THE TALON

A grip on news in the Huntingdon College Community

April 21, 2022

WHAT’S NEW?

The Final Countdown

You made it, Hawks! It’s the last day of classes! After a week of finals, poof!, another year of college will be done. For some (about 250) of you, this was your last year. Know that the mark you have made on this institution is indelible, because each person matters here.

Hawks, finish strong! You’ve got this. When you’ve finished your final final, here are a few reminders of things you still need to do before your next move.

Residence Hall Check-out Procedures

First, consult your email for links to check-out forms whereby you can schedule a time for a formal check-out. Be sure you clean your room, remove the trash as instructed, defrost and unplug your refrigerator, and clean your microwave. Complete your Damage Self-Report and have your roommates sign it. When you check out, turn in your forms and your keys and complete a walk-through with your residence director.

Return Your Books

When you have completed your finals, don’t leave campus without returning in your books. They are lent to you for your use for the semester but they must be returned. You will receive instructions from the Scarlet and Grey Shop (bookstore) on when you may return your books.

Return Your Mail Key

When you check out of the residence hall you also need to return your mailbox key.

Avoid Penalties

Failure to complete any of the above procedures or to return your books will result in fines or charges, so be sure to comply in a timely fashion.

Make Sure You Are Registered for Fall and/or Summer

If you are returning for fall 2022, be sure you are registered for the classes you need/want before you leave for the summer. You can also register for summer classes, almost all of which are online and begin May 11.

Applying Wisdom in Service

Thank you for the service you’ve been doing, Hawks—from raising funds to offering an uplifting smile. Here are a few of the service projects we know about. If your group has a service story, please let us know so that we can share it, as well!

• The EDUC 101 class this semester collected and donated 200 children’s books to Chisholm Community Center in Montgomery. The project’s inception came from class member Noah Phillips. He and his twin brother, Daniel, are both members of the , and their father is the director of the community center. Noah and Daniel have been volunteering at the center for most of their lives, and they knew the need for books was great. Way to step up, Hawks!
• Phi Mu conducted a dance-a-thon to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network.
• The Freshman Leadership Initiative invited contributions of household products for the Humane Society and held a Be Kind Week in February, collecting clothing for a local homeless shelter.
• Alpha Omicron Pi raised funds for Juvenile Arthritis.
• Sigma Nu conducted a donor registry drive for bone marrow through Be the Match. Ninety-five Huntingdon family members signed up as potential marrow donors thanks to the drive’s efforts. The project was headed by John Buford.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Panhellenic Association held separate card drives to create cards and smiles for residents of nearby senior centers.
• Chi Omega held Swishes for Wishes to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
• Sigma Phi Epsilon collected more than 180 pounds of clothing for a local cause.
• Huntingdon Athletics conducted their Pennies for a Purpose penny drive to raise funds as part of a USA South fundraising service initiative.
• Miss Huntingdon 2021 Jordan Hollis ’23 conducted a “Field Day” for The Hidden Opponent, her platform charity, earlier this month. The organization advocates for student-athletes’ mental health.

Homecoming 2022

Mark your calendar! Plans are taking shape for Homecoming 2022 (with the theme, “Feelin’ 22”), October 28–29. Registration will be available later this summer.

Greek Awards

Greek Week brought the usual friendly competition and recognition among HC Greek chapters. The following recognitions were given:

• Banner 1^st – Phi Mu
• Banner 2nd – AOII
• Banner 3^rd – Lambda Chi
• Penny Wars – Phi Mu
• Community service – Phi Mu
• Academic Programming – Phi Mu
• Innovative programming – Lambda Chi
• Campus Involvement – Chi O
• Alumni Relations – AOII
• Panhellenic Award – Phi Mu
• Interfraternal – Lambda Chi
• Overall Chapter Excellence – Lambda Chi
• Scholarship – AOII
• New member GPA – AOII
• Above Greek GPA average – AOII and Phi Mu
• Faculty Recognition- Chaplain Rhett Butler ’13
• Staff Recognition – “Miss Ruby”
• Chapter Advisor – Laura Marie Tyree Brelsford ’05, AOII
• Future Greek Man – Nick Hadley ’23
• Future Greek Woman – Josie Connell ’25
• Greek Man – Gaines Jordan ’22
• Greek Woman – Macie Wilson ’22

Sports Talk

• Composite Schedule
• Baseball: Hawks Baseball is enjoying a top-flight season, currently at 20-11 overall and 8-3 in conference. Pitcher Eddie Patterson ’23 was named USA South Pitcher of the Week after a complete-game two-hit shut-out in a 3-0 win over Brevard Infielder Cade Morgan ’25 was named USA South Baseball Rookie of the Week April 11 after going a combined 6-for-11 (.545) with a .583 on-base percentage and a .818 slugging percentage, along with 5 runs scored, 4 RBIs, 1 double, 1 triple, and 1 walk in the Hawks’ 3-game sweep of Hampden-Sydney. The team heads to Piedmont for games April 22, 23, and 24, and will host LaGrange on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday following finals week. Spring Schedule
• Golf: The USA South has already announced the spring golf awards, with Jasmine Paynter ’23 named to the USA South 1^st Team All-Conference, and Emma Cox named to the All-Sportsmanship Team. The women’s team finished second in the Piedmont Invitational in March and second in the USA South Championship Tournament. Bravo, Hawks! On the men’s side, Tyler Bjorgum ’25 was named USA South Rookie of the Year; Owen Burt ’22 and Ethan Unverzagt ’24 were named to the 1^st Team All-Conference; Carson Whitton ’23 was named on the 2^nd Team; Grant Gronka ’24 earned an honorable mention; and Peter Meilunas ’24 was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team. Owen was named USA South Co-Golfer of the Week in March after placing in a tie for second out of 149 golfers in the Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational. He also captured the honor March 9, one of three golfers of the week, after placing in a tie for third out of 95 golfers in the Savannah Invitational, which the Hawks won as a team. Tyler was named Rookie of the Week that same week when he tied for 23^rd at the Savannah Invitational. The men’s team finished third in the USA South Championship Tournament and will find out if they have a berth in the national tournament in early May.
• Lacrosse: The women’s team has shown strength and perseverance this season with a current record of 6-8 overall and 4-5 in conference. Michaela Haas ’25 was named Women’s Lacrosse Rookie of the Week by the USA South after earning 6 points on two goals and four assists in the Hawks’ defeat of Pfeiffer, 13-3. The team’s next game is Saturday, April 23, versus Southern Virginia. The men’s team has struggled this season and currently posts a 4-11 record overall, 1-6 in conference. Their next game is at Averett, 4/23. Spring schedules: Men; Women
• Softball: Let’s hear it for softball! Currently at 24-8 overall and 11-3 in conference. Bailey Murphy ’23 was named USA South Softball Player of the Week March 7 after earning a .667 on-base percentage and .833 slugging percentage along with 2 runs, 3 RBIs, and 1 double in the Hawks’ sweep of Mississippi University for Women during the week prior. The team won a double-header against Agnes Scott yesterday and will end regular season play at Maryville for four games, April 23–24, before the conference tournament begins following finals. Spring schedule
• Tennis: Women’s tennis stands at 8-7, 5-2 in conference play, after sweeping LaGrange in their tournament yesterday. They will play in the USA South Conference playoffs starting April 28 in Rome, Georgia. The men’s team ended their season 3-11, 2-4 in conference, and are looking forward to next year.
• Track and Field: The Hawks are at Berea for the USA South Conference Championships this week.
• Volleyball (Beach): The Hawks concluded their spring schedule with a third place finish in the AVCA Division III national championship, shutting out LaGrange, 5-0, and beating Berry, 3-2. Hawk ’em! The Hawks finished their season at 10-23 overall, 7-2 at home.
• See more Hawk news at www.huntingdonhawks.com.

HAWKStars

• TAYLOR BELSTERLING ’15 and Sydney O’Connor welcomed a daughter, Wynston Katherine Belsterling, March 17, 2022.
• JASON BORDERS, professor of religion, will speak on the two creation stories in the Book of Genesis and what that means for our environment for Grace Episcopal Church’s Creation Care Lecture and Festival, Friday, April 22, 7–8:30 p.m.
• CHERYL SELF BROUGHTON ’72 has retired after a 47-year career in banking. She is traveling, gardening, volunteering, and enjoying family and friends.
• GRANT BROWN ’13 and his wife, Kaleigh, welcomed a daughter, Blake Rose, January 18, 2022.
• HEATHER JONES BUTLER ’13 has transitioned to a new job as a family services counselor for Dignity Memorial. She works with families to pre-arrange funeral and cremation services and is offering her assistance to the Huntingdon family! Contact her at (334) 424-2031.
• Former Hawks women’s basketball teammates TERA MOORE CAGLE ’09, a teacher at Elberta High School, and LORI BONDS RIDER ’10, a physical education teacher at Perdido School, were each selected as the Teacher of the Year for their respective school in Baldwin County.
• JOSEPH CALVERT ’19 married Katie Little on March 19, 2022.
• OWEN ’13 and BONNIE NICHOLSON CAROTHERS ’17 welcomed a daughter, Blaire Elizabeth, March 4, 2022.
• ANJALA CHANDRASOMA ’21 has joined the staff at the Alabama Department of Public Health as a public health environmentalist.
• ALEX LOWERY COLE ’19 was featured on WVTM’s Rick Karle’s Facebook page for using March Madness as “March Mathness,” by posting a wall-sized basketball bracket and using the exercise with the math classes she teaches at Southeastern School in Blount County to calculate probability and related equations. Her students have compared notes from tournaments from 1985 through this year.
• JAMES CONELY, a member of the music faculty and college organist, played an organ program in Fort Walton Beach in the First United Methodist Church Music in March Series, March 30. Later this month he will play for the fourth time in New York, this time in the East River Series at the Church of St. John Nepomucene.
• ADDISON FULLER ’21 married Blayze Franklin, March 12, 2022. Addison is a student at the University of Alabama School of Law.
• ROBBIE EICHHORN ’14 and his wife, Amber, welcomed a son, Bennett Thomas, March 25, 2022.
• We celebrate with Huntingdon’s oldest living alumna, ELIZABETH COX HASSELL, Class of 1935, who turned 107 March 31!
• KIM HOLMAN will defend her doctoral thesis in mathematics at Auburn University April 22. The topic is isoperimetric properties of the circle.
• THOMAS HUGHES ’13 married Hannah Oaks, March 19, 2022.
• JEREMY LEWIS (Political Science) has been elected vice president of the American Society of Access Professionals, and to a second term as chair of the research committee on administrative culture of IPSA. He has been accepted to a panel at the 7th Global Conference on Transparency in Copenhagen in 2022 and continues to host monthly Zooms for AL World Affairs Council.
• HAYDEN MADDOX MCDONALD ’16 married Chandler Darnell, Mar 12, 2022.
• HEATH MILLER ’10 and his wife, Erin, welcomed a son, Duncan James, March 8, 2022.
• SAMANTHA MORRIS ’14 married Sean McGuinness, March 19, 2022.
• MIRANDA OWENS ’18 married Justin Damron, March 19, 2022.
• MARY STEWART HINDS PERRY ’17 writes, “My husband and I just moved to Oklahoma City, Okla., due to my husband’s job in the United States Air Force. In January, I started Occupational Therapy Assistance School online at St. Catherine University in Minneapolis, Minn.”
• MEG PUGH ’19 married Cameron Boothe, April 9, 2022.
• TYLER ROBINSON ’12 and his wife, Kaitlin, welcomed a son, Mack Tyler, March 18, 2022.
• KATIE SCOTT ’13 earned Guild Recognition as both a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and Guild Recognition awardee. She has closed more than $9M within the first quarter of 2022.
• JOSEPH SEWELL III ’09 and REBEKAH REDDEN SEWELL ’11 welcomed their third child, Gilbert Caspian, December 24, 2021. He joined their other two sons, Harrison (4) and Samuel (3). The family has moved to the Old Cloverdale neighborhood of Montgomery, where Joseph is a hospitalist at UAB Baptist South in Montgomery.
• GRANGER SHOOK ’09 and his wife, Mallory, welcomed a daughter, Lucy Carole, March 31, 2022.
• SEAN SINCLAIR ’09, and his wife, Ann, welcomed a son, Samuel Huang, March 16, 2022.
• JES SMITH ’10 married Kayla White, March 26, 2022.
• 2021 Alumni Achievement winner Dr. BESSIE HOUSE SOREMEKUN has published her seventh book, “Yoruba Creativity: Cultural Practices of the Modern World” (Carolina Academic Press).
• AMANDA SPIEGEL ’08 married Nicholas Christopher, January 29, 2022.
• HOPE GAITHER STOCKTON ’87 has been named assistant vice president for university outreach and professional and continuing education at Auburn University’s Division of University Outreach. Hope has worked at Auburn for 20 years, most recently as executive director for the Office of Professional and Continuing Education.
• The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has awarded UAH softball coach LES STUEDEMAN ’93 the first-ever Title IX Trailblazer Award. The award was designed to recognize someone who has made a significant impact for women on the UAH campus. A member of the Huntingdon Athletic Hall of Fame, Coach Stuedeman became the first softball coach at UAH in 1995. Since then, the Chargers have never had a losing season, appearing in 13 Gulf South Conference Championship games – winning eight titles. Her teams hold an all-time GSC tournament record of 71-32 and have earned a berth to the NCAA softball tournament 22 times.
• CHRISTINE SPIVEY TRUETT ’11 and her husband, Ryan, welcomed son Pearson Wayne, March 17, 2022.
• MELISSA MCCLURE WHITLOW ’13 and her husband, John, welcomed a son, John Sullivan, April 2, 2022.
• MARCUS WITCHER, assistant professor of history, and Dr. Rachel S. Ferguson, co-authors of the forthcoming book, “Black Liberation through the Marketplace: Hope, Heartbreak, and Promise of America,” had an op-ed, “Black Gun Rights Matter,” published in the National Review.

Prayers and Sympathy

• Our thoughts and prayers are with COLLEEN COLLINS ’20, a student in the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University, who has learned that she will need a fourth open heart surgery entailing a double valve replacement this summer. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help the family with her expenses (contact Su Ofe at ofe@hawks.huntingdon.edu for the link.)
• Long-time Huntingdon coach and director of tennis JOHN MCWILLIAMS died in March at age 87. Coach McWilliams coached at Huntingdon from 1991 to 2004 and maintained a relationship with the College long after his retirement. He will be remembered in perpetuity in the Huntingdon Athletic Hall of Fame. We extend our condolences to his family.
• JASON SEGARS ’89 died March 24, 2022, in Cullman, Alabama. We extend our sympathy to his wife, Sharon Freathy Segars ’90, and to their family.
• GEORGE B. SIMPKINS ’63, a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame, passed away March 18, 2022, in Eufaula.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Eve Smallwood Simpkins ’64.

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