The Talon, June 30, 2020

THE TALON

A grip on news in the Huntingdon College Community

June 30, 2020

What’s New

Changes to Fall Classes

In an effort to accommodate social distancing in the fall calendar, some class sections have been shortened by a few minutes and some larger venues on campus will be used as classrooms. Students, re-check your schedule in Self Service to note any changes or potential conflicts so that they can be addressed as soon as possible. The shortened class periods will mean a bit more out-of-class homework or testing, some of which may be accomplished through a new online testing platform called HonorLock. You will hear more about this when classes begin.

Institutional Health and Wellness Task Force Formed

Huntingdon administrators have formed a Health and Wellness Task Force under the direction of HC’s new director of institutional health, Nyree Conville. The committee is planning the protocols necessary as the College opens for fall semester classes in August. Look for more information on this topic in July.

Race and Justice Initiative Established

Huntingdon College was notified in May by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) that the College will receive a Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) Vocation Across the Academy Grant, allowing the College to expand its Vocation and Calling Initiatives to an exploration of race and justice. As part of the grant funding and in response to U.S. events and awakened awareness to systemic race and justice issues, administrators have formed the Huntingdon College Race and Justice Initiative, chaired by Dr. Tom Perrin, interim vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty.  The Initiative has three working groups:  Academic Engagement, chaired by Dr. Jennifer Fremlin, professor of English, and Dr. Chris Clark ’07, instructor of accounting; Student Engagement, chaired by staff members from the Office of Student Affairs and the Business Office respectively, Joe Thomas ’17 and Tachera Porter ’16; and Alumni Engagement, chaired by trustee Wanda Howard ’81 and Laura Marie Tyree Brelsford ’05, director of alumni engagement. Many current and former members of the Black Student Union are involved in the work of these groups, about which you’ll hear more as action plans are formed.

Fall In-Service Dates Planned

The dates for In-Service Days for the fall semester are tentatively planned. They are Fridays, September 4; October 2, 16, and 30; and November 6. These dates are subject to change.

SSPE Creates You-Tube Channel

The Department of Sport Science and Physical Education has created a YouTube Channel. Content will include talks from guest speakers, alumni, and prospective employers, according to Dr. Sara Shoffner, assistant professor of sport management. See the channel‘s first entry, an employer interview with the director of athletics at AUM.

CCV Offers Summer Alumni Hawk Talks

The Center for Career and Vocation has lined up four young alumni guest speakers to talk about their career field and life after Huntingdon. An interview with Dr. Dexter Dean ’13, post-doctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health, was held June 24. Express your interest to ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu for the links to join the Zoom meetings for the following:

• Wednesday, July 8, 10:30–11:30 a.m. CST, Heather Tabor ’19, Administrative Recruiter
• Wednesday, July 15, 1:00–2:00 p.m. CST, Kirk Johnson ’12, Assistant Head Football Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Strength and Conditioning Coordinator
• Wednesday, July 22, 12:00–1:00 p.m. CST, Caitlin Walker ’17, Accountant

Phi Beta Sigma Grows Greek Life to Eight Chapters

Huntingdon College Greek Life added a chapter June 16 as a charter was granted for the Gamma Rho Mu chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The fraternity joins seven other national fraternities and sororities in Huntingdon’s Greek Life programming. Instrumental in the charter were Da’Monta Wiggins, coordinator of campus recreation and chapter adviser; Kathleen Penney ’15, director of student activities; Fran Taylor, vice president for student affairs and dean of students; and the fraternity’s first five Huntingdon members: Akeem Hunt ’22, president; Kelvin Bowser ’22, vice president; Hakeem Filmore ’20; Isaac Ritchie ’21; and Raymond Edwards ’21.

Evening Studies Moves to Three Regional Coordinators

As the Evening Bachelor’s Degree Program winds down, advising for students who are in the program has moved to three area coordinators, with Center Point, Jasper, NW Shoals, Rainsville, and Shelby campuses reporting to Dr. Maureen Kendrick Murphy ’78; Montgomery and Opelika sites reporting to Dr. Chris Clark ’07; and Bay Minette, Brewton, and Fairhope sites reporting to Courtney Jo Hart ’13.

Lexie DeVuyst ’20 Selected for First USA-South Postgraduate Scholarship

Lexie DeVuyst ’20 was one of two student-athletes from all participating USA South institutions selected to receive the 2020 USA South Athletic Conference Postgraduate Scholarship. The program provides scholarships for one female and one male in the USA South to use toward graduate school costs. Lexie was a four-year member of the indoor volleyball team and a three-year member of the sand volleyball team who earned an overall 4.0 academic grade point average, securing the Margaret Read Scholarship Medal at graduation. She will use her scholarship for study in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Florida.

Announcements

• The fall 2020 academic calendar has been posted on the website.
• Registration for fall 2020 Greek recruitment has begun. To express interest in a sorority or fraternity, follow the appropriate link and sign up via the form provided. Note that recruitment for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. are conducted separately from the other fraternities and sororities.
• Interested in public health? Learn more in a virtual fair, July 8.
• Congratulations to the students who were inducted into academic honor societies and into the band fraternity during the spring semester.
• Huntingdon Alumni, Parents, and Friends: Do you work for an organization, business, school, office, or other entity that could employ Huntingdon graduates and/or educate Huntingdon students through internships or externships? Please contact the Center for Career and Vocation with information about potential future placement opportunities at ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu.

Huntingdon Hawk-Stars

• • • 184 Huntingdon student-athletes were named to the USA South All-Conference All-Academic Team in June, more than any other college in the conference. Congratulations to all! See the list here.
    • Four Huntingdon women golfers, Debra Ann Burdeshaw ’22, Abigail Cody ’22, Emma Cox ’23, and Jasmine Paynter ’23, were named All-American Scholars by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association this week—more than any other season in program history.
    • Wyatt Adkison ’19 and Paxton Tharp ’19 were married May 9, 2020.
    • Wes Anderson ’13 and his wife, Charsy, welcomed a son, Malakai Lawrence, May 7, 2020.
    • Christina Arnette ’20 has begun working as an executive assistant with the Retirement Systems of Alabama.
    • Austin Armstrong ’15 and Tiffany Taylor ’17 were married June 20, 2020.
    • Miles Barnhardt ’18 and Sidney Carol Hall ’19 were married June 13, 2020.
    • Alex Baronich ’10 and his wife, Sara, welcomed a second son, Andrew Ryan, May 7, 2020.
    • Kristen McDonald Baumgartner ’06 and her husband, Eric, welcomed son Wesley, April 7, 2020.
    • Randie Caroline Caine ’20 married Daniel Roberts, May 30, 2020.
    • Brandi Bolling Carlton ’09 is transitioning to a position as a middle school counselor in Williamsburg, Va., public schools.
    • Scout Carson ’20 and Candy Martinez ’20 were married June 27, 2020.
    • Blair Casebere ’16 graduated from Emory School of Law in May 2020.
    • Morgan Clausell ’19 will enter the doctor of physical therapy program at Alabama State University this fall.
    • Lorenz Publishing has released a volume of nine gospel hymns arranged for organ by Dr. James Conely, College organist and instructor of music.
    • Kelsey McGuire Conrick ’15, a Ph.D. student in the University of Washington School of Social Work, has been selected to receive the inaugural HIPRC Rivara Endowment Injury Research Grant for her project, “Exploring Influences on Firearm Safety Behaviors.”
    • Natalie Curenton ’17 completed a master’s degree in elementary education at Troy University in May 2020.
    • Katie West Davey ’08 and her husband, Matt, welcomed son Jude Ellis, May 20, 2020.
    • Chandler DeRieux ’18 has begun a position as the compliance coordinator in the athletics department at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
    • Mary Kathryn Dismuke ’15 completed a master’s degree in school counseling at the University of South Alabama in May and married James Garrett, May 30, 2020.
    • Bobby Dunlap ’11 and his wife, Cecily, welcomed a daughter, Nora Cate, May 11, 2020.
    • Virginia Gaston ’20 has been hired as a fourth grade reading teacher at Cherokee Elementary School in Guntersville.
    • Matt Gilson ’17 and Gabby George ’18 were married June 20, 2020.
  • Like most summers, Dr. Paul Gier, professor of biology, has spent his time teaching a course on marine behavioral ecology for Dauphin Island Sea Lab as part of the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium. But this year the classes have been conducted virtually, with his wife, son, and daughter setting up the experiments and helping with filming for student-participants. Read more.

• Dr. David Goodman ’73 (MD, FAAP, FACAAI, FAAAAI) is a respiratory physician in Colorado and has been working long hours with the impact of COVID-19 on Colorado patients. He says, “I often drift back, especially during stressful weeks, to the memory of being in the Chapel listening to Dr. Harald Rohlig bring music into multiple dimensions during my days there in the 60s–70s.” Dr. Goodman served as Huntingdon SGA president in 1972–73.
• Caitlin McMahon Hagan ’12, a new mom as of April 18, earned her pilot’s license in June 2020. She and her family have moved to Arkansas where husband Dr. Kent Hagan ’16 has joined the practice of Advanced Orthopedic Specialists in Fayetteville.
• Michael Hanich ’16 completed a master’s degree in journalism from the University of South Alabama in May 2020.
• Seth Harding ’17 graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in May 2020.
• Ashley Dobbs Hubbard ’03 completed her Master of Education degree at Auburn University.
• Hannah Johnson ’18 completed a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of West Alabama in May 2020.
• Dr. Marquell Johnson ’01 has been promoted to the rank of full professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he serves as director of rehabilitation science and director of kinesiology. He was recently appointed to serve on the Eau Claire Area School Board.
• Minnie Lamberth ’83, a full-time writer for PR and marketing clients, saw a drop in workload when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered businesses. So she took a page from Shakespeare, who was known for writing plays during plagues, and moved up plans to publish a novella, Miss Bertie Explains the Beginning of the World. Miss Bertie is a sequel written 15 years after the publication of Minnie’s earlier award-winning novel, Life with Strings Attached (both works available at amazon.com). Minnie has also launched a creativity encouragement podcast, Your Creative Purpose. Get details at http://minnielamberth.com.
• Lexi Stinard Lawler ’16 has been hired as a first-grade teacher at Leeds Elementary School.
• Dr. Rocky Lyons ’04 and his partners have built a new medical center for Elmore County. One Oak Medical opened June 26.
• Dr. Riley Manasco ’16 completed a doctorate in physical therapy from High Point University.
• Erin Ofe Mauldin ’12 and her husband, Lance, welcomed a daughter, Audrey Elaine, May 8, 2020. The happy grandma is Su Ofe, and the world’s best aunt is Lexie Ofe ’17.
• Chris McCain ’17 and his wife, Jessica, welcomed a daughter, Eva Mae, May 3, 2020.
• Dr. Storm McWhorter ’15 completed her M.D. at UAB School of Medicine in May 2020 and married Corey Jackson, June 6, 2020.
• Ian Meadows ’16 graduated from the Texas A&M University School of Law in May 2020.
• Dr. Samantha Mosier ’07 is an assistant professor at East Carolina University. She earned her Ph.D. in political science at Colorado State University in 2014.
• Andy Patterson ’11 and his wife, Austill, welcomed a daughter, Barrett Ann, in June 2020.
• Heather VanderHey Perdue ’10 and her husband, Tyler, welcomed son George Maxwell, June 19, 2020.
• John Phillips ’14 completed law school at Jones School of Law. He and Mary Cam Raybon ’14, who graduated from Cumberland School of Law in May 2020, have announced their engagement.
• Kenneth Porter ’19 is teaching for Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, Ky.
• Justin Reeder ’18 married Lauren Harkson, June 27, 2020.
• Haleigh Ridgeway ’20 will be a fourth-grade teacher at Monroeville Elementary School this fall.
• Jordan Shelby ’17 and his wife, Bailey, welcomed a daughter, Reese Joy, May 21, 2020.
• Cody Shoemaker ’17 and his wife, Lauren, welcomed a son, William Prady, May 5, 2020.
• Austin Stacey ’17 married Madison Nelson, June 20, 2020. He is working on his master’s degree in healthcare administration and is a graduate assistant in the School of Nursing at the University of West Florida. An article he co-authored appeared in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners in June 2020.
• Jeremiah Stone ’16 completed his master’s degree in youth ministry at the Memphis Theological Seminary in partnership with the Center for Youth Ministry Training. He serves as the pastor of student ministries at Vestavia Hills UMC.
• Marques Strickland ’01 has completed his first year as principal of Lee Street Elementary School in the Clayton County school system, Georgia.
• Elizabeth Thrower ’14 completed a Master of Science in sport fitness and administration through Winthrop University.
• Eric Turner ’17 married Abby Sampson, May 23, 2020.
• Colton Twiggs ’20 married Anna Richards, June 6, 2020.
• James (Chuck) Wallace Tidmore IV ’15 has been named sports information director for Clayton State University (Georgia). He has served as assistant director of athletic communications at Piedmont College for the past three years.
• Dantavius Washington’16 has earned his real estate license and works as a leasing property manager for Arlington Properties.
• Mark White ’17 and Lexie Ofe ’17 have announced their engagement. They have moved to Madison, Wis., where Mark will begin a doctoral program in educational policy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• Rhett Williams ’16 completed a Master of Law in taxation at the University of Florida in May 2020.
• Stephanie Yasechko ’16 has begun working as a pharmacy resident for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Sympathy and Prayers

• Miranda Ann Gibson Avery ’66 died May 14, 2020, at age 76. We extend our condolences to her family.
• Martha Ray Harris ’50 passed away May 6, 2020. In 1995, she established the Ray Andress and Wiley Harris Endowed Scholarship in memory of her parents. She was a member of the Huntingdon Hall of Honor and the John Massey Heritage Society.
• John G. Price ’50 passed away June 2, 2020. In addition to being a pioneer for men at Huntingdon College, he was a pioneer in the rubber industry manufacturing large conveyor belts with his company, Price Rubber Corporation. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Gaston Price ’50. We extend our condolences to his family.
• Loyal Huntingdon alumna LaVerne Davis Ramsey ’58 passed away in May 2020. She was a member of the Huntingdon Society, the John Massey Heritage Society, and a former member of the Huntingdon Alumni Board.  She was one of four Davis siblings to attend Huntingdon, along with her brothers, Warren ’57, Eldon ’61, and Ronald ’66. Three sisters-in-law also attended Huntingdon: Betty Berkstresser Davis ’56, Michelle (Mickey) Butte Davis ’61, and Linda Fitzpatrick Davis ’65. She was also the great aunt of Daniel Davis ’13 and Caitlin Davis ’14.
• Grace King Tribble ’45 passed away May 19, 2020. We extend condolences to her daughter, Elaine Tribble McMillen ’69 and her son-in-law, Michael McMillen ’71.
• Ann Varnum ’61, legendary star of WTVY-television in Dothan, Alabama, died June 10, 2020. Ann’s career spanned nearly 50 years as the host of the station’s morning program. She was also a columnist for the Dothan Eagle and the author or co-author of several cookbooks.

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

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