Class Notes
Donald H. Flanders Sr., BBA ’47, formerly of Fort Smith, AR, was posthumously inducted by his industry peers into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame in Greensboro, NC. Flanders purchased the Lloyd division of Heywood Wakefield Co. in 1982, rescuing a bankrupt outdoor furniture manufacturer and turning it into an internationally known producer of wicker casual indoor/outdoor furnishings. He died in 2012.
Jean Whitney Wortham, BSN ’54, is retired after a long nursing career in Texas, New Jersey, Mississippi and Wyoming. She worked with schools, universities, hospitals, camps, Planned Parenthood and the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. Wortham is a member of Austin’s Westlake United Methodist Church and has been a lifelong member of church choirs. Her volunteering activities include the Storybook Project in prisons and homeless breakfasts. She married Wendall Wortham in 1958 in Baylor’s Miller Chapel. They had two sons and four grandchildren. Contact at 1317 Thaddeus Cove, Austin, TX 78746 or mamajeanw@yahoo.com.
E. Barry Robinson, BA ’57, and Carolyn Glass Robinson, BA ’58, celebrated 60 years of marriage on Sept. 5. Barry has served five Presbyterian churches full-time and in nine interim positions. Carolyn taught in elementary schools for 25 years and was a substitute teacher for 10 years. They have three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They met at Friday night children’s missions at Baylor. Contact at P.O. Box 91, Lawson, MO 64062.
Gene Williams, BBA ’57, of San Jose, CA, was appointed to lead Cushman & Wakefield’s Valuation & Advisory Data Center team. Williams is the author of several seminars recognized for continuing education credits by the State of California OREA and the Appraisal Institute. He is a designated member of the Appraisal Institute and a certified general real estate appraiser in the state of California.
Dr. Fred Tulloch, BA ’58, of Grand Prairie, TX, was featured in the Belton Journal in April. The profile covered Tulloch’s lifelong work in service to others as a pastor, counselor and philanthropist through the Texas Presbyterian Foundation. He fought illegal gambling clubs and racism while a pastor in Hot Springs, AR, and Dickinson, TX. While pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dallas, he helped create The Stewpot, which serves up to 2,000 meals to the homeless daily. Tulloch also worked as therapist, chaplain and counselor in healthcare facilities and children’s homes. Tulloch, 79, runs three miles and does 210 push-ups per day. He holds degrees from Baylor, Texas A&M University-Commerce (where he was named Outstanding Alumnus), Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Jan Epton Seale, ’60, of McAllen, TX, the 2012 Texas Poet Laureate, is the author of a new book of stories and essays, Ordinary Charms, published by Lamar University Literary Press. In this collection of short prose, Seale suggests that our ordinary world is rife with meaning, there for our simple notice with lament or celebration. Contact at janseale@rgv.rr.com.
Avery Church, BA ’62, was named an Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award recipient by Marquis’ Who’s Who for accomplishments in anthropology and poetry. He has been in the International Who’s Who in Poetry, A Directory of American Poets and Fiction Writers, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, Who’s Who in American, Who’s Who in the World and others. He has made numerous gifts for cleft and cataract surgeries, shipments of medicines and medical supplies, literacy training, endowed awards and many others. Church has also enjoyed volunteering. Contact at 2749 Park Oak Drive, Clemmons, NC 27012.
Bob Ricks, BBA ’67, JD ’69, was honored with the Salt & Light Award, presented annually by the Christian Business Men’s Connection of Oklahoma City. Ricks served 47 years in law enforcement. In the FBI, he rose from the position of special agent to special agent-in-charge of the FBI for Oklahoma. He supervised the FBI’s most widely known undercover operation “ABSCAM,” which led to the conviction of one U.S. senator and six congressmen. He served as chief counsel and senior inspector of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and he founded the New Jersey Terrorism Task Force in 1985, leading to multiple arrests of domestic terrorists. As deputy assistant director, Ricks was responsible for all FBI investigations of domestic and international terrorists. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to head “Operation Goldenrod,” which resulted in the first extra-territorial rendition of an international terrorist. Ricks helped lead the U.S. response to the downing of Pan Am 103. In 1993, he was the press spokesman and coordinator of negotiators during the Branch Davidian standoff, and he served as the initial incident commander of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Ricks served as commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and Cabinet Secretary for Safety and Security. In 2002, he was appointed the first director of Homeland Security for Oklahoma. Ricks was chief of police for the City of Edmond from 2003 to 2016. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame.
John Rinn, BA ’67, is “making a joyful noise” with the Brazos Valley Chorale as well as with the choir of First Baptist Church of Bryan, TX. Contact at 3515-B Longmire Dr., PMB 219, College Station, TX 77845 or semisweettooth@yahoo.com.
William Sachs, BA ’69, authored his eighth book, Global Anglicanism, c. 1910-2000, published by Oxford University Press. The book is volume five of the Oxford History of Anglicanism. “This work had a long gestation period, but is very gratifying,” he writes. Contact at 509 Saint Christopher’s Road, Richmond, VA 23226 or wls@aol.com.
Anita Majors Brockell, BS ’68, relocated to 9613 Lindenwood Trail, Denton, TX 76207 to be near family, especially her two grandchildren. She sold Poppy Quilt ’N Sew, her business in Georgetown, TX, and is ready for the next phase of life. Contact at abrockell@gmail.com.
Jeanne Pope Harrell, BA ’69, of College Station, TX, retired after 32 years as an academic librarian and associate professor at Texas A&M University Libraries. She retired as director of Collection Development & Acquisitions Services. Contact at jeanne.harrell@gmail.com.
Roy Ackland, BA ’69, announced his retirement from WGHP-TV, where for nearly 30 years he introduced viewers to some of the High Point, NC, region’s local treasures in his weekly series, “Roy’s Folks.” The series (and Roy) have become local institutions, giving way to the annual Roy’s Folks Crafts Fair, a gathering of local artisans.
Richard Veit, BA ’70, MA ’80, published his second novel, Parallelograph, which tells the story of a World War II coed’s race against time, in a desperate attempt to save her sweetheart from dying in a B-17 crash. Much of the book, set in 1943 and 2009, takes place in Waco and on Baylor’s campus. Veit’s first novel was Home Sweet Home Front. Veit and his wife, Patti, BSEd ’75, MSEd ’84, reside in Robinson, TX. They and their children are all Baylor alumni. Contact at Richard_Veit@baylor.edu.
Dr. Suzanne Bratcher, BA ’71, retired from Northern Arizona University as Professor Emeritus of English after teaching at the Flagstaff campus for 28 years. Since leaving teaching she has focused on writing fiction. Her first novel, The Copper Box, was published by Mantle Rock Publishing in June. The mystery is set in Jerome, AZ, the largest ghost town in the U.S. Contact at suzannebratcher.com or 5 Lanza Ct., Hot Springs Village, AR 71909.
Penny Carlile, BA ’73, of Marshall, TX, authored The Girl on Rusk Street (CreateSpace 2017, 234 pages), now available on Amazon in paperback and as a Kindle edition. The murder mystery and courtroom drama is set in Marshall during the civil rights era of the early 1960s. Carlile taught junior high school before cofounding a direct-sales company with her husband, Steve Carlile, BBA ’73, JD ’75. While president of the company, she wrote her first book, Points from Penny.
Patti Smith Nash, BMEd/BM ’74, and husband Stephen, of Ennis, TX, are thankful to God for 41 years of marriage. At Baylor, Patti was in Chamber Singers (with her sister, Sue Smith Chapo, BMEd ’74), Orchestra, Collegium Musicum, BRH Choir and Concert Band. She studied piano, oboe and voice, was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon and worked in the music library. Patti taught music for 12 years and was a counselor in Texas public schools for 20 years until 2007. The Nashes served on a Buckner mission trip to Peru in 2013. They have a son and two grandchildren. Contact at spnash@sbcglobal.net.
Janie Wheeler Markham, BS ’73, resides in Lake Leelanau, MI.
Rev. Sam Porter, BA ’75, long-time director of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, was named national director for the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board disaster relief organization.
The family of Ann, BS ’43, and J. Truett Hunt, BBA ’42, presented a gift of $30,000 to the San Antonio River Foundation to fund the construction of an amphitheater in the planned Escondido Creek Parkway. The theater will be named in honor and memory of the Hunts, who lived, worked and served in Kenedy, TX, for many years. From left are Gene and Dr. Margaret Hunt Rice, BS ’75, Gaylon J. Oehlke, and Maggie and Truett L. Hunt.
Dr. D.M. Edwards, BBA ’76, endowed his seventh Baylor scholarship, this time for the Louise Herrington School of Nursing. He recently was honored with the Major Donor Award for the Rotary Foundation and with the Texas Association of Symphony Orchestra Patron of the Year Award. He was re-elected and currently serves on the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, the East Texas Baptist University Board of Trustees, and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Foundation (president). He is chair of the University of Texas at Tyler Development Board and was president of the Literacy Council of Tyler for 2016-2017. He also provided a $100,000 endowed scholarship in nursing for Tyler Junior College. Contact at 3600 Jill Circle, Tyler, TX 75701.
Wiley Stem III, BBA ’76, was named city manager of Waco by the Waco City Council; he will be in charge of about 1,500 employees. Stem has worked for the City of Waco for 41 years. He has served in the city manager’s office since 1998 and was promoted to deputy city manager.
Jess Cagle, BA ’78, editor of People magazine, was a member of the celebrity panel of the 2018 Miss America Competition held Sept. 10. Cagle is also editorial director of Time Inc.’s Style and Entertainment Group, which includes People, Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, PeopleStyle, People en Espanol and Essence. He oversees editorial content across print, digital, social and video, reaching a combined audience of more than 150 million. He is also host of “The Jess Cagle Interview,” a video series featuring his interviews with major stars.
Carol Lovelady, BA ’78, is director of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in Texas, which houses more than 2 million objects that tell the history of the Panhandle-Plains region. She has been with the museum, located in Canyon, TX, since January 2016.
Dr. Michael A. Wait, BS ’79, of Cedar Hill, TX, was promoted to surgical director of lung transplantation at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. He is engaged to Jill Ann Scott of Lewisville, TX.
Lisa Hundley Strong, BBA ’80, of The Woodlands, TX, writes, “We met at Baylor, we married our Baylor sweethearts, and we honor Baylor 40 years later together. Good friends are a gift from the Lord!” Pictured are Lisa and Brad Strong, BBA ’80; Allison, BS ’86, and Mike Johanson, BBA ’79, JD ’83; Laura, BS ’80, and Keith Jones, BA ’79; Nancy, BBA ’80, and Mark Jackson, BSEd ’78, MSEd ’83; and Tracy, BSEd ’83, and Randy Sage, BSEd ’80.
Jim Vaszauskas, BSEd ’80, was selected as a state finalist for the annual Superintendent of the Year award, sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards. Vaszauskas serves approximately 34,500 students and has 17 years of administrative experience. He has led Mansfield [TX] ISD for four years.
R. Bruce Wallace, BA ’80, was appointed senior vice president and chief marketing officer of National Western Life Insurance Company’s domestic insurance operations. Most recently, Wallace was senior vice president and head of strategic distribution for Voya Financial.
Jeff Hampton, BA ’81, of Garland, TX, authored a novel, Aransas Morning. Set in Port Aransas, TX, the novel follows four strangers who find community and redemption together. Proceeds from sales will benefit recovery efforts in Port Aransas and surrounding communities. Contact at jeffhamptonwriter.biz.
Carol Moore Hanes, BSEd ’81, of Corsicana, TX, graduated Aug. 11 with her doctorate in higher education leadership from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Her focus was in higher education administration. She is vice president for academic affairs at Navarro College. Contact at carolhanes1@gmail.com.
John D. Penn, BBA ’81, a partner in the Dallas and New York offices of Perkins Coie LLP, was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in two categories: bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights / insolvency and reorganization law, as well as in litigation-bankruptcy. He has been recognized in each of these categories every year since 2003. Contact at jpenn@perkinscoie.com.
Mark (Minor) Funderburk, BBA ’82, was named president and CEO of University Medical Center Health System in Lubbock, TX. He has been with UMC for 26 years, having previously served as administrator and COO. He and his wife of 35 years, Cynthia Noble Funderburk, BA ’81, have one son, Adam. Contact at mark.funderburk@umchealthsystem.com.
Dr. Richard E. Rodriguez, BS ’82, of Fort Worth was appointed dean of natural and social sciences at Texas Wesleyan University. He earned his PhD in chemistry from Texas Christian University. After working at the National Cancer Institute, he joined the faculty at Texas Wesleyan University. He served as chair of the chemistry department for 10 years and established free summer science education programs for fourth- and fifth-grade students. Rodriguez has won numerous awards for teaching, research, community service and outreach programs, including the Hispanic Heritage Award of the United Hispanic Council of Tarrant County (2005), American Chemical Society Stanley C. Israel Award for Enhancing Diversity in the Sciences (2008), Board of Trustees Recognition Award for University Service (2012), Board of Trustees Recognition Award for Teaching (2004), and Board of Trustees Recognition Award for Scholarship (2003).
Lawrence Johnson, MHA ’84, writes, “Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, PhD, received the first copy of The Army-Baylor Story from Program Director LTC Alan Jones and Army-Baylor Alumni Network president LTC Jon R. Lasell (USA Ret.) at a recent Baylor Network luncheon in San Antonio. Professor Emeritus Dr. Dave Mangelsdorff created this remarkable 300-plus-page book, which is illustrated with photos of all classes and program directors in telling the 60-year story of this nationally ranked program.”
Laurie Lovvorn Sedwick, BSEd ’84, of Kennedale, TX, is part of a longtime Baylor family. This fall has been exciting for the Sedwicks, as their son Jay, a Baylor freshman, transitioned from running the Baylor Line at the beginning of the season to kicking off for the Baylor football team against Oklahoma State. Sedwick’s grandson, John Jay, received his plagiocephaly helmet the same week of Uncle Jay’s first home game on the football team.
Gary Brinkley, BBA ’85, is city manager of Arkadelphia, AR. He held several management positions before going to work at the Fort Worth Stockyards, where he served for 18 years. He was a member of the Saginaw City Council for six years, mayor pro tempore for six years and mayor for 11 years. He also served as chairman of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Ann R. Hawkins, BA ’85, is assistant provost for graduate education and research for the State University of New York System Administration. Under the pen name Rachael Miles, she publishes witty historical novels for Kensington’s Zebra imprint. Contact at 43 West Rd., Brunswick, NY 12180 or annrhawkins@gmail.com.
Frank Patterson, BA ’85, MA ’87, of Tallahassee, FL, was appointed by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to the Georgia Film Music and Digital Advisory Board. Patterson is a studio executive, entrepreneur and higher education thought leader currently serving as president of Pinewood Atlanta Studios, the second-largest purpose-built film studio in North America. He has founded and led several film production companies, including Houston Cinema Group, Envisage Media and Pulse Evolution Corporation. Patterson taught production and served as dean of Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts from 2003 to 2016. He was named one of the nation’s top mentors to a generation of Hollywood filmmakers by the Hollywood Reporter.
Barbara Shergold Britton, BS ’86, of Brookfield, WI, released her third book, Jerusalem Rising: Adah’s Journey from Harbourlight Books. This is the third installment in her Tribes of Israel series. The book follows a young girl who helped Nehemiah rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Learn more at barbarambritton.com.
Jana Litsey, JD ’86, was named general counsel of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated in Columbus, OH. She joins Huntington from Bank of America, where she served in multiple leadership roles for more than 20 years.
Erik Randles, BBA ’86, is vice president of business development for Cloudhealth Technologies. Based in the San Francisco office, Randles will play a pivotal part in spearheading the Boston-based company’s global expansion. He was most recently vice president of business development & alliances at SimpliVity, which was recently acquired by Hewlett-Packard Enterprise.
Robert “Bob” Honeycutt, BBA ’88, was named CEO of Ennis [TX] Regional Medical Center and Parkview Regional Hospital, which are part of LifePoint Health. He served as president and CEO of Dignity Health Arizona General Hospital for the past three years.
John Meredith, JD ’88, was named COO of Chamberlain Hrdlicka law firm. He is based in Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Houston office and will also manage employees in the firm’s other offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia and San Antonio.
Lee Mulcahy, BA ’88, will have his art on display at Classic World in Santa Fe, NM, until Jan. 30, 2018. His Aspen gallery exhibits Aspen plein aire painter Sue Tatem Winter/Spring 2018. Contact at 53 Forge Rd, Aspen, CO 81611 or leemulcahyphd@gmail.com.
Baylor Black Alumni Network Gala HonorsOn Nov. 17, the Baylor Black Alumni Network’s Gala Scholarship Dinner celebrated the 50th anniversary of the June 1967 graduation of Rev. Robert Gilbert (deceased) and Barbara Ann Walker, who received the University’s 2017 Medal of Service for Contributions to the Professions: Christian Ministry
Derek Wheeless, BA ’88, of Frisco, TX, writes, “We brought our children, Landry, 5, and Presley, 3, for the first time to Homecoming. They experienced everything from the bonfire to the parade as well as the football game against West Virginia. But the real highlight of the weekend was when they met President Livingstone and her husband crossing the bridge as they were heading to the stadium. The Livingstones were so nice to stop and take a photo with the girls, and before they left, President Livingstone said to the girls, ‘Let’s do this picture again when you come here as students.’ That moment and her very kind gesture and words were the best parts of Homecoming.”
Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett, BA’88, received confirmation Dec. 13 to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. President Donald Trump, who cited Willett as a potential U.S. Supreme Court pick during the presidential campaign, nominated Willett for the post. Willett is known for his wit with more than 96,000 Twitter followers and the title of Texas “Tweeter Laureate.”
Brett Haugh, BBA ’89, was named executive vice president of Lockton Dunning Benefits, the largest benefits consulting agency in the country. Haugh will serve in the Houston office. He previously worked with Ascende-EPIC and was formerly with Towers Watson as a senior consultant. He also worked for Coopers & Lybrand.
Judge Penny Roberts, JD ’89, of San Angelo, TX, was elected 2017-2018 fellows chair of the Texas Bar Foundation, the largest charitably funded bar foundation in the country. She has served in Tom Green County Court at Law 2 as judge since 1995. Roberts previously served as the chair of the judicial section of the State Bar of Texas, the judicial liaison to the Texas Bar Foundation and as the fellows secretary prior to her election as fellows chair.
Amy Machugh Moen, BFA ’90, was recently named vice president and marketing principal for the HOK Houston and Dallas offices. Moen has dedicated her 21-year career to marketing and selling professional services for architecture and engineering firms. She holds an MFA from the University of Texas at Austin.
Ron Capshaw, BA ’91, MA ’94, MA ’97, teaches journalism and history at the University of Maryland University College. Contact at 2800 Autumn Woods Ct., Midlothian, VA 23112 or roncapshaw40@aol.com.
Erin Thompson Heath, BA ’91, Luci Arenivar Mendoza, BA ’91, MCG ’92, and Christin Dunham, BSEd ’91, met 30 years ago as freshmen living in Russell Hall in 1987. “We reunited at Baylor for a reunion and had a wonderful time touring the campus and reminiscing, amazed at the changes that had taken place since graduating. My best friends are Baylor Bears. Sic ’em, Bears!” Dunham writes.
Dr. Carie S. Tucker King, BA ’91, authored The Rhetoric of Breast Cancer: Patient-to-Patient Discourse in an Online Community (Lexington Studies of Roman & Littlefield, 2017). She is a clinical professor of communication and associate director of rhetoric at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she teaches and studies health communication, ethics, rhetoric, and technical writing and editing. Contact at cariestking@gmail.com.
Elisabeth Lambert, BA ’91, was accepted to the Toulouse Graduate School at the University of North Texas, where she is pursuing her master’s in library science. Contact at elambs13@yahoo.com.
Shelly Hulsey Roark, BA ’91, of Flint, TX, authored a children’s book, The Bubble That Would Not Pop. This illustrated book was Roark’s first experience with Christian children’s literature. It teaches children that all prayers are heard by God. The story idea developed through Roark’s work in children’s ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tyler. More info at shellyroarkauthor.com.
Col. Joel L. Carey, BA ’92, of Universal City, TX, a Baylor AFROTC graduate and former football player, is commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing at Randolph AFB in San Antonio. His group, which included three Baylor graduates, executed the T-38 flyover at this year’s Baylor Homecoming football game.
Robert B. Hale, JD ’92, joined the corporate group of international law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP as a partner in Dallas. He has a broad range of experience in corporate and securities matters. Hale was most recently a partner in the Dallas office of Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, formerly Fulbright & Jaworski LLP and Hughes & Luc, LLP in Dallas.
Holli C. Ladhani, BBA ’92, was elected to the board of directors of Houston’s Noble Energy Inc. Ladhani is chairman, president and CEO of Rockwater Energy Solutions Inc., a provider of comprehensive water management solutions to the unconventional oil and gas industry. Prior to joining Rockwater, she served as CFO of Dynegy Inc.
Grammy Award- winner David Phelps, BM ’92, performed his Classic Christmas concert Dec. 8 at Huntington University’s Merillat Centre for the Arts in Huntington, IL.
Jamey Seely, BA ’92, of Denver was appointed executive vice president and general counsel of Gates Corporation, a provider of power transmission and fluid conveyance solutions. Seely will handle all legal matters of the company. She previously was general counsel for Ion Geophysical.
Scott F. Barnes, BA ’93, joined TAB Bank’s business development team as vice president and business development officer. He has worked with a wide range of organizations from start-ups to publicly held Fortune 500 companies. Previously vice president of Comerica Bank’s Technology and Life Sciences Division, he has also been an entrepreneur, founding a boutique investment bank and a management consulting firm while also owning and operating a food services business.
Corwin Harper, MHA ’93, of Stockton, CA, was named Kaiser Permanente’s senior vice president and area manager for the Central Valley. His career with Kaiser started in 1996.
Gary “Skip” L. Phillips II, BBA ’93, of Austin joined Pet King Brands (PKB) as CFO. PKB produces the natural, enzyme-based animal care products Zymox and Oratene. Phillips is a licensed Texas and Virginia CPA and has worked extensively with veterinary clinics, healthcare clinics and nonprofit organizations such as Emancipet, Inc. Contact at gphillips@petkingbrands.com.
Tony Smith, BBA ’93, is vice president of finance for Warfel Construction in East Petersburg, PA. Smith had been CFO and executive vice president at Sight & Sound Theatres.
Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Dr. David Cummings, BBA ’94, to the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Oversight Committee. Cummings, of San Angelo, TX, is a cancer physician at the Shannon Clinic. He is board certified in Medical Oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Leigh Tidwell Powers, BSEd ’94, published her first book. Renewed: A 40-Day Devotional for Healing from Church Hurt and for Loving Well in Ministry (FaithWords, 2017) is for women in ministry, ministry wives, and lay leaders who have experienced the painful side of ministry and need hope, healing, and courage to love the church again. She writes regularly at her blog, leighpowers.com. Contact at lapowers25@gmail.com or P.O. Box 3332 Conroe, TX 77303.
Temple Weiss, BBA ’94, was named chief administrative officer of Learfield, where he leads the finance and accounting, IT, HR and engineering departments. He has an extensive background in finance, strategy, acquisitions, and business support and development. Weiss has played instrumental executive roles with such notable brands as La Quinta Inns & Suites, Chuck E. Cheese restaurants, and Pegasus Solutions, a leading hotel technology provider. Most recently, he served as CFO of Centennial Real Estate Company in Dallas.
Katie Sarantakes Scallan, BBA ’95, of Houston was named director of marketing and corporate communications for The Friedkin Group, where she oversees marketing, corporate branding and communications across several industries. These organizations include: Gulf States Toyota, Imperative Entertainment, Auberge Resorts Collection, Diamond Creek Golf Club and Congaree Golf Club. Prior to The Friedkin Group, Scallan was senior manager of engagement marketing & PR for Gulf States Toyota, one of the world’s largest independent distributors of Toyota vehicles and parts.
Roman Smith, BBA ’96, is director of sustainability integration, corporate citizenship and sustainability at AT&T.
Dr. Greg Williams, EdD ’96, is in his 11th year as president of Odessa [TX] College. Williams holds three degrees from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. He spent a year and a half at Amarillo [TX] College, then went to Midland [TX] College as vice president for student services. Williams also was president at Western Texas College in Snyder. Over the past 10 years, Odessa College’s annual enrollment has increased from 6,201 to 8,368, and the number of degrees awarded has gone from 402 to 1,193.
Cherie Van Cura, BBA ’97, was named global finance lead for Ernst and Young’s Global Tax practice based in London. She most recently held the dual role of advisory director of finance for the U.S. Southwest Region and Americas advisory acquisitions finance lead. She resides in the Tampa Bay, FL, area with her husband, Rev. Ken Van Cura, BM ’93, MM ’04, and sons Aidan, 16, and Ashton, 10.
Rob Engstrom, BA ’97, was named chief political strategist for the American Bankers Association, the trade association for the nation’s $17 trillion banking industry and its 2 million employees. Engstrom oversees the critical components of ABA’s political engagement operations. As senior vice president and national political director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Engstrom led the U.S. Chamber’s national political, grassroots and election-related activities, and he oversaw an aggressive voter education campaign in 2014 that helped elect pro-business candidates to Congress. In 2016, Engstrom directed the largest and most sophisticated get-out-the-vote effort in the U.S. Chamber’s history, helping secure victories for 95 percent of its endorsed candidates.
Raquel Fox, BBA ’98, MTax ’99, was named to the executive staff of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Jay Clayton. Fox is senior advisor on matters involving the Division of Corporation Finance and Office of International Affairs, and she assists on enforcement matters. She joined the SEC in 2011, previously serving as a senior special counsel to the director of the Division of Corporation Finance and an attorney fellow in the offices of Capital Markets Trends and Rulemaking.
Chip Gaines, BBA ’98, was the honorary pace car driver for the AAA Texas 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race Nov. 5 at Texas Motor Speedway. By promising to cut his hair and donate it, he also raised $230,092 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which provides no-cost long-term housing for pediatric patients and their families.
Bane Phillippi, MA ’98, JD ’98, was appointed general counsel of McCoy’s Building Supply, a Texas-based lumber dealer.
He has 17 years
of experience in
transactional, regulatory compliance and litigation matters. Phillippi began his career with Haynes and Boone LLP, where he primarily served business clients in regulatory compliance and transactional matters. In 2012, he joined Weisbart Springer Hayes LLP as a litigation attorney.
Irene Sung, BBA ’98, was promoted to partner by Ernst & Young LLP as part of its EY Advisory practice in San Francisco.
Judge Brandon Birmingham, BA ’99, presiding judge of the Criminal District Courts Dallas County, joined criminal defense attorney Toby Shook to present a case study of the courtroom drama surrounding the Jack Ruby Trial Sept. 27 at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas. “The Assassin’s Assassin: A Case Study of the Jack Ruby Trial” included a chronological overview of the case, an analysis of the defense strategy and verdict and a viewing of rarely seen select artifacts from the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office original Ruby collection.
Christina Mims, BM ’99, MM ’01, was named campus dean for the Navarro College Campus in Mexia, TX. During 15 years at Navarro, Mims has served as an adjunct faculty member, full-time faculty member and music department chair. In 2016, Mims moved into an administrative role as interim dean of science, kinesiology, and developmental studies.
Katherine Noll, BBA ’99, shareholder in the San Antonio office of Chamberlain Hrdlicka, was named one of four 2017 Women in Law in the July/August issue of San Antonio Woman. Noll also was named one of “San Antonio’s Best Lawyers” by SA Scene magazine in 2016. She has broad federal and state tax expertise.
Scott Thomas, MTax ’99, joined Winston & Strawn LLP as a partner in the Dallas office. Thomas has experience in commercial litigation, securities litigation and shareholder disputes in federal and state courts in Texas, New York and California. He joined Winston after leaving Fish & Richardson.
Brandon Jones, JD ’00, MBA ’00, joined Winstead’s Taxation, Employee Benefits & Private Business Practice Group as a shareholder in the Fort Worth office. Jones has more than 15 years of experience counseling clients across a variety of industries, including energy, entertainment, health care, hospitality, insurance, retail and waste recycling. He received his LLM in 2001 from New York University School of Law.
Jonathan, BA ’00, and Sara Martin, BSEd ’01, opened a new venture in downtown Waco called Gather, which puts center stage functional art for entertaining. Jonathan is founder of Black Oak Art, while Sara owns Kindred Event Studio.
Tucker Worster, BBA ’00, of Pearland, TX, co-founded AuDStandard LLC, which provides product discounts and practice management services to audiologists; hearing aid dispensers; and ear, nose and throat physicians. Previously, he managed the group purchasing division of the world’s largest provider of hearing healthcare — Sonova LLC. Tucker also serves as the managing director of AuDStandard LLC.
Kent McKeever, BA ’01, an attorney and part-time lecturer in Baylor’s Philanthropy and Public Service program in the Honors College, opened the Justice Barn as Greater Waco Legal Services expands its operations offering low-cost services to low-income residents unable to afford a private attorney. Rachel Dove, BA ’09, JD ’12, serves as a part-time staff attorney. The nonprofit, which began in early 2017, is an offshoot of Mission Waco.
Duane Morris LLP opened a new office in Austin with the addition of energy sector partner Brad Thompson, BBA ’01. Thompson joins from King & Spalding LLP.
Andrew Tillman, BSEd ’01, was named 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year at Freedom High School in Tampa, FL, where he teaches AP economics. This is the second time that Tillman has received this honor in the last five years. He is the first two-time teacher of the year in school history.
David Argueta, BS ’02, MBA ’05, was named chief administrative officer for Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City. He previously was president of three Catholic Health Initiative hospitals in Texas. Argueta also previously served as COO of CHI St. Luke’s Hospital, which has multiple campuses in Texas, and as vice president of operations at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center—Hillcrest in Waco.
Kristen Houseton Huguley, BA ’02, of Cedar Park, TX, was named Community Member of the Year at the Texas Women in Business Extraordinary Women Awards gala. “I’m thankful to my team members who make Texas Humane Heroes an inspirational, motivating and rewarding place to work. Every day, we save dogs and cats and enhance the lives of people who adopt them!” she writes.
Tyler Lane, BBA ’02, senior vice president, Merrill Lynch Private Banking and Investment Group was named to Forbes/SHOOK “America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list for 2017. The new Forbes listing is a select group of individuals who were born in 1980 or later and are viewed as leaders in their field. Lane has been with Merrill Lynch for 10 years. Contact at 600 Travis St., Suite 7400, Houston, TX 77002 or tyler_lane@ml.com.
Daniel O’Donnell, BBA ’02, is managing director of sales and trading at Mission Capital Advisors, based in the company’s Dallas office. He had been a managing director with Holiday, Fenoglio, Fowler LP in the firm’s national loan sales group. He was also vice president of U.S. acquisitions for FirstCity Financial Corporation.
Dustin Paschal, BBA ’02, JD ’05, of Dallas began his term as president of DallasHR in January. DallasHR is the Dallas chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, organizations dedicated to the advancement of the Human Resources profession. His law firm, Simon | Paschal PLLC, recently received a 2017 Best of Business Award from Frisco Style Magazine in the Giving Back to the Community category.
Danny Reeves, MDiv ’02, DMin ’12, pastor of First Baptist Church in Corsicana, TX, was nominated for a second one-year term as president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Previous pastorates include First Baptist churches in Edna, TX, and McGregor, TX.
The Rev. Caroline Norton Smith, BA ’02, MSW/MDiv ’05, joined Wilton Baptist Church in Wilton, CT, as minister. Smith served as chaplain at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene, TX, for the past two years. She and her husband Josh also served as Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionaries in South Africa, where she also served as pastor at the Refilwe Community Project.
Trey Wince, BA ’02, was named worship pastor of Princeton [NJ] United Methodist Church. He has served as pastor of Kingston [TN] United Methodist Church, a college director serving students at Vanderbilt, Belmont and Lipscomb universities, director of Young Adult Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN, and international missions coordinator with Joshua Expeditions.
Holly Elizabeth Johnson, BA ’03, of Sumrall, MS, authored Breaking Into Breakout Boxes: Escape Rooms in Education (CreateSpace 2017, 146 pages). The book is an introductory guide for teachers to create and facilitate breakout boxes in their classrooms with similar concepts to escape rooms, which have become a popular entertainment option around the country.
Major Marc R. Bradle, BA ’04, U.S. Air Force, assumed command of Detachment 1, 6th Combat Training Squadron, at Fort Sill [OK] Army installation in September. He is responsible for running the joint fires and observers school. He is a former B-52H Stratofortress Evaluator Weapon Systems Officer with over 2,100 flight hours and over 670 combat hours. He has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Air Medal with Valor, among others.
Todd Ferguson, BA ’04, MA ’13, PhD ’16, is an assistant professor of Sociology at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX.
Darren Irons, MBA ’04, of Edmond, OK, was named global product manager for Webex precision rolls. He was previously the global product manager for Fife Guiding Solutions.
Ceremonial Line Run Creates MemoriesOct. 28, 2017, is a gold-jersey day in University history. That is the day Baylor alumnae who were first-year students from 1970 to 1994—when the Baylor Line was a male-only organization—energized McLane Stadium with a joyous Ceremonial Running of the Baylor Line.
Feezah Jaffer, BS ’04, is executive director of the Surry Food Bank in Surrey, British Columbia. Jaffer has eight years of experience serving the not-for-profit sector with a diverse portfolio of roles focused on food security and community leadership. She holds a master’s from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
Garren Taylor, BBA ’04, was named vice president of finance for Broken Arrow, OK-based Oseco, where he will oversee accounting and Internet technology operations. He was recently CFO for RL Hudson, a custom molded rubber and plastics manufacturer.
Jennifer Fordham Blanco, BA ’05, of Dallas was promoted to director of retail at Poggenpohl, the world’s oldest kitchen brand. Previously, she was manager of the Poggenpohl Dallas Kitchen Design Studio.
Dr. Matthew Brown, BA ’05, joined Unity Health-Searcy Medical Center in Searcy, AR, as a general surgeon with a focus in advanced laparoscopy. He attended medical school in San Antonio and completed his general surgery residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2016. Brown fulfilled a fellowship in advanced laparoscopy at the Texas Endosurgery Institute in San Antonio.
Zoi Maroudas-Tziolas, BA ’05, of Anchorage, AK, used her lifelong love of science and medicine, combined with her expertise about healthy Mediterranean diets, to found two businesses of her own, Zoi Food 4 Life and Bambino’s Baby Food. Bambino’s Baby Food held a grand opening for its new manufacturing plant and storefront in Anchorage with VIPs such as Alaska Gov. Bill Walker.
Dr. Mimi Wiggins Perreault, BA ’05, is a research assistant professor and lecturer in the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Perreault’s research focuses on media and natural disasters, science communication, media narratives, and practical expertise in public relations and journalism. She completed her PhD from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 2016. Her recent publications appeared in Health Communication, Disasters, Games and Culture, and Journalism Practice. Contact at mfwperreault@gmail.com.
Marc Thompson, BA ’05, was promoted to director of compliance and job resource centers at Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth Inc. He is responsible for ensuring the nonprofit is compliant with all local, state and federal grants as well as internal policy and procedure for workforce development programs. Thompson served as the Job Resource Center manager, and he has held supervisory positions at FedEx and Walgreens. He is a member of North Texas Lead and Steer Fort Worth, and he has served as a mentor at Dallas Life Shelter.
Colin Carney, BBA ’06, MTax ’06, was appointed to the Humble [TX] ISD school board. He is a CPA with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Will Courington, BBA ’06, joined Gollob Morgan Peddy, CPAs, in Tyler, TX. He recently moved back to his hometown of Longview after working in Dallas for 11 years. Courington has experience with mergers and acquisitions, private equity and real estate.
Tramese Andrews, BA ’07, married De’Arrius Jones on Sept. 11, 2016, at the Carlisle Room in Dallas. They are both Dallas police officers and met while on the force.
Dr. Brittany Anderson, BSEd ’08, received a 2017 Doctoral Student Award at the annual convention of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) in November. The Doctoral Student Award is presented to doctoral students who have demonstrated exemplary work in research, publications and educational service, as well as for their potential for future scholarship. Anderson is an assistant professor in urban-multicultural education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, after completing her doctoral studies at the University of Georgia in May.
Andrew Hejtmanek, BBA/MAcc ’07, of Broken Arrow, OK, was promoted to director of BKD CPAs & Advisors. A member of BKD National Health Care Group, he has 10 years of experience providing audit and assurance services to health care providers.
Daniel Colston, MM ’08, joined the North Carolina-based law firm, Brooks Pierce, as an associate. Colston will work in the firm’s Greensboro office, focusing his practice on intellectual property and commercial transactions law. Colston received his JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law. An accomplished musician, he has a bachelor’s in music from UNC and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Johns Hopkins University.
Leslie Maree Jones, BA ’08, married Mark Walsh Brennan on July 2 in Portland, OR, where they reside. Their wedding officiant was Katie Cook, BA ’74, MA ’78, to whom the couple is most grateful for making the long trip.
Dan Moore, JD ’08, MBA ’08, of Carrollton, TX, was recognized as the Coalition of Residential Excellence (C.O.R.E.) Alumnus of the Year for 2017. C.O.R.E. presented Moore with the Catherine Hershey Award Sept. 6 in Tampa, FL. He was recognized for his contributions to the Methodist Children’s Home, Family Compass of Dallas, Habitat for Humanity, the One-Man Dallas project, and Dallas Volunteer Attorney’s Program. Contact at dan@danmoorelaw.com.
Hannah Moore, BBA ’08, is owner of Dallas-based Guiding Wealth Management and is now producing “You’re a Financial Planner, Now What?”—a series of podcasts aimed at providing support and inspiration for newly minted advisors. In September, the Financial Planning Association signed on to co-produce, market and co-brand Moore’s podcast. Moore was also named to the 2017 Investment News 40 Under 40.
Lyndon Andrews, BS ’09, an associate dentist with Aspen Dental in East Peoria, IL, coordinated a supply drive to aid hurricane relief efforts in his native British Virgin Islands. He completed a dental post-baccalaureate program and then received his DMD from Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine.
Josh Blake, BA ’09, of Waco was promoted to COO of Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. He received his Mortuary Science degree from Amarillo College and is currently enrolled in Selected Independent Funeral Home’s Leadership Academy. Blake serves on the board of the Centex Hispanic Chamber and is a member of University Baptist Church. Contact at josh@whbfamily.com.
Jim Heiligman, MDiv ’09, was nominated for a second yearlong term as second vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas at Texas Baptists’ annual meeting Nov. 12-14 in Waco. Heiligman is pastor of First Baptist Church Bryan. Previously, he served nearly six years as pastor of First Baptist Church in Castroville.
Ariana Phillips-Hutton, BM ’09, MM ’12, graduated with her doctorate in music from the University of Cambridge, where she is a research assistant in music and philosophy. She is married to her husband Alex.
Alexandra Thompson Price, BA ’09, returned to Waco and started a mommy and me exercise class called Stroller Strides, part of the FIT4MOM system that includes cardio and strength training with fun for the kids. Other classes are coming soon. Contact at alexprice@fit4mom.com or waco.fit4mom.com.
Mitch Randall, DMin ’09, is executive director for the Baptist Center for Ethics in Nashville, TN. The Baptist Center for Ethics directs the independently-run ministry partner of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Randall has been pastor of NorthHaven Church in Norman, OK, since 2006. He has also held national leadership positions as member and chair of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Randall is co-founder and a director of Pastors for Oklahoma Kids.
Mark Rotramel, DMin ’09, was named senior pastor of First Baptist Church of El Paso. He was previously senior pastor at Crestwood Baptist Church in Lumbertown, TX. Rotramel received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
Scott Burleson, BBA ’10, married Catherine Sims, BS ’11, May 6 at Briscoe Manor in Richmond, TX. The celebration included Dr Pepper floats for the best man’s toast, a Sailor Bear groom’s cake and a fireworks display. The Burlesons reside in Missouri City, TX.
David Ramsey, PhD ’10, associate professor of government and faculty senate president at the University of West Florida, was named to the UWF Board of Trustees. He serves as the faculty representative for the board. Ramsey earned degrees from Georgia’s Berry College, Maryland’s St. John’s College and Baylor.
Ben Davis, BA ’11, of Glendale, CA, directed a national broadcast commercial for Sinclair Oil’s Dinocare Top Tier Gasoline. The commercial also featured Aaron Youngblood, BA ’05, MA ’14, as cinematographer. Davis’ 2016 TV pilot Watch the Skies became the number one pilot on the Blacklist website. Contact at bendavisfilms.com.
Brittany Bruce, BSEd ’12, married Clifton Odom, BA ’11, on July 1 in Dallas. They met during their first semester at Baylor where Brittany was captain of the track and field team and Clifton was a part of the first football team to go to a bowl game in 16 years. Clifton coaches football at Stetson University, and Brittany is completing her pediatric residency at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
Madeline Luttrell, BS ’10, was named by St. Anthony Physicians Group to Saints Dermatology Center of Excellence in Oklahoma City. After completing a Master of Health Science as Physician Associate degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Luttrell earned certification through the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants.
Colin Smith, BBA ’11, was elected assistant vice president and loan officer of Citizens National Bank, Texas’ Hill County’s oldest independent bank charter. He previously worked with The Independent Bankers Bank in Dallas, and he earned a master’s degree from Texas State University.
Blake Trimble, BA ’11, is working on his doctorate in theology at Oxford University. He is a fellow with RZIM and holds master’s degrees from Duke University, Regent [VA] University, and Oxford.
Emma Jones, BSW ’12, MSW ’13, was among the volunteers at the downtown George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, helping an estimated 9,000 people who were displaced by Hurricane Harvey and the resulting flood. Jones is a social worker who works in crisis mental health at an outpatient clinic at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She was featured as part of an Aug. 29 story on National Public Radio.
Nate Larson, BA ’12, and Matthew Marchetti, ’12, created an online platform to help streamline the rescue process from flooding in Houston by aggregating calls for help and connect those calls to boats in the water. Houston Harvey Rescue combined a website, map and dispatcher for at least 7,500 calls for help over the course of the next few days. The fast-developing initiative was part of a larger biome of digital command centers providing civilian aid during the storm.
Zach Dailey, BA ’13, is the director of Belleville, a play about the lack of communication shared by an American couple who moved to France to start a new life. The play ran in October at the Maedgen Laboratory Theatre at Texas Tech University, where Dailey is working on his doctorate.
Emily LaVaccare, BBA ’13, and Taylor Criswell, BBA ’13, were married May 13 in Boca Grande, FL. They met in 2011 during their junior year at Baylor on the night Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy. The Criswells reside in Atlanta, GA, where Taylor works in finance and Emily started a marketing and web design business.
Emma Steincross, BA ’13, graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, with a Master of Arts in leadership in student affairs in May. Throughout her graduate program, she served as the St. Thomas Wellness Center graduate assistant and the Minneapolis Community and Technical College Accessibility Resource Center graduate intern, both working and attending school full-time. She is an adaptive technology assistant at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
Hannah Kirkhart Wilkinson, BA ’13, of McAlester, OK, authored her first Christian historical fiction novel, The Moor and the Maiden (eLectio Publishing, 2017). “This is a work I began during my years at Baylor under the guidance of Baylor English professors Dr. Walker-Nixon and Mark Andrew Olsen!” she writes.
Eric Montrose, BBA ’14, JD ’17, of Dallas, began working at the Keramidas Law Firm in March. His practice includes commercial litigation and specializes in insurance defense.
Dylan Washington, BA ’14, and John David Beard, BBA ’14, opened Waco’s Pinewood Coffee Bar, which they hope will serve as a community hub and live music venue for the Austin Avenue neighborhood as they offer coffee roasted on site, pastries and farm-to-table options for lunch.
Taylor Flaig, BSEd ’15, married Andrew Earnest, BBA ’15, on June 17 at Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano, TX. Taylor was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Andrew was a member of the Baylor football team. Taylor is a second-grade teacher for Frisco [TX] ISD, and Andrew is a commercial account manager at Fujitsu Network Communications. The couple resides in McKinney, TX.
Niya Johnson, BSEd ’15, joined the University of Mary Hardin- Baylor women’s basketball program as an assistant coach. Johnson was a four-year All-Big 12 selection for the Lady Bears and earned All-America honors as a senior.
Jessica Korona, BS ’15, and Aaron Bailey, BS ’15, were married Sept. 16 in Dallas. They met while studying biology at Baylor. Jessica is a contractor for the U.S. Army Public Health Center and Aaron is a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Kaleia Marsden, BA ’15, is attending graduate school in the School of Architecture at Georgia Tech. Contact at 2900 Pharr Court South NW #2210 or kalmarsden@yahoo.com.
Samantha Simpson, BSME ’15, married Josh Howe, BS ’15, April 8 in Seattle. Josh is a sales operations analyst and Samantha is a mechanical engineer. The two met the second day of classes at Baylor in 2011. The Howes reside in Seattle with their dog Willie.
Isa Torres, MDiv ’15, joined the Baptist Standard staff to report on predominantly Hispanic congregations affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Torres earned his undergraduate degree in journalism from Texas Tech University. He was a BGCT seminary fellow in 2015.
Holly Tucker, BA ’15, was nominated for two Texas Country Music Association Awards—Female Vocalist of the Year and Country Album of the Year—winning the former category. She began her “Steel” tour Aug. 15.
Jake Arterbury, BS ’16, was hired as a crop scientist and staff biologist for Indoor Farms of America in Las Vegas. Arterbury works on all areas of testing crops grown in the company’s patented aeroponic system.
Kaitlen Carter, BSEd ’16, was honored on the field at Yankee Stadium as part of the July 29 pregame ceremonies dedicated to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) and the children of military members killed in the line of duty. Carter’s father Chief Warrant Officer David Carter died in Afghanistan in 2011 in a helicopter crash. SOWF provides college scholarships for the surviving children of fallen Special Operations Forces.
Ronak Chokhani, BBA ’16, was selected as the 2018 recipient of the annual Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship. He is in his second year at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston and will be a summer associate in Baker Donelson’s Houston office in 2018.
Erin Gaddis, BA ’16, partnered with Baltimore filmmaker Mecca Amoni Michele Lewis on a six-minute film—“JustUS: Living with a Criminal Record”—on the difficulty of everyday life after serving time in jail. It won the “Champions for Justice” short-film competition at the NAACP national convention in July.
Matt Tinsley, BS ’16, married Taylor Sparks, BBA ’16, March 12 at The Palladium in Waco. The couple met at Community Leader training at Baylor and now reside in the San Francisco Bay area.
Nathaniel Eberlein, BA ’17, acted as a square supervisor for the Huqoq Excavation Project in Israel. The project has uncovered multiple dazzling mosaics in the late Roman synagogue discovered in Huqoq, including depictions of the Greco-Roman sun god Helios, Jonah and the whale, and the tower of Babel.
Jillian Gardner, MM ’17, an organist, accompanist and harpsichordist, performed as part of the bicentennial celebration of First Baptist Church in Rome, NY. Gardner began her study of the organ at age 14. She is passionate about making the organ accessible to as many people as possible.
Rachel Vaughn, BSEd ’17, received the Clinical Teacher of the Year Award, which honors senior-level teacher-education students, during the statewide meeting this fall of the Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education, of which Texas Directors of Field Experience (TDFE) is a part. This is the second consecutive year a Baylor School of Education student teacher has received the award.