in this issue - lagrange college · 2018. 10. 26. · whitney to assume new role at iowa wesleyan...

summer 2009 a magazine for alumni and friends

IN THIS ISSUE LaGrange bids farewell to the Gulleys 9 Clouds can’t overshadow Commencement 13 Lewis Library dedicated 16

COLUMNSL A G R A N G E C O L L E G E

A Magazine for Alumni and FriendsVol. 13, No. 3

President F. Stuart Gulley, Ph.D.

Editor Dean Hartman

Assistant Editor Ron Hamilton

Development Writer Karen Clark

Alumni and College Relations Editors Martha Pirkle, Andy Brubaker, Susan Hancock

Editorial Consultant B. David Rowe, Ph.D.

Webmaster David Beard ’01

Designer Stacy Gorman Jackson ’00

LaGrange College (USPS 299-300), including Columns, its official publication for alumni and friends, and the Progress Report and Annual Donor Roll, is published quarterly by LaGrange College, 601 Broad Street, LaGrange, GA 30240-2999. Periodical class postage paid at LaGrange, GA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LaGrange College, 601 Broad Street, LaGrange, GA 30240-2999.

Correspondence should be directed to the Communications and Marketing Office at the above address, e-mailed to [email protected], or faxed to (706) 880-8763.

Classnotes should be sent to the Alumni and Family Relations Office at the same address, e-mailed to [email protected], or faxed to (706) 880-8757.

Indicates additional material on the College’s Web site found at

www.lagrange.edu

A four-year liberal arts and sciences col-lege affiliated with the United Methodist Church, LaGrange College is ranked in the top five and as a “best value” among 95 Southern baccalaureate colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The College is the oldest private institution of higher learning in Georgia and has an enrollment of about 1,000 students.

from the president

An enriching experience

Over the course of the last months, as my time here comes to a close, I have had the opportunity to reflect on my 13 years at LaGrange College. We have accomplished much: new facilities and new programs, enrollment records and numerous marker moments, and they all were important.

But perhaps most important is the word “we.”

I am fully aware that none of these milestones could have been achieved without the support of this institution’s alumni and friends. You have made amazing things happen, and each one of them is a testament to what a group of people who believe in something bigger than themselves can accomplish.

The “can-do” spirit that prevails here is remarkable. For one example, read about the three young women who spearheaded the recent Selu Project on campus, guiding the restoration and research of the artifacts discovered during the construction of the Lewis Library (page 6). With no academic credit or financial incentive, they simply dug in and enriched themselves, and this institution, in marvelous ways.

It is my hope that you find your involvement with this place enrich-ing. For my part, I can honestly say that my time here has been the most personally and professionally satisfying period of my life. Thank you for challenging my mind and inspiring my soul.

May God continue to bless you and this wonderful college, under a new and dynamic leader in Dr. Dan McAlexander.

F. Stuart Gulley, Ph.D. President

in this issue

The heavy gray clouds that threatened to soak those gathered for the College’s 178th Commencement ceremony could not dampen the spirit of the occasion. PAgE 13by Ron Hamilton

2 Notebook Acclaimed author Janisse Ray visits campus; postcard returns after 100 years; fundraising campaign earns national attention; more

4 Around Campus Rowe named president of Centenary College of Louisiana; professor spends semester teaching in Japan; campus wel-comes new LaGrange president; more

16 Defining Moment Frank and Laura Lewis Library dedicated; Learning Center honors father, husband; ‘Dean B’ surprised with patio naming; more

20 Alumni and Friends Ragland honored for alumni service; Williams receives Fuller E. Callaway, Jr., Award; softball, golf make national tour-neys; more

23 Classnotes Alumna honors parents with study room naming; book rediscovers works of LaGrange author; Alumni share their moves and milestones; more

9page

CoverMore than 500 relics related to the College’s past were unearthed with the construction of the Lewis Library, including this small ceramic bird. Students (from left in the photo) Fleming Garner, Caitlin Vest and Kacey Smith led the effort to research the artifacts and connect them to the LaGrange story. Page 6by Karen Clark

Through the Gulley Gateway dedication and other events this spring, the College bid farewell to departing President Stuart Gulley and his family. by Dean Hartman

Professor Laine Scott takes American teaching style to Japan.page 4

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Three times a championRiding the arm of Kristen Woodard and the bat of Valeree Williams, the Pan-ther softball team swept away Maryville College on April 26 to claim its third straight GSAC Softball Championship. The title sent the team to the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament in Salisbury, Md. In the photo, Williams scores a run against Agnes Scott during an early conference tourney game. For more, see page 22.

Author Janisse Ray addresses campus groups

Acclaimed author and environ-mental activist Janisse Ray visited campus in April, meeting with students and speaking to the Friends of the LaGrange College Library. Ray’s first book, “Ecology of a Cracker Child-hood,” received instant acclaim and won the Southern Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction and the Ameri-can Book Award in 2000.

She told her Friends audience that the South is at a crossroads, warning not only of the destruction of the lon-gleaf pine forest, but also the disappear-ance of Southern culture—a threat to the region’s heritage of producing some of the greatest American authors.

Her visit to campus was co-sponsored by the Warren Featherbone Foundation.

Education Department earns high marks

A team from the Georgia Profes-sional Standards Commission came to the Hill late last year to poke, probe, scrutinize and study the College’s teach-er preparation program—and once the evaluation was ended, the teachers who groom teachers had earned high marks.

“At the end of the meeting, the board chair and the PSC representative said that it was an outstanding report, and so they were very pleased with what they saw,” said Education Chair Dr. Don Livingston. “Let’s say that out of a final examination of 100 points, we got a 98 or 99.”

As a result of the highly positive review, the department was fully reac-credited and also was chosen to host a mock accreditation visit for future PSC examiners.

Postcard takes the long way home

It took 100 years, but a historic post-card that left the Hill in June of 1909 has finally come back home. Betty Parker in Macon, Ga., notified the campus Com-munications office recently of a vintage card that had been sent to her grand-mother, Ethel Brown Watkins.

The postcard features LaGrange Fe-male College students gathered in front of Smith Hall. On its reverse, Emma (last name unknown) tells her friend that she is in LaGrange having “a fine old time.”

The card now resides in the archives at Lewis Library.

Students make 24-hour study ‘record’

Junior Nursing majors Lindsey Allen and Liza Jablonski became the first two students to use the new Lewis Library’s 24-hour study space for 24 consecutive hours in February.

Responding to an off-the-cuff chal-lenge from Dean of Students Dr. Jack Slay, the pair elected to enter campus his-tory books by beginning their vigil in the Moshell Learning Center at 5:27 p.m. on Feb. 26 and finishing at the same time the next day.

Friends brought the duo food to sustain them during their extended study break.

Faculty saluted for teaching excellence

Four faculty members were singled out for their teaching efforts during Honors Convocation on May 1. Associ-ate Professor of Political Science Dr. John Tures, far left, earned the John R. Hines Jr. Undergraduate Research Award for

promoting research. Biology Chair Dr. Sarah Beth Mallory, second from right, was presented the inaugural Sustain-ability Award for advancing the campus sustainability mission. History Chair Dr. Joe Cafaro, far right, was awarded the United Methodist Church Teaching Award for “inspiring the souls” of his students. Joining them is Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean Dr. Greg McClanahan.

Not present for the ceremony was recently retired Professor of Biology Dr. John Hurd who earned the Vulcan Materials Teaching Excellence Award for “challenging the minds” of his students.

Fifth graders catch a glimpse of the future

Two cohorts of local fifth grad-ers visited campus in March for a new collaborative initiative between Troup County Schools and the Education De-partment called First Day at College. Beginning their visit in the new library, the school children received instruc-tion by Education Department faculty and students, toured the dorms and ate lunch in the cafeteria.

Chair of Education Dr. Don Livings-ton said, “We’re trying to provide these

young visitors with a picture of what col-lege is like. We want them to see it as a welcoming place—an enjoyable place—so that one day they’ll look forward to their own college experience.”

Whitney to assume new role at Iowa Wesleyan

Executive Vice President for Ad-ministration Phyllis Whitney will be leaving LaGrange in August to assume a similar role at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. There, she joins former colleague Dr. Jay Simmons who assumed the school’s presidency last year after serving for more than a decade as LaGrange College Vice President for Aca-demic Affairs.

“Without question, LaGrange Col-lege has been greatly blessed by Phyl-lis’ leadership these past 11 years,” said President Stuart Gulley. “Her efforts have literally transformed every area for which she has responsibility.

“I believe one would be hard pressed to identify another chief administrative and financial officer who has accom-plished so much, over such a brief period of time, and who still enjoys the respect held by Phyllis.”

Prior to coming to LaGrange, Whit-ney served for 15 years as Vice President for Business Affairs at Midway (Ky.) College.

Fundraising effort gains national attention

The College’s Bridge to the Fu-ture fundraising effort was covered in the lead story of the Feb. 26 issue of Chronicle of Philanthropy. Titled Rais-ing Money in Hard Times, the article described the innovative responses of nonprofit organizations to the recession, and it quoted Vice President for Ad-vancement Dr. David Rowe.

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COLUMNS, Summer 2007 3

around campus

4 COLUMNS, Summer 2009

Associate Professor of English Dr. Laine Scott has long held a penchant for learning about other languages and cultures. As a senior in college, she took on Russian, German, Spanish, French and linguistics. Later, she spent a year living abroad in France and two years in Germany. So, it was no surprise that when the opportunity to live and teach in Japan presented itself, Dr. Scott jumped at the chance.

“I was ready for an adventure, and I was at a point in my life where I thought this would be really fun,” she said. “Also, I know firsthand that living abroad is an extremely valuable experience.”

Dr. Scott, who also serves as the Director of the Writing and Tutoring Center, was given the opportunity to teach in Japan thanks to a student/facul-ty exchange program that was set up with Seigakuin University in 2005. Though there have been several students who have taken advantage of the program, Dr. Scott was the first faculty member from either school to agree to take part.

But before she set off on her four-month-long assignment, Dr. Scott made preparations by taking two semesters of Japanese and arranging for her teenage son, Phelan, to continue his education in

Japan online through the Georgia Virtual Schools Program.

In September 2008, the pair arrived in their new home, a furnished apart-ment in a northwest suburb of Tokyo, just one train stop from the university.

At Seigakuin, Dr. Scott taught two courses: a graduate class in American literature and an undergraduate course in composition.

“Composition was totally new to the Japanese because even in their own language, they don’t take writing classes,”

she said. “So this was a real struggle for them to figure out how you come up with an idea and develop it, and organize it and use proper style.”

Even so, she said that working with the students was an interesting and en-joyable experience.

“They were very meek, very quiet and totally respectful,” she said. “Any-thing you ask, they would do. They take their work very seriously, and if they don’t do as well as they would like, they immediately want to know why and what they can do to improve.

“But they’re also very sociable. My students insisted on taking me out to lunch and dinner so they could take me to a really nice place to eat and could read the menu for me and translate it all.”

Dr. Scott, who also had the oppor-tunity to do a great deal of traveling and sightseeing while in Japan, said the most surprising aspect of her adventure was how much she enjoyed the Japanese culture.

“I was ready for an adventure, but I really didn’t think I’d connect with this culture,” she said. “But I developed a fondness for Japan even though it’s a very different culture from ours … and I would definitely go back if I had the chance.”

Scott spends semester teaching in Japan

Rowe named president of Centenary CollegeVice President for Advancement Dr.

David Rowe has been elected president of Centenary College of Louisiana, both institutions announced May 19.

Dr. Rowe, who has served on the Hill since 2000, will assume leadership of the Shreveport institution on Aug. 1.

President Stuart Gulley said Dr. Rowe’s range of abilities led the Cente-nary Presidential Search Committee to its decision.

“David’s background as a strategic thinker and visionary, engaging pub-lic speaker, gifted United Methodist clergyperson, accomplished fundraiser and incisive leader in matters related to sustainability proved to be very attractive

to the search committee, which pursued him for this opportunity,” he said.

“During David’s 10 years here, he led the development of a new visual identity program, strengthened our outreach to alumni with enhanced programming, radically restructured the Leadership Council, connected the College to the community and region through numer-ous external efforts, and guided us to annual fundraising records. Collectively, these efforts have aided in the growing reputation of LaGrange College and, most importantly, in the fulfillment of our mission and vision.”

Dr. Rowe holds a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University, a Master

of Divin-ity degree from Emory University and a Cer-tificate in Ecumeni-cal Studies from the World Council of Churches and the University of Geneva. He earned his Ph.D. from Georgia State University.

He is married to Jodi Hyde Rowe, and they have two sons, Carter and Philip.

Scott helps herself to a tea cake during a private Japanese tea ceremony arranged for her by one of her graduate students, Kaoru Saito, seated on the right.

around campus

The line stretched back 25 feet and extended outside the Edmondson Parlor entryway on April 23 as faculty, staff, stu-dents and well-wish-ers queued up to greet the College’s next president, Belmont University Provost Dan McAlexander, and his wife, Celeste Myall, at a reception held at Smith Hall in their honor.

It was Dr. McAl-exander’s first trip back to the Hill since visiting with con-stituents earlier in the month as one of the three finalists for the presidential post.

“We have been overwhelmed by the warm welcome we’ve received,” he said during his return visit. “Celeste and I look forward to mak-ing our home in LaGrange.”

On April 16, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the Hois-ington, Kan., native the 25th president of Georgia’s oldest private college after the search committee had meticulously whittled down a list of more than 100 candidates.

Board of Trustees Chair Bill Hodges, who also headed up the search committee, was confident that the process had singled out the right person for the position.

“In Dr. McAlexander, the Presiden-tial Search Committee found a highly qualified, experienced and visionary leader who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people and is appreciative of LaGrange Col-lege’s mission of challenging the mind and inspiring the soul,” he said.

“Belmont has experienced remark-able growth and innovation during Dr. McAlexander’s time as provost,” he said.

“His position there is compa-rable to that of a chief operat-ing officer in an expanded role. This experience, applied to the accomplishments and momentum established under the leadership of Dr. Gulley, will provide LaGrange College with the continuity in leadership excel-lence we set as a goal from the beginning.”

During the eight years of Dr. McAlexander’s tenure at Bel-mont, the univer-

sity has experienced an overall enrollment increase of 68 percent, which translates to 2,000 additional students, while also seeing spikes in average ACT scores, from 24 to 26, and in the six-year graduation rate, from 50 percent to 67 percent.

While he has served as provost, the university

has launched a number of new academic programs, including schools of pharmacy, Asian studies, social entrepreneurship and convergence media journalism.

Belmont also has added 40 new faculty positions and constructed three suite-style residence halls and a $22 mil-lion health and science building over the past eight years.

Before coming to Belmont, Dr. McAlexander worked in several posi-tions at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where he began as a faculty member and eventually rose to the rank of associate vice president for planning.

He earned his Bachelor of Music in Piano at the University of Kansas, a Master of Music in Piano at The Julliard School and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

He has been married to Myall, a violinist, teacher and conductor, for 33 years. The couple has two adult daugh-ters, Anne and Alice.

Dr. McAlexander will officially begin his tenure on the Hill on July 1.

Campus welcomes new presidential couple

Dr. Dan Mcalexander and his wife, Celeste Myall, chat with associate psychology professor Dr. Heath-er Hass, far right, and the psychology Department’s administrative assistant, Becky anderson.

The incoming presidential couple spend a moment with aaron Jones ’08 during the wel-coming reception held in Smith Hall on april 23.

In the fall of 2007, a sense of anticipation swept across

campus as the days ticked down to Homecoming

Weekend. The Panther football team prepped for its

second contest with Huntingdon College in what would

be LaGrange’s first night game “under the lights”

at Callaway Stadium on Saturday.

Others on the Hill organized shiny

gold shovels and boxes of custom-made

lapel pins for a groundbreaking ceremony

on Friday, marking the start of construc-

tion for the new Frank and Laura

Lewis Library.

While all were focused on the

future, a simple discovery quickly turned

attention to LaGrange College’s past. by Karen Clark

COLUMNS, Summer 2009 7COLUMNS, Summer 2007 7

archeology 101It was the Wednesday before Home-

coming when crews brought in the heavy yellow equipment to remove an asphalt parking lot that would eventually become the plaza entrance to the new library. Demolition halted when workers noticed a glass bottle among bits of china and flatware scattered over an area later iden-tified as the school’s old burn pit.

Construction Project Manager Chad Pepper bagged up several pieces and delivered them to Dr. Linda “Dean B” Buchanan, Vice President and Dean for Student Life and Retention. Realizing the potential historical significance of the relics and hoping there might be more, she assembled a team of students and faculty for a “dig” the following Sunday afternoon.

With no formal training, the would-be archeologists used gardening tools to burrow their way through the rock-hard red clay; Dean B’s pickup truck served as the dig’s headquarters.

“We were trying to get stuff out of the ground as fast as we could,” she says.

Associate History Professor Dr. Kevin Shirley remembers, “We were rank amateurs, but what a thrill it was, seeing some of the College’s history un-earthed right before our eyes.”

The crew worked into the evening, until the last ray of light vanished behind Henry Residence Hall. Digging continued on Monday as the group struggled to finish by Tuesday morning, when construction

would start up again.By Monday evening, the

team had collected six buckets of artifacts, including delicate perfume bottles, inkwells, a lock, a 1912 dime, electrical sockets, lab equipment and a little ceramic bird.

With digging completed, Dr. Shirley recruited volunteers to start organizing, cleaning, archiving and researching the treasures. Three students stepped up to lead the effort—Fleming Garner ’09, Kacey Smith ’09 and Caitlin Vest ’11.

The Corn MotherBut, first things first. The students

needed a moniker for the project, so they consulted with American historian and history professor Dr. Lisa Crutchfield. Since the relics were recovered from the soil and could be traced to a time when LaGrange was a school for women, she recommended the name “Selu” (pro-nounced say-lou).

According to Southeastern Native American mythology, Selu was the first

woman, the culture’s “Eve.” She also is considered the Corn Mother, deriving her strength from the earth.

“She is a powerful figure of feminin-ity,” Fleming says. “Since we excavated the artifacts from the earth, we felt it

appropriate to name the project in honor of a woman whose strength empowered a nation.”

The Selu Project was born.

From toothbrushes to reverse electrolysis

“Not knowing how to care for the items, we had to research every aspect of our endeavor,” says Fleming, an art his-tory and museum studies major and the project’s director.

Based on prior field experiences, sev-eral LaGrange faculty members suggested cleaning methods, the most popular in-volved using toothbrushes with a solution of vinegar and water.

On any given day, dozens of LaGrange students could be found in the History Depart-ment, cleaning bottles, buttons and broken china. They became affectionately known as the “toothbrush brigade.”

However, the toothbrushes were no match for rust. Eighty years of weather extremes had left the metal objects—a nail, lock, key, shoe horn, can open-er and horseshoe—completely corroded.

Team Selu discovered a rust-removal process known as reverse electrolysis. Using a manual battery charger and some ordinary hardware, the students created a crude but ef-fective way to dissolve away the

decades of rust.In some cases, decay was the only

thing holding the artifacts together. When College Trustee Dr. James Bruce heard about the rotting relics, he offered the services of Southern Orthopedics in

at left, this small ceramic bird survived its under-ground nest for more than 80 years. It was discov-ered along with more than 500 other relics in an area that was once a burn pit at Lagrange College.

Library staff members Jennifer Wig-gins, left, and Charlene Baxter dig for artifacts at the site.

The Selu Team was hoping x-rays would reveal information about several heavily decayed artifacts. Here, radiologic technology students from West georgia Technical College prepare to photograph several pieces at Southern Orthopedics.


LaGrange to x-ray several fragile pieces. “We didn’t discover anything new

about the items,” Fleming says, “but the experience was extremely worthwhile.”

‘Digging’ into the researchAfter several months of cleaning,

Kacey Smith, a political science major and the lead archivist, began looking for a way to document the collection. Lewis Library Director Loren Pinkerman had procured a museum management database to record the library’s archives; he encouraged the Selu students to give it a try.

It was the perfect solution. “Each object has its own screen with fields that contain all of its vital characteristics, along with photos,” Kacey says. “We’re continu-ing to update the files as we research and gather more data about the collection.”

Caitlin Vest, a history major and the project’s lead researcher, couldn’t wait to find out the function, date and signifi-cance of each artifact. She started by look-ing for identifying marks and symbols.

Internet links to notes about other archeological digs provided clues about sorting the LaGrange artifacts into four categories: medical, academic, cosmetic and domestic.

“We know that most of them date back to the early 20th century, perhaps 1910 or 1912,” she says.

“We have bottles from the A. S. Hinds Company, a family business that was started in 1875 in Portland, Maine,” she says. “They manufactured Honey and

Almond Cream until 1907, when the busi-ness was purchased by another company.”

Using resources from the Society for Historical Archeology, Caitlin learned to type and date the glass bottles. The Ar-chive Americana Collection at the Lewis Library led her to historic American newspapers published before 1922, where she matched advertisements with several excavated containers, like Hinds Honey and Almond Cream, a Cutex manicure set and Pompeian Bloom rouge.

a simpler timePhotographs from 1920s and 1930s

Quadrangles, the College’s yearbook, helped the students identify inkwells, art supplies and laboratory tubing. Their research at the Georgia and Troup County archives led them to un-derstand more about early 20th century life in LaGrange.

“Dairy cattle grazed part of the cam-pus, and Smith Hall was wired for electricity in 1888,” Caitlin says.

They found scrapbooks cre-ated by Lillian Clark ’24 and Aurelia Adams ’31. Amid the news-paper clippings and concert programs, there was a 1927 student handbook.

Intrigued, the students called on three LaGrange alumnae to learn more about life at the College during that era. Catherine Hicks ’39, Libba Traylor ’41 and Lollie Love ’39 shared their memo-ries of teachers and ‘fellas’ and their love for a place that provided a sense of stability and community during difficult economic times.

Honoring SeluRecently, Fleming, Kacey and Caitlin

shared their Selu research and the alum-nae stories with attendees at the Southern History of Education Society conference. The students were the first undergraduates ever to present at the event.

Even more impressive is that all of the digging, cleaning, x-raying, archiving and researching occurred outside of regu-lar classes; the students received no aca-demic credit and even carried full course loads while working on the project.

However, during LaGrange College’s annual Honors Day ceremony in May, President Stuart Gulley surprised the three students with a special presidential

citation for “the most outstanding interdisci-plinary project of the decade.” It was the first time during his 13-year presidency that Dr. Gulley had issued such an award.

Proud of the stu-dents’ determination and perseverance, Dr. Shirley says, “Selu is a remarkable example of collaborative learning, involving the efforts

of 12 faculty members in six different depart-ments

and three academic divisions.”

Specu-lating on

the project’s future, Fleming says, “I see Selu

as an initiative that will involve several generations of students exploring the history of LaGrange College well into the future.”

You can see the Selu Project ex-hibit at the Lewis Library through the summer. For more information about the project, visit the Web site at home.lagrange.edu/selu/. n

The Selu project team consults with Dr. Kevin Shirley, associate professor of History, to learn more about the origins of artifacts found in the construc-tion zone at Lagrange College. Shown here, from left, are Kacey Smith, Fleming garner, Caitlin Vest, Dr. Shirley and Kim Beaver.


The dedication of the new campus pedestrian bridge in early May

marked not only the inauguration of a new campus passageway, but also the passage of an era.

The span was christened the Gulley Gateway in honor of outgoing presiden-tial couple Stuart and Kathleen Gulley, who depart at the end of June to take up the leadership of Woodward Academy in

Atlanta.A large crowd gathered on May 2 for

the official dedication of the structure and was welcomed by Vice President for Advancement David Rowe.

“We stand here on the threshold of a bridge, a bridge that integrates into one campus at long last what was two campuses, a bridge that links the Col-lege with the community … and a bridge

that will stand as more than a functional tribute to this time in LaGrange College’s history, but one that will signal for all time what this time in LaGrange Col-lege’s history has meant,” he said.

a weighty landmarkThe Gulley Gateway crosses Vernon

Street, otherwise known as busy U.S. Route 29, and links new parking lots on

Farewell to a President

by Dean Hartman



the street’s south side with the Lewis Li-brary. Ninety feet long and 21 feet above the road’s surface, the structure features two 41-ton concrete beams engraved with the College’s name.

If the structure seems vaguely familiar to passersby, it should come as no surprise. The bridge features a clock tower (which encloses a handicap access elevator) that is reminiscent of a local landmark: the Cal-laway Clock Tower in south LaGrange. The College clocks each measure 7 feet in diameter and face east and west toward the traffic below.

Designed by Benefield Richters of Knoxville, Tenn., the bridge provides a physical connection between the his-toric portion of campus known as the Hill, which includes the College’s oldest structures, and the southern portion of campus, which features landmarks such as the Lamar Dodd Art Center, Price Theater and Callaway Auditorium.

Fundraising for the $1.5 million structure was part of the Defining Mo-ment campaign, and gifts were solicited to honor the Gulleys, who will complete 13 years at the College before their departure.

grateful groupsAt a number of events throughout

the spring, the couple was feted by the institution’s different constituent groups. At each, the accomplishments of the past 13 years were lifted up, and the list was long: the development of academic honor and social codes, increased visibility and

rising rankings, $65 million in capital renovations and new construction, the addition of football and January Interim Term, significant fundraising success totaling nearly $110 million, community partnerships that include hosting the Jimmy Carter Work Project, a growing emphasis on sustainability and a soon-to-be LEED-certified library.

While trustees, faculty and staff had additional opportunities to express their appreciation to the Gulleys, the bridge dedication, in particular, provided a chance for community members and for the student body to convey their thanks.

During the event, senior Sara Foshee presented the couple a journal with hand-written notes from students and a chair featuring the college seal. Including the whole family, she also gave personalized Panther athletic jerseys to the Gulleys’ two children, Andrew and Matthew.

“President Gulley, you have pushed us to be better individuals and better students—and you nurtured us along the way,” she said. “You’re a kind spirit, a dedicated leader, a humble voice, a man of God.”

From gulley to bridgeFor his part, Dr. Gulley approached

the landmark naming with a sense of humor.

“As someone who heard about this occasion indicated to us,” he said, “they were so pleased that they could now say they knew us when we were a gully—and

now we’re a bridge!” drawing laughter from the audience.

“There has been so much that has been said and done in our behalf that we feel is undeserved, but we are grateful,” he said. “And we’re especially grateful for your presence here today—for the love and support that you have demonstrated for us and this institution over the last 13 years.”

He told the crowd that the real heart of an educational institution is not its president.

“It is those who live and work on a daily basis at the institution: the faculty, the staff, the students, the graduates, the volunteers, the board members; it is you out here,” he declared. “And so I implore you to continue this wonderful 178-year tradition and heritage that we have at LaGrange College of challenging the mind and inspiring the soul. You have certainly done that for the Gulley family.

“A huge piece of our hearts will al-ways be in LaGrange. And while we now transition to a new relationship … we will look on with pride at all the accom-plishments of LaGrange College well into the future.”

a connected coupleBoard of Trustees Chairman Bill

Hodges helped the presidential pair unveil a plaque that will reside permanently at the span’s northern end. He reminded the audience that bridges serve as connectors, the same role he believes the Gulleys have played during their time at the College.

“How fitting to name this marvel-ous bridge in honor of two individuals who connected with so many and in doing so made each of our lives so much better,” he said.

“Stuart and Kathleen have been a bridge to connect us to be better indi-viduals and better souls by leading us to a better understanding of morality, civility, honor, diversity, tolerance, hope, faith, humility and respect for family. What a gift you all have been.

“Let us never utilize this bridge, this Stuart and Kathleen Gulley bridge, with-out remembering what a blessing and gift of God they have been to all of us.”

The gulley family reacts to a humorous salute to them during the bridge dedication ceremony on May 2. They are, from left, Matthew, andrew, president gulley and his wife, Kathleen.



Over the course of his last weeks in office, President Stuart Gulley

has listened to many emcees offer their interpretation of his 13 years at LaGrange College. From formal dedications to casual roasts, the occasions have allowed others to offer their comments and com-mendations.

It seems only fitting, then, that Dr. Gulley should have an opportunity to of-fer his own observations and farewells.

In this Columns interview, he shares reflections on his tenure at LaGrange Col-lege and a few thoughts for the future.

—the Editor

Q: A 13-year term as one college’s president is quite long by today’s stan-dards, isn’t it?

A: The average is about seven years. The reason they say that a president has to move every seven years is because each year he loses 10 percent of his friends. (laughter) After 13 years, I don’t leave feeling that I have a deficit of friends, but that I have come to love an entire community in a way that it is really gut-wrenching to imagine not being a part of this full time.

We’ve been extraordinarily blessed, and this community has embraced us as a family and embraced me as a president in a way that has allowed this to be a very meaningful and fulfilling working environment for me.

LaGrange College is unique in high-er education since its constituent groups are not in factions that are opposed to the overall direction of the institution. There are so many stories that could be told of other institutions … where one or all of those groups are not in sync. But

that’s just not the case here, and that’s been one of the great

blessings of being here.

Q: What else have you found surprising?

A: First, how absolutely fulfilling

and gratifying that I found the

job to be. I think I came here believing that a col-lege presi-

dent’s job was as much to problem-shoot and say no as anything else, and, in fact, I’ve had to deal with very few complaints or concerns and enjoyed an atmosphere very united in the direction that the Col-lege is headed.

Certainly, learning about the ($22 million) Candler bequest and the com-mitment of Remer and Emily Crum to bequeath the Century Center office park to LaGrange College and Mercer Uni-versity are moments professionally that I will never forget.

Q: Are there other memorable moments?

A: Another would be when (Calla-way Foundation President) Speer Bur-dette and I met with Frank Lewis and his son, Jason, to inform them that the new library was going to be named for Frank and Laura. It was a very moving moment for all of us.

The first home game for the Pan-ther Football progam—3,500 people in attendance and the U.S. Parachute Team coming onto the Callaway Sta-dium field—and their first win against Birmingham-Southern are moments that are etched in my memory. Every gradua-tion is very special, and my inauguration on April 17, 1997, will always stand out as a high moment.

The countdown celebration for bringing in the new millennium (in downtown LaGrange) was just a won-derful time. Hosting the Jimmy Carter Work Project and having the Carters stay in our home … and finding them to be such relaxed and easy people to be with, despite the presence of Secret Service around the house, will always be a favor-ite memory, among others.


Q: You coined the College’s “Chal-lenging the Mind; Inspiring the Soul.” mission statement. Does that still ring true to you?

A: I believe it may ring more true than 13 years ago. I think I articulated the ingredients that already existed in this community that, grouped together, have put us on the map maybe more than anything else—and so much has flowed from that.

I still have a memory of an inspira-tion I had at my first CIC (Council of Independent Colleges) meeting and of pulling out a piece of paper and writing a first draft of the mission statement. It was a cathartic moment of expressing in a very passionate way all the things that I had been learning about and feeling about and believing about LaGrange College since I arrived in 1996, and which were ultimately adopted and adapted as our mission statement.

Q: And what of our vision: to be the premier private liberal arts college in Georgia?

A: In my mind I don’t think there has been any wavering on the mission; I think that there has been greater uncertainty on the vision: How do we know when we get there? What do we mean when we say lib-eral arts, and are our professional offerings in some way at odds with that?

I think the value of the vision state-ment is that it has caused us to aspire to believe enough in ourselves that we can compete with the finest liberal arts options in the state and that we have the potential to lay claim to premier status.

I do believe that if you look at the LaGrange College experience of the last 13 years, it can be argued that we have made discernable progress toward that claim. Do I think we have arrived? No. But to lay claim to that is not necessarily something done in one generation. I feel confident that President-elect McAlexan-der feels as passionately about this as I do and that he will bring his own insights on how to position LaGrange to achieve that goal during his tenure.

Q: What are the biggest challenges that lie ahead?

A: The challenges for the future will be how to grow enrollment, particularly for the undergraduate day program. An added challenge is just the state of the economy right now and the impact that has on endowment value and the ability of friends to make annual gifts to the College.

I also believe that there are going to be competitive challenges with our non-traditional offerings. We already know that Columbus State is about to begin a satellite campus in West Point, and that will have an impact on us that is yet to be fully understood.

So I do think that there are certainly challenges, but there’s nothing here that I view as insurmountable to prevent LaGrange College from going to heights that we can’t even anticipate at this point.

Q: Any advice on the care and feeding of a new president?

A: I think the advice that I would give is to understand that the new presi-dent has been chosen by a process that is as thorough and rigorous as any hiring process can possibly be, and in the early going to give him the benefit of the doubt on judgments that he makes. Understand that initially this job is a lot like getting a drink out of a fire hydrant: There is just so much to digest and so much of the College and community to understand

that it can be disorienting to the person in charge. So simply to offer support and encouragement will go a long way toward helping him feel good about the decision he has made to come here.

I feel very strongly that Dan and Celeste are the right presidential couple for LaGrange College, and my hope and prayer is that this community will em-brace them with the same warmth and affection and confidence that they have embraced Kathleen and me for these last 13 years. If they do, I have absolutely no concerns about where LaGrange College is going.

Q: Will you visit campus in the future?A: I think it’s very important that

at least for the first year I give the new president space to be his own person, so I am committed to being sort of invisible at least initially. But over time, both because of my deep love for the College and the many friendships I enjoy in this commu-nity, I hope that we will be returning to maintain those friendships and to observe and celebrate the progress of the College.

A big piece of our hearts remains here in LaGrange and will always be here. This job has been more rewarding than any I could ever imagine. I leave feeling a great deal of personal and professional satisfaction at what the LaGrange College team has accomplished, and I am very excited about what the future holds for this institution in the years to come. n



The heavy gray clouds that threatened to soak those gathered for the College’s 178th Commencement ceremony could not dampen the spirit of the occasion. Be-decked in black, the procession of graduates marched into the Residential Quad with alacrity on a cool, misty morning to harvest the fruits of four years’ effort.

Surrounded by hundreds of friends and family members, the Class of 2009 was composed of 271 individuals possessing an equal number of unique stories.

While the preponderance of the class was made up of native Georgians, 10 states and four countries were represented among the graduates. At 21.4 years old, Ericka Bermudez was the youngest member of the class, and 69-year-old Mattie Grant was the senior member of the group.

Two parents, Daphne Rivers and Julie Clifton Watson, got to turn their tassels alongside their children, Deondra Riv-

ers and Joshua Watson. And LaGrange College at Albany saw its first master’s degree recipients cross the stage.

On hand to address those assembled was Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. She told the crowd that when she pondered the meaning of her own graduation years after the fact, she was struck by how big an impact philanthropists had made on her life.

“What it meant is that people that I did not know by name, that people I would never know by name had com-mitted to my education in a way that I could never appreciate,” she said. “There is no question that I stand here today because other people took special interest both in the college and me, that I might fulfill some of my dreams.”

She encouraged the graduates to try and make a similar mark.

“It’s true that you must support your own family and your friends and your community, but I would ask that you do those things in your life that unnamed people will ben-efit from your good works.”

Also speaking during the cer-emony was Sara Foshee, recipient of this year’s Waights G. Henry, Jr., Leadership Award. She looked back on her time on the Hill and the car-ing community she witnessed.

“For me, one of the most incred-ible aspects of LaGrange College is that the people here are willing,” she said. (continued on next page)

Graduation day appeared bleak weather-wise, but dispositions were sunny

by Ron Hamilton

above left, Deondra Rivers, who earned a bachelor’s degree in human development, pauses with her mother, Daphne, who earned a bachelor’s in human development as well. at left, Julie Clifton Watson and her son, Joshua, were also a parent/child combo who graduated together. Julie, who earned a bachelor’s degree on the Hill in 1976, received her master’s in education, while Joshua earned a bachelor’s in biology.


above, Sarah adams, an early childhood education major, smiles as she turns her tassel during the May 16 Commencement ceremony. The tassel turning is an old tradition signifying the student has become a graduate. Below, nursing graduates participate in a candle-lighting ritual at the close of their pinning ceremony held at First United Methodist Church two days before Commencement.

Below, Rena Brewer, who was the first student in her class to submit her thesis, also became the first person from LaGrange College at Albany to be called up to cross the stage to pick up her master’s in organizational leadership. all totaled, 10 students from the albany branch earned their master’s degrees.

“Maybe not always willing to give the grade we wanted in class, but willing to lend a hand, a listening ear—willing to give encouragement and support.”

Four individuals were singled out to receive honorary degrees. Commence-ment speaker Franklin was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree.

The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, this year’s Baccalaureate speaker, received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree.

Also receiving an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree was Sarajane N. Love, Verner F. Chaffin Distinguished Profes-sor in Fiduciary Law at the University of Georgia.

Departing President Stuart Gulley was surprised with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree. In a poignant portion of the ceremony, Dr. Gulley’s

father, Vanderbilt University Professor Emeritus Dr. Frank Gulley, came on stage to read a citation commending his son’s 13 years of service to the College. And Iowa Wesleyan College President Jay Simmons (formerly Chief Academic Of-ficer at LaGrange) was on hand to bestow the doctorate.

The Distinguished Service Alumni Award winner, Joe Ragland Jr., was rec-ognized during Commencement as well (more on page 21). n


above, president Stuart gulley accepts the approba-tion of the crowd during an emotional moment when the College’s departing 24th president was surprised with an honorary doctorate. at right, Ha-waii native anthony Lusano pauses for a photo follow-ing the ceremony. Lusano carried on a family tradition by wearing a lei during Commencement.

at left, Fleming garner carries the class banner as she leads her fellow graduates during the processional. above, gaela Duncan, left, and Morgan Melton pause for a photo before the Baccalaureate ceremony held at First United Methodist Church on May 15. Below left, Leon Williams wears a contented countenance as he marches into the Residential Quad. Below, president gulley shares a moment with the three women who were awarded honorary doctorates at this year’s Commencement. They are, from left, Sarajane N. Love; the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, the Baccalaureate speaker; and atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, this year’s Com-mencement speaker.


Frank and Laura Lewis Library dedicatedFrank and Laura Lewis Library dedicated“A day, long anticipated, has finally

arrived.”President Stuart Gulley’s words rang

through the morning air like church bells, joyful and full of hope.

“We are here to celebrate this won-derful edifice, two extraordinary librar-ians and their enormous contributions to LaGrange College,” he said.

A large crowd of students, faculty, staff, trustees, volunteer leaders and friends gathered on the plaza in front of the new Frank and Laura Lewis Library for the April 17 dedication ceremony that just happened to coincide with National Library Week.

Reaching that moment began in 2004 when the College launched what was to become a $65 million comprehen-sive fundraising campaign called Defin-ing Moment: The LaGrange College Campaign for Distinction. Its goal: to

redefine the institution’s future by build-ing a new library, increasing annual gifts and establishing a library endowment.

While still under way, the campaign’s early success enabled College officials to move forward with library construc-tion—a year ahead of schedule—so students could benefit from its abundant academic resources and state-of-the-art technologies.

During the dedication ceremony, Campaign Chair Scott Hawkins ’74 ex-pressed his gratitude for the “campaign’s donors, whose ongoing leadership makes it possible for LaGrange College to fulfill its mission of challenging the minds and inspiring the souls of students.”

Several organizations have made significant contributions to the library project, including a $6 million gift from Callaway Foundation, Inc.

“We are grateful to the Callaway

Foundation for their generous lead gift and for agreeing to name the library for Frank and Laura Lewis,” Hawkins said.

In 1972, Frank Lewis joined the College as assistant librarian; two years later he became director of the Banks Library, a position he held for 22 years. His wife, Laura, worked as a librarian, first at LaGrange’s Union Street Library and then at LaGrange Memorial Library. Later in her career, she also worked in the College’s Admission Office.

The Lewises freely shared their time and talents as devoted church members, community leaders and teachers. They were married for 45 years until Laura’s

Speaking to the crowd gathered for the dedication on april 17, Campaign Chair Scott Hawkins ’74 thanked the donors who made the new facility pos-sible one year ahead of the original schedule.

Frank and Laura Lewis’ son, Jason ’99, talks with Trustees “Nesie” Brown Williams ’56, left, and Deedee Williams ’74.

w w w. l a g r a n g e . e d u / d e f i n i n g m o m e n t


death in 2003. Frank passed away in 2006 after a long illness.

Dr. Gulley remembered Frank Lewis “as a pioneer for this institution and this community as the College’s first African-American faculty member and Trustee.”

Many Lewis family members at-tended the dedication, including Jason ’99, the couple’s only child, who was introduced during the ceremony.

“Today, we celebrate the

contribu-tions of everyone here who wants to see

LaGrange College succeed,” Dr. Gulley said.

“The Lewis Library represents the most significant addition to our campus for likely the next half century. It bridges, literally and figuratively, academic and student life on the Hill, and it symbolizes our commitment to living and learning sustainably,” he said.

“When you stand in the middle of this (library) plaza, you see Sunny Gables Alumni House to the west and the Chapel to the east, re-mind-ing us of our impor-tant

historic heritage as a church-related institution.”

Designed from the beginning ac-cording to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, the library is scheduled to receive LEED certification later this year.

Located across from Pitts Dining Hall, the facility stands on an area that was once an asphalt parking lot. To reduce its energy needs, the library was constructed so that natural light reaches more than 75 percent of its interior spaces. As compared to a standard, non-LEED designed facility of similar size, the building already has shown a 24 percent reduction in energy use and a 40 percent drop in water demand.

Dr. Gulley said, “Today stands for sustainability and our commitment to

planet earth. Remember: A com-munity that believes in something greater than itself cultivated a dream and watched it come true.”

The new plaza facing the library offered the site for the dedication ceremony, which drew a large crowd on a bright spring morning.

Former College employees talk before the ceremony. They are, from left, president of Iowa Wesleyan College Dr. Jay Simmons, Dr. Sue Duttera and Shirley Harrington ’03.


d e f i n i n g m o m e n t - t h e l a g r a n g e c o l l e g e c a m p a i g n f o r d i s t i n c t i o n

Family remembers father with giftFamily remembers father with giftAt a March 24 ceremony, friends

and family gathered with Marie Turner Moshell to honor the memory of her late husband, William Marcus Moshell, by dedicating the Moshell Learn-ing Center in the Frank and Laura Lewis Library.

Known for a fervent commitment to servant-leadership, the Moshell family, including Mrs. Moshell and her children, Lane Moshell Riley, William Turner Moshell II and Sue Marie Moshell Waddell ’10, made generous donations to the College. Also, the W.B. and Sue T. Turner Fund of the Bradley-Turner Foundation Inc. honored the institution with a gift.

All of the donors requested that

their gifts commemorate the life of Mr. Moshell, “beloved husband, father and son-in-law.”

The Moshell Learning Center fea-tures the Writ-ing and Tutor-ing Center and brings together resources previ-ously located in make-shift quarters at Henry Hall and the old Banks Library. Establishing the new Center inside the Lewis Library greatly enhances the learning pro-cess, according to Dr. Laine Scott, Associ-ate Professor of

English and Director of the Writing and Tutoring Center.

“Peer students, who have demon-strated expertise in their fields, come five nights a week to tutor their classmates,”

she said. “Currently, we have 18 tutors in subjects like French, mathematics, political science, chemistry, physics and writing.”

Students struggling with assignments can work with tutors one-on-one to get the help they need. The Center features study rooms with whiteboards and com-puter access. A 24 hour study area is open to students around the clock, and a fully stocked coffee bar provides nourishment for late-night “cram sessions.”

According to chemistry tutor Ben Williamson ’09, “Where there’s easy ac-cess to caffeine, they will come.”

College officials report that since the Moshell Learning Center opened, student use of the writing and tutoring resources has increased remarkably. Two LaGrange nursing students were the first to use the Moshell Learning Center for 24 hours, consecutively. (See page 3.)

Mrs. Moshell joined the College’s Board of Trustees in 2006 and serves as a member of the Board Solicitation Committee for Defining Moment: The LaGrange College Campaign for Distinction.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him

shall be much required: and to whom men have

committed much, of him they will ask the more.

–Luke 12:48

Ben Williamson ’09 talks about his duties as a tutor in the new Learning Center. Coupled with the adja-cent 24-hour study space and coffee bar, the area has proven popular with students.

president gulley and Trustee Marie Moshell unveil the plaque marking the new Learning Center inside Lewis Library. The facility honors her late husband, William Marcus Moshell.


Plans to surprise Dr. Linda “Dean B” Buchanan were in the works for weeks. The instigator: Almonese “Nesie” Brown Clifton Williams ’56, who along with her recently deceased husband, Ralph, contributed a generous gift to the College and asked that their donation serve as a tribute to Dr. Buchanan, Vice President and Dean for Student Life and Retention.

At an April 16 ceremony, students gathered with faculty, friends and the Williams family to honor Dean B by establishing the Buchanan Patio.

“We wanted to name it for some-one who loves LaGrange College, loves the students and who is unselfish and very devoted to the institution,” Wil-liams said. “We found that person in Dr. Buchanan.”

Known for her razor sharp intuition, Dean B was completely surprised by the gesture.

“I think for the first time in a long time, I am speechless,” she said. “You

have touched me in a way that I could never have imagined.”

The engraving on a granite marker at the site reads, “To lead, to serve: a supporter, a listener, a believer in every

student who has trod this Hill.”Located near the College’s bookstore,

the Buchanan Patio is a place where students like to relax and, occasionally, study.

Family and friends of the late John R. Hines Jr. gathered on March 13 to cel-ebrate the dedication of the Hines Con-ference Room inside the Lewis Library.

“This room represents the place where relationships and research come together,” said Vice President for Ad-vancement Dr. David Rowe to the crowd gathered on the main floor of the library.

“It’s appropriate that we’re celebrat-ing a family today,” he said. “It’s ap-propriate that we’re celebrating in the missional heart of LaGrange College.”

Hines was president of Citizens Bank in Hogansville, Ga., and a sup-porter of the College, having served for 12 years on its Leadership Council. He was a part of that organization when discussions first began about the need for a new campus library.

“John wrote a check and said, ‘I want this to be the first gift for the new library,’” Dr. Rowe remembered. “And

his was the first.”Hines’ wife, Charlene Morse Hines,

graduated from the College in 2000 and quickly picked up where her husband left off.

She joined the Leadership Council in 2004 and established the Hines Under-graduate Research Awards to recognize

the outstanding research efforts of faculty and students. She also has served as an instructor at the institution.

Her gifts to Defining Moment: The LaGrange College Campaign for Distinc-tion made the conference room naming possible. On a wall inside the space, a plaque features the names of all past Hines Award winners.

During the room dedication, she shared with the audience a well-known John Wesley quote: “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can,” and she said it described her husband well.

“John believed in working hard,” she said. “John was a very simple person; and John believed in giving back to his community ….

“He believed in the mission of this school.”

The couple’s daughter, Christy, graduated from the College in 2008.

Patio surprise honots’ Dean B’

Room naming celebrates library visionary

Patio surprise honors ‘Dean B’

Room naming celebrates library visionary

president gulley addresses Dr. Buchanan, far left, during the surprise ceremony as “Nesie” Brown Williams ’56 looks on in the background.

Charlene Morse Hines ’00 is assisted by president gulley in unveiling the plaque that now marks the Hines Conference Room inside the Lewis Library. The room honors Hines’ late husband, John R. Hines Jr.

alumni & friends


Board of Trustees adds six new membersSix new members of the LaGrange

College Board of Trustees were installed during an induction ceremony held in April. Joining the board are Ann Gay-lord Badding, Robert L. Carmichael Jr., Dr. John M. Jackson Jr., Dr. William J. Martin, Edward D. Smith and James M. Woods III ’78.

Badding, a retired manufac-turing execu-tive with Na-bisco Foods, is a LaGrange native who currently resides in Lock-port, N.Y. Dur-ing her career, she oversaw four manufacturing plants and distribution centers in the North-east, as well as corporatewide industrial engineering, safety and manufacturing strategies.

She has been a member of the Lead-ership Council since 2005 and served as chair of a priority committee that looked at retention and recruitment. Addition-ally, she has served on several volunteer boards, including Kaleida Health, where she was chair of the Children’s Hospital Steering Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association.

Carmichael serves as chair-man, president and CEO of Commercial Bank & Trust of Troup County, a position he has held since 1991.

This will be Carmichael’s second stint on the Col-lege’s highest board. Previously, he served on the Finance Committee and the Executive Committee.

Many organizations have benefit-ted from Carmichael’s volunteer service, including DASH Inc., LaGrange Rotary

Club and the United Way of West Geor-gia. He serves as vice chairman of West Georgia Health System, chairman of the LaGrange Industrial Development Au-thority and as a trustee for First United Methodist Church.

Carmichael recently completed a term as chairman of the Georgia Bankers Association.

Dr. Jackson has practiced dentistry in LaGrange since 1986. He is past president of the Society for the Preservation of Oral Health, a member of the American Dental Association and a fel-low in the Academy of General Dentistry.

A member of the Leadership Council for a number of years, Dr. Jackson served as the council’s president in 2004-2005 and was the on the Solicitation Commit-tee of the Defining Moment campaign.

Previously, he was a member of the West Georgia United Way board. Cur-rently, he serves as chairman of the West Georgia Health Foundation, which has raised $4.25 million for a new emergen-cy department at West Georgia Medical Center.

Dr. Martin is retired from Milliken & Company, where he spent 39 years in research and development. A Georgia Tech graduate, he is a member of that University’s Distinguished Engineering Alumni.

He serves on the Leadership Council and is currently president of that organization.

An active volunteer, Dr. Martin works with the United Way of West

Georgia, the Rotary Club of LaGrange and the Community Foundation of Troup County. At First Presbyterian Church, he serves as a Sunday school teacher and as chair of the Witness and Service Council.

Smith is a principal of Hutchinson Traylor Insurance in LaGrange. He earned his undergraduate degree in busi-ness administra-tion from Wake Forest University. Before returning to LaGrange in 1997, he spent several years with Accenture LLP in its financial ser-vices division in Charlotte.

President of the Leadership Council in 2008-2009, Smith also is a past chair of the College’s Business and Accoun-tancy Advisory Council.

A number of organizations have ben-efitted from his volunteer service, includ-ing the Chamber of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club of West Georgia, Rotary Club and the United Way of West Georgia.

Woods is vice president of enterprise IT business, support and planning for AT&T in Atlanta.

A member of the Leadership Council since 2005, Wood also serves as a Class Coor-dinator for the Class of 1978, and he is a member of the Alumni Council.

He and his wife, Ruthie ’78, estab-lished the Jane Ellen Speers Endowment for religion majors to commemorate his mother-in-law’s 50th class reunion at the College. Additionally, the couple has often provided funds to aid international students who require financial assistance to continue their studies at LaGrange.

alumni & friends


During the May 16 Commencement ceremony, alumnus Joe F. Ragland Jr. ’85 was presented one of the College’s highest honors, the Distinguished Service Alumni Award.

The award is given each year at Com-mencement to a LaGrange graduate who has provided continuous and devoted service to the College.

Ragland has been an active mem-ber of the Alumni Association and is a past president of the organization. For years, he also was active in the Leader-ship Council. Currently a member of the LaGrange College Board of Trustees, Ragland serves on the finance and the building and grounds committees.

Ragland is the city president of Sun-Trust Bank and he has served as chair-man of the United Way of West Georgia, chairman of the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority, a board member on the Chamber of Commerce and as a trustee of First United Methodist Church of LaGrange. He is a 2002 graduate of Leadership Troup and is active with the Rotary Club and the Boy Scouts.

A business major while at LaGrange, Ragland went on to earn his MBA from Columbus State University in 1991. He and wife Tina have two children, Joseph and Mallory.

Ragland honored at Commencement

Lori Medlock anderson ’83 congratulates Joe Ragland ’85 during the award presentation, as president Stuart gulley looks on.

Almonese “Nesie” Brown Williams ’56, longtime College volunteer and trustee, was named this spring as the 2009 recipient of the Fuller E. Calla-way, Jr., Award for Lifetime Service to LaGrange College.

Presented during a campus leader-ship recognition banquet on April 16, the award represents the most prestigious honor given by the College.

Surprised by the recognition, Wil-liams could only tell the crowd gathered for the event, “I love this institution. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

In introducing the recipient to the audience, President Stuart Gulley said, “This individual has received nearly ev-ery recognition that LaGrange College can give.”

Indeed, Williams’ service to the institution has been recognized by her naming to the Wall of Outstanding alumni, as recipient of the Distinguished Ser-vice Alumni Award and as a Fellow of LaGrange College.

She has served as a trustee since 1994, chairing the Student Affairs Committee of the board, and she has worked exten-sively on the College’s fundraising efforts as a member of the steer-ing committees for both the Investing in Values and Defining Moment campaigns.

Her support of the institution is reflected in her creation of two annual scholarships and one endowed scholarship, the Thomas Woodard Clifton Scholarship. The support she and her late husband, Ralph, provided to Defining Moment

resulted in two named spaces on campus, the Buchanan patio (page 19 of this issue) and the Brown Study Room (page 25).

The Callaway award was created in 2006 to honor volunteers who offer unusually effective and dedicated service to the work of the College. It honors its namesake who was a leading citizen and benefactor of LaGrange, Troup County and LaGrange College.

“There is nothing at LaGrange Col-lege and really nothing in this commu-nity that is untouched by the Callaway Foundation,” Dr. Gulley said during the award ceremony.

Past recipients of the honor are Inter-face founder and Chairman Ray Ander-son (2007), former Board of Trustees Chairman Malone Dodson (2006) and Trustee and community leader Charles Smith (2008).

Williams presented Callaway award

almonese “Nesie” Brown Williams ’56 joins president gulley after being named the 2009 recipient of the Fuller e. Callaway, Jr., award for Lifetime Service to Lagrange College.

alumni & friends


Students crossing the Residential Quad this spring have noticed co-eds sporting an unusual new accessory: the lacrosse stick. Women interested in tak-ing part in the latest LaGrange sport have begun independent workouts there in hopes of making the team, which begins competition in spring 2010.

One of those hopefuls is Sara Proc-tor ’10, an early childhood education major who enjoyed the sport in high school and couldn’t resist the chance to play it as a Panther.

“It’s a great sport,” she said, “so dif-ferent from any of the staple sports we have around here. And it’s quickly grow-ing in popularity.”

She explained that the game combines a bit of soccer and hockey, and that her

fellow devotees have been practicing basic moves during their impromptu workouts.

“It’s neat to see how all the girls are picking up skills quickly,” she said. “The team has great potential; it will be fun to see how the season shapes up.”

For Sara, one complicating factor is that she will be student teaching in the spring, but she’s determined to make it work. Like all Panther athletes, she’s in it for the love of the game, not an athletic scholarship.

You can help to support the Col-lege’s student-athletes by joining Pan-ther Pride. The organization aims to strengthen the Athletics Department and support its budget.

For more information contact the Development Office at (706) 880-8039

or [email protected] or visit www.lagrange.edu/give.

“Three-peat” was the expression heard a great deal around campus this spring as both the softball and golf teams pulled off the hat trick by earning post-season playing opportunities for the third consecutive year.

The softball team got to the first round of the NCAA Division III Cham-pionship held at Maryland’s Salisbury University by making an amazing turnaround after starting the year in less-than-spectacular fashion.

Fourteen games into the season, the Panthers had only one victory to show for their efforts on the field. But Coach Jennifer Clay-brook never allowed her players to lose hope or focus, and by the season’s end the team had reeled off 25 victories against 21 defeats.

The Panther’s journey to their third straight Great South Athletic Conference tournament championship took place in come-from-behind fashion as well. After falling into the loser’s bracket, LaGrange had to defeat top-seed Maryville twice on the final day of the tournament to secure the championship and the automatic

NCAA bid. In the postseason, the Panthers

lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Emory and a hard-fought 3-1 game to second-seeded Salisbury to finish out the season.

The Golf Team needed no late-season heroics to make its third straight trip to the NCAA Division III Golf Championship. The men played well the entire season.

The team got the year off to a strong

start in February by finishing fifth in the Wynlakes Invitational at Wynlakes Country Club in Montgomery, Ala.

A couple of weeks later, the Panthers performed even better at the Rome News-Tribune Invitational, finishing just one shot out of first place in the competition held at the Stonebridge Golf course.

At the end of March, LaGrange rallied to take the Reeder Cup cham-pionship at Lookout Mountain Golf

Club by three strokes. It was the Panther’s first tournament title in four years.

The team entered the Divi-sion III national tournament, held in Port St. Lucie, Fla., ranked 21st in the country. At one point, the Panthers battled their way to fifth place before coming in 18th in the 36-team field—their best finish in an NCAA tournament to date.

It was the fourth overall ap-pearance in the NCAA national tournament for LaGrange. The Panthers won a USCAA national championship in 2003 and had appearances in the NAIA national tournament in 2000 and 2001.

Golf, softball make NCAA postseason

Interest grows in new sport

Sara proctor ’10, left, and Veronica Drasher ’11 are among those hoping to join the inaugural lacrosse team.

Coach Lee Richter helps Ryan Willis ’09 line up a shot at the national tournament held in port St. Lucie, Fla.

classnotes


This issue’s Classnotes are from information received through April 30, 2009. (Unless otherwise noted, geographic locations refer to Georgia.)

1949

Martha Morgan Stanley and her husband, Tom, went on an 11-night cruise of the Mediterranean Sea aboard the Brilliance of the Sea. They visited Athens, Greece; Sicily; Rhodes; Cyprus; and Malta. The trip also included a visit to Cairo, Egypt; the Pyramids of Giza; the Sphinx; and a riverboat ride down the Nile River. They live in LaGrange.

1954

peggy grose-Kilpatrick of Austin, Texas, published another book in 2008. The title is “Celebration: A Woman’s Story of Courage, Endurance and Transcendence.”

1959

Carolyn Hinkle Davis of Lanett, Ala., retired after teaching pre-school through high school for approximately 45 years in Alabama and Georgia. She taught at Rome First Baptist Church, West Point High School, Darlington School in Rome, and Lanett High School.

1960

In March, Dr. Harold Holloway of Americus was presented the Leewyn J. Finklea Outstanding Alumni Award by Georgia Southwestern State University. The award, named in honor of the university’s first alumni director, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to campus life, the alumni association or the university. He has been in private practice for 39 years. He and his wife, Karen, have three children and five grandchildren.

1961

Marie Williams Beiser of Lawrenceville was elected to the City Council of Lawrenceville with 61 percent of the vote.

1962

Becky Williams Buckman of Summerville, S.C., is enjoying her retirement by teaching piano lessons, doing free-lance writing and volunteering at Bethany United Methodist Church. She enjoys traveling across the U.S., visiting her four children. Her husband, Jim, died in June 2007 after 36 wonderful years together.

1966

Rev. Michael and Mildred eidson Mcafee ’65 live in Albany. He will be retiring from First United Methodist Church of Albany and moving to Columbus.

1967

Barbara ann greene of Newnan retired from the Coweta County Board of Education in June 2008.

Morrill Hutchinson of LaGrange was honored in May by the LaGrange Art Museum. In 1963 she helped form the Chattahoochee Valley Art Association, which is now the museum. For many years, she served as the organization’s president, helping to guide and shape it into a thriving art center. The museum’s permanent collection needed to be organized and catalogued, so the new upstairs collection space was remodeled and renamed the Morrill Turner Hutchinson Collection Conservation Center.

1968

Jacque Beasley Hornsby of LaGrange retired from the Troup County School System as a media specialist. She now works part time for LaGrange College as a library assistant for the special collections of the Frank and Laura Lewis Library.

Omar Humphrey was named chairman of the investment and audit committees of the Wallace Community College Foundation (Dothan, Ala.) board of directors. He is a retired executive vice president and chief credit officer of the financial services affiliate of Fortune 200 Textron. A resident of Pensacola, Fla., and former USMC fighter pilot,

Members of the atlanta alumnae group No. 2 pause for a photo. They are, from left, Betty Lester Whigham ’44, pellie Jones Manning ’44, ena Smith Moore ’48, Virginia etheridge Wood ’42, Jane ellen Summers Speers ’47, Marian Norman Bagwell ’35, Sue Hyde Manget ’51, Sarah payne Manning ’33, Daisy Shepherd Luckey-aukerman ’44, Sarah Kathryn Bond ’34 and Carol Barrow ’50.

Janet Mabry gipson Caswell ’66 and her husband, Jerry, visited the Vietnam Memorial when they were in Washington, D.C. Here, Janet traces the name of Tom Duckett ’68.

classnotes


he is a docent at Pensacola’s world-renowned National Naval Aviation Museum.

Mary Hooper Kimsey of Hiawassee retired after serving Towns County’s Department of Family and Children Services for 32 years.

1969

antoinette Lee Mills of LaGrange retired in May of 2008 from the Department of Family and Children Services.

1973

gordon Williams, of Houston, Texas, has cleared all the legal red tape and can now sell DVDs of “Acts of Pilate.” In April he performed it at the morning service of Aldine First United Methodist Church and at the men’s chapel service at Star of Hope Mission in the evening. In March he led a workshop in playwriting at the monthly meeting of Pasadena Inspirational Writers Alive! His poem “To Bethlehem! To Bethlehem!” appears in Christmas Program Builder No. 62 from Lillenas Drama Publishing. His poem “Him

Who They Pierced,” which won second place in poetry at the East Texas Writers Association Contest, appeared in the April issue of Inspiration...News. In January, he acted in a film, “Traveller’s Enigma.”

1974

Dr. Karen Ward Farthing of Sugar Grove, N.C., is a professor at Appalachian State University.

Wendy Campbell Tyler of LaGrange, senior account executive, has been employed by McGraw-Hill for 21 years.

1976

Richard Hearn of Nashville, Tenn., visited Sunny Gables Alumni House and the College campus in April 2009. He is a nurse at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

1977

Dr. Joe Hicks of Tokyo, Japan, is a professor

of psychology and director of the Center for International Studies at J.F. Oberlin University in Tokyo. In March, he visited the LaGrange College campus.

Deborah Mcgehee Richards of Tampa, Fla., has received national board certification as an elementary school art teacher. She lives with her husband, Jim, and 10-year-old son, Matthew.

1978

Kathy parks Thomas of Lincolnton was named STAR Teacher at Lincoln County High School in April. She had previously been named Lincoln County Teacher of the Year. She teaches mathematics, which includes honors algebra, advanced algebra, trigonometry and AP calculus.

1980

Deborah Odum Ragsdale of Waycross was named Teacher of the Year for Ware County.

1981

Jerry Foley has been living and teaching in the Republic of Korea for the past 12 years. After spending three weeks with his family in Georgia, he has moved to Alexandria, Va.

1983

Carl Sills of Suwanee is vice president of Ricoh Professional Services in Atlanta.

1984

Deborah autry of Calhoun is a special education resource teacher for grades three through five at Allatoona Elementary in Acworth.

Jennifer Lisle goza of Jefferson is owner of Time-Out Travel Service, Inc.

1985

Joyce Thompson Laster of Five Points, Ala., is hosting a Korean exchange student, J.T. Sewang-Seak, who attends Lafayette Christian Academy in LaGrange.

Alumna honors parents by naming study room

To honor the memory of her parents, Jewell Whittle and George Almon Brown, Mrs. Almonese “Nesie” Brown Clifton Williams ’56 and her children donated a gift to the College that resulted in the naming of the Brown Study Room at the Frank and Laura Lewis Library. Pausing for a photo after the room’s dedication are, from left, Mrs. Williams’ daughters-in-law Susan Williams and Nancy Jane Morizio; son, F. Bradford Clifton ’84; grandson, Ben Kinzer; Mrs. Williams; son-in-law and daughter, Mark and Nancy Clifton Kinzer; grandson, Bernard van der Lande; and grand-daughters, Morgan Williams and Emily Kinzer.

classnotes


1986

Robert Dothard of Marietta is a nationally known fitness expert and author. Jen Miller, the woman who invented step aerobics, asked him to appear in her first five step aerobics videos. He has the distinction of being the first male step aerobics instructor. He has written two books, “The Real Deal Workout Drill” in 2005 and “The One-Minute Workout” in 2008. He has participated in CNN’s “Headline News,” “Sunday Morning” and “Talk Back Live,” as well as segments for Fox and WSB in Atlanta, and has served as the host for the “Wakeup Workout” on Channel 11. He worked with former President Bill Clinton, cycling champion Lance Armstrong and California first lady Maria Shriver while touring with CNN’s “Fit Nation.” He and his business partner are featured trainers for Atlanta’s Biggest Loser, hosted by the television show “Atlanta and Company.” In June he will be a judge for the Miss Georgia Pageant.

1988

The Coweta County Board of Education has named Leigh Burrell Munson principal of Eastside Elementary School, starting July 1. She is now an assistant principal at Moreland Elementary School. She and her husband, Stanley, have one daughter, Lindsay, and are members of Unity Baptist Church.

1989

Jack Morman of LaGrange is principal of Hollis Hand Elementary School. He played the role of Harpagon in LaGrange College’s spring production of Moliere’s “The Miser.” He has worked with local theater groups in productions of “The Odd Couple” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” He also serves as an emcee at many local events and sings with the Christian rock band Product of Faith.

Dr. David and Karen Murphy Cason ’92 live in LaGrange. He is an assistant professor in the Education Department at LaGrange College.

Sharon Benefield Lewis of Franklin is the Commercial Risk Manager for LaGrange’s Commercial Bank & Trust.

Renee Rainey Ward of Moreland is a kindergarten teacher at Glanton Elementary School, where she was named her school’s Teacher of the Year.

1991

Matthew and Lynda Doss phillips live in Cumming. He is the owner of ADAIRE, located in Alpharetta. He graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Pennsylvania and has been a chef since 1994. His experience includes years of work at The Ritz-Carlton, The Vinings Club, as an executive chef for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and as chef at Ray’s on the River in Atlanta. In April he served as a judge at the Seventh Annual Family Haven Taste of Forsyth.

1994

Rob O’Neal of Alpharetta is the campaign manager and chairman for Gerry Purcell, who is seeking the office of Insurance Commissioner for the State of Georgia.

1995

gina Sanford Willis of LaGrange is an eighth grade teacher at Gardner Newman Middle School.

1996

Tripp McConnell of Rock Hill, S.C., is president of Celerity Sales.

1997

Christi Smith Statham of Sharpsburg is pursuing a master’s in social work from Valdosta State University.

Book rediscovers works of notable LaGrange authorHistoric pages of poetry and prose once thought lost are now seeing the light of day thanks to Louise “Biddy” Hammett’s new book, “The Pen of Carrie Fall Benson,” just published by LaGrange College. An anthology of Benson’s works, the book comes at a fitting moment: Just as a new library opens on campus, the works of the school’s first librarian are reborn.

Having written over 300 poems, numerous short stories and more than 30 plays, Benson (1891 –1949) was a frequently recognized writer of her day. She used proceeds from her works to buy books for the College so that it could achieve accreditation.

President Stuart Gulley said the institution is indebted to Hammett “for giving new life to a forgotten poet who gives meaning to our day and time.”

Hammett spent 25 years rediscovering the body of work. An artist, teacher and writer, she studied art at LaGrange College.

To order the book, call the College Bookstore at (888) 353-4499 or visit www.lagrange.edu/bookstore.

Read Blumberg ’97, Beth and Rylee

classnotes


1999

Joseph Bell of Calhoun has been named president of Resolution Technologies, Inc., an IT Staffing firm headquartered in Atlanta. For the past four and one-half years, he served as VP, business development for Internal Data Resources.

Carolyn Haamid of LaGrange retired from Pathways after 15 years of service.

Stephen Spratlin of Roanoke, Ala., is associate dean of instructional programs at Southern Union Community College.

2000

Melissa Smith of Flowery Branch is a regional sales representative for Natura Pet Products, makers of Innova, EVO, California Natural, HealthWise, Karma and Mother Nature brand pet foods and treats. She is responsible for the Southeast territory, which includes Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

2003

Kim Deriso Burch of LaGrange is a school counselor for Heard County Consolidated High School.

Kathleen Delaney of LaGrange has opened a Web-based company called MimosaCreations.com.

Ternisha Miles of Troy, Ala., graduated from North Carolina Central University’s School of Law in May 2008. She took the bar exam in July and was admitted to practice law in Alabama in September. She is an assistant district attorney, prosecuting in the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Alabama.

ann Rhodes of Hogansville is the site director for the Junior University of Troup County.

Megon adkins Steele of Manchester is a vocational coordinator at Roosevelt Warm

Springs Institute for Rehabilitation. She works directly with students to evaluate their interests, places them in jobsites accordingly, makes sure they are enjoying and performing their jobs well, and reports back to the other members of their vocational rehab team about their progress. The team makes sure that young people with disabilities are given the opportunity to work and be productive if they have the drive and desire.

2004

ariel pena of Savannah will begin working at Colgate University, located in Hamilton, N.Y., on June 1 as Director of Advancement Services. He will be in charge of all database services and staff for fundraising and development.

In January, the Rev. Ronnie person of LaGrange preached his first sermon at Canaan Baptist Church in Franklin. He will preach there every fourth Sunday.

Carrie Reif of Auburn, Ala., is a graduate teaching assistant at Auburn University.

Jake and Larcie Lyle Richardson live in Dallas. He is an art teacher and baseball coach at Mt. Paran Christian School. She is a physical therapist for PT Solutions.

Karen Martin Stacy of Sharpsburg is a fifth grade teacher at Thomas Crossroads Elementary School, where she was named her school’s Teacher of the Year. She enjoys public speaking, writing and music.

Courtney Douglas Stanford and C.J. live in

Newnan. She is merchandise coordinator for Phi Mu Fraternity. He is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. Both work in Peachtree City. They have two children, Hollyn and Parker.

2005

Keith Brown is a social worker at Piedmont Fayette Hospital in Fayetteville. In February he married Hailey and celebrated 10 years of living with his brain cancer. They both were part of the Relay for Life team from LaGrange’s Faith Baptist Church during the annual all-night fundraiser sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

David Dycus of Auburn, Ala., graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in April. He is now at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine as a small-animal medicine and surgery intern.

Brian Hendrix of Marietta is vice president of operations at ProFloors, llc.

Hannah Bloodworth Nunn and Michael live in Lawrenceville. She is a fifth grade teacher at Rosebud Elementary School. He is employed at Verizon Wireless in the inventory accounting department.

Kristina Rosenow of Indianapolis, Ind., teaches and coaches volleyball at Southport High School.

C.J. ’04 and Courtney Douglas Stanford ’04 with their children, Hollyn and parker

ginger Fronebarger Couch ’01 with London Lee

classnotes


2006

amy Baxter of Temple received her Master of Science in Elementary Education from Jacksonville State on Dec. 19, 2008.

Heather Duttweiler of Montgomery, Ala., is the facility coordinator for the YMCA of Montgomery.

Heather Tyson Meacham of LaGrange is a third grade teacher at Ethel W. Kight Magnet School for the Troup County School System.

Hannah Stubblefield of Kennesaw is assistant youth director at Due West United Methodist Church in Marietta.

2007

Christine garner of Hogansville is a Career Specialist with Briggs & Associates, which assists people with developmental disabilities and mental health issues to reconnect to their communities through employment.

Deborah Childres Hudson of Griffin was named Teacher of the Year for Cowan Road Middle School. She earned her specialist degree in mathematics from the University of Georgia.

antoine Maddox is in his second season with the Washington Generals, the team that travels and plays against the Harlem Globetrotters. From December to April he plays more games than he would anywhere else (about 120 in 115 days) and travels the world (100 cities).

2008

Melinda Bittick golden of LaGrange is an eighth grade math teacher at Manchester Middle School in Manchester.

elsa Johnson of Cohutta is a social services protect and placement specialist with the Department of Family and Children Services. She works with foster children and their parents, attempting to reunite them or find permanent homes for the children.

anna Bland Rodeheaver of Columbus teaches art at Richards Middle School.

Rachel Samples of Melbourne, Fla., is a graphic illustrator for Nida Corporation.

Noel Winter of Dalton has been named assistant program coordinator at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. She interned there from July until December of 2008.

Births

To Richard Hood ’94, a son, Edward Fletcher, on May 28, 2008

To Read Blumberg ’97 and his wife, Beth, a daughter, Rylee Addison, on April 13, 2009

To Lance ’99 and Diana Celorio goldwire ’01, M’03, a daughter, Sarah Emily, on April 16, 2009

To ginger Fronebarger Couch ’01 and her husband, Lee, a son, London Lee, on February 25, 2009

To Cheri Henly Isenhour ’02 and Mark ’04, a daughter, Alexis, on March 14, 2009

To C.J. ’04 and Courtney Douglas Stanford ’04, a son, Parker Douglas, on July 14, 2008

To adam Traylor ’05 and his wife, Teel, a daughter, Sadie Elizabeth, on February 19, 2009Sarah Holden podbielski ’08 and Ben ’07 pose with their wedding party, which included several alumni

and current students: Heidi Hendricker ’06, amy Dugan ’07, Suzanne Hendricks ’07, Natalie Hilliard ’07, Sarah Schanche Darracott ’08, Jennifer Beckham Bridges ’08, Kristi Underwood ’09, Leah Flowers ’09, Doug Davis ’04, Wes Jones ’04, Drew eason ’07, Brian Darracott ’07, Nick Drescher ’07, Matt Montgom-ery ’07, Drew Stewart ’10, and staff member Bob Vitale. The picture was taken by grant Miller ’07.

Ben ’07 and Sarah Holden podbielski ’08

classnotes


calendarWeddings and Engagements

Mary Moore allison ’53 to Charles Houston on April 11, 2009

Rosemary greene ’96 to Mark Mathison on December 20, 2008

Shannon Dean phillips ’04, M’06 to James Thomas Weems on June 14, 2009

Kristina Diane Rosenow ’05 to Adam Johnson in July 2009

Jennifer L. Beckham ’08 to Lucas Randall Bridges on June 21, 2008

Melinda Janelle Bittick ’08 to Robert Allen Golden on May 30, 2009

anna elizabeth gland ’08 to Nathan Rodeheaver in July 2008.

Jennifer Brooke green ’08 to Justtyn Thomas August Hutcheson on May 30, 2009

Sue Marie Moshell ’10 to Bradley Waddell on April 4, 2009

Deaths

Mrs. Mary Lou Linn Howell ’29

Mrs. Marie Hammond Mitchell ’34

Mrs. Amy Lindsey Wood ’44

Mrs. Betty Sue Sartain Longino ’45

Mrs. LaVerne Byard Lady ’47

Mrs. Imogene Smith Kilpatrick ’55

The Reverend Paul M. Bradley, Jr. ’56

Mr. Pierre Charles Herault ’65

Mrs. Nancy Samble Benton ’76

Mr. David Charles Hancock ’78

Mr. James Allen Clary, Jr. ’79

Mrs. Yolanda Sims Johnson ’91

Mrs. Sharon Carlisle Niedrach ’92

Mr. J. Philip Cleaveland, former Trustee, President’s Advisory Council member

Dr. Pitman B. Cleaveland, Jr., Friend

Mrs. Louise Gallant, former Leadership Council member

Mr. William F. Holle, Jr., former Leadership Council member

J. philip Cleaveland Longtime College Trustee J. Philip Cleaveland died on Thursday, April 23, at the age of 90. He was active in a variety of roles at the College, including chair of the Expansion Fund, steering committee member for the Investing in Values Campaign and member of the President’s Advisory Council.

“Philip served this College and the LaGrange community with great love and distinction,” said President Stuart Gulley. “We have all lost a dear friend and a man of much wit and wisdom.

“I am pleased that his legacy lives on here in the fabulous Cleaveland Baseball Field named for him in 2000.”

A decorated veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force, Cleaveland served in China, Burma and India during World War II. He rose from supply room clerk to president of Callaway Mills. Aside from his business acumen, he was known for his civic leadership and his ability to make others laugh.

Sue Marie Moshell Waddell ’10 and Bradley

June 8a Celebration of Servant LeadershipSt. Luke United Methodist Church, Columbus 5:30 p.m.This South Georgia Annual Conference event features a keynote address by Bishop James R. King Jr. Make reservations online at www.lagrange.edu/sgdinner or by calling Laura Faulkner at (706) 880-8340.

June 16a Celebration of Servant LeadershipClassic Center, Athens5:30 p.m.This North Georgia Annual Conference event features a keynote address by Bishop B. Michael Watson. Make reservations online at www.lagrange.edu/ngdinner or by calling Laura Faulkner at (706) 880-8340.

July 24alumni Council Summer CookoutSunny Gables Alumni House7 p.m.

July 25 alumni Council MeetingThe Boopie, Mabry Gipson Student Center9 a.m.

September 13Fall Family Council meeting and cookoutA fall gathering of parents and families with a tailgate lunch prior to the 1 p.m. LaGrange vs. Maryville football game. More information and reservations found at www.lagrange.edu/parent-family/ or by calling Susan Hancock at (706) 880-8244.

September 19Fall Visitation Day 1Prospective students and their families are invited to visit campus.

October 23-25Homecoming 2009Details can be found at www.lagrange.edu/homecoming or by calling Susan Hancock at (706) 880-8244.

November 14Fall Visitation Day 2

calendar

mcalexander to assume presidency July 1

On April 16, Belmont University Provost Dr. Dan McAlexander was tapped to become the 25th president of LaGrange College after a unanimous vote of approval by the board of trustees.

Dr. McAlexander will assume the post on July 1. He replaces President Stu-art Gulley, who will step down in June to become the president of Woodward Academy in Atlanta.

At Belmont, which is located in Nash-ville, Tenn., Dr. McAlexander oversees the 250 full-time faculty, 80 adjuncts and

approximately 200 staff that serve the university’s academic programs, enroll-ment services and student affairs. He is responsible for managing $60 million of the university’s $117 million dollar budget.

“I am both honored and humbled by my selection as LaGrange’s next president,” he said. “The College is rich in history and tradition. It occupies a stunningly beauti-ful, immaculately kept campus, and it attracts talented and motivated students.

“Under the outstanding leadership of Dr. Gulley, its exceptional faculty and staff

have established LaGrange as one of the South’s premier liberal arts colleges. Now, I look forward to working with the entire LaGrange family as we envision and enact the next chapter of the great LaGrange College story.”

Dr. McAlexander was one of more than 100 applicants who sought the presi-dential post. The top three candidates visited campus and met with students, faculty and staff before a final decision was made.

601 Broad Street LaGrange, GA 30240-2999 www.lagrange.edu

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president-elect Dan Mcalexander and his wife, Celeste Myall, center, talk with former president Dr. Walter Murphy, left, and president Stuart gulley.

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