September 8, 2026

For more information, contact:
Laura Brelsford | hcnews@hawks.huntingdon.edu | (334) 833-4563

August 2026 Alumni News

Births

• Alexander Zachos ’07 and his wife, Mikayla, welcomed a son, Thomas Christos Zachos, in July 2026.
• Stephen Bishop ’12 and his wife, Taylor, welcomed a son, Sawyer Brooks Bishop, in August 2026.
• Allyn Powell Walters ’12 and her husband, Hank, welcomed a son, Noah J. Walters, in August 2026.
• Bethany Martin Hooper ’13 and her husband, Joshua, welcomed a son, Peter Robert Hopper, in July 2026.
• Mary Kathryn Allen ’14 and her wife, Taylor Claire Allen ’14, welcomed a son, Isaac Oakley Allen, in August 2026.
• Carlee Gardner Sims ’15 and her husband, David, welcomed a daughter, Laurel James Sims, in August 2206.
• Maggie Starr Edwards ’17 and her husband, Colton Edwards ’17, welcomed a son, David Sullivan Edwards, in August 2026.
• Hannah Howard Lynch ’17 and her husband, John, welcomed a daughter, Eloise Ruth Lynch, in August 2026.
• Chad Ring ’17 and his wife, Sasha, welcomed a daughter, Sadie Grace Ring, in August 2026.
• Heather Tabor Hartley ’19 and her husband, Blake, welcomed a daughter, Lillian Elizabeth Hartley, in August 2026.
• Haylan Bailey ’20 and his wife, Alyssa, welcomed a daughter, Sadie Jane Bailey, in August 2026.
• Christina Arnette Whatley ’20 and her husband, Bishop, welcomed a daughter, Emersyn Ann Whatley, in August 2026.
• Calan Ates ’22 and his wife, Lakin Kluge Ates ’22, welcomed a daughter, Iris Jane Ates, in July 2026.
• Madison Gray Sparks ’22 and her husband, Dr. Ryan Sparks ’22, welcomed a daughter, Ivy Jean Sparks, in July 2026.
• Stefaney Grim Chance ’24 and her husband, Joshua Chance ’23, welcomed a daughter, Lakelynn Chance, in August 2026.

Weddings

• Chandler DeRieux ’18 married Hannah Lewis in August 2026.
• Sterling Dixon ’19 married Maggie Darracott in August 2026.
• Kimberlee Sechrist ’19 married Dillon Brock in November 2025.
• Mackenzie Smelley ’20 married Logan Young in August 2026.
• Will Curtis ’23 married Macy Dopson in August 2026.
• Sarabeth Sansbury ’25 married Roy Wright in August 2026.

Graduate School Graduations

• Katlyn Harrison ’23 completed the doctorate of physical therapy from Florida Gulf Coast University in the Spring of 2026.
• Cole Simmons ’23 completed a doctorate of physical therapy from Belmont University in August 2026.
• Clay Sipprell ’23 completed a doctorate of physical therapy at the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in the summer of 2026.
• Caroline Culbertson ’25 completed the Police Academy, GPSTC Session 351, in August 2026.
• Will Edwards ’25 completed a master’s degree in sport management from Jacksonville State University in the summer of 2026.

Retirements/Promotions/Honors/General News

• Melanie Stanley Soulen ’80 retired after 40 years of ministry in the United Methodist Church.
• Bill Hamilton ’82 was honored by Pensacola State College as a member of the 2026 class of the PSC Athletics Hall of Fame. Coach Hamilton dedicated over three decades to PSC as the head baseball coach from 1990-2010 and the AD from 2000 until his retirement in 20221. Bill will be honored in September.
• Alisa Koch Beck ’94 held a featured art exhibit at the Armory Learning Arts Center in Montgomery, Alabama. The opening featured her most recent collection of paintings, The Enchanted Faraway, Paintings inspired by Ghost Ranch and New Mexico.
• Janet Chambless ’95 moved from Chicago, IL to Tampa, FL in March 2026 to take the role of Senior Shopper Marketing Manager at Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, supporting the Walmart and Publix businesses.
• Robb McGaughey ’01 is an instructor of sport science and physical education at Huntingdon College.
• Nathan Sumner ’02 has joined the Memorial Neurology/Neurophysiology group at the Memorial Health System in Gulfport, Mississippi.
• John Thornhill ’06 was the keynote speaker in August 2026 ‘Neo’ Melbourne 2026 conference in Australia, hosted by the Australian Chiropractic College.
• Ian Meadows ’16 was named Partner at The Powell Law Firm in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
• Lavia Walker ’20 was published in Engaging Theories in Family Communications: Multiple Perspectives Third Edition. She wrote the chapter, “Intersectionality Theory: Moving the Margins for (Black) Family Communications” with Robin M. Boylorn.
• Will Bearden ’22 was promoted to Assistant District Attorney in May of 2026 in Blount County.
• Kennedy Chambers ’24 is teaching English and is the assistant volleyball coach at Helena High School.
• Sarah Wiersma ’24 has been hired as a seventh-grade history teacher at Brewbaker Middle School in Montgomery.

In Memoriam

• Betty Boone Williams ’50 passed away on August 25, 2026, in Austin Texas.
• Sara Antoine Kaffer ’52 passed away on August 23, 2026, in Mobile, Alabama.
• Ann Merle Thagard Scholder ’53 passed away on August 8, 2026, in Newnan, Georgia.
• Peggy Wegner Miller ’58 passed away on August 26, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
• John Weisiger Jr. ’61 passed away on November 21, 2025, in Cumming, Georgia. We send condolences to his wife, Carolyn Tarlton Weisiger ’62.
• Tom Babington ’63 passed away on August 29, 2026, in Montgomery, Alabama.
• Larry Hinds ’63 passed away on August 15, 2026, in Acworth, Georgia. He was a pioneer for the Huntingdon athletic program as a member of the men’s basketball team and was a member of the Huntingdon Athletic Hall of Fame.  A devoted member of the Huntingdon Society, he was previously recognized with the College’s Alumni Loyalty Award.  He was a fixture at Homecoming events, along with his wife, Harriet. We extend our deepest condolences to her. 
• Doug Miller ’63 passed away on August 4, 2026, in Hickory, North Carolina.
• Suzanne Ruckman Fain ’66 passed away on August 17, 2026, in Karnes City, Texas.
• Fe’Varner Higginbotham ’67 passed away on August 30, 2026, in Montgomery, Alabama.
• Barbara Bell Rivers ’69 passed away on August 17, 2026, in Yatesville, Georgia.
• Michael R. White ’78, passed away on July 8, 2026, in Montgomery, Alabama. He was the Huntingdon SGA President 1977-1978.
• Ward Wilbur Knockemus passed away on August 25, 2026, in Mobile, Alabama. He was a professor and the Department Chair of Chemistry at Huntingdon from 1974-1997. He also served as the golf coach for a short time.

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