A Global Bear

Carlos Ramón , BSE ’90, is founder and CEO of Uniply, his third startup company created to empower B2B SaaS startups to growth and scale with confidence via Uniply’s Unified Execution Platform.

“I had to build companies cross-functionally, cross-geo, and cross-culturally,” Ramón said. “The only way I could keep everyone together was by providing them with our unified playbook. We used to do it with documents, presentations, meetings, etc. So, we developed software — a unified playbook platform — to help business teams win.”

Ramón grew up in Uruguay and discovered Baylor while studying as an exchange student in San Antonio during his senior year in high school. After graduating from Baylor, he was a consultant in industries as varied as catfish and poultry farming to various roles in Silicon Valley.

“Baylor provided a good foundation,” he said. “Those were defining years because experiences there gave me the confidence to go out into the world, and I really flourished. After working in the catfish and poultry industries, I got into some really cool projects, helping airlines and some of the largest telecom companies in Latin America to transform themselves.”

As one of PeopleSoft’s first employees in Latin America, Ramón eventually rose through the ranks. He became the company’s vice president of Latin America and was later head of the international team division from Paris.

“I’ve always had titles like the vice president of international, the general manager of international, building that playbook as a how-to guide for a U.S.-centric company to transport their technology and value to the rest of the world so others could benefit,” Ramón said. “I often tell people that I was an evangelist of business knowledge trying to make the world much better.”

Ramón, who was a walk-on placekicker under College Football Hall of Fame member Grant Teaff for two seasons, remembers his time at Baylor fondly.

“My Baylor years were a defining time in my life,” he said. “I was a kid from the humblest neighborhood that somehow made it out of Uruguay as an executive and entrepreneur.”

Freddy's fronted by Baylor Bear

Chris Dull, B.S.Ed. ’95, was named Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers CEO in May 2021. He succeeded the franchise’s co-founder Randy Simon, who remains chairman of Freddy’s board. Dull leads the fast-casual restaurant chain based in Wichita, Kansas, that has more than 440 locations nationwide.

Dull entered the restaurant industry shortly after graduating from Baylor. He has held several executive positions within the Global Franchise Group, which owns brands such as Marble Slab Creamery, MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream and Treatery and Great American Cookies.

While at Baylor, Dull was a linebacker on the Bears football team during College Football Hall of Fame member Grant Teaff’s tenure. Dull, who named his son after former Baylor assistant coach Cotton Davidson, credits his Baylor coaches for his professional leadership skills.

“My coaches, as a whole, taught me how to be a man,” Dull said in an October 2021 article in The Lariat. “They taught me to be tough. They taught me how to grind. They taught me to be humble.”

Freddy’s, which has a Waco location across Interstate 35 from Baylor’s campus, opened its first franchise in Hutchinson, Kansas, in December 2004. The 300th location opened in March 2018, and the 400th franchise opened earlier this year. Freddy’s franchises can now be found in 33 states.

To ensure success for every restaurant, Dull focuses on three pillars of excellence: cleanliness, quality and hospitality.

“In order for us to continue to be successful, all of our restaurants and all of our teams have to be focused on delivering the expectations around those three areas of excellence,” he said.

Dull’s favorite Freddy’s meal is an original triple with mayonnaise and tomatoes, onion rings and a Diet Dr Pepper. A business executive role may seem unlikely for someone who majored in education; however, Dull said that a CEO is an educator.

“You are teaching people and leading people and developing people all day, every day,” Dull said. “The degree that I have and the learnings I took with me from Baylor University have always been very valuable.”

Forbes Recognizes Baylor Alumna

Amira Lewally, BBA ’15, is a supervising producer for cable network A&E, which is owned by Hearst Communications and The Walt Disney Company. She works for A&E’s Indie Films Brands and has produced documentaries including The Secret Origins of Hip Hop and Biography: TLC.

In November, Lewally was named to the 2022 Forbes Hollywood and Entertainment 30 Under 30 list. It is a professional recognition of which she has dreamed for years. In 2013, she taped pictures of that year’s honorees on her wall as inspiration.

“It feels like reassurance that I’m doing what I’m meant to do, which is what we all want,” she said. “I happen to love what I’m meant to do.”

Already a business major, Lewally became interested in film and TV while at Baylor and added a film and digital media minor. She decided to pursue a Master of Fine Arts while taking a screenwriting class.

Lewally earned an MFA in writing and producing for television at Long Island University in New York. Thereafter, she decided to enter the production realm of the entertainment industry. She joined A&E in 2017 as a programming coordinator and was promoted to associate producer in two years. Lewally was promoted to supervising producer last year. Her current role allows her to work on a variety of projects and help people tell their stories.

“As a writer, I feel like you tell your own story. I get to tell a hundred people’s stories and fight for the stories to be told in different ways,” Lewally said.

Additionally, Lewally co-hosts The Table is Ours, an A&E podcast that highlights how Black people across industries have created their own “seat at the table.” The podcast debuted in February 2021. Lewally is involved in several diversity initiatives at A&E, and she is excited about the direction the industry is heading.

“Our whole industry is shifting to be more inclusive,” Lewally said. “I do a lot behind the scenes to make sure not only is our content inclusive on screen, but also behind the scenes because it matters who is telling the stories.”

1950s

Eddie J. Bazor, BS ’50, has lived in Oregon three times as long as he lived in Texas, but his heart is still at Baylor.

1960s

Nancy J. Williams, BA ’63, of Waco established the Nancy Williams ’63 Endowed Scholarship in Education, which supports students majoring in education, and the Nancy Williams ’63 Endowed Scholarship Fund in Art, which supports students majoring in art.

David Hennesee, BBA ’64, and Carolyn Anderson Hennessee, BS ’65, of San Antonio established the Hennessee-Anderson Family Endowed Scholarship, which supports seminary students.

Emily Martinsen, BA ’65, reports that her children are thriving. Her daughter Sookie has worked in the film and television industry for the last three years; see her work at sookimartinsen.com. Martinsen’s son Kim is an emergency room physician assistant in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area. He and his wife Suzie have two beautiful boys.

Andrea Savage, BA ’67, and Stan Savage of Moultrie, GA, established the Stan and Andrea Savage Scholarship to support Baylor students.

Jeter Basden, BA ’68, and Claudette Basden of Waco established the Basden Family Ministry Guidance Endowed Scholarship, which supports students participating in the ministry guidance program.

Jim Styles, BA ’68, published two novels through Covenant Books: Through the Glass Darkly and The Loves of a Lifetime.

1970s

Bob Alspaugh, BBA ’70, and Peggy Alspaugh, BA ’70, of Phoenix established the Peggy and Bob Alspaugh Endowed Scholarship in Honors, which supports students enrolled in the Honors College.

Diana Austin, BBA ’71, of Houston established the Diana Austin Endowed Scholarship for Journalism, which supports journalism students.

Jo Willoughby Terry, BSN ’71, and Dr. William F. Terry established the Jo Willoughby Terry and Dr. William F. Terry Scholarship in Nursing, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, which supports nursing students.

Larry C. Moore, BS ’75, and Rachel Moore, BS ’89, of Rockwall, TX, established the Larry Moore Family Endowed Fund, which supports the Baylor Track and Field program.

Dr. Wendell Sadler, MS ’77, received the David K. Brace Award, the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s most prestigious honor. The award recognizes Sadler as an individual who exemplifies the best in service, teaching and administration.

1980s

Stephen R. Bates, BS ’81 of Salt Lake City and Rebecca L. Bates, MSEd ’86, of Mammoth Lakes, CA, established the Stephen Bates and Rebecca Bates Four Corners Endowed Scholarship, which supports Baylor students.

Smith A. Brownlie III, BBA ’81, of Fort Worth established the Frances Mary Brownlie Endowed Scholarship Fund in Accounting in honor of his mother Frances Mary Brownlie. The scholarship supports accounting students.

Roland Garcia, BBA ’81, was named to the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of government relations practice. The Best Lawyers list is entirely based on peer review and designed to capture the consensus of leading lawyers in the same area and practice. Garcia was also recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer in business litigation.

Terry Cargill, BBA ’82, and Barbara Cargill, BSEd ’82, of Conroe, TX, established the Barbara and Terry Cargill Endowed Scholarship, which supports students enrolled in the School of Education.

Melody Howard Yuhn, BS ’83 of Fredericksburg, TX, established the Pay It Forward Endowed Scholarship, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, which supports students enrolled in the School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Stacy Edick, BA ’84, authored Charleston Conundrum [Wild Hawk Press, 2022] under the pen name Stacy Wilder. A cozy mystery, it is her first novel and the initial book in the Conundrum series. It is available on Amazon.

Jill Manning, BBA ’84, and Chris Manning, BBA ’84, of Dallas established the Christopher P. and Jill S. Manning Athletic Endowed Scholarship, which supports Baylor student-athletes.

C. Mark Wade, BBA ’84, authored God in the Everyday: A 14-Week Guide Toward Hope, Purpose, and Fulfillment [Choose Commitment Ministries, 2021], which was inspired by his faith journey. It is an easy-to-use, day-by-day, scripture-rich guide with practicality and a spiritual depth that reaches readers where God can most effectively change their lives: in their daily time with the Lord. Learn more at
choosecommitment.org.

Allin Means, BA ’86, is among 85 St. Louis-area educators to receive Emerson’s Excellence in Teaching awards. The awards recognize area educators — from kindergarten teachers to college professors — for their achievements and dedication to the education field and their vital role in shaping students’ lives. The annual Excellence in Teaching Awards program is sponsored by Emerson, a St. Louis-based diversified global manufacturer and technology leader.

Jeff Wooley, BBA ’86, and Debbie Wooley, BS ’87, of Woodway, TX, established the Wooley Family Endowed Scholarship in Truett Seminary for God’s glory and in honor of First Methodist Church Waco and the efforts of its lead pastor Rev. Ryan Barnett, ABC ’18. The scholarship supports Truett Seminary students.

Shelby Davidson, MPPA ’87, completed the Certificate in Biblical Counseling program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. He is currently the principal of Van [TX] Middle School and pastor of New Beginnings Community Church near Van.

Ellen Holman, BBA ’88, of Dallas established The Ellen L. Holman Endowed Scholarship Fund in Information Systems, which supports Baylor information systems majors.

Mark P. Yablon, BBA ’88, joined Houston-based Guerra | Days Law Group PLLC as a litigation attorney. He has a statewide practice focused on entrepreneurs dealing with civil litigation (plaintiffs and defendants), real estate, business/family law, bankruptcy and probate. Contact at markyablon@gmail.com.

Bill Baker, BBA ’89, MBA ’92, of Dallas established the Donna DuPuy Baker Endowed Scholarship in Economics in honor of his wife Donna DuPuy Baker, BBA ’88. The scholarship supports women in business at Baylor.

1990s​​​​​​​

Todd Copeland, BA ’90, was awarded the annual Barry Spacks Poetry Prize for his book Like All Light [Gunpowder Press, 2022]. Copeland’s book was chosen for the award by Lynne Thompson, poet laureate for the City of Los Angeles. For more information about Copeland’s work, visit toddcopelandwriter.com.

Lee Mulcahy, BA ’90, PhD, exhibited paintings and sculptures focused on eviction in America at the University of Texas at Arlington University Center during June and July 2021. In October 2021, his work on Africa Water Wells, a clean water well ministry in Kenya started by his late father Edward Lee “Bud” Mulcahy, was exhibited at Gallery West, celebrating the ministry’s plans for its 10th water well in 2022 at an outlying clinic of Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya. Mulcahy exhibited at Art Basel Miami in December 2021 and Bogotá, Colombia, in January.

Renae Cartwright, BS ’91, MSEd ’92, celebrated her son Randall Cartwright and his cousin Ryan Donham, representing Baylor at Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, FL, during the holidays. Randall is a junior accounting major, and Ryan is a sophomore health and science studies major.

Mary Landon Darden, MSEd ’91, EdD ’06, authored Entrepreneuring the Future of Higher Education: Radical Transformation in Times of Profound Change [Rowman & Littlefield, 2021], winner of the American Book Fest’s Best Education/Academic Book of 2021. The book also ranked 36th out of 58 on BookAuthority’s “Best University Books of All Time” list. Her husband Robert F. Darden, BS ’76, is mighty proud of her.

Rusty Freeman, BA ’91, and Lane Freeman of Marble Falls, TX, established the Freeman Family Endowed Scholarship in Truett Seminary, which supports Truett Seminary students participating in the Wesley House of Study program. Their daughter Bailey is a member of Baylor’s Class of 2024.

Stephen H. Lee, BBA ’91, and Karen Lee of Houston established the Howard and Patty Lee Endowed Athletic Scholarship, which supports Baylor student-athletes.

Michael C. Smith, JD ’92, earned a Master of Arts in World War II Studies from Arizona State University. The online degree program is offered in connection with the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Smith has authored two World War II books and is a partner with Dallas-based law firm Scheef & Stone LLP. He manages the firm’s Marshall office and assists clients in complex commercial litigation in Texas federal courts.

Brian J. Medricka, BA ’95, was named national director of communications, public and media relations at Stream Realty Partners.

Christopher B. Trowbridge, BBA ’95, JD ’98, managing partner at Dallas-based law firm Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP, is featured in the 2022 edition of  D Magazine’s The Dallas 500. He is listed in the law: business and IP litigation category and is one of 18 in the law: managing partners category. The Dallas 500, which recognizes North Texas business leaders across more than 50 industries, is produced by the editors of D CEO and features “the most powerful business leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth.” Selections are made based on extensive contacts in local business circles, hundreds of interviews and months of research.

Thomas E. Oney, BA ’96, of Austin established the Tom and Jessica Oney Endowed Scholarship Fund, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, which supports students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Katie Qingqing Pan, BBA ’96 and MTax ’96, of Arcadia, CA, established the Katie Qingqing Pan Endowed Fund in honor of former Baylor Track and Field head coach Clyde Hart. The scholarship supports the Baylor Track and Field program.

2000s​​​​​​​

Brian J. Dixon, BA ’02, MD, was included in Fort Worth Inc.’s compilation of the 400 most influential people in Fort Worth. He was recognized for his significant influence in the mental health industry. Dixon speaks and inspires others to believe in a brighter future for U.S. healthcare. He has authored a book and numerous online articles, and he has been a part of podcasts and newscasts about mental healthcare and health finance. Dixon has launched three successful mental health startups — Mindful, Gide and Simply Psych — and is actively scaling each. Mindful proves direct pay psychiatry practice improves access to care; Gide proves connecting clients to therapists improves the best fit for both; and Simply Psych proves mental health entrepreneurship benefits the community and prevents burnout. Visit DrBrianDixon.com for more information.

Billy Kelley, BBA ’02, and Felicia Kelley of Midland, TX, established the Kelley Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, which supports Baylor business students.

Kyle Cooksey, BBA ’03, was named senior vice president, marketing and communication for Monogram Health in Brentwood, TN, in November 2021. He brings two decades of experience in healthcare operations, innovation and marketing to the rapidly growing value-based provider of in-home nephrology, primary care and benefit management services for individuals with chronic kidney and end-stage renal disease. Cooksey leads marketing and strategic communications in the newly established role, and he manages and nurtures relationships with key stakeholders.

Pam Crawford, MSW ’03, of Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS) was awarded the 2022 Partners in Prevention Outstanding Leader Award by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. She currently is regional director for the PCHAS Central Texas programs, which include foster care, single-parent family, transitional living, child and family, adoption and mentoring services. Crawford recently led the development of the PCHAS Growing Together Program, an intervention that focuses on strengthening Navarro County families with young children by bringing therapeutic services directly to their homes.

Shelby DeVreeze, BA ’04, BS ’09, joined Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing as a lecturer in January.

Andy Wiltz, BBA ’04, and Angie Wiltz of Stilwell, KS, established the Wiltz Family Endowed Fund for Baylor Built, which supports the Student-Athlete Center for Excellence Baylor Built program.

Katie Jo Wheeler, BA ’05, was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson to the State of Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission in November 2021. Wheeler had been deputy director for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources since 2018, prior to which she was the department’s general counsel.

R. Heath Cheek, JD ’06, a partner at Dallas-based law firm Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP, was elected to the board of directors of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, the nonprofit that organizes and operates the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic and oversees its economic and charitable impact. Cheek has served on the Cotton Bowl Council, the bowl game’s young professionals board, since 2015. The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association mission is to present the most innovative of all college football bowl games and to be the leader in creating premier college sports experiences for universities, student-athletes, sponsors and the community.

Tony Samp, BA ’06, was named to The Hill’s 2021 Top Lobbyists list, recognizing those who stand out for delivering results for their clients in the halls of Congress and the administration. He is a member of DLA Piper’s Federal Law and Policy group as a senior policy advisor to represent clients before Congress and federal agencies on issues related to artificial intelligence (AI), national security, space and emerging technology with a concentration on congressional strategies and appropriations.

Jordan Robinson, BA ’07, was named president and CEO of the Round Rock [TX] Chamber of Commerce.

T. Hunter Lewis, BA ’08, was named to D Magazine’s 2022 Best Lawyers Under 40 list.

2010s​​​​​​​

Grant H. Corley, BBA ’10, and Katy B. Corley of Dallas; Shannon N. Farquhar-Caddell, BA ’11, and Dakota A. Farquhar-Caddell, BBA ’11, of Woodway, TX; Sarah C. Netherton, BS ’11, MBA ’14, and Jason R. Netherton, BA ’13, MA ’17, of Dallas; Tara L. Neumann, BA ’15, and S. Scott Neumann, BBA ’12, MAcc ’12,  of New York City; and Adam H. Visconti, BM ’11, MSEd ’13, of Solana Beach, CA, established the Keane A. Tarbell Endowed Scholarship Fund, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, in honor of Keane Tarbell, associate director for new student programs at Baylor, and in support of Baylor students.

Shabana Lakdawala, BBA ’11, launched Lakdawala, a sustainable luxury jewelry brand committed to fair-minded gold. While at Baylor, Lakdawala was service vice president and president of Kappa Chi Alpha, a community service sorority. Much of her philosophies on being a servant-leader derive from her time and experiences at Baylor. She lives in Austin with her husband.

Justin Dertinger, JD ’14, whose practice focuses on commercial transactions, was named partner at Plunk Smith PLLC, a business law firm based in Frisco, TX. His extensive commercial litigation experience over the past eight years allows Dertinger to provide keen insight on means to avoid conflict between parties entering agreements. Dertinger was named a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star each of the past three years.

Marley Frazier, BBA ’15, recently joined Dallas law firm DeHay & Elliston LLP.

David MacDonald, BS ’18, and Kelly Baugh, BS ’17, married July 17, 2021.

Kaitlynn Plaskett, BA ’18, and Elliott C. Riches, BBA ’18, married Nov. 6, 2021, in Cross Roads, TX.

Max Tacker, BSECE ’19, and Abby Antrich, BS ’19, married Sept. 25, 2021, in Houston, surrounded by friends, family and many Baylor Bears. The couple lives in Fort Worth, where they both work at Bell Helicopter in flight controls and information technology.

Savannah Cora Jacobs, BA ’20, and Steven Thomas Heller, BS ’20, married Dec. 13, 2020, in Axtell, TX. They live in Iowa City, IA, where Savannah is pursuing her doctorate in audiology and Steven is an engineer.

Bryanne Elise Sanchez, BA ’20, and Kelton Mahon married Aug. 7, 2021, at Waco’s Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. Bryanne is a curriculum and instruction master’s candidate at Baylor, and Kelton is pursuing a master’s degree online. They live in Waco.

Friends & Family​​​​​​​

Baylor established the Karl and Shirley Umlauf Endowed Scholarship Fund in response to the many pieces of artwork created by artist-in-residence Karl Umlauf.

Wayne Boline and Joyce Boline of Allen, TX, established the Boline Family Endowed Scholarship in Engineering and Computer Science in honor of their son Jacob, BS ’17, MS ’20. The scholarship benefits incoming freshmen in the School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Tom Campbell and Brynn Campbell of Montgomery, TX, established the Campbell Family Design Experience Endowed Fund, which supports the School of Engineering and Computer Science capstone design program. The Campbells have two children: Cole, BS ’19, and Kyley, BS ’21.

Stephen Edwards and Thao Edwards of Houston established the Edwards Family Endowed Scholarship and the Edwards Family Endowed Internship Scholarship to support journalism students. Their daughter Lauryn is a member of the Baylor’s Class of 2025.

Hart Energy of Houston established The Steve Toon Endowed Scholarship in Journalism in memory of friend and colleague Steve Toon, BA ’86. The scholarship supports Baylor journalism students.

The Jean Lykes Grace Foundation of Houston established the R. Randall Grace Jr. Memorial Scholarship in memory of R. Randall Grace Jr. and honoring the special relationship he had with his nephew Colin Granger Parkhill Sunderland, BBA ’20. The scholarship supports Baylor business students.

Tim and Stacey Leonhard of Dallas established the Leonhard Family Endowed Scholarship in Nursing, a Hord Challenge Scholarship. Their daughter Abigail is a member of the Louise Herrington School of Nursing Class of 2022.

John Muschalik and Sharon Muschalik of Houston established the Muschalik Family Endowed Scholarship, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, in honor of their daughter Stephanie, a member of Baylor’s Class of 2022. The scholarship supports deserving Baylor students.

Craig E. Zemmin and Kristin D. Zemmin of Northlake, TX, established the Zemmin Family Endowed Fund, which supports food insecurity initiatives at Baylor. They are the parents of Rachael Zemmin, BBA ’21, MAcc ’21.