Class Notes
1950s
Robert Flynn, BA ’54, MA ’56, received the inaugural Voice of Texas Award from Voices de La Luna, May 6 at the San Antonio Art League and Museum. Contact at 101 Cliffside Dr., Shavano Park, TX 78231 or rlflynn@earthlink.net.
Jane Sanderford Potter, ’58, begins her second seven-year term on the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Board of Trustees. She serves on the business and finance committee. Contact at skilope@gmail.com.
Dr. Ann Forisha Thiel, BA ’59, has practiced psychology for 50 years. “At 80, I still plan to practice until I die. I love my work,” she writes. Thiel has written many books and played an important role in fundraising for Doctors Without Borders. Her four daughters include an assistant provost at Pace University, two attorneys and the CEO of a family owned business. Her husband Dr. Richard Thiel passed away in 2001. Contact at 505 Paseo Miramar, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 or dranniethiel@aol.com.
1960s
Wayne Duncan, BA ’60, completed his 51st year as a math teacher at McLennan Community College at the same time his brother Gary is celebrating his 50th year as a math professor at the college.
Dr. Dale Webb, BA ’60, recently “retired” but still works at Frontier Home Health and Hospice in Anchorage, AK. “Baylor taught me chemistry, which got me into med school, then to Syracuse, NYC, San Francisco and Alaska in 1971,” he writes. Contact at 9520 Victor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99515 or daleiwebb@yahoo.com.
Upon his retirement in May after 37 years on the faculty in Baylor’s Department of Religion, Dr. Naymond Keathley, BA ’62, was presented a published collection of essays written by present and former colleagues and students—A Temple Not Made with Hands: Essays in Honor of Naymond H. Keathley. Published by Wipf and Stock Publications, the volume was edited by his colleague Mikeal C. Parsons and by Richard Walsh, his first graduate student at Baylor. Naymond and Carolyn, ’65, live in Waco. Contact at 1001 Knightsbridge Rd., Waco, TX 76712 or Naymond_Keathley@baylor.edu.
Dr. Jim Leavell, BA ’63, MA ’66, Herring Professor Emeritus of Asian History at Furman University, retired in June. He continues to teach for Furman’s Osher Life-Long Learning Institute and is the former director of the South Carolina Center for Teaching About Asia. Jim and his wife Judy Bowman Leavell, BA ’66, reside in Greenville, SC.
Ella Wall Prichard, BA ’63, of Corpus Christi, TX, authored Reclaiming Joy: A Primer for Widows (1845 Books [Baylor Press], 2018: 215 pages). Part memoir and part survival guide, Prichard’s book offers advice and spiritual encouragement for women seeking the strength to rebuild their lives. Prichard is president of Prichard Oil Company. She was married to her husband Lev for 46 years until his death in 2009. At Baylor, she was editor of the Baylor Lariat, a history major and a journalism minor. Later, she served on Baylor’s Board of Regents from 1992 to 2001. Contact at ellawallprichard.com.
Retired Army Chaplain Tony Cleaver, BA ’66, MSEd ’88, was presented with the Kellar Award from the Baptist Missionary Association Seminary of Jacksonville, TX. The award recognizes a BMA Seminary alumnus for outstanding contributions in ministry typifying the legacy of the seminary’s founder. Cleaver is the seminary’s director of distance education.
C.C. Risenhoover, BA ’66, MA ’72, who served in the U.S. Air Force, was awarded The Meritorious Service Medal by the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States. Risenhoover is senior pastor of The Church on Thistle Ridge in Granbury, TX. A journalist, professor and baseball coach, among other pursuits, Risenhoover is also a bestselling book author, former editor and/or publisher of seven magazines, and more than 1,000 of his articles have been published in 50 different magazines. He previously wrote the weekly “Bible Studies for Life” series for the online edition of the Baptist Standard.
After 45 years of service to Sam Houston State University, criminal justice professor Raymond Teske, BA ’66, MA ’70, retired. As a member of the faculty since 1973, Teske helped develop the Institute of Contemporary Corrections and the Behavioral Sciences into what is known today as the College of Criminal Justice.
John “Johnny” E. Miller, BA ’67, published “Managing Contractual Risk Issues In Commercial Contracts” in the Jan. 18 issue of Contract Management Magazine. Contact at 2002 Lis Lane, Bryan, Texas 77807 or Johnny@JohnnyAttorney.com.
Jeanne, BA ’68, and Bill Blackmon, BA ’67, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary March 23. They met at Baylor and moved to Canada in 1983. They have two sons, Braden and Bowman, and two grandsons, William and Xavier. The Blackmons are having a year of celebrations with trips to Texas, Montana, Wyoming and Alberta. Jeanne retired in 2007 after 40 years of teaching. Bill continues to work with churches in Saskatoon and enjoys his horses and cattle on their acreage outside Saskatoon. Contact at RR2 Site 201 Box 129, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7L3J5 or njrblackmon@hotmail.com.
David Morrison, BA ’68, announced his retirement as vice president for communications and publications at Georgia’s Brenau University, where he served for 11 years. A 50-year communications industry professional, Morrison spent his early career as a journalist, working for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Joe L. Ward, BBA ’68, was appointed to the Red River Authority Board of Directors by Gov. Greg Abbott for a term through 2023. The authority provides for the control, conservation and development of the watershed and water of the Red River and its Texas tributaries. Ward is a full-time rancher and has interests in an insurance consulting business, redevelopment projects in downtown Bonham, TX, and investments in land and family-owned restaurants.
1970s
Tommy Bowman, BBA ’71, a standout basketball student-athlete at Baylor and a member of the University’s Board of Regents from 2001 to 2010, was selected for the 2019 class of the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame. Bowman was the first black basketball recruit at Baylor in 1966 and one of the SWC’s first black players.
John Strybos, BM ’71, earned degrees from The University of Central Oklahoma and Manhattan School of Music after Baylor. He lived in Texas and Oklahoma before moving to the New York City area in 1984. In August 2017, he retired as organist and choirmaster at The Church of St. Joseph in Bronxville, NY. Since retiring, he serves as organist and music director at First Congregational Church in Norwalk, CT, and teaches private piano lessons. Contact at 500 Glenbrook Road #15-Cm Stamford, CT 06902 or JPStrybos@aol.com.
Suzii Paynter, BA ’72, who has led the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) for five years as the organization’s executive coordinator, is retiring from her role. In 2013, Paynter became the third Texan and first woman to serve as CBF executive coordinator. She led CFB in a $12.5 million fund-raising campaign and oversaw a restructure of CBF Global Missions.
Roger W. Anderson, BA ’73, JD ’78, and Margaret D. McClain, BA ’73, were married May 18, 2017. Contact at randerson@freemanmillspc.com, mmweed50@yahoo.com or 2828 Hood St. #1605, Dallas, TX 75219.
Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater, BA ’75, JD ’76, was recognized with the prestigious 2018 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Fifth Circuit. A U.S. District Judge and former chief judge for the Northern District of Texas, Fitzwater was nominated to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 at 32, making him the youngest U.S. federal judge at that time.
Maria Cribbs Owens, BA ’75, and husband Tom moved from Washington, DC, to Falcons Landing Retirement Community in Potomac Falls, VA. She continues to do consulting work and remains engaged with friends and family in DC. She would love to connect with Baylor friends. Contact at 46916 Grissom St., Potomac Falls, VA 20165 or micowens@comcast.net.
Diane Dillard, BA ’76, JD ’79, was appointed to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, where she works with board members in overseeing the administration of the Board Certification program.
Benjamin Harlan, BM ’76, MM ’79, received the Exemplary Service in Christian Music Award at the 17th annual Alleluia Conference at Baylor University. He is director of music at University Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. Harlan has served on the faculty of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and as dean of the School of Church Music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Mary Stowe, BSN ’76, was featured in the June issue of D CEO magazine. She is chief nursing officer for Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.
Chaplain Jerry M. Thomas, BA ’78, retired as chaplain manager of Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital in May after serving the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System Houston for 22 years. Contact at 35725 Royal Road, Brookshire, TX 77423 or 1995chaplain@gmail.com.
Max Underwood, BBA ’78, MBA ’04, vice president of finance at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, was named 2018 Airport Finance Professional of the Year by the Airports Council International - North America. Underwood and his wife Debbie Drumwright Underwood, BA ’81, MS ’82, reside in Colleyville, TX.
CAPT Lynn Wheeler, BS ’79, retired from the U.S. Navy after 29 years of service and celebrated her retirement with family and friends from around the world. After teaching and coaching in Texas, Wheeler earned a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, began a career in healthcare and was recruited to the Navy’s Medical Service Corp in 1989. During her career, she served in Cherry Point, NC; Okinawa, Japan; San Diego, CA; Millington, TN; Pensacola, FL; Naples, Italy; and Pearl Harbor, HI. Over the past eight years, she served as Deputy Surgeon, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor; Executive Officer on the hospital ship, USNS Mercy; and closed her military career as Commanding Officer, Naval Health Clinic Hawai`i.
1980s
Gary Don Johnson, ’80, of Mesquite, TX, was inducted into Tyler [TX] ISD’s 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame class recognized at a ceremony Sept. 8 in Tyler.
David Bolen, BBA ’81, of Katy, TX, retired as general auditor of ConocoPhillips in August after 37 years with the company in a wide variety of finance and leadership roles. Contact at dpbolen58@gmail.com.
Roland Garcia, BBA ’81, of Houston was appointed as vice chairman of the Harris County Hospital District Foundation. He was also honorary chair of the Houston Arts Alliance Gala. Garcia is a principal shareholder of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP. Contact at garciar@gtlaw.com.
Catherine Gilkey, BSEd ’81, completed a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies - Sustainability at the University of Texas at Arlington. She teaches middle school science for Harmony Public Schools in Austin and was voted Teacher of the Year at her campus this spring. She also does contract work with Vandelay Education, which provides vocational training for medical and dental assistants. Contact at catherinegilkey@gmail.com.
Kim Knight Dixon, BSEd ’82, is the principal of Madison [FL] County Central School. She has 18 years of experience as a school administrator and most recently was principal of Germantown [NC] Elementary School.
Susan Shuffield Elliott, BA ’82, earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health from Fairfield University in Connecticut and is a National Certified Counselor. She set up her psychotherapy private practice in Darien, CT. In her business, Hope Within LLC, Elliott also is a Grief Recovery Method® Specialist. She sees clients—individuals and groups—and works on her licensure. Her website is susan-s-elliott.com.
State Sen. Larry Taylor, BBA ’82, of Friendswood, TX, was appointed as chairman of a nine-member Senate select committee to address school violence and school security in Texas. Taylor owns Truman Taylor Insurance Agency and served five terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
Buddy, BBA ’82, MBA ’83, and Holly Robinson Young, BA ’84, have a new address. “We love to hear from the Baylor family and friends, so drop us an email or letter and let us know whenever you are in NYC!” Holly writes. Contact at 20 W. 86th St., Apt 2A, New York, NY 10024, buddyyoung1@aol.com or hollyyoung1@aol.com.
Andrew W. Stevens, BA ’83, received his Doctor of Ministry from North Greenville University, where he was promoted to assistant professor of mass communication. His areas of instruction include video production, media industry, digital media production, media ministry, speech and interpersonal communication. His dissertation title is The Greenhouse Effect: Building a Culture that Develops Disciples as Leaders in the Mass Communication Department at North Greenville University, Tigerville, South Carolina. He is also a sports producer and a sports videographer. Stevens and his family live in the Greenville area. Contact at andrew.stevens@ngu.edu.
Dr. Monica Frazier Anderson, BA ’84, of Grand Prairie, TX, was selected to participate in the American Dental Association’s 2017-2018 Institute for Diversity in Leadership (IDL) program in Chicago. Only 200 dentists have been chosen to participate since the program started in 2003. Class sessions are led by faculty from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Contact at drmoeand@gmail.com.
Sherry Ashley, BA ’84, joined the Houston Trust Company as vice president of trust administration. Ashley began her trust career at River Oaks Bank & Trust before moving to Salient Trust Co. LTA, where she worked in trust administration, most recently as senior trust officer.
Rick Jackson, BA ’84, of North Richland Hills, TX, is head football coach at Colleyville Covenant Christian Academy and led the team to a state championship in 2017. Over the past three years, the team is 32-8 with an additional appearance in the state championship and three undefeated district schedules since Jackson became head coach. Previously, he served as the team’s defensive coordinator. Contact at tribunemasala@peoplepc.com.
Becky Flanders Edwards, BFA ’85, of Euless, TX, owns a small group tour company, Two Dog Travel (twodogtravel.com), specializing in getting off the normal tourist path in order to experience the local culture and cuisine. She has more than a decade of experience leading small group tours and creating private tours for families or groups.
Paige King, BBA ’85, returned to Dallas to become the assistant dean of enrollment services at Dallas Theological Seminary. Contact at paige.king@sbcglobal.net.
John C. Martin, BBA ’85, of El Paso is the 104th president of the Texas Land Title Association, a statewide trade industry group. Having served in various management roles with Stewart Title since 1985, Martin founded Lone Star Title of El Paso in 1999. He owns and leads several title agencies in New Mexico and West Texas. Contact at jmartin@lonestartitle.com.
Joey Beckham, BBA ’86, of Katy, TX, published Hurricane Harvey: Rescue to Restoration, which recounts his experience in the most devastating Texas hurricane in more than a century. During Harvey, Beckham assisted in rescues, organized rescue efforts, helped set up a shelter, developed extraction points for over 600 flood victims, facilitated the hosting of hundreds of first responders and worked with his church to clean up more than 100 homes. The book includes leadership lessons Beckham learned during Harvey. Contact at joeybeckham1@yahoo.com.
Andy Cullen, BBA ’86, was promoted to district manager of the Oklahoma City office of Insperity Inc., a leading provider of human resources and business performance solutions. He directs the company’s sales efforts in the Oklahoma region.
Hudson La Force III, BA ’86, is now CEO of New York Stock Exchange-listed W.R. Grace & Co., a leading global supplier of specialty chemicals and materials. Grace has annual sales of $2 billion and operates in more than 40 countries. Previously, La Force was president and chief operating officer (COO). He also served as COO and senior counselor to the U.S. Department of Education Secretary and worked for Dell Inc.
Col. Jimmie “Pat” Brooks, BBA ’87, retired as vice commander of the 908th Airlift Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. Brooks served in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves for 30 years, serving in operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom. In his civilian occupation, he is an international first officer with Delta Airlines.
Beatrice Villareal, BSEd ’87, is a teacher in her hometown of Somerset, TX. She was featured in a July 20 news story on ABC affiliate KSAT-TV for being a pillar of her community.
Dr. John E. Delzell Jr., BA ’89, was named to the Georgia Board for Physicians Workforce by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. Delzell is the vice president for medical education and the designated institutional officer for the Northeast Georgia Health System.
Geoff Moore BS ’89, MBA ’90, is president and chief operating officer of Envy Gaming, a Dallas-based organization that has grown into one of the world’s largest and most successful esports groups. Moore, a 25-year veteran in sports marketing and engaging fan experiences, was a partner at LOGE Capital Partners, a joint venture with HKS Sports & Entertainment. He spent 18 years with the Dallas Stars Hockey Club, with which he was the first official employee in 1993.
Matt Schoenfeld, BA ’89, qualified for the VALIC Financial Advisors Top Advisor conference for the second consecutive year. VALIC is based in Houston and has more than 1,400 financial advisors nationwide. Schoenfeld recently joined a Kansas City, KS, financial planning partnership that specializes in retirement planning for medical professionals. Contact at matt.schoenfeld44@gmail.com
1990s
JoLyn Bricker, BSEd ’90, was approved as Houston Elementary School principal in Bryan [TX] ISD. She was elementary English language arts coordinator and assistant director of curriculum and instruction since joining Bryan ISD in 2012.
Elizabeth Orsini Bunk, BBA ’90, MTax ’90, of Houston is partner-in-charge, South Texas Private Client Services at Weaver, the largest independent accounting firm based in the Southwest. She has more than 25 years of experience in public accounting, with focuses on serving companies in the construction, real estate and professional services industries.
Cheryl Glasser, BSEd ’90, was appointed principal of Rylander Elementary in Katy [TX] ISD. Glasser has worked in education for 28 years. She joined Katy ISD in 2013 as assistant principal of Morton Ranch Elementary.
Brett H. Graham, BBA ’90, of Denison, TX, was reappointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Board of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Graham is owner and CEO of Graham International and serves as a board member of the Texas Association of Business. He is a member of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association and the Texas Tire Dealers Association.
George Kazanas, BBA ’90, MSEd ’94, superintendent of Waco’s Midway ISD, was named the 2018 Region 12 Superintendent of the Year and regional nominee for the Texas Superintendent of the Year. Kazanas has overseen collaborative research partnerships with Baylor and teaches and mentors future administrators through Baylor’s educational leadership doctoral program. He also serves as a superintendent mentor.
Dr. Liskin Swint-Kruse, BS ’90, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, was named interim department chair. She holds a PhD from the University of Iowa and was recruited to the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2004. Her research focus is improving genomics-based diagnoses for personalized medicine. She has served as graduate program director in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, among other roles.
Kurt Keller, BA ’91, has been named chief financial officer of EMEX, one of North America’s largest privately held energy consulting and risk management firms. Keller has more than 20 years of accounting and finance experience with a focus in the energy industry and will oversee accounting, treasury and risk management.
Derek Haas, BA ’91, MA ’95, co-creator of the NBC drama Chicago Fire, left a trail of “Easter eggs,” some Baylor related, for Utah Jazz fans in the show’s season finale. Haas and Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey, BS ’92, were at Baylor together. Characters were named after former Baylor basketball student-athletes and Jazz players Ekpe Udoh, BSEd ’11, and Royce O’Neale, BSEd ’15. Udoh had a cameo in an episode of the Chicago Fire spin-off Chicago P.D.
Scott Delaney, BBA ’92, joined Unichem Pharmaceuticals as president and CEO and as a member of the company’s board of directors. The company is based in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Delaney has more than 24 years of experience in brand and generic pharmaceutical management. He has worked with Eli Lilly and Company, Johnson and Johnson, HEB Grocery Company, and Teva Pharmaceuticals, among others.
Kevin Haney, JD ’92, of Decatur, TX, joined McGinnis Lochridge as a partner, representing clients in the electric energy practice, as well as in real estate, corporate and business transactions. Haney worked nearly 15 years with the law firm of Miller and Haney, LLP.
Dr. Clint Long, BA ’92, and wife Leah Long, BS ’92, are excited to announce the opening of Dr. Long’s new ophthalmology practice in Prosper, TX. He has 20 years of experience offering quality eye care at Long Vision Center in Sherman, TX. Learn more at longvisioncenter.com.
Mark Magruder, BA ’92, MES ’94, formed Magruder Executive Search, a boutique retained executive search firm, after 15 years as a founding partner of a search boutique. He has extensive search experience in the energy sector, aerospace and defense, industrial, chemicals, and consumer client support. Contact at 4100 Tamworth Road, Fort Worth, TX 76116 or markdmagruder@yahoo.com.
Carri Clark, BBA ’93, joined Stinnett & Associates, a professional advisory firm in Tulsa, OK, as an associate. Clark has three years of public accounting experience, during which she planned, directed and reviewed audits for businesses, not-for-profits, cities, counties and school districts.
Corwin N. Harper, MHA ’93, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente, was named to the University of the Pacific Board of Regents. Harper has been with Kaiser Permanente since 1996 and has held a variety of leadership positions in Fresno, Napa and Solano counties.
Judge Brad Hart, BA ’93, of the 230th Judicial District Court in Harris County, TX, was named judge of the year by the Texas Gang Investigators Association in recognition of his efforts in gang-related issues. He was nominated by a Texas Department of Public Safety agent.
Kyle Kennedy, MBA ’93, was named president and chief operating officer (COO) of COPC Inc. in Winter Park, FL. He was previously executive vice president and head of the global certification practice at COPC Inc. Before that, he was COO of Ruffalo Noel Levitz. He also worked for 22 years at Harte-Hanks.
Emily Erkel, BA ’94, is international president of Alpha Delta Pi. She was in the Zeta Chi pledge class and earned an MBA from the College of William and Mary. Erkel has worked for 360 Communications, Alltel, Verizon Wireless and Windstream and spanned areas including sales management, corporate financial planning, M&A, compensation and benefits. Erkel previously served as vice president of finance for Alpha Delta Pi’s board of directors and as co-chair of her church’s annual medical mission team.
Michelle R. Trahan Brown, BS ’95, MA ’96, was promoted to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Currently, she is the chief of operational medicine at the Air Force Medical Support Agency, Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, VA. She began serving as commander of the 75th Aeromedical Dental Squadron at Utah’s Hill Air Force Base in July.
Susan Fambrough, MSEd ’95, was named principal of Cedar Creek Elementary School in Austin’s Eanes ISD. She most recently served as testing, textbook and student success coordinator for Quanah [TX] ISD.
State College of Florida,
Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) named Dr. Todd Fritch, MS ’95, PhD ’99, to the newly created position of executive vice president and provost. Serving as the college’s chief academic officer and chief operating officer, Fritch leads SCF’s team of deans and academic administrators while providing support and leadership for SCF’s vice presidents.
Laura Keller Roman, BBA ’95, is now partner-in-charge, tax education at Weaver, the largest independent accounting firm based in the Southwest. Roman, who offices in Midland, TX, has more than 21 years of experience in public accounting and focuses on serving clients in the oil and gas industry.
Tina Amberboy, JD ’96, executive director of the Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families at the Supreme Court of Texas, was appointed to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She works with board members in overseeing the administration of the Board Certification program. She resides in Austin.
Kevin Duffin, BBA ’96, joined AmaWaterways as group chief financial officer in Calabasas, CA. He previously held various finance leadership positions with Brinker International, KinderCare Education and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, where he spent 16 years. Duffin last served as vice president of finance and strategy for Celebrity Cruises.
Sandra Robledo Galyon, BA ’96, LCSW is founder/CEO of Operation Exfil, a nonprofit providing free vacation retreats to combat injured veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their families. They hope to reach families to help validate their situation, while helping them find solace and reconnect with their families. For additional information please see operationexfil.com or contact Sandra at P.O. Box 1934 Kingsland, TX 78639.
Jason Hill, BA ’96, MES ’98, of Alexandria, VA, accepted a presidential appointment to serve as senior counselor to the Bureau of Land Management in the Office of the Director. For the last decade, Hill was as a trial attorney for the Natural Resources Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Eva J. Montes, BA ’96, MCG ’97, MPAS, PA-C, was elected president of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA). She has been a PA since 2003, when she graduated from The University Health Science Center Fort Worth with her Master of Physician Assistant Studies. She practices family medicine with specialty training in endocrinology in Austin. To learn more about PAs, visit www.TAPA.org.
John R. Nelson, JD ’96, joined Dickinson Wright’s Austin office as a member. For more than 20 years, Nelson has represented businesses and individuals in courts across Texas in business litigation that includes intellectual property cases.
Peter L. Sefzik, BA ’96, MBA ’98, was named executive vice president-business bank of Comerica Bank. Sefzik leads Comerica’s national business segment, which provides companies with an array of credit and non-credit financial products and services. Sefzik began his banking career with Comerica as a credit analyst in 1999 and has served as Texas Market President since 2015.
Kyle Reese, MDiv ’97, was selected by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) Nominating Committee as 2018-2019 moderator-elect. Reese has held several roles in the denomi-network, including serving as a supervising pastor for CBF’s Ministerial Residency Program and as a preacher at the 2011 CBF General Assembly in Tampa, FL.
Jason, BA ’97, and Aren Newell Williams, BBA ’97, of Vestavia, AL, fling the Baylor green and gold afar—in Shimoda, Japan—on a recent family vacation. Contact at aren.williams@gmail.com.
Chris Dyer, BA ’98, is the new president and CEO of Waco’s Dr Pepper museum. Dyer had served as CEO of The Arts Council of Brazos Valley in College Station since 2010.
Raquel Fox, BBA ’98, MTax ’99, was appointed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as director of the Office of International Affairs, which advises the SEC on cross-border enforcement and regulatory matters and coordinates the SEC’s involvement with regulatory authorities outside the U.S. Most recently, Fox was a senior advisor to SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, focusing on matters involving the Division of Corporation Finance and the Office of International Affairs and assisted on enforcement matters. She holds a JD from Harvard Law.
Micah Mitchell, BS ’98, was appointed as chief commercial officer, a newly created executive role at Myomo Inc., based in Cambridge, MA. A wearable medical robotics company, Myomo is expanding its sales, marketing and distribution activities to address the needs of individuals with arm and hand paralysis. Mitchell previously served in sales management and executive roles at Invacare, Alliance Seating and Mobility, and Apria Healthcare Group.
Bane Phillippi, JD ’98, was appointed vice president and general counsel for McCoy’s Building Supply, where he will be responsible for all facets of McCoy’s legal and risk departments. Phillippi, also a graduate of Texas A&M, has more than 18 years of experience in transactional, regulatory compliance, and litigation matters.
Tab R. Urbantke, BA ’98, MPP ’02, JD ’02, was named partner with Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP on the firm’s energy and infrastructure team in the Dallas office. Urbantke represents a variety of energy sector clients, including electric and gas utilities, mining companies, power marketers and generators.
Christine Parks, BSEd ’99, was promoted by Temple [TX] ISD to chief of communications for the school district. Parks previously worked in the curriculum and instruction department as the executive director of elementary education.
2000s
Carrie R. Cappel, BA ’00, MA ’02, JD ’07, was named the 89th president of the Junior League of Fort Worth (JLFW) for the 2018-2019 year. Cappel joined JLFW in 2004. She is a senior counsel in the Commercial Real Estate section of Harris, Finley & Bogle PC in Fort Worth.
Reagan Rorschach, MBA ’00, joined Stonebriar Commercial Finance as managing director of originations in the U.S. central region, based in Plano, TX. He previously worked with Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, GE Capital and CitiCapital.
Michele Cramer Spillman, BA ’00, JD ’04, worked for two law firms before deciding to stay home full-time with her kids. In 2014, she started The Joyful Home, a fashion and lifestyle blog. In 2015, she started working again as the director of communications for Fotolanthropy. Today, Spillman is an attorney with Stewart Bradbury, the only certified women- and minority-owned firm in Dallas. She and her husband Travis, BA ’99, live in Dallas with their three kids.
David Sullivan, BBA ’00, was cast in the recurring role of “Chris” in the upcoming eight-episode HBO series Sharp Objects, which stars Amy Adams. Sullivan starred in Primer, an independent film that claimed the Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. He recently starred alongside Will Arnett in the Netflix series Flaked.
Lindsey Fuentes, BS (Education) ’01, was named director of special services today for College Station [TX] ISD.
Kevin T. Schutte, JD ’01, joined SBBO’s Dallas office as a partner. His practice focuses on general commercial and business litigation at both the trial and appellate court levels, as well as arbitrations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Dr. Rishi Sriram, BA ’01, MSEd ’03, associate professor in Baylor’s Department of Educational Leadership, is one of three selected as
the 2018 Baylor Centennial Professors by the Centennial Faculty Development Review Committee. Sriram’s research grant covers travel to Elon University in North Carolina to attend a research seminar on Residential Learning Communities.
Jaffus Hardrick, EdD ’02, was named interim president of Florida Memorial University, a historically black college and university (HBCU) and the only HBCU in South Florida. He previously served as vice provost for student access and success and vice president of human resources at Florida International University, and he was an assistant vice president of human resources and assistant provost for academic affairs at Baylor.
Blackmon Mooring & BMS CAT announced the promotion of Karee Huggins, BBA ’02, MBA ’03, as vice president of sales. Huggins has been with Blackmon Mooring since 2006 and previously worked for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Scott C. Mitchell, MBA ’02, was named vice president of sales for T5 Data Centers, innovators in providing hyperscale computing environments for enterprise companies. Mitchell is responsible for finding tenants for T5’s new facilities in the metro Dallas region and expanding sales across the U.S., Ireland and Singapore.
Jenna Henry Mutz, BA ’02, of Joplin, MO, won the Cowtown Ultra in Fort Worth in February as a member of the elite field. She went on to set the female Kansas state 50-mile record in March (6 hours, 47 minutes). She completed her fifth consecutive Boston Marathon in April. Her 50-mile time earned her a spot in the Desert Solstice 24 Hour Invitational, where she will compete later this year. Contact at jenna_henry@yahoo.com.
Gary Baxter, BA ’03, of Southlake, TX, was inducted into Tyler [TX] ISD’s 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame class, recognized at a ceremony Sept. 8 in Tyler.
J. Alex Brown, BBA ’03, joined the Dallas office of Passco Companies, a California-based real estate company, as vice president for realty investments. He oversees due diligence and financing for Passco’s acquisitions of multifamily and commercial properties nationwide. Brown most recently was director of asset management with Presidium Group, where he oversaw more than $460 million in property sales and refinances.
Dr. Lila McDowell Carlsen, BA ’03, MA ’05, was appointed associate provost of Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. She holds a PhD in Spanish from the University of California, Riverside. In 2014, Carlsen was granted tenure at Pepperdine, where she has taught since 2008. Her teaching and research focuses on contemporary Latin American literature and culture.
David McCall, DO, BSEd ’03, MSEd ’08, recently moved back to Waco, his hometown, to begin his career as a surgeon to help others locally and globally. McCall grew up in Nigeria, where his parents worked as medical missionaries, and accompanied his father on medical mission trips to underserved areas around the world. He also holds a degree from A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona.
Yasmene McDaniel, BS ’03, was promoted to chief administrative officer of Sparks Health System in Fort Smith, AR. She has more than 15 years of health care experience, including associate vice president of program development and physician services at Jackson Health System in Miami and as vice president of physician services of Sparks Clinic.
Angela Ragan, BBA ’03, a senior manager with JRBT Certified Public Accountants in Waco, was named Young CPA of the Year by the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Ragan is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and serves on the board of the Texas Society of CPAs. She is a board member for Compassion Ministries, where she previously served as president, vice president and treasurer.
Heather Shipley, BS ’03, was appointed vice provost for academic affairs and dean of University College at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She also leads efforts in undergraduate education, academic policy and operational matters. Shipley is The Burzik Professor in Engineering Design and has served as director of the Interactive Technology Experience Center, chair of the department of civil and environmental engineering and faculty adviser for Engineers Without Borders.
After being away from the Verizon IndyCar Series last year, James “Sulli” Sullivan, BBA ’03, and partner Jimmy Vasser teamed with Dale Coyne Racing this season to support four-time IndyCar Series champion Sebastien Bourdais, whose No. 18 Team SealMaster Honda started fifth in this year’s Indianapolis 500. Sullivan and Vasser, the 1996 IndyCar champion, were partners with KV Racing Technology when Tony Kanaan won the 2013 Indianapolis 500.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, BA ’03, is president of the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronics and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS), tasked with creating a world-class, first-of-its-kind public and private eSports federation, culture and infrastructure in the kingdom. Currently leading the charge in the rise of eSports in the kingdom, SAFEIS and Global eSport Resources pledged their commitment to the growth of the eSports community and industry in the kingdom.
Dr. Kenna Archer, BA ’04, MES ’07, of the Angelo State University history faculty, was awarded the 2018 UNT Special Collections Research Fellowship by the University of North Texas Libraries. Archer utilizes the fellowship to fund her research in the UNT Special Collections for her project, “Mucking It Up: A History of Rivers, Politics, and Improvements in Texas.”
Shallowater [TX] ISD Superintendent Kenneth Border, EdD ’04, was selected as the 2018 Region 17 Education Service Center Superintendent of the Year. Border has served as superintendent since 2015. He began his career as a principal in Shallowater ISD in 2006. He also has been a coach, coordinator and assistant superintendent.
Dana Broadway, BBA, ’04, MAcc ’04, was appointed partner at Pattillo, Brown & Hill LLP in Waco. She is president of PB&H Benefits LLC, the firm’s employee benefit practice. Broadway also specializes in plan design consulting, regulatory compliance and client and advisor development. She is a member of SHRM, ASPPA and serves as a director of the Brazos Education Foundation.
Phil Ginder, MHA ’04, was named CEO/administrator of Hodgeman County Health Center in Dodge City, KS. Ginder is transitioning out of the U.S. Army after 22 years of service as an Army Medical Corps officer. He most recently serves as the chief operations officer of Munson Army Health Center at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. He also earned the Bronze Star Medal for combat service in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012.
Meagan McCracken Jamaluddin, BSFCS ’04, was appointed to the board of directors of New Danville, a nonprofit organization that serves adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in The Woodlands, TX. She has worked for more than 10 years in nonprofit development, including for Interfaith of The Woodlands, American Heart Association, Hockaday School and Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business.
Jay Burke, BA ’05, PsyD, LMFT, recently became program director of the Master of Science in counseling psychology program at California Baptist University (CBU) in Riverside. Burke provides leadership and guidance to the oldest and largest graduate degree program at CBU. Contact at jayevanburke@gmail.com.
Lauren Dreyer, BSME ’05, of Eddy, TX, was appointed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to the Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Committee. Dreyer is director of human resources and business operations for SpaceX and a member of the Baylor School of Engineering and Computer Science Board of Advocates.
Kris Kahler, BA ’05, was named boys soccer coach at Midway High School in Waco. Kahler previously was Waco High School’s soccer head coach and built the Lions into one of the more successful programs in Class 5A. He was a three-time Super Centex Coach of the Year with a career record of 206-44-17 in 12 seasons at Waco High.
Rose Clarke Nanyonga, MSN ’05, is one of five Yale nurses to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award. Nanyonga is the vice chancellor of Uganda’s Clarke International University (CIU), a new private university affiliated with a leading hospital that boasts a newborn intensive care unit and an extensive ambulance system connected to 22 clinics. She also holds degrees from Yale and Arkansas Tech.
Dr. Rachelle Rogers, EdD ’05, received Baylor’s Outstanding Faculty Award in Teaching for 2018. A clinical associate professor in the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum & Instruction, Rogers began teaching at Baylor in 2003.
Shelly Nelson Spinks, BBA ’05, MAcc ’05, was appointed partner at Pattillo, Brown & Hill LLP in Waco. She specializes in tax compliance and planning services for individuals, fiduciaries, partnerships and corporations. Spinks was past president of the Central Texas Chapter of the TSCPA and was awarded the TSCPA Rising Star Award in 2013.
Dan Bellamy, MDiv ’06, DMin ’15, is the founder of Inflatable Stories, through which he creates balloon sculptures to share the gospel with audiences nationwide. He also published a book, The Inflated Story of Noah, featuring large-scale balloon sculptures that Bellamy created and photographed across the world.
Justin Brasell, BBA ’06, MBA ’07, was appointed EVP of the Transwestern Healthcare Advisory Services team in Houston. He works to support business development efforts, direct local initiatives and implement new technologies to support tenant and landlords involved with healthcare real estate.
Ryan M. Gaubert, BS ’06, was elected as an associate member of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee in New Orleans in May. He is the first member to have graduated from Baylor or a Big 12 Conference school. Guabert is a third-generation family member to have been bestowed this lifelong, prestigious honor. At Baylor, he played club lacrosse and joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon. For the past four years, Gaubert has been business development manager for Boh Bros. Construction Co. in New Orleans. He and his wife Jenn have a daughter Leighton and are expecting their second child.
Jared Sherman, BBA ’06, was appointed executive director of Guardian Flight Inc., overseeing the medical care and service availability throughout the company’s operating area in Alaska. Sherman also has leadership responsibilities overseeing Guardian Flight’s six bases and the largest air medical fleet in Alaska.
Kristin Hall-Richardson Zastoupil, MA ’06, was elected Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) President for 2018-2019. TSPRA is a 900-member association serving school communications departments across Texas. She previously served four years as a vice president. She also recently became the executive director of marketing and communications for Forney [TX] ISD. She lives in Forney with her husband Brendan and two sons, Bryton and Kolton.
Thomas Laughlin, BBA ’07, of Dallas joined Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s new Dallas office as partner. He focuses on private equity investments, energy transactions, and mergers and acquisitions, including transactions relating to upstream and midstream oil and gas properties. His clients are private equity investors, their portfolio companies and a variety of other public and private companies.
Lindsey Oden Skinner, BBA ’07, was appointed partner at Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP in Waco. She specializes in performance of reviews and job cost analysis for the construction industry, advising clients on overall best business and accounting practices. Skinner is currently president of the Central Texas chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) and was awarded the 2015 TSCPA Rising Star Award.
Keri Kauk Wittpenn, BA ’07, is principal of Jane Long Academy in Houston ISD. She began her career in HISD as a Spanish, social studies and ESL teacher at Westside High School. Wittpenn, who holds an MBA from Rice University, served in various roles at Long Academy and also led in the development of the Futures Academy Pharmacy Technician High School Program.
Michael T. Anderson, BA ’08, was named assistant director of the west coast office of U.S. Wheat Associates in Portland, OR, where he assists trade delegations visiting the wheat supply chain in the Pacific Northwest. After serving in the Peace Corps in Armenia, he worked with the Carter Center in Central Africa for the Guinea Worm Eradication Program with the South Sudan Ministry of Health, as a trade intern with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in Washington, DC, and as international marketing coordinator for the Food Export Association of the Northeast.
Isioma Coker, BBA ’08, is a human resource professional at an oil and gas firm in Nigeria. In early May, Coker was interviewed by Punch Newspaper (punchng.com) about her passion working in the field of human resources and how being a member of World Economic Forum, Lagos, impacted her career. She holds a master’s degree from Manchester Business School.
Dustin Little, MBA ’08, accepted the role of talent acquisition manager, technology and manufacturing, North America for ABM Industries. Contact at 7700 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin, TX 78757 or dustinblittle@gmail.com.
Anna Morton, BS ’08, principal of engineering firm Morton Gestalt, is the founder of the startup Talking Walls, a software tool used to measure the efficiency of energy in smart buildings.
Zachary Blaine Dutton, BBA ’09, and Crystal Wallingford Dutton married June 23. They reside in Austin.
Charly Edsitty, BA ’09, joined Houston ABC affiliate KTRK-TV as a multi-media journalist. She started her career at KPNX-TV in Phoenix as a planning producer, then was promoted to a reporting role in the station’s Northern Arizona bureau. A member of the Navajo tribe, Edsitty started her journalism career working in print specializing in Native American issues.
Dr. Michael Evans, DMin ’09, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, TX, was elected president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). Pictured with him is BGCT First Vice President Dr. Jason Burden (left), MDiv ’05, DMin ’11, who is pastor of First Baptist Church in Nederland, TX. Evans has served as an administrator with the Tarrant County College District and as president of the board of trustees of Mansfield ISD. He is the founder of several community service organizations.
Following her first season as head coach of the women’s tennis program at Gettysburg College, Ali Flores, MSEd ’09, assumed duties as head coach of the men’s team, beginning with the 2018-19 campaign.
Ariana Hernandez, BA ’09, was appointed assistant principal at Carroll Elementary School in the Corsicana [TX] ISD. She has served as an instructional coach and interventionist at Carroll, as well as in several Dallas schools as a bilingual teacher for pre-K, kindergarten and fourth grade math and science.
Brittany Jewell, BS ’09, was appointed to a one-year term as a member of The University of Texas System Board of Regents by Gov. Greg Abbott. Jewell is conducting cancer research, specifically looking at a rare genetic disorder that predisposes children to bone cancer, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, where she will graduate in 2020 with a doctoral degree in biochemistry and cell biology.
Hannah Kaminer, BA ’09, of Asheville, NC, released Heavy Magnolias, her second studio album, which was co-produced with GRAMMY-winning audio engineer Julian Dreyer of Echo Mountain Studios. Kaminer has worked as a folk/Americana singer and songwriter in Western North Carolina for five years. The album includes Set A Table, a song inspired by the hospitality of fellow Baylor alumna Amy Lane (Ford) Warmath, BBA ’09. Kaminer writes song commissions and performs solo or with her full band, Heartbreak Highlight Reel.
Taylor Mohr, BA ’09, JD ’12, joined family law firm Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson LLP as an associate in the Frisco, TX, office. Recognized in Super Lawyers magazine as a Texas Rising Star each of the past two years, Mohr also has earned selection to the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys’ Top 10 Under 40 in the Texas listing and the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys’ Top 10 Best Female Attorneys.
Amy M. Pho, BBA ’09, MTax ’09, of Dallas began pursuing her MBA in the fall of 2018 at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Eric, BA ’09, and Alexa Adams Van Hal, BSEd ’11 of Celina, TX, shared the news of the May 22 birth of their daughter Harper Jane. They write, “She was 7 lbs, 4.5 oz, and 18 in long. Harper tragically developed a knot in her umbilical cord which caused her sweet heart to stop beating. Her family finds comfort in knowing Harper was welcomed into the arms of Jesus and is maybe even sporting her green & gold.”
2010s
Teresita Lozano, BMEd ’10, was one of 21 people named Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellows for 2018 by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. She is a College of Music, Ethnomusicology PhD candidate at University of Colorado Boulder, completing her dissertation, titled Songs for the Ghosts, Saints for the Undocumented: Mexican Cristero Corridos and Transborder Immigration Discourse. The Newcombe Fellowship is the nation’s largest and most prestigious award for PhD candidates in the humanities and social sciences addressing questions of ethical and religious values. Each Fellow receives $25,000.
Jason Steadman, MSCP ’10, PsyD ’14, joined Chattanooga [TN] Peds as a pediatric psychologist. He completed his residency at The Village for Families and Children in Hartford, CT, followed by a fellowship in community health and integrated primary care at Community Health Center Inc. in Middletown, CT. Previously he taught at East Tennessee State University.
Dr. Jenica Wessels Harwood, BA ’10, graduated from the Family and Community Medicine residency program through the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita at Smokey Hill Family Medicine in Salina.
Patrick Cummings, MBA ’11, was named executive director of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, a nonprofit organization established to create a forum to improve the prospects of the thoroughbred industry. Cummings spent three years with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, where he led the racing division’s public affairs team. He also spent four years as director of racing information for Trakus, near Boston, and seven years with investment giant Vanguard.
Cyclist Leigh Ann Ganzar, BS ’11, MPH ’13, won the US Pro Criterium Championship, beating three-time track world champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist Kelly Catlin. Ganzar began cycling after a successful running career at Baylor that included three All-Big 12 Indoor honors. She also was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English to university students in Brazil.
George D. Montañez, MS ’11, of Ontario, CA, graduated with a PhD in machine learning from Carnegie Mellon University. He began teaching at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA, this fall.
Utah Jazz center Ekpe Udoh, BSEd ’11, started a hydroponic farming company in his hometown of Edmond, OK. His biggest goal is to provide healthy food to underprivileged children. Udoh continues to host Ekpe’s Book Club, a venture he started five years ago to expose people to good books.
Ashleigh Myers Acevedo, BA ’12, joined international law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP as an associate in the firm’s Houston office. She works in Pillsbury’s Environmental & Natural Resources practice, where she focuses on helping companies resolve environmental liabilities. Acevedo previously worked at Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend PC. Contact at ashleigh.acevedo@pillsburylaw.com.
Paul Baumgardner, BA ’12, was awarded a doctoral fellowship for emerging scholars engaged in original and significant research in the field of law, social science and higher education by the American Bar Foundation. Baumgardner, who will be the ABF/AccessLex Doctoral Fellow in Legal and Higher Education, is a doctoral candidate seeking a joint PhD in the department of politics and the humanities council at Princeton University. He holds an MA from Princeton.
Lindsey Johnson, BA ’12, MSCD ’13, and Ryan Garrett, BA ’12, were married April 14 at Baylor’s Truett Seminary. The couple met in Baylor’s Golden Wave Band during their senior year. They reside in Garland, TX.
Michael Leavine, BBA ’12, was named the competition director for Leavine Family Racing and its No. 95 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team. He is the grandson of team owner Bob Leavine, and he has served as director of operations at the organization for the past year. Michael will help maximize the team’s resources in its alliance partnership with Richard Childress Racing.
Mollie Moore, BA ’13, is the director of the Washington, DC, semester program for Baylor University. She previously was senior manager of academic programs at the American Enterprise Institute.
Laura Morgan, BSN ’13, and Philip Alan Dunson were married March 11. After five years working as Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, she is the clinic lead of Watermark Urgent Care: A Partnership with QuestCare Medical, in Plano, TX. Run by volunteers from Watermark Community Church, it is a non-profit urgent care clinic created to meet the physical and spiritual needs of Collin County and surrounding areas.
Rachel Urbanczyk, BBA ’13, entered her first year of the Family and Community Medicine residency program through the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita at Via Christi Family Medicine in Wichita.
Alexis Cubit, BA ’14, joined the Plainview [TX] Herald as sports editor after a three-year stint covering sports in Minnesota. While at Baylor, Cubit was a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Impact Bible study group. She also had internships at KXXV-TV and KWBU-FM in Waco, ESPN Central Texas and the Baylor Bear Foundation.
David McGee, BBA ’14, was featured in Baylor Business Review’s spring issue. His job with Eli Lilly as a diabetes pharmaceutical sales representative is near to his heart because he is helping people, including his family, who are trying to get their diabetes under control.
Kira Rockwell, BFA ’14, of Boston premiered With My Eyes Shut, a play inspired by her two younger brothers who identify on the Autism Spectrum, in June at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Rockwell’s plays have been developed and or produced with Fresh Ink Theater, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, Goat Song Theatre Collective and Little Black Dress INK. She is an MFA candidate in playwriting at Boston University. See more at kirarockwell.com.
John Romero, BM ’14, left his position as principal trombonist for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for one of the most prestigious posts in the orchestra world: a seat for the 2018-19 season as principal trombonist for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He won the top spot in May and started in September. Romero, from Longview, TX, studied at Baylor and Rice.
Matt Bley, MBA ’15, was named chief accounting officer and corporate controller of Sugar Land, TX-based CVR Energy Inc. He also serves as chief accounting officer and corporate controller for the general partner of CVR Energy’s petroleum subsidiary, CVR Refining LP, and for the general partner of its nitrogen fertilizer subsidiary, CVR Partners LP. He has more than 14 years of experience, most recently serving as assistant controller for Andeavor (formerly Tesoro).
Mariah Dancy, BA ’15, spoke at a Future Teacher Signing Day for 21 seniors in Spring [TX] ISD. The seniors made a commitment to earn their education degree and return to teach. Dancy grew up in Spring ISD schools, chose the education career pathway at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School and returned to teach English at her alma mater.
Tara Hutchison, BS ’15, and Jordon Reese, BA ’14, were married May 26 in New Braunfels, TX. They met in 2011 when both were Army ROTC cadets at Baylor. Jordon is a field artillery captain, and Tara is a military intelligence lieutenant.
Alysia Johnson, BS ’15, a second-year student at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, won first prize in her research category at the national Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society student research forum. Her research focuses on formerly incarcerated women and whether future orientation toward healthy pregnancy can impact substance use after release. At Baylor, she conducted research on dengue fever.
Elizabeth Arnold, BA ’16, joined On the Mark Strategies as an account executive to help credit unions with marketing and branding. While at Baylor, Arnold founded The Bundle, a student-run online magazine.
Johnathan Jordan, JD ’16, joined Kane Russell Coleman Logan in Dallas as an associate to handle a wide range of commercial litigation cases. He also holds a BBA from Southern Methodist University.
Ally Stallings, BA ’16, MA ’17, and Brandon Hemphill, BBA ’16, were married Sept. 30, 2017, in Tulsa, OK, where they reside. Ally writes: “We had a wonderful time celebrating with our friends and family, and we can’t wait to spend many future weekends back in Waco for football and friend reunions! Waco will always be home! Sic ’em, Bears!”
Lyndy Wheeler Stokes, BSEd ’16, of Waco, is founder of Adopted Twice, a ministry focused on helping adoptees work through their adoptions. She is a first grade teacher and has also written a Bible study, Adopted Twice, about her own experiences as an adopted child. The study looks at the adoptions of four major Biblical characters: Moses, Esther, Ruth and Jesus. Connect with her at www.adoptedtwicebs.com.
Hannah Marie Weber, BA ’16, received a master’s degree in public health from Vanderbilt University. Her thesis research aimed to assess the level of data completeness in the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability’s statewide database to measure the effectiveness of federally funded meal programs over time on recipient nutritional risk.
Honest Men, a band of Baylor graduates Seth Findley, BBA ’17, Brooks Whitehurst, BA ’15, Zach Solomon, BA ’15, and Nathan Wallace, BA ’18, released its second EP via online music vendors such as Amazon.
Kaitlyn Pecue, BA ’17, and Collin Stipe, BSME ’17, were married June 1 in Aubrey, TX. Kaitlyn writes: “Our reception DJ and his wife are Baylor alumni, and we had all Baylor alumni on the dance floor for the Baylor fight song. We are football season ticket holders. I had the best all-around experience at Baylor and met my best friend there.” Kaitlyn was a member of Baylor’s acrobatics and tumbling team, Alpha Delta Pi sorority and the all-girl spirit squad. The Stipes reside in Euless, TX, where Kaitlyn teaches kindergarten and Collin is a mechanical engineer.
Meredith Aldis, BA ’18, joined the FOX34-TV team as the Look Around Lubbock [TX] reporter on Good Day Lubbock. She worked for the Baylor Lariat, was on the college broadcast team and interned at KATV-TV, an ABC affiliate in Little Rock, AR.
Katie MacKenzie, MA ’18, joined the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive in Valdez, AK, as a summer collections care intern. MacKenzie used her experience with digitalization, material culture and Past Perfect cataloguing to help with the museum’s long-term project of re-cataloguing its entire collection.
Friends
Dr. Marc Ellis, former Baylor professor of Jewish studies and professor of history, writes: “Since my retirement in 2012, I have been living in Cape Canaveral, FL. I just published my latest book, Finding Our Voice: Embodying the Prophetic and Other Misadventures.” Contact at 412 Monroe Ave, K-201, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 or mhellis27@hotmail.com.
Dr. Mike Foley, associate professor of patristics in Baylor’s Great Texts program, published an illustrated children’s book, Gus Finds God, based on a portion of Saint Augustine of Hippo’s classic autobiography, The Confessions. In accessible language lifted almost verbatim from Augustine’s pen, the book recounts the quest of a boy whose search for God leads him to a startling discovery about himself and his Creator.
Bianca Smith, a Master of Social Work student at Baylor’s campus in Houston, authored Murdered by a Christian, on a Sunday. “This book is about the murder of my brother, my struggle to maintain faith, secure justice, and recognize how grieving impacted my mental health,” she writes.