QUILLEN COLLEGE A `TOP 10` - ETSU National Alumni Association

ETSU Alumni Association Board of Directors
Mr. Gary Poe ’68, President
Lieutenant General (ret.) Ronald V. Hite ’64
Mr. Jeffrey C. Taylor ’85, Vice President
Ms. Renee Bays Lockhart ’87, ’89, Secretary
Dr. Tony Katras ’84, ’89. Treasurer
Mrs. Dorothy Lee Grisham ’74, Past President
Ms. Linda Buck ’80,’84
Mr. Lawrence F. Counts ’79
Mr. Brian Daniels ’95,’97
Mr. Roger D. Kennedy ’69
Mr. Larry La ’84
Ms. Ann Mooneyhan ’65
Dr. Jack Parton ’78, ’79, ’82
Mr. Don Raines ’71
Mr. Charles Stahl ’83
Mr. Mark W. Thomas ’84
Ms. Diane T. Wear ’90
Ms. Eleanor E. Yoakum ’65
Mr. Brian Bowman, SGA President
Ms. Ashley Bowser, SGA Vice President
Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr., ETSU President
Dr. Richard A. Manahan, Foundation President/CEO
Robert M. Plummer ’84, ’87,
Associate Vice President for University Advancement
Executive Director ETSU Alumni Association
ETSU foundation officers and directors
Mrs. Leslie Parks Pope, Chairman of the Board
Mr. D. Roger Kennedy ’69
Vice Chairman of the Board
Mr. M. Thomas Krieger, Secretary
Dr. Steve Conerly, Treasurer
Mr. Tim P. Jones
Immediate Past Board Chairman
Mr. Wayne G. Basler, Past Chairman
Mr. Donald R. Raber
Investment Committee Chairman
Mr. Stuart E. Wood ’60
Planned Giving Committee Chair
Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr., ETSU President
Dr. Richard A. Manahan
Foundation President/CEO
Dr. David D. Collins ’96
Foundation Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Frederick “Pal” Barger Jr. ’55
Mr. Jeff Byrd
Mrs. Betty DeVinney
Mrs. Janey Diehl ’50
Mrs. Ruth Ellis DiGregorio
Mr. Louis H. Gump ’73
The Hon. William L. Jenkins
Mrs. Melissa Steagall-Jones ’91
Mr. Dale Keasling ’70
Dr. Stephen Kimbrough
Mrs. Theresa K. Lee ’74
Ms. Michelle Livengood ’84
Mr. Paul Montgomery
Ms. Ann Mooneyhan ’65
Mr. Scott Niswonger
Mr. David A. Ogle ’79
Mr. Gary D. Poe ’68
Mr. Dennis Powell
Mr. Art Powers
Mr. Stan Puckett
Mr. K. Newton Raff
Mr. James W. Reel ’58
Mrs. Lottie Fields Ryans
Mr. Kenneth W. Simonds ’57
Mr. Robert T. (Rab) Summers
Mr. Gerald Thomas ’67
Mr. Raymond R. Thomas ’59
Mr. Dennis Vonderfecht
Dr. May Votaw
Dr. Susan Gentry Williams ’67, ’68
Mr. Guy B. Wilson Jr.
Mrs. Eleanor E. Yoakum ’65
tennessee board of regents
Honorable Phil Bredesen
Governor of Tennessee & Chair
Ms. Fran Marcum, 4th District
Ms. Pamela Fansler ’73, 2nd District
Ms. Agenia Clark, 7th District
Mr. Gregory Duckett, 9th District
Honorable Ken Givens ’69, ’71
Commissioner of Agriculture
Mrs. Judy T. Gooch, 3rd District
Mr. Jonas Kisber, 8th District
Mr. Kenny Dunn, Faculty Regent
Mr. John S. “Steve” Copeland, 6th District
Mr. Paul Montgomery, 1st District
Dr. Richard G. Rhoda, Executive Director of THEC
Mr. Howard Roddy ’74, At-Large East Tennessee
Mr. J. Stanley Rogers, At-Large Middle Tennessee
The Honorable Tim Webb, Commissioner of Education
Mr. Robert P. Thomas, Vice-Chair, 5th District
Mr. John Farris, At-Large West Tennessee
Mr. Sean Ochsenbein, Student Regent
tennessee higher education commission
Mr. Jack Murrah, Chair, Hixson
Mr. Charles Mann, Vice-Chair, Columbia
Mr. Katie Winchester, Vice-Chair, Dyersburg
Mr. A. C. Wharton, Jr., Secretary, Memphis
Mr Tre Hargett, Secretary of State Mr. Justin P. Wilson, State Comptroller
Mr. David H. Lillard, Jr., State Treasurer
Mr. Robert White, Johnson City
Mr. Gregory P. Isaacs, Knoxville
Mr. Sue Atkinson, Nashville
Mr. Charles W. Bone, Hendersonville
Mr. Cato Johnson, Bartlett
Dr. Gary Nixon, non-voting ex-officio, Executive Director,
State Board of Education
Ms. Jessca Brumett, non-voting ex-officio, Tennessee
Technological University
Mr. Ross Rowland, non-voting ex-officio, University of
Tennessee, Knoxville
university advancement
Office of University Advancement
Dr. Richard A. Manahan
Vice President for University Advancement /
President/CEO, ETSU Foundation
Jeff Anderson ’83
Associate Vice President for University
Advancement & Planned Giving
Jeremy Ross ’07
Associate Vice President for University
Advancement Major Gifts
Carol Sloan
Associate Vice President for University Advancement
Tisha Harrison ’80, ’09
Director of University Advancement
Karen Sullivan
Director of University Advancement
Pat Holland, Administrative Coordinator
Pat Barcel, Office Manager
Peggy McCurry ’80, Office Coordinator
Steven Dais, Graduate Assistant
Dorothy Reid, Graduate Assistant
Deidre Yowell ’07, ’09 Graduate Assistant
Laure Craddock, Executive Aide Receptionist
Pat Elledge, Executive Aide Administrative
Office of University Alumni
Robert M. Plummer ’84, ’87
Associate Vice President for University Advancement
Executive Director ETSU Alumni Association
Lee Ann Davis ’91, ’09
Director of University Alumni Programs
Leisa Harvey ’94, Office Coordinator
Cyndi Ramsey ’06, Coordinator of Alumni Activities
Jennifer Barber ’05, Information Research Technician
Ashly Garris, Graduate Assistant
Ben Daugherty ’08, Graduate Assistant
Chris Hackney ’10, Student Photographer
Jenny Wilkins ’10, Student Writing Assistant
Office of Advancement Services
Shea Renfro, Director of Advancement Services
Donald Harvill ’92, Computer Operations Coordinator
Ashley Martin, Information Research Technician
Anthony Aiken, Information Research Technician
Office of ETSU Foundation Accounting
Dr. David D. Collins ’96, Foundation Chief Financial
Officer and Vice President for Business & Finance
Kathy Carder, Account Clerk
Leisa Wiseman ’84, Accountant
Page 3: Story courtesy of Rex Barber & the Johnson City Press
Page 8: Quillen grads photo courtesy of Jeffrey Carter
Page 9: G.I. Jobs cover courtesy of G.I. Jobs magazine
Page 9: Times-News Readers Choice Award logo courtesy
of Kingsport Times-News
Page 9: The Princeton Review logo courtesy of Princeton Review
Page 12: Bill & Judy Derby photo & graphic courtesy of
Bill and Judy Derby & the Johnson City News & Neighbor
Page 12: David Ferrell photo courtesy of David Ferrell
Page 12: Chris Street photo courtesy of Chris Street
Page 12: Juan DeAngulo photo courtesy of Juan DeAngulo
Page 13: Col. Mark Cooter photo courtesy of Col. Mark Cooter
Page 13: Casey Carter photo courtesy of the Tennessee Titans
Page 13: Darrell Castle photo courtesy of Darrell & Joan Castle
Page 14: Dental Hygiene photo courtesy of Angie Kelly
Page 14: Christian Byrd photos courtesy of Christian Byrd
& Lowe's Speedway Public Relations
Page 15: Mike Cartozzo photos courtesy of Mike Cartozzo
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ETSU Today University Magazine
Fall 2009
contents
President’s Message.............................................. 3
Alumni Awards.................................................. 4-7
Campus Briefs................................................. 8-11
Unique Alumni.............................................. 12-17
Advancement................................................ 18-19
Sports........................................................... 20-21
Looking Forward—Looking Back.......................... 22
Homecoming................................................. 24-25
Class notes.................................................... 28-32
Obituaries..................................................... 32-34
Paul E. Stanton, Jr.
University President
Richard A. Manahan
Vice President for University Advancement
ETSU Foundation President/CEO
Robert M. Plummer
Associate V.P. for University Advancement
Executive Director of ETSU Alumni Association
managing editors
Richard A. Manahan
Robert M. Plummer ’84 ’87
Jennifer Barber ’05
contributors
Anthony Aiken
Jeff Anderson
Jennifer Barber
Pat Barcel
Laure Craddock
Lee Ann Davis
Ben Daugherty
Pat Elledge
Carol Fox
Ashly Garris
Chris Hackney
Tisha Harrison
Leisa Harvey
Donald Harvill
Chris Henson
Jennifer Hill
Pat Holland
Ashley Martin
Peggy McCurry
Jo Anne Paty
Robert Plummer
Cyndi Ramsey
Shea Renfro
Jeremy Ross
Fred Sauceman
Carol Sloan
Joe E. Smith
Karen Sullivan
Mike White
Jenny Wilkins
photographers
Ben Daugherty, ’08
Larry Smith ’78
Jim Sledge ’87
Jim Padgett
Chris Hackney ’10
credits
15: Ken Davis photo courtesy of Ron Campbell &
the Johnson City Press
15: Jim Beverly photo courtesy of Bevard College
16: Jennifer Webster photo & book cover courtesy
of Jennifer Webster & Black Rose Publishing
16: Keith Donnelly photo & book cover courtesy of
Keith & Tessa Donnelly
17: Thomma Lynn Grindstaff photo & book cover
courtesy of Thomma Lynn Grindstaff
17: “Shoun moves from social work to stage” photo
courtesy of Lee Talbert & Teresa Hicks, Johnson
City Press
22: Story & photos courtesy of Rex Barber, Ron
Campbell, & the Johnson City Press
29: Story courtesy of Joe Avento & the Johnson
City Press
30: John Lowry story & photo courtesy of the City of
Johnson City
East Tennessee State University is one of 45 institutions in the Tennessee Board
of Regents system, the sixth largest system of higher education in the nation. The
Tennessee Board of Regents is the governing board for this system which is comprised
of six universities, thirteen community colleges, and twenty-six Tennessee Technology
Centers. The TBR system enrolls more than 80 percent of all Tennessee students
attending public institutions of higher education.
East Tennessee State University is fully in accord with the belief that educational and
employment opportunities should be available to all eligible persons without regard to
age, gender, color, race, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual
orientation.
Conceptual design by Absolute Communications, Inc.
Print Production by McQuiddy
TBR. 160-014-09 76M
*Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Johnson City Press as coverage of the “State of the University—Annual Address”
By: Rex Barber, Johnson City Press
Stanton: Despite economy,
ETSU remains Strong
After a year of buyouts and budget cuts East Tennessee State University is still strong, the school’s president said in August.
Delivering the annual state of the university address at the faculty convocation Friday, Dr. Paul Stanton, ETSU president, said the
challenges ETSU faced in the 2008-2009 fiscal year were tough but manageable because of good planning and good employees.
“When I delivered the state of the university address last year, I was
preparing for ... retirement, having made that announcement for medical
reasons,” Stanton told the faculty gathered in the school’s D.P. Culp
University Center auditorium. “Come October of last year, with the
economic crisis worsening on all levels, I reversed my decision and
decided to stay on as your president. I knew it was a horrible time to
be out looking for my successor.”
ETSU faced an unprecedented budget reversion going into fall 2008
that got worse in October as state budget revenues fell. Stanton
subsequently appointed a budget reversion task force charged with
looking at ways to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Among the
recommendations of the task force was a voluntary buyout program,
which was successfully implemented this past spring.
“Faced with a national economy that almost collapsed and an
ever-worsening financial situation on the state level as revenues fell
dramatically, we formed that budget reversion task force to try and
figure our way out of the mess,” Stanton said. “We were forced to close
our administration unit in Bristol and to cease on-campus printing
operations. And probably most dramatically of all, the budgetary crisis
led us to offer those voluntary buyouts for both faculty and staff.”
Stanton told the crowd that 128 of their fellow employees opted
to take the buyout, taking away a combined 2,500 years of service
from the school. The buyout offered payments for each year of
service to the school and other benefits.
“That loss of corporate memory and longtime experience created,
yes some hardships, but our people – you – banded together to fill
those gaps the best way that you could,” Stanton said.
Stanton told the faculty gathered that despite the financial
struggles and other challenges ETSU dealt with over the past year, his speech was not “doom
and gloom.” He said the school has ​done a good job of adapting to the situation.
He said the school has been through trying fiscal times before and remains a vital part of academe.
“Our story is one of survival,” Stanton said. “Fiscal year 2008-2009 wasn’t the first instance of hard times for this institution. In
1936, for example, in the middle of the Great Depression, the Tennessee General Assembly considered closing this institution as an
unnecessary luxury.”
Now, Stanton said, ETSU is considering celebrations for its 100th anniversary in 2011.
And the year was not all full of serious challenges or bad news, Stanton said. Stanton referenced an increase in global outreach
opportunities for ETSU students, citing a recent trip to Rome for the study of that city’s architecture and a burgeoning exchange
program with China as examples.
Other examples of positive markers for the university included:
• The College of Medicine awarding more than 1,500 degrees since 1982
• Student enrollment approaching 14,000 (Note: Official Count 14,677)
• College of Pharmacy achieving full enrollment (Note: Currently 299, with a target of 320 at full enrollment)
“It’s an epic now nearly a hundred years in the making,” Stanton said of the school’s story. “But it’s a story still fresh, still
alive, still evolving.”
alumni association awards
honors
ETSU Alumni Association
2009 Alumni Award winners
civic boards and commissions, including the ETSU Foundation,
the ETSU Alumni Association, and United Way, to name a few,
and currently serves on the boards of Atmos Energy Corporation
and the Niswonger Foundation.
Garland is frequently recognized in his community for his efforts
and was awarded the Outstanding Alumnus Award by ETSU in
1973. Tusculum College awarded Garland an Honorary Doctor
of Laws degree and the Distinguished Service Award. More
recently Tusculum named its library the Thomas J. Garland
Library in his honor.
his wife Pat.
his award with
Garland and his wife, Pat, live in Greeneville, Tenn.
The 2009 Outstanding Alumna
The George L. Carter Award is the is Ms. Evelynne L. Swagerty.
Alumni Association’s highest honor given to alumni and friends Ms. Evelynne L. Swagerty
of East Tennessee State University. The award is bestowed graduated from East Tennessee
only to recipients whose works reflect unselfish support and State University in 1969 and is
faith in ETSU’s future, much like the example set by George currently an Assistant General
L. Carter. The 2009 recipient is Mr. Thomas J. Garland. Counsel in the Corporate Legal
The Honorable Thomas J. Garland graduated from Department of Bank of America in
ETSU in 1959 with a bachelor’s in English and served in the Boston, Mass. Swagerty is a member
U.S. Air Force from 1952 until 1956. Garland has pursued of the bar for the Commonwealth
careers in business, education, and government, and has of Massachusetts, the United States
contributed to his community by serving on various boards District Court for the Eastern District
of Massachusetts, and the United
and commissions.
States Supreme Court.
Garland served as chairman of the board of Commerce
Union Bank, now Bank of America, in Greeneville, Tenn. Upon her graduation from ETSU cum
He was also a founding director of Peoples Community Bank laude in 1969, she attended the Smith
in Johnson City and served on the board of First American College School for Social Work, where
she successfully completed her studies Poe gives a gavel to Mrs. Dorothy
Bank, Tri-Cities.
on of
and was awarded a Master of Social Grisham for Appreciatioci
ation
Ass
as
vice
Ser
From 1985 to 1990, Garland served as chancellor and CEO Work in 1971. She was offered her 3 Years
President
of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest public first job as a psychiatric social worker
college and university system in the nation. During the at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Mass., providing
1999-2000 school year, Garland served as interim president direct psychological treatment to individuals, couples, and
of Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn. Garland served 21 families. In 1981, she was accepted as a full-time law student at
years in the Tennessee Senate and led a gubernatorial study Boston College Law School in Newton, Mass., graduating with
a Juris Doctorate degree in 1984.
of the state government.
land shares
The Honorable
Evelynne L. Swagerty
James E. Rogers
2009 Outstanding Alumnus
’64 • B.S. – ’ 66 • M.B.A.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Thomas J. Garland
2009 Outstanding Alumna
’69 • B.S. Arts & Sciences
Boston, Massachusetts
4
Garland has served on numerous corporate, charitable, and Swagerty’s legal career started with the Department of the Attorney
George L. Carter Award
’59 • B.S. English
Greeneville, Tennessee
alumni association awards
Mr. Thomas Gar
Following retirement alumni association awards
from Quillen, Franzus
traveled to the Atoll of Majuro in the Republic of the Marshall
Islands from 2002 to 2007. While there, she taught science,
revised and developed curriculum formats, and created a
program for students in the Health Academy based on the
Swagerty resides in Sharon, Mass., with her husband, the National Health Care Skill Standards. In 2005, Franzus was
Honorable Wilbur P. Edwards Jr., and their daughter, Marissa, named Employee of the Month by Marshall Islands High
School and has been featured in publications for her service
a 17-year-old high school junior.
to the students in the Marshall Islands.
The 2009 Outstanding Alumnus is Mr. James E. Rogers who
graduated from ETSU with a bachelor’s degree in 1964 and an Franzus lives in Johnson City, Tenn., and has three children.
M.B.A. in 1966. Rogers has been involved with ETSU for many Her husband was the late Dr. Boris Franzus of the ETSU
years; in 1986-1987, he served as president of the National Alumni Chemistry Department.
Association, and served on the board of the ETSU Foundation
Mrs. Doris Ladd graduated from ETSU in 1975 with a
and the ETSU University Council. Rogers currently serves on
the Board of Advisors of the College of Business and Technology bachelor’s degree in accounting. She has developed a career
and is a member of the ETSU Distinguished President’s Trust. in financial management with Asahi Glass Corporation,
holding almost
After being discharged from Air Force active duty, Rogers moved every financial
to Charlotte, N.C., in 1969. Rogers has been involved in the manage me nt
commercial real estate business his entire career. In 1982, he position over the
was founding partner of Cauble and Company of Carolina, a last 30 years.
commercial mortgage banking and real estate investment sales
company. In 2005, Rogers was a co-founder of Flagship Capital In 2007, Ladd
Partners, a company that specializes in acquiring medical office chose a new
buildings in the southeastern United States. In 1994, Rogers was c a r e e r p a t h
instrumental in the founding and formation of the Charlotte an d i s n ow
Commercial Board of Realtors and was named Realtor of the involved with
Year in 1997.
the Kingsport
Housing &
her award
Rogers has been very involved in the Charlotte community,
Mrs. Doris Ladd proudly displays
Redevelopment
ily.
with her fam
serving on several boards of directors and receiving numerous
awards recognizing his contributions. He has received the Authority. As
Shelley R. Lyons Circle of Excellence Award from Leadership director of HOPE VI & Redevelopment, she oversees a $30
Charlotte, Volunteer of the Year Award from the American million housing redevelopment project for revitalization of
Lung Association, the George Williams Lifetime Achievement areas within the city of Kingsport. She also oversees programs
within KHRA involving moving families to self-sufficiency
Award from the YMCA, among many others.
and homeownership and providing housing assistance for
The 2009 Awards of Honor were presented to Mrs. Bettylene the homeless and people living with AIDS.
General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1988, where
she served as an assistant attorney general enforcing the state’s
consumer protection laws in the areas of banking, commercial
transactions, education, and housing and real estate matters. She
conducted trials and pursued judgments in the trial courts of
Massachusetts and the United States Bankruptcy Court.
W. Franzus, Mrs. Doris Ladd, Mr. Charles Montgomery,
Ladd is also involved in her community, volunteering as
and Mr. Thomas L. Tull.
a Big Sister, with Meals on Wheels, and serving as board
Mrs. Bettylene W. Franzus graduated from ETSU in 1975 chair of YMCA, American Heart Association, United Way
The Award of Honor recipient is married to Marvin Ladd,
and they have two sons in college.
Doris Ladd
Charles Montgomery
2009 Award of Honor
’75 • B.S. Accounting
Johnson City, Tennessee
2009 Award of Honor
’75 • M.S. Microbiology
Johnson City, Tennessee
2009 Award of Honor
’60 • B.S. Arts & Science
Jonesborough, Tennessee
Bettylene W. Franzus
committees, and chairing community projects such as Fun
Fest, Leadership Kingsport, and participation in Rotary.
alumni association awards
with a master’s degree in microbiology after completing a B.S.
in science at the University of Illinois. Franzus worked as a
clinical microbiologist at hospitals in Greeneville, Tenn., and
then moved on to work with the Internal Medicine department
at the Quillen College of Medicine.
5
alumni association awards
J. Brian Ferguson
2009 Honorary Alumni
Kingsport, Tennessee
Dawn H. Werner
2009 Award for
Distinguished Education
’93 • M.A.T.-Teaching
’05 • Ed.D.-Education
Leadership
Bluff City, Tennessee
6
Thomas L. Tull
2009 Award of Honor
’95 • M.B.A. – Business
Elizabethton Tennessee
alumni association awards
The 2009 Award for Distinguished Education goes to
Mr. Charles Montgomery graduated from ETSU in 1960, Dr. Dawn Heterick Werner.
the same year he became a 2nd Lieutenant. He began a career in
Dr. Dawn Heterick Werner graduated from ETSU in 1993
book manufacturing at Kingsport Press and served in almost
with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, then in 2005 with
every position at the company, eventually being named CEO
a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis. Dr.
of Kingsport Press, the largest of the Arcata Corporation
Werner was inspired to be an educator by her father, known as
companies with 3,300 employees.
Dr. Bob, who had a successful career at Virginia Tech.
In 1985, Montgomery founded Southeastern Color Graphics
Dr. Werner has been the recipient of numerous honors and
in Johnson City with investors and operating partners. During
awards, including Tennessee Teacher of the Year and the
the 15 years that Montgomery served as CEO and Board
recipient of the YWCA of Bristol’s Tribute to Women Award
Chairman, SECG grew to become a nationally respected
in the education category in 2006. That same year, Dr. Werner
book manufacturing firm, serving the nation’s premier book
was given the honor of attending the State of the State address
publishers and employing 450 skilled and dedicated people.
as a special guest of the governor, and she was appointed by the
Montgomery has served on the ETSU Foundation Board as well governor to the Appalachia Regional Comprehensive Center
as on several civic, hospital, and bank boards. He was a founder (ARCC) at Edvantia Advisory Board. In addition, Dr. Werner was
and is currently a director of TriSummit Bank. Montgomery selected to serve as a member of the Tennessee State Vocabulary
and his wife, Martha, are members of the ETSU Foundation Committee and has been a contributor to Scholastic Inc. for a
Bronze Society, established a scholarship endowment they paper on Effective Teachers and Retention of Effective Teachers.
continue to support in memory of Montgomery’s mother,
During her 15 years with Bristol Tennessee City Schools, Dr.
Lula Montgomery.
Werner has taught kindergarten and first grade, as well as served
Montgomery’s wife, Martha, is University of South Carolina as a Title I teacher focusing on remedial reading. Currently,
graduate and elementary school teacher, and they have grown she is the grant administrator and project director for an eight
million dollar Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant for Bristol
twin daughters.
Tennessee City Schools.
Mr. Thomas L. Tull received his master of business
administration from ETSU in 1995. Currently, he serves as Dr. Werner is married to Mark Werner, regulatory affairs
assistant vice president for Washington County Operations manager for Phoenix Medical Products Inc., in Mountain City.
and Guest Services with Mountain States Health Alliance. The couple resides in Bluff City, Tenn.
He is currently completing a fellowship with the Advisory
Three individuals were named Honorary Alumni for their
Board, a health care think tank located in Washington, D.C.
friendship and dedication to the university: Mr. J. Brian
Tull is an alumnus with strong ties to the university; he has Ferguson, Mr. William Jenkins, and Dr. Debra Myers
taught as an adjunct in the College of Business and Technology Wilson.
since 1997. He received the ETSU College of Business and
Mr. J. Brian Ferguson was raised in Phoenix, Ariz., and
Technology Horizon Award in 2008 and has participated in
graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree
the Alumni Return to the Classroom program. For the past
in chemical engineering. In 1977, Ferguson began his career with
11 years, he has been widely renowned for his enthusiastic
Eastman Chemical Company at its Longview, Texas, plant. In
leadership as Chair of the ETSU PRIDE program.
1989, he transferred to the Kingsport, Tenn., corporate office
Tull has remained involved in his community as well, working where he served in business and strategic planning assignments.
with the American Heart Association at the Washington In 1996, Ferguson relocated to Hong Kong where he served as
County and state levels, as well as United Way of Johnson managing director for business development in Greater China,
City and Girls Inc. In 2000, he was recognized as one of then moved to Singapore to take on responsibilities for all
the “Forty Under 40” in the Business Journal of Tri-Cities Eastman Chemical Company operations in the Asia Pacific region.
Ferguson retired on May 7, 2009, as the CEO and Chairman of
Tennessee/Virginia.
the Board of Eastman and was touted for successfully leading
Tull and his wife, Chrisann, live in Elizabethton and have the company to restored financial health.
two children.
Ferguson is involved in his community, as well. He is currently
Chairman of the Executive Committee for the American
Chemistry Council and will be Chairman of its Board in 2010.
Ferguson is also a member of the ETSU Foundation and board
of directors. Ferguson has served on a variety of boards during
his career, including the board of directors of Florida Power
and Light.
manufacturing before alumni association awards
joining Wilson Pharmacy
in 1987. Wilson is now president of Wilson Pharmacy, Inc.,
Pharmacy Network Services, Inc., and Clinical Management
Concepts, Inc.
In recent years, Wilson has helped develop programs that
provide pharmacy knowledge-based services. She has been
Ferguson has been married for 34 years to his wife, Teri, and involved with several pharmacy organizations, including
they have two sons and two grandsons.
National Community Pharmacists Association, Senior Care
Pharmacy Alliance, and National Home Infusion Association
The Honorable William L. Jenkins was educated in the with particular focus on legislative activity affecting the
public school systems of Rogersville and Hawkins County profession of pharmacy.
before earning degrees from Tennessee Tech University and the
University of Tennessee College of Law. Upon completion of his Wilson was actively involved in the founding of the Bill Gatton
education, Jenkins served on active duty as a Second Lieutenant College of Pharmacy. She currently oversees a co-funded
in the United States Army Military Police Corps. This honoree college of pharmacy professor position and other studentserved in the Tennessee House and was held in such regard that involved rotations at Wilson Pharmacy and related companies.
he rose to the rank of Speaker of the House from 1969 to 1971.
From 1990 ’til 1996, he served as a judge on the Tennessee 3rd Wilson was instrumental in establishing the Guy and Miriam
Wilson Nursing Scholarship at ETSU, in memory of her
Judicial District Circuit Court.
husband’s parents, and continues to support this ongoing
Jenkins served as a member of the United States House of effort to help nursing students who want to achieve a graduate
Representatives from the First District of Tennessee from 1997 degree.
through 2007. He represented the First Congressional District of
Tennessee in the 105th through the 109th Congresses, serving on Wilson has been an advisor to the Dispensary of Hope project
the Judiciary and Agriculture committees, the Subcommittees that will provide necessary prescription medication to needy
on the Constitution and Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual individuals in Washington County, Tenn.
Property. Jenkins also served on the Subcommittee on General
Farm Commodities and Risk Management and the Subcommittee
on Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture Programs. In
2003, Jenkins was named Chairman of the House Agriculture
Subcommittee on Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture
Programs. This appointment was fitting as Jenkins is a seventhgeneration Tennessean and has worked as a family farmer and
attorney. Currently, Jenkins owns and operates a family farm
with beef cattle.
Jenkins is married to the former Kathryn Myers, and they have
four children and 11 grandchildren. He is a member of the
First Baptist Church of Rogersville, the Hawkins County Farm
Bureau, and a life member of the Tennessee Bar Association.
Mrs. Debra Myers Wilson graduated with honors from the
University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in 1975. She is
also a 2001 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton
School Executive Management Program for Pharmacy Leaders.
& her family
ne Swagerty
Ms. Evelyn
celebrate the
occasion.
For more details or to submit future
nominees, please contact the ETSU
Alumni Association by calling (423)
439-4218.
alumni association awards
2009 Honorary Alumni
Johnson City, Tennessee
2009 Honorary Alumni
Rogersville, Tennessee
The ETSU Alumni Association Awards are part of an
annual
program which began in 1970. A complete view of
After graduation from pharmacy school, she held positions
previous
award recipients can be found at www.ETSU.
in hospital, chain, retail pharmacy and pharmaceutical
edu/alumni. On the campus, the Alumni Gallery in the
lower level of the D. P. Culp University
The Honorable
Center
displays permanent recognition
Debra Myers Wilson
William L. Jenkins
for Outstanding Alumni, Honorary
Alumni and the prestigious George L.
Carter Award.
7
campus briefs
a
For the first time in more than two decades, the James
H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State
University has increased its class size enrollment. The
Class of 2013, which arrived for orientation activities
on July 28th, consists of 66 students, a 10 percent
increase from previous years.
llence
Celeb
r
Years of E
5
3
g
xc e
tin
Quillen College increases class
enrollment by 10%
The Association of American Medical Colleges
(AAMC) has been advocating for the nation’s
medical schools to increase enrollment.
When the selection process began last fall,
Quillen College of Medicine Dean Dr. Phil
Bagnell directed the admissions committee to
Dr. Philip Bagnell
identify 66 students rather than 60, and the
Dean
of Medicine
college is now able to have these additional
slots by reallocating resources rather than through any new dollars.
More than 90 percent of the incoming students are Tennessee residents.
Quillen College a ’top 10’
Quillen Grads cover
Emergencies at Wake Forest
ETSU Medical Residents are a common sight in our region’s
emergency rooms and other hospital departments. On July 4th in
Winston-Salem, N.C., ETSU Quillen Alumni were seen in action.
For 6 million Americans in North Carolina and southwestern
ETSU and nine other medical colleges were recognized for this Virginia, this was the day that 5 graduates from Quillen College
accomplishment with a “Top Ten Award” from the American of Medicine covered all traumatic, pediatric, general, vascular, and
Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The presentation cardiothoracic surgical emergencies.
was made during the recent Society of Teachers of Family
Medicine conference in Denver.
East Tennessee State University’s James H. Quillen College of
Medicine is among the top 10 schools in the nation with the
highest percentage of graduates entering the field of family
medicine.
Recipients of the “Top Ten Award” had the highest percentage
of alumni entering a family medicine training program from
2005-2008. The three-year average for Quillen was 16.7 percent.
The 2010 “America’s Best Graduate Schools” edition of U.S.
News & World Report ranked ETSU 17th in the nation for
family medicine education. Three regional patient care centers
– ETSU Family Medicine Associates in Johnson City, ETSU
Family Physicians of Bristol, and ETSU Family Physicians
of Kingsport – are housed within the Department of Family
Medicine.
Left to Right: Luke Neff, M.D. ’06 ; Jeff Carter, M.D. ’05;
Kayla Griffith, M.D. ’09; Matt Goldman, M.D. ’09; Ryan Buckley, M.D. ’09
campus briefs
Quillen College Receives Accolades
8
The Quillen College of Medicine is receiving strong accolades for its current
revisions in its curricula. Medical schools across the nation are looking to
increase enrollment and follow this trend. The curriculum content at the Quillen
College of Medicine is constantly being examined closely to identify areas to
trim and where more content can be added. More than ever before topics related
to professionalism, practice of medicine, and medical ethics are being explored.
Students from the Quillen College of Medicine study a curriculum that includes
overlapping sciences and clinical exposure. In their fourth year students begin
addressing business and legal aspects of medical practice. This unique focus
on curricula has the potential to give the students of the Quillen College of
Dr. Ken Olive, Executive Associate Dean of Medicine, Medicine the skills needed to be lifelong learners adjusting to the explosion of
leads these curriculum changes medical information.
14,677*
campus briefs
ETSU named a
’Military Friendly’ school
G.I. Jobs magazine has named East Tennessee
State University as a “Military Friendly
School.” This distinction places ETSU in the
15 percent of colleges, universities and
*Largest Enrollment in ETSU History top
trade schools considered nationwide. The
More than 14,000 students now attend East institution will appear in the 2010 Guide to
Military Friendly Schools, a publication that
Tennessee State University.
caters to the 8 million military troops and
ETSU reported that 14,677 students were veterans eligible for GI Bill education benefits.
enrolled, which is an increase of 765 students, or
5.5 percent, compared to fall 2008’s enrollment In 1946, what was then East Tennessee State
College welcomed 250 World War II veterans, and ETSU continues
of 13,912.
that tradition today. The school houses a Veterans Affairs
First-time freshmen enrolled total 1,993, the Office and a Veterans Upward Bound program. In addition, the
largest incoming class in almost 20 years. university participates in the Yellow Ribbon program, enabling
Included in this fall’s numbers are 817 students veterans to receive matching funds from the U.S. Department
and resident physicians in the College of of Veterans Affairs to supplement GI Bill benefits.
Medicine and the College of Pharmacy. Both
the medical school and pharmacy school recently Some 400 ETSU student veterans are using Montgomery GI Bill
increased the number of available slots in benefits to achieve their higher education goals. In addition,
their first-year classes. The number of transfer the university works closely with Reserve and National Guard
students increased from 1,020 in fall 2008 to members who are deployed and offers complete reimbursement
1,146 this year. ETSU at Kingsport also reported of tuition and fees for that semester.
a 13 percent enrollment jump.
Veterans can take advantage of free tuition and fee deferment
The school attributed the exponential growth to many factors, at ETSU. Since no funds are required until the last day of the
including affordability, range of degree offerings, the Tennessee semester, veterans do not need “up front” money in order to
HOPE Scholarship and the in-state tuition waiver for students attend classes, and they have time for the details of their benefits
living in the border counties of Virginia and North Carolina. to be processed.
ETSU Wins Awards
East Tennessee State University is one of the nation’s best value undergraduate institutions according
to The Princeton Review in the new 2009 edition of its ranking, Best College
in the Southeast, which profiles 150 colleges and universities with excellent
academics, generous financial aid packages and relatively low costs.
ETSU is featured as one of 103 public colleges and 47 private colleges
in 40 states that were chosen for inclusion based on student opinion data
and information obtained from 646 institutions.
ETSU wins the 2009 Reader’s
Choice Award for Best
College or University
Over 30 factors are considered when rating the colleges in
four categories: academics, tuition GPA (sticker price minus
average amount students receive in scholarships and grants),
financial aid (how well colleges meet students’ financial
needs), and student borrowing.
Business & Technology
• Dr. Amelia Brown—Family & Consumer Sciences
• Dr. Ronald Weir—Management & Marketing
NEW
Nursing
Arts & Sciences
• Dr. Ronald Giles—English
• Professor Thomas Headley—Communication
• Dr. Marian Whitson—Criminal Justice & Criminology
• Dr. Nancy Alley—Nursing
• Dr. Patricia Smith—Professional Roles/Nursing
Medicine
University Libraries
Public Health
• Ms. Rita Scher—Sherrod Libraries
Congratulation
s
& Thank Your!
• Dr. Daniel David—Family Medicine
• Professor Gene McCoy—Health Sciences
campus briefs
ETSU
Faculty Emeriti 2009
9
campus briefs
ETSU opens Centennial Hall for student living
August 27th marked the opening of the new co-ed dormitory, aptly named Centennial
Hall to mark ETSU’s 100th anniversary in 2011. The residence hall houses
402 students on six floors and sprawls over 143,000 square feet.
Construction on the building was begun in the summer of 2008
and cost $31.3 million. It was built on the former site of Cooper
and McCord Halls.
Centennial Hall offers two-bedroom apartments as well as efficiency
units, 24-hour card swipe security to the main lobby and students’
apartments, and a mini-market that offers convenience items and
hot foods. Each apartment is furnished with bedroom and living
room furniture, a full kitchen, and its own bathroom.
ETSU Students Study Architecture in Rome
This past summer seven worst days of this trip and it would
thirteen ETSU students still be the best week of my life.”
studied Architectural
History in Rome, Italy. The class was designed and taught by
Jeremy Ross, an assistant professor in
Many of the class the ETSU Department of Engineering
members had never Technology, Surveying and Digital Media,
f l ow n pre v i ou s l y with the support and assistance of the
and only one already department’s chair, Dr. Keith Johnson and
possessed a passport. Dr. Linda Garceau, the dean of the College
This course was a once of Business & Technology.
in a lifetime opportunity for most
enrolled in the program. Kevin Varney, Over sixteen students have already enrolled
a graduate student in Engineering for courses in Rome next summer. Like
Technology, said, “You could take the last year’s students, significant financial
help will be provided
through ETSU
Scholarships and the
generosity of donors
that include Anita
Bates, Skip & Betsy
Burleson, Bill Breeding,
Peggy Campbell, Dan
Eldridge, Bill & Jean
Frank, Linda Garceau,
Louie & Lucy Gump,
Jim Kalogeros, Ken
Ross, Paul & Nancy Stanton, Jim Street
and others.
ETSU welcomes Exchange Students from China
Eight students arrived at Tri-Cities Regional Airport and began classes at East Tennessee State University. It
was a long flight from home. They transferred to ETSU from North China University of Technology in
Beijing as part of a formal partnership between the two institutions.
“The transfer arrangement is just one of many outcomes that have resulted through our
exchange agreement with North China University,” said Dr. Rebecca Pyles, dean of the
ETSU Honors College.
Pyles and other ETSU administrators and faculty have been working
with the school for several semesters on a number of collaborative
initiatives in teaching and research.
“These students will be joining others from North China who are
now enrolled at ETSU. There are a number of programs within
East Tennessee State University has entered into two new our university that are of interest to that university, particularly
exchange agreements with institutions in other nations.
our master’s degree in mathematics and the doctoral program in
A study abroad arrangement has been established with the educational leadership and policy analysis, which would benefit
University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. their faculty and staff who serve in administration,” Pyles said.
Founded in 1996, the highly ranked school has a student body The College of Nursing at East Tennessee State University has inked
of some 8,000 students. The university was established to serve a formal agreement with Suzhou Health College (SHC), located in
the rapidly growing area north of the city of Brisbane and Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, in the People’s Republic of China. This
has a campus designated as a flora and fauna reserve that is partnership will allow for the development of joint programs while
located adjacent to Mooloolah River National increasing educational opportunities for students, faculty and staff.
Park. The institution’s award-winning facilities
ETSU Dean of Nursing Dr. Wendy Nehring was part of a delegation
are known for their environmentally suitable
from campus that visited China earlier this summer to meet with
and sustainable design.
officials at Suzhou Health College and at two other universities
An exchange program has also been established where formal partnerships with ETSU already exist. With the
with Woosuk University in Wanju, North Jeolla exception of airfare, the partnering Chinese universities funded
Province, South Korea.
all travel-related expenses for ETSU.
10
campus briefs
enters
new exchange agreements
Bluegrass, Old-Time Country
Music Program releases
promotional DVD
A new promotional video has been released to
highlight the academic and performance opportunities offered
by East Tennessee State University’s one-of-a-kind Bluegrass,
Old-Time and Country Music Program.
Founded by accomplished musician Jack Tottle in 1982 and
now housed in ETSU’s Department of Appalachian Studies, the
program has grown steadily through the years to an enrollment
of over 400 students in the spring 2009 semester.
The DVD includes clips of interviews with current and former
students—some from as far away as Norway and Japan—who
discuss why they chose to come to ETSU to study bluegrass and
what they have learned.
“It had an enormous effect on me as a person, as a songwriter,
as a musician,” award-winning country music superstar Kenny
Chesney says on the DVD. “I was just so consumed by it—
wanting to get better and wanting to learn more.”
Faculty interviewed for the project discussed the career
opportunities in bluegrass and old-time music and stressed
that students not only study the music itself, but are also taught
the business side of the music industry.
Some of the other faculty featured on the DVD include Grammy
and International Bluegrass Music Association award-winners
Adam Steffey and Barry Bales, as well as program Associate Director
Daniel Boner, Roy Andrade, and others. Popular bluegrass artist
Rhonda Vincent, whose band includes fiddler Hunter Berry, a
former student and faculty member, was also interviewed.
ETSU offers new major
East Tennessee State University is now offering a new
undergraduate degree major in international affairs this semester.
Becky Buller and Valerie Smith’s album entitled “Here’s
a Little Song . . .” has been quite successful since its
release in late 2008.
The album has spent several
months on the Roots Music
Report Bluegrass Chart –
reaching as high as number
2 – and received the 2009
Vox Populi “Americana
Album of the Year ” Becky Buller (left), Valerie Smith
(center) and other members of
award in the popular vote Liberty Pike perform during a
component of the Musician special session with students in
Atlas Independent Music the ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time
Awards. It also earned and Country Music Program.
“Best Bluegrass Album Band members discussed life
of the Year” honors from on the road, songwriting and
how they prepared
the Rural Roots Music musicianship,
for their careers, and much more.
Commission, part of the
National Traditional Country Music Association.
“Whisper Baby,” a single from the album, also spent
time on the charts, including Bluegrass Unlimited
magazine’s National Survey.
Buller, an alumna of ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time &
Country Music, joined Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike
following her graduation in 2001, contributing vocals,
fiddle, clawhammer banjo, guitar and songwriting
skills to the band. The group maintains a busy tour
schedule with performances throughout the U.S. and
abroad, including headlining the annual Bell Buckle
Music Cruise, sponsored by Smith’s own Bell Buckle
Records and Bell Buckle Café.
In addition, Buller has two solo albums to her credit—
“Rest My Weary Feet” and “Little Bird”—and her songs
have been recorded by numerous artists, including
Rhonda Vincent, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Mark
Newton, IIIrd Tyme Out, and others.
For more, visit www.beckybuller.com or
www.valeriesmithonline.com.
ETSU hosts health
career summer camp
In order to promote health careers within Sevier County,
the ETSU-Sevier County Partnership conducted a three-day
camp this summer. Fifty high school students from the four
county high schools enrolled at the camp which was held
at Sevier County High School.
campus briefs
Established through the ETSU Department of Political Science,
the new program will provide students with insight into and
an understanding of international and global affairs. The
international affairs major will help students meet the challenge
of living and working in an ever-smaller world and prepare
them for employment opportunities in local, state and federal
government, with non-governmental organizations and in
businesses that may be locally owned but whose marketing and
production is progressively more global.
campus briefs
“Here’s a Little
song . . .. a success for Buller
The goal of the partnership was to assist in long-term
recruitment of health professionals to the county and
promote interest in health careers. To help with this,
The ETSU international affairs major is the only one of its kind two new degree programs will be available through an
offered in East Tennessee and is a reflection of the university’s agreement with Walter State Community College that
emphasis on the globalization of its curriculum and its increasing will allow students to complete a degree in nursing or
radiography while staying in Sevier County.
11
links to schools in other countries.
unique alumni
News & Neighbor
reaches milestone
February 14, 2009, represented
500 issues of The Johnson City
News & Neighbor. That means
almost 16 million newspapers
into area homes if you add up
circulation week after week,
which adds up to almost
200 million pages of news,
photographs and advertisements
from local merchants.
Bill & Judy Derby
Eleven and a half years ago, Bill and Judy Derby came up
with the concept for a saturation delivered shopper full of
commercial news delivered to every home by mail. The first edition
was April 12, 1998. The News and Neighbor has since developed
into a community newspaper filled with event schedules, birthdays,
anniversaries and congratulations.
Animator Street
Chris Street (B.S. ’04) has been studying animation since 2000
when he arrived at ETSU.
After graduating from ETSU and marrying Jennifer Vander
Zee Street (B.S. ’04), they moved to Florida and took on
graphic design positions. Chris took additional classes
with AnimationMentor.com, taking what he’d learned from
ETSU’s digital media department and furthering that with
the online courses.
In 2008, Chris was able to get his first
animation job with Rhythm & Hues
Studios. Chris has worked on three
movies since arriving in Los Angeles;
Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the
Smithsonian, Aliens in the Attic, and
Alvin and the Chipmunks 2.
Chris now lives in Los Angeles. He says
Chris Street it’s different from anywhere he has lived
before. He thinks of LA as combination
of Tennessee and Florida with mountains and beaches.
unique alumni
Two teachers that he credits with having taught him the most
are Gigi Alandt and Pete Hriso. “They really helped me set
up a great foundation for design and animation. The 2D
animation class I had with Gigi Alandt was one of the most
important classes I had. Learning the principles of animation
is a necessity. If you can learn that, you can apply that no
matter the medium,” said Chris.
12
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To be awarded Saturday, Nov. 14th at Homecoming
Ferrell selected as
Director of Law Enforcement
David Ferrell (B.S. ’85) has been selected
to serve as Director of Law Enforcement
and Investigations in Washington, D.C.
for the United States Forest Service
David enrolled as a Job Corps student
at the Flatwoods (VA) Center before
coming to ETSU for college and to play
football. He returned as an employee in
1984, launching his career. He excelled in
David Ferrell his work with Job Corps and held several
positions in locations around the country.
In 1993, he was offered a position in law enforcement as a criminal
investigator/special agent for the National Forests in North
Carolina. He served as a uniformed law enforcement officer on
the National Forests in North Carolina, a criminal investigator
on the National Forests in Georgia, a supervisory special agent in
the agency’s southern region, and special agent in charge of the
Forest Service’s Intermountain Region (southern Idaho, Nevada,
Utah and western Wyoming) before becoming deputy director.
Juan DeAngulo welcomed
to Board of Directors
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC)
welcomed the newest addition to its
46-member board of directors, Chicago
real estate executive Juan DeAngulo
(B.B.A. ’97), on June 21.
DeAngulo is regional manager for
Cape Horn Group, a national real estate
development company specializing in
acquiring commercial properties that
Juan DeAngulo can be upgraded and repositioned to
increase their value. Since joining the
firm in 2006, Juan has been responsible for general oversight of
all Cape Horn projects in Chicago including marketing, sales,
operations and overall development activities. He played a key
role in the survey and legal work required for 55 West Wacker’s
and the LaSalle Wacker’s vertical subdivisions into individually
owned offices.
Dr. Susan G. Williams
Receives Prestigious Honor
Dr. Susan G. Williams (M.A. ’67), Professor of
Management at Belmont University’s Jack C.
Massey Graduate School of Business, is the 2009
Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award Winner.
Dr. Williams was instrumental in the creation
of the Center for Quality at Belmont University,
which extended the adoption of the Criteria
for Performance Excellence into the Nashville
community through classes and consulting.
The Ned R. McWherter Leadership Award
recognizes individual. who exemplify outstanding
leadership. Winners are dedicated to the principles
of the Criteria for Performance Excellence, have furthered performance
improvement beyond the boundaries of their organizations and are committed
to the core values of the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence program.
ETSU Alum is an
Air Force Success
Colonel Mark A. Cooter (B.S. ’85) has
been in the Air Force since 1985 and he
has been honored with numerous awards
and decorations for all of his achievements
during his service. Cooter joined the U.S.
Air Force through the Air Force Officer
Training School after college. Since then,
he has served in many leadership positions
at the combat command, group, squadron,
and flight levels. He also led the Combined
Air Operation Center of Intelligence, Col. Mark Cooter
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
Division at the Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar. Cooter has also operated
the EQ-1/MQ-1 Predator, as an instructor sensor operator, and
mission commander. He was operations operator for the Predator
during missions over Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan before and
after 9/11, Cooter has been a participant in Operations DESERT
SHIELD/DESERT STORM; JOINT FORCE/JOINT ENDEAVOR;
ALLIED FORCE, ENDURING FREEDOM; and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Cooter has received numerous awards for his service including two
Kuwait Liberation Medals, one from the Government of Kuwait
and the other from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He has received
the NATO medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,
Armed Forces Service Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary medal among many others.
Cooter has been stationed in many different areas including MacDill
Air Force Base, Florida, where he is currently stationed; Norfolk,
Virginia; Nellis, Nevada, and Spangdahlem, Germany. Cooter has
completed Squadron Officer school, two Master of Science degrees,
Joint Advanced Warfighting School.
He currently resides in Florida with his wife Captain Angela
Maguinness and two children, Brittany and Jaclyn. While at ETSU
Cooter was active with Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Photo courtesy of Tennessee Titans
Carter assists Titans
Darrell Castle (B.S. ’71. is currently an
attorney in private practice with firms in
Memphis, TN, St. Louis, MO, and Kansas
City, MO. The Castle Law Firms specialize
in Bankruptcy and Personal Injury. Castle
has also served the local church as deacon
and deacon chairman. In 1998, he and wife
Joan founded Mia’s Children Foundation, Inc.
(www.miaschildren.org), a Christian mission
in Bucharest, Romania which ministers to
homeless gypsy children.
Darrell Castle
Castle is also an active member of the Constitution Party. In
2008 he was the Constitution Party candidate for Vice President,
running along with Presidential nominee, Baptist pastor Chuck
Baldwin. He served two terms as Constitution Party of Tennessee
State Chairman, is serving his third term as Vice Chairman of
the National Committee and two terms as Platform Chairman
at the National Convention. Castle has taught the Institute on
the Constitution course and written articles and commentaries
addressing national issues and analysis of current events. Since
2005, he has served on the Board of the Conservative Caucus. He
also served as Chairman of the National Veterans Coalition, an
outreach of the National Constitution Party, in 2007.
Castle and his wife Joan have been married for 30 years, and they
live in Germantown, TN.
ETSU Golf Team Named
Academic National Champs
The Golf Coaches
Association
of America
announced that
the ETSU men’s
golf team has
been named the
nation’s Division I
Academic National
Champion. In fact,
the Buccaneers
posted not only
the top GPA
among Division I
programs, but the highest team average of any school in any division.
In the first year of the award, a total of 82 teams submitted GPAs
of 3.00 or higher and earned All-Academic Team recognition.
ETSU Chairs
of Excellence!
• Boston Rocker - 27” D x 23” W x 40 1/2” H
Rocker or chair with logo..................................... $310.00
• Standard Chair 18 1/4” D x 23” W x 34 1/2” H
Personalization under logo (front of chair)
• Choose all black or black with cherry finish crown and armtops
Brass plate engraved.............. $25.00
1st line................................... $25.00
• Your choice of logo: University Seal, Mountain, ETSU Alumni,
2nd line.................................. $10.00
Shipping
. .ETSU PRIDE, QCOM or Foundation, engraved on cherry crown
3rd line................................... $10.00
& handling............................. $29.50
. or silk screened on black crown
Standard 4-6 week delivery
• Brass recognition plaques available engraved
Rush orders available at additional charge........... CALL
For more information or to order your chair call the ETSU Alumni office at (423) 439-4218 or visit www.etsu.edu/alumni
unique alumni
ETSU and University High grad Casey
Carter is on top of his game working as the
assistant athletic trainer for the Tennessee
Titans. This two-time East Tennessee State
graduate is currently in his first season with
the Titans. He joined the Titans organization
after being employed by Champion Sports
Medicine as the Director of Rehabilitation for
Troy University in Troy, Alabama. His other
collegiate football experiences include Auburn
Casey Carter
University, University of Georgia, and Georgia
Tech. Receiving his undergraduate degree in physical education
with an emphasis in athletic training as well as his doctorate degree
in physical therapy, Carter is a dual health care professional and is a
licensed athletic trainer and physical therapist in the state of Tennessee.
unique alumni
Castle
Founds Mia’s Children
13
unique alumni
Christian Byrd takes zMAX to NHRA
Christian Byrd
Photo courtesy of Lowe’s Speedway PR
Christian Byrd
is the Executive
Director and
General Manager of
zMAX Drag way in
Charlotte, NC. The
dragway is quickly
approaching its one
year anniversary.
With an upcoming
NHRA event in
mid-September,
it is a 60 million
dollar project
by Speedway
Motorsports.
zMAX is built to the
highest standards
of any speedway
motorsports tracks
a n d NA S C A R
tracks all across the
country.
zMAX has four lanes vs. two—which is intended to help
drag racing make its way back to live TV. Whether drag
racing appear o. PINKS All Out or NHRA—I series, Byrd
believes that the sport has potential as a live event, and
there ar. a lot of different ways run a four lane track.
Byrd was late to register and get paperwork filed and his sister
had a roommate leave. Since he was there and she needed
a roommate, he decided to move in and ended up staying
and finishing school.
“I really enjoyed my time at ETSU. When you go from these
big state schools where the first couple of years you just got
hundreds and hundreds in your classes and you’re really
more of a social security number than you are a name and
a face. I really enjoyed the scale of ETSU and the professors
and the class sizes. Once I got in there. I really liked being at
a smaller school. I probably never would have guessed that
when I left high school to go to college,” said Byrd.
Many fans consider the downside of drag racing for many “For me, I think it was the right time and right place to
years to be the time consuming process of cleaning up oil happen upon ETSU and I still have very fond memories of
from the track between races, which can take anywhere the area and Johnson City.”
from 15 minutes to 45 minutes. Downtime in drag racing
makes it very difficult to stay on live TV. Byrd believes
that four lanes will eventually allow zMAX to be able to
switch lanes in five minutes or less and remain televised
and keep fans interested and entertained. He believes it is a
logical next step to move back to that format for the sport ETSU Class of 1974 Dental Hygiene reunion gathered in
Gatlinburg, TN for a weekend of fun (girls only) on August 14-16,
zMAX fans that usually visit the NASCAR events at Lowe’s 2009. The group plans on hosting another reunion in five years.
Motor Speedway, have taken time to get acclimated to the
dragway. Byrd said that fans quickly realized that every
ticket is similar to having a pit pass; they can walk around,
see the drivers, get autographs and watch the crews park
the cars and work on the. between races.
Dental Hygiene
Class of ’74 Reunite
unique alumni
Byrd says, “With all the different classes of cars and with
the fast cars and some of the other sportsman cars, there’s
something for everybody out there, and the great thing
about the Charlotte market in general is that it is a growing
metropolitan area and what we’ve seen in drag racing that
sometimes it doesn’t show up as much on the NASCAR
side of things as in the fan base. We think that is one
of the reasons we’re able to add a second date in 2010.”
14
Byrd came to ETSU from NC State. He transferred to
the University of Tennessee for a year and although
he enjoyed it, he missed his friends in Chapel Hill and
Raleigh, North Carolina. He thought he would goo back
in that direction and finish up school. Coincidentally,
Front row, left to right: Beverly Shadden Lovegrove, Pam Gray Montgomery, Angie Ford
Kelly, Sandra Trantham Hidrick, Teresa Keefauver Carson
Second row: Nancy Kane Mann, Sharon Burke Gryder, Vicki Pellicoat Piland, Susan
Maynard, Marilyn Levine Segal
(not pictured, Sarah Jordan Makin and Jeanine Martin Manning)
Cartozzo
‘representing’ on TV
Mike Cartozzo (B.S. ’85) has
always worked in television,
starting at WJHL-TV when
he was a freshman at ETSU
and working his way up to
WSB-TV in Atlanta. He
is now employed at Home
Depot. He represents the
company on live national
television. He has made appearances on “Fox and Friends”
and the “Today Show”, among others. He has also worked
on projects for the company such as shooting videos covering
Home Depot’s involvement in the aftermath of catastrophes like
earthquakes, floods, and 9-11. Mike even spent three weeks
in Torino, Italy doing daily video updates on the company’s
associates competing in the
Olympics. Home Depot partners with
many popular shows, and
Mike has had the opportunity
to appear on “ESPN’s
Gameday”, “This Old House”,
and “Trading Spaces.” Mike Cartozzo
Mike said, “The highlight for me
has to be my two appearances on
the ‘Today Show.’ Not only were
the crew members and hosts a real
pleasure to meet and work with, but
I got phone calls from people I hadn’t
spoken with since high school who
had seen the segments. And it really
was an honor to be a part of a television institution that has been
on the air for nearly 60 years. Standing in that plaza inside the
audience barriers looking out at all those viewers from around
the country and the world was a real thrill.”
unique alumni
Sigma Chi Open
Scores Big Fundraiser
July 18th, 2009, marked the 12th anniversary of the Sigma
Chi Open Golf Classic, allowing ETSU Sigma Chis to score
a “hole-in-one”. The tournament, an annual fundraiser for
the active chapter and the House Corporation, was held at
Buffalo Valley Golf Course. Alumni from all over the state
of Tennessee—including Chattanooga, Memphis, Nashville,
and the Tri-Cities—participated in the event. In addition,
faithful alumni from as far away as California, Florida and
Missouri—and five other states— participated in the event and
spent the weekend catching up with Brothers. Alumni Scott
Davenport of Hollywood Beach, CA, traveled the farthest.
A total of 107 golfers participated in the 2009 Sigma Chi Open.
Ken Davis serves
as DSS special agent
After he graduated, Ken Davis (B.A. ’98) worked for the
Johnson City branch of the Baker, Donelson, Bearman &
Caldwell law firm. After a year, Ken accepted a position with
the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).
unique alumni
In August of 1999, Ken was sworn
in as a DSS Special Agent and
was assigned to the Houston Field
Office where he was responsible for
Jim Beverly Moves
conducting criminal investigations
in South Texas and carrying out
to coach Brevard Tornados
protective operations all over the
Jim Beverly (B.S. ’00) broke every ETSU weight-lifting
world. Ken provided protection
record by the time he graduated and
for Nelson Mandela and Princess
played football for Mike Cavan and
Victoria of Sweden before
Paul Hamilton at ETSU. He then went
volunteering for the U.S. Office
on to tie the all-time combine record
Pristina, Kosovo. There, Ken ran
at Indianapolis by bench-pressing 225
Ken & Kelly Davis
the protective operations mission
lbs. 44 times for NFL scouts, making
for the Chief of Mission, the highest ranking American
him the strongest offensive lineman in
in the country. For this service, he was awarded the
the country eligible for the 2000 draft.
Department of State’s Meritorious Honor Award.
Jim trained with the Carolina Panthers Jim Beverly
Since August of 2008, Ken has served as the Deputy
and signed on with NFL Europe, playing for the Frankfurt Operations Coordinator for the U.S. Embassy’s Security
Galaxy and Barcelona Dragons, and played in the 2001 World Office. He is currently on assignment in Brussels, Belgium.
Bowl at Amsterdam. After three knee surgeries, he gave up
on vying for a place in the NFL and is now the offensive line Ken has been married to Kelly, also a resident of East
Tennessee, for two years.
coach for Paul Hamilton at Brevard College.
15
unique alumni
Webster publishes 1st
suspense novel
Jennifer Webster (B.A. ’01) is putting
her degree in criminal justice and
psychology to good use. Jennifer has
published her first novel, Through a
Glass Darkly, a thriller centered on
Lily Wright, a doctoral student in
psychology. Lily endures psychological
trauma when she attempts to
uncover the causes of her anxiety
and depression. In the process, she
Jennifer Webster
falls for the mysterious Dr. Gabriel
Martin, a man who may not be what he seems.
Jennifer says, “When people learn that
I’ve written a novel, they always ask what
genre it is in, and I honestly have a hard
time answering that. Is there some sci-fi?
Yes. Some romance? Yes. Some drama?
Definitely. The truth is, I had a story to
tell about sacrificial love, forgiveness,
and redemption, and I told that story in
Through a Glass Darkly without trying to
categorize it.”
A native of Richlands, Va., Jennifer moved
to Cincinnati, Ohio, and obtained her M.S. in criminal justice
from the University of Cincinnati after graduating from ETSU.
Currently, she is a doctoral candidate in criminal justice and
a faculty lecturer at Northern Kentucky University.
Donnelly releases 2nd novel
Keith Donnelly (B.S. ’67), author of
Three Deuces Down has released a
second novel of the Donald Youngblood
Mystery Series. His second book has
bee. reviewed as “. . . great, exciting,
wonderful, could not put it down . . .”
and another review says Donnelly
is approaching the style of Elmore
Leonard in Three Days Dead.
Keith Donnelly
Three Days Dead, a continuation of
Three Deuces Down, follows Tennessee investigator Donald
Youngblood through a missing person case. Youngblood is trying
to help a young lady find her mother after
vowing never to try and find another
missing person.
Keith Donnelly was born and grew
up in Johnson City, TN. He presently
resides in Gatlinburg, TN, with his wife,
Tessa. Donnelly is currently working
on the third book in the Donald
Youngblood Mystery Series, Three Devils
Dancing. For more information, visit:
www.donaldyoungbloodmysteries.com.
Brown publishes
collection of Poetry
Jennifer resides in Covington, Ky., with her husband, Brandon,
and their daughter, Lily. Her book is available from Black Rose
Writing and any online bookstores.
Tippitt addresses Education
Kevin Brown
His poetry has appeared or is
forthcoming in The New York Quarterly, Connecticut Review, South
Carolina Review, REAL: Regarding Arts and Letters, The Pacific
Review, and h2so4, among other journals. He has a scholarly work
They Love to Tell the Story: Five Contemporary Authors Take on
the Gospels, forthcoming from Kennesaw State University Press.
Exit Lines is Kevin Brown’s first full-length collection of poetry
and was published in 2009 by Plain View Press.
Kevin grew up in Johnson City with his father and mother
retiring from ETSU. Kevin is currently an Associate Professor at
Lee University in Cleveland, TN, where he has taught for 8 years.
Do you enjoy receiving ETSU Today?
unique alumni
Andy Tippitt, a current middle school math teacher and coach,
is the author of the new book Edu-lution.
This book focuses on the problems with our
school systems as well as our country. The
reviews given on amazon.com are nothing but
positive and encouraging. The reviews state
Edu-lution is a must read for parents, teachers,
and even students. This book opens readers’
eyes and allows one to see what children face
on a daily basis in the education system as
well as in their lives. It is obvious Andy has
a fire and passion for children and through
his book one
can hopefully
gain respect
and
knowledge
Give Online Today
for the dedicated
at
life-style of
www.ETSUalumni.org
educators and
students.
Kevin Brown (M.A. ’94) received a
Ph.D. in English from the University
of Mississippi with a dissertation that
dealt with Mark Twain’s influence on
Kurt Vonnegut. He also has a master’s
in English from East Tennessee State
University, a master’s in Library Science
from the University of Alabama, and a
bachelor’s degree from Milligan College.
Checks payable to the ETSU Foundation can be sent to the ETSU Alumni
Association at: Box 70709 Johnson City, TN 37614
16
Call 423-439-4218 or visit www.etsualumni.org to make a gift.
Voluntary subscriptions of $25 per year to help
defray the mounting expenses associated with
publishing ETSU Today are greatly appreciated.
Shoun moves
from social work to stage
Debbie Shoun (B.S.W. ’74) has retired from
social work after 35 years and is pursuing a
dream she left behind in high school: acting.
When Debbie’s children grew older, she began
auditioning for community plays to occupy
her newfound free time. She landed a small
part at the Old West Dinner Theatre in 1997
which whetted her appetite for performing.
Since then, she has performed at Johnson City
Community Theatre, Jonesborough Repertory
Theatre, Theatre Bristol, Kingsport Theatre
Guild, and Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
unique alumni
Retired Major
General Harrell Gives
Commencement Address
Ret. Major General Gary L. Harrell (B.S. ’73).
the former Commanding General of Special
Operations Command Central, returned
to ETSU in the spring of 2009 to give the
commencement address. Maj. Gen. Harrell
is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College
and Armed Forces Staff College, and he has
completed the Army’s Airborne Course,
In September, Debbie performed in a play called Wit at Jonesborough
Ranger School, Special Forces Underwater
Repertory Theatre, a production in which she played an English professor
Major General
Operations (SCUBA) course, and the military
dying of ovarian cancer. For this role, she is considering shaving her
Gary L. Harrell free fall course. His post-military time finds
head. “I am willing to do that,” she says. “I think the role calls for that.”
him engaged internationally as a consultant on defense issues.
Additionally, Debbie has taken on the role of grandmother and looks
Among his many prestigious decorations, Maj. Gen. Harrell counts
after her granddaughter four days a week. “I’ve never worked so hard
a Bronze Star with V device for valor, the Purple Heart for his
in my life,” she says, “but it’s great.”
wounds received in Somalia, and the Humanitarian Service Ribbon.
The Major General is married to the former Jennifer Counts and
is the father of three: Chad, who attended ETSU and is now a
Grindstaff Debuts 1st novel. U.S. Army Ranger, Amanda, and Andrea Burchette. Andrea, an
graduate, and her husband, Kevin Burchette, are the parents
with 2 more in the works ETSU
of the Harrells’ granddaughters, Carson Grace and Callie Faith.
Thomma Lyn Grindstaff (B.S. ’91) has Harrell’s address received a standing ovation as he provided kin. and
written fiction since she was a child, but in distinct guidance to the newest graduates.
2001, she began writing seriously, with an
eye toward publication. In 2006, she left her
Teresa Leonard named finalist
job of 14 years with the ETSU Admissions
Office to pursue fiction writing full time. for 2010 Principal of the Year
Mirror Blue is her debut novel, but
she has more novels in the works. Her
current work-in-progress is Patchwork
Stained Glass, and it’s about a young
Thomma Grindstaff
atheist woman
who falls in love with a country preacher
and how the two of them must work to
find common ground between faith and
empiricism to build a future together.
Her next work-in-progress will be Heart’s
Chalice, a story of a piano professor who is
empowered to travel to an alternate reality
in which she built a life and a family with
her first love, Robert, whom she desperately
hurt but never forgot.
Teresa Leonard (M.A.’88) has been named as a finalist for the
2010 Principal of the Year. She has been the Principal of Boones
Creek Elementary School for 15 years. Boones Creek Elementary
is a K-4 school with approximately 500 students. Ms. Leonard has
had extensive experience in education. She has taught middle
and high school as well as elementary school. She also served
as Assistant Principal at Boones Creek Elementary.
Teresa has previously been awarded Teacher of the Year twice, the
“Make a Difference” award, and was recognized by Boones Creek
Elementary as achieving the Most Effective School in Tennessee
for Value-Added Achievement Test results in 2008.
When asked what the best thing about being principal of Boones
Creek Elementary, Teresa says, “ Hopefully, I will make an impact
on student learning in many ways. Students today need all the
hands and HEARTS one can give! It’s an honor to work with so
many community volunteers, relatives, and parents, at Boones
Creek Elementary. I knew this was one way to make impact on
educating children and hoped I could make a difference in young
people’s lives.”
iTunes!
iTunes U has something for everyone
iTunes U is a special area of the iTunes Store in which a group of leading
universities, including East Tennessee State University, share information with
students, alumni, and the world.
Stay connected with your Alma Mater, brush up on your favorite subject, or
get the latest updates on the ETSU Bucs Athletes. East Tennessee State University provides a wealth of informative and entertaining audio and video in
iTunes U.
unique alumni
Check out
17
advancement
Leslie Parks Pope
New Foundation Board Members for ETSU
Steve Conerly
Wayne Basler
Tim Jones
During its annual membership meeting on May 14, the East Tennessee
State University Foundation announced the election of officers for its fiscal
year beginning July 1.
Leslie Parks Pope, Kingsport, was re-elected as chair of the Foundation’s
board of directors for 2009-10. The chair of The Parks Group, LLC, Johnson
City, previously served as head of the Foundation’s board from 1991-94. Tim
P. Jones, Johnson City, will continue on the board as immediate past chair.
Other officers re-elected for 2009-10 include D. Roger Kennedy, vice chair,
Jonesborough, and several who will continue in their existing roles: Dr.
Steve Conerly, Management Services/Strategic Planning, Johnson City,
treasurer; M. Thomas Krieger, retired business executive, Jonesborough,
secretary; Donald R. Raber, president, Aldebaran Financial Inc., Kingsport,
chair of the Investment Committee; Stuart E. Wood Jr., president, Holston
Distributing Co., Johnson City, chair of the Planned Giving Committee;
and Wayne G. Basler, Kingsport, representing past chairs of the board.
The following were elected to serve a three-year term on the board of
directors ending June 30, 2012: Jeff Byrd, Bristol; Dr. Stephen Kimbrough,
Theresa K. Lee and Melissa Steagall-Jones, Johnson City; and James W.
Reel, Jonesborough.
Elected to serve a second three-year term on the board of directors
ending June 30, 2012, were: Guy B. Wilson Jr., Johnson City; Robert T.
“Rab” Summers and Gerald R. Thomas, Jonesborough; Betty DeVinney,
Kingsport; and Raymond R. Thomas, Atlanta.
The membership of the Foundation is comprised of 384 individuals
from throughout the region and across the nation who devote their time
and financial resources to the continuous improvement of educational
opportunities at ETSU. The Foundation welcomed 23 new members:
• Elizabethton: Dr. David Mills, Mills Optometry, and Andrew H. Whetsel,
executive vice president, Citizens Bank Tri-Cities
Leslie Parks Pope receives
Chancellor’s Award
advancement
Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor
Dr. Charles Manning bestowed the
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in
Philanthropy on Leslie Parks Pope,
who has helped East Tennessee State
University and her community in
extraordinary ways.
18
Pope, chair of The Parks Group, LLC, Leslie Parks Pope
Johnson City, and longtime leader of the ETSU Foundation
board of directors, received this acknowledgement of her
“unrivaled generosity of time and financial support (that)
is based on the fact she is helping students” during the
annual business meeting of the ETSU Foundation at The
Millennium Centre.
Roger Kennedy
Tom Krieger
Donald Raber
Stuart Wood
• Gray: C.L. Butler, retired, RGIS Inventory Specialists, and Dr. Stanley E.
Vermillion, physician, East Tennessee Medical Associates
• Johnson City: Ryan Broyles, president, Mountain Empire Oil Co.; Lois
Carrier, Carrier & Maurice Investment Advisors; Stephen Edens, president,
Amusement Operator Services and Ten-Tex Attractions Inc.; Laurie Higgins,
audiologist; Sonia King, retired, Deloitte & Touche; James C. Martin, retired,
Eastman Chemical Co.; Chuck Mason Jr., Chuck Mason Equipment Sales;
Ben and Helen Siler, owners, The Soundroom; and Sheila Wandell, State
Farm Insurance.
• Jonesborough: Daniel J. Eldridge, president/CEO, Grace Development
L.L.C.; Leanna Robertson, Valley Equipment Co.; and Kelly Wolfe, Wolfe
Development
• Kingsport: Buddy Scheerer, Lamar Advertising Tri-Cities, and Michael D.
Snow, CEO, Wellmont Health System
• Maryville: Kenneth R. Vaught, president/CEO, Green Bank, Blount County
• Memphis: Dr. Jane E. Hayden, physician, East Memphis Neonatology
• Athens, Ga.: Dr. Louise McBee, University of Georgia vice president for
academic affairs emeritus and former Georgia state legislator
• Lubbock, Texas: Shirley Berk, retired microbiologist
In addition, 22 individuals renewed their membership in the Foundation
through June 30, 2017: Joe Macione and Scott MacMorran, Bristol; John
Seward Jr. and Richard Tetrick, Elizabethton; Richard Shadden, Gray;
Brandon Hull, Greeneville; Jeff Anderson, Dr. Thomas B. McGinnis, Robert
M. Plummer, Dennis T. Powell, Doug Sizemore, Dr. May Votaw and Stuart E.
Wood Jr., Johnson City; James W. Reel, Jonesborough; Ken Bates, Bruce W.
Cunningham, Olan Jones, Leslie Parks Pope, Dr. J. Shelton Reed, Dr. Samuel
Wiles and Keith D. Wilson, Kingsport; and Dr. Archie Dykes, Leawood, Kan.
Valley Equipment &
& ETSU
help Preserve the Past
Staff from Valley
Equipment
Company
in
Jonesborough
unloaded a huge
ceramic pot beside
the outdoor kiln
yard at the art
annex building.
This 525-gallon,
6.5 foot tall ceramic
pot is one of a series
created by General
Ceramic of New
York in the 1920s. Don Davis, director of the ceramic program
in the Department of Art and Design, has been working to save
these historic pieces. Valley Equipment Company donated the
pot to ETSU.