which is presented yearly to an alumnus or alumna who is a shining example of faithful service to YHC and of dedication to their community and family. In addition to his own service to the College, his son, Alex Ginn, graduated from YHC in 2009 and serves on the Trustee Advisory Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Ginn has held membership and leadership positions in many service organizations including Rotary International, Boy Scouts of America, Advocates for Children, and others.

In addition to volunteering, Ginn has worked for Georgia Power Company (GPC) since 1980. Ginn is married to Susan Rankin Ginn, 1977, and they have two children and two grandchildren. Candler’s brother, Charlie Ginn, and his wife, Kathy May Ginn, also met at and graduated from YHC in 1978. “Candler has been an active alumnus who has served YHC in many roles,” said YHC President Dr. Drew Van Horn. “He brings great experience and a deep love for YHC with him. The Board is fortunate to have him as a member.”

YHC Welcomes New Vice Chair of the Board

Julie Davis Salisbury is an incredibly accomplished businesswoman. Her career began with NBC Network News as a field producer. She then started her own strategic public relations firm and sold it to Fitzgerald+CO in only five years. She remained President for seven more years while supporting incredible growth and winning national awards. She has created, managed, and implemented successful communications programs for nationally recognized brands such as Bausch & Lomb, Delta Air Lines, DuPont USA, Georgia-Pacific, John Deere, Ralston Purina, Russell Athletic, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and WebMD.

Today, she runs The Bee Colony, a consulting practice that works to blend traditional brand communications with communities of support and engagement, creating social movements that center around organizational purpose, belief systems, or a compelling brand platform.

In addition to running this highly successful business, she spends time serving on several boards from WABE/Public Broadcasting Atlanta to numerous non-profits that advocate for social equity for families in poverty.

After a nomination by the late Rev. Dr. Don Harp, 1961, Julie Davis Salisbury joined YHC’s Board of Trustees in 2009. She has served in a myriad of capacities, including the Academic Affairs, Development, and Executive Committees. She was the Chair of Marketing for six years, is the current Chair of Enrollment Management and has been on this committee for over five years, and is most recently the Chair of the Strategic Planning Team. She was elected as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at the April 2022 Board meeting.

Julie currently resides in Atlanta with her husband, Randy.

Faithful YHC Supporter Becomes New Trustee

NEW FACES New and returning full-time hires from January 1–October 3, 2022

Lauren Albin* Planetarium Director, Instructor of Astronomy Avram Allen Women’s Soccer Head Coach Kacie Bradley, 2002 Assistant to the Vice President of Finance and Operations Dr. Clara Busby Assistant Professor of English Dr. Hayes Bunch Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Bands

Jerel Chavis Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach Joshua Corlett Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach Francisco Costa Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach Dr. Margi Coyle Associate Professor of Biology Rev. Dr. Adam Daniels Chaplain

Kathleen Duncanson Assistant Athletic Trainer

Dr. Susan Krebs Assistant Professor of Education Branden Geldart Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Bonnie Glovan Enrollment Counselor

Kelcie Matthews Assistant Athletic Trainer Dr. Karen A. Pruett Vice President for Student Development Dr. K. Joy Hamm Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management

Kevin Robinson Director of Golf Dr. Daniel Helbert Assistant Professor of English

Brenda Rombalski Visiting Instructor of Communication Studies Dr. Leah Burnham Assistant Professor of History

Joseph DeFrank, 2020 Residence Life Coordinator

Victoria Henderson Assistant to the Division of Fine Arts

Erica Sims Financial Aid Counselor

Dr. Matthew B. Smith Assistant Professor of Communication Studies Bobbie Thompson* Director of Development and Corporate Relations Adam Trotman, 2017 Admissions Counselor Molly Vinson, 2019 Residence Life Coordinator, Coordinator of Student Conduct Jacqueline Williams Assistant to the Vice President for Student Development, Student Development Systems Coordinator

In Memory Dr. Ray Farley, Beloved Face of YHC

Dr. Ray Farley was a man of high integrity, who quietly and deeply cared for others. He had a wonderful duality to him—on one hand being a respected and extremely knowledgeable educator, and on the other, a light-hearted adventurer filled with joie de vivre. As he once said in an interview for YHC, fondly reminiscing about his time on campus, “Individuals may recall [some of my] meaningful memories and frown or smile.” If you lived up to his high expectations, you surely would deserve to smile proudly.

Dr. Farley’s relationship with YHC began in 1956, after serving in the Army and teaching high school, when he accepted a position as a history professor. He moved to Italy in 1959 to study as a Fulbright Scholar, but just as quickly as he moved to another country, he came right back to Our Valley. He became YHC’s Dean of Instruction and Registrar until he went to Florida State University to earn his Ph.D. Again, he turned right around and came back to YHC in 1964 to pick up where he left off. In 1967, he was appointed Dean of the College, and in 1971, Dr. Farley was elected President of YHC.

During his two decades of serving as President, he served on numerous committees and boards within the local and higher education communities. A capital campaign led to the construction of Rollins Hall and the renovation of residence halls, administrative buildings, and dining facilities; plans for beautifying the campus were implemented; a faculty growth and development program was added; hiring practices were improved to cultivate top-notch faculty, and the curriculum was adjusted to suit student needs. He retired in 1991 and was awarded the Nancy Louise Haynes Stephens Sanderson Robertson Outstanding Friend Award by the Young Harris College Alumni Association in 2021 for his many years of dedication to his beloved College.

Dr. Farley lost his battle with cancer on February 15, 2022, but it is no surprise that his legacy lives on in more than his painted portrait in Sharp Hall. In the fall of 2022, his daughter, Dr. Susan Farley Krebs, began educating YHC scholars as Assistant Professor of Education in our Professional Studies department. His memory is also carried by all the lives he touched, from family and friends, students and mentees.

During the previously mentioned interview, Dr. Farley shared, “It has always been my belief that the greatest years for YHC are in the future. The College’s past is remarkable, but it has to continue to be better.” May we all take this sentiment to heart.

Jones Webb, Longtime Trustee

Not many people would attend a YHC Trustees Board Meeting at the age of 93, but not many people are Jones Webb. Mr. Webb was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1978 and actively served until his election as an Emeritus Trustee in 2013. Even though he passed away on February 25, 2022, his YHC family tradition lives on through his daughter’s role as a current Board member. Julia Webb Davis was elected to the Board in 2013, and we’re grateful the Webb tradition continues!

This family’s roots run deep in the Enchanted Valley. In the beginning of the 1900s, Webb’s grandfather, C.A. Webb, and his family owned a store and rooming house for male students in the Young Harris area. Webb’s father, Ruel Webb, attended the Young Harris Academy and Young Harris College, and graduated in 1916. Webb’s future father-in-law, Marvin Allison, also graduated from Young Harris College in 1917.

A native of Tennessee, Webb was known as a faithful son and brother, a loving husband and father, a family man, and a friend to all. He had an affinity for fishing, camping, and hiking in the mountains. Webb received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tennessee in 1949 and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1953. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, the U.S. Army, and finished out his service as a Commander in the Naval Reserves. After 69 years of being an attorney, he retired from Webb, Tanner, and Powell at the age of 90 in 2018.

Webb served on the Academic Affairs, Executive, Planned Giving, and Properties Committees. He served as Secretary of the Board for 17 years (1991–2008), as well as on the College counsel for many years. He provided keen insight, legal acumen, and wise counsel throughout his time serving YHC.

Bill Roberts, Longtime Trustee

Member of the YHC Hall of Fame, recipient of the YHC Medallion, and beloved YHC alumnus and Emeritus Trustee: Bill Roberts had quite the YHC resume, and we are so grateful he chose to be a Mountain Lion.

William F. “Bill” Roberts graduated from YHC in 1952. He was recruited to the College to play basketball by former YHC President Charles Clegg, earning him a seat in the 2017 Hall of Fame. Once Bill arrived on campus, he became not only a standout basketball player, but a champion debater, an officer for the SPAT Club and SGA, and was heavily involved in various other groups across campus. After graduating, he went on to Mercer University and then Georgia State University. He finished his collegiate education with a law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law. Roberts spent three years of active-duty service in the Marine Corps and 11 years in active reserves before a 30-year career working in government, but even with his long list of achievements, his love for YHC stayed strong.

He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2009 and actively served until his election as an Emeritus Trustee in 2015. In 2016, he received the YHC Medallion, which is the highest honor bestowed by the College. After a decline in health, Mr. Roberts passed away in February 2022. As once shared by former YHC President Cathy Cox, “Bill and his wife Judy [never] said ‘no’ to Young Harris College. As far back as our College records go, you can find evidence of Bill’s extremely generous support for YHC.” Mr. Roberts is sincerely missed.

Bill Roberts, left, with former President Cathy Cox and baseball legend Hank Aaron at Commencement 2016

Steve Morgan Retires

Steve Morgan served nearly 17 years at YHC, where he worked diligently as Planetarium Director and Professor of Astronomy. He always greeted every student and guest with a smile, kind words, and a love for the stars! YHC wishes Mr. Morgan well as he moves on to his next adventure.

YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE BECOMES A

Member of the Appalachian College Association

The Appalachian College Association is a consortium of independent colleges and universities in central Appalachia. Since 1990, the ACA has served the Appalachian region through the support of faculty, staff, and students of its member institutions. Together, members of the ACA consortium can do more than they could otherwise do alone. The ACA provides faculty research fellowships, student research funding, faculty and staff professional development, an online Center for Teaching and Learning, an online library, and digital archives.

“We are very excited to become a part of the ACA,” said YHC President Drew Van Horn. “The missions of YHC and the ACA are a perfect match. Through this relationship, our students, faculty, and staff will all benefit.” This partnership began in May 2022.

YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE NAMED A

2022–2023 College of Distinction

In July 2022, Young Harris College was named a 2022–2023 College of Distinction and Georgia College of Distinction, earning additional recognition in the areas of Education and Career Development.

Colleges of Distinction, a unique guide for collegebound students, recognized YHC for its honorable commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow, and succeed. The college selection process consisted of a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews with institutions, accepting only those that adhere to the four distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. YHC has proven itself to be highly successful in each of these categories.

Young Harris College is a College of Distinction because of the unique ways it commits to achieving success. Effective strategies for student satisfaction and outcomes can be found at every turn on campus.

So many of us have heartfelt memories of the Grace Rollins Dining Hall (also known as the “ARA”) and the Duckworth Library. There were countless sweet conversations, good meals, and long study sessions in these buildings.

The Grace Rollins Dining Hall (ARA) and the Duckworth Library will always hold a special place in our Mountain Lion purple hearts! As we continue to grow, however, we must take advantage of the resources we have to adapt to meet the needs of our current students.

Engineering studies concluded that the renovation of these buildings from their most recent state was not feasible, meaning that they would unfortunately have to come down. This land was converted to green space, creating more space for our students, faculty, and staff. We hated to see these buildings go, but we knew that this would be best for the YHC campus and community.

The Rollins and Duckworth families mean so much to the College, and we are happy to have recently dedicated new spaces in their honor! May their legacies live on in the new Grace Rollins Dining Hall and the Duckworth Family Library Floor in the Zell & Shirley Miller Library.

If walls could talk...

I loved staying after the meal and going back in the kitchen and spending time with those students whose work scholarships were in the dining hall, where tables were cleared and made ready for the next meal. Mrs. Atkins was the faculty member who tended the dining hall and worked with those who were hired to work in the kitchen preparing food. It was a time of drawing together, sharing announcements, and rekindling friendships.

ZIMMIE IRWIN GOINGS, 1956

I am grateful that YHC allowed me to earn part of my tuition by working in the library. That was a good educational experience, as well as a help with tuition.

VIRGIL LEE, 1958

I served the faculty table my freshman year, and it gave me the opportunity to get to know teachers as part of the campus family.

ANGELYN TRIPP, 1960

In the basement of the dining hall was where we had French class. Ms. McCurdy labored long and hard to teach us French in that space. I credit her with setting me on a path to appreciating all things French!

DOUG ABELL, 1964

Good memories of the dining hall, as I worked there both years I attended YHC. It provided $160 per quarter toward my tuition. Fond memories of Granny and other staff, making Sunday lunch sandwiches, and always having plenty to eat! The acoustics in the washroom, where I scrubbed pots and pans, were so good that Rex Kaney, 1967, and I enjoyed singing at the top of our lungs in our best falsetto voices, “Walk Like a Man.” Much to the chagrin of other students, we also delighted in an occasional slight “misdirection” of the spray hose toward the window where a certain student might be dropping off a tray. Work, fun, and a great way to help cover the cost of attending the college that Luella, 1968, and I both love!

MICHAEL LEDFORD, 1967

I remember having to change back into a dress to go to supper and drinking a lot of milk because the tea tasted weird. My memories of YHC are tied to these two buildings in which we spent so much time. If those walls could talk, the memories would come floating in the air.

GAIL BARNES, 1969

I met my wife standing in the dinner line. We have now been married for 47 years. Thanks, YHC.

THOMAS CLAYTON, 1974

Mr. B fed us well—3 meals a day. He taught me how to make an omelet on a Sunday morning and how to fry veggies!

KAREN HAAS, 1974

I have incredible memories of the dining hall and Mr. B. It was where my friends and I met every day to share a meal and a laugh. I even worked there a little my sophomore year. The food was great, but the people inside, who came to be my life-long friends, were the reason it all means so much and makes it sad to see it go. The library is a place I honestly did not go to much. But one specific memory I have is being thrown out for being too loud. If you know me, you know how feasible that was. There is no place like it on earth.

KATHY “FLO” FLOYD, 1980

The reception for my wedding with my late husband was held in the private dining room of ARA. Some of my most treasured pictures from that day were taken there.

KATHRYN FORRESTER, 2005

2022–2023 YHC Alumni Association Board

Stan Anderson, 1973 Smyrna, GA Beth Yearwood Bernard, 1981 Goodlettsville, TN Leigh Burns, 1991 Atlanta, GA Frank Erwin, 1961 Shellman, GA Clayton Franklin, 2008 Cornelia, GA Candler Ginn, 1977 Cartersville, GA David Green, 1968 Macon, GA Mark Hellman, 1988 Kennesaw, GA Amy Wood Huckaby, 1962 Watkinsville, GA Janet Biggers Keith, 1969 Atlanta, GA Michael Ledford, 1967 Jasper, GA Eric McConnell, 2001 Ball Ground, GA Elizabeth Fincher Nevil, 1957 Athens, GA David Nipper, 1991 Newnan, GA Kenneth Parker, 1988 Buford, GA Katie Dyer Pencheva, 2011 San Diego, CA Jane Harrell Roberts, 1970 Brookhaven, GA Holly Gunter Royston, 2001 Atlanta, GA Ruth Woolley Sapp, 1967 Grovetown, GA Amanda Nolen Seals, 1994 Marietta, GA Steven Sharp, 1965 Newnan, GA John Sillay, 1975 Blue Ridge, GA Debra Robarts Smith, 1981 Cumming, GA Michael Thomas, 1980 Tampa, FL Thad Thompson, 2011 Norcross, GA David Waldrep, 1970 Asheville, NC Harriett Matthews Ward, 1970 Chapin, SC Jane Swygert Westberry, 1962 Newnan, GA Jessie Collins Wood, 2005 Nicholson, GA