Class Notes, Fall 2021
1950s
Gary M. Clark, BA ’53, in collaboration with James R. Patton, EdD, completed print and online versions of the Transition Planning Inventory, third edition. This assessment system is designed for assessing students ages 14-21 for transition planning, setting transition planning goals and documenting current assessment information provided by students, family, guardians and the school. New features of the third edition include online accessibility, a revised companion form for students with autism or other significant support needs, revised student preferences and interest forms, and a summary of performance form. Clark lives in Lawrence, KS, and can be reached at gclark@ku.edu.
Jane Sanderford Potter, BA ’58, is trustee of the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, TX. Contact at skilope@gmail.com.
Cdr. John D. Hill, BA ’59, U.S. Navy (ret.), had the privilege of swearing in his granddaughter Ashley Carrillo as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Rev. Allen C. Liles, BA ’59, published Finding Your Company’s Spiritual Purpose. The book recounts his two careers, the first as a vice president of public relations for 7-Eleven Inc. and the second as an ordained minister for nearly three decades. More information is available at findingyourcompanysspiritualpurpose.com. Contact at reval@aol.com.
1960s
Ken Durham, BA ’60, EdD, and Jeanette Davis Durham, BA ’62, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August. Ken, who is originally from Tahoka, TX, and Jeanette, who is originally from Dallas, met at Baylor in 1958 during her freshman year. They began their teaching careers in Brownfield, TX, in 1961 and moved to Longview, TX, in 1964. Ken earned his doctorate from the University of North Texas and taught history at Longview’s LeTourneau University until his 2001 retirement. He has published several articles and books. Jeanette taught grade school and then remained home to raise three boys before obtaining her master’s in education from the University of Texas at Tyler. She then taught kindergarten in Longview ISD until her 1999 retirement. They still live in Longview, where they are active members of First Baptist Church and enjoy traveling and visiting with family and friends. This Baylor family includes Ken and Jeanette’s oldest son David, BA ’88, and his wife Kim, BSN ’89, as well as Ken’s father Kenneth R. Durham, DDS ’28, and grandfather, who graduated in 1905.
Jan Epton Seale, ’60, the 2012 Texas Poet Laureate, published two books through Lamar University Literary Press. A Lifetime of Words is a compilation of presentations, comparative versions of works, journal entries and poetry over her long career as a writer and teacher. Particulars: Poems of Smallness is a series of poems on small objects and ideas such as commas, stamps, buttons and music symbols. It was illustrated by her photographer and son Ansen Seale, the 2020 San Antonio Artist of the Year.
Jeff E. Lewis, BS ’62, PhD, of Chicago established the Rev. M.L. Cooper Jr. Endowed Scholarship in Truett Seminary. This scholarship provides assistance to students enrolled in Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary.
Campbellsville University, Harrodsburg, KY, has named its nursing school The Sandra DeFoor School of Nursing, in honor of Sandra Bailey DeFoor, BSN ’63. Sandra’s career included teaching at the university level, as well as in hospital schools of nursing. After years of various hospital positions, she retired as director of nursing at the local hospital in Harrodsburg. She has been a member of the Mercer County Board of Health since 1986, and she continues as chair of the board. Her husband, W. Robert DeFoor, BA ’64, retired in 2007 after 28 years of pastoring at Harrodsburg Baptist Church. He has been a frequent contributor for BaptistWay Press of Texas. Sandy and Bob have three children and seven grandchildren and still reside in Harrodsburg.
Charlotte Taylor, BA ’65, and Dudley Taylor, BBA ’65, of Waco established the Gil Taylor Memorial Endowment in Social Work in memory of their son Gil Taylor, BA ’92. This fund supports efforts to increase awareness of depression and other mental health issues through research, advocacy and community education.
Bill Adams, BA ’69, has visited all 193 member states of the United Nations. His travel highlights are posted at billtrips.com. Adams was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2010. He is a professor of public policy and public administration at George Washington University.
Marsha Bowlin, BA ’70, and Danny Bowlin, BBA ’69, of Dallas established two scholarships: the Mark and Stephanie Bowlin Scholarship in honor of their son Mark Bowlin, BA ’01, and his wife Stephanie Bowlin, BSEd ’01, and the Christman and Sarah Fifer Scholarship in honor of their daughter Sarah Fifer, BSEd ’96, and her husband Christman Fifer. Both scholarships support first-generation students.
1970s
Mark E. Holton, BS ’70, DO, of Centralia, WA, established the Mark E. Holton, DO, Pre-Medical Endowed Scholarship Fund in support of students pursuing a pre-medical program and pursuing acceptance into an osteopathic medical school.
Cheryl Shull Cotner, BFA ’71, of Midland, TX, established the Edward “Eddie” Leonard Cotner Endowed Scholarship Fund in Accounting in memory of her son Eddie Cotner. The scholarship supports students enrolled in the Hankamer School of Business.
Larry Holt, JD ’71, of College Station, TX, was appointed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Public Finance Authority (TPFA) for a term set to expire Feb. 1, 2027. The TPFA issues and sells bonds for designated state agencies in order to finance the acquisition or construction of buildings. Holt is an attorney in private practice. He is a member of the Texas Bar Foundation and Brazos County Bar Association, and he served on two State Bar of Texas committees addressing lawyer advertising and continuing education. Holt earned a Master of Laws from Southern Methodist University.
Marilea Whatley Lewis, BA ’75, JD ’78, was named to D Magazine’s 2021 Best Lawyers in Dallas list. She again co-chaired the State Board of Texas annual firearms conference in Austin. Contact at marilea@d-elaw.com.
Scott McClain, MS ’75, and Judy McClain, MS ’75, have both retired and, after spending 65 years in Waco, have moved to Fountain Hills, AZ.
Gregory L. Hunt, BA ’77, PhD, was recognized by Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, KS, at its spring 2021 commencement with the distinguished service award. Recipients are recognized for notable scholarly, professional and creative achievement as well as service to humanity, God, the Church and the seminary. Hunt has been a pastor for more four decades and was instrumental in the early development of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He has authored two books and numerous articles. Hunt and his wife Priscilla are actively engaged in the marriage education movement. During more than 26 years of connection with the seminary, he has served on the board, on the faculty and as coordinator of Central’s leadership series.
Dary Stone, JD ’77, of Dallas established the Dary Stone Family Endowed Scholarship in Honors, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, which provides assistance to Honors College students.
Sara Miller Massey, BSEd ’79, of Houghton, NY, established the Daniel Lee Williams Endowed Scholarship, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, in memory of her brother-in-law Danny Williams, to support Baylor students.
1980s
Robert C. “Bob” Roberts, MPA ’81, became COO in Jan. 2019 of Legacy Capital, a wealth management firm in Little Rock, AR, after eight years as a CPA and 30 years as a healthcare finance executive at CFO Baptist Health - Little Rock. He continues his very active trumpeting career, performing with the Natural State Brass Band and the Little Rock Winds.
Jay Battershell, BA ’83, MBA ’96, and Tara Battershell, BBA ’83, MBA ’84, of Flower Mound, TX, established the Cyber Security Endowed Excellence Fund to support efforts related to the field of cyber security in the School of Engineering and Computer Science.
Kathryn Holcombe Wheeler, BS ’83, was elected to the Addison, TX, city council. Wheeler previously served as the chairman and vice-chairman of the Addison planning and zoning commission for five terms and before that was on the board of zoning adjustment for more than three years. She has additionally served on the Addison Arbor Foundation. Wheeler is a graduate of Leadership Metrocrest and the Addison Citizen’s Academy. She worked on the Addison comprehensive plan of 2013 and the Addison airport master plan of 2016. Wheeler’s husband Scott was Addison’s mayor from 1999 to 2005.
Joe Cestari, BS ’84, and Beth Cestari, BSEd ’84, of Round Rock, TX, established two endowed funds within the School of Engineering and Computer Science. The Bargainer Endowed Faculty Award Fund recognizes faculty who demonstrate excellence in areas such as undergraduate and graduate teaching and research or scholarship. The Eisenbarth Research Equipment Endowed Fund supports the purchase of equipment or materials to continually improve research capabilities.
Kelly Malone, BA ’85, recently served as editor and a contributing writer for his fifth book, Leadership in Small Churches, Lexington Books, 2021. He lives in Bolivar, MO, with his wife Molly, where he serves as director of global education, professor of intercultural studies and holds the Jack Stanton Chair of Evangelism at Southwest Baptist University. Both of his children are Baylor alumni, Maggie Malone, BA ’17, and Kevin Malone, BA ’19.
Col. Robyn A. Chumley, BA ’85, MA ’88, U.S. Air Force (ret.), of Pensacola, FL, established the Dr. Sara J. Stone Endowed Scholarship Fund in Journalism for First Generation Students in honor of Sara J. Stone, PhD. The scholarship supports first-generation students pursuing a major in the Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media.
1990s
Mark C. Gunnin, BA ’90, and Jennifer Gunnin, BA ’91, established the James Vardaman Memorial Endowed Scholarship in memory of James W. Vardaman, BA ’51, PhD. This scholarship provides assistance to students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Mike O’Quin, BA ’92, published Unearthing Heaven: Why Tomorrow’s Reward Matters Today (Mantap Publishing). The book, his third, is about finding life motivation through imagining a more vivid and rewarding eternity. See more at UnearthingHeaven.com. Contact at mgo@hopemail.org.
Lisa Mesloh O’Hurley, BS ’94, is founder and CEO of premium women’s golf lifestyle apparel brand Lohla Sport. She is a former Golf Channel and Golfino executive with more than two decades of experience in the golf industry. O’Hurley was a member of the Baylor women’s golf team and is a die-hard Bears fan for life. Lohla Sport debuted in January and quickly captivated the golf, country club and resort market. The brand’s impeccable sense of style features colorful, on-trend European designs with Los Angeles flair. Formal collaboration with London-based Paul Rees (renowned creator of countless Burberry, Aquascutum and Golfino hits) has Lohla Sport in roughly 100 exclusive golf shops nationwide.
Laura Hilton Hallmon, BA ’96, a partner at Cantey Hanger LLP, was elected to the board of directors of Meritas Law Firms Worldwide, a global alliance of independent law firms that serves the legal needs of companies doing business across markets. Hallmon was elected to the board position from more than 7,400 attorneys in the Meritas member network. She will serve a three-year term with 20 other attorneys from around the world.
Heather Bauman, BA ’99, and Mark Bauman, BBA ’99, of Colorado Springs, CO, established the Dr. Alden Smith Endowed Scholarship in honor of Alden Smith, PhD, a longtime professor and Master Teacher in Classics. This fund supports students enrolled in the University Scholars Program within the Honors College.
2000s
Col. Geoffrey Bailey, MDiv ’01, DMin ’08, completed a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in June. The Army War College provides the Army’s senior professional military education. Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville, Army War College Class of 2002, presided and spoke to the class of 360 senior officers and civilians serving at the senior executive service level or above. Bailey’s next assignment is at the Command Chaplain Headquarters, Army Corps of Engineers in Washington, D.C.
Jonathan D. Davison, BBA ’02, and Kelly Davison of Austin established the Davison Family Baylor Built Endowed Fund to support programming for Baylor Built in the Student Athlete Center for Excellence.
Courtney Gahm-Oldham,
BBA ’03, was elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. The foundation invites only the top one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys.
Flora Lee Peir, BA ’03, joined The 19th, an Austin-based independent, nonprofit newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy, as its first news editor. She previously worked 18 years at The New York Times. Peir oversees daily general news and breaking stories as The 19th newsroom expands. She lives in Queens, NY, with her husband and three children. Contact at msfloralee@yahoo.com.
Nate Pike, BBA ’03, was reelected as mayor of Anna, TX, receiving more than 90 percent of the votes cast in the May general election. Anna is one of the fastest-growing cities in North Texas.
Lane Lockhart Borrello, BA ’04, and Kyle Borrello, BBA ’04, of Fort Worth established the Borrello Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, a Hord Challenge Scholarship. This scholarship supports Baylor students.
Dr. Benjamin Cozad, BS ’07, and Sara Cozad of Spring, TX, established the Go Ye Therefore Endowed Scholarship Fund in Pre-Health Studies to support students who are pursuing a major in pre-health studies and are participating or have participated in mission work.
Maj. Michael Wilkinson, BS ’07, earned his aeronautical engineering doctorate in March from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology. His dissertation research, Creep Performance of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics for Aerospace Systems at 1400-1600° C, focused on mechanical testing of novel materials meant for high-speed aerospace applications. During his time as a doctoral candidate, Wilkinson’s wife Amanda gave birth to two baby boys, their house was hit by an EF3 tornado, and his research was slightly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is thankful to God for the opportunity and for getting him through, and he is also thankful for Amanda’s support and encouragement along the way.
Mallory C. Driggers, BA ’08, was named vice president of development and investor relations at the Borderplex Alliance, a privately funded economic development organization serving three states and two countries.
Lauren Jones Kirchner, BBA ’08, of Spring Creek Growers Inc., was named to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2021 by Greenhouse Product News (GPN), the leading business publication for horticulture professionals. Class members were nominated by their industry peers based on personal and professional accomplishments. Kirchner is one of 40 trailblazers under the age of 40 who exemplifies superior leadership, creativity, innovative thinking, excellence and compassion inside and outside the horticulture field. “GPN’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2021 is composed of an outstanding group of young women and men who represent the entire spectrum of the horticulture industry,” GPN editorial director Tim Hodson said. “They have the drive, passion and expertise that will propel the horticulture industry into the future. The Class of ’21 is a diverse and distinguished class who are the rising stars who shine in their careers as well as their personal lives. I truly believe our industry is in very good hands for many years to come.” This year’s honorees were recognized in GPN’s May issue and on the publication’s website gpnmag.com. Contact at lauren@springcreekgrowers.com.
2010s
Alyssa Nabarrette Graniczny, BS ’12, and Adam Graniczny, BA ’12, were married Dec. 5, 2020, at the Gage Hotel in Marathon, TX. Alyssa is a pediatric speech language pathologist, and Adam is a project manager with Oncor. They live in Odessa, TX.
Austin Green, BS ’13, and Madison Cammack were married Jan. 23 in Waco. Sandy McCormack, BBA ’83, officiated. Austin and Madison live in Waco with their English bulldog Loula.
Princess Ikemenogo, BS ’13, earned her MD, MSPH degrees from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. She specializes in neurology. Ikemenogo accepted a residency at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School in Providence, RI.
Alan Noble, PhD ’13, authored You Are Not Your Own: Belonging to God in an Inhuman World, which will be released this fall. It is his second book and challenges a fundamental assumption of modern life that “you are your own, and you belong to yourself.” He asserts that while this may sound empowering, it turns out to be a crushing responsibility — one that never actually delivers on its promise of a free and fulfilled life but instead leaves one burned out, depressed, anxious and alone. Noble invites readers into a better understanding of who we are and to whom we belong.
Dr. Sophie Farah, BA ’15, graduated from Northeast Ohio Medical University in May. She will complete her psychiatry residency at Summa Health in Ohio.
Erin Tuttle and Ethan Freije, BA ’18, were married Dec. 12, 2020, in Dallas. The couple met as Baylor undergraduates and currently live in Dallas, where Erin is finishing her nursing degree. They look forward to cheering on the Bears each year.
Mike Mattina of Houston established the Kathleen and Mindy Mattina Endowment for Faculty Research, honoring his daughters Kathleen Mattina, BBA ’19, and Mindy Mattina, BBA ’21. The fund recognizes and enhances faculty contributions by supporting research in the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics.
Madison Turgeau, BS ’19, and Alexander Rhoden, BBA ’20, MAcc ’20, were married Nov. 21, 2020. They live in the Houston area, where Maddie teaches algebra, and Alex is a public accountant for EY.
Brian D. Sutton of Beaumont, TX, established the Emmet and Susan Sutton Endowed Scholarship Fund in Law, honoring his late father Emmet Sutton and his mother Susan Sutton. This scholarship supports Baylor Law School students. Brian’s daughter Hannah Sutton, BA ’20, is a member of the Baylor Law School Class of 2025.
Lisa Hammonds and Gregory Hammonds of Georgetown, TX, established the Hammonds Family Endowment in Theatre Performance, which supports and enhances theater productions. The fund was established in celebration of their daughter Natalie K. Hammonds, BFA ’21.
John Pearce and Nancy Pearce of Scottsdale, AZ, established the John and Nancy Pearce Endowed Scholarship Fund for the Institute of Air Science. This scholarship supports students following in the footsteps of their son Patrick Pearce, BS ’21, by pursuing a degree in the Baylor Institute for Air Science.
Friends and Family
Tony Pack and Louisa Pack of Southlake, TX, established the Tony and Louisa Pack Endowed Scholarship in Business, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, which provides assistance to Baylor Business School students. Their daughter Carly is a member of Baylor’s Class of 2023.
Don and Lisa Wood of Loomis, CA, established the Don and Lisa Wood Family Trailblazers Endowed Scholarship Fund, which supports the Trailblazers Scholars Program. Their daughter Megan is a member of Baylor’s Class of 2021.