THE TALON

A grip on news in the Huntingdon College Community

March 8, 2022

WHAT’S NEW?

So. Many. Events.

My goodness. We have been holding back the tidewaters of college events for two years now because of COVID-19, and the dam has burst. Now that COVID case numbers and quarantines are low, normalcy is returning. Here’s what’s coming up:

• On Tyranny—A campus-wide discussion led by Presidential Fellows in the Politics, Culture, and Civic Engagement team preceded by viewing of a taped interview conducted by famed writer Adam Gopnik with the author of the book, “On Tyranny,” Timothy Snyder, and the illustrator of the graphic version of the book, Nora Krug. Wednesday, March 9, 5:30 p.m., in person in Smith Music Building’s Delchamps Recital Hall. Pizza and beverages will be available following the event.
• The 2022 Rhoda Coleman Ellison Lecture featuring best-selling author and illustrator Jerry Craft, Wednesday, March 9, 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. Mr. Craft is the author/illustrator of New Kid, which won the Newbery Prize, and Class Act. Free and open to all.  Here’s the Zoom link: https://huntingdon-edu.zoom.us/j/89719478905?pwd=cTNxTE9KeGdYcmNyQkZEZy9WbXdJUT09
• March 10: DEADLINE for faculty to submit the Tri-Sigma Spirit Ballot.
• FLI Spring Carnival—Come out and play on the Green with games and fun provided by members of the Freshman Leadership Initiative, Thursday, March 10, 12:00–3:00 p.m. For students.
• Phi Mu Dance Marathon—Thursday, March 10, 8:00 p.m.–Midnight, Roland Arena, benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network
• March 11: DEADLINE to apply to be an Orientation Leader for summer 2022. See the reminder email from Dr. Leigh sent today (3/7/22) for the form link.
• Campus Rec Cornhole Tournament, Friday, March 11, 1:00 p.m. on the Green. To register, email Austin Premier at apremier@hawks.huntingdon.edu.
• CCV Career Networking Fair—Open to students and alumni, the Center for Career and Vocation’s Career Networking Fair will feature Alabama Army National Guard; the Alabama Dept. of Corrections; Alfa Insurance; Baptist Health; Buffalo Rock; Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts; Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa; The Retirement Systems of Alabama; U.S. Air Force ROTC; YMCA of Greater Montgomery; and Waffle House. Friday, March 11, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. in Drum Theater. Professional dress recommended. Bring your resume!
• Spring Forward! Sunday, March 13, at 2:00 a.m., Daylight Saving Time begins, turn your clocks forward one hour (so 2:00 becomes 3:00)
• Greek Week, March 14–18: stay tuned for more information from the Office of Student Development
• Sigma Nu Bone Marrow Registry Drive in honor of Haleigh Ridgeway ’20, March 14–15, during lunch hours outside the DH. You could save someone’s life by taking a simple cheek swab test and registering as a bone marrow donor. If there is a match someday, you’ll be contacted for more information and instructions on what to do. Watch your email for more information about this event coming next week.
• Virtual Book Talk: African American Literature, Monday, March 14, 6:30 p.m., via Zoom. Learn what our library has to offer in this genre, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s/young adult literature, memoirs, history, rediscovered classics, etc. Zoom link: https://huntingdon-edu.zoom.us/j/88292211076?pwd=c1dMbVBhSFRjZEtrRGJjcWtZSEhJdz09
• March 15: DEADLINE to apply for the Master of Athletic Training program, Cohort 2, beginning May 2022.
• March 15: ELECTION DAY for SGA presidential candidates and Judicial Board candidates.
• Adapted Physical Education Clinicals—Huntingdon’s Physical Education majors and others taking the Adapted P.E. class will work with students who have special needs from Pike Road Schools in the Wilson Gym on selected dates in March and April, with the first being March 16. Watch for these visiting groups and welcome them to campus. It’s a fantastic program and we’re glad to see it return!
• CCV Internship Information Session, Wednesday, March 16, 12:30 p.m., Stallworth Dining Room, RSVP required.
• March 17: Qualifying begins for candidates who wish to run for legislative offices for 2022–2023
• Spring Break, March 21–25, College closed (as if you didn’t know). Residence halls will close at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 19, and reopen at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, March 27. See your email for information from Joe Thomas, director of residential communities, regarding room check-out expectations and guidelines.
• Honors Colloquy, March 29, 12:15 p.m., for students in the Hobbs Honors Program
• The Salon, Topic: Banned Books, March 30, 4:30 p.m., Houghton Memorial Library
• April 1: DEADLINE: Qualifying ends at 5:00 p.m. for legislative offices
• CCV Connections Coffee, Friday, April 1, 8:00 a.m., the Scarlet & Grey Shop; RSVP required
• Symphonic Honor Band, Friday–Saturday, April 1–2, an event for high school musicians and HC band members hosted by the Band Program, featuring special guest clinician Mr. Demondrae Thurman
• April 4: The current Judicial Board certifies candidates for legislative offices for 2022–2023. The student body will be notified of the slate of candidates.
• April 4: Returning students may submit housing request forms for 2022–2023 beginning April 4. See your email from Joe Thomas with a link to the form.
• Faculty Recital, Tuesday, April 5, time and location TBA
• CCV Adulting Series, III, Finances, Wednesday, April 6, 12:30–1:15 p.m., Stallworth Dining Room (RSVP to ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu)
• Campus-wide Debate, topic and details pending, Thursday, April 7 (watch for more on this)
• Poverty Simulation Training, Department of Teacher Education, Friday, April 8,for Teacher Education students and selected students in the Presidential Fellows program, conducted by the Alabama Association of School Boards
• BSU and CCV Networking Event, Friday, April 8, 10–11:30 a.m., the Howard Center
• MUST SEE HC, a Preview Day hosted by the Office of Admission for prospective students, Saturday, April 9
• CCV/JCPenney Suit-up Event—stock up on professional attire and accessories and enjoy great discounts, Sunday, April 10, 2:00–5:00 p.m., at JC Penney, Eastdale Mall. Bring your student ID to get a discount coupon!
• April 13: Election Day for legislative offices
• April 14: Election run-offs for legislative offices, as necessary
• Good Friday, April 15, offices closed
• Tax Day, Monday, April 18
• Last day of classes, spring term: Thursday, April 21
• April 21: Terms of office begin for new officers in executive, judicial, and legislative offices for the 2022–2023 academic year.
• The Mr. Huntingdon Pageant, Thursday, April 21, 7:00 p.m., Drum Theater
• Finals, Monday–Friday, April 25–29
• Residence Halls close for all but graduating seniors, Saturday, April 30, at noon
• MAY 1: DEADLINE for applying for Commuter Status for the fall semester. Commuter applications received after May 1 will incur a $500 late fee in addition to the $1,000 commuter fee.
• Commencement, Saturday, May 7, 6:00 p.m., the Green
• Residence Halls close for graduates, Sunday, May 8, at noon

J. Christopher Flowers Speaks for Stallworth Lecture

Last week the College hosted J. Christopher Flowers, CEO of the Flowers Foundation, and his wife, Ann, as he delivered the 2022 Stallworth Lecture in the Liberal Arts. Mr. Flowers is the great-grandson of John Jefferson Flowers, for whom Flowers Hall is named. Presidential Fellows, their faculty mentors, trustees, and friends of the College were invited to the event, at which Mr. Flowers spoke about his professional life and charitable work. He offered students three pieces of advice: 1) Anchor your work and service in the Christian faith; 2) Work hard and do what you love; 3) Build a strong network of contacts and colleagues. Mr. Flowers presented President J. Cameron West with a check for $50,000, equaling the contribution made by John Jefferson Flowers’ family in his memory for the original construction of Flowers Hall when the college moved from Tuskegee to Montgomery in 1909.

Four New Majors and a Minor Approved

The faculty has approved four new majors and a minor to be introduced in the fall 2022. The majors are Biochemistry/Pre-Health; Cell Biology/Pre-Health; Exercise Science/Pre-Athletic Training; Pre-Occupational Therapy; and Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy. The new academic programs combine pre-professional study tracks with major coursework to ensure that students complete the prerequisite classes for graduate or professional school admission as part of their major curriculum. Doing so extends the number of classes necessary to complete the major, but also allows for those classes to be considered integral to the major so that the financial aid for which the student is eligible can be applied to all courses. The faculty also approved a minor in Criminal Justice.

Candidates Certified for Election

The 2021–2022 Judicial Board has certified the following candidates as eligible to be placed on the March 15 ballot for SGA executive and Judicial Board offices: President: Jacob Gray and Kurt Kraft; Vice President, Hunter Warr; Secretary: Savana Carter; Treasurer: Nevaeh McIntyre; Judicial Board Justices: James Ryan Campion; John Samuel Cason; Riley Davis; Ariel Dixon; Thomas Gibbons; Brittany Johnson; Innes T. Mackay; Sam Page; Brianne Pueschell; Rebekah Wriston; and Jack Young. The candidates who ran unopposed are automatically elected to office. Electronic voting for the remaining positions will take place 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on March 15. SGA Senate seats begin the qualification process March 17.

High School Summer Camps Coming in June

Two overnight summer camps for high school students will be offered simultaneously June 24–25. The Huntingdon Leadership Academy, which began in 2014 but has not met in person since 2020, returns as an overnight camp for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to explore what it means for God to have a call on their lives. A new history camp, “Exploring American Democracy,” will incorporate the Recreating the Past games our Department of History has introduced to students in recent years. In this camp, rising high school juniors will recreate the American Constitution. More information about this camp will be released soon.

A Get-to-Know-Huntingdon Program for New Students

Incoming fall 2022 students have a new way to become acclimated to their Huntingdon nests this summer as the Office of Admission introduces two Home Sweet Huntingdon events. Incoming students may choose one of the two programs, to be offered June 23 and July 21,during which they and their families can tour the residence halls and campus, eat in the dining hall, and make themselves at home in the Home We Love So Well. More information about these events will be posted soon.

Shane Claiborne Speaks with Religion Students

Dr. Jason Borders’ class met with activist and bestselling author Shane Claiborne via Zoom last month for a discussion on the death penalty, gun control, and other societal issues. Mr. Claiborne worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He is the author of nine books, including the bestselling “Jesus for President.”

Here’s to Peace, Love, and Happiness

Houghton Library’s Peace, Love, and Happiness mini-conference is online with presentations by Rebekah Wriston’23 and Dr. Daniel Dubei. Rebekah’s presentation, “The ‘Belles’ and Pomegranates: How Women Shaped Huntingdon’s History,” showcases the achievements of selected women students, alumni, and professors in Huntingdon’s history and is viewable if you have a Huntingdon email address here: https://drive.google.com/…/1oyEzwH2SIWozmbsSCtD…/view….. Dr. Dubei’s presentation, “What Does It Mean to Love One Another?” is on YouTube.

Sports Talk

• Composite Schedule
• Updated spectator policy (1/3/2022)
• Baseball:The Hawks stand at 6-7 overall, 0-0 in conference, with their next games March 12 vs. Mississippi University for Women at Posey Field. Leading the team in runs (16), homeruns (3), and RBIs (15) is Andrew Knight ’22, on 48 at-bats and 20 hits. Colin Whibbs ’24, with 53 at-bats and 21 hits, is tied with Daniel Patton ’23 for 11 runs, followed by Daniel Phillips ’24 with 10 runs. Andrew, a catcher, was named USA South Baseball Player of the Week Feb. 21 after going 9-for-13 with a .733 on-base percentage and a 1.538 slugging percentage along with 8 runs, 7 RBIs, 2 doubles, 3 homeruns, and a stolen base during the Hawks’ 3-game winning streak the week prior. Spring Schedule
• Basketball: The men’s team ended their season at 8-15 overall and 2-10 in conference. Damien Madison’22 was the team’s leading scorer, averaging 17.7 points per game. He was named to the Second Team West Division, USA South, at the conclusion of the season. Dylan Bohling ’22 was named to the USA South All-Sportsmanship Team. The women’s team ended with a record of 10-14 overall, 6-9 in conference. Ry Whetstone’22 averaged 12.5 points per game to lead the team, with AB Davis’23 following close behind with 10.9. Janaiya Mintze ’22 was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.
• Golf: The Hawks enter the spring season ranked nationally at 4^th in the Bushnell/Golfweek Division III Coaches Poll. This is a building year for the women’s program, with four freshmen on the team. Both teams began spring play March 7 at the Savannah Invitational. Spring schedules: Men; Women
• Lacrosse: Brennan Madonia’25 was named USA South Men’s Lacrosse Rookie of the Week Feb. 21 after totaling 24 ground balls with a .556 faceoff percentage as the Hawks posted a 1-1 record at the beginning of the season. On the women’s team, Reagan Bullock’25 also captured Rookie of the Week honors after earning 10 points on nine goals and one assist, along with 18 ground balls, 2 draw controls, and 1 caused turnover. The women also began their season at 1-1 as of Feb. 21. Now, the men are at 2-4 and the women are at 1-4. Leading the women’s team in points is Reagan Bullock ’25, with 14. Ian Bruggeman ’23 leads the men’s team with 24 points. Spring schedules: Men; Women
• Softball: Hawks Softball is on a 7-game winning streak, currently 11-3 overall with no conference contests on the boards yet. Each woman on the team is contributing her own strengths, so the hits and runs are spread across the board with Lydia Lewis ’22 and Brooke Stefankiewicz ’24 each contributing 9 runs, Natalie Ritchey ’23 at 8, and Emily Nieuwstraten ’24 at 7. Bailey Murphy’23 was named USA South Softball Player of the Week March 7 for going 4-for-6, with a .667 on-base percentage and a .833 slugging percentage, along with 2 runs, 3 RBIs, and one double as the Hawks swept Mississippi University for Women in three weekend games. Katelyn Holcombe ’23 was named Pitcher of the Week Feb. 21 after earning two wins over preseason top-five ranked teams in DePauw (#1) and Birmingham-Southern (#5). She followed Crimson Wells’23, Pitcher of the Week for Feb. 14. Crimson tossed a one-hit shut-out in her only appearance for the Hawks during the week prior, a 2.0 victory over Centre. Hawk ’em, ladies! Spring schedule
• Tennis: The Hawks are back on the courts and battling hard to work their way up. It’s a building year for the men with four freshmen who are finding their footing on the team. For the women, Allexii Bassette ’25 was named a USA South Women’s Tennis Rookie of the Week, Player of the Week, and Doubles Player of the Week, along with her partner Madeline Creel ’23, March 7. Allexii plays at the number one spot for the team and earned a 3-0 singles record and, with Madeline, a 3-0 doubles record last week over opponents from Millsaps, Birmingham-Southern, and Belhaven.Spring schedules: Men; Women
• Track and Field: The young track and field team competed in the Mississippi College Opener March 5, with several athletes finishing in the top 10 in their events. Mac Brooks ’24 finished third in the Men’s 10,000; Jalyn Lewis ’24, 10^th, Men’s 400 hurdles; Breanna Smith ’25, 10^th, Women’s 800; Aleah Vess ’25, 10^th, Women’s High Jump; and the team finished 9^th in the Women’s 4×400 Relay. Rhiannon Sevier ’25 set a new Huntingdon record in the Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles with a time of 1:17:32. She finished 15^th in that event. Spring Schedules: Men; Women
• Volleyball (Beach): Beach volleyball defeated Berry College 5-0 in the Gulf Shores Bash March 5. The Hawks swept St. Andrews on opening day of the season Feb. 18 and split matches the following day but had lost several matches before renewing their success on the final day of the GS Bash. The Hawks host the Huntingdon Beach Bash March 11–13.Spring Schedule
• Wrestling: Wrestling season ended with the Hawks competing in the NCAA DIII Lower Midwest Regional Tournament Feb. 26, at which Mac Hirsch ’23 finished seventh overall in the 197 weight class. He was the third Huntingdon wrestler to place at regionals, following DeAndre Beck ’18 and Kaleb Fontenot.
• See more Hawk news at www.huntingdonhawks.com.

HAWKStars

• AUTUMN ALLDAY ’20 has been admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Faulkner University.
• CAITLIN WRIGHT APLIN ’21 has been named library director for Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library in Headland, Ala.
• GAVIN BAUGH ’20 is an accountant with Warren Averett. He completed a Master of Accountancy degree from Troy University.
• ABBY BLANKENSHIP ’18 married Adam Pflaum, Feb. 26, 2022.
• JOHN BUFORD ’22 has been admitted to Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, South Georgia.
• CHRISTOPHER CLARK ’07 has been promoted to serve as vice president for risk management; college diversity and inclusion officer; in-house counsel; and assistant professor of accounting.
• COLTON CLARK ’22 has been admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of South Alabama.
• SYDNEY CONVILLE ’22 has been admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Faulkner University.
• IVA KAY DAVIS’82, who served as the first president of the Huntingdon Black Student Union when it was formed in 1981, has retired from her position as chief of social work at Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System.
• WYKEIN DEAN ’16 married Kiah Madison, Feb. 25, 2022.
• AMBER FORD ’21 married Ladarren Rivers, Feb. 26, 2022.
• DIANA GRAY ’04, minister of music at First Missionary Baptist Church, Prattville, Ala., and owner and executive director of the Montgomery Arts Academy, earned her doctorate in education in leadership, global training, and development from Northcentral University in September 2021. She is a certified professional speaker, leadership trainer, and life and executive coach, and is a certified DISC personality assessment consultant with the John Maxwell Team, for which she serves as executive director. She continues to be active in her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Beta Nu Omega Chapter.
• TYLER ’14 and ASHLEY BONNER GRESHAM ’13 welcomed a son, Barrett Tyler Gresham, Feb. 8, 2022.
• JEFF HALL ’86 serves as managing director of rules and open championships for the United States Golf Association.
• LINDSAY DENNIS HANES ’09 and her husband, Andrew, welcomed daughter Nellie Sadler Hanes, Feb. 17, 2022.
• ANDREW HINES ’22 has been accepted to the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM).
• AMY FORMBY HINTON ’98 earned her Ph.D. in public policy and administration from Auburn University in 2021. She is a research consultant with Pinnacle Consulting.
• REBECCA SEGREST HOLLINGSWORTH ’88 says, “I am in my 34^th year of teaching, mostly in my beloved kindergarten. I am thrilled that my daughter, Hannah, Class of 2025, is the fifth generation of our family to attend Huntingdon!”
• COLBY HUTSON ’22 has been accepted to Lincoln Memorial University Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine.
• GAINES JORDAN ’22 has accepted a summer strength and conditioning internship with the University of South Alabama football team.
• GARRETT KULL’18 has relocated to Bethlehem, Penn., where he is serving as assistant men’s soccer coach for Division I Lehigh University.
• LYDIA LEWIS ’22 has been admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Samford University.
• The Rev. ROSE MCCALL ’76 serves as state administrator and director for Alabama Sr. America Pageant. She will lead the next team to the national pageant in Hershey, Pa., Sept. 2022. Rose became the longest-reigning titleholder for Alabama Sr. America during the pandemic, holding the title from December 2019 to November 2021.
• LIZ HOOKS MCDANIEL ’03 and her husband have moved from Seattle, Wash., where they have lived for 13 years, to the Smyrna, Ga., area to be closer to their families. She serves as development director for Georgia Appleseed.
• The Rev. MICHAEL MCLAURIN ’72 says he’s looking forward to the Class of 1972’s 50^th reunion this fall. He challenges fellow alums to pledge and give $10.00 per year to the Huntingdon Fund. He says, “Let’s do our part in support of the home we love so well for future Hawks!”
• DESTREE BROWN MCNEIL ’09 and her husband, Ray, welcomed twins, Della Dee McNeil and Dolly Boyd McNeil, Feb. 11, 2022.
• MATT MURPHREE ’12 and his wife, Kellie, welcomed son Oliver Reid, Feb. 15, 2022.
• ELLEN NICHOLS’66 writes, “My memoir, ‘Remember Whose Little Girl You Are,’ will be released by Koehler Books as of May 3, 2022. Visit ellennichols.com for ordering info. It includes lots about Huntingdon College and Harald Rohlig, so take a look—you may be in it. Everyone who has read it thus far has said they enjoyed the humor.”
• JOEY PEACOCK ’15 is the new offensive coordinator for G.W. Carver High School football.
• STEVEN PENNEWITT ’07 is a technician with the U.S. Navy in Panama City, Fla.
• MICHAEL PIERCE ’05 and Dr. BELLEE JONES-PIERCE ’03 moved with their son, Henry, to Shreveport, La., in summer 2021, when she joined the faculty at Centenary College as assistant professor of English. Her fields are early British literature, poetry, and disability studies. Michael works for Ochnsner LSU Health Systems as an employee relations consultant. He earned his SHRM-SCP certification in fall 2021.
• TRISTAN POWELL ’20 has been admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Brenau University.
• BUCK ROBINSON ’17 and his wife, Polly, welcomed a daughter, Josie Hart Robinson, Feb. 2022.
• ERIC ROSS’92 is an executive vice president with CBRE Inc. in Atlanta.
• JOHN ’11 and CHRISTY JONES SLOAN ’10 have moved with their two children to Grand Rapids, Mich., where John, a pharmacist, has taken the position of Market Health and Wellness Director for Walmart.
• BARBARA SMITH ’79 has retired after 32 years of teaching high school English. She is working as a substitute teacher for her former school, Tate HS, in Florida. She says, “Teaching was not my job; it was my joy!”
• FORREST SMITH ’00 and his wife, KELLY ARMSTRONG SMITH ’01, live in Graceville, Fla., where he serves as a family pastor for Shiloh Baptist Church in Chipley, Fla. Forrest and Kelly have three children.
• RYAN SPARKS ’22 has been accepted to Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM).
• KIMBERLY CAUTHEN WOLFE ’09 has moved to Nashville, Tenn., where she has begun a new job as Southeast regional director for advancement for Western Governors University. Kim earned an advanced degree from the Tanglewood Institute at Boston College and earned certification as a major gifts officer from the Veritus Group.
• STEPHANIE YASECHKO ’16 has accepted a position as a lung transplant clinical pharmacy specialist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, following completion of her residency in pediatric pharmacy, which is also at Cincinnati Children’s.
• STEPHANIE MAGUIRE ZIMMERMAN ’12 is a portfolio manager with the Cardinal Group and lives in Auburn, Ala.

Prayers and Sympathy

• MARY VIRGINIA O’BRIEN COX ’57 passed away Feb. 8, 2022, in Americus, Ga.
• Huntingdon College mourns the loss of JEAN FLEMING GOODWYN, a long-standing friend and supporter of the College who died Feb. 15, 2022, in Montgomery.  Mrs. Goodwyn was a faithful contributor to the Jessie Lancaster Goodwyn Endowed Scholarship at Huntingdon, which was originally created in 1959 by her father-in-law in memory of his mother who attended Huntingdon when the college was still located in Tuskegee.

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