Spring 2010 - ETSU National Alumni Association

ETSU Alumni Association Board of Directors
Mr. Gary Poe ’68, President
Lt. Gen. (ret.) Ronald V. Hite ’64,
President Elect
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. Bryan 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
Mr. Robert M. Plummer ’84, ’87,
Associate Vice President for University Advancement
Executive Director ETSU Alumni Association
ETSU Foundation Officers & 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 Jr. ’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
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 ’71, ’72
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
* Deceased
The 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 Tenn.
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
ETSU Today University Magazine
Spring 2010
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
contents
Tennessee Board of Regents
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
Ms. Jessca Brumett, non-voting ex-officio,
Mr. Robert White, Johnson City
Tennessee Technological University
Mr. Gregory P. Isaacs, Knoxville
Mr. Ross Rowland, non-voting ex-officio,
Ms. Sue Atkinson, Nashville
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Mr. Charles W. Bone, Hendersonville
Mr. Cato Johnson, Bartlett
Dr. Gary Nixon, non-voting ex-officio,
Executive Director, State Board of Education
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 & Health Affairs
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,
Financial Management Analyst
Steven Dais, Graduate Assistant
Lee Ann Davis ’91, ’09
Lorenzo Mitchell, Graduate Assistant
Director of University Alumni Programs
Deidre Yowell ’07, ’09 Graduate Assistant
Leisa Harvey ’94, Office Coordinator
Laure Craddock, Executive Aide Receptionist Cyndi Ramsey ’06,
Pat Elledge, Executive Aide Administrative
Coordinator of Alumni Activities
Jennifer Barber ’05,
Office of Advancement Services
Communications Coordinator
Shea Renfro,
Samara Litvack ’03, Graduate Assistant
Director of Advancement Services
Ben Daugherty ’08, Graduate Assistant
Donald Harvill ’92,
Jenny Wilkins, Student Writing Assistant
Computer Operations Coordinator
Haleigh Garber, Student Writing Assistant
Ashley Martin,
Office of ETSU Foundation Accounting
Information Research Technician
Anthony Aiken,
Dr. David D. Collins ’96,
Information Research Technician
Foundation Chief Financial Officer &
Colby Hall ’08, ’11, Graduate Assistant
Vice President for Finance &
Administration
Office of University Alumni
Kathy Carder, Account Clerk
Robert M. Plummer ’84, ’87
Leisa Wiseman ’84, Accountant
Associate Vice President for University Advancement
Executive Director ETSU Alumni Association
University Advancement
p. 4 — “$1 Million for the Arts” courtesy of Samara Litvack, East Tennesseean
p. 10 — Photos of Drs. Harold & Lee Ellen Naramore courtesy of Blount Memorial Hospital
p. 10 — Photo & article for Professor Hamed courtesy of Virginia Highlands Community College
p. 11 — Germ Annihilator photo courtesy of Paul Stan, Danny Glenn, & Fleet Cleaning Supply
p. 11 — Bob Chikos article & photo courtesy of Bob Chikos
p. 11 — Donald J. Shetler photo & article courtesy of Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY
p. 1 1— Cheerleaders article courtesy of Quaye Chapman Reed
p. 12 — Huffstetler photo courtesy for Michael D. Huffstetler
p. 12 — Jim Fannin photo & book cover courtesy of Jim Fannin
p. 12 — Roger Bartley article, photo, & book cover courtesy of Roger Bartley
Credits
p. 12 — Scott Fielden story &photo courtesy of Scott Fielden
p. 13 — Allison Guinn article courtesy of Madison Matthews & the Johnson City Press
p. 14 — Michael Taylor photo courtesy of Michael Taylor
p. 14 — Super-Centenarian article & photos courtesy of Bob Cox & the Johnson City Press
p. 19 — ETSU, Basketball courtesy of Doug Ellis. Photo courtesy of Doug Ellis.
p. 21 — Skeeter Swift photo courtesy of Skeeter Swift
p. 27 — Campbell photo courtesy of Brandon Campbell
p. 28 — Sensabaugh photo courtesy of The Dallas Cowboys
p. 29 — John McDaniel photo courtesy of John McDaniel
p. 32 — Lizz Marrs photo & Article courtesy of WNCF-TV
managing editors
Richard A. Manahan
Robert M. Plummer ’84 ’87
Jennifer Barber ’05
contributors
Anthony Aiken
Jeff Anderson
Jennifer Barber
Pat Barcel
Kevin Brown
Laure Craddock
Lee Ann Davis
Ben Daugherty
Pat Elledge
Carol Fox
Tisha Harrison
Leisa Harvey
Donald Harvill
Chris Henson
Jennifer Hill
Pat Holland
Brad Lifford
Samera Litvack
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
Larry Smith ’78
Jim Sledge ’87
Jim Padgett
Charles Warden ’82
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 & Layout: Absolute Communications, Inc.
Print Production: McQuiddy Classic Printing
TBR: 160-030-09 75M
President’s Message
Dear Alumni &
Friends,
With sincere gratitude,
president’s message
ἀ is fall, East Tennessee
State University will
begin a year-long
celebration as we commemorate our centennial. A
steering committee for this event has been appointed, and the members
began their first meeting by reflecting back on some of the major highlights
of ETSU’s 100-year history, going back to the time when George L. Carter
donated his farm to the state of Tennessee so that a college could be located
in Johnson City. As you can imagine, there have been numerous milestones
since the day when East Tennessee State Normal School opened in October
of 1911. During the fall of 2009, we reached a new one as our enrollment
surpassed the 14,000 enrollment mark for the first time.
We began as a teachers college, but we now have 11 colleges and schools.
Contributing to our enrollment growth is the addition of several new
programs, particularly at the doctoral level. When I became ETSU’s
president in 1997, our offerings included only three doctoral courses of
study, and today we have 13 programs. Among them is the new Pharm.D.
degree offered by the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. On May 8, ETSU
and its College of Pharmacy will celebrate another major benchmark as
our inaugural class of pharmacy students crosses the stage at graduation.
Under the leadership of Dr. Larry Calhoun and his faculty and staff,
the pharmacy school recently completed another accreditation visit.
No blemishes were found, which, for a new college and particularly a
professional college such as pharmacy, is quite remarkable. On a related
note, ETSU is now home to the only accredited College of Public Health in
Tennessee. In fact, it is the only accredited College of Public Health in the
Appalachian Mountain chain between Birmingham and Pittsburgh. ἀ is
presents numerous opportunities for ETSU to address some of the health
issues facing our region. And recently, the Tennessee Higher Education
Commission transferred management of the Tennessee Institute of Public
Health to the ETSU College of Public Health. ἀ is statewide partnership
of public and private health-related organizations was created with the
mission to improve the overall health status of Tennesseans.
Another new program which will begin this fall is the Ph.D. in Sport
Science and Physiology, the only one of its kind in the nation that focuses
specifically on the science of sport performance. ETSU benefactor Wayne
G. Basler contributed a significant donation toward the startup costs for
this program.
ETSU is also the first institution in the country to offer a four-year program
leading to a B.A. degree in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music. Some
140 to 150 students have enrolled in that major.
Private funding and partnerships have been crucial for developing these
new programs. ἀ e ETSU Foundation, under the leadership of Dr. Richard
Manahan and the members of our Executive Committee, as well as the
general board of the Foundation, has guided us to $14 million per year in
fund-raising. We haven’t seen any decrease in giving, which is extremely
important to us, especially in regard to scholarships, in this economic climate.
Against this backdrop of growth, for the current fiscal year our state
appropriation is down 25 percent from what it was two years ago. For
ETSU, including the College of Medicine, this translates to a reduction
of approximately $20 million. We are already on notice to prepare for
another $3-6 million turndown effective July 1 of this year. But we
are dealing with these painful reductions through wise management,
planning, and stewardship. I especially commend our task force on
budget reductions, led by Dr. Wilsie Bishop, University Chief Operating
Officer and Vice President for Health Affairs.
Despite these ongoing fiscal challenges, our faculty, staff, and students
continue to look forward, identifying new ways we can grow and
expand. A powerful measurement of their efforts has been our research
and sponsored program activity. In terms of extramural support, we
reached $43 million this past year. A decade ago, we were at about $8
million. ἀ is semester, we were extremely pleased to learn that ETSU
would receive a $9.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health
to renovate Building 119, the major biomedical research facility for
the James H. Quillen College of Medicine. ἀ is will allow us to make
necessary improvements and updates to that building which are crucial
for the work of our scientists and otherwise would not have been possible
if we had to rely strictly on state dollars.
Student housing is also expanding. Ten years ago, approximately 12
percent of our students lived in dorms. ἀ at number has increased to
22 percent, and there is even a waiting list. Two new residence halls have
been completed, and a development is currently under construction at
Buccaneer Ridge to add more rooms.
Ten years ago, the very first fossil was discovered at the Gray Fossil Site,
and now, a $1.7 million grant has allowed for construction to move
forward for an annex at the ETSU and General Shale Brick Natural
History Museum.
Alumni and friends working with the university have contributed over
$500,000 for the creation of a baseball stadium that will be located at the
corner of State of Franklin Road and University Parkway in Johnson
City. ἀ e remainder of funds for Phase I of the park will come from
student debt service. ἀ e ETSU/Mountain States Health Alliance
Athletic Center, known as the Mini-Dome, is now debt-free, as is the
D.P. Culp University Center. ἀ is means that dollars from those bonded
commitments can now go to the baseball facility and other necessary
campus improvements.
State capital outlay projects have been frozen for the past several years,
but we are hopeful that these efforts may resume in the near future. ETSU
has a critical need for a major performing arts center. ἀ e Tennessee
Board of Regents has a 25-item project list, and our center was at the
very bottom a few years ago. Now it has reached number 11.
We deeply appreciate the many ways in which our alumni and
friends have stepped forward to support us. You are a major reason
why I count myself very blessed to be at ETSU. During these past
difficult months, the ETSU community has displayed an inspiring
attitude of hope and optimism and a determination to survive and
overcome our budget limitations.
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top stories
ETSU announces
gift for thear
t
s
After juggling night classes and a full-time job at Eastman
Chemical Company, Mrs. Mary Beard Martin earned her
bachelor’s degree in chemistry from East Tennessee State
University in 1962. When she passed away in 2008, her
husband sought a unique way to honor her memory. Although
Ms. Beard held a career in chemistry, she always had an
affinity for the arts. So, in late 2008, James Martin agreed to
endow $1 million to the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts at
ETSU. His wife’s namesake officially opened in January 2009.
ἀ is semester, the school celebrated its one-year anniversary,
and Mr. Martin was so pleased with its progress, he donated
another $1 million for a total of $2 million.
“Jim really liked what was happening,” said Anita DeAngelis,
director of the School of the Arts. “He could see that his
donation was truly impacting the arts in our community
and some of the programs were beginning to provide
benefits to our students.”
In its first year, the Mary B. Martin School of
the Arts booked eight different activities that
brought a variety of art forms to ETSU and
the surrounding communities. One was a
screening of “Stark Love,” a silent film about
Appalachia that had formerly been lost.
“Apparently the film was found in an
archives in France,” said DeAngelis.
“ἀ ere’s only one copy of it in the United
States now.”
ἀ e film was shown at the Paramount in
Bristol and children of the Appalachian
actors—some of whom had never seen
the movie—were invited to the screening.
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Last fall, the school brought New Yorkbased jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra, which
has recorded an album nearly every year
since its inception in the ‘70s, to the Culp
Center. ἀ is spring, the 51st Society of
Illustrators exhibition was presented at
Slocumb Galleries.
4
Spring semester events include By: Samara Litvack, East Tennesseean
the Juilliard String Quartet
performance on March 25th, and the Mountain Visions 2010
Annual Juried Exhibit—to be
held April 5th-June 25th.
“We really are trying to
represent across the arts,” said
DeAngelis. “I’m also trying to
promote some
diversity on
campus.”
top stories
By financially supporting the arts,
I’m casting a vote of confidence
that the School of the Arts will make
a difference for students and for our
community.
~ Jim Martin
The Mary B. Martin School
Arts
in:
of the
brings together talented students
ӰӰ Film Studies
ӰӰ Storytelling
ӰӰ Digital Media
ӰӰ Broadcasting
ӰӰ Interior Design
ӰӰ Department of Music
ӰӰ Department of Art & Design
ӰӰ Division of Theatre & Dance
ӰӰ Creative Writing & Literature
ӰӰ Bluegrass, Old Time, & Country Music
ӰӰ Fine & Performing Arts Scholars & Gospel Choir
top stories
Anita DeAngelis is director of the
School of the Arts
For more information & a complete schedule of future events, please visit:
www.etsu.edu/cas/arts/events/default.aspx
To contact the Mary B. Martin School of Arts, please call 423-439-TKTS (8587) or
5
e-mail [email protected].
top stories
James & Nellie Brinkley
Scholarship Endowment
top stories
Any story of Jim’s life must begin
with his courtship of Nellie. Jim
recalls “I was about sixteen.
My parents operated a small
restaurant, and my father also
grew pumpkins where Civitan
Park is now located in Johnson
City. We were hauling a load
of those pumpkins in our muledrawn wagon on Watauga
Avenue, when I saw a young
lady with whom I became
instantly smitten. Nellie was in
her yard, tossing and practicing
her baton as she was the Head
Drum Majorette for the Science
Hill High School Band. She was
amazing even as a teenager as
she graduated with honors and
was voted “Best Personality” in
the Class of 1953.”
6
Jim’s interest for Nellie had
to “hide” briefly, however.
“As we were making our way
slowly up Watauga Avenue
that day, I had my work
clothes on and was wearing
this big straw hat. I wanted to
make a better first impression
for Nellie, so I actually hid
behind that hat. My niece,
Lucille Brinkley, arranged
for Nellie and me to meet at
church when I could be more
presentable. Well, we met, fell
instantly in love, and were
married when we were only
Right to Left: Jim Brinkley, his son, Jim Jr., & grandson, Sam,
seventeen. We both finished
enjoy the Buccaneer basketball games against Jacksonville.
high school, and I decided to
try my hand on a Chrysler
assembly line in Detroit. I soon realized Graduating in the ETSU Class of 1960, Jim
that producing cars everyday was not going then took a position with the Social Security
Administration. He and Nellie moved to
to be my life’s work,” Jim noted. Nashville and then to West Palm Beach,
“So, I knew that I should try college at Florida and were later sent to Birmingham,
ETSC. I enlisted in the U.S. Navy and Alabama. “We were in Birmingham when
after being honorably discharged, I went the five young African-American girls were
back to complete my degree at ETSC. Next horribly killed in the church bombing. It was
to marrying Nellie, getting my business a difficult time for the city and our nation.
degree at the university was my best Like so many people of my generation, we
decision. Dr. Calvin Mercer in Accounting remember where we were when President
was a great influence on me. My ETSU Kennedy was assassinated, and I was
education created so many opportunities right there in the Social Security office in
for me. Nellie stayed behind and worked Birmingham when we received that awful
in the former Hamilton National Bank on news, “ Jim remembers.
Main Street in Johnson City,” said Jim.
After the assignment in Birmingham, the
“One of my duty stations was in Social Security Administration transferred
Hawaii, where one weekend on Jim back to West Palm Beach and then to
the beach I looked over and the office in Fort Pierce, Florida. Changes
there sat Elizabeth Taylor. were happening quickly in the lives of
She was very cordial Jim and Nellie as their son, Jim, Jr., came
and allowed me to take along and also, Jim began to discover his
her photograph. Also, entrepreneurial interests. “I started to build
I met another young houses, apartments, warehouses, and other
serviceman by the name commercial buildings. In 1977, Nellie and I
of Mike Connors, who decided to try the car wash business, which
had played basketball we did for nineteen years before we sold
for Coach Wooden at UCLA those. ἀ en we developed Park Ridge near
and later went on to star Jacksonville, Florida, which Jim, Jr. still
on TV’s Mannix. As a manages. It is a manufactured home park,
serviceman, Hawaii and Jim, Jr. does such a good job with that
was great duty in business that the residents often call him the
the 1950s!” Jim “Mayor of Park Ridge.” Jim’s daughter-in-law,
Diamond Society Portrait • ETSU Foundation Wall of Honor
Leslie, grandson Sam, and step granddaughter,
remembers.
Diamond Society Level of Giving: $5 Million to $10 Million
Lauren, complete the Brinkley family.
Sadly, Nellie passed away in March 2009
from the complications of multiple
myeloma. Yet Nellie’s wonderful legacy,
as well as Jim’s, will live on in a very special
and generous way at ETSU through the
ETSU Foundation. “As we were doing
our estate planning during Nellie’s illness,
we both thought the perfect thing for us
to do would be to encourage future ETSU
students with scholarship opportunities,”
Jim stated. “We particularly wanted to
provide support for students who may
have difficulty meeting the costs of college.”
Jim Brinkley received the Diamond Society Book.
Jim is very quick to credit Nellie with the
family’s business success. “It never failed to
amaze me how easily Nellie made friends.
She never met a person that she felt lacked
something good inside them. Her friendly
personality, enthusiasm, and ‘never give up
attitude’ brought us repeat business. I can
say with total conviction that I never met
a sweeter, more loving, and more caring
person than Nellie.”
When the James and Nellie Brinkley
Scholarship Endowment is funded with
Jim’s estate, a new generation of ETSU
students across the university known
as “Brinkley Scholars” will grace the
campus at ETSU. Jim concludes “ETSU
opened doors for me that would have been
otherwise closed, and Nellie was always
there during my student days to support us
and to keep me in college until I graduated.
Although we’ve worked and lived away
from East Tennessee, our hearts stayed at
ETSU and with the people of the region.
We’ve been blessed with success, but I am
so very proud of the chapter of our lives
yet to be written when these students can
be helped by a Brinkley Scholarship. I
know Nellie would think that would be
our most successful project, and I do, too.”
ἀ ank you, Jim, for sharing your generosity
with future ETSU students, and for sharing
Nellie’s kind and caring spirit, too, that will
always carry forth her legacy in the lives
and opportunities of the Brinkley Scholars
throughout the many years ahead.
The James & Nellie
Brinkley Scholarship
Endowment
When fully funded by the
respective estate plans of Jim
Brinkley and the late Nellie
Brinkley, this permanent
scholarship endowment is
intended to create scholarships
for full tuition costs, books,
and room and board in
many cases. Applicants and
recipients must be full-time
students who demonstrate
the commitment to complete
and earn an undergraduate
degree at ETSU. Recipients
will be known as “Brinkley
Scholars” to honor, recognize,
and remember the generous
commitment of Jim and
the late Nellie Brinkley to
provide for critically needed
scholarship assistance and
encouragement for students
in perpetuity at Jim’s alma
mater, East Tennessee State
University.
It is the specific hope of
Jim and Nellie Brinkley that
other alumni and friends
of ETSU will consider such
support in their respective
estate plans, too.
top stories
Chip Kessler, Debbie
Brinkley Kessler,
& Terry Brinkley
Gregory, attended
the DPT dinner with
their uncle, Jim
Brinkley (right).
top stories
7
campus briefs
ETSU College of
Nursing added over $49 million
to Tri-Cities economy
ETSU’s College of Nursing added over $49 million to the TriCities economy and created the equivalent of 500 full-time
jobs in 2009, an economic impact analysis shows.
ἀ ose findings come from a study by Dr. Steb Hipple, ETSU
professor of economics and former director of the ETSU
Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Hipple also
found that the College of Nursing generated $16.7 million
in household earnings last year in the Tri-Cities region of
Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
ἀ e average pay for the 500 equivalent full-time jobs created
by the college is $33,200. ἀ at figure includes the health care
jobs directly held by college faculty and graduates of the
College of Nursing, and also the additional jobs created by
the increased spending throughout the regional economy.
ἀ e economic impact of the college was measured in terms
of direct impact and indirect impact estimated by economic
multipliers, Hipple said.
Dr. Wendy Nehring, dean of the College of Nursing, said the
college is defined by its long history of service to the region.
“ἀ e College of Nursing has produced graduates for over
55 years, and we are very proud of our heritage of educating
quality nurses as well as serving the people in this region,”
Nehring said. “We will continue to devote our energies to
having a positive influence on our region, and we will look
for new ways to increase our partnerships with area health
care agencies and the community.”
With registered nurses and nurse practitioners from ETSU
serving throughout the region, the results of the impact study
should come as no surprise, Hipple said. But his research does
provide specific context to the scope of the college’s impact,
and reinforces its integral economic role.
“ἀ is shows that the College of Nursing has a fairly substantial
impact on the regional economy,” Hipple said. “ἀ e graduates
of the college are in high demand in the Tri-Cities area and have
relatively well-paying jobs. ἀ ey live here and spend money
here, and that money circulates throughout the community
and helps create a full range of additional employment.”
campus briefs
ἀ e college not only features a highly respected undergraduate
program but also a strong selection of graduate studies that is
likely to grow next year. ἀ e college offers a master’s degree
in nursing practice and a doctor of philosophy in nursing
degree and is in the planning stages of beginning a doctorate
in nursing practice (DNP) program. Nehring said the college
hopes to accept its inaugural class of DNP students in
January 2011.
8
Patients throughout the region also benefit from the nine
community clinics that are staffed and managed by the
College of Nursing. Nehring said many college faculty
members work at least one day a week in an ETSU nurse
managed clinic, while others occasionally work at area
health care agencies.
Annihilation Innovation
Lines of shopping carts rest only a few steps from the
front entrance of supermarkets and other department
stores. Customers maneuver them from aisle to aisle,
and by the time they’ve finished, shoppers have left
more than just their fingerprints behind.
At the ETSU Innovation Laboratory, carts containing
hidden viruses, pathogens, and other common germs
Paul Stamm (left ) and Danny
enter one of the labs. Seconds later, they are germ free.
Glenn—Co-inventors of the
Germ Annihilator
Inside that room is the Germ Annihilator, a new
shopping cart sanitation system developed by Fleet
Cleaning Supply, a local company based in Jonesborough. ἀ ough it is
referred to as a “system,” the actual device occupies only 4x6 feet of floor space.
One might say it is similar to a small car wash, but the Germ Annihilator
doesn’t use water, soap, or other chemicals. Instead, it has four ultraviolet
(UV) fixtures with a total of eight UV bulbs that do all the work.
Paul Stamm, chief financial officer for Fleet Cleaning Supply, describes
the sanitation process as “simple.” After the carts are gathered together,
they are pushed through the Germ Annihilator and expelled through
a set of self-closing doors and are then ready for customer access.
“ἀ e unit provides the user with a germ-free cart in a matter of seconds,”
said Fleet Chief Executive Officer Danny Glenn. “ἀ is green technology
has no effect on environmental conditions.”
During the development phase of the device, faculty members from
East Tennessee State University’s Department of Environmental Health
tested and determined that the Germ Annihilator kills 99.9 percent of
all bacteria tested, and between 78 and 84 percent of fungi tested.
ἀ e Germ Annihilator is available for purchase, and a patent is pending.
For more information, contact Fleet Cleaning Supply at
(423) 753-4096 or 956-3450.
Playwright Freyda Thomas
performs for ETSU
Playwright, musician, and actress Freyda ἀ omas brought her
unique voice and knowledge of the roots of the American musical
to the ETSU stage recently for “ἀ e Golden Age of Broadway—An
Evening of Song and Dialogue.”
Her appearance, sponsored by the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts
and the Division of ἀ eatre and Dance, was part of her month-long
residency on campus, during which she worked not only with
ἀ eatre and Dance, but also with the departments of English
and Foreign Languages.
An accomplished classical pianist at age 8 and a big band
jazz vocalist as a teenager, ἀ omas turned to theater while in
college. Her work has been seen on Broadway, off-Broadway and
at well-known regional theaters across the country, including the
Alabama Shakespeare ἀ eatre, Northlight ἀ eatre, and A.C.T. in
San Francisco. In addition to her work in the genre of the American
musical, ἀ omas has become widely known for her innovative
adaptations of classic plays, including the works of Molière, Goldini,
and Regnard. She is known for her ability to “infuse otherwise archaic
classical works into living, breathing and entertaining entities.”
ἀ omas holds a B.A. and an M.A. in French from Penn State
University, as well as an M.F.A. degree in writing from the California
Institute of the Arts.
Quillen College of Medicine receives $9.1 million
grant—one of largest in school history
East Tennessee State University has received a
$9.1 million grant from the National Institutes
of Health to renovate its major biomedical
research facility for the James H. Quillen College
of Medicine. ἀ is is one of the largest grants ever
awarded to the medical school since its inception.
ἀ e funds will be used to renovate Building
119—which is adjacent to Carl Jones Hall—on
the Quillen VA Medical Center campus. ἀ e
building houses a number of laboratories and
offices for medical school researchers.
campus briefs
detailed plan for infrastructure and architectural
improvements that must be accomplished
without interrupting ongoing research projects.
One of the main facets of the project will be the
repair or outright replacement of the outdated
electrical and air conditioning systems, which are
crucial in a research environment where sensitive
equipment is the norm. ἀ e air conditioning
system in particular has failed sporadically in
recent years. Updates to the mechanical systems
will translate to dramatic improvements in
energy efficiency.
“It’s difficult to overstate the enormous effect
this grant could have on our biomedical
research program,” Bagnell said. “ἀ ere are a
number of people at the College of Medicine
who worked to make this happen, but Dr.
Greg Ordway deserves a special mention.
Greg wrote most of the funding application,
“Signs of progress on the exterior may be few and he essentially gave a month of his life to
or may even go unnoticed,” Bagnell said. “But writing this grant.”
on the inside, a complete transformation will be Ordway is chairman of the ETSU Department
under way. We are already accomplishing much of Pharmacology. He has served as principal
in the way of research at Quillen, and this NIH investigator on a number of research projects
grant will ratchet up our ability to do even more.” funded by NIH.
Preliminary work on improvements on Building Bagnell said competition among medical schools
119 will begin immediately, starting with a for the NIH grant program was very intense.
“Right here in East Tennessee, on the campus
of the Quillen College of Medicine, our faculty
members conduct cutting-edge biomedical
research on a daily basis that has, and will
continue to have, dramatic effects on health
and the human condition,” said ETSU President
Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr. “ἀ e Quillen reputation
for biomedical research has advanced rapidly
in recent years and with this grant, we will have
a facility that will keep up with the pace of our
research program. We are grateful to the National
Institutes of Health for recognizing the good
work being done at the College of Medicine.”
All renovations and upgrades will be
accomplished on the building’s interior over
the course of five years, so those who walk by
Building 119 likely will not notice the changes,
said Dr. Philip C. Bagnell, dean of the College of
Medicine and principal investigator for the grant.
College of Business & Technology named in Princeton Review
East Tennessee State University’s College of Business and Technology is listed among the nation’s most outstanding business
schools in the Princeton Review 2010 edition of “Best 301 Business Schools.”
ἀ e Princeton Review is a New York City-based education services company. To create this volume, the organization interviewed
19,000 students through an online 80-question survey over a period of three years.
Undergraduate business degrees are conferred by the ETSU College of Business and Technology in the areas of accountancy,
economics, finance, and management and marketing. ἀ e graduate business program offerings include accounting and
business administration. In addition, a certificate in entrepreneurial leadership can be earned as well as an interdisciplinary
certificate in health care management.
“Big Kenny” Rich on Humanitarian Efforts
He is best known as one half of the duo
Big & Rich, but Kenneth “Big Kenny”
Alphin had something bigger than
country music on his mind when
he visited ETSU.
Alphin talked about caring for others and humanitarian aid
when he appeared as the latest speaker in the “Leading Voices
in Public Health” lecture series, which is sponsored by the ETSU
College of Public Health.
“Big Kenny has made a name for himself in the music world,
but what’s even more impressive is his world view and desire
to help others,” said Dr. Randy Wykoff, dean of the College
of Public Health. “His humanitarian efforts have taken him
as far away as Africa, but he’s interested in helping people
in the United States, too. He is now assisting public health
students here at ETSU.”
campus briefs
ἀ e Grammy Award nominee played a few songs, but his
lecture, “Personal Responsibility and Social Action: Sudan,
Haiti, and Appalachia,” were front and center and related
Alphin’s commitment to providing a hand up to people in
Appalachia, as well as those living in Haiti and the Sudan.
9
unique alumni
Naramores Move to Maryville
Dr. Harold Naramore (B.A. ’83; M.D. ’87) has been named medical director at Blount
Memorial Hospital , and serves as an assistant administrator on the hospital’s eightmember executive team and will be responsible for overseeing the hospital’s quality and
patient safety initiatives and legal matters. Naramore, a psychiatrist with a medical degree
from the James H. Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, also has a master of
business administration degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and a law
degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville. Dr. Naramore is
married to psychiatrist Dr. Lee Ellen Naramore (B.S. ’82; M.D. ’88). She is a psychiatrist
at Blount Memorial Hospital. ἀ e couple reside in Maryville with their daughter, Rachel.
Carrier honored by
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
Dr. Ron Carrier (B.S. ’55) was honored
by the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
& Museum with the dedication of
the Dr. Ronald Carrier “Stars of
the Commonwealth” Exhibit in
recognition for his contribution
to Virginia and to James Madison
University. ἀ e Hall of Fame was
established in 1972 and honors more
than 200 Virginia athletes, coaches,
administrators, educators and
journalists who have made a major
impact on the world of sports.
Dr. Carrier served James Madison University as its fourth
president from 1971 to 1998. Carrier presided over JMU as
it grew dramatically in size and in reputation, and he was
known on campus as “Uncle Ron,” which was a reflection of
a strong connection with JMU students. Carrier now serves
as the university’s chancellor. Carrier Library on the JMU
campus is named for him. Carrier was a recipient of the 1976
ETSU Outstanding Alumnus Award and the 1999 ETSU
Distinguished Alumnus in Higher Education Award, and he
was selected as the 1991 Virginian of the Year. ἀ e Carriers
reside in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and are the parents of three
children, Michael, Linda, and Jennine.
Superfan
Returns
unique alumni
Jeff McCorkle is a very well-known
fan for East Tennessee State University
Athletics. Jeff, better known as
“Superfan”, attends game after game
bringing energy and excitement
for people on and off the court.
Superfan is known for parading
the school flag around the court
at the basketball games, cheering on the team, as well
as getting the fans in the stands on their feet cheering.
ἀ e coaches think Superfan brings positive energy to the
players by getting the crowd extra involved. McCorkle
is a wonderful person to have on the sidelines, knowing
when to give the referees a little lip yet never putting
down a single player. Although McCorkle had to take a
break from being Superfan when he got married and had
10
a daughter, he is now back to cheering on the teams.
Theresa Lee:
a “Woman Worth Watching”
ἀ eresa Lee (B.S. ’74) is Eastman Chemical
Company’s senior vice president, chief legal
officer and corporate secretary. She was recently
named one of America’s Women Worth
Watching by the Profiles in Diversity Journal.
Lee joined Eastman in 1987 as an attorney
in the legal department. She was appointed
Assistant to the President in 1991; Assistant
Secretary and Senior Counsel, Texas Eastman Division, in
1992; Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel, Legal
Department, Health, Safety and Environmental Group, in 1993;
Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of the Legal
Department, Corporate Group in 1995; Vice President to the
Associate General Counsel and Secretary in 1997; and Vice
President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 2000.
She assumed her current position in January 2002.
In May 2002, Lee was also awarded the ETSU National Alumni
Association Outstanding Alumna Award. In 1996, she was
recognized among the Honorarium for Women and Industry
from Altrusa International of Kingsport.
Hamed Named Virginia
Professor of the Year
Kevin Hamed (M.S. ’01), assistant professor
of biology at Virginia Highlands Community
College, has been named the 2009 Virginia
Professor of the Year by the Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
“We are extremely proud of the many
outstanding contributions Professor Hamed
has made to the biology program at Virginia
Highlands,” said VHCC President David Wilkin. “We applaud the
Carnegie Foundation for recognizing him with this prestigious
award, and congratulate Professor Hamed for his continued
commitment to students and his enthusiasm for scientific research.”
ἀ e U.S. Professor of the Year Award Program was created in 1981
by the Carnegie Foundation to recognize faculty members for their
extraordinary dedication to undergraduate teaching. Winners
are chosen for their impact and involvement with students,
scholarly approach to teaching and learning, contributions to
education in the institution and community, and support from
colleagues and students.
Bob Chikos named Top Humorous
Speaker by Toastmasters
unique alumni
Robert “Bob” Chikos (B.A. ’96), was named the top humorous speaker in
Chicago by Toastmasters International on November 14th, 2009. Bob gave
a speech entitled, “Bob’s Plan for Fixing the USA”. ἀ e contest is online and
can be seen at http://www.motionbox.com/videos/a696daba1c14eac629
(fast forward to the 21 minute mark).
Bob had to win at the club, area, and division levels before heading to the
national competition. Only six people in the entire district make it to this
level. In order to prepare, Bob said he wrote his speech in July 2009 and
practiced it over 400 times by the time he reached the district finals.
Bob first became interested in public speaking while a student at ETSU, but was not involved with any
formal group. He was introduced to Toastmasters through an inmate at a prison he visited during a mission trip.
Bob is a special education teacher at Crystal Lake Central High School in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and he is also the head speech
coach with a rapidly growing team.
Pictured are Michael Gougis, District Governor, Bob Chikos, and Ron Kirchgessner an International Director.
Prize Honoring Donald J. Shetler Awarded at Eastman School of Music
ἀ e very first Donald J. Shetler Prize in Music Education, established to honor the contributions
of Professor Donald Shetler (B.S. ’49), was recently awarded at the Eastman School of Music in
Rochester, New York.
Dr. Shetler is professor emeritus and former chair of the music education department at the
Eastman School, where he taught from 1965 until his retirement from full-time teaching in 1988.
ἀ e Shetler Prize will be awarded annually to a graduate student in music education at the Eastman
School of Music who exhibits outstanding musical performance, scholarship, and leadership in the
music education profession. ἀ e recipient of the first award is Lisa Caravan, a cellist and educator
who is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree.
Currently Adjunct Professor of Music at Charleston Southern University, Professor Shetler is
known internationally for his research in fetal music response and arts education curriculum
development. His study on the influence of music on the pre-natal infant, involving the later
development of language and memory skills in children exposed to music in utero, is often cited by other researchers. His
doctoral dissertation at the University of Michigan School of Music was the first to employ computer data analysis and the
new field of educational television.
In the photo: Pictured are Lisa Caravan, left, the first recipient of the Donald J. Shetler Prize in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music and Donald Shetler. Behind them is the portrait of Professor Shetler in the School’s
Cominsky Promenade, where portraits of retired faculty members who have played a prominent role in the School’s history are found. Courtesy of the Eastman School of Music
Cheerleaders Reunion
Returning to ETSU in September of
2008 was something that my husband, Donald, and I had not done
together since he graduated in 1979. I could only recall one trip back
to Johnson City and ETSU since leaving in 1981. We came to town to
attend a conference and were immediately amazed at how different it
looked and pleasantly surprised at the growth.
ἀ e setting brought back many memories as I recalled coming to
East Tennessee for the first time from Ole Miss in 1977 to work in
the student center. In addition, I took on the responsibility for the
ETSU Cheerleaders from 1978 - 1980 and was then able to get a real
feel for Appalachia.
Being back at ETSU again made me long for those fun days of practice
and football and basketball games. I contacted Dr. Carlyle Bruce, former
Co-Captain of one of my cheerleading squads and we talked about
how we needed to get together. We concurred that it was time for the
first-ever ETSU Cheerleader Reunion. With the help of the Alumni
Office, we launched a Save the Date and commenced to use all the
electronic and social networking tools to contact former cheerleaders
about a reunion at Homecoming 2009.
As they say the rest is now history, we did it, the first ETSU Cheerleader
By: Quaye Chapman-Reed
unique alumni
Reunion! ἀ e current squad and coaches greeted us with open
arms at Homecoming and we spent much of the time in awe
that there were those who sincerely cared enough to come
back and there were just as many that we heard from who
wanted to be there but could not.
For me the greatest impact of the reunion was realizing the
personal fortune of having had the opportunity to work with
an outstanding bunch of young folks and to now see how most
of their dreams have come true with regard to their families
and careers. All of their successes and accomplishments made
the journey well worth the effort.
11
unique alumni
Huffstetler
Proving his
Pitmaster
Prowess
Michael D. Huffstetler
is the founder of Huffs
Barbeque Adventures of
North Carolina. Barbeque
Adventures was created
due to Michael’s love for
outdoor recreation. He
enjoys connecting with nature, history,
and culture, as well as enjoying simple pleasures in life. ἀ e
mission of Barbeque Adventure is “...to serve great food, create
great experiences, build strong partnerships, and to enrich
the lives of each and every client we serve”.
Not only is Michael the founder of Barbeque Adventures but
he also competes in several competitions. He has placed 4th in
a National BBQ Sauce Competition, 3rd overall in the North
Carolina Pitmasters Choice Awards with a 2nd place finish
in WNC Sauce and a 2nd place finish in Non-Traditional
Sauces. Visit bbqadvnc.com for more information.
unique alumni
Roger Bartley
Authored Book
12
Roger Bartley (B.S. ’69) authored a book
entitled The Mighty Tigers, the story
of the 1961-62 high school basketball
team from Haysi, Virginia. Released
in September 2009, the book tells the
story of a remarkable basketball team,
from a little town of 300 people that
won the Virginia Group II basketball
championship. Arguably one of the best
teams to come out of the mountains of
Southwest Virginia, the team breezed
through the state championship playoffs
that year with just over a 28-point average
margin of victory.
Grabern Barton (B.S. ’65) was the
outstanding point guard on that team.
After graduating from East Tennessee
State University, Grabern went on to
teach in Buchanan and Russell counties
in Virginia until 2002. He passed away in December, 2005.
His wife, Pamela (White) Barton still teaches in the Russell
County school system.
Larry Alderson (B.S. ’70) was a forward on this team.
Larry went on to teach and coach at Elizabethton High
School, retiring in 2006 as the Athletics Director. His wife,
Sue (Colbaugh) Alderson (B.S. ’68, M.A. ’77), also retired
from Elizabethton High School.
More about the book can be found at www.themightytigersbook.com.
Fannin S.C.O.R.E.S.
Jim Fannin (B.S. ’71) is an educator, author, consultant,
platform speaker and creator of the S.C.O.R.E.
Success System, a thought management system
that increases productivity by retraining the
brain to reduce negative thinking. Known as
the world’s number one coach of champions,
Fannin focuses his system on five factors: selfdiscipline, concentration, optimism, relaxation, and
enjoyment. When a person achieves balance of these
five factors, the S.C.O.R.E. Success System states
he or she is in optimum position for achievement.
Fannin has coached hundreds of professional
athletes, including seven of the world’s top 10
professional tennis players, an Olympic decathlon
gold medalist, five Major League Baseball MVPs,
and more. He is also the host of “ἀ e Success Zone,”
a popular radio show at www.webtalkradio.net,
and his recently released program, “ἀ e 90-Second
Rule: 10 Days to Simplify and Balance Life, Family,
Relationships and Business,” contains six hours of audio content,
as well as a workbook and bonus DVD.
Fannin and his family live outside Chicago, where he divides
his time between public speaking, personal coaching, corporate
counseling, physical fitness, and travel. Clips of his presentations
are available at www.jimfannin.com.
Fielden Flying High on Writing
Scott Fielden (B.B.A. ’82) is
a clinical research associate
with Chiltern International,
which specializes in the safety
and efficacy monitoring of new
pharmaceutical compounds
used in human trials. He
has also served with the
Washington County (TN)
Sheriff ’s Office since 1997. He currently holds the rank of
reserve lieutenant.
A member of the Police Writers Association, Fielden’s articles
have appeared in publications such as Southern Lawman, Police
Times, Police Officer Quarterly, Police Magazine, Chief of Police,
American Police Beat, Denver Police News and Community Links.
His article, “Empathy Works Wonders” has been incorporated
into the Wisconsin Department of Justice police academy
training curriculum.
His first book on police work, Music City Blues, was based on his
brother, Detective Mark Fielden’s, law enforcement experiences.
He worked with Metro Nashville (TN) Police Department.
Published in 1997, it was designated as suggested reading for
criminal justice majors at several universities.
Before focusing on police writing, Fielden and fellow author
Dough Hubler created the radio/newspaper comedy series,
“Slade Rockgrip: Searching For America.”
He is also a licensed pilot who is co-owner/operator of Hindsight
Productions, LLC, a business that markets an aviation cockpit
device developed and patented in 2002. Fielden resides in
Johnson City, TN, with his wife, Brenda.
unique alumni
Broadway Alum Returns to Talk to Students
Allison Guinn (B.A. ’04) always wanted to thinking, ‘I want to do this one day,’ and
then that very same summer I was in that
be an actor.
ἀ e Erwin native moved to New York City same theater,” Guinn said.
By: Madison Matthews, Johnson City Press
with aspirations of acting on the stage.
ἀ e show was such a hit, it was brought
After years of making rent by waiting tables back the following summer as one of the
and working other odd jobs, including a main stage shows.
short stint with a singing telegram service, “It was a lot like summer camp for the past
Guinn is finally making her Broadway debut two years. We got to go out and play in
by appearing in the musical “Hair,” a rock Central Park,” Guinn said.
musical set against the backdrop of the 1960s. ἀ e show’s popularity grew even more, and
“When you’re 6 years old and you’re taking
dance lessons and singing in your living
room, you think that’s absolutely something
that can happen. ἀ en you grow up a little
and you try to find sensible alternatives to
such a lifestyle and then this happened. I
was pleased to know that I didn’t have to
compromise any of those childhood dreams,”
Guinn said.
it was revived on Broadway in March.
Although she’s thrilled to be part of her first
Broadway production, Guinn said the life of
a working actor isn’t as glamorous as others
would like to believe.
Allison Guinn performing at ETSU
During those rough times, Guinn said it was
her friendships that kept her going.
to do it and make up your mind to do
“It’s comforting that a lot of us were actors it, because if you have a fallback plan,
trying to make it. . . .We all went through you’ll fall back on it. ἀ ere really isn’t
this together, so it’s a lot like a family. It was an alternative for me. I have to do it, you
very nice to go through that experience with know, and if you feel like you have to do
it, then, by all means, do it,” Guinn said.
a large group of people,” Guinn said.
Guinn, a self-proclaimed blue-collar actor,
spoke to a group of ETSU students about
life as an actor, moving from East Tennessee
to New York and what it’s like to be part of
a Broadway production.
Guinn said her time as a student at ETSU
After acting in a number of other plays helped prepare her for a career as an actor.
and musicals, Guinn was cast in “Hair” as Above all else, Guinn said her time at ETSU
a “tribes member” when it ran as a three- prepared her to be a professional, even when
day concert in Central Park during the she faces tough times.
summer of 2007.
“It’s very easy to get disheartened, especially
“I remember seeing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ that in this business, because it’s 90 percent
same summer and just being in awe and rejection. You have to really, really want
After “Hair,” Guinn is unsure what will
be next for her. She looks forward to
doing more straight theater, rather than
musical theater, but she’s enjoying her
time on Broadway while it lasts.
“ἀ at’s the beauty of being an actor. You
never know where your career is going
to take you,” Guinn said.
Nile Bowman Still giving it the business
Today, Bowman serves as
chairman of the board, while his
son Scott serves in the president/
CEO role carrying on the family
owned and operated business
which includes over 50 employees
and covers 65,000 square feet of
space with the latest options in
furnishings. Nile
has traded selling
sofas and recliners
for raising Angus
cattle, hunting, and
fishing. He says his
time is spent, “just
kind of laying
back.” Despite his
comments, one can
see he always has
another idea ready
and waiting.
unique alumni
Nile Bowman, Jr., (B.S. ’56) is not your typical ETSU alumnus. He
has worked quietly behind the scenes as a cornerstone in one of
the area’s most prominent businesses for over 40 years. With the
simple catch phrase in the 1970s and 80’s, trademarked by long-time
pitchman Jim Dampier, “Zak’s, on Highway 36 at Boones Creek!,”
Bowman’s business crossed our television screens, surrounded us
by radio, and landed on our doorstep in those full page ads most
often used by car dealers.
Armed with four years in the Navy as an electronics technician and
a degree from ETSU, Bowman was ready to open his first business.
“I got a very good business education at ETSU,” Bowman said. He
recalled fondly teachers like Solon Gentry who made students work
hard in the classroom and learn as much as possible. Bowman
was part of a wave of men that earned the G.I. Bill funding and
returned to college as serious students.
Bowman’s first entrepreneurial effort was joining his brother-in-law
in opening Bowman-Howard Electronics in 1958. An early member
of the North Roan Street business community, they added furniture
to their offering after acquiring two nearby stores. As time went on,
furniture became the driving force of the Bowman-Howard stores.
13
top stories
unique
alumni
113-Year-Old Former ET Resident Super-Centenarian
Besse Brown Cooper (B.S. ’17), former area
resident, celebrated her 113th birthday on
August 26th, making her a super-centenarian
—someone over 110.
Her son, Sidney, and daughter, Angie ἀ arp,
shared her story for this column. Besse,
a daughter of Richard Brown and Angie
Berry Brown, was born in Sullivan County
on Aug. 26, 1896, and lived on the banks of
the Watauga River for several years. She and
her siblings enjoyed the benefits of living
near and playing in the river.
According to Sidney: “In November 1900
while Mother was four years old, her
aunt and uncle convinced her parents to
move to Arkansas, known as the ‘Land
of Opportunity.’ ἀ e two families built
a large houseboat alongside the river
for the journey. It was fabricated upside
down, turned over and then placed on the
river. ἀ is attracted a lot of attention from
neighbors and friends.
“ἀ eir journey took them down the Watauga
River and into the Tennessee River. ἀ ey had
a rudder and guided the boat with a big pole.
ἀ ey docked at night and traveled by day.
Besse remembered being tied around the
waist to keep her from falling off the boat.
One night, the weather was so cold that the
river froze delaying them for three days.”
When the two families reached Chattanooga,
they became stuck on a sandbar at low tide
causing Mr. Brown to go into town to get
assistance. He was advised against going
to Arkansas because of a high number of
Yellow Fever cases there. ἀ ey abandoned
their journey, sold the houseboat and rented
a house for about a year while Mr. Brown
worked in the city as a carpenter.
ἀ ey decided to return to the Johnson City
area. In 1906, the Brown family moved to
the Boones Creek community where they
built a two-story wood house on 15 acres
of land on a hill along what is now called
Brown Road. Besse attended Boones Creek
School, graduating in 1913.
Miss Brown enrolled at East Tennessee Normal
School (which had opened just two years prior).
She rode the CC&O train between Gray Station
and Johnson City on weekends and boarded with
her aunt in Johnson City during the week. She
commuted to and from the Normal School on
a trolley. She greatly admired school president,
Sidney J. Gilbreath, later naming a son after him.
After earning a teacher’s certificate, Besse taught
at a school in Tiger Valley, TN, between Hampton
and Roan Mountain, and rode the Tweetsie
narrow gauge railroad to and from there each
weekend. When she exited the train, she had to
walk and carry a suitcase another five miles to
her boarding house in all kinds of weather. Her
next jobs were at Cog Hill School at Etowah, TN,
where she taught about a year and at Piney Flats.
Besse moved to Georgia in 1918 where she
met and married Luther H. Cooper in 1922.
ἀ is union bore four children: Angie ἀ arp;
L.H. Cooper, Jr.; Sidney Cooper; and Nancy
Cooper Morgan.
Sidney attributes his mother’s long life to her
being an outdoor person who loved working
in her yard and garden, not worrying about
things and eating right. While in Boones Creek,
she was a member of Boones Creek Baptist
Church. Several family members are buried in
the church cemetery.
Besse’s four brothers: ἀ omas Cecil Brown (BC
storeowner), John Ralph Brown, Edward King
Brown (butcher at Copp’s Grocery on Millard
Street in JC) and Richard E. Brown and three
sisters: Besse Berry Brown Cooper, Mary Lee
Brown (long time BC schoolteacher) and Urcel
Brown (Morton Brothers meat producers) were
residents in the Boones Creek area.
ἀ e city of Monroe, GA, honored the supercentenarian by proclaiming Aug. 26, 2009, as
“Besse Cooper Day.”
By: Bob Cox, Johnson City Press
Taylor Pioneering Glass Art
top stories
Michael Taylor (M.F.A. ’68) is considered by many to be a pioneer of glass art. In 2006, his work was
captured in a book titled “A Geometry of Meaning,” which includes photographs of his color plates,
essays, and a detailed conversation with Taylor about his artistic process and influences. ἀ e publication
illustrates his innovations in glass, which have contributed to the medium’s rise to prominence and
have helped shape its future.
14
Taylor has worked as a professor and chair of the Glass Department at the School for American Crafts
at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York for the last 20 years. He has taught and lectured
at numerous national and international institutions of higher education, workshops, museums, and
foundations. He has also received several prestigious awards, including fellowships from the National
Endowment for the Arts, the Fullbright-Hays program, and the Danforth Foundation, and his work
is included in public and private collections around the world.
Vonderfecht awarded Margin of Excellence
ἀ e ETSU Foundation and East Tennessee
State University recognized Dennis
Vonderfecht with the prestigious Margin of
Excellence Award during the Distinguished
President’s Trust annual dinner.
ἀ e Margin of Excellence Award was
established in 2002 to acknowledge
individuals who “go above and beyond the
call of duty” in supporting the mission of
ETSU and the Foundation. Each honoree
receives a medallion and crystal bowl.
As president and CEO of Mountain States
Health Alliance (MSHA), Vonderfecht
has been instrumental in developing
partnerships between his organization and
ETSU to improve the delivery of quality
health care to the people of Northeast
Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western
North Carolina and Southeast Kentucky.
“For over 20 years, Dennis Vonderfecht
has empowered Mountain States Health
Alliance to become the largest corporate
donor in the region for ETSU and the
ETSU Foundation, with over $9 million
given to date,” ETSU President Dr. Paul
E. Stanton Jr., noted.
MSHA’s gifts have supported a number of
initiatives, including the Cardiovascular
Research Institute at the James H. Quillen
College of Medicine; the MSHA-ETSU
Evening/Weekend B.S.N. Program and
Second Degree B.S.N. program, both of
which address the nursing shortage; the
development of a master of social work
degree program in the ETSU College of
Arts and Sciences’ Department of Social
Work; and the creation of the Bill Gatton
College of Pharmacy at ETSU.
Prior to moving to East Tennessee with
his wife, Peggy, and their daughters,
advancement
Jennifer and Kristen, Vonderfecht
was regional vice president for the
Research Health Services System
based in Kansas City, Mo. He studied
at Colorado State University and received
his B.S. in business
administration
from the University
of Nebraska. He
then earned two
graduate degrees
in
business
administration
and hospital
administration
from the University
of Missouri. He
is an honorary
alumnus of ETSU.
New Members inducted into the Distinguished President’s Trust
the “backbone” of the university’s scholarship and educational
efforts. “ἀ is group of donors has distinguished itself by
providing, over many years, critically needed resources
for student scholarships and faculty and staff support,” he
said. “I am deeply grateful for the continued leadership
and the tremendous spirit of giving demonstrated by these
outstanding donors.”
D. Roger Kennedy, vice chairman of the ETSU Foundation,
Vice Chairman of the Board stated that, “ἀ e ETSU Foundation benefits tremendously
Twenty-eight new members of East Tennessee State University’s from the leadership, support and service of these and all
Distinguished President’s Trust were welcomed by ETSU Distinguished President’s Trust members. ἀ ey each provide
President Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr. during a formal dinner held an outstanding example of support for ETSU to enable the
university to provide quality educational opportunities.
at MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center.
Distinguished President’s Trust (DPT) members consistently “I encourage other alumni and friends to join the
rank among the most loyal supporters of the university through Distinguished President’s Trust in the future to enable
the ETSU Foundation. ἀ e DPT point of entry for individuals, ETSU to boldly enter a second century of service as we
organizations and businesses is cumulative giving in excess of look toward ETSU’s centennial.”
$10,000, usually the result of annual giving or combinations The newest DPT members include: Bristol Tennessee Essential
of significant major or planned gifts.
Services, Bristol; Eric P. Dillenbeck, and Thomas C. McKee and Kem
Dr. Richard A. Manahan, vice president for University McKee, Gray; William and Harriet Cruikshank, Heather Greene,
Advancement and president/CEO of the ETSU Foundation, Human Resource Association of Northeast Tennessee, Gerald and Linda
noted that DPT members have contributed over $182 million Medlin, Dr. Lewis and Marcia Songer, and Bonny and Brooke Stanley,
Johnson City; Dr. Terry Countermine and Sandra Countermine,
to benefit the university.
Drs. Michael and Susanna Floyd, and David R. Soike and Deborah
“The recognition of our new, as well as existing, Distinguished Soike, Jonesborough; Claudia and Jeff Byrd and Hunter Smith &
President’s Trust members is certainly a highlight for the Davis L.L.P., Kingsport; Pharmacy Plus Programs, Maryville;
university and the ETSU Foundation,” Manahan said. “We are Beale Street Caravan, Memphis; Deborah Kolarich, Nashville;
always very pleased and privileged to add these individuals, Dr. H. Kenneth Johnson II and Carol Johnson, Newport; LeConte
businesses and organizations to our Trust membership, Medical Center/Covenant Health, Sevierville; Dr. Stephen G.
and particularly so during these challenging times. They Fritz and Julia A. Swanson, Turtletown; Jim Brinkley, Orange
will serve as strong examples for future donors to follow in Park, Fla., and the late Nellie Brinkley; Trung Van “Larry” La,
annual giving and significant gift planning – joining together Washington, D.C.; Walgreen’s, Deerfield, Ill.; Dr. Archie Dykes
and Nancy Dykes, Leawood, Kan.; Raymond Branche, Wickliffe,
to build the ‘Margin of Excellence’ for our students, faculty Ohio; CVS Caremark, Woonsocket, R.I.; Estate of Virginia Ruth
and staff at the university.”
Barnes, Hanahan, S.C.; Joyce and André Hilliou, Fincastle, Va.;
Stanton described this group of more than 1,200 contributors as and Dr. Nancy J. Alley and Doyle Alley, Gate City, Va.
15
I encourage other alumni and friends
to join the Distinguished President’s
Trust in the future to enable ETSU
to boldly enter a second century of
service as we look toward ETSU’s
centennial
~ Roger Kennedy
advancement
the distinguished president’s trust
the distinguished president’s trust
The Distinguished
President’s Trust
16
the distinguished president’s trust
the distinguished president’s trust
17
advancement
Awards for Excellence in
Philanthropy bestowed
for the ETSU Foundation, indicating financial
support of $1 million or more in current and
planned giving. ἀ ey are also active volunteers
with the Foundation.
Tim Jones served as president and then chairman
of the board for the ETSU Foundation from
2003-07. During this time, over $82 million
was raised from Foundation donors, including
the $5 million raised in 12 weeks in 2005 for
the establishment of the Bill Gatton College
of Pharmacy.
“Tim and Valda were instrumental to encourage
Valda Hicks Jones & Tim P. Jones
the people of our region to accept the challenge,
in addition to their own personal financial
support, for the new college,” said ETSU
President Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr.
The Joneses were major contributors to
the construction of the ETSU Foundation
Carillon and Alumni Plaza on campus, and
have also supported many other areas of the
university, including athletics (Buccaneer
Athletic Scholarship Association), WETS-FM,
the Quillen College of Medicine, the Reece
Museum, scholarships, and more.
While working full time as a chemical technician at
Eastman Chemical Co. in Kingsport, Mary Martin
took night classes at ETSU and graduated with
a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1962.
Jim & Sonya King Accept for Jim Martin
Martin established a $1 million
Dr. Alavi receives James
endowment in the ETSU Foundation
First Larry Trung La Fellowship Award in honor and memory of his wife,
leading to the creation of the Mary B.
Larry Trung La (B.A. ’84) has established
Martin School of the Arts in 2009. ἀ e
the Larry Trung La Faculty Fellowship
annual earnings from the endowment
to support the research, teaching and
are used to ensure collaboration and
scholarly activities of a faculty member
coordination among the university’s
in the ETSU College of Business and
various arts programs.
Technology. A stipend, provided annually
Another objective of the Martin School
over a five-year period, will allow the
of the Arts is to “reach out to the
distinguished faculty recipient to attend
communities of our region and build
conferences, purchase relevant technology
partnerships from these ETSU academic
and materials and devote time to research.
programs with the arts community
La is the founder and chief executive
Larry Trung La, B.A. ’84 officer of Meiwah Restaurant Grouping Dr. Jafar Alavi
and arts organizations in our region,”
Professor of Economics
Stanton said.
which is comprised of two award-winning Meiwah
restaurants—one in Washington, D.C., and the other in Chevy Chase, Md. La
Recently, Martin gave another $1 million
resides in Rockville, Md., with his wife Diana, and their two children—Alisa
gift to provide additional resources for
and Timothy.
the school.
Dr. Jafar Alavi, a professor of economics in the ETSU College of Business and
ἀ rough the years, the Martins have
Technology, has been named as the first Fellow. A member of the ETSU Faculty
also supported the Department of
since 1985, Alavi has developed and taught many undergraduate and graduate
Chemistry, public radio station WETScourses in economics. He has co-authored numerous research projects which
FM (89.5) and the Reece Museum at
have appeared in prestigious academic journals. Alavi’s research focuses on
ETSU. James Martin has also supported
the impact of economic, cultural and managerial practices and realities on
the International Storytelling Center
organizational systems in developed and developing countries. He is the
in Jonesborough with a naming gift in
18
recipient of several research, teaching, and services recognitions and awards. Mary’s memory.
advancement
Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) member
Paul W. Montgomery bestowed the Chancellor’s
and Regents’ Awards for Excellence in
Philanthropy upon individuals who have
helped East Tennessee State University and
their communities in extraordinary ways.
“Several years ago, the Tennessee Board of
Regents realized the value of recognition for
excellence in private support for all Regents’
institutions across the state,” Montgomery
said. “It is always a privilege and pleasure to
honor outstanding philanthropists, whether
they be individuals or business organizations,
that provide stellar private support to assist the
faculty and students at ETSU.
“Tonight we were very pleased to showcase and
express the Regents’ deep appreciation for the
financial support and volunteer leadership of
Tim P. Jones and Valda Hicks Jones by presenting
them the Regents’ Award for Excellence in
Philanthropy, and of Jim and the late Mary B.
Martin by presenting them the Chancellor’s
Award. ἀ ese individuals have had such a
positive impact at ETSU for today and for
tomorrow, too.”
Valda Jones , as an alumna, and Tim Jones, as an
honorary alumnus, are Platinum Society donors
Davies collects first win on
European Tour
Top Donors
Honored
advancement
Former ETSU men’s golf All-American
Rhys Davies (Bridgend, Wales) made
Top donors from the private sector were honored by
history on Sunday, picking up his first
career victory on the European Tour. East Tennessee State University for generous
Firing a 7-under-par 66 in the final
round of the Trophée Hasson II at
Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Morocco,
Davies overcame Louis Oosthuizen’s
two-stroke lead during the final round
to take the title. A three-time first-team
All-American at ETSU, Davies is widely
considered the best golfer to ever come
through the Buccaneer program.
contributions to the ETSU Foundation during the
Distinguished President’s Trust dinner.
After spending two seasons on the Asian
Tour and Challenge Tour, Davies is
certainly making the most of his first season on the European
Tour. With three Top 6 finishes so far this year, Davies stands
12th on the European Tour’s Money List (Race to Dubai).
are the newest members of ἀ e Diamond Society which honors
donors whose cumulative gifts and commitments total $5
million. Mr. Brinkley is a member of the ETSU class of 1960,
and he and Nellie owned and operated several successful
business ventures in Florida.
Davies won 10 individual titles and was
ranked as the nation’s #1 player during his
time at ETSU
Dr. Richard A. Manahan, vice president for University
Advancement and president/CEO of the ETSU Foundation,
said that President’s Society members have cumulatively given
more than $166 million to the university, including planned
and estate gifts.
James Brinkley, Orange Park, Fla., and the late Nellie Brinkley
ἀi s was the first time a former ETSU player has won on the C.M. “Bill” Gatton, Bristol, was honored at The Platinum Society, Level III,
European Tour, and it now means past Buccaneer golfers have for his generosity. ἀi s level recognizes those donors whose
won tournaments on each of the major professional tours.
cumulative contributions total $3 million.. ἀ e Gatton College
of Pharmacy at ETSU is named in his honor.
ETSU, Basketball, & Cheerleading
Keep Things All in the Family
James C. Martin, Johnson City, and the late Mary B. Martin were
ἀ at year, Lorie and I were expecting our first child, Sarah. Lorie will
say today that during games we attended it would get so exciting, and
she could feel Sarah jumping up and down in the womb. We were
unable to attend the 1988 A-Sun Conference because she was expecting
Sarah any day. On Friday March 4th, ETSU upset tournament favorite
Appalachian State in the quarter finals. After that win they were to play
VMI in the semi finals on Saturday March 5, 1988. Lorie went into
labor with Sarah that Saturday morning. We were so excited as a family,
but I will have to say one of my biggest concerns was how would I be
able to watch the game which was being televised by WJHL. It took
a while, but I talked Lorie and the staff at the hospital into bringing a
TV into the labor room. I was able to watch the whole game before
Sarah was born, unfortunately with ETSU losing. Sarah was born
around 7:30 pm that March 5th, 1988, and we have been celebrating
ETSU tournaments and Sarah’s birthday ever since.
The Bronze Society recognizes donors with cumulative contributions
welcomed as the newest members of the Platinum Society, Level
II, which recognizes donors with cumulative contributions of
ETSU basketball has played a pivotal role in our By: Doug Ellis, ’82 $2 million. Martin donated funds to the ETSU Foundation to
endow the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts in memory of
family for many years. As a student, and since
graduating in 1982, I have followed Buccaneer basketball. After his wife, an ETSU alumna.
marrying Lorie in 1985 we have attended many games. But the 19871988 was an extra special year for ETSU as well as for Lorie and me. With cumulative contributions of $100,000 to $500,000, new
Les Robinson had just signed some very special basketball players, Silver Society members are Raymond Branche/ἀ e Branche
such as Keith “Mister” Jennings, Greg Dennis, Alvin West, Major Family Scholarship in Memory of Ola Branche, Ella Kate Hensley
Greer, Michael Wood, and Marty Story. ἀ at group of players took and Lillian Smith, Wickliffe, Ohio, and Dr. and Mrs. Michael
Marchioni, Siemens, and Dr. Gwendolyn Wallace, Johnson City.
ETSU to new heights.
advancement
Now 22 years later, our daughter is a senior cheerleader for the Bucs
and we are still celebrating conference championships and birthdays,
and quite often they occur on the same day. I cannot express how
special it is that my daughter has grown up to be an ETSU cheerleader. We believe that it was God’s plan and she was preparing herself for
Buc basketball while still in the womb.
of $50,000 to $100,000. New members are Nuclear Fuel Services Inc.,
Erwin; Dr. Paul E. Brown Jr. and Elizabeth B. Brown, In Memory
of Christa ἀ yson Hungate, and Tom and Joy McGinnis, Johnson
City; James E. Rhein, Jonesborough; Brock Services Ltd. and Ken
and Patsy Marsh, Kingsport; LeConte Medical Center/Covenant
Health, Sevierville; and Joyce and André Hilliou, Fincastle, Va.
19
unique alumni
College of Business & Technology Inducts New Members
D
uring East Tennessee State University’s Homecoming Weekend 2009, the College of Business and Technology inducts new
business leaders into the Hall of Fame. Ten distinguished individuals were inducted into the 2010 Hall of Fame, and each of
them were chosen for significant accomplishments in the business community or within public service.
T
T
he L ifetime A chievement in
he Excellence in B usiness Award
is presented to individuals whose
B usiness Award is presented
to alumni of the College of B usiness work has brought distinction to the
and Technology who have recorded College of B usiness and Technology.
significant accomplishments in business
Steve Conerly
or public service.
Frank
Rutherford
T
he B usiness Horizon Award
is presented to graduates of
the ETSU College of B usiness and
Technology who are establishing
noteworthy careers.
Jason Berry
Ja s o n B e r r y w a s
employed as an analyst
in the Army Budget
Office, but left to accept
a position as Deputy
Director of Financial
Management and
Comptroller in the White
House Military Office.
Jeff Miller
unique alumni
Jeff Miller is a founding
member and president
of the Tennessee
Surveying Education
Foundation, a nonprofit organization
dedicated to
p r o m o t i n g
education and
awareness about surveying.
20
Steve Conerly entered a career
in business and later retired as
president and chief executive
officer of Land-O-Sun Dairies,
Flav-O-Rich Dairy, and Silver
Creek Technologies. Currently,
Conerly operates Consultant
Management Services and
Strategic Planning.
Frank Rutherford (19332008) served in Germany,
France, Vietnam, and 11
states at home, and he
retired with the rank of
colonel. Following his
Robert McNab
military career, Rutherford
served as a city manager and director of a solid Robert B. McNab, Jr. cowaste disposal authority in cities in Alabama.
founded Edwards and
Associates, a helicopter and
Ginger
charter service, followed by
Rutherford
Aeronautical Accessories
Ginger Hawk Rutherford
and Rotor Blades, two
served as assistant director
subsidiaries devoted to
in the Office of Institutional
helicopter parts and repairs.
Research where she
The businesses, founded
managed the data reporting
with initial capital of $1,200, grew into a $50
function for the university,
million enterprise.
retiring in 1995 as Director
of Institutional Research.
Mitzi McNab
Carroll Shanks
Carroll Shanks served
in many capacities with
National Life and Accident
and its parent company,
NLT Corporation. In 1984,
he remained president and
was named chief executive
officer. He was elected vice
chairman of the board in 1990.
Kenneth Simonds
Kenneth Simonds (19352009) established Teradata
Corporation. As chairman,
president, and chief
executive officer, Simonds
led the company as it went
public two years later and
reached revenues of $380
million by 1991.
Mitzi Wright McNab was
involved in secondary schools
and community colleges for
27 years. McNab has placed
students in employment
programs such as distributive
education and cooperative
office education. As an
education consultant and owner of Progressive
Academic Consulting, she can keep up with
opportunities available to students.
Kenneth “Newt”
Raff
Kenneth “Newt” Raff is Metro
President of the Northeast
Tennessee region, overseeing
three banks with a total of 21
offices with some $1 billion
in deposits and $700 million
in loans.
ROTC Inducts First Officers into Hall of Fame
D
T
unique alumni
uring Homecoming 2009 East Tennessee State University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to
inaugurate the ETSU ROTC Hall of Fame, located in Memorial Hall, which houses Brooks Gymnasium.
he three men who were inducted were chosen for this honor to recognize their significant accomplishments and contributions to
the ETSU ROTC program.
The honorees are:
in planning, business development, and City community, supporting the local
marketing of defense and aerospace products American Legion and Veterans of Foreign
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ronald and services worldwide.
Wars (VFW) Posts; working with the East
V. Hite, a native of
Tennessee Chapter of the ex-Prisoners of
Washington County, is Sergeant 1st Class (Ret.) Carson Gentry War, which he founded; and maintaining
a member of the ETSU
Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) close ties with ETSU’s ROTC Department.
class of 1964, and was
Carson Gentry was born
commissioned that year
in the Shelton Laurel Colonel (Ret.) Frank Rutherford
as a second lieutenant of
community in Madison
ἀ e late Col. (Ret.)
infantry.
County, N.C. At 17, he
Frank E. Rutherford
Following attendance
enlisted in the Army as
was born in 1933
at the Infantry Officers
and raised in Big
a field artilleryman, and,
Basic Course, Airborne and Ranger Schools,
Stone Gap, Va. He
after initial training at
Hite served his nation for 33 distinguished
Fort Jackson, S.C., he
graduated from ETSU
years, commanding at every level and holding
was stationed with the
in 1957 and received
many unique positions during assignments
7th Infantry Division in
his commission as a
throughout the United States and overseas. Seoul, South Korea.
second lieutenant in
Among his many accomplishments, he was In 1950, just two weeks before he was to
the U.S. Army.
selected to be the first commander of the return home, North Korea invaded South An armor officer and airborne ranger,
Army’s Combat Systems Test Activity in Korea, and Gentry’s stay was extended. Colonel Rutherford held numerous
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. He was His unit fought in the battle of the Chosin command and staff positions during his
also responsible for the development of the Reservoir, called by some historians “the most distinguished 30-year military career,
Army’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled savage battle of modern warfare.” During that serving overseas in Germany, France
Vehicle (HMMWV) and several major battle, Gentry was wounded multiple times and Vietnam, and at posts throughout
weapons systems. In his last assignment, by gunfire as well as shrapnel from a mortar the United States.
he served as the military deputy to the round. Captured by the Chinese Red Army After his retirement from the military,
assistant secretary of the Army for research, before he could be evacuated, he spent three Rutherford held several administrative
development, and acquisition, providing years as a prisoner of war before his release positions in the city governments of
testimony before the House and Senate and return to the United States.
Northport and Tuscaloosa, Ala., and
Defense Committees and directing the Following military retirement, Gentry was he also served on various boards and
Army’s Acquisition Corps.
an ETSU employee for 25 years, managing committees. He married fellow ETSU
Currently, Hite is the president and CEO equipment inventory and carrying out graduate Ginger Hawk in 1992 and resided
of Cypress International, an Alexandria, a number of other duties. Today, he in Johnson City until his death in 2008.
Va.-based company which assists clients remains extremely active in the Johnson
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ron Hite
Skeeter Swift inducted into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
unique alumni
Harley “Skeeter” Swift (B.S. ’69) was inducted into the Tennessee Sports
Hall of Fame. Skeeter played basketball at ETSU from 1966-69. He
was a three-time Ohio Valley All-Conference Selection. Swift ranks
sixth on the Bucs career points list with 1,367 points and ranks third
in points per game for a career with a 17.9 average. In 1968, Swift was
named OVC Player of the Year and in 1982 was inducted into the
ETSU Athletic Hall of Fame. Swift went on to become a standout in
professional basketball playing five seasons in the ABA for the New
Orleans Bucks, where he was selected to the 1969-70 All-Rookie
Team. After retirement from professional sports he coached at
Elizabethton High School. ἀ e Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame was
founded by a group known as the Middle Tennessee Sportswriters
and Broadcasters Association. ἀ e State Legislature, under the
leadership of Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh and Lieutenant
Governor John Wilder along with Representative Bill Purcell and
Senator Robert Rochelle, passed legislation in 1994 to officially
create the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
21
athletics
Unlikely title satisfying for Bucs’ Bartow
athletics
Murry Bartow looked a little worse for wear by
the end of the A-Sun Tournament in Macon,
Ga., and for good reason.
East Tennessee State’s coach has been battling
this beast of a college basketball season for
over four months now. He lost his best player
early in the season, swerved through a tough
non-conference schedule, had a spat with the
fans at mid-season, made a lot of good moves
late in the year and ultimately walked away
with back-to-back Atlantic Sun Conference
championships. He earned his money.
Of course, the stress actually began back in
July, when freshman center Seth Coy was
killed in a car accident. Shaken to its core,
the team gathered at his funeral in Indiana
and began to ponder college life without the
big man. ἀ rough the ensuing months, Coy’s
locker was left virtually untouched and his
memory was never far away.
“It’s been a challenging year, an emotional
year, starting with Seth’s loss,” Bartow said in
his office, looking much fresher and at peace
after a little time to relax. “From July to the
final buzzer in Macon, it was a grind. Losing
Mike Smith—who I thought would have
been player of the year in our league—was
a blow early. And we had all sorts of other
things going on.
“You have to give these players the credit.
ἀ ere was no attitude all year; they kept
believing and listening. My staff did a great
job with them. It just all came together for
us at the end.”
ἀ e payoff is now at hand.
ἀ at 72-66 victory over Mercer in the A-Sun
final punched the Bucs’ ticket for a ninth trip
to the NCAA tournament next week. Bartow
has already been on ESPN radio and some
other shows, talking about his team and
all the things that went into this unlikely
championship. ἀ e e-mails and phone calls
have been rolling in.
While the major conferences get ready to
decide their champions the following week,
the Bucs can enjoy themselves as they wait
for Selection.
“It’s always good when you get to the
tournament,” said Bartow. “ἀ ere’s a lot
of national exposure for the program and
the school. ἀ e great thing is for a solid
week we’ll see ETSU up there on the screen
on ESPN. It’s hard to put a price on that.”
ἀ e coach isn’t sure what to expect from
the selection committee. ἀ e Bucs won
three more games last season and ended
22
up on the 16 line. Bartow scheduled tougher
competition—Tennessee, Louisville, Arkansas—
to try to beef up the RPI should the Bucs make
it back to the NCAAs.
ἀ ey stood at 121 at last glance, with a 20-14
record. Many of the early prognostications have
them as a 16-seed.
“ἀ e schedule was very hard, but realistically I
think we’re looking at a 15 or 16,” said Bartow.
“ἀ e difference is huge. If you’re a 16, you’re
looking at Kentucky, Kansas, Syracuse. ἀ e size
and talent of those teams is just at a different level.
You have a better chance as a 15, but it’s a hard
game for us regardless. ἀ ankfully we’re in it.”
Whatever their seed, the Bucs have a history of
playing the big teams tough. Last season they
hung with Pittsburgh until the final minute,
something that should be of help in preparations
this time around.
“It’s important because several of our guys got
a taste of the tournament at that level,” said
Bartow. “We have a history of close games, and
that means something. You look at our last three
times at the tournament -- playing Wake Forest
right to the buzzer, playing Cincinnati right to
the buzzer, and then last year playing Pittsburgh
right to the end. We’ve played well.”
ἀ is will be the 48-year-old Bartow’s fourth
NCAA team — three in his seven seasons here
and one at Alabama-Birmingham — and he
admits it has a different feel than the others.
These Bucs won 20 games the hard way,
searching game in and game out for the winning
combination. ἀ ey have a real gamer in junior
forward Tommy Hubbard but never established
a go-to guy in the clutch or an offensive presence
in the paint. During one stretch they lived and
died with zone defense.
At the end, the more mercurial talents—Micah
Williams, Isiah Brown, Justin Tubbs—rose to
the occasion. And reserves like Adam Sollazzo
and J.C. Ward proved their worth.
“We mixed the pot, tried a lot of different
combinations,” said Bartow. “If you track some
of our bench guys, Adam was playing and wasn’t
playing and then was a hero at the tournament.
J.C. was playing and wasn’t playing and was
another hero. ἀ ere was just a lot of tinkering
and trying different things.”
ἀ e star during A-Sun Tournament week proved
to be Williams, who tossed in a career-high 32
points in the quarterfinals and ended up as the
tournament MVP. ἀ e junior guard is the one
player on the roster who can create his own shot
off the dribble, step back and make the 3-pointer
or score in the paint.
By: Kelly Hodge, Johnson City Press
Wi l l i ams
raised a few eyebrows for his scoring last
summer in the Rocky Top League in Knoxville,
but it took awhile for all his talents to come
together this season. He looked like that go-to
guy in Macon.
“Micah was huge,
unbelievable,” said
Bartow. “He had a
lot of momentum
going into the
tournament,
scoring in double
figures in seven
straight, and just
went to Macon
feeling good about
himself. Then he
opens with 32 down
there.
Murry Bartow with Micah Williams ,
“Micah has so
A-Sun Tournament MVP
much potential. If
he can just keep it going, he’ll be a great player
for us next year.”
“We’ll try to balance things like we’ve done
in the past,” said Bartow. “ἀ e tough part of
the wait is trying to keep the guys sharp. We’re
playing good and don’t want to lose that edge
while we’re waiting to see.”
Given the way the season has gone, the coach
can smile a little easier now.
“Everything we’ve gone through probably
make this one more satisfying,” said Bartow.
“It’s harder on the heart, but it’s satisfying that
guys kept grinding.”
Year-By-Year Record
:
All-Time : 241-170 (.586)
Conferences : 133-87 (.605)
ETSU : 138-87 (.613)
Notes of Interest:
• Bartow ranks No. 1 on the ETSU all-time winning percentage
coaching list.
• Bartow has led the Bucs to more NCAA appearances than
any coach in ETSU history (2004, 2009, 2010).
• Bartow led the Bucs to their best conference record in
school history at 15-1 during the 2003-04 season, including
a program-best 16 straight victories at one stretch.
• Bartow was selected as the Southern Conference Coach of the
Year in 2003-04 and the A-Sun Coach of the Year in 2006-07.
• Bartow has beaten programs like Georgia, Auburn, Florida,
Marquette, Missouri, UNLV, Memphis, Louisville and Arkansas.
• Bartow has led the Bucs to four 20-win seasons in 7 years
at ETSU.
Accolades
Accumulating for Kemp
athletics
By: Kevin Brown, ETSU Athletics
Four 20-plus win campaigns.
Four straight postseason appearances.
Three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament.
athletics
ἀ ese accomplishments are hard to come
by at any basketball program, let
alone a mid-major; however, with
all the hard work head coach Karen
Kemp, her staff and Lady Buccaneer
players put in, these accolades have
become a reality.
“We have really achieved a lot of
great things over the past four years, but the players
deserve all the credit,” said Kemp, the Lady Bucs’ alltime winningest coach. “This team has made coaching
really fun and typically coaches get all the attention, but
if it wasn’t for the talent on the floor we wouldn’t have
seen this great run.”
Kemp has changed the image of Lady Buccaneer
Karen Kemp answers questions at the basketball as she has directed the Lady Bucs to all five
of their postseason appearances, won three regular season
NCAA conference
crowns and three straight Atlantic Sun Conference
Tournament titles. Kemp, who has won Coach of the Year honors in both the
SoCon and A-Sun, brings a high octane offense to the floor as her squads
rank among the nation’s best—including a top-10 showing in 2009-10 and
top-15 in 2008-09.
Since 2007, the ETSU women’s basketball team has held success both on
the hardwood and in the classroom. Under Kemp’s watch, the Lady Bucs
have posted 84 wins in the last four years, while seeing 19
players receive all-academic honors—including the team
posting a grade point average of 3.02 this past season.
“The image of Lady Buccaneer basketball has changed over
the last couple of years, because of the work the players put
in,” commented Kemp. “Having players like Siarre (Evans)
and TaRonda (Wiles) make coaching really easy and fun.
Fans want to credit the coach when things go well, but the
players deserve all
the credit for our
Year-By-Year Record
recent success.”
:
While the talent
makes things easier
Conferences : 165-109 (.602)
on the sidelines,
ETSU : 237-224 (.514)
going 76-18 (.809)
Notes of Interest:
since arriving to
• Coach Kemp is the all-time winningest coach at ETSU
t he A-Sun and
and has guided the Lady Bucs to all five of their postseason
posting a program-best five consecutive winning seasons is no cake-walk.
trips—three straight NCAA appearances.
In addition, the Lady Bucs have raised the bar at home as the Blue and Gold
• Kemp was named Coach of the Year in 1995 (Southern
have gone 29-6 inside the Dome since 2007 – including a perfect 11-0 mark
Conference) and 2008 (Atlantic Sun Conference)
this past season.
• Kemp led the Lady Bucs to a program-best five straight
Having two-time Atlantic Sun Player of the Year and four-time First Team
winning seasons—including a record-setting 23 wins in
All-Atlantic Sun selection, Siarre Evans, along with two-time First Team
2009-10.
All-Atlantic Sun performer and 1,000-point scorer TaRonda Wiles on
• Kemp has recorded four straight 20-plus winning
the floor over the past four years was a recipe for championship success.
campaigns since 2007.
However, getting the most out of her team and standout players takes a great
• Kemp has posted an .809 winning percentage against
deal of work and patience—something coach Kemp takes great pride in.
Atlantic Sun competition.
With three starters and 10 letterwinners returning, next season will be
• Kemp has defeated the likes of Mississippi State, Kentucky,
considered a reloading year rather than a rebuilding one.
and Alabama.
23
campus briefs
3
rd
campus briefs
East Tennessee State University held a
graduation ceremony a third time on
Wednesday, December 23, 2009, for
students and family unable to attend
the traditionally planned Saturday,
December 19th ceremonies due to
heavy snow. About 100 students
and about 250 family and friends
attended the alternate ceremony.
24
Time’s a Charm
“ἀ is is the first time, to my knowledge, that
we have held a makeup commencement
ceremony due to inclement weather,” said
Jennifer Hill of University Media Relations.
ἀ e university said the administration
believes strongly that the graduation
ceremony is an important milestone that
students have dedicated years of hard work to
achieve. It’s also sacrifices made by families
that make the students’ successes possible.
“If I would have done it Saturday I would
have been walking for myself,” said graduate
Meredith Mitchell. “None of my family
could have made it. I wanted to do it for
my family.”
“It’s important for the students,” said Brad
Lifford of University Media Relations. “ἀ is
is a great dividing point in their lifetime.
ἀ eir families want to see them graduate.
“Dr. Stanton felt it was important that we
have this extra ceremony just for these
students. A lot of people put in a lot of extra
effort just to make sure
this happened.”​
By: Christopher Alexander, Johnson City Press
“I’m very thankful to ETSU for having this
ceremony again today,” graduate Aprajida
Singh said. “I was trapped in the snow Friday.
My ceremony was supposed to be Saturday. I
want to thank everyone who helped with this.”
In addition to the students and ETSU staff,
the Rev. C.H. Charlton, pastor of Johnson
City’s Friendship Baptist Church and a
former city commissioner, returned
on Wednesday to deliver the
commencement address
for the third ceremony,
having spoken at both
ceremonies on
Saturday.
class notes
2000s
Tyla Short Boyd (B.S. ’09) received a job as an interim
instructional assistant with the Kingsport City Schools.
Brittany Leigh Sourbeer (B.S. ’09) married Dallas Edward Curtis
on June 27, 2009, in an outdoor ceremony at the Historic
Martha Washington Inn, in Abingdon, Va. The couple
now resides in Bristol, Va.
Robert H. Williams (M.B.A. ’09) has been named the city
executive for People’s Community Bank in Johnson City.
He has been working in the financial services industry
locally since 1995, starting out as a loan processor and
credit analyst at State of Franklin Bank and working his
way up to vice president of banking. For the past six years,
he has worked for First Bank and Trust, most recently as
senior vice president.
Megan Elizabeth Davenport (B.A. ’08) and Roger Winton Perkins
IV were married May 9, 2009, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal
Church in Kingsport. She is a registered nurse at Johnson
City Medical Center and he is a licensed EMT/IV tech
employed as a firefighter at the Jonesborough Fire
Department.
Jeffrey T. Edwards (B.B.A. ’08) lives in Johnson City and works
as chemical operator at Eastman Chemical Company in
Kingsport. He is married with two children and currently
enrolled in the Master of Accountancy Program at ETSU.
Whitney Morgan Pendergraft (M.A.T. ’08) married Adam Lee
Taylor on June 20, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church.
Following a reception at The Charles, the couple took a
wedding trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico, and now resides
in Gray.
Dr. Linda Gale Wood Wyatt (E.D.D. ’08) completed a dissertation
entitled “A study of nontraditional undergraduate students
at the University of Memphis,” which focused on how to
engage nontraditional students in the college environment.
Amanda Ashworth (B.S. ’07) and Clabe Coker were married
July 25, 2009, at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The bride is
employed by Knox County Schools and the groom is
an employee of Consolidated Electronic Systems Corp.
Amanda Megan Bryant (B.S.N. ’07) married Bobby Ray Campbell
on June 2, 2009. She is employed by Fort Sanders Hospital
in Knoxville and he works for Massey Electric Company.
Krystal Darlene Duncan (B.S. ’07) and Dustin Leon Lucas (B.S.
’09) were married at the Allandale Mansion garden gazebo,
by the pond, on June 12, 2009. The couple resides in
Church Hill, where she is employed as a teacher for Scott
County School System and he is the athletic director for
the Boys and Girls Club.
Christina Marchel Fleming (M.A. ’06) and Jason Todd English
(B.S. ’07) were married July 18, 2009, at Folly Beach,
S.C. The bride and groom are both employed at Family
Preservation Services and reside in Kingsport.
Kristen Lee Gramberg (B.S. ’06) and Matthew McConnell Clabaugh
were married September 26, 2009, at Allandale Mansion.
She is employed at Yodle Advertising Agency and he works
for Jordan Jones and Goulding. Following a wedding trip
to France and Italy, the couple resides in Charlotte, N.C.
Jeremy Hall (B.S. ’06), a former ETSU baseball standout, is
experiencing a string of wins with the Tampa Bay Rays’
organization. After a 10-3 finish for Class A Columbus in
2008, he moved up this season to the advanced Class A
level with the Charlotte Stone Crabs in the Florida State
League. In his professional career, he has a record of 23-8.
Lori Vanderventer (B.S. ’05) and Jed Seehorn
were married Saturday, June 13, 2009,
at the Schumaier Brooks Farmstead.
Following a reception, the couple took a
wedding trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and
now resides in Jonesborough.
Picture
yourself here!
Dr. Rick W. LaRue (M.S. ’04) graduated from
the University of Tennessee Health
Science Center in Memphis with his
Doctor of Medicine. He is currently
completing a residency in Internal
Medicine at Brown University in
Providence, R.I.
Don Alan Paxton (M.D. ’04) completed
Friday, September 17, 2010
residency in anesthesiology and
Cattails at MeadowView Resort in Kingsport
fellowship in pain management at
Oregon Health and Science University.
44th Annual Alumni Golf Classic
He then joined the practice of Desert Pain
Management in Southern California. In
Tracy Lykens Jarnagin (B.S.N. ’99) works as a registered nurse and
his spare time, he enjoys biking and playing soccer with his flight nurse with Wings Air Rescue in Johnson City. She was
two sons, Cameron and Corbin.
recognized as Flight Nurse of the Year in 2009.
John F. Hunter II (B.B.A. ’03) was recently named associate director
of the Johnson City Home Builders Association for 2010. In
that role, he will represent the ancillary services involved in
the building industry.
Shelly Jarrett McIntosh (M.S.N. ’99) is a family nurse practitioner
at Heart and Vascular Cardiology in Johnson City. Her
husband works at Mountain States Health Alliance and the
two are new parents to a son.
Darrick Andre Early (M.P.M. ’01) was selected to be a member of
the first class of Emerging Leaders at the Department of Health
and Human Services. He received the Secretary’s Award for
distinguished service for work on an anthrax vaccine and was
recently promoted as the DHHS’s section chief.
Samuel S. Richardson (M.A. ’99) worked at Cullom-Davis Library
at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., while earning his Master
of Library Information Science. He then began working at Paul
Meek Library at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where
he is now the instruction librarian and head of circulation.
William Michael Wilson (B.G.S. ’01) and Dr. Beth (Alice Elizabeth)
Sydnor were married May 9, 2009. He was the morning and
noon news anchor at WHSV, Harrisonburg, Va., and now
serves as the morning news anchor at Fox 4, Beaumont, Texas.
Jennifer Blevins Robinson (M.S. ’99) works as a staff audiologist
at the James H. Quillen VMAC in Mountain Home, Tenn.
Shauna R. Billingsley (B.S. ‘00) has been appointed as City Attorney
for the City of Franklin, Tenn. She has been working for the
city since 2007, serving as interim city attorney since January
2008. She also worked for the State of Tennessee, Department
of Commerce and Insurance, and prior to that she practiced
law in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, area, primarily focusing
on business litigation and family law issues.
Dr. Dax Holder (M.D. ’00) works for the Methodist Healthcare
System in San Antonio, Texas, and in the Wilford Hall
emergency room. He is also the medical director for the
critical care air transport teams of the United States Air
Force. He flies with the 559th FTS in San Antonio, primarily
operating the T-6 aircraft, and has completed two tours of
duty, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.
1990s
Frances Price Belcher (B.S.W. ’99) worked in social work from her
college graduation until 2006. She also received her Executive
Master’s in Business Administration online through Colorado
Technical University. She is now retired.
Jill Karin Benner Lutz (B.A. ’99) has been teaching for seven years.
She lives in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and teaches 7th grade
language arts at H.E. McCracken Middle School. She also has
two children and a successful Mary Kay business.
Rebecca Dawn Haynes (B.S. ’06) and Warren Bailey Shaffer
(B.S. ’07) were married on May 16, 2009, at Cedar Creek
Yacht Club on Old Hickory Lake in Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
After exiting by boat, the couple spent the evening
in the Historic Union Station Hotel in downtown
Nashville and began their honeymoon the next day
in Cancun, Mexico.
Kristie Guy Bushong (B.S.N. ’99) began her career as a registered
nurse at Holston Valley Medical Center in the Med/Surg/
Telemetry Unit. After marrying and moving to North Carolina,
she worked at WakeMed Raleigh and Asheville Cardiology
Associates and Mission Hospital. She now lives in Kingsport
and works for Wellmont Holston Valley as an RN in invasive
cardiology.
Sunny Ricker (B.S. ’06) wed Jason Matthew Sandos (B.S.
’00) at the East Tennessee State University
Amphitheatre on May 30, 2009. She is an attorney
and he is the director of the Sports Network and
“Voice of the Bucs” at ETSU. The couple will reside
in Johnson City.
Stephanie Bauer Daniel (B.S. ’99) received her J.D. from the
University of Tennessee and is now assistant vice president
and legal counsel at Fifth Third Bank in Knoxville, Tenn.
She also serves as an adjunct professor for the University
of Tennessee College of Law and an international officer
for Alpha Delta Pi.
class notes
26
Julia Elizabeth Wright (B.S. ’06) and James
Benjamin Davenport were married June
27, 2009, at Central Baptist Church in
Johnson City. She is a registered nurse
and he is a history teacher. The couple
now lives in Johnson City.
Dr. Ryan A. Stanton (M.D. ’99) moved to Lexington, Ky., after his
internship in surgery at ETSU to complete an E.R. residency.
He is now the medical director for UK Good Samaritan
Hospital and serves as the “on-air” physician for WTVQ
ABC 36 in Lexington.
Rachel Holt Taylor (B.S.N. ’99) lives in Hampton, Tenn., and works
as a nursery staff registered nurse at Sycamore Shoals Hospital.
She and her husband have three children.
Carrie Ann VanDyke (B.S. ’99) married Joseph Chiply Harrison on
August 8, 2009. She is employed by Penn Virginia Corp. as
a corporate senior tax accountant and is a member of the
Tri-Cities of Northeast Tennessee Chapter Executive Women’s
Golf Association, Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts and the
East Tennessee Mogul Mashers Ski Club and Racing division.
Dr. Amy Springate Holder (B.S. ’98) is a private pediatric intensive
care physician in the Methodist Healthcare System in San
Antonio, Texas. She also takes regular trips to Mongolia as
part of the Mending Broken Hearts Team to care for post-op
pediatric heart cases. She and husband Dr. Dax Holder (M.D.
’00) have two children, ages 3 and 11 months.
Dr. Mitch Housenick (M.P.H. ’98) has been appointed the director
of Saint Joseph Health System Radiography Program
in Lexington, Ky. He previously served as professor and
director of clinical education at a private college and a state
university in Tennessee, which included oversight for all
clinical components of the radiography program curriculum.
Dr. Housenick has a broad range of professional experience
that includes clinical practice, management, research, and
curriculum and instruction. An acknowledged researcher,
he has presented at state, regional, and national research
symposiums and meetings.
Amy Conkin Lipe (B.S. ’98) lives in Rogersville, Tenn., and works
as a health educator for the Hawkins County Board of
Education. She is married and has two children.
Kirk Edgerton (B.S. ’97) and Jennifer Uribe were married May 9,
2009, at Newcastle Wedding Gardens in Newcastle, Calif.
Both husband and wife are employed by Fleet Feet Sports
and they now reside in Granite Bay.
Campbell completes NYC
Marathon
Brandon Keith
Campbell (B.S.
’05) completed
the New York City
Marathon. Brandon
ran the marathon
for team Toyota. He completed the marathon in
04:12:25. Brandon is originally
from Elizabethton, TN, but moved
to New York after graduating to
pursue a career in marketing and
advertising. Currently Brandon is
the Internet Sales and Marketing
Director for Toyota in Stamford, CT. Carrie Bays Guy (B.S. ’97) is the director of the New Opportunity
School for Women in Banner Elk, N.C.
Donna Wolford Jones (M.A.C. ’97) has been admitted as the 10th
principal in the accounting firm of Dent K. Burk Associates,
P.C. She specializes in audit and estate tax planning and
return preparation; is a member of the Tennessee Society of
Professional Accountants; and currently serves as president
for the Appalachian Chapter of the TSCPA. In addition,
she serves on the TSCPA State Taxation Committee and is
a member and serves on the board of the Tri-Cities Estate
Planning Council.
Julie Wright Short (B.S. ’97) is the executive director of Girls
Incorporated of Kingsport. The organization was named
Affiliate of the Year at the regional conference hosted by Girls
Inc. during its 44th Anniversary and Awards Celebration.
Kathie Ann Self (M.S. ’95) lives in Morristown, Tenn., and works
as a speech pathologist at the Grainger County Board of
Education.
Terry Orth (B.B.A. ’94) was recently installed as the 2010 vice
president of finance for the Johnson City Area Home Builders
Association. His company, Orth Homes, was also awarded
Johnson City Area Home Builders Association’s builder of
the year award in 2007.
Dr. Michael R. Browder (Ed.D. ’93) currently serves as the CEO of
Bristol Tennessee Essential Services and received a 2010 Ned
R. McWherter Leadership Award Winnerfrom the Tennessee
Center for Performance Excellence. The award recognizes
individuals who exemplify outstanding leadership. Mr.
Browder served for ten years as a member of TNPE’s board of
directors. His leadership brought forth many changes in the
organization, which helped it grow from humble beginnings
in the early ‘90s to the organization it is now.
Robert Minskoff (B.D. ’92) is currently a representative for
orangehalo.com. Orangehalo.com is the leading
eco-friendly branding and promotional company
in the U.S. They provide all types of products, but
one of their core products our organic cotton shirts.
Gregory D. Gibson (B.B.A. ’89) lives in Kingsport and works in
sales as the senior executive hospital rep for Merck & Co., Inc.
class notes
He previously worked as the
financial center manager for
this office, and more recently worked as vice president
and commercial lender at New People’s Bank.
Tena Marie Kastner (A.S.N. ’89) served in the nursing field with
the U.S. Army in the Gulf War. She has also worked in
psychiatric nursing and emergency room nursing, and has
lived in Florida since 1989. She now works as an occupational
health RN at Progress Energy in Crystal River, Fla.
Clark L. Phipps (B.S. ’80) has been named the corporate director
of human resources for Mountain States Health Alliance.
He now has responsibility for system human resource
issues for Mountain States facilities in both Tennessee
and Virginia.
1980s
Kelly Tinsley Kennedy (B.B.A. ’89) has lived in Jacksonville, Fla.,
since graduation. She earned an MBA from the University
of North Florida in 1994 and now works as the controller of
Abba Construction.
David E. Maxwell (B.S. ’89) lives in his hometown of Maryville,
Tenn., and works as administrator and vice president of
Shannondale of Maryville Retirement Community. He was
involved with the development of the 34-acre project and
also serves on the board of directors for Tennessee Health
Care Associates.
Allen J. Moore (B.S. ’89) is digital sales manager at the Johnson
City Press. His responsibilities include managing sales efforts
for outside sales representatives, involving interactive
products and services, development and implementation of
interactive sales initiatives, and working with local partners
to develop converged advertising packages. He has 20 years’
experience in local media, most recently serving as online
sales coordinator with the Johnson City Press.
Rebecca Blevins Plemmons (B.B.A. ’89) lives in Chilhowie, Va.,
where she works as marketing administrator for Royal
Mouldings. She is married and has one child.
Kevin Triplett (B.S. ’87) is the vice president of public affairs for
Bristol Motor Speedway. He said in an interview with The
Business Journal, which recently honored BMS as its 2009
business of the year, that the organization works hard to offer
the best service in the industry to its fans. He also said BMS
is going above and beyond its regular efforts in the current
economic environment.
Tommy Greer (B.B.A. ’86) is the managing partner of Blackburn,
Childers & Steagall, a full-service accounting firm founded
in 1961. With locations in Johnson City, Greeneville and
Kingsport, the firm offers services in tax, auditing, estate
planning, computer and accounting services consulting,
litigation support, personal financial planning, business
valuations, medical practice management, technology services
and support, employee benefits and other specialized areas.
Connie Jones Horton (M.E.D. ’85) is a retired elementary school
teacher and still substitute teaches in Wilson County, Tenn.
She and her husband live in Mt. Juliet and have two sons.
Otis K. Cantwell (B.S. ’82) lives in Talbott, Tenn., and is the vice
president of A.B.G. Caulking & Waterproofing in Morristown,
Tenn. He is also president of Otis K. Cantwell & Associates,
LLC.
Mitzi Wright McNab (M.A. ’82) is a recent recipient of The Business
Journal’s Excellence in Business Award, presented to individuals
whose work has brought distinction to the College of Business
and Technology. She, her husband Robert, and their family
have created the McNab Scholarship Endowment within the
East Tennessee State University Foundation for the ETSU
College of Business and Technology. They serve as members of
the ETSU Foundation and the Distinguished President’s Trust.
Randy Rose (B.S. ’81) returned as the financial center manager
for the Bristol, Tenn., branch of the Bank of Tennessee.
Beth Ann Carr Frazier (A.S.N. ’79) lives in Gate City, Va., and
works as a registered nurse at Gentiva Health Services in
Kingsport. She has four children and four grandchildren.
Randy Keith Hammer (B.S. ’79) is a minister at the United
Church of Oak Ridge in Oak Ridge, Tenn. He has received a
Master of Divinity, Master of Arts and Doctor of Ministry,
and has had five books published to date.
Patrick J. Lowry (B.A. ’79) entered the U.S. Army in 1993, after
earning an M.D. from Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine and completing residency in psychiatry at
Washington University. He has been stationed in Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, since then except for a stint in
Heidelberg, Germany, from 1999-2003.
Martha Overbey Martin (B.S. ’79) moved to Reidsville, N.C.,
after college and taught at Wentworth Elementary School
for approximately 20 years. After retirement, she moved
to Radford, Va., and now spends her time with her
grandchildren, at church, traveling and at the Radford
Clothing Bank.
Frances Keezel Schroeder (B.S. ’79) is a certified gastroenterology
registered nurse at Ascension Health Care Services in
Nashville. She lives in Brentwood, Tenn., with her husband
and has two children.
Pamela Cash Gilbert Shinault (B.S.W. ’79) has worked in social
work for the last 25 years. Her specialty is high-risk OB
patients, and she is currently employed by United Health
Care in Knoxville, Tenn.
Hugh Kenneth Stidham, Jr. (B.S. ’79) worked as an art director
for an advertising agency in Texas and did lots of freelance
illustration before entering the ministry full time. He has
served Good Shepherd Baptist Church in West Virginia
for more than 15 years.
Ronald G. Toby (B.S. ’79) has written four novels, four gospel
songs and several poems, one of which was published.
He currently resides in Jefferson City, Tenn.
Sherri Slaughter
Williams (B.S.N.
’79) worked
in nursing at
Holston Valley
Ho spit a l a n d
• Boston Rocker - 27” D x 23” W x 40 1/2” H
• Standard Chair 18 1/4” D x 23” W x 34 1/2” H
• Choose all black or black with cherry finish crown & armtops
• Your choice of logo: University Seal, Mountain, ETSU Alumni,
ETSU PRIDE, QCOM or Foundation, engraved on cherry crown
or silk screened on black crown
• Brass recognition plaques available engraved
class notes
Brass plate engraved.............. $25.00
Shipping & handling............... $29.50
Standard 4-6 week delivery
Rush orders available at additional charge... CALL
Janice Parker Fitch (B.S.N. ’79) relocated to her hometown of
Colonial Heights, Va., where she was employed as a
staff nurse in various settings. She then relocated to
Richmond, Va., got married, and now lives in Midlothian,
Va. She works part time as a nurse at All About Family
and volunteers for Meals on Wheels and the Richmond
Animal League.
ETSU
Chairs of Excellence!
Rocker or chair with logo........................ $310.00
Personalization under logo (front of chair)
1st line................................... $25.00
2nd line.................................. $10.00
3rd line................................... $10.00
1970s
Vickie Lynn Cable (B.S. ’79) lives in Knoxville, Tenn., where
she works as a client support specialist in brokerage at
Charles Schwab.
27
class notes
Bristol Medical Associates.
She has taught piano for several
years and now works with her husband, a reverend, as
organist at Belle Meadows Baptist Church in Bristol.
Sandra Graves Irving (B.S.N. ’78) worked in critical care for 25
years and retired from the Johnson City Medical Center
Hospital as a charge nurse. She currently lives in Johnson
City. Jan Argo Yates (B.S.’78) was recently promoted from
senior vice president to treasury management specialist
by Bank of Tennessee. She has worked with the company
for more than two years and has more than 30 years of
overall banking experience. In her new position, she will be
responsible for the bank’s treasury management products
for businesses, including product development, sales and
compliance. She will also work with other relationship
managers as an integral part of their sales team.
Deborah Honaker Blades (A.D.H. ’77) lives in Morehead County,
N.C., and works as a dental hygienist.
David Ronald Gregory (M.A. ‘74) retired from the Johnson City
School System, where he taught physical education for
32 years and coached junior high sports for 12 years. He
was president of the Johnson City Lions Club in 1991 and
served as a Melvin Jones Fellow with the International
Foundation of Lions Clubs.
Ronald L. May (M.A.T. ’69) worked as a faculty member at Indiana
University from 1974-1985; held dean and vice president
positions from 1985-1992; was president of Louisburg College
from 1993-1998; and was vice president of Virginia Community
College System from 1999-2006. He is currently the president
of Ancilla College, where he has worked since 2006.
Terry L. Moore (B.S. ’69) retired from Ford Motor Credit Company
in 2003 after 30 years of service. He retired from the U.S. Army
Reserve in 2004, with 29 years of service, serving two tours of
Ireland and one in Scotland in 2009. He is currently a security
guard at Bristol Security Associates Co., in Bristol, Tenn.
Marsha Fritz Shultz (B.S. ’69) worked as a teacher for 10 years and
retired from Bank of America as a bank teller after 10 years
of employment.
Mary Miller Thurman (B.S. ’69) taught fourth grade for 33 years
in Hawkins County before retiring in 2002. She now lives in
Church Hill, Tenn., with her husband.
Louis Bernard Whitney (B.S. ’69) has been in the music business
since he graduated college. He is a recording studio owner
in Springfield, Miss., and has lived in the state since 1970.
Carl H. Bennett (M.A. ’73) is a retired teacher who resides in
Jonesborough, Tenn. He works part time at the Johnson
City Senior Center, where he plays basketball, softball,
and volleyball.
David Charles Yates (B.S. ’69) worked for 29 years with the Dickenson
County School System in Virginia, including six years in
the classroom, 12 years as principal, 11 years as assistant
superintendent, and six years as director of federal programs.
Carolyn Repass Cook (B.S. ’73) is president and CEO of Absolute
Communications, a Kingsport company that was
recently awarded “best international brochure” from
the International Association of Professional Brochure
Distributors. The company won second place against
19,000 entrants from around the world.
John E. Zeigler (B.S. ’69) joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a naval
aviator and retired in 1991. He worked as an airline captain,
living in Virginia, Texas, North Carolina and Indiana, before
retiring to Florida. Today, he fishes and plays golf regularly.
Polkie C. Gregory (M.A. ’72) is a retired educator. She taught
special education in Carter County and Johnson City
School Systems and was a motor specialist at the Dawn
of Hope for 14 years. She was also an evaluator for the
State Department of Education Career Ladder from 1990
to 1992. She received the Milligan College Leaders in
Christian Service Award in 2006.
John A. Mashburn (B.S. ’72) retired after 37 years as a probation
officer in Johnson City. He umpired the Little League World
Series in 2009, becoming the third person in Tennessee
to do so. He has volunteered as an umpire for 37 years in
the Johnson City Major Little League.
Howard E. Minnick (M.A. ’71) retired after 33 years as a
mathematics teacher in the Sullivan County and Bristol
Tennessee City School Systems. He also worked as a parttime teacher at Northeast State Technical Community
College for 16 years. He now resides in Blountville with
his wife.
Gerald D. Thomas (M.A. ’71), of Thomas Construction in Johnson
City, was recently installed as the 2010 president of the
Johnson City Area Home Builders Association. The dinner
ceremony included a keynote speech from 1st District
Congressman Phil Roe.
1960s
Janie Allison Boyd (B.S. ’69) retired from the Hoover City School
system as a resource and special education teacher after
31 years. Before beginning her career in education, she
worked in outside sales for a travel agency and had the
opportunity to tour many European countries.
class notes
Jerry Ross Harmon (B.S. ’69) lives in Decatur, Ga., and works
as a self-employed salesman.
28
1979-2004, where he held a variety of positions developing
business systems applications and decision support reporting
solutions. He is now retired.
Samuel Rex Johnson (B.S. ’69) received a Master of
Education from the University of Virginia and now
works as a sales associate with Stiltner Insurance
Agency in Honaker, Va.
Jerry P. Jones (B.S. ’69) bought and sold real estate in
Virginia, Tennessee, Florida and West Virginia for
35 years. He is now retired.
Ronald Lew Lewis (B.S. ’69) worked with Eastman Chemical
Company for 10 years in environmental affairs.
He then worked in information technology from
Roland Dean Bailey (B.S. ’68) has retired from senior management
in Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., in Erwin. His wife, Linda, has
retired from Unicoi County Schools as a teacher.
David Hurley (M.A. ’68) completed his personal quest of running
a marathon (26.2 miles) in each of the 50 states on October 18,
2009. On that date, he completed the Heartland of America
race in Wichita, Kan., with a finish of 4:19, winning first place
in his age group. He now resides in Roanoke, Va.
Myra Jones Meade (M.A. ’67) is a retired art teacher in Hattiesburg,
Miss. She taught for 25 years in public schools, exhibited her
work throughout the United States and in Italy, and worked
for the University of Georgia’s abroad program, studying
major artists’ work in Europe for several years.
Don H. Mumpower (B.S. ’67) retired as an elementary school
principal from Bristol, Va., Schools after 35 years of service.
He and his wife have two sons and live in Blountville, Tenn.
Vivian R. Chambers (B.S. ’65) lives in Maryville, Tenn., and retired
as director of payrolls at the University of Tennessee.
David C. Evans (B.S. ’65) received an M.B.A. in marketing from
Georgia State University. He now lives in Blue Ridge, Ga.,
where he retired as commissioner of the Georgia Department
of Corrections. He formerly worked as commissioner of the
Georgia Department of Administrative Services and served
as a parole board member, as well as chairman of the Georgia
Department of Juvenile Justice Board. He was awarded the
E.R. Cass Award by the American Correctional Association
and retired from the Air Force with 34 years of service in
hospital administration.
Brenda Cook Harris (B.S. ’65) works as an educator with the Bristol
Tennessee City School System, King College and Tusculum
College. She has received the honor of Teacher of the Year and
lives in Bristol with her husband, Tom, a retired educator.
Barbara Sorple Petit (B.S. ’65) lives in Sterling Heights, Mich., with
her husband. She is a retired teacher and her husband is a
retired electrician.
Thomas Ray Riddle (B.S. ’65) retired after 35 years in pharmaceutical,
insurance, and medical equipment sales. He is a past president
of the Bowmantown Ruritan Club, Tri-Cities Pharmaceutical
Sales Association, and Johnson City Senior Foundation.
Rev. Danny Lee Rominger (B.S. ’65) is an ordained pastor in the
Wesleyan faith. He is also a licensed clinical addictions
specialist, working as the executive director of Alcoholics’
Home Inc. House of Prayer in Jamestown, N.C.
Sensabaugh: Former
Buccaneer Now a Cowboy
Gerald Sensabaugh,
Dallas Cowboys Safety,
has enjoyed his first
season as a Cowboy
and recently launched
a new website,
GeraldSensabaugh.
net. Gerald’s web site is
keeping everyone upto
speed regarding his progress inthe
NFL as well as his involvementin the
community. The web site also features
information dealing with events that he
will be sponsoring,as well as interactive
areas for fans.
In his 5th NFL season, Gerald counted
in 66 tackles and had one interception
playing in 15 games this season. An
injury played into his Cowboy first
year, which brought him back together
with two of his former Jacksonville
Jaguar coaches Dave Campo and Joe
DeCamillis. He had played 4 seasons
in Jacksonville.
Gerald played football at ETSU and
transferred to the University of North
Carolina after the football program
at ETSU ended. He was selected in
the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft
to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In 2009, Gerald signed with the
Dallas Cowboys.
Judith Lyle Shelton (B.S. ’65) has worked as a licensed marital and
family therapist in private practice since 1991. She worked
formerly as an elementary school teacher in the Washington
County School System.
Visit
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with fellow ETSU
Alumni.
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Cheers, John McDaniel
John McDaniel has published 49
consecutive monthly historical articles
as Clan Historian of the MacDonnell of
Leinster Association. John has climbed
cliffs in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland,
tracked down lost castles in Ireland,
and interviewed kinsmen in Ireland
and Scotland for more than 30 years.
Amos W. Stevens (B.S. ’65) worked for the State of Tennessee
Department of Children’s Services from 1996 until 2005.
He is a member of Limestone Cove Christian Church, where
he serves as Deacon and Sunday school adult class teacher.
Eleanor E. Yoakum (B.S. ’65) has served as chairman of First Century
Bank since 1991. She has also served as state commissioner of
personnel, chief administrative officer to the governor, and
chairman of the Tennessee Arts Commission. She has served
on boards for St. Mary’s Hospital and the Tennessee Higher
Education Commission, and was appointed to the Board of
Professional Responsibility in 2010. She was awarded the
ETSU Alumni of the Year in 1999 and currently serves on the
ETSU Foundation Board and is the vice chair of the Walter
State Community College Foundation.
Wayne W. Fallin (B.S. ’62) is a retired chief administrative officer
for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission in
Laurel, Md. He and his wife live in Lothian, Md., and have
three grown daughters and one granddaughter.
Edwin L. Daugherty, Jr. (M.A. ’61) is a mathematics instructor at
Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, Va.
He formerly taught in Sullivan Country and at Northeast
State, Steed College, Walter’s State, and Mountain Empire
Community College. During his time in the school system, he
also received the honor of Sullivan County Teacher of the Year.
class notes
retired from ETSU after 35 years of service as director of
personnel. The couple was married June 5, 1959, at Munsey
United Methodist Church.
retired after teaching in the
Hamblen County School
System in Morristown, Tenn.
Rex B. Seal (B.S. ’60) lives in Wilmington, N.C., and retired from
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co, Inc., after more than 30
years. There, he worked in the chemical and physical testing
laboratories as well as in manufacturing, in nylon/polyester
textile fibers. In his time with the company, he helped start
three plants, one in Indonesia. After retirement, he worked
as a consultant for the company for three years.
Marie Stewart Gulley (B.S. ’48) taught school for 13 years and
owned and worked at the Westside Chapel Funeral Home
in Morristown, Tenn.
Janis Brown Strickler (B.S.N. ’60) retired from her career as a
registered nurse in epidemiologist infection control at
Wellmont Holston Valley in Kingsport. Earlier in her career,
she taught psychiatric nursing at Dorthea Dix Hospital
in South Boston, Va., and worked as a registered nurse at
Halifax Community Hospital.
Obituaries 
1950s
James M. Gumm (M.A. ’59) lives in Hendersonville, Tenn., and has
retired as director of Health, Physical Education and Safety
with the Tennessee State Department of Education. He and
his brother, James M. Gumm, were the first two brothers to
receive master of arts degrees in the same graduating class.
The brothers carried on a family tradition with their careers,
as both of their grandfathers were teachers.
William S. Akers (B.S. ’58) lives in Knoxville, Tenn., and has
instructed graduate and undergraduate courses at the
University of Tennessee, Roane State Community College
and Walters State Community College. He most recently
worked with Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge,
Tenn., where he specialized in developing and designing
programs for education, apprentice, experimental education,
organizational development management and supervisory
development.
Una McNeese Witt (B.S. ’48) lives in Mayo, Fla., and is a retired
school teacher.
2000s
Marla Jo Abel (B.S.N. ’05), formerly of Mountain City, Tenn.,
served four years in the United States Army and was
a 14-year member of the National Guard. She was an
employee of Centennial Hospital, of Nashville, Tenn.,
and a member of Cobbs Creek Baptist Church in Butler.
On November 9, 2009.
1990s
Deborah Terry Patterson (M.A. ’98) was a licensed professional
counselor and was certified by the National Board of
Certified Counselors. She was director of student
counseling at Virginia Intermont College and was a
former employee of Frontier Health. On October 10, 2009.
Marlene Sherrod Hildebrandt (B.S. ’58) worked as a school teacher
in Sullivan County, Tenn., and Seminole County Schools
in Sanford, Fla., before retirement. She has since lived in
Asheville, N.C., and currently resides in Albuquerque, N.M.
D.C. Pratt (B.S. ’56) lives in Fayetteville, Ga., and is a retired
educator. He has authored 12 books of poetry, local speech,
a youth autobiography and has served as a U.M.C. pastor.
He received several awards including the National Gold
Poet Award, Community Leader of America, Honor and
Distinguished President of Optimist International, and more.
He was also a contributor to the National Teacher Anthology
and an honorary citizen of the Tennessee Contributor National
Poetry Anthology.
Frederick “Pal” Barger (B.S. ’55) was honored at this year’s
inaugural Dobyns-Bennett Alumni Association Hall of Fame.
A member of DB’s 1948 graduating glass, he opened his first
fast-food restaurant on Revere Street in 1956 and has expanded
Pal’s to 18 locations in Tennessee and Virginia. In 2001, Pal’s
won the coveted Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award,
becoming the only restaurant to do so.
Luther H. Icenhour (B.S. ’60) is an attorney with Icenhour & Edens
in Bristol, Tenn. He received his Juris Doctor from the
University of Tennessee College of Law in 1964.
Jean E. Conner (B.S. ’50) lives in Rockledge, Fla., and is retired
from the Brevard County Board of Education, where she
taught for 38 years.
Horace E. Jones, Jr. (B.S. ’60) is retired from the Virginia Department
of Health, where he worked for 36 years as program manager
with the division of Environmental Health Specialists in
Fairfax County. One highlight of his career was when he was
elected as president of the National Environmental Health
Association, and was then selected to attend an environmental
health conference in Moscow in 1988. While there, he was
part of the first American Public Health Team to tour the
nuclear plant in Chernobyl.
Helen Templeton Freshour (B.S. ’50) lived all over the country, as
she moved every time her husband got a promotion. As
the vice president of MetLife, that was quite often. They
traveled to Africa and 14 other countries before settling in
Midlothian, Va.
Oscar Jennings “Bud” Leach, Jr. (B.S. ’60) and wife Patsy Leach
(B.S. ’58) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday,
June 6, 2009, at a reception at their home, hosted by their
children and grandchildren. He retired from Kingsport
Foundry and Machine Works as field sales manager. She
Gene H. Tolley (B.S. ’49) works as a scout executive with the Boy
Scots of America in Jackson, Miss. He has been affiliated
with the BSA for 37 years, with the Rotary for 50 years and
has been an avid boater for 60 years.
Damon B. Mitchell (B.S. ’50) resides in Hixson, Tenn., with his wife
and is the minister at Sale Creek United Methodist Church.
1940s
Virginia Hodges Stokely (B.S. ’49) lives in Newport, Tenn., and is
every semester to
provide alums with the
latest alumni news and
class notes. However,
the rising cost of paper
and postage makes it
a challenge to keep
printing ETSU Today.
Help support ETSU
Today and the Alumni
Association Programs
with your voluntary
subscription of $25.
Call 423-439-4218 or
visit
www.etsualumni.org
to make a gift.
class notes
Jeanette B. Fox (B.S. ’60) taught school for 33 years with the Yancey
County Board of Education in North Carolina. She has since
been involved in various community organizations, has
served on several boards, and is very active in her church.
Rev. Walter Joe Wall, Jr. (B.S. ’55) retired from the ministry after
serving as pastor at Lovelace Baptist Church in Fall Branch,
Tenn., from 1966 to 1994 and at Bowmantown Baptist Church
in Washington County, Tenn., from 1958 to 1960. He has
returned to Lovelace as Interim Pastor four times since 1994.
He also authored a book, Beyond Your Mountain, dealing
with grief and the loss of a loved one in 2006.
The
Alumni
Association works hard
29
class notes
Gerald Jerry Doane Cook (M.B.A.
’97) was a member of Faith
Baptist Church. He retired from B&K Construction in
2006. On March 29, 2009.
lifelong member of Stoney Gap Baptist Church. She is survived
by her son, daughter-in-law, three granddaughters, brother,
sister-in-law, niece, nephew, great niece and great nephew.
On January 4, 2010.
Kimberly Jo Thornton (B.S.N. ’96) was a member of the
Pentecostal Faith. On September 16, 2009.
Joanne P. Humphreys (B.S. ’91) was an avid reader and adventure
seeker who enjoyed sewing, scrapbooking, painting, hang
gliding, motorcycle riding and thrill seeking. After earning
a master’s degree in social work, she also attained a Mastery
of Clinical Hypnotherapy. On December 23, 2009.
Joe K. Douthat (B.S. ’95) served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force,
which allowed him to travel the world while providing
for his family. Upon his retirement, he taught Aerospace
Science for a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
program at Hernando High School in Brooksville, Fla.,
for 16 years. There, he also taught the tennis team. On
February 25, 2010.
Edward L. Davis, Jr. (B.S. ’94) founded the Edward L. Davis
Insurance Agency in Needham, which operates today as
the Provider Insurance Group. He was active in numerous
community organizations, and was a long-time member
of the Needham Congregational Church in Needham,
Mass. On January 24, 2009.
James W. “Plumber” Townsend, Jr. (B.S. ’94) was a former
plumber and retired from the Elizabethton City School
System. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of
Columbus and an avid Elizabethton Cyclones fan. On
October 25, 2009.
Davina L. Maltsburger (B.S. ’93) worked at Free Will Baptist
Family Ministries Inc., in Greeneville, Tenn. She was
pursuing a doctorate at ETSU. On January 31, 2010.
Joyce Dye (B.S. ’92) was saved at an early age and was a
Mister Jennings coaches
Bluefield
College
Mister Jennings is
Donald T. Moorhouse (M.S. ’90) served 15 years as a Christian well known on the
minister and most recently the associate pastor of New Bethel ETSU campus as the
Presbyterian Church in Piney Flats. On October 13, 2009.
1980s basketball player who
Betty Ann Miles (B.S. ’89) was of the Catholic Faith. In addition to exhibited natural leadership through
her parents, she is survived by a daughter, a son, two brothers a diligent work ethic and unrivaled
and sisters-in-law, a sister and brother-in-law, a niece, and
ambition. While playing at ETSU from
four nephews. On January 13, 2010.
Alice K. Shelton (B.S. ’89) was very involved in the Human Rights 1987-91 Jennings became an AllCampaign and the Lucky Star Cavalier Rescue. She was a
driver for the United Parcel Service and a member of the American point guard and led the nation
Jonesborough United Methodist Church. On February 28, 2010.
in 3-point accuracy shots.
Jennifer May Landon (B.S. ’88) was very active in the Church Street
United Methodist Church in Claxton, Tenn. She participated in
the Crossroads Sunday school class, the Stephen Ministry and a
variety of other ministries. She was also involved with various
school organizations for her children. On November 29, 2009.
Dr. Howell B. Dalton, Jr. (Res. ’87) was a doctor of internal medicine.
He was involved in several charities, including the March of
Let your Legacy
Live Forever at ETSU
Give a planned gift:
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• Charitable remainder trust for
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• Life insurance policy
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Click on “Planned Giving” for gift
planning resources
After returning to finish his degree,
graduating in 2008, Jennings went on
to help the coaches at Science Hill.
Jennings was supposed to return to help
the Hilltoppers; however, he received
a call from Richard Morgan, BC head
coach, who offered him a position to
help coach at Bluefield College. Helping
coach at Bluefield has given him a
great basis for achieving the goal of
his dreams, becoming a head coach
for the college level.
The Rams finished with an appearance
in the National Christian College
Athletic Association Tournament and
as regular season champions (11-5) in
the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
Dimes, and was a member of the Chattanooga Hamilton
County Medical Society, Tennessee Medical Association and
the American Medical Association. On December 24, 2009.
Kelly Fayette Arnold (B.S. ’86) was a member of Walnut Grove
Baptist Church in Mountain City, Tenn. His survivors include
his wife Tara, one brother, one sister-in-law, two nieces, a
mother-in-law and father-in-law, one brother-in-law and
his godmother. On October 21, 2009.
class notes
Dr. Stephen Jon Ross (M.D. ’86) was the founding partner of Genesis
Women’s Care in Nashville. He was a gifted physician and a
long-time fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and
Gynecology. He was also a member of the American Medical
Association, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
and American Fertility Society. On August 6, 2009.
30
Patricia Lynne Thagard (B.A. ’86) was born in South Miami, Fla.,
and later moved to Johnson City, where she attended the Bread
of Life Fellowship Church. She enjoyed reading, trivia games
and loved cats and dogs. On October 16, 2009.
We welcome the opportunity to work with you & your financial advisors.
Please contact Dr. Richard A. Manahan or Jeff Anderson, J.D., at (423) 439-4242,
ETSU University Advancement, P.O. Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37614-1710 or
email, [email protected].
Jennifer L. Ratliffe (A.S.N. ’84) was a registered nurse employed
by Ask-A-Nurse. She was of the Baptist faith. On January
10, 2010.
Kim Davis Santulli (B.S. ’83) was director of the Child Learning
Center at Austin Peay State University. She also attended the
University of Tennessee agriculture school and was a master
gardener. On February 20, 2010.
Steven Sparks (B.B.A. ’83) was self-employed and was a lifelong
resident of Sullivan County, Tenn. His survivors include
his wife, daughter, two sons, father, brother, special aunt,
mother- and father-in-law, special uncle, and several cousins.
On March 1, 2010.
Betty Vossberg McCauley (M.E.D. ’82) touched the lives of special
needs children for 25 years as an exceptional needs teacher
in Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia and Florida schools. On
November 13, 2009.
David A. Chambers (M.B.A. ’81) was an industrial engineer for
Berkline Furniture, Ganies and New Generations Furniture
Manufacturing. On March 28, 2009.
Richard Schmid, Jr. (B.S. ’80) was a true Renaissance man: an artist,
musician actor, historian, preservationist, humorist, writer
and beloved teacher. He was a problem solver, be it with a
wayward student, an errant stage light or a perplexing theatre
design. On December 31, 2009.
Alice Gilbert Sheidler (B.S. ’80) moved to Erwin in 1949. While
working for the Health Department, she met, married, and
started a family with Dr. Stewart Sheidler. After her children
started school, she began a teaching career that lasted until
retirement. On October 3, 2009.
1970s
Mary Lou Wilson Angle (B.S.N. ’79) was the director of nursing at
Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Va. She was
also very active in volunteer work in the community. On
February 5, 2009.
James Anthony Eckel (B.S. ’79) was a high school administrator,
teacher and coach in Tennessee. He was a veteran of the
United States Armed Services and was very involved in the
community and active in several organizations, including
Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, the Kiwanis Club, NAACP, Reunion
of the Age, Tee to Green Golf Club and the Democratic Party.
On January 24, 2010.
Marion “Alex” Edens (E.D.S ’79) retired after 34 years in the Greene
County School System as teacher, principal, assistant principal
and assistant superintendent. He was a veteran of the U.S.
Navy and a member of Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, where he served twice as elder. He also served in
Greene County government for 18 years. On October 16, 2009.
Donald Lewis Reed (B.S. ’79), originally from Stone Mountain, is
survived by his wife Dorothy, three sons, mother, sister, three
brothers and grandson. On October 17, 2009.
Gene Hensley (M.B.A. ’78) served as president and chief executive
officer of Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union
(originally Mead Kingsport Credit Union) for 31 years. He
was very active in Credit Union organizations on state and
federal levels, serving on the boards of directors for Mutual
Guaranty, Tennessee Credit Union League, and Volunteer
Corporate Credit Union, in Nashville. He also served on
the board of officers and as president for the Northeast
Tennessee Chapter of the Tennessee credit Union League.
On February 19, 2010.
Randall E. Brown (B.S. ’77) was employed at Builders First Source
in Knoxville, Tenn. He loved coaching football, hunting,
fishing and spending time with his family. On January 4, 2010.
Lorna McKinney Garrison (B.S. ’77) is survived by her husband,
Billy Bob, who was her high school sweetheart. Two of her
proudest accomplishments were being named Tennessee
Child Protective Services Worker of the Year ’80-’81 and
being recognized for her Outstanding Service by Gov. Ned
McWherter in ’91. On November 1, 2009.
Louise Bilbo Smith (M.A. ’77) taught various courses in Hattiesburg,
Miss., and later in the English departments at John Sevier
Junior High School and Dobyns-Bennett High School. She
was an avid reader and music lover, as well as a supporter of
the arts. She served on the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra
Guild. On December 28, 2009.
Kelly Yates (B.S. ’76) served in the United States Army during the
Korean Conflict. He was an avid fisherman, outdoorsman
and bluegrass player, who enjoyed spending time with his
James M. Long (B.S. ’75) worked for WGAT in Gate City, Va., for
34 years, where he was the voice of Gate City Sports. On
September 10, 2009.
Nixon “Sonny” Mann (B.S. ’75) was a native of Covington, Va.
He served as a member of the U.S. Army during the
Vietnam War and was awarded several decorations and
commendations. He was a salesman with United Flooring
Company in Charlotte, N.C., and is survived by three sisters.
On October 6, 2008.
Joseph B. Morrison, Jr. (B.S. ’75) retired from GMAC after nearly
35 years of service. Afterward, he enjoyed fishing, gardening,
photographing and spending time with his grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. He attended Bethel Christian
Church Disciples of Christ in Jonesborough. On October
31, 2009.
Milton Edwin Brookman, Jr. (M.A. ’74) was a native of Princeton,
W.Va., and was of the Christian faith. He taught and coached
at Graham High School in Bluefield, Va.; at Floyd County
High School in Floyd, Va.; and at Colonial Heights High
School in Bristol. He was the supervisor of maintenance
in the Bristol Virginia School System for 17 years. On
September 6, 2009.
Evie Jean Nowell Burch (A.S.N. ’74) was an RN for thirty years
in Kingsport. After retiring, she moved to the Lake Martin
area. On December 19, 2009.
Robert N. Conway (B.S. ’74) was an active member of Southgate
Baptist Church, where he served as elder, chairman of the
Compassion and Benevolence Committee and leader of
the Discovery Class. He was past president of Gideons
Clark County Camp and president of Industrial Control
Engineering. On December 11, 2009.
Allen L. Leutbecher (B.S. ’74) was a former teacher in the Russell
County, Va., School System and was an avid hunter and
fisherman. On September 25, 2009.
Nancy Seaton Robinson (B.S. ’73) worked as an administrator
for ETSU’s Cecile Cox Quillen Chair of Medicine in Geriatrics
and Gerontology. She is survived by her husband, David,
director of the PASTA program in the College of Business
and Technology’s Department of Computer and Information
Sciences, and their two children. On November 18, 2010.
Mildred Schulken Smith (M.A. ’73) was library director of DobynsBennett High School in Kingsport until she retired in 1983.
She was a member of the local Women’s Virginia Club and
continued her interest in literature after retirement through
membership in the Contemporary Book Club. She was also
involved with the Kingsport Retired Teachers Association.
On January 15, 2010.
Edward C. Agee (B.S. ’72) began his accounting career at Price
Waterhouse, leaving in ’79 to assist in the organization of
Ward & Company, a southeast regional firm. In ’84, he and
that company’s partners merged their practice into Touch
Ross & Company. He was an avid boater and yachtsman
and loved tracing his family genealogy and family history.
On November 23, 2009.
Colin Bradley (B.S. ’72) served his country during the Vietnam
War as a U.S. Navy Communications Technician and retired
as a senior chief in 1981. He retired from civilian service with
the U.S. government in 1997, where he was a procurement
manager for the Department of State. He was a volunteer
with hospice and community theater groups in Virginia,
and participated in several productions as director, set
designer and costume designer. On September 30, 2009.
David M. Dickerson (B.S. ’72) was a longtime Realtor and
auctioneer in the Morristown area. On October 6, 2009.
class notes
ETSU SUMMER
CAMPS—2010
For more information on summer
camps, visit
http://www.etsu.edu/scs/renaissancechild.htm
General Campus Camps
ӽӽ Science and Forensics Camp – June 7-11 & July 19-23ӽ
8 a.m. until 5 p.m. | Children ages 12-15
ӽӽ Girls in Science and Technology – June 8-12 &
June 22-26
ӽӽ 8:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. | Girls entering 5th grade
– limit 20 campers
ӽӽ Computer Camp for Teens – June 14-18ӽ
8 a.m. until 5 p.m. | Ages 12 and up
ӽӽ Renaissance Child Camp – June 21-25ӽ
8 a.m. until 5 p.m. | Children ages 6-10
ӽӽ Renaissance Challenge Camp – June 28 – July 2ӽ
8 a.m. until 5 p.m. | Children ages 11-13
ӽӽ Classic Renaissance Child Camp – July 26-30ӽ
Children ages 6-12 | 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
ӽӽ Art, Music, and Drama Camp – TBA Summer 2010ӽ
8 a.m. until 5 p.m. | Children ages 10-16
ӽӽ Digital Media Camp – TBA Summer 2010ӽ
Ages 15 and up (rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors)
ETSU Scott Niswonger Digital Media Lab
Gray Fossil Site Camps
Contact: Gray Fossil Museum at 423-439-3659
http://www.grayfossilmuseum.com/
ӽӽ Paleo-Adenturer Summer C amp – July 19-23
ӽӽ 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. | Children age 7
ӽӽ Paleo-Explorer Summer Camp – July 26-30ӽ
8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. | Children ages 13-16
ӽӽ Paleo-Pioneer Summer Camp – June 21-25; June
28- July 2; July 5-9; July 12-16
ӽӽ 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. | Session 1 - Children ages 8-12
Quillen College of Medicine Camps
ӽӽ James H. Quillen College of Medicine’s Medical Summer Camp
– June 20-25 | For high school students
Contact: Carolyn Sliger at 423-439-6737 or [email protected]
http://www.etsu.edu/com/familymed/ruralprogram/
medcamp/default.aspx
Music Camps
ӽӽ S t r i n g / F i d d l e
Camp
–
June
2 1 - 2 5ӽ
Classes and concerts held at ETSU. www.markoconnor.com
John Benton Meade (B.M. ’72) began his teaching career in the
Sullivan County School System as a band director. He was a
member of The Charles Goodwin Orchestra for many years.
On January 11, 2010.
BN Cabinet Treasure, Lion of the Decade from 1994
to 1995 and a Melvin Jones Fellow. On December
18, 2009.
Daniel B. Rasar (B.S. ’72) was an Air Force veteran when he earned
his accounting degree. He worked for Johnson City Foundry
and Iron Works for 15 years. After retiring, he became a
substitute teacher in the Washington County School System.
He was a member of Metro Lions Club, Zone chairman, 12-
Donald F. Fleenor (M.S. ’71) was a well-known resident
of Abingdon, Va., and a retired teacher. He spent
several years teaching at various schools in the area
and was a member of the Abingdon Civitan Club, an
Eagle Scout and former scoutmaster for Troop 22.
class notes
Robert Warren, Sr. (M.A. ’76) was a retired veteran, serving 18
years in the Army and in the Vietnam War. He worked 17
years as a physician’s assistant with the Augusta State Medical
Prison and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 649, DAV
and Colonels of Kentucky. On March 31, 2009.
grandchildren. He was a member of the First Christian
Church of Elizabethton and the Willing Workers Sunday
School Class. On November 17, 2009.
31
class notes
Want an MBA in just 12 Months?
He was a veteran, having served
in the Army Chemical Corps.
On January 19, 2010.
Nancy Robinson Hicks (B.S. ’71)
was a lifelong resident of
Hawkins County and the oldest
member of Indian Ridge Baptist
Church. On February 8, 2009.
Paul Wayne Long (B.S. ’71) founded
the Airport Auto Auction in
Alcoa, Tenn., in 1981. He also
served in many capacities at
Madison Avenue Baptist Church
in Maryville, Tenn. On April
21, 2009.
ETSU’s AMBA program allows working professionals to earn an MBA
in just one year. It is designed for those with at least three years
of professional experience who desire a rapid-paced, alternative
delivery of MBA courses.
For more information contact Pete Cornett, the MBA Coordinator,
at [email protected], or call 423-439-4622.
The first AMBA cohort graduated
in Fall, 2009. Be a part of a whole
new group beginning in August 2010.
Demographics
2008-2009 AMBA Cohort
class notes
Gary Hughes.............................................. AT&T Mobility
Diego Iglesias........................................Bank of Tennessee
Marcos Pavlovich..................................Bank of Tennessee
Chris Chandley................................................... Citi Cards
Bob Barnwell.............................................Creative Energy
Terry Ayers-Ryan................................ Crown Laboratories
Les Arnold............................................ Eastman Chemical
Shawna Harper..................................... Eastman Chemical
Josh Floyd.................................... Emory & Henry College
Robert Williams....................First Bank & Trust Company
Allyson Haga................... Mountain States Health Alliance
Debbie Dover.................. Mountain States Health Alliance
Lance Torbett................. Mountain States Health Alliance
Steve Whaley........................... Nova Information Systems
Tim Valentine........Office Machines & Supply Company
Dana Harrison........................................... PWC Group
Brad Harr............................................................Sprint
Terry Gamble............................... SSC Service Solution
Tim Harris........................... Sullivan East High School
Heather Price................... The Knoxville News Sentinel
Craig Collier............................Tulsa Dental Specialties
32
Ryan Dailey.......................... Wellmont Health System
Chuck Morley (B.S. ’71) grew up in
Asheville, N.C., and served in
the Vietnam War. He began
his career in the newspaper
business, but stayed on in the
Air Force Reserve as a public
information specialist. He was
a newspaperman for 35 years,
working most recently for the
Thomaston Times in Georgia.
On September 6, 2009.
Colorado for Marrs
Lizz Marrs (B.A.
’08) has accepted
a position as a
Reporter/Producer
at KKCO-TV—an
NBC affiliate in
Grand Junction,
Colorado.
Marrs has worked as a News
Contributor/Intern at WNCF-TV in
Montgomery, Alabama, since December
2008.
As a News Contributor, Marrs has
contributed packages for ABC 32’s
weeknight 10 PM newscast. Her
reporting ranged from news of soldiers’
deployments to holding snakes at the
Montgomery Zoo.
John Pickle (M.E.H. ’71) had
recently retired after serving
as the director of public health
for the Broomfield Health and
Human Services Department
in Broomfield, Colo. He served
two terms as president of the
Public Health Directors of
At ETSU, she served as Station Manager
Colorado and was a treasured
of WETS-TV and anchored Inside Buc
board member of the National
Association of County and City
Sports, a weekly sports show highlighting
Health officials. He received
an award from the Colorado
Division-I Buccaneer athletics which airs
Public Health Association for
on FOX College Sports Atlantic.
Legislative Excellence and
the Milton Miller Award, in
recognition of his contributions
and devoted service in
advancing the environmental health profession. On September 18, 2009.
Jerry Wayne Starnes (M.A. ’71) was a retired principal of Sullivan South High School and a lifelong
resident of Sullivan County. On October 5, 2009.
Wendell W. Craft (M.A. ’70) served 1 ½ tours in Vietnam, earning a Purple Heart, a Navy commendation,
V for Valor, Silver Star, and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Vietnam Operations.
He was also a school teacher and coach. On October 31, 2009.
Gerald “Jerry” Crumley (B.S. ’70) served during peacetime in the U.S. Army. He was a member of
New Life Baptist Church in Bluff City and had previously worked at Sperry, Raytheon and
Aerojet, prior to his retirement from Modern Forge as an engineer. His favorite past time
was trout fishing with his brother. On September 11, 2009.
Violet Mashburn Fox (B.S. ’70) was a 2nd Lieutenant and nurse in the United States Air Force during
the Korean War. She continued service to her country as a registered nurse at the V.A.
Hospital Mountain Home in Johnson City, Tenn. She was a beloved member of University
Parkway Baptist Church. On January 9, 2010.
Randolph Hudson Hale (B.S. ’70) joined the Navy at age 18. After teaching history in Henry County,
Va., for four years, he became a counselor for the Virginia Vocational Rehabilitation Service,
retiring in ’09 with 38 years of service. He also engaged in residential counseling with Blue
Ridge Behavioral Health for nine years. On November 27, 2009.
James D. Knight (B.S. ’70) was a woodworker and enjoyed making furniture, cabinets and clocks,
especially for his family. He was a research lab operator in fibers technology at Tennessee
Eastman. He retired in 1997 with 29 years of service, and was a member of the Boone Trail
Baptist Church. On September 5, 2009.
1960s
Norman M. Anderson (B.S. ’69) was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He was also the
founder of Michael Anderson Associates, Inc. and served on the board of directors for
Premier Bank in Atlanta, Ga. On January 6, 2010.
Kyle Franklin Harrison (M.A. ’69) was a member of Crossroads Christian Church in Gray, where he
served as elder and Sunday school teacher, as well as on the Church board of directors. He
was a retired school teacher in the Sullivan County School System who proudly served his
country in the U.S. Army. On November 22, 2009.
Thomas P. Hornsby (B.S. ’69) was a Vietnam Air Force Veteran who served in the Special Forces. He
retired from Eastman Chemical Company as an Eastman University Senior Associate after
30 years of employment. After retirement, he became a
principal owner of Vision Works, LLC, and traveled worldwide
giving seminars on leadership concepts. He co-authored
three books on leadership and was an adjunct professor at
Milligan College. On October 22, 2009.
Helen Jones Hurt (M.A. ’69) taught math at the junior high level
in the Bristol Tennessee School System for 32 years. She was a
member of Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church, where
she played the organ for many years. On February 23, 2010.
Harold G. Manning (B.S. ’69) was a member of Church Street United
Methodist Church, a loyal member and long-time vice
president of the Smoky Mountain Coin Club, and a long-time
member and vice president of the Greater Knoxville Cactus
and Succulent Society. He was employed by Garden Craft for
30 years. On January 27, 2010.
Nancy Shupe Rovere (B.S. ’69) lived in Powell, Tenn. She was an
educator for one year in Johnson County and 39 years in
Knox County. On August 22, 2009.
Randall “Randy” Shultz (B.S. ’69) joined the Army Reserve after
college and then became an x-ray technician at Brooke Army
Medical Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. He worked for JC
Penney for 37 years and eventually retired to Nashville. He is
survived by his wife, son, daughter, and two grandchildren.
On November 7, 2007.
Chester Buchanan (B.S. ’68) was a Free Will Baptist and formerly
attended RiverView Free Will Baptist Church. He was a native
of Yancey County, N.C., and moved to Erwin 30 years ago.
On October 21, 2009.
Roger Dale Buckner (B.S. ’68) was a heavy equipment operator
for the Buncombe County Landfill in North Carolina. He
loved fishing and camping. On January 29, 2010.
Edward Counts (M.A. ’68) taught at Western Kentucky University
in Bowling Green, Ky., and founded the Center for Teaching
and Learning, which later became the Faculty Center for
Excellence in Teaching. He was awarded the designation
of Kentucky Colonel at WKU, and was a professor at the
College of Education at University of Tennessee Knoxville
for the past 10 years, where he mentored grad students. On
August 27, 2009.
David A. Estep (M.A. ’68) was an Air Force veteran. He was an
avid golfer who retired from Home Hospital after 30 years
as a clinical microbiologist supervisor. On January 6, 2010.
Edward “Eddie” Hayes (M.A. ’68) was self-employed and had
lived in the Bluff City area all his life. He was a veteran of
the U.S. Marine Corps and was a Purple Heart recipient.
He also attended Rockhold United Methodist Church. On
January 11, 2010.
Martha Hillman (B.S. ’68) retired after teaching in the Scott County
School System for 32 years. She was a member of St. Patrick’s
Catholic Church in Dungannon, Va. On February 19, 2010.
Jerry Wayne Jones, Sr. (B.S. ’68) lived in the Bristol area most of
his life. Survivors include two sons, one sister, two brothers,
four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. On
January 18, 2010.
Ellen Quallis Stewart (B.S. ’68) grew up in the Methodist church
and later became a member of her local Baptist church. She
was most proud of her family and enjoyed spending time
with them, doing crossword puzzles, taking walks and being
outdoors, especially working in her yard and garden. She was
a retired teacher of the Orange County Public School System
in Orlando, Fla. On September 26, 2009.
Mildred “Nelie” Bise Yates Mullins (B.S. ’67) worked as a postmaster
and operated a service station before she began a career in
teaching. After 34 years as an elementary teacher, she retired
in 1990 from the school system in Dickenson County, Va. On
December 25, 2009.
Johnny Jones (B.S. ’66) lived in Knoxville for 14 years, then Atlanta,
Ga., for 16 years before his retirement from General Electric
James Milton Peters (B.S. ’66) was the owner/operator of the
Computer Store on Main Street in Salem, Va., for many years.
On September 20, 2009.
Neva Gibson (B.S. ’65) served as the director of library sciences
at Clinch Valley College at UVA-Wise for several years. She
established the Theda Gibson Scholarship Fund at UVA-Wise
with a family friend to honor her sister. The scholarship
provided support to students at the junior or senior level
pursuing library science, as she and her sister had done. On
February 8, 2010.
Ruth M. Thrash (B.S. ’65) was a retired school teacher for the State
of Virginia and the Berkeley County School District. She was
a former chapter president of Kappa Kappa Lota Sorority,
former camp director of Camp Waldo Miles (a camp for special
needs children), former president of the Virginia Education
Association, and the former president of the Bristol Women’s
Club. On December 12, 2009.
John Hugh Denton, Jr. (B.S. ’64) was a retired salesman with
Primrose Oil of Dallas, Texas. He is survived by his wife of
47 years, Sandy; daughter and son-in-law; mother, Mary;
sisters and brothers-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
On November 14, 2009.
Judith Bradford Williams (B.S. ’64) was a member of Limestone
Freewill Baptist Church and the Women of the Moose. She
retired from Plus Mark Inc. (American Greetings). On
October 29, 2009.
Robert B. Anderson (B.S. ’63) was a former independent insurance
agent and a longtime basketball coach at Tri-Cities Christian
School and Steed College. He was a native of Poughkeepsie,
N.Y., and had been a resident of Jonesborough for over 50
years. On February 19, 2010.
Clyde Milton Reed (M.A. ’63) was a World War II Navy Veteran
who served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He
taught business and coached golf at Ketron High School
until it closed. On October 3, 2009.
Dr. Kenneth E. Cross (B.S. ’62) served as a Lieutenant-Commander
in the United States Navy in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and
established dental practices in Kingsport, Pikeville, and
Harrison, Tenn. On October 1, 2009.
David Clarke Davis (B.S. ’62) was a retired employee of the State
Department as a music teacher. He began his career as a
teacher in North Africa and retired in 1994 from Brussels,
Belgium. On August 6, 2009.
Wayne G. McConnell (B.S. ’62) was a born-again Christian and a
member of the First Baptist Church of Gate City, Va. He served
four years in the Air Force and retired as a Center Director
for Job Corp in Collbran, Colo. He was an avid hunter and
outdoorsman, as well as a member of the Southwest Virginia
Historical Society, South Carolina Historical Society, Daniel
Boone Community Club and Sons of the Confederate Veterans.
On November 20, 2009.
Najla Showker (B.S. ’62) came to the United States from Lebanon.
She was a founding member of the Delphian Society, a cultural
club still influencing Kingsport’s leading women. She taught
French, Spanish, Linguistics and English to the foreign-born
at ETSU. After retiring, she moved to Washington to be closer
to her two daughters. On October 28, 2009.
Anne Bright Bradford (M.A. ’61) taught at Manatee Junior College
and Milligan College, and worked as supervisor of language
arts in the Johnson City School System. She was a member
of First Baptist Church in Kingsport for several years, where
she sang in the adult choir, taught several different Sunday
school classes, and was active in various women’s groups.
She was more recently a member of Indian Springs Baptist
Church. On January 11, 2010.
Carl Edwin Randolph was a life-long resident of Jonesborough,
TN He enjoyed a number of sports activities and was an
avid golfer who enjoyed playing in the Senior Golf League
in this area. Mr. Randolph was in the banking industry for
a number of years and was involved in property and real
estate development. He is survived by his wife of 39 years,
Janice Pitts Randolph. On March 25, 2010.
class notes
Evelyn Smith Moles (M.A. ’61)
was a retired teacher in the
Washington County School System with 22 years of
service. She was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma
Society and belonged to the Business and Professional
Women’s Club, Good Will Circle, and Garden Club. She
was co-author of “The Road to Providence,” a book on
country humor, which she wrote with her daughter. She
was also on the roll at Providence Presbyterian Church
in Limestone, Tenn., since 1919. On January 25, 2010
Samuel W. Williams, Jr. (B.S. ’61) retired from Roadway Express
Trucking, where he worked as a sales representative for
25 years. He was also a substitute teacher at Tennessee
High, a 33rd degree mason with the Conover, N.C., lodge,
and an active member of the Bristol Evening Lions Club.
After retirement, he was an avid traveler for several years.
On November 28, 2009.
Charles Allan Humpston (B.S. ’60) was a music educator in the
Washington County and Johnson City school systems for
30 years and held various positions in the Tennessee and
the National Education associations. He was organist and
choral director in churches in Jonesborough, Johnson
City, and Knoxville, and was also featured as a chef in
Southern Living Magazine. On October 22, 2009.
Helen Frazier Phillips (B.S. ’60) was a lifelong resident of the
Bristol area and was a retired teacher with the Sullivan
County School System. She was a member of Central
Christian Church and Past Matron (1961) of Order of the
Eastern Star 162. She was a charter member of Tuesday
Morning Bible Study Group at Addilynn Memorial United
Methodist Church. On November 24, 2009.
Jean Watkins Pollard (B.S. ’60) spent her early life in Sullivan
County, Tenn., and lived in Florida and Ooltewah, Tenn.,
for a number of years. She taught foreign language. On
October 20, 2009.
Lonnie Jerald Ray (B.S. ’60) was a native of Russell County,
Va. He is survived by his wife, Betty, five children, twelve
grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. On
October 28, 2009.
1950s
Margaret Barr (B.S. ’59) was a member of the First Presbyterian
Church, where she was a member of the Women’s Circle,
a group that visited and brought flowers to the sick and
homebound. After retiring from the James H. Quillen
V.A. Medical Center, she volunteered at the American
Red Cross blood bank. On February 26, 2010.
Hershell H. Craft (M.A. ’59) was a member of Trinity United
Methodist Church in Ohio, where he served as
superintendent. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the
Korean Conflict and a life member of the Ohio Retired
Teachers’ Association. On September 19, 2009.
Clive M. Whitt (M.A. ’59) taught in North Carolina public
schools until he was elected principal at Marshall School,
where he served until his retirement. Afterward, he was
elected to the Madison County School Board, on which
he served for four years. He also established Whitt’s
Produce at Western North Carolina Farmer’s Market,
which he owned until 2007, and attended First Baptist
Church in Marshall for 25 years. On September 25, 2009.
Earl H. Bryant (B.S. ’58) taught and coached at Lebanon High
School for 30 years. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the
Korean War, and was baptized and attended Highlands
Fellowship in Abingdon. On October 3, 2009.
Jenny Collier (B.S. ’58) was an advocate, educator and public
servant to the University of Tennessee, the Tennessee
Department of Human Services, and the Shelby
County Department of Human Services, as well
as numerous local agencies in West Tennessee. On
September 21, 2009.
Robert “Bob” Lewis (B.S. ’58) retired after 31 years of
service from ETSU’s Department of Social Work,
where he served as chairman of the department
during his last 13 years. Upon his retirement in
1998, he received the status of Associate Professor
Emeritus of Social Work. He also served as the
national president of Phi Alpha Honor Society for
Social Work students. On January 2, 2010.
class notes
Mary Lou Keefauver (B.S. ’67) taught at Boones Creek Middle
School from 1958 until her retirement in 1998. She received
several awards, including EXCEL teacher of Boones Creek
Middle School., Washington County Education Association
Teacher of the Year, and local and state awards as co-sponsor
of the AIASA Chapter. She also served leader of the sixth
grade 4-H Club, and sponsored several organizations within
the school. On February 22, 2010.
Capital Corporation, following 34 years of service. He and
wife Kathy then returned to Flag Pond, Tenn. He was an
avid golfer, and particularly enjoyed spending time in his
day lily gardens during retirement. On September 16, 2009.
33
class notes
Charles S. Lingar (M.A. ’58)
served in the U.S. Navy for two
years, then six years in the Reserves. He was a member
of Kappa Delta Pi fraternity and a lifetime member of
the American Legion Post 3 of Kingsport Jaycees. He
retired from the Kingsport Power Company, where he
served as human resources director for years. He was
also a lifelong member of First Broad Street United
Methodist Church. On January 21, 2010.
Judith Hellerud Hyder (M.A. ’57) was a lifelong member
of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She began her
career as a school nurse in California, and taught and
worked as vice principal in elementary schools in Los
Angeles County until her retirement in ’88. She was
well known for her volunteer work at the Loma Linda
VA Medical Center in the original research studies of
bupropion (Zyban) from 1991 to 1994, prior to its
approval by the FDA for control of nicotine withdraw
symptoms. On October 5, 2009.
Kenneth Wayne Simonds (B.S. ’57) joined the IBM Corporation
in 1957 as a salesman in its nascent computer products
division and rose quickly through its ranks, becoming
the company’s youngest branch manager in Green
Bay, Wis., and worked there for 17 years. He was a
member of the ETSU Foundation Board and was
honored as ETSU’s Alumnus of the Year in 2000. On
October 11, 2009.
Cecil C. Craft (M.A. ’56) served in the U.S. Air Force from
1950 to 1953 in the Korean War. He later became a
member of the American Legion Post #3, Disabled
American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He
was an educator in the Sullivan County and Kingsport
education systems for 42 years, teaching high school,
junior high, and middle school. He also coached
football, track, and basketball, and was assistant
principal of John Sevier. On February 24, 2010.
class notes
AVAILABLE
Jimmie D. Droke (B.S. ’56) retired after 31 years of teaching
in the Sullivan County School System. He was a veteran
of the United States Army. While at ETSU, he played
on the varsity baseball team for four years. He was
predeceased by wife, Nancy Sluder Droke and survived
by wife Violet Droke; daughter, Janet Taylor (B.B.S.
‘85). On June 13, 2009.
34
24/7
Agnes Elizabeth Hughes (B.S. ’56) was a woman of deep faith
and a biblical scholar. After retiring from Duvall County
Florida School System, she volunteered in a center for
handicapped children. On March 29, 2009.
Dennis Lumsden (B.S. ’56) practiced law for several years in
Morristown and Kingsport, Tenn., before moving to
Georgia. There, his law practice for the past 40 years focused
on real estate title work in Decatur and Lawrenceville,
Ga. He taught Dale Carnegie courses in Tennessee and
Georgia, as well as a course in business law at the night
school in Atlanta. His passion was for Bible study and
teaching Sunday school, which he did for the past 20
years. On August 20, 2009.
Mary Ruth Chestnutt (M.A. ’55), of Rogersville, Tenn., was an
ordained Elder and life-long active member of Liberty
Presbyterian Church. A retired teacher, she was a 50-year
member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a sorority of teachers,
and an officer of Democrat Women of Hawkins County.
On December 5, 2009.
Robert Marshall Ross (B.S. ’55) was a veteran of the U.S. Army,
where he achieved the rank of captain. He was an
accountant and worked as the finance director for the City
of Elizabethton and Catawba County, N.C. He also worked
in private practice and was a member and deacon of First
Baptist Church in Elizabethton. On February 26, 2010.
Rev. Mack E. Fletcher (B.S. ’54) served as minister of education
at Concord Baptist church in Cliffside, N.C.; Unaka Avenue
Baptist Church in Johnson City; and New Prospect Baptist
Church in Anderson, S.C. He also served as a minister
of music at Mountain Grove Baptist Church in North
Carolina. After retiring from the ministry in 2005, he
served as minister of music at Poovey’s Grove Baptist
Church, Fellowship Baptist Church, and Mt. Calvary in
Valdese, N.C. On February 23, 2010.
Issac Cleveland Garland (B.S. ’54) played baseball for the New
York Giants Farm Team in Akron, Ohio. He was also a World
War II veteran, serving in the Army from 1941 through
1946 in Africa and Italy. He was awarded four bronze
stars. He helped start the first Guidance Association for
public schools in Tennessee and also worked for Raytheon
and enjoyed building homes. He served on the board of
directors for Skyline Telephone Corporation for 40 years
and the Johnson County Jury Commission for 17 years, as
well as the Planning Commission. On December 4, 2009.
Lillie M. McCurry (M.A. ’54) was a former teacher of 31 years
who enjoyed travel, reading and was a lover of various
pets and animals. On January 16, 2010.
Robert Sams (B.S. ’54) was a native of Erwin and a member
and elder in the Erwin Presbyterian Church. He was active
in civic affairs, serving on the Unicoi County Board of
Education for 12 years. He was past president of Erwin
Little League, Erwin Jaycees, Erwin Civitan Club, and
Erwin Kiwanis Club. He was a former chairman of the
Unicoi County Memorial Hospital Board and was serving
on that board, as well as the YMCA board of directors.
On January 4, 2010.
Leonard Chadwell, Sr. (B.S. ’53) worked as a chemist at Oak
Ridge before honorably serving in the U.S. Army in the
Dental Corps during the Korean Conflict. He was a 30-year
employee with the State of Tennessee, retiring as the Public
Health Department Dental County Coordinator. Within
three months of retiring, he went to work for Affordable
Dentures in Bluff City, where he retired in October 2009.
On February 2, 2010.
Era Jamerson Boone (B.S. ’52) had a love of education and a
gift of teaching that began in the Washington County
School system, where she taught throughout the ‘50s and
‘60s. She was a life-long member of University Parkway
Baptist Church and her favorite activity was sharing the
gospel with others. She served as the church librarian for
over 35 years and taught the children of the church, ages
10 to 12. She also volunteered with the Johnson City Boys
Club as Bible teacher, with the Child Evangelism Fellowship
and with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. On
April 21, 2009.
www.
E T S U alum n i
.org
Ray Alan Blackwell (B.S. ’51) served as deacon, treasurer, and
Sunday school teacher at State Line Baptist Church in
Kingsport. He was a coach and referee for high school
and collegiate sports and a World War II veteran, having
served in the United States Army. He also worked as an
international trade analyst for Eastman. On October
20, 2009.
1940s
Jesse Bernard Andrews (M.A. ’49) was known best as an educator
in Carter and Washington counties. H was a teacher, counselor
and principal at several schools over a span of 34 years. He also
worked approximately four years with the local Department
of Human services. During World War II, he served in the
Philippines as an airplane mechanic and was subsequently
awarded the Good Conduct Medal, AP Theater Ribbon with
Silver Service and Bronze Service Stars, the World War II
Victory Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and a
Bronze Star. On August 28, 2009.
Roberta Slagle (B.S. ’49) was the head librarian in the Sullivan
County Library System for a number of years and was an active
member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. On January 21, 2010.
Alvand R. Williams (B.S. ’49) served the United States Navy in
World War II. After the war, he studied Divinity and Education,
and began a church ministry in Erwin. He also trained grades
1 through 12 in a one-room school house. After meeting and
marrying his wife, Peggie, he moved to shepherd churches in
four more states, finally settling in Florida. On October 2, 2009.
Josephine Farnsworth Bolinger (B.S. ’48) was an avid bridge player
and enjoyed traveling. During her life, she visited every
continent except Antarctica. She was a longtime member
of First Baptist Church Asheville and was a member of the
Dorcas Sunday School class. On August 23, 2009.
Elaine G. Hall (B.S. ’48) was a native of Spruce Pine, N.C., and a
resident of the Boones Creek Community most of her life. She
was retired from the Washington County school system, where
she was a sixth grade teacher for 36 years. On January 22, 2010.
Louise L. Heeb (B.S. ’48) taught mathematics in Tennessee and
worked for Hunter Publishing in Winston-Salem, N.C. She
retired from James Madison University in Harrisburg, Va.,
in 1990 as the coordinator of special programs. While in
Harrisonburg, she was active in the First Presbyterian Church
and served as the clerk of session for many years. She was also
active in Pilot International and served a term as president
of the state chapter. On January 23, 2010. 3
Helen Still Beeson (M.A. ’47) was a native of Appalachia, Va., but
lived most of her life in Johnson City. She was active in the
First Presbyterian Church in Johnson City for 68 years,
serving as a Sunday school teacher, president of the Women
of the Church, member of the Chancel Choir and working
with the youth. She was also a teacher at several elementary
and junior high schools. On September 5, 2009.
Dr. Virginia Nelle Bellamy (B.S. ’45) earned a master’s degree
and Ph.D. from the Department of Religion at Duke University.
During her studies, she became an Episcopalian. After, she
taught in Bishop Moody’s Diocesan Seminary in Lexington,
Ky. She then worked in Austin, Texas, as an adjunct professor
in the Seminary of the Southwest and as the Archivist of the
Episcopal Church. In 1980, the doctor of Divinity Degree
was conferred on her by General Seminary, New York City,
in recognition of her contributions to the Episcopal Church.
Following retirement, she returned to Johnson City. On
December 23, 2009.
Ermalie Harr Bond (M.A. ’44) was a retired business teacher at
Sullivan Central and other area high schools, and was a
member of the Sullivan County Retired Teachers Association.
She was a Charter member of Litz Manor Baptist Church.
On November 15, 2009.
Lydia Sutphin Cates (M.A. ’44) was an active member of Little Doe
Free Will Baptist in Carter County, where she was a member
of the Ladies’ Class. She taught Sunday school and sang in
the church choir for many years. She retired in 1976, after
working in the Unicoi and Carter County school systems.
On February 15, 2010.
Sara F. Boschen (B.S. ’43) worked for the Girls Scouts of America
Organization after college and was most proud of her
Marksmanship Merit Badge. She taught music in the Hartford
County, Md., public schools for 18 years. On December 8, 2009.
Margaret Grills (B.S. ’43) taught in the Sullivan County and Oak
Ridge school systems. She was recognized as Tennessee
Teacher of the Year in the early ’50s. On January 1, 2010.
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class notes
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keeping our records up-to-date. Fill us in, won’t you?
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Send to: ETSU Alumni • Box 70709 • Johnson City, TN 37614-1710 or use www.etsu.edu/alumni
Thomas A. Lyle (B.S. ’42) taught industrial arts at Science Hill High
School and, during World War II, taught airplane mechanics
at Chanute Field in Chicago. After the war, his mechanical
interests led him to accept a position as an aircraft mechanic
on the flight line at Cherry Point Marine Air Station. He was
recognized with several awards as a mechanical engineer and
was also instrumental in establishing two new Presbyterian
churches, one in Havelock, N.C., and one in Centreville, Va.
On January 27, 2010.
Dr. Benjamin Carmichael, of White Pine, was a retired dean of
ETSU. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp, having
served during World War II in the South Pacific, and
had worked as a teacher and principal in various school
districts, superintendent of Chattanooga city schools, and
as commissioner of education for Tennessee under Gov.
Winfield Dunn. He also served as a trustee emeritus of the
University of Tennessee, as well as director of Appalachian
Educational Laboratory. On October 20, 2009.
Pauline Hammer Lyle (B.S. ’40) taught in Sevier County, Tenn., for
two years and in Lee County, Va., for 23 years. She was a
member of Seymour United Methodist Church, in Seymour,
Tenn., and was a wife, mother and master gardener. On
January 12, 2010.
Willis J. Harvey retired from ETSU after 33 years of service. He was
a member of Cherokee Church of Christ and enjoyed listening
to bluegrass and country music, and attending local festivals
to watch his grandson play. On December 23, 2009.
1930s
Maxine Gould (B.S. ’39) lived and taught school across the country,
beginning with Washington and Hamilton counties in
Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Florida. She also lived and taught
in Korea, Okinawa, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and lived in
Germany and Panama. After returning to East Tennessee in
2005, she was a member of Princeton Presbyterian Church
and had been a longtime member of Cocoa Presbyterian
Church in Cocoa, Fla. On September 24, 2009.
Eugenia Brown Boyer (B.S. ’36) was an elementary school librarian
in Oxford, Miss., for many years. She was a member of
the Cosmopolitan Club and the Oxford-University United
Methodist Church. On February 23, 2010.
Josephine St. John Roach (B.S. ’36) taught physical education in
the Johnson City school system from 1937 to 1945 and enjoyed
taking her students to her home in Watauga to play tennis
and ride horses. She was a member of Munsey Memorial
United Methodist Church, where she had served on the Altar
Guild and was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School
Class. On June 6, 2009.
Faculty/ Staff
R. E. Roark was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the 101st Airborne.
He retired from ETSU after approximately 35 years as a boiler
technician. On January 16, 2010.
C. Warren Robertson retired from ETSU, where he was a theatre
professor, to Hickory, N.C., in 1998. There, his work included
eight years as a medical courier for Piedmont Pathology
Associates. He was an avid theatre enthusiast who directed
over 50 plays, both professionally and as a volunteer. He
wrote more than eight produced plays and received several
awards for acting roles in community theatre productions.
On November 4, 2009.
Dr. Samuel S. Thatcher was director of reproductive endocrinology
at ETSU Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology until
1995, when he opened a private practice, the Center for
Applied Reproductive Sciences with offices in Johnson City
and Asheville, N.C. He received numerous teaching and
lecture awards and authored one of the first comprehensive
books on polycystic ovary syndrome. He was also an editorial
reviewer for several professional publications and enjoyed
writing and speaking on fertility issues on the local, national
and international levels. On December 18, 2009.
Rev. Belinda Charlotte Young worked as an eligibility worker at
Henry-Martinsville Social Services and had been program
liaison admissions coordinator at ETSU, as well as secretary
Alumni Spring
Weekend
If you graduated
in ’60 or ’65, this
is for you!
Save the
Date!
Reunions are set
for May 7th & 8th
Circle the weekend on your
calendar & join us for a Reunion
Brunch, Ice - Cream Social, and
Alumni Awards Banquet.
Visit the professors who taught
you so much, and the friends
w h o h e l p e d y o u m a ke s e n s e
of it all.
We'll see you then!
class notes
Dr. Eugene D. Anderson was employed at ETSU Department of
Social Work as an associate professor and interim chair
since 1972. He worked his practice part time, going full
time after retiring from ETSU. He served his country in the
U.S. Navy, received his B.A. from Mercer University, and
earned his MSW from Tulane University Graduate School
of Social Work. He received many outstanding awards in
Social Work and Medical Literature in the field of hypnosis
and had several publications pertaining to his work in the
field. On October 18, 2009.
David Logan led the jewelry and metalsmithing program at ETSU
from 1979 until his retirement in 2003, while also teaching
education courses. He served as chair of the art department
for six years and as president of the ETSU Faculty Senate
during the 2001-2002 school year. He was awarded the
distinction of Professor Emeritus in 2003 and was honored
by the Tennessee Arts Academy with a Lifetime Achievement
Award in 2007. On October 20, 2009.
at ETSU and financial specialist at First Union Bank. She
served as an associate minister at High Ridge Baptist
Church in Martinsville, at Mount Carmel Church in
Bristol, and at Oldtown Baptist Church in Galax. She
also had been a member of Abundant Life Ministries in
Roanoke, Va. On December 1, 2009.
35
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