THE TALON

A grip on news in the Huntingdon College Community

October 11, 2022

WHAT’S NEW?

Stallworth Lectureship in the Liberal Arts

Bestselling author Rick Perlstein and Huntingdon history professor Dr. Marcus Witcher will co-present the 2022 Stallworth Lectureship in the Liberal Arts on the topic, “Ronald Reagan and the Evolution of Conservatism, 1964–2022,” Monday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Ligon Chapel. A book-signing will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the Scarlet & Grey Shop, where copies of Mr. Perlstein’s latest book, “Reaganland,” and Dr. Witcher’s book, “Getting Right with Reagan,” will be available for purchase.

The lecture will include remarks by each of the speakers, followed by a Q&A session moderated by President West.

Normally an annual event, this is the first public Stallworth Lecture the College has offered since the pandemic began. There is no charge to attend and the event is open to the public as well as to the Huntingdon community.

I Love College!

During the Marsha ’74 and Tom Moore ’73 Lecture on Equity, Justice, and Peace inaugural event, held September 26, speaker Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative conveyed a story about how he, a first-generation college student, was so excited to be in college he shouted to nearly everyone he met on campus: “I Love College!” All in the audience loved college as well when we listened to Mr. Stevenson’s stories of fighting for justice for the wrongfully accused and convicted. It was an amazing event and a wonderful launch to a lecture series clearly framed in the College motto, “Enter to Grow in Wisdom, Go Forth to Apply Wisdom in Service.” The lecture will be offered every-other-year. We thank the Moores again for this wonderful gift to the students of today and of the future whose minds will be broadened by the wisdom gained from this and future events.

Learning Where We Live

We often take for granted that we live in a city filled with history, weathered by conflict, and bettered with each step forward. On Friday, September 23, the Freshman Leadership Initiative and the Office of Academic Affairs offered separate experiences in downtown Montgomery, both with the end goal of raising awareness and appreciation for where we live.

FLI and CCV Council students, led by CCV director Sherry Leigh Lacey Farquhar ’13, visited the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and learned the history, community, and attractions in Montgomery. After the tour, students listened to a panel of Montgomery residents including Katie Jones Jeter ’13, executive director of Alabama Children First; Quin Pearson ’20, Huntingdon admission counselor; Joe Thomas ’18, HC director of residential communities; Brittney McCurry-Wingate ’11, HR with Whitfield Foods (see HawkStars); and Alyssa McCurry Daniels ’14, Montgomery artist. The panelists talked about community leadership, the importance of community involvement and professional networking, and how to become involved in the community and community chamber where you live. The chamber’s goal for this event was to retain talent in Montgomery. Students lunched at Derk’s Filet and Vine.

The academic tour, organized by Dr. Jennifer Fremlin, chair of the Department of Languages and Literature, included stops and information about the people and places that were part of the civil rights movement in Montgomery. The group toured several buildings at Alabama State University and recognized streets and landmarks along the Selma to Montgomery march, guided by Joseph Trimble, a Montgomery storyteller. The final stop was the newest building of the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Memorial and the newly opened Legacy Park. The group ate lunch at Pannie-George’s restaurant in the museum.

Help Erin Cembrale Win an Award

Miss Huntingdon ERIN CEMBRALE ’23 is one of three student finalists nationally for the Oticon Focus on People Award, recognizing outstanding individuals who have hearing loss. Erin, who has been deaf since birth, is able to hear using hearing aids. She has not let her disability deter her enthusiasm for life and learning in any way. Soccer is her passion, and she’s good at it—named to the U.S.A. Deaf Soccer Women’s National Team, which competed in the Deaflympics in April in Brazil and won the gold medal! Erin is a biology major from Palm Harbor, Fla., and intends to enter nursing school after graduating. To learn more about the award and vote, click the link in this story. Voting ends November 4.

Adapted Physical Education Program Works with Two Schools

The SSPE 306 Adapted Physical Education class offered by the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education has two sections this semester and each section will be working with a different elementary school’s special needs students (Halcyon Elementary School is a new client; Pike Road School is a returning client). The elementary students are bussed to Huntingdon once a week for five sessions. The class provides the elementary students practice with basic physical movements and life skills development, while Huntingdon students gain experience working with youth who have special needs. On-site play began the first week of October and will continue throughout this month and into November.

Getting Out the Vote

Tuesday, November 8, is election day, and Huntingdon wants students to be prepared to exercise their right to vote. A voter registration kiosk was added to the lobby of the Russell Dining Hall. Huntingdon Ambassadors held a voter registration drive in September, and Houghton Library has added a number of resources for voting information to the library’s homepage. Following are other online resources:

• Register to vote:  https://vote.gov/
• Requesting an absentee ballot or early voting:  https://www.usa.gov/absentee-voting
• State of Alabama absentee ballot information:  https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/absentee-voting
• State of Florida vote-by-mail:  https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/voting/vote-by-mail/
• State of Georgia absentee ballot information:  https://georgia.gov/vote-absentee-ballot
• Interested in being a poll worker:  https://www.eac.gov/voters/become-poll-worker

Teacher Education Adds an Honor Society

The Department of Teacher Education has been approved to start a new chapter of Kappa Delta Pi honorary at Huntingdon. KDP is an international honor society and the largest and most prestigious honorary for education majors worldwide, according to department chair Dr. Carolyn Corliss. Students must be nominated by teacher education faculty and meet certain chapter requirements. The first induction ceremony will be held at the end of the fall semester.

Flu Vaccine Clinic Coming

The Office of Institutional Health and Wellness will offer flu vaccines to students, faculty, and staff who register in advance, Tuesday, October 25. Watch for an email from director Nyree Conville and follow the instructions provided to participate. Your insurance information or payment in full will be required at the time of the injection. Costs will be included in the information.

Sports Talk

Composite Sports Schedule

• Baseball: 2023 Schedule
• Basketball 2022–2023 Schedules: Men; Women
• Beach Volleyball: Schedule
• Cross Country 2022–2023 Schedules: Men; Women Hawks Cross Country teams have competed in four tournaments this semester and will travel to Rome, Ga., for their fifth meet, Saturday, Oct. 15.
• Football: 2022 Schedule. Hawks football is undefeated in conference play and even made an appearance on the Division III Top 25 list after defeating Birmingham-Southern and recapturing the Wesley Cup a few weeks ago. This past weekend was a bye-week for the team, but they’ll take on Brevard, which is also undefeated in the conference, at home this Saturday. TUCKER SPENCE ’24 was named USA South Defensive Player of the Week October 3 after contributing nine tackles, including five for a loss of yardage, plus an interception in a 42-28 victory over Maryville October 1. In the same week and game, ROBERT VICKERS ’26 was named Football Defensive Rookie of the Week after contributing four tackles. On September 26, CASEY PEPPERS ’23 was named Football Defensive Player of the Week following 18 tackles with three for a loss of yardage in a 34-21 victory over Belhaven, and TYLER ENGLAND ’24 earned recognition as Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a punt for a touchdown in the same game. After the Hawks beat Guilford 47-7 September 17, Casey was named both USA South Defensive Player of the Week and earned a placed on the D3Football.com Team of the Week following 9 tackles, including four sacks.
• Golf: Men’s Golf finished 15th of 18 teams at the NCAA Preview; 7th of 17 teams at the Gate City Invitational (STEPHEN BAKER ’26 finished 6th); and 6th of 19 teams at the Rhodes Invitational. The women’s team finished 16th at the NCAA Preview and 14th at the MCC Intercollegiate. 2022–2023 Schedules: Men; Women
• Lacrosse: Schedules: Men; Women
• Soccer: 2022–2023 Schedules: Men; Women The men’s team will face Belhaven at home Wednesday. The women’s team is at 3-5-2 and hosts Wesleyan Wednesday.
• Softball: Schedule
• Tennis: The Hawks men’s and women’s teams hosted the John McWilliams Invitational in September and both teams faced opponents in October, but play for the teams will not resume until February. Schedules: Men; Women
• Track and Field: Schedules: Men; Women
• Volleyball: 2022 Indoor Schedule; The Hawks Volleyball Team is on fire this season, crushing their opponents time and time again with an overall record of 18-5, 7-1 in the Collegiate Conference of the South. KAMEA NASH ’23 earned CCS Player of the Week recognition September 26 after posting 55 kills during a week when the team went 4-0 in matches. SAMANTHA SINGLETON ’23 earned an honorable mention.
• Wrestling: Schedules: Men; Women

HAWKStars

• FRANCES AKRIDGE ’61 enjoys living near the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Canton, Ga.
• JOSEPH BROOKS ’17 and his wife, Sheena, welcomed daughter Zori Harper, Sept. 15, 2022.
• GEORGIANNA HUNT CLEMMONS ’16 has joined the Business Council of Alabama as director of communications. She has previously served as operations manager for the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee minority office and as deputy scheduler for U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) in Washington, D.C.
• KACI COCHRAN ’19 married Brett Lightsey, October 1, 2022.
• AUSTIN DORBERTH ’19 has begun a master’s degree program in strength and conditioning and works as a personal trainer at Planet Fitness in Dothan.
• LATONYA GRAHAM, director of the counseling center, hosted a meeting of the Alabama College Counseling Center Directors (ACCCD) on campus in September. Dr. Graham was installed as the incoming president of the Alabama College Counseling Association in May 2022.
• BRADY LAMBORNE ’08 works as an electrician with the City of Montgomery.
• NICHOLE LEFEVRE ’19 and Dr. KALEN MORGAN ’17, both former volleyball student-athletes at Huntingdon, returned to speak with current team members about the importance of preparation as students transition into professional life. The event was offered in partnership with the Center for Career and Vocation and was moderated by DR. SARA SHOFFNER, Faculty Athletic Representative and chair of the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education. Nichole works as the director of marketing and communications for First UMC-Prattville, and Kalen is an associate veterinarian in Calera, Ala.
• KIM LEWIS ’89 works as coordinator of student receivables for Troy University.
• GLENDA MOTLEY ’02 serves as chief financial officer to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office.
• MICHELE SCHARFF OLSON ’86, senior clinical professor in the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, is quoted in the article, “Myths about Gaining Muscle and Burning Fat, Debunked,” in Shape Magazine, Sept. 16, 2022.
• BONNIE BOGGAN PEAVY ’01 is an independent attorney managing her own practice in Oneonta, Ala.
• JOHN RACINE ’85 of Haymarket, Va., retired after 23 years with Raytheon Technologies in January 2022. He’s now an aerospace engineer and government consultant with Intelligent Acquisition Solutions. He and TONJA WADDLE RACINE ’87 celebrated their 38^th anniversary this year.
• CAITLIN RAY ’15 has moved to Knoxville, Tenn., where she serves as operations manager/deputy in charge for the Federal Court System—Eastern District of Tennessee. Earlier this year she was awarded the MA Cantab, an honorary degree, from St. John’s College, University of Cambridge, where she also completed a BA after graduating from Huntingdon.
• ALINA SHOEMAKE ’23, KENNEDY CHAMBERS ’24, and RYAN CAMPION ’23 served as peer mentors on an Externship Panel sponsored by the CCV in September.
• JIMBO ’15 and ALLISON BARGER TURK ’17 welcomed daughter Jane Collins in September 2022. Head football coach and associate athletic director MIKE TURK and his wife, Danielle, are the happy grandparents.
• RICK ’97 and DANILEA WALKER WERNER ’98 welcomed their third child, Sept. 21, 2022.
• BRITTNEY MCCURRY WINGATE ’11 has launched The Region: HR Consulting Firm, the first full-service firm designed for small businesses in the River Region. The firm offers strategy, recruitment, onboarding, development and training, retainment, and evolution HR consulting.
• Thank you to members of the WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM and their coaches for volunteering for the Breakfast for Babies fundraiser hosted by Chappy’s Deli in September.
• Thank you to members of the SOFTBALL TEAM for volunteering to share love with the animals at the Montgomery Humane Shelter.

Prayers and Sympathy

• We extend our deepest sympathy to former president Dr. Wanda D. Bigham upon the death of her husband, Bill Bigham, October 3. Dr. Bill Bigham was a retired professor of music and a talented musician who played with the Montgomery Symphony, the Recreators, and other ensembles. He was a kind, gentle soul who always had a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye.
• We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of long-time Huntingdon trustee David Steele, of Monroeville, Ala., in September.

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