The Talon

A grip on news in the Huntingdon College family
December 4, 2018
Send us your news at news@hawks.huntingdon.edu

What’s New?

Huntingdon mourns the loss of student Kedra Curtis ’19

The Huntingdon family felt a devastating loss upon the death of Kedra Curtis ’19, a member of the women’s basketball team and a major in the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, Friday, November 30. Kedra passed away at Baptist Hospital on the last day of classes for the semester. The Offices of Student Affairs and Campus Ministries will offer a Candlelight Remembrance service tonight at 8:30 p.m. on the front steps of Flowers Hall, following a shortened worship service for the final TNW of the year at 8:00 p.m. in Ligon Chapel. All are welcome. When we know Kedra’s family’s plans for remembrance, we will share that news with you, as well. Campus Ministries had already planned to offer That’s My Dog hot dogs after TNW tonight, and those plans have not changed. Come and take a break from studying, share this time of grief, worship, remembrance, and fellowship together.

Finals are underway!

It’s finals week! Here is some information you need to know as you prepare for your tests and for the end of the term.

• Houghton Library is offering extended hours during finals week:
  • Monday, Dec. 3–Thursday, Dec. 6, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 7, 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8 & 9, closed
• FRIDAY is the last day to turn in your books and information resources for the fall term. If you entered HC during 2016–2017, 2017–2018, or fall 2018, your books and information resources were provided to you on loan; you must return them or you will be billed. Returns will be accepted THIS WEEK, December 3-7, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, in the Scarlet & Grey Shop (the bookstore in Roland Student Center). Don’t forget! If you don’t return your books, the cost of the books will be added to your account (which should be incentive enough not to forget.)
• FRIDAY is the last day to return any library assets you borrowed during the fall semester. If you leave campus without returning them, the fine is $100. Your parents won’t be happy with that charge. Don’t forget to return your library assets!
• If you live in campus housing, you must check out of your room with your RA, who will complete a check-list of your room’s condition. Avoid fines by following the procedures recommended by the Office of Residence Life. Residence halls close at noon Saturday, December 8, and reopen at noon Sunday, January 13.
• If you haven’t yet registered for spring classes, do so this week!
• If you chose an angel from the Angel Tree in the Office of Student Affairs, be sure to drop off your gifts before you leave campus, and thank you for increasing the good Huntingdon does for our community!

Farewell, Madame!

Madame Camille Elebash-Hill, who has taught French for Huntingdon since 1975 (43 years) and led numerous travel-study groups to Europe and Canada, announced her retirement last month. Because of her good work, we have French-speaking Hawks all over the world. Houghton Library hosted a retirement reception in her honor November 27. We thank her for the many lives she has touched and influenced through her service to the College. She will return in May to be honored with the Dr. Rhoda Coleman Ellison Distinguished Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award during Commencement Exercises.

Congratulations or special thanks to:

• Congratulations to our December graduates! Best wishes as you enter the big wide world, and please come back to collect your diploma the “official” way during Commencement Exercises in May.
• Thank you to all who participated in the Service of Lessons and Carols, Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting, or St. Nicholas festivities last week. To those who planned and coordinated the events, to those who performed or participated, and to those who watched—we appreciate you sharing your gifts with the campus community and we appreciate your presence.
• Thank you to the Pets on the Porch team of pooches who brought their people to campus to sooth finals jitters among harried studiers Monday. There’s nothing like a snuggle to lower your stress level.
• Thank you to the faculty and staff for all you do to ensure student success, from special study preparation to snacks during finals.
• Thank you to First United Methodist Church for cooking and providing a pancake supper for students on Finals Eve. Syrup does help knowledge stick.
• Thank you to Da Monta’ Wiggins and to the Student Affairs staff for all the good they help the College do in and for our community.

Coming Up

• Worship and Dogs (Hot Dogs after TNW), Tuesday, December 4, Worship at 8, Dogs at 9, outside Drum Theater
• Residence halls close for winter break, Saturday, December 8, at noon
• College closed for winter break, December 20–January 2. Offices reopen January 3.
• Residence halls reopen at noon Sunday, January 13.
• First day of classes, Spring Term, 2019: Monday, January 14.

Announcements

• Students who are approaching degree completion (90 or more completed hours) should complete a Graduation Application as soon as possible. Doing so prompts a record review and progress completion report to ensure you have considered every class possible. Graduation applications may be found on the Registrar’s Office website. Be sure you complete the one that pertains to your program (traditional day or Evening Studies).
• The next issue of Huntingdon College Magazine should be mailed to your home in time for Christmas. Watch for it!
• Drama Club is returning to campus for the spring semester. If you are interested in participating, contact Joaquin Trigueros ’19.

Big CCV Event Coming in February

Huntingdon’s Center for Career and Vocation has partnered with J.C. Penney to offer the JCPenney Suit-Up Event, Sunday, February 17, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. The event will provide exclusive discounts on career wear for students, faculty/staff volunteers, and first-year alumni. The store will be closed to the public during the Suit-Up Event. Watch for more details when we return in the spring!

Tuition Reimbursement Processing Changes

Tuition reimbursement is a benefit provided to employees of some companies to help cover the cost of tuition and other eligible charges for their course or program. The program benefits returning learners who are completing degrees in the Evening Studies program or part-time in the day program. If you are a working professional and are completing your degree at Huntingdon simultaneously, contact a representative within your company to verify if this program is offered and to learn more about this benefit. If you are eligible with your employer to receive this benefit, please review this link, which includes detailed information regarding the requirements the Office of Student Accounts needs for processing.

Team Schedules

• Men’s Basketball
• Women’s Basketball
• Wrestling

Huntingdon Headliners

• With the November 20 release of the USA South All-Conference football awards, seven Hawks were named to All-Conference teams at the close of the season. Offensive lineman Chris Hering ’19, running back Eric Thomas ’21, linebacker Trey Hayes ’19, and kicker Chase Young ’19 were named first-team All-Conference; and quarterback Michael Lambert ’21, offensive lineman Adam Mann ’19, and defensive back Jarrett White ’19 were named second-team All-Conference. Eric Thomas was also named second-team All-Conference as a return specialist.
• The Rev. Sam Brown ’11 has accepted a new position as campus pastor for Crosspoint United Methodist Church in Niceville, Fla., where he will oversee the launch of their fifth campus in Freeport, Fla.
• Two flash stories written by professor Jim Hilgartner, English, went live at The Big Windows Review November 16 and will be included in the next print issue, due out in early 2019. You may read the stories here. Another flash fiction work, “A Plague of Blackbirds,” will be published in ELJ/Elm Leaves Journal: The Blackout Edition.
• Jamie Langford ’17 and Justin McQueen were marred November 17, 2018.
• Dr. Brandy Milstead ’08 married Jordan Hollingsworth, November 17, 2018.
• Daniel Oakes ’17 is working as an admission coordinator for Pruitt Health-Union Point in Monroe, N.C.
• The Rev. Jenny Zeigler Medley ’06 and her husband welcomed their second child, a boy, Connor Wynn Medley, Saturday, December 1. We congratulate the growing family.
• Lexi Stinard ’16 and Neil Lawler ’16 were married November 10, 2018.

Sympathy and Prayers

• Donald McCaig, who spoke at Huntingdon in 2007 upon the release of his historical novel, “Rhett Butler’s People,” died November 11 in Highland County, Va. He was 78. Mr. McCaig was known for his stories about his farm in the Allegheny Mountains where he and his wife raised sheep. Several of his fiction and nonfiction works, including the novels “Nop’s Trials” and “Nop’s Hope,” were inspired by the Border collies used to work the flocks on the ranch. With “Rhett Butler’s People,” he became only the second novelist allowed by Margaret Mitchell’s estate to write a follow-up to her “Gone with the Wind.” Other novels include “Jacob’s Ladder” and “Ruth’s Journey.”

Send your news to news@hawks.huntingdon.edu.
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