THE TALON
A grip on news in the Huntingdon College Community
October 20, 2021
WHAT’S NEW?
What a Weekend!
The combined 2020 and 2021 Homecoming celebrations this past weekend couldn’t have been better—even the weather cooperated with perfect mid-70s temps by mid-day. More than 500 alumni attended one or more events, by the estimate of Laura Marie Tyree Brelsford ’05, director of alumni engagement and chief planner for Homecoming. Here are a few of the weekend highlights:
- Alumni Honored During Huntingdon Homecoming
- Huntingdon Inducts 10 into Athletic Hall of Fame
- 17 Huntingdon Women Elected to Homecoming Court
- Lydia Lewis Crowned Homecoming Queen
- Huntingdon Opens the Wanda A. Howard ’81 BSU Center
- Photos of the weekend have been posted on Facebook.
Spring Term Registration Approaching
The change to the updated Huntingdon registration/records system, Campus Café, has moved spring term preregistration a bit later than usual this semester. Students, you will be placed in required core and major classes automatically based on your major(s) of record and your student status. Watch your email for instructions on when and how to register to add elective classes up to 18 total registered hours. Registration will begin for seniors Monday, November 1, at 12:30 p.m. The spring schedule will be available to faculty October 26 and to students by the end of Thursday, October 28 (students, you’ll be able to see the classes in which you’ve been placed automatically, as well.) Schedule adjustments (switching one class section for another or dropping a class) must be done by your adviser, so be sure to consult with your adviser as you plan for registration.
October is Externship Month
The Center for Career and Vocation encourages students who are considering career fields to shadow a professional in that field in an externship for a day. With Flexible Fridays open, that’s a great day to complete an externship. Contact the CCV at ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu for more information on externships or any other of the myriad services the CCV provides.
Library Invites Submissions for Mini-Con
“Peace, Love, and Happiness” is the topic of Houghton Library’s Mini-Conference this semester, and you could be one of the speaker/presenters. Simply submit a proposal for the topic you’d like to address by submitting the form linked to the email sent from Paige Crumbley ’14, access services librarian, 10/18/2021. The deadline for submissions has been extended until Friday, October 22.
New Student Clubs Forming
Dr. Anthony Leigh, senior vice president for student and institutional development and dean of students, has announced the formation of the Fine Arts Club (music, art, drama) and the Outdoors Club (hiking, fishing, hunting, rock-climbing …). If you have an interest in learning more about either of these groups, contact Dr. Leigh at aleigh@hawks.huntingdon.edu.
Strike Up the Band
The Marching Scarlet and Grey is sponsoring a Marching Honor Band for high school student-musicians, Saturday, October 30. The cost to participate is $20. If you know a high school musician who would like to sign up, please have them contact band director Brandon Howard at bhoward@hawks.huntingdon.edu.
Farewell to Coach Moore
Head women’s tennis coach Ximena Moore has announced her retirement from Huntingdon after 20 years of coaching with the program. Coach Moore joined the program in 2002 and became head coach in 2003. She has become the team’s all-time winningest coach (a milestone she achieved in 2008). Read the full release.
Recent News
- ROTC Focuses on Leadership
- History Faculty Member Honored with Fellowship
- Huntingdon Named in College Ranking Lists
- Huntingdon Offers Constitution Day Event
- Flexible Fridays Get a Wings-Up
Announcements
- FLU SHOTS will be given on campus in the Hut, Tuesday, November 2, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To sign up, look for an email from Nyree Conville, director of institutional health, 10/19/21, and complete the form linked to the email (you will need a scanned copy or photo of your insurance card, if you have one). Most health insurers cover the cost of the flu shot. The cost is $30 without insurance.
- COVID-19 Vaccines are available at no cost to anyone age 12 and older at Publix, CVS, Sam’s Club, and Walmart pharmacies. You can also book your vaccine at alcovidvaccine.gov; call the ADPH vaccine hotline at 1-855-566-5333; or register online through Baptist Healthcare at baptistfirst.org under the patients and visitors section.
- Once you are fully vaccinated, you are invited to provide a copy of your vaccination card to Nyree Conville in the Office of Institutional Health by emailing healthandwellness@hawks.huntingdon.edu.
- Houghton Library has added a Media Bias Chart, created by Ad Fontes Media, as a resource. You can create a free account. For more information, contact Daniel Dubei, systems and electronic resources librarian, at ddubei@hawks.huntingdon.edu.
- The Coffee House has reopened! Get your java fix Sundays through Thursdays, 6–11 p.m., in the basement of the library. You may pay with flex dollars on your swipe card or cash/credit/debit card.
- Huntingdon has an obligation to educate students on issues related to sex/gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. A new Title IX course can be completed online. All fall 2021 traditional day undergraduate students have been enrolled in the course, which must be completed by November 4. Be sure you follow the directions sent via email and meet the deadline on completion of this important course.
Fun Stuff
- The School of Teacher Education is sponsoring a donation drive for sports equipment to local schools. Bring your no-longer-needed sports equipment to the DH beginning October 18.
- Pie A Sigma, Friday, Thursday, October 21, 12–1:00 p.m., in front of the DH, $3 per throw.
- Powder Puff Football, sponsored by Chi Omega, Sunday, October 24, 12:00 p.m., Charles Lee Field, $3 admission, $2 to play; proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish
- SGA Pumpkin Painting, Monday, October 25, 6–7 p.m., The Grove
- SGA Haunt on the Green, Tuesday, October 26, 8–9 p.m.
- Go-Karting in Montgomery, Wednesday, October 27, 7–10 p.m.
- Thursday, October 28:
- Chi Omega Monster Mash, 6–8 p.m. on The Green
- Haunted Hanson, 8 p.m., Hanson Hall
- BSU 90s/2000s party, 8 p.m., The Green
- SGA Halloween Costume Contest, 8 p.m., The Hut
- Nightmare on Fairview, 8:45 p.m., Flowers Hall (Trick-or-Treating)
- Friday, October 29:
- Haunted Hanson, 8 p.m., Hanson Hall
- SGA Haunted House, 8:30–10p, Pratt Hall
- Saturday, October 30, and Sunday, October 31:
- Haunted Hanson, 8 p.m., Hanson Hall
- Cornhole for a Cause, Thursday, November 4, 5:00 p.m., The Green
- Countess of Huntingdon Ball, Thursday, November 4, 9:00 p.m., Montgomery Country Club—wear black or white with red accents (semi-formal attire); live music; cash bar for those over 21.
- SGA Coffee for Finals, Friday, November 5, 7:30–10:45 a.m., The Hut
COMING ACADEMIC EVENTS and DEADLINES
- Meet the Firms, presented by the Center for Career and Vocation for accounting and business administration majors, Friday, October 22, 11:00 am. to 12:00 p.m. RSVP is necessary to attend. Contact ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu.
- Houghton Library’s Fall Salon will focus on Zombie literature, Thursday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m. The event will be offered via Zoom. Costumes are welcome. Here’s the Zoom link: https://huntingdon-edu.zoom.us/j/85681386251?pwd=WHMvMndyL3llWXNUd3dvSVdiZkhIQT09
- CCV Scarlet & Grey Connection Coffee, Friday, October 29, 8:00–9:00 a.m., The Scarlet & Grey Shop
- Must See HC Preview Day, Office of Admission event for prospective students and families, Saturday, October 30
- Marching Honor Band, a Marching Scarlet & Grey event, Saturday, October 30
- Diamond Hawk Showcase Camp (baseball event for prospective students), Saturday, October 30
- CCV Adulting Series II: Business and Professional Attire, Wednesday, November 3, 12:30–1:30 p.m., Stallworth Dining Room (RSVP required)
- CCV Pre-Health Fair, Friday, November 5, 11:00 a.m., Drum Theater (RSVP required)
- Honors Colloquy, “Vocation,” Thursday, November 4, 12:15–1:15 p.m., Flowers 217 (for Hobbs Honors Program students)
- Illuminations (lights, art displays, and a special walk through The Green), Wednesday, November 10, 6–9 pm.
- Last day of classes, fall semester, Thursday, November 11
- Finals, November 15–19
- Residence halls close for winter break, Saturday, November 20, at noon.
Sports Talk
Fall Composite Sports Schedule
- Basketball: The men face Millsaps in Roland Arena for their first game of the season Friday, November 5, at 6:00 p.m., and then take on Birmingham-Southern Sunday, November 7, at 2:00 p.m. in Roland. The women’s games in November are all away, beginning Tuesday, November 9, at Birmingham-Southern. Home play for women begins Saturday, December 4, vs. Piedmont. Schedule: Men; Women
- Cross Country: Cross Country runs again Friday, November 22, in Florence, Ala., and Saturday, October 30, in Rocky Mount, N.C. for the USA South Championship meet. Senior men are Taylor Chestnutt and Alex Cole; there are no seniors on the women’s team. Fall Schedule: Men; Women
- Football: The Hawks stand at 4-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play, having just beaten Averett for what could have been the contest to watch for conference championship honors. The team has four more contests to win: at Greensboro, October 23; home vs. N.C. Wesleyan, October 30; home vs. Maryville, November 6; and at LaGrange, November 13. Quarterback Landon Cotney ’23 has passed for 997 yards and 7 passing touchdowns on the season and been named USA South Offensive Player of the Week twice. He is also the team’s leading rusher with 627 yards and 9 touchdowns, followed by Kahari Reynolds ’24 with 410 yards and 5 touchdowns. Among the receivers, Sebastian Verger ’23 leads in receptions with 21, followed by Malachi Harvey ’23 with 17 and 3 touchdowns. Fall Schedule
- Golf: The men’s team has completed their fall schedule and will resume play in the spring. The women’s team has one more fall match this weekend in Rome, Ga. Fall Schedule: Men; Women
- Soccer: The men stand at 6-7-2 (2-1-2 in conference play) as they enter their final match of the regular season, Saturday, October 23, in Maryville. Leading scorers on the team are Austin Premier ’23, with 15, Kelan LeBlanc ’22 (14) and Liam Kearns ’24 (14). Seniors Kelan LeBlanc, Dylan Lombardo, Kyle Lovelock, Jose Lopez, and Bennett Wilkinson retire their cleats at the end of the season. The women stand at 8-7-1, 4-2-1 in conference play. Leading scorers are Madison Tryon’24 (20) and Erin Cembrale’23 (15), but a number of players have contributed to the team’s standing as a contender for the conference title. Seniors Doren Staley and Sam Curtis celebrated Senior Day October 17. The team hosts Covenant for the final match of the regular season Saturday, October 23, at 2 p.m. Fall Schedule: Men; Women
- Volleyball: Volleyball still has five contests left in the regular season, all of which are away. The team stands at 11-13, 7-4 in conference play. Kamea Nash ’23, Jordan Hollis ’22, and Morgan Ilsey ’23 lead the team in kills and points Fall Schedule
- Wrestling: Hawk wrestlers hit the mats November 6 in an intrasquad scrimmage that begins the 2021–22 season, followed by contests in Illinois and North Carolina in November. Schedule
HAWKStars
- Isabella Barrera ’20 has published her first book, “A Fear of Fire,” on Amazon.
- Robyn Chambers ’18 and Steven Young ’18 were married September 25, 2021.
- Rusty Cowley ’12 and his wife, Emilie, welcomed son Theodore Russell, September 5, 2021.
- Paige Crumbley ’14, access services librarian, has been appointed the chair of the Conference Planning Committee for the 2022 Alabama Library Association conference scheduled for next April.
- Taylor Yeargan Freeman ’13 and husband Adam welcomed son Otis Crawford, October 4.
- Diana Green, former member of faculty, has retired after 17 years as the Arts in Education program manager at the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
- Karsha Hill ’13 is an insurance agent with Patra Corporation in Gadsden, Ala.
- Rondarius Johnson ’10 has completed a master’s degree in accounting from Alabama State University. He is a service member with the U.S. Marine Corps.
- Jason Hallett ’04 is a firefighter/paramedic in the town of East Sandwich, Mass.
- A.J. Harper ’19 was recognized with the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) Award, September 16, 2021. The chamber created the PACE Awards to showcase exceptional young professionals in the region. A.J. has been promoted to director of ballpark operations and outside events for the Danville Otterbots, a minor league baseball team.
- Noah Harrison ’20, who is a student in the graduate program in communications at Indiana University, has joined the IUSTV Sports family as a beat reporter for IU football.
- Charvez Hobson ’20 has graduated from Montgomery Fire and Rescue’s Fire Academy.
- Victoria Doss Hurd ’14 has begun her own business as a relationship coach in Clemmons, N.C.
- Sidney Ison ’20 has been named the first female class president for Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn University.
- Cambree Kennedy ’21 has been promoted to assistant aquatics manager for the City of Hoover. She completed lifeguard certification, First Aid/CPR/AED certification, and water safety instructor certification in 2021.
- The Rev. Dr. John Ed Mathison ’60 has co-authored a book with Coach Willie Spears, “Bib or Apron,” published by Amazon’s self-publishing platform Kindle Direct Publishing. The book is a collection of essays and articles by both authors on the topic of serving or being served. Dr. Mathison retired in 2008 after 36 years as senior minister of Frazer Memorial UMC in Montgomery.
- Tank ’11 and Britni Northington King ’12 welcomed daughter Dozier Kay, September 11, 2021.
- Dr. Heidi Knecht ’16 (Doctor of Public Health) has met the requirements to add the credential Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) to her signature.
- Neil ’16 and Lexi Stinard Lawler ’16 welcomed daughter Emmalyn Elizabeth, October 10, 2021.
- Jordan McElroy ’20 and Lauryn Pritchett welcomed a son, Marcellus Amari McElroy, September 7, 2021.
- Dr. Maureen Kendrick Murphy ’78, dean of the W. James Samford Jr. School of Graduate and Professional Studies, was surprised with the Distinguished District President Award, 2020-2021, at the National Exchange Club Awards ceremony September 13.
- Brennan Parker ’16 married Samantha Ayala Amaya, October 15, 2021.
- Pat Pickens ’15 is now a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, having passed her professional licensure exam.
- Karter Porter ’17 married Montana Bryan, September 11, 2021.
- Reginald Sprouse ’11 is the new head basketball coach at Macon East Montgomery Academy.
- Jessica Swindle ’16 married Joey Hunt, October 2, 2021.
- Riley Szabo ’20 married Matt MacMaster, September 11, 2021.
- Trace Zarr ’13 began a new position October 4 as the AGC (Alabama Associated General Contractors) central section manager and director of governmental affairs. In this role, he serves as a lobbyist for Alabama construction. Trace completed his J.D. at Jones School of Law in 2018 and has worked for the U.S. Congress, the Alabama Legislature, and the Medical Association of Alabama, and has most recently served as deputy commissioner of senior services for Governor Kay Ivey.
Prayers and Sympathy
- Anne Gunter Bray ’68 died October 3 in Satellite Beach, Fla. A graduate with honors in both mathematics and English, Anne worked as a data analyst. She later became a well-respected and accomplished potter and pottery instructor associated with Spruill Center for the Arts in Dunwoody, Ga., for more than 30 years. We extend condolences to her husband, Bill, and to her many friends in the Class of 1968 and surrounding years.
- Our sympathy is extended to Emily Simon ’17 and Katie Simon ’20 and their family upon the death of their father, Montgomery pediatrician Dr. Jeffrey Simon, October 8.
- Martha O’Rear Wilkinson ’47 died October 7, 2021, in Raleigh, N.C.
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