Class Notes, Spring 2019
1950s
William D. “Willie” Bonilla, ’51, and Susie Richey Bonilla, ’51, celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary April 10, 2018. Willie retired in 2013 but still goes to the family law office at the Bonilla Plaza in Corpus Christi, TX.
Legendary sportswriter Dave Campbell, BA ’50, of Waco authored Dave Campbell’s Favorite Texas College Football Stories (Texas A&M U Press, 2019: 276 pages). The foreword is by Mickey Herskowitz. A walking encyclopedia of Texas sports, Campbell started his annual fall football preview magazine, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, in 1960. In his new book, Campbell gathered columns and articles about those college football contests he considers the all-time greatest over the course of his career (1953 through 2016). Campbell’s accounts of players, coaches, rivalries and unforgettable games are illustrated with historic photographs. Readers of all ages will enjoy experiencing a press-box view of the state’s gridiron greats. A 2005 inductee into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Campbell was Waco Tribune-Herald sports editor from 1953 to 1993.
Jere Kernodle, BBA ’54, of Wynne, AR, has attended Baylor Homecoming nearly every year over the last 64 years. The first year that he missed was due to military deployment, followed by the birth of two of his children and his wife’s passing in 2014.
1960s
Larry Funderburk, BA ’61, JD ’62, was presented with the 7th Amendment Warrior award by the American Board of Trial Advocates. Also, he recently published Cases and Courtrooms Remembered: Memories of a Texas Trial Lawyer, a collection of anecdotes and vignettes from a 50-plus-year career. He and his wife Linda K. Buckley Funderburk, BA ’66, live in Houston. Contact at LFunderburk@sbcglobal.net.
Sharon Ellis, BA ’63, authored Our Passover Lamb (Westbow 2018). The book is about the events of the last week of Jesus’ life. Ellis served nearly a decade and a half as executive assistant to Rev. Andy Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Belton, TX.
Carole Godwin-Gasper, BM ’61, Emerita Professor of Voice at Webster University in St. Louis, was honored with the National Association of Teachers of Singing’s Central Region Lifetime Achievement Award at the NATS Conference at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, IL. Since joining Webster in 1975, she has earned seven diplomas from conservatories in Salzburg, Austria; Nice, France; and Geneva for studies in the poetry and music of the German lied and the French melodie. Godwin-Gaspar has given numerous highly acclaimed concerts in the St. Louis area and frequently collaborates with composers in premiering new works. She founded and directed the Institute for Advanced Vocal Studies in Paris from 1990 through 2001.
Dr. Morris Minton, BA ’65, joined Camden [ME] Dermatology and Mohs Surgery. In private practice for more than 40 years, he has concentrated on general and surgical dermatology with an emphasis on skin cancer surgery and aesthetic/cosmetic procedures. He recently left a long-standing practice in North Carolina.
Phyllis Stansell Skaug, BS ’69, retired after 38 years as a pediatrician at The Children’s Clinic in Jonesboro, AR. Her husband of 40 years, Warren, retired at the same time. They met during their pediatric residency at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in 1978 and married in 1979. They have two sons: Eric, a computer software developer, and Brian, an MD/PhD rheumatologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The Skaugs also have five grandchildren. Contact at 113 Harvester Drive, Jonesboro, AR 72401 or w-pskaug@sbcglobal.net.
The late John Hill Westbrook, BA ’69, was inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame Feb. 23 in Dallas. In 1966, Westbrook became the first African-American to play varsity football in the Southwest Conference. After graduation, he worked for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Southwest Missouri State University, the Southern Baptist Convention and Florida State University. In 1974, he returned to Texas to pastor True Vine Baptist Church in Tyler and the historic Antioch Baptist Church in downtown Houston.
1970s
Dr. Kay Bull Danielson, BA, ’70, authored The Making of an American Family, which is part family history and part memoir. This portrait of her family from the 1600s to now weaves genealogical research with family letters, stories and photos. After her nearly 40-year career as a school psychologist and professor, Danielson, in retirement, is transitioning to writing creative nonfiction. In 2017, she earned a Master of Liberal Studies from Arizona State University. She lives in Mesa, AZ, with her husband Scott. Contact at ekdanielson@gmail.com.
Joanne Briscoe Jones, BS ’70, of Dallas and her husband Ben have created a ministry for ministers. “The Refuge” is a comfortable cabin in the Piney Woods of East Texas and is available to pastors and missionaries and their families, as well as for small group retreats. The Joneses spent 10 years in the San Antonio area and a long career in Refugio, TX. They are members of the Old Main Society and the 1845 Society and the parents of Bailey Jones, BSE ’97, and Corinda Fellers, BBA ’00. Contact at jbj9310@yahoo.com.
Municipal Judge Thomas Redwine, BBA ’70, JD ’71, was honored by the city of Van Alstyne, TX, for more than 40 years of service.
Almost two years after his untimely death, a documentary about Randy Wilson, BA ’70, MA ’90, the longtime artistic director at The Theatre Company in Bryan, TX, debuted at Downtown Bryan’s historic Queen Theatre. Wilson made it to Broadway and then returned home to direct more than 100 musicals at The Theatre Company.
Suzii Paynter, BA ’72, who announced plans in July 2018 to retire as executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, was named co-director of Pastors for Texas Children, a public education advocacy group. Paynter hopes to shine light on the good work many churches already are doing to support public schools, students, teachers and parents.
McAllen [TX] Mayor Jim Darling, BA ’75, JD ’77, received a lifetime achievement award from the International Municipal Lawyers Association in recognition of his many professional and community contributions. He was McAllen City Attorney for 28 years and served pro bono as general counsel to McAllen Affordable Homes. Darling has dedicated his professional career to serving McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
A civil rights activist, Vietnam War veteran and longtime elected public servant, McLennan County Precinct 2 Commissioner Lester Gibson, BA ’75, retired from his county role. For the past 28 years, Gibson represented East Waco and portions of North and South Waco, Bellmead, Lacy-Lakeview, Axtell, Riesel, Hallsburg and Mart. Before that, he served on the Waco City Council from 1988 to 1990.
Patty Lane, BSEd ’75, who has worked for the Baptist General Convention of Texas since 1984 and has led Intercultural Ministries for Texas Baptists since 2002, shared her background and ministry life in the Baptist Standard in November 2018. Lane continually sees how God works through her life to love people from various cultures.
John Eddie Williams Jr., BBA ’76, JD ’78, firm founder and managing partner of Williams Kherkher, received the Texas Trial Lawyers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1983, Williams opened his practice with another attorney. That firm, now known as Williams Kherkher, has represented more than 30,000 clients over the past four decades. In 1995, Williams represented the State of Texas against the tobacco industry. This complex case ultimately resulted in a victory for the state and the largest settlement in U.S. history.
Dr. Johnny Zummo, BS ’77, happily retired from his pediatric dental practice after 36 years in West Houston. He is leaving the practice to his son-in-law Dr. Joshua Gascoyne, BBA ’05. Zummo and his wife Theresa have six grandchildren and will continue to travel, sail, fish and enjoy life.
Paul Basden, BA ’78, and Jim Johnson, BA ’77, PhD ’86, co-authored their first book together, Tough Stuff Parenting: Helping Your Kids Navigate Faith and Culture (Harvest House 2019). Basden and Johnson are the founding co-senior pastors of Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco, TX. The book draws upon the authors’ extensive personal and ministry experience to help parents confidently engage their kids in meaningful conversations about some of today’s toughest topics.
1980s
Hans Brattskar, MIM ’80, Norway’s Ambassador to the United Nations, has been elected president of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, an international effort that seeks to ban the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of explosive devices. Brattskar is serving a one-year term with the Convention, which consists of 164 member countries. In December, he made his first visit as APMBC president to observe the clearance of mines in Thailand and Cambodia. Contact at hansbrattskar@yahoo.com.
Balfour Publishing recently awarded sales representative Lisa Lowry Schwartz, BA ’80, its Bill Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award. She is the first woman to receive this honor. Lisa is co-owner of the Houston/European Office of Balfour Yearbooks. Contact at 13303 Pebblebrook Dr., Houston, TX 77079 or lisaleeschwartz@comcast.net.
Jeff Hampton, BA ’81, of Garland, TX, published Aransas Evening, a novel set in Port Aransas, TX, about acquaintances who become family and help heal each other’s lives. It is a sequel to Aransas Morning. Proceeds from sales benefit rebuilding efforts on the Texas Coast. More info at www.jeffhamptonwriter.biz/news.
Dabney Bassel, JD ’82, was appointed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to the Second Court of Appeals. Bassel is an attorney in private practice in Fort Worth and is board certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Judge John Neill, BA ’82, of Burleson, TX, was named by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to replace Justice Al Scoggins on Waco’s 10th Court of Appeals. Neill served the past 20 years as judge of the 18th Judicial District Court in Johnson and Somervell Counties.
The 13th annual Kim Orlando Invitational golf tournament was held Oct. 20, 2018, in Waco. The event was attended by 36 active and alumni members of Sigma Phi Epsilon and honored LTC Kim S. Orlando, BA ’82. As the commanding officer of the 716th Military Police Battalion attached to the 101st Airborne Division, Orlando was killed Oct. 16, 2003, in action in Karbala, Iraq. Since its inception, the men of the Texas Rho Chapter have raised more than $48,000 to support the Fort Campbell [KY] Fisher House.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Judge Dana Womack, BA ’82, JD ’83, of Fort Worth to the Second Court of Appeals for a term set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020. Judge Womack is a senior district judge and previously served as judge of the 348th Judicial District Court for 20 years.
Dr. Dennis Disch, BBA ’84, is a new cardiologist on staff at Spectrum Health Lakeland in Grand Rapids, MI. Disch diagnoses and treats conditions involving the cardiac system including heart failure, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease.
Dr. Kathy “Kat” Stewart Schwaig, BBA ’84, MBA ’86, is now provost and vice president for academic affairs at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. She is responsible for all aspects of the University’s academic mission. Schwaig, the Dinos Eminent Scholar Chair of Entrepreneurial Management and professor of information systems, served as the dean of KSU’s Michael J. Coles College of Business since 2012. Schwaig joined the faculty at KSU in 2002.
Dr. Roy Smythe, BS ’84, is now CEO for SomaLogic Inc., an executive search firm for life sciences and diagnostic companies in North America. Smythe, based in Boulder, CO, is responsible for developing, scaling, commercializing and funding for the company.
Keary Castleberry, BBA ’85, is now a senior partner and managing director at Snowden Lane Partners, a boutique investment firm in New York City. He lives with his family in San Antonio, where for 24 years he has served high net-worth clients and corporations through his advisory practice. He played basketball at Baylor (1980-84). Contact at 208 Sunway Dr., San Antonio, TX 78232 or kcastleberry@snowdenlane.com.
William Johnston, MBA ’85, is chief financial officer and assistant superintendent of business services for the Red Oak [TX] School District. Johnston, originally from Victoria, TX, relocated from Round Lake, IL, where he served as CFO and assistant superintendent of business for Round Lake area schools.
Dr. Woodson “Scott” Jones, BA ’86, transitioned after 27 years of service to the military in medicine and higher education (including being a professor in the Baylor Graduate School) to become vice dean of Graduate Medical Education and Professor of Pediatrics at the Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio.
Stephanie Young, BBA ’86, was appointed managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort by Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, effective Feb. 1. Young has a distinguished 26-year career with The Walt Disney Company, holding leadership positions across the areas of operations, business, finance and information technology.
Kent Penney, BBA ’87, was appointed planning department manager for KLJ in Rapid City, SD. KLJ is a multi-disciplinary firm serving in states in the Great Plains, Midwest and Mountain regions. Previously, Penney was an airport director for airports in Nebraska, Arkansas and Texas. Kent and his wife live in the Rapid City area, where their back yard is the Black Hills National Forest. He can be contacted at kent.penney@kljeng.com.
James Springfield, BBA ’87, was appointed CEO of Nobilis Health Corp. in Houston. He spent 13 years with the Memorial Hermann Health Care System in various leadership positions, including chief operating officer of Hermann Hospital, the 900-bed flagship of the multi-hospital system, and CEO of the Hermann Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Brent Beasley, BS ’88, of Tulsa, OK, is medical director for the internal medicine practice and a professor within the OU-TU School of Community Medicine, a branch of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine at the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. He was profiled in the Tulsa World after becoming an avid proponent of a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet after his wife battled a rare lung disease and breast cancer.
Dr. Amanda Lee, BA ’88, MA ’90, was named president of Bladen Community College in Elizabethtown, NC. Lee was most recently chief of staff and vice president of academic affairs at Union College in Barbourville, KY. She also has been the president of Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC.
Stephen C. Raffaele, BBA ’88, was named CEO of American Bank, based in Corpus Christi, TX. He will continue as American Bank’s president. Raffaele has been in the banking industry for more than three decades, holding various executive positions with banking organizations throughout Texas.
Don W. Allen, BBA ’89, joined the Orlando, FL, office as a partner in the business law firm of Kelley Kronenberg. Allen has nearly three decades of experience handling workers’ compensation issues in Florida courts. He is admitted to practice law in Florida, the Florida Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Janette Baldwin, JD ’89, and Garrett Beach, JD ’16, were honored as the Baylor Law Veterans Clinic Advocates of the Year for 2018 at the Waco-McLennan County Bar Association luncheon Nov. 9. Baldwin and Beach are among the most dedicated volunteer attorneys at the free legal advice clinics for veterans and their spouses at the Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop.
Julie Overton, BA ’89, JD ’90, and Robert Overton, BBA ’86, opened a shop in the Milo All Day restaurant complex at 1020 Franklin Ave. in Waco, where they sell decor from the Round Top Collection, which had its beginning 28 years ago in the Hill Country community of the same name.
Rev. Gregory “Scott” Terry, BA ’89, retired from the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1994-2015). He serves as associate pastor of Round Oak Baptist Church in Woodford, VA. His daughter Jasmine is part of the Baylor Class of 2022. Contact at P.O. Box 159, Corbin, VA 22446 or pastorscott@roundoakchurch.com.
1990s
Rose Cardarelli, MHA ’90, a former U.S. Army Medical Service Corps officer and former senior civil servant at the National Defense University, was the first professor of human security at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. There, she conducted a variety of education programs to residents of more than three dozen countries, including Jordan, Algeria and Thailand. Her humanitarian work has taken her to Turkey, Greece and Nigeria. Rose is founder and CEO of the Education for All Coalition (EFAC), a nongovernmental organization dedicated to creating and bridging educational opportunities for youth, especially refugees. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) Nongovernmental Organization Office and as a member of the Executive Council of the International Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi. Contact at P.O. Box 1807, Edgewater, MD 21037 or rosecardarelli@msn.com.
Christopher Derden, BBA ’90, was appointed litigation practice group leader in the Houston office of Adams and Reese. Derden has a national litigation practice focusing particularly on the defense of mass tort, environmental, toxic tort and product liability matters.
Odessa, TX, neurosurgeon John Dorman, BS ’90, developed a surgical navigation app called Circinus for spine surgery. Having learned programming about four years ago, Dorman developed a hobby of writing programs. He has used the app in more than 100 cases and recently received a patent. The next step is FDA approval.
Judge Holly Fox, BA ’90, was selected by the Denton [TX] City Council as the city’s municipal court judge, following 14 years as a Denton County magistrate, an associate judge and magistrate for Lewisville for 14 years, among other responsibilities. Fox also previously worked as a special agent with the FBI in the New York field office, an assistant criminal district attorney and a criminal defense attorney.
Paula S. Voyles, BA ’90, joined SMU as assistant vice president for school and project development in September 2018.
David Thompson, BBA ’91, JD ’93, of Austin is president and CEO of Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS). He oversaw the Jan. 1, 2018, merger of two agencies — Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services of Missouri and Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services of Texas and Louisiana. The new PCHAS has an annual budget of approximately $28 million and a combined staff of 350 employees. Last year, the organization served approximately 5,000 children and families through 12 programs in Missouri, Texas and Louisiana.
Brad Rinklin, BBA ’93, is chief marketing officer for Carbon Black, a leader in next-generation endpoint security delivered via the cloud and based in Waltham, MA. Rinklin has more than 20 years of experience in B2B technology and cyber security marketing.
Scot Ganow, BA ’94, an attorney at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, made the Ohio Rising Stars 2019 list. Rising Stars recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state. Ganow is co-chair of the firm’s privacy and data security practice.
Ross Purdy, BA ’94, MSEd ’08, and Meredith McMillian, BBA ’01, were married Dec. 22, 2018, at Houston Ecclesia Westside campus. The wedding was officiated by Pastor Chris Seay, ’94. Three generations of Baylor Bears were in attendance. Contact at 12031 Naughton St., Houston, TX 77024 or bpurdy2@me.com.
Leticia Reinke, BA ’94, is director of athletic development at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. In the newly created position, Reinke raises money for UTPB athletics through endowments, capital campaigns and special events. Her husband Brian is the UTPB baseball coach.
Derek Johnston, BBA ’95, joined Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management office in Tulsa, OK, as senior vice president, financial advisor. Johnston has been in the financial services industry nearly 23 years. He works primarily with high net-worth families and their family offices to create financial plans. He also implements and monitors these plans for foundations, endowments and institutions with unique needs.
Jeffrey S. Moore, BS ’95, and Kristine E. Moore, BS ’95, are excited to announce the addition of four children to their family through adoption from Peru in 2017. The Moores reside in Aurora, CO, with their five children. Jeffrey wrote We Believed to chronicle their 10-year faith journey leading to the adoption, and to encourage others in their journey of life. Jeffrey is available to speak to groups about his experiences. Find out more at WeBelievedBook.com.
Sarah Arendas, BA ’96, began the process of becoming a police officer in January 2018. She now works with Georgetown [TX] Police Department and is “loving every minute of it,” she says.
Daniel Williamson, BBA ’98, PhD ’05, and Jennifer Nivin Williamson, MSEd ’98, PhD ’05, were honored by the European Branch of the American Counseling Association in Budapest, Hungary. Dan was honored as the Department Chair of the Year for 2017, and Jen was honored as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor of the Year for 2017. They were also honored by the Kentucky Counseling Association with the Daya Sandhu Award for Research and Innovation in Louisville in November 2018. Both are professors in the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Department of Professional Counseling; Daniel is department chair.
2000s
As of November 2018, Floy Rodriguez, BSEd ’99, is director of the Space & Assets Management Division, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Headquarters in Washington, DC. She formerly served as director of facilities, safety and security division at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) headquarters, also in Washington, DC.
Rev. Melissa Crawford, MDIV ’00, was appointed in June 2018 to serve as senior pastor of both Union United Methodist Church and Lake United Methodist Church of the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Astria Smith, BA ’00, was promoted to senior executive director for annual giving and alumni relations at Southern Methodist University.
Dr. David Bertrand, BBA ’01, MSEd ’03, of Dallas graduated with his doctorate in higher education policy and leadership from Southern Methodist University in May 2018. His dissertation on the nexus of executive coaching, transformational leadership and academic deans was recognized with a first-place prize at Harvard’s Institute of Coaching conference in September 2018. Contact at dbertrand@smu.edu.
Dr. Diane Durant, BFA ’01, is among the four artists selected to participate in Carter Community Artists, a new program through Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, dedicated to working with and supporting local artists. Durant is a senior lecturer in photography and assistant director of the photography program at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Josh Van Eaton, JD ’01, senior trial attorney in the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, joined Beveridge & Diamond as a principal in the firm’s Washington, DC, office. He continues his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he holds the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Sabah Al Shamsi, BBA ’02, and a business partner started help4u.today to empower local small businesses with a digital platform so that they can easily connect with consumers through a smart app. Al Shamsi headed the information technology departments of various organizations in Dubai, UAE, before starting the company.
Liz Boydston, BA ’03, joined K&L Gates as a partner in its restructuring and insolvency practice in Dallas, leaving her role as a senior associate at Norton Rose Fulbright. Boydston works largely with health care companies dealing with bankruptcies, including restructuring, insolvency, litigation and other proceedings. She earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University.
Dr. Roland Goertz, MBA ’03, was recently presented with the McLennan County Medical Society’s fifth annual Presidential Distinguished Service Award. Goertz has a long history of service in the medical community, primarily as CEO of the Heart of Texas Community Health Center Inc., overseeing all operations of the Waco Family Health Center since 1997.
Ashley Minton, BSEd ’03, MSEd ’07, was named principal of Canyon Ranch Elementary in Irving, TX. Minton has been with Coppell ISD for 10 years and has served as an elementary teacher and math instructional coach. Her most recent role was assistant principal for Richard J. Lee Elementary.
Ben Brewer, BBA ’04, MAcc ’04, of Dallas expanded his role as managing director for the Dallas-Fort Worth office of Hines Interests Limited Partnership. He is responsible for the firm’s commercial real estate ventures across DFW. Brewer specializes in commercial development of office, mixed-use, multi-family and single-family developments.
Sue Barker, mother of Cole Barker, BA ’05, who passed away in 2017, published a book Cole wrote in the fourth grade that his teacher has used for years as an example to her male students who didn’t want to write. The narrative and illustrations were inspired by Cole’s first hog hunt. All proceeds from the book are donated to the Cole Barker Memorial Scholarship Fund to grant scholarships to graduating seniors at Mount Vernon [TX] High School. Learn more at boarnamedbob.com.
Phallan Davis, BA ’05, joined the Bastrop [TX] Economic Development Corporation as its first marketing and communications manager. Davis has 13 years of experience in brand management, media relations and digital communications. She has designed and executed communication strategies for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits and political officeholders.
Kendall Laughlin, BBA ’05, executive director of All People’s Church in San Diego, authored The Identity Journey. The book has 31 days of devotions, daily reflections, Scripture readings and declarations to help readers fully understand their identities in Christ.
Sarah Beth Wilson, BA ’06, is director and lead curator of Art League Houston. She had been curator of exhibitions and collections at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas since 2014. She has contributed to several notable books about Texas artists and art. Wilson has been credited with waking up the exhibition program at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas with shows devoted to Texas talent.
Matthew Busby, BA ’07, is director of development for Del Mar College Foundation in Corpus Christi, TX. He was formerly with College of the Mainland Foundation and also served as president of the Texas Association of Community College Foundations. Contact at mj.busby@yahoo.com.
Erin Osborne Greneaux, BA ’08, of Lafayette, LA, published Learnable Moments for Moms: 100 Devotions to Discover God in the Everyday. The devotional reveals how God uses the season of motherhood to draw moms deeper in their relationship with Him.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Ebony Jackson Todd, BA ’08, to the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners for a term set to expire in 2023. Todd is an attorney and member of Jackson Todd Law PLLC in Killeen, TX. She previously served as a judge advocate for the Department of the Army.
Steven Cutbirth, BBA ’09, was recently named director of marketing for The Karis Group, an Austin-based healthcare company that is a leader in patient advocacy services through its Karis360 offering. The company specializes in providing churches and Christian schools across the U.S. with employee benefits options and alternatives for paying one’s medical bills without the use of health insurance. Cutbirth previously served as director of digital health analytics and engagement at W2O Group. Contact at scutbirth@thekarisgroup.com.
Mechele Agbayani Mills, MBA ’09, president and CEO of the East Texas Better Business Bureau, was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Council of Better Business Bureaus, headquartered in Arlington, VA.
Justin T. Scott, JD ’09, was promoted to partner of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings law firm. Based in Houston, Scott is a member of the Litigation Practice Group and focuses on commercial litigation, specifically in the energy, construction and real estate fields.
2010s
Amy Bolline, JD ’10, was elected to Husch Blackwell’s partnership. Bolline concentrates her practice on estate planning and estate and trust administration in the firm’s Dallas office.
Stephen M. Boone Jr., JD ’10, was promoted to partner at Akin Gump in Houston. Boone works on oil and gas matters as a member of the firm’s energy practice and is board certified in oil, gas and mineral law.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III, BA ’10, was the team’s nominee for the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA and the NFL. The award honors a league member who demonstrates an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community. The Robert Griffin III Foundation supports Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Luke’s Wings and the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
Akio Miakashi, BS ’10, joined Siegfried Group LLP as a senior associate in the Houston market after more than four years of experience at Ernst & Young (doing business as EY), where he was most recently an assurance services senior. Miakashi earned his Master of Accounting at the University of Miami.
Employment attorney Terah Moxley, JD ’10, was promoted to partner for litigation boutique Estes Thorne & Carr PLLC in Dallas. Moxley graduated from Baylor Law at the top of her class. Her work has earned her recognition on Texas Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars listing of the top young attorneys.
Dr. Ginny Brewer-Boydston, PhD ’11, was hired in August 2018 as an assistant professor of religion in Old Testament at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX. She has taught religion for a decade. Brewer-Boydston was ordained as a Baptist minister in Waco in 2016.
Kelsey Leigh Ervi, BFA ’11, was director and Christopher Llewyn Ramirez, BFA ’13, was a cast member of WaterTower Theatre’s production of The Great Distance Home at the Addison [TX] Theatre Centre during November and December 2018. Ervi is associate artistic director for WaterTower Theatre, and Ramirez is a member of the Brierley Resident Acting Company at Dallas Theater Center.
Alan J. Lombardo, MHA, MBA ’11, was named CEO of Sheltering Arms Institute, a joint venture between Sheltering Arms Hospital and Virginia Commonwealth University Health System to provide care for individuals who have survived strokes, spinal cord injuries or brain injuries and general rehabilitation for various neurological diseases and disorders. Lombardo has held clinical and leadership positions at Veterans Health Administration facilities across the country. He currently serves as acting director of the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond.
Pierce Widham, BA ’11, of St. Louis became vice president at Stratus Networks, which focuses on global wholesale fiber-optic cabling routes. He began a career in telecom in 2015 with a startup company. Widham married his wife Lydia in June 2018, when he orchestrated a surprise engagement/wedding weekend in Park City, UT. “It was a great 2018! Sic ’em!” he writes.
Melissa Windham, BA ’11, and John Michael Cavazos, BA ’12, were married May 5, 2018, in Luther, OK. Melissa is a criminalist with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations, and John is a preparator at Oklahoma State University. They reside in Edmond, OK.
Courtney Bailey Parker, MA ’12, PhD ’16, is an assistant professor of English and theater studies at Greenville University in Illinois. Shes also an actor and making a name for herself on the St. Louis theater scene as a dramaturg, a literary editor who consults with authors and edits texts. Parker has turned in memorable performances as Curley’s wife in SATE’s 2017 Of Mice and Men production and as defense attorney Cunningham in Mustard Seed Theatre’s recent staging of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Her latest role is in District Merchants at the New Jewish Theatre.
Jordan Adams, BS ’13, and Daniel Tacker, BSME ’10, were married April 7, 2018, at Stonehouse Villa in Driftwood, TX, followed by a trip to Iceland. Baylor connections included wedding party participants Rebecca Adams, BBA ’18, Carole Kim, BA ’14, Karla Medina, BSFCS ’14, and Brandon Oswald, BA ’12, plus parents and other relatives. Jordan also earned a MOT ’17 from St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin.
Kaylie Kahlich, BM ’13, soprano and resident artist of Lyric Opera of Kansas City, MO, performed Feb. 9 in the production of Lyric Opera’s Explorations Series, Mack The Knife is The Man I Love: A Weill-Gershwin Cabaret. Kahlich has sung roles for Operativo Houston and Miami Summer Music Festival, and she appears in High Fidelity Opera as part of the 2018-19 Lyric Opera season.
Will Turner, MBA ’13, was named president of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center- Waxahachie [TX]. He previously worked seven years at the Baylor Scott & White-Hillcrest campus in Waco as associate director of physician services and then as director of hospital operations and interim president of the Baylor Scott & White-Carrollton [TX] campus.
Dr. Andrew Bowman, BBA ’14, joined the ophthalmology residency program at the University of Florida. Bowman completed his medical degree at University of Texas Health San Antonio and his internship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.
Priscilla Escobedo, BA ’14, of Irving, TX, presented a paper titled Un vaso de agua: Water Accessibility in Early Mexican-American Neighborhoods at the Legacies Dallas History Conference in January. The paper will also be published in Legacies: A History Journal for Dallas and North Central Texas.
Amanda Guerrero, BSFCS ’15, was honored as one of Waco ISD’s top 25 teachers of the year. Guerrero was named Outstanding Teacher for Kendrick Elementary School, where she attended school and later returned to enrich the neighborhood in which she was raised.
Barrett Pollard, EdD ’15, is acting superintendent of Gatesville [TX] Independent School District. He had served there as assistant superintendent of academics since February 2016. He previously worked for Belton [TX] ISD and Copperas Cove [TX] ISD.
Marcia Lynette Thomas, BSEd ’15, completed a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington. A middle school math teacher at Cedar Hill [TX] Collegiate Middle School, Thomas owns Inspiring Minds with Marcia, a math tutoring business. Contact at Inspiringmindswithmarcia.com.
Dylan Hoke, BA ’16, was honored as a 2018 Ignatian Law Scholar Awardee, the Loyola University New Orleans College’s highest honor for new law students.
A viral video on CBS Evening News featured of a young soldier surprising her husband, also a soldier, after returning home from deployment to Iraq; 2nd Lt. Jamie Douglas, BBA ’17, and 2nd Lt. Jordan Pruitt, BSEd ’17, received their ROTC commissions from Baylor. Jordan is training as a physical therapist at Fort Sam Houston, and Jamie is a medic who spent eight months in Iraq before returning to Fort Hood.
Emma McGrath, BSW ’17, MSW ’18, joined the Conway [AR] School District as a licensed social worker for the junior high and high school. While at Baylor, McGrath interned for Child Protective Services, working varying investigations, advocating for many children in foster care going to schools, speaking to their counselors and standing in as a parent at times. She also worked for Buckner International.
Matt Skinner, MBA ’17, was promoted to national sales manager- Western U.S. for Profile Products of Buffalo Grove, IL. Skinner joined Profile in 2016 as a market development manager/regional sales manager. He has more than 18 years of experience in consultative sales and project management in erosion control, soil remediation, geosynthetics, engineered plastics and environmental construction.
Documentary filmmaker and U.S. Navy veteran Andrew Church, MA ’18, is working on Tiny Texas, an online mini docuseries. He focuses on smaller communities with a goal to shine light on the good in communities and bring it to the public eye. Church has a wealth of experience in storytelling. His documentaries have covered the streets of small town Central Texas and sports all around the globe.
Tychanika Kimbrough, JD ’18, received the 2018 Law Student Pro Bono Award from the Texas Access to Justice Commission for demonstrating a commitment to providing legal services to low-income Texans and a passion for advocating on behalf of the underserved. Her law school volunteer work with veterans, juveniles, immigrants and clinic clients reflected more than 225 pro bono hours, none of it for course credit. Kimbrough also received Baylor Law’s Public Interest Fellow designation, the highest distinction of its kind for pro bono and community service.
Alexa Larsen, BS ’18, who received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to the United Kingdom in global health, is pursuing Master of Science in global health at the University of Southampton.
Chloe Wick, BSEd ’18, is intern for the spring semester in the office of U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady in Washington, DC. Before going to Washington, she was a kindergarten student teacher at an early childhood center, a substitute teacher at Conroe [TX] ISD and a second grade student teacher.
Jessica Wright, JD ’18, was hired as a misdemeanor prosecutor for Harrison [TX] County District Attorney’s office in Marshall, TX.