THE TALON

A grip on news in the Huntingdon College Community

September 24, 2019

What’s New?

Ellison Lecture Features Author Amy Gentry

Amy Gentry, the author of two suspense novels (GOOD AS GONE and LAST WOMAN STANDING) and a book of music criticism (TORI AMOS’S BOYS FOR PELE), is the featured speaker for the 2019 Rhoda Coleman Ellison Writers Festival Lecture this week, Thursday, September 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Smith fine arts building’s Delchamps Recital Hall. Her lecture, “Finding the Body: On Motherhood and Crime Writing in a Post-#MeToo World,” is free and open to all. All three of Gentry’s books are on sale at the Huntingdon College Scarlet & Grey Shop. A booksigning will follow the lecture.

Yes, It’s Open—But It’s Opening Again!

Have you visited the NEW Scarlet & Grey Shop? If you haven’t, be prepared to be astounded, especially if you glimpsed the building during construction. It’s bright, fun, full of new merchandise, and even has a drive-through window for Starbucks coffee on-the-go. Although it’s already open 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. until an hour after game’s end on home football Saturdays (October 5, 12, and 26 and November 9), we’re celebrating the GRAND OPENING (so grand we had to put it in all caps), Wednesday, October 2, 12:30–1:30 p.m. Kudos could go to dozens of people for the transformation of this building and for the merchandise on sale, but we especially want to call out Isaac Schofield, the member of the maintenance staff who served as contractor for the project and did a large share of the work. It’s beautiful, Isaac. Thank you to everyone involved. And if you haven’t been there yet, what are waiting for?

Homecoming & Family Weekend!

“For Huntingdon, Forever.” is the theme of Homecoming (October 4–5) and Family Weekend (October 5) coming up in ten days! Court elections began yesterday (see your email from Kathleen Penney for the link to vote). If you haven’t yet registered for the event of your choice, visit the links and get your registration in asap. T-shirts and a tailgating lunch (11:00 a.m., with Hawk Walk at 12:30 p.m.) are included in the parent package for Family Weekend. The crowning of the Homecoming Queen and court presentation will take place at half-time of the Homecoming football game. Kick-off is at 1:00 p.m. at W. James Samford Jr. Stadium on the 5th. Alumni festivities begin Friday with class reunions and the alumni awards/college celebration dinner and continue Saturday with Athletic Hall of Fame presentations at 10:00 a.m. in Roland Arena (all are welcome to attend this event—it’s free), tailgating at 11:00 a.m. (registration required), and many class reunion gatherings. See the schedules and links to registration forms at the pages listed above.

Congratulations to the alumni who will be honored during the Alumni Awards celebration:

• Alumni Achievement Award
  • The Rev. Dr. Jeff Spiller ’76
  • Ms. Quesha Starks ’96
• Alumni Loyalty Award
  • Ms. Terri Smith Francis ’80
  • The Rev. Dr. Ed Glaize ’85
• Outstanding Young Alumni Award
  • Mr. Taylor Zarzour ’00

Hawk ‘Em! to the alumni who will be inducted into the Huntingdon Athletic Hall of Fame:

• Ben Brack ’97, Baseball
• Austin Hill ’14, Basketball
• Jeremy Murphy ’15, Football
• Katie Scott ’13, Tennis
• Jenni Reynolds Wingard ’99, Soccer

Special student events for the week leading up to Homecoming and Family Weekend:

• Monday, September 30, Block Party, in front of the President’s Home, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 1, Sidewalk Chalk Competition, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., sidewalks between Flowers and the DH
• Wednesday, October 2, Coloring and Colas, 6:00–8:00 p.m., Hut Porch; AND don’t forget the Scarlet & Grey Shop Grand Opening, 12:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 3, Trivia, 8:00–9:00 p.m., the DH
• Friday, October 4, Homecoming Spirit Photo Booth, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., the DH

Dr. Murphy Assumes a New Role

Dr. Maureen Kendrick Murphy, Huntingdon Class of 1979, long-time chair of the Department of Chemistry and professor of chemistry, will begin a new role October 14: site coordinator for the new Northwest Shoals site for Huntingdon’s Evening Bachelor’s Degree program. As of June 1, 2020, her role will expand to include director of academics and director of operations for Evening Studies locations north of Opelika. In the announcement made September 16, Provost Anna McEwan said, “Although Dr. Murphy will no longer be a daily presence in our traditional day program, she will continue to be an ambassador for Huntingdon College. With new energy and a fresh vision for the Evening Studies program, Dr. Murphy has an opportunity to extend her influence and advance the College in untapped areas. While she will never be replaced among our faculty, those who know her will not be surprised to learn that Dr. Murphy leaves us with a solid plan for transition of her teaching and service responsibilities.” A creative, endless-idea-filled genius, Dr. Murphy has influenced the lives of countless students and alumni. We thank her for her dedicated service to the traditional program and for her devotion to Huntingdon students and alumni, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for the Evening Studies program!

Dancing to the Beat of a Hawk Drum

The Marching Scarlet and Grey will add a dance line beginning fall 2020. The dance line joins the flag line and majorettes as the third element of the Marching Scarlet & Grey’s auxiliaries. Dance line choreography will be a blend of dance genres, including jazz, ballet, precision/drill, and high kick. Learn more. Nearly 200 high school students from 50 different high schools across the state were selected to perform at halftime and in the stands during the Marching Scarlet and Grey Honor Band, September 7. Participants arrived early that morning to coordinate the halftime show and participated in the Hawk Walk with the band.

“To Boldy Go” 2019 Houghton Library Mini-Conference—Call for Proposals

“To Boldy Go,” quoting the Star Trek opening words (apparently split infinitives must have been another form of Star Trek time travel) is the name of the mini-conference hosted by Houghton Library in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Mission and of all things space and science fiction. The library has put out a Call for Proposals, encouraging student, faculty, and staff participation. Presentations can be given in the form of a poster presentation, panel discussion, creative work, or short lecture. Students, presenting at a conference is a very strong addition to your resume. The mini-conference, to be held Monday, October 21, and Friday, October 25, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., was created purposely to provide a low-stress, encouraging environment for practicing your presentation skills. Need ideas? Visit the mini-conference LibGuide on the library website. See Professor Eric A. Kidwell, director of the library, or Paige Crumbley for ideas and information.

Coming Events

If a CCV event requires an RSVP, simply email the CCV at ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu.

• September 25 | Professional Head Shots, The Green, 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
• September 26 | Rhoda Coleman Ellison Writers Festival Lecture featuring Amy Gentry, Smith Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. (see above)
• September 27 | FBI Info Session, Stallworth, 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
• September 28 | Marching Scarlet & Grey Exhibition Performance, Pinson Valley High School, time TBA
• October 2 | Presentation on the ASU Master of Counselor Education Program, with Dr. Linda Holloway, 11:45 a.m., Wilson 208; presented by the Huntingdon Psychology Program
• October 2 | Scarlet & Grey Shop Grand Opening, 1140 E. Fairview Ave., 12:30 p.m.
• October 4–5 | Homecoming (see above)
• October 5 | Family Weekend (see above)
• October 9 | Alabama Connection Graduate School Expo, Faulkner University, 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
• October 10–11 | Seminary Visit: Asbury; led by Campus Ministries, see Chaplain Rhett Butler for details
• October 11 (In-Service Friday) | Hawk Talks Networking Luncheon, Stallworth, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., *RSVP to ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu
• October 12 | Marching Scarlet & Grey Exhibition Performance, Opelika High School, time TBA
• October 12 | Huntingdon Preview Day, presented by the Office of Admission, RSVP to the Office of Admission at admiss@hawks.huntingdon.edu
• October 12 | Midnight Madness, presented by the Office of Student Affairs, Roland Arena, 10:00 p.m.
• October 13–14 | Celebrating Voices: Huntingdon High School Choral Festival, presented by the Department of Fine Arts/Music Program
• October 18 | In-Service Day; no classes; offices open
• October 18 (In-Service Friday) | Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Forum Field Trip to Atlanta, All day, *RSVP to the CCV at ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu
• October 21 | Houghton Library Mini-Conference, “To Boldy Go,” Session 1, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• October 23 | LinkedIn Seminar, Location TBD, 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., *RSVP to ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu
• October 25 | Seminary Visit: Candler School of Theology; led by Campus Ministries, see Chaplain Rhett Butler for details
• October 25 | Houghton Library Mini-Conference, “To Boldy Go,” Session 2, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• October 31 | Countess of Huntingdon Ball, presented by the Office of Student Affairs, Wynlakes Country Club
• October 31–November 1 | Seminary Visit: Duke Divinity School; led by Campus Ministries, see Chaplain Rhett Butler for details

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Campus organization presidents: your presence is requested for a meeting of the President’s Council, Friday, September 27, at 11:45 a.m. in Flowers 201. You may send a proxy if necessary. If your organization plans to submit a funding request to SGA this year, attendance is mandatory.
• Campus Ministries is shepherding students for visits to seminaries this fall. If seminary could be a path for your future, contact Chaplain Rhett Butler ’13 to sign up (asap) at rbuter@hawks.huntingdon.edu. Here are the dates: Asbury Seminary, October 10–11; Candler School of Theology (Emory University), October 25; The Divinity School at Duke University, October 31–November 1.
• Coming In-Service Days (no classes/offices open): Fridays, October 11, October 18
• It’s now possible to dial the Scarlet & Grey Shop from a campus phone with just the 4-digit extension: Bookstore (x4482) and Nancy Jackson (x4570). From a cell or off-campus phone, with only a few exceptions, Huntingdon numbers begin with (334) 833-.
• Campus Ministries’ discussion and bible-study groups for freshmen have begun. Join in as you’re led: Ligon Ladies, freshman women’s group, Monday nights at 8 in Ligon lobby; Fella’ship, freshman men’s group, Monday nights at 8 in Searcy basement.
• A number of Hawks, including the women’s and men’s basketball teams and coaches, volunteered for Breakfast for Babies, benefiting the March of Dimes, September 13. Thank you for your service, Hawks!
• The Alabama Connection, a consortium of college career counselors and placement officers from across Alabama (of which Huntingdon’s CCV is a part), will host a graduate school fair at the Faulkner University Multiplex, Wednesday, October 9, 3:00–5:00 p.m. Schools from programs nationwide will be present. Polish your resume and attend this fair if graduate school is in your future. It’s free (the fair, that is)!
• Huntingdon has an online system that can be used to report students about whom you (as a parent, peer, faculty or staff member) have concerns. The CARE team meets weekly to determine appropriate interventions. To report a concern, visit https://www.huntingdon.edu/campus-life/health-wellness/care-team/.
• MID-TERMS are coming up in two weeks. If you feel even the slightest bit that you might need extra help in a class, now is the time to reach out! Talk with the faculty member for your class and/or go to the Staton Center for Learning Enrichment. There are lifelines for help everywhere at Huntingdon. All you have to do is reach out.

HUNTINGDON HAWK-STARS

• The football teammates have elected their team captains. They are: offensive lineman Reed Crosby ’20, quarterback Michael Lambert ’21, defensive linemen DeAnte’ Griffith ’20 and Red Hinton ’20, and linebacker Drew Schlemmer ’20.
• Dr. Parker Adams ’13 married Sarah Lewis, September 14, 2019.
• Katelyn Stone Banks ’17 and her husband, Grant, welcomed a son, Colton, in September 2019.
• The Rev. Misty Edwards Barrett ’89 serves as minister for Headland United Methodist Church in Alabama.
• Judy Duncan Bilyeu ’70 has retired as a school counselor in Aiken, S.C. She was named a Woman of Distinction by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and was honored for lifetime achievement in professional and community service in 2016.
• Last academic year, Huntingdon student-athletes raised $6,384.00 in the USA South Athletic Conference’s Pennies for a Purpose Challenge. At the first home game of the 2019 football season, USA South Commissioner Dr. Tom Hart presented a plaque to student-athletes Dylan Bohling ’22 (basketball) and Claire Tomberlin ’21 (softball).
• We welcome Officer Robert Bradley to the Huntingdon Campus Security team.
• Dr. Claire Bridges ’11, who has served as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, has joined the faculty as a full-time instructor of exercise science. We welcome her home!
• Adam Brummett ’10 works as a pre-registration specialist for AdavenHealth and lives in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
• Kendall Causby ’18 married Braxton Barnes, September 14, 2019.
• Ragan Brackin Chastain ’00 has joined Phi Theta Kappa as a curriculum designer for the organization’s student engagement division. She will develop interactive and engaging online learning environments that provide opportunities for leadership development, honors programming, and service learning among the honor society’s members and chapter advisers. She has taught mathematics at Calhoun Community College in Tanner, Ala., for nine years.
• Dr. Kyle Christensen, assistant professor of communication studies, co-authored with Scarlett L. Hester the article, “The Horrors of White Male Innocence in IT (2017),” published in the journal Critical Studies in Media Communication.
• Ann Clancy ’15 works as a project manager for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign.
• Kelsey McGuire Conrick ’15 earned her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Washington in 2017 and is a doctoral student in UW’s School of Social Work. She and her husband, Robert, live in Seattle.
• Dr. Deidre Corbin ’16 earned her doctorate in occupational therapy at Gannon University earlier this year.
• Professor Jaime Demick, physics, will present for the Alabama Science Teachers Association (ASTA) in Tuscaloosa, November 5-6.
• Joshua Dick ’18 has been accepted to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts/Nevis and has begun classes this fall.
• Robbie Eichhorn ’14 and his wife, Amber, welcomed a daughter, Emma Claire, in September 2019.
• Kendall Fant ’14 welcomed daughter Millison Anne in September 2019.
• Sharon Stephens Garrison ’65 has retired after teaching English in Montgomery Public Schools for 30 years, with 12 of those years at LAMP High School. She and her husband, Don, celebrated their 53rd anniversary in 2019.
• Alicia Gauker ’16 lives in Rome, Ga., where she works as an admission counselor and director of communication planning for Berry College.
• Barbara “Willie” Wilheit Geer ’53 has transplanted in more ways than one. She’s given up her farming shovels in rural Prince George County, Virginia, and traded them for trowels as she teaches Good Gardening with fellow Master Gardeners state-wide and in her new home in Chesterfield, Va. She teaches through the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. Willie also volunteers with the Palliative Care Unit at Medical College of Virginia’s Massey Cancer Center in Richmond.
• Wanda Temple Hadley ’69 has retired after a long career in social work and lives in Atmore, Ala.
• Lindsay Dennis Hanes ’09 and her husband, Andrew, welcomed a son, Richard Charles (Charlie) Hanes, May 30, 2019. They live in Foley, Ala., where Lindsay teaches at Rosinton Elementary School.
• Larry Hinds ’63 was inducted into the Walker County, Ala., Sports Hall of Fame in Jasper, Alabama, earlier this month. A native of Carbon Hill, Ala., Larry participated in every high school sport available, lettering in football, baseball, and basketball all four years. He entered Huntingdon on an athletic scholarship and is a member of the Huntingdon Athletic Hall of Fame. His professional career reflects his devotion to athletics and education serving as a head basketball coach in Alabama and Georgia high schools, as an administrator for the Cobb County School District; as principal for Wheeler High School; and later serving in human resources and retiring as a financial planner.
• Susan Hughes ’89 is a banker with First National Bank of Hartford in Alabama. She completed the LSU School of Banking in 1999.
• Dr. Bellee Jones-Pierce ’03 and Michael Pierce ’05 live in Murfreesboro, Tenn., where she is a lecturer for Middle Tennessee State University. Bellee completed her Ph.D. in English at Emory University in 2018. Michael works as a retail associate relations specialist for Publix Super Markets. They have one child, Henry, age 4.
• Jacob Kintner ’18 and his wife, Haley Dickson Kintner ’19, began their Huntingdon college years in the traditional program and finished in the Evening Studies program. Jacob works as a project manager for Performance Sealants and Waterproofing and has earned Project Management Institute (PMI) certification. He plans to complete a master’s degree in civil engineering in 2020. Haley serves as an event coordinator for Jenny Weller Catering and Events. She has begun the Master of Science in education curriculum and instruction program at Purdue University and expects to graduate in 2021. They live in Montgomery.
• LeeAnn Cahoon Knight ’17 and her husband, Corey, welcomed a son, Jack, in August 2019.
• Quarterback Michael Lambert ’21 was named USA South Offensive Player of the Week for football September 9 in recognition of completing 18 of 29 passes for 336 yards and 6 touchdowns in the Hawks’ 69-43 win over Guilford College in the season-opening game.
• Eliza Langille ’18 married Jayne Stewart, March 16, 2019.
• Kelan LeBlanc ’22 was named USA South Men’s Soccer Player of the Week  and Taylor Bradley ’23 was named Rookie of the Week for men’s soccer September 9 for their part in the Hawks’ 4-2 win over Birmingham-Southern—the first time in the College’s NCAA-era the Hawks have beaten the Panthers. Kelan scored two goals and had an assist in the game. Taylor finished with one goal and one assist.
• Nichole LeFevre ’19 is working as a program specialist for Boosterthon, as a member of the marketing team for Omnicommander, and as an assistant volleyball coach for her high school in Florida.
• Dr. Jeremy Lewis, professor of political science, delivered this year’s U.S. Constitution Day talk on the history of voting and voting rights in the U.S., with international comparisons.
• Sam Lewis ’07 has changed her last name to Blewis following marriage in September 2018. She and wife Kristi welcomed two foster children, ages 14 and 17, into their home in June 2019.
• Donovan Lindo ’20 spent the summer of 2019 as a counselor on the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Alabama Nature Center staff. His mission, inspired by naturalist Steve Irwin, is to finish the fight for animals that have bad reputations and to erase misconceptions about misunderstood species. He began teaching about spiders and enjoys working with alligators and snakes, as well.
• James Malone ’13 works as an assistant vice president and business information analyst for Hancock Whitney Bank in Hoover, Ala.
• Drew Mathers ’20 was named the USA South Athletic Conference Golfer of the Week September 18 in recognition of winning the NCAA-DIII Fall Preview and helping the men’s team to a third-place finish. In a three-round tournament that featured 11 of the top 12 teams in Division III and 15 nationally-ranked teams, Drew shot a 6-under-par 210 to win by four strokes. This was Drew’s fifth career win as a Hawk, tying Huntingdon’s NCAA-era record-holder, All-American Chase Blaich ’11. AND THEN—this just in—Drew led the Hawks with his sixth individual win, breaking the College’s NCAA-era record, and the Hawks won their first tournament of the fall season at the Rhodes Fall Classic, which concluded yesterday at Tunica National Golf Resort. Drew broke other records in this tournament, as well. Read more, and congratulations, Hawks!
• Caroline McBroom ’18 began working with the Maury County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Alliance in Columbia, Tenn., in May 2019.
• Steve Miller ’93 has been promoted to director of international scouting for the Tampa Bay Rays. He has spent the last six years as international crosschecker for the team. In his new job, he will oversee scouting activities and personnel outside the U.S. and Canada. Prior to joining the Rays, he spent seven seasons with the Blue Jays as an area scout, 2006–2010, and a regional crosschecker, 2011–2013. He spent 13 years as a college baseball coach before moving into the professional ranks.
• Lisa Smithson Mollitor ’85 reports that in addition to her day job as a paralegal and title agent for the Critzer Law Firm in Miramar Beach, Fla., she is a licensed travel agent. Her love of travel progressed naturally to her new calling, for which she specializes in Disney and Universal vacations and in cruises. She can book travel anywhere on six continents (Antarctica isn’t yet available).
• Sarah Ward Pair ’10 and her husband, Tyler, welcomed a son, Cooper, in August 2019. Special congratulations to the grandparents, Huntingdon Chief of Security Mike Ward ’76 and Phyllis Killion Ward ’74.
• Victoria Parrish ’18 serves as an itinerant music teacher for Mobile County Public Schools in Alabama.
• Megan Petenbrink ’12 completed her Master of Divinity at Emory University and works as the director of children, youth, and family ministries for Holy Innocents Church in Marietta, Ga.
• McDowell Pinckard ’12 and his wife, Andrea, welcomed a son, Dow, in August 2019.
• Dominik Platen ’12 completed his Master of Science in digital visual effects at the University of Kent in Canterbury, U.K., in 2014 and works as a 2D supervisor for One of Us, Ltd., in London. He has been part of the visual effects team working on films including Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Disney’s Christopher Robin, and the recent Lion King remake.
• Martha Law McWhorter ’80 is the owner of ACC Distributors Inc. and lives in Greenville, S.C.
• Abby Rohde ’18 works as a specialist of strategic planning and supplier support for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing in Montgomery. She completed her MBA through Auburn-Montgomery in December 2019.
• Sam Schjott ’07 has changed jobs within Alabama Power Company in Monroeville, Ala., now serving as the governmental and community affairs manager.
• We welcome Taylor Sheriff as pitching coach for the baseball team. Taylor comes to HC from Spalding University, where he served as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.
• Ryne Taylor ’14 and his wife, McKenzie, welcomed a daughter, Perry Leola Taylor, in August 2019.
• Paxton Tharp ’19 has begun a new position as director of children and youth for Kingswood United Methodist Church in Mobile, Ala.
• Shannon Delavan Todd ’00 and her husband live in Searcy, Ark., where she is a financial analyst for Arkansas Public Service Commission. She completed certification as a rate of return analyst in 2019.
• Debbie Porter Turner ’77 has retired as a social worker with the State of Alabama Department of Human Resources. She and her husband, Ben, live in Mobile.
• Volleyball player Amy Tyma ’21 passed 1,000 digs after earning 20 digs in the final match during the team’s sweep of Pensacola Christian College and Mississippi University for Women this past weekend. With 1,010 digs, she is only the seventh Hawk to reach the milestone since 2006.
• Linda Jackson Willis ’86 is a paraprofessional with Bridge Prep Academy in Jacksonville, Fla., where she frequently talks with prospective students about Huntingdon College. Thank you, Linda!

PRAYERS AND CONCERNS

• With sadness we share the loss of Marilyn Cogburn McLeod ’44, of Augusta, Ga. Marilyn passed away September 4, 2019, at age 96. She is a member of the exceptionally loyal pack of ladies who graduated in the 1940s who faithfully loved and served Huntingdon for decades. They all had nicknames for each other—hers was “Cog.” Marilyn served on the Huntingdon College National Alumni Board and was a recipient of the Alumni Loyalty Award.

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

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Suellen (Su) Ofe
Vice President
for Marketing and Communications
Huntingdon College
1500 E. Fairview Ave., Montgomery, AL 36106
(334) 833-4515; Cell (334) 324-6591