Class Notes
1940s
Naomi Pepper Macon Brotherton, BA ’41, of Carrollton, TX, has fought through macular degeneration and continues to paint and teach art at Artisan’s Studio Gallery, which she has shared since 1981. That year, a book about her teaching titled Variations in Watercolor was published. She specializes in painting night scenes and helped found the Southwestern Watercolor Society. Brotherton was featured in the Dallas Morning News in 2014 (photo credit Brittany Sowacke). Her husband Lem Brotherton Jr., LLB ’49, returned to Baylor after World War II and become an assistant district attorney in Dallas after working for the FBI. He passed away in 1993. Contact at n.brotherton1@verizon.net or artisansstudio.com.
Frank Boggs, BA ’48, of Atlanta, GA, leads 108 singers in his Georgia Festival Chorus, which sang at Baylor Chapel last April. He and Baylor roommate Dick Baker wrote the Baylor Fight Song. This April 30, Frank and his wife Doris celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Chorus, the 60th anniversary of their wedding and Frank’s 90th birthday. The celebration will take place at 5 p.m. at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, GA. Contact at frankanddoris306090@gmail.com.
1950s
Robert Duce, BA ’57, of Bastrop, TX, co-chaired a recent National Academy of Sciences report on The Future of Atmospheric Chemistry Research, providing recommendations to the National Science Foundation on funding for research for the next decade. Duce is University Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and retired Dean of the College of Geosciences at Texas A&M University.
1960s
Jimmy Breedlove, BBA ’63, of Houston is co-owner of Texas Institute of Agriculture and Technology, a small college in Houston that began in 2008. Contact at jvb3595@gmail.com.
Polly Stephenson Gilbert, BA ’63, and Dr. Ray W. Gilbert celebrated their 39th anniversary last year. They lived in Dallas for 38 years, where Polly served as a J.J. Pearce HS English teacher, head librarian and coach of the first National Academic Decathlon championship teams in 1984 and 1985. She then served as library director and research faculty at St. Mark’s School of Texas for 23 years. Ray worked as a chief clinical psychologist and taught at Southwestern Medical School. They also owned a family tutoring company, TLC Inc., and sold it in 2015 to move to Ames, IA, to live near their son, Iowa State University professor Stephen A. Gilbert, and his family. “We feel blessed and thankful for Baylor, our families and our passion for teaching,” Polly writes. Contact at 2720 London Drive, Ames, IA 50010.
In October 2016, Dr. Rebekah Ann Naylor, BA ’64, received the American College of Surgeons Pfizer Surgical Humanitarian Award. It recognizes Fellows who have dedicated much of their careers to ensuring that underserved populations have access to surgical care and have done so without expecting commensurate compensation. Naylor, a former missionary from Fort Worth, served with IMB for 35 years as a surgeon, administrator and teacher at the Bangalore Baptist Hospital in Karnataka, India. She established the adjoining nursing school now named in her honor: The Rebekah Ann Naylor School of Nursing. Naylor was on the faculty at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, as clinical associate professor of surgery from 2002 to 2010. She is also an adjunct professor of missions and special missionary in residence at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth. Naylor continues to travel frequently to India to participate in the ministry of BHH. She also serves as a global health care consultant for Baptist Global Response.
John E. Miller, BA ’67, of Bryan, TX, authored an article, “Anti- Reverse Engineering Clauses ...” published in the January 2017 issue of Contract Management Magazine (CM). At the Law Office of Johnny Miller, he focuses on intellectual property, business, and contracts. Miller also owns and operates Con-tracts.com Consulting and Johnny Pickleball Sports, a sports equipment distributor. He holds a JD from the University of Memphis and an LLM from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Contact at 2002 Lis Lane, Bryan, TX 77807.
Larry, BBA ’69, and Paulette Walls Pendley, BA ’72, of Waco are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their business, Pendley Party Productions & Rentals. They have decorated events for President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, governors Rick Perry and Greg Abbott, and many clients at Baylor, the Waco area and beyond. Contact at pendleyparty.com.
1970s
Dr. Nirund Jivasantikarn, BS ’70, was honored by King Philippe of Belgium with the high distinction of Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Couronne (Knight in the Order of the Crown) for the services he has rendered to the Belgian state as Honorary Consul of Belgium in Lampang, Thailand. The ceremony took place in the Residence of the Belgian ambassador, H.E. Marc Michielsen. Distinguished guests were Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Don Promudwinai and Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, former deputy primer minister.
Becky Ratliff Johnson, BFA ’70, of Houston retired as chair of the visual arts department at the Awty International School in Houston after 35 years there. Contact at uticachild@aol.com.
Gordon Utgard, BA ’70, is married to Linda Stohner Utgard, BA ’70. They have lived in Chattanooga, TN, since 2008. Gordon has been with Hospital & Health Plan Executive Management for 30-plus years, including extended assignment in Saudi Arabia and other countries. Linda is retired from teaching fifth-grade science after 30 years. The Utgards often return to Waco for Baylor activities. Gordon authored The Powers That Be (Trafford.com) concerning his work and adventures in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. They have a son and two grandsons who live in Perth, Australia, and a daughter and three granddaughters in Houston. Contact at utassoc@comcast.net.
Randy Riddell, BS ’73, MS ’74, retired from education after 42 years as a teacher and coach in Deer Park ISD, Pasadena ISD and Alief ISD. He has been married to Kathy Osina Riddell for 36 years. Contact at 626 Misty Creek, Richmond, TX 77406 or randy.riddell77@gmail.com.
Dr. John N. Kernan, MSEd ’75, is in his 43rd year in education. He has started a position in special education at Brightmont Academy in Sammamish, WA. Kernan continues to coach track and field at local high schools and runners training for road races and marathons. Contact at 11707 57th Ave. East M101, Puyallup, WA 98373 or jnkernan@hotmail.com.
Chris, BMEd ’77, and Diane Prizer Machen, BMEd ’78, of Plano, TX, have returned to full-time concert ministry with The Master’s Music Company. Contact at 469-573-1661 or cmachen@mastersmusic.com.
Ben Aldama, BS ’79, was named the 2016 Outstanding Administrator by the Arkansas Association of Continuing and Adult Education at the annual conference in November 2016. Ben is the dean of adult education at NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, AR. He and his wife Paula have a daughter Elena. Contact at 1404 Breckenridge Loop, Rogers, AR 72756 or benaldama@cox.net.
John Lee Hancock, BA ’79, JD ’82, has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s top writers and directors. In January, Hancock’s 10th feature film, The Founder, hit the big screen. Hancock’s latest tells the story of fast-food magnate Ray Kroc, the man who oversaw McDonald’s growth into an iconic company. Michael Keaton headlines the film, working alongside other well-known actors and actresses such as Nick Offerman, Laura Dern, Linda Cardellini and B.J. Novak. The Founder marks the sixth time Hancock sat in the director’s chair. He also produced the 2000 film My Dog Skip and wrote six other films, including The Blind Side, The Alamo, Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil, and the film that first earned him nationwide notice, Clint Eastwood’s A Perfect World. Phil Hardage, BA ’87, also served as first assistant director on the film. Hardage previously worked as an assistant or unit director under Hancock on The Rookie and The Alamo, and with other directors on films such as Office Space, Gone in Sixty Seconds and The Notebook, as well as on TV series such as Friday Night Lights and Dallas.
1980s
Dr. Donna G. Miller, BSEd ’80, of Waco was named Texas Dentist of the Year by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry. Her practice is Creekwood Dental Arts, and she has worked in Waco for 32 years. Miller’s husband is K. Paul Holt, BA ’76. Contact at donna.miller.dds@gmail.com.
Kevin Stingley, BSEd ’80, of Rusk, TX, was selected as a member of the Texas Archeological Stewards Network by the Texas Historical Commission. TASN is a group of 120 avocational archeologists from across the state providing archeological assistance to landowners and professional archeologists. Contact at kevstingley005@gmail.com.
Jay DuBose, BBA ’81, of Brighton, MI, is president and CEO of AAA Life Insurance Co., previously serving as the organization’s executive vice president of acquisition and member experience. He has been with the organization since 2003 and in the life insurance industry for 30 years, working as a financial executive for several companies. DuBose serves on the United Way of Southeastern Michigan campaign cabinet and Michigan Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association board.
Roland Garcia, BBA ’81, of Houston was appointed Chairman of the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital Committee. He serves as a board member of the Memorial Hermann Health System. Garcia also was appointed co-chair of the Houston Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board. He is a shareholder of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection selected William E. Russell, BBA ’82, as recipient of the CBP Commissioner’s Award for Leadership, the agency’s highest award recognizing achievement in leadership. Russell is deputy assistant director of field operations for mission support for the El Paso field office. Russell’s varied career has included stints as acting general manager of Kinko’s of Australia and regional manager of Texas and Louisiana. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve as an aviation technician/antisubmarine warfare and served in support of Operation Desert Storm. Russell joined the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1988. He was administrator of the INS Command Center in Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Russell transferred to CBP in El Paso in 2005.
Tim Smith, BBA ’83, married Doug Warner on Sept. 3, 2016, at Grace Episcopal Church Cathedral in Charleston, SC. Contact at 45 Pendleton St., Charleston, SC 29403 or trumansmith@yahoo.com.
Jeannie Oliver Zokan, BA ’85, of Gulf Breeze, FL, authored her first novel, The Existence of Pity (Red Adept Publishing, 2016: 240 pages). The book tells the story of Josie, 16, the daughter of missionaries in Colombia who finds her own path in life. Contact at 4zokans@att.net.
Barbara Shergold Britton, BS ’86, of Brookfield, WI, is releasing her second book in the Tribes of Israel series, Building Benjamin: Naomi’s Journey. Britton’s third book of Biblical fiction was contracted by Harbourlight Books. Contact at barbarambritton@aol.com or visit barbarambritton.com.
Mark Fondren, BS ’86, MS ’87, retired after 22 years with the Tarrant County (TX) Medical Examiners Office. He moved to Augusta, ME, where he is the forensic laboratory director and quality manager for the State of Maine. Contact at 221 State Street Augusta, ME 04333 or william.m.fondren@maine.gov.
Susan Anz, BBA ’87, of Waco was named associate vice president (AVP) for financial services and treasurer at Baylor after serving as interim AVP since August. She is a licensed certified public accountant. Prior to joining Baylor, Anz worked in public accounting as controller for a not-for-profit higher education authority and as an internal auditor and director of finance for a K-12 school district. In 1998, Anz joined Baylor as assistant controller. In 2003, she was named controller, and in 2006, she assumed the role of assistant vice president and controller. Anz oversees the controls, recording and reporting of all financial transactions that occur in the operations of the university. Additionally, Anz leads the university’s procurement services, debt financing strategies, treasury, accounts payable, tax, student financial services/cashier’s office and financial system functions. Anz succeeds Bob Spence, BBA ’74, who retired from Baylor in 2016.
Dr. Kirk Person, BA ’87, and his research team at Mahidol University (Thailand) received the 2016 United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s King Sejong Literacy Prize. He and wife Suzie Anderson Person, BA ’90, continue to enjoy life in Bangkok with children Emily and Austin, while firstborn Andrew is a Baylor freshman. Contact at kirkperson67@gmail.com.
Lyn Robbins, BA ’87, JD ’90, of Keller, TX, published his second book, Grace Always Comes: Daily Devotionals Through The Bible (Austin Brothers). The book is intended to guide those reading Scripture through in a year or those who desire a daily devotional. Contact at wlr@robbinstravis.com.
David Yelle, BA ’87, married Ann Marie Prinkey on Feb. 6, 2016. David works as a law enforcement park ranger, and Ann is president of a travel agency. They attend Mt. Joy Church of the Brethren in Mount Pleasant, PA, where they reside. David notes, “When God gives someone a dream, it comes true, and it comes true in God’s time and in His way.” Contact at scubadiver214@yahoo.com.
Steve Anthony, BA ’88, is vice president of U.S. sales and marketing for San Antonio-based Bone Bank Allografts. He has been in the medical device industry for 18 years, the last 10 with Globus Medical. Anthony’s oldest sons Evan (senior) and Jake (sophomore) attend Baylor, while son Brooks is a junior at Keller High School. Steve and his wife Robyn Jensen Anthony, BSN ’95, live in Keller with their youngest sons “and future Baylor Bears” Jensen and Seth. They attend Gateway Church in Southlake, TX. Contact at santhony5@yahoo.com.
Gregory “Scott” Terry, BA ’89, retired from the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention after 21 years. He is a middle school math teacher at the Fredericksburg (VA) Christian School. Contact at 147 Dishpan Lane, Stafford, TX 22554 or gscott.terry@gmail.com.
1990s
Mary Bess Corbin, BBA ’91, served as co-chair of the 68th Bal d’Hiver, Nashville’s oldest charity ball, hosted by the Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta since the 1940s. The November 2016 event benefitted Court Appointed Special Advocates, Family and Children’s Service, and Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation.
John Finch, BSEd ’91, of Providence Village, TX, directs The Perfect Father Ministries, a non-profit that helps men become better dads. Finch shares his story in a documentary called The Father Effect. The full-length film, first broadcast Dec. 3, 2016, on EWTN (Global Catholic TV Network), will be broadcast several times over the next four years. Among those appearing in the film are authors John Eldridge and Meg Meeker, and Neal Jeffrey, BBA ’75, Baylor Regent and associate pastor of pastoral and preaching ministries at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas. Contact at john@thefathereffect.com or visit TheFatherEffect.com.
Heather Murray Enright, BA ’93, of Grapevine, TX, published a scripture coloring book titled Grace of Many Colors (Vine Press, 2016). It features 50 hand-drawn coloring pages. This is Enright’s debut illustrative work. Every book purchased gifts a copy to a cancer fighter. This project is dedicated to the memory of Enright's father, who died of cancer her freshmen year at Baylor. Contact at teamenright@verizon.net.
Brenda Kosma Radmacher, BA ’93, partner of the law firm Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP, was honored as the 2016 Outside Counsel of the Year by the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance—the insurance industry’s largest professional association with 35,000 members. Brenda practices in California and Arizona in construction and real estate litigation and risk management representing builders, contractors, developers, design professionals, and lenders in commercial and residential construction, and real estate. Contact at 1261 Sunny Oaks Circle, Altadena, CA 91001 or bradmacher@wshblaw.com.
Steven Bradbury, BBA ’94, of Fort Worth, joined Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty in Fort Worth as vice president, realtor, after 10 years with his previous broker. Over the past decade, Bradbury stayed in the top 3 percent nationwide at his previous broker, being named to International President’s and International President Elite Circles for the last seven years. Contact at 3805 Hickory Springs Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76116 or stevencbradbury@gmail.com.
The Far East Council of the Boy Scouts of America made Charles “Chuck” Pope, BA ’94, the inaugural Commissioner for India. In December, Pope and his son Kael, a Tiger Cub Scout, attended the National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides—India’s equivalent of the Boy and Girl Scouts. Pope works as a foreign service officer at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. Contact through LinkedIn or cpope@usaid.gov.
Dr. John D. Scott, BA ’94, was named Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Bariatrics in the Department of Surgery at the Greenville Health System in South Carolina. “Even though I’m halfway across the country, I still follow the Bears every chance I get,” he writes. Contact at cubfan213@yahoo.com.
On January 11, Andrew Morgan, BSEd ’95, of San Antonio appeared on the Food Network show Cooks vs. Cons on which he beat two professional chefs and one amateur cook, winning the $15,000 cash prize.
Mark Embry, BBA ’96, of Frisco, TX, is co-founder and EVP of MedSys Group, a healthcare technology advisory services firm. It recently ranked 17th out of 100 by Modern Healthcare’s “Best Places to Work in Healthcare.” Contact Embry at membry@medsysgroup.com.
Matthew Wright, BA ’98, of Rosebud, TX, was awarded the Texas A&M School of Law’s Public Interest Honor for his work as a rural judge who has reformed two courts to increase access and for assisting non-profits and underrepresented persons. The Texas A&M Public Interest Fellowship places students across the state with agencies, governments and non-profits in the public-interest sector. Wright is a judge in Falls County and teaches negotiations at Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business.
Autumn Highsmith, BA ’99, JD ’05, of Forney, TX, was the sole winner of the 2017 Client Choice Award for Texas insolvency and restructuring counsel. Earlier in the year, she was elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Highsmith is a member of Haynes and Boone’s Bankruptcy and Business Restructuring Practice Group.
2000s
Mitchell Murphy, JD ’02, an energy and environmental attorney, rejoined Winstead PC as Of Counsel in the firm’s Fort Worth office. He returns as a member of the energy law and environmental law practice groups. Murphy’s practice ranges from complex business litigation to the negotiation of master service agreements for exploration and production companies, midstream clients and oilfield service providers. He has represented clients throughout Texas.
Aimee L. Stone, JD ’02, joined the law firm of Moses, Palmer & Howell LLP as a partner. Stone is board certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, tax and business law. Contact at Moses, Palmer & Howell LLP, Oil & Gas Building, 309 West 7th Street, Suite 815, Fort Worth, TX, 76102 or astone@mph-law.com.
Eddie Ellis, PhD ’05, of Bradley, IL, published his first children’s book, Good Boy, Achilles! (Westbow Press, 2016: 128 pages). The story is based on the premise that, because human beings are flawed, God has given dogs the task of helping us along. Ellis is a professor of New Testament at Olivet Nazarene University.
In January of 2017, Jeremy Vickers, BSEd ’05, was named dean of the College of Professional Studies at Dallas Baptist University.
Brian Van Hall, MBA ’07, of Mechanicsburg, PA, is chief mission integration officer for Cure International, a nonprofit charitable network of 10 hospitals and two specialty programs that bring hope and healing to children with disabilities and deformities across 29 developing countries. Cure International provides surgical services and shares the life-changing message of God’s love. Contact at brian.vanhall@cure.org or visit cure.org to learn more.
U.S. Air Force Captain Michael Wilkinson, BSME ’07, married Amanda Burnett on July 1, 2016, in Palmer Lake, CO. The best man was U.S. Air Force Captain Jonathan Gingery, BSME ’07. The Wilkinsons reside in Colorado Springs, CO, where Michael is an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Amanda is an occupational therapist.
Dr. Angela Pool-Funai, MPPA ’08, was promoted to director of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, UT. The program currently serves nearly 100 graduate students who are training for careers in the public and nonprofit sectors. Pool-Funai joined the SUU faculty as an assistant professor of political science and public administration in 2014. She received a Doctor of Public Administration from Valdosta State University. Prior to joining the SUU faculty, Pool-Funai worked in research and grants roles for more than 15 years.
Jenné Blackburn, BA ’09, of Newport Beach, CA, performed her choral debut at Carnegie Hall alongside the New York City Festival Chamber Orchestra in November 2016. Music and arrangements by composer John Leavitt included music written for the special Christmas event. This was Blackburn’s first time on stage performing since SING 2007. Blackburn was a Baylor volleyball player, Chi Omega Sing Chair and ATO Sweetheart. She graduated with the Student Life Achievement Award for her work across campus and for her contribution to help develop the Baylor Sports Ministry. Blackburn is studying at Columbia University Professional School of Sports Management.
2010s
Sami Waley, BS ’10, married Jordan Watts on Dec. 31, 2016. Their wedding colors were green and gold. As Baylor football season ticket holders, they look forward to coming back to Baylor every fall. Sami is co-owner of a company and Jordan works in oil and gas in Dallas, where they live.
Amy Wofford, BBA ’11, and Reed Brandenburg, BSEd ’10, were married in October 2016 in Denver.
Kelsi Lauger Wilson, JD ’12, joined Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC’s office in Victoria, TX. Wilson is licensed in Texas and Indiana state courts. Her practice focuses on trial, appellate, labor, employment and real estate matters. She represents individuals and businesses in all aspects of the litigation process.
Daniel Quan, BS ’13, of Kansas City, MO, earned a Master of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology and a Master of Science in biomedical sciences. He published his first scientific paper and was accepted into medical school at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
After completing graduate studies in fall 2014, Will Baggett, MSEd ’14, accepted an internship with the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta, GA, where he currently resides. He and fellow Bear Tai M. Brown, BA ’01, MSEd ’04, discovered a collective desire to fill the void between young professionals and tenured leaders alike. In 2016, they released their first book, The Blueprint for a Successful Career, a guide for young professionals and those charged with leading them. Through Brown’s consulting agency, Spades Media Group - Roots of Wisdom LLC, they travel around the country educating professionals on the tenets of high performance, servant leadership and executive conduct. Contact at will_baggett@alumni.baylor.edu.
Amy Lanford, BMEd ’14, married Zane Harrington, BBA ’14, on June 4, 2016, at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, TX. Amy is a high school choir director at McKinney Boyd High School, and Zane works for a public relations firm. They met during Welcome Week at Baylor. The Harringtons reside in The Colony, TX.
Madison Adams, BBA ’15, was hired by KTVT CBS 11 in Dallas/Fort Worth. She is the traffic anchor and reporter for CBS 11 News This Morning. Previously, she worked for Waco’s KWTX-TV, where she was lead reporter for the Emmy Award-winning “KWTX Baylor Gameday” show. Adams also was a sports reporter and anchor for Baylor Athletics. She competed twice in Miss Texas, placing first runner-up in 2015 as Miss Park Cities and second runner-up in 2014 as Miss Waco. Her platform, “Play Every Day,” focused on promoting healthy lifestyles through a partnership with the YMCA. She was chosen as the 2015 Young Woman of Achievement.
Julie Freeman, MA ’15, married Evan Reed on Dec. 3, 2016, at Central Presbyterian Church in Waco. The bridal party included Sommer Ingram, BA ’10, Linda Wilkins, BA ’15, and Taylor Griffin, BA ’15. Julie is assistant media adviser for Baylor Student Media, and Evan is a youth pastor. The couple resides in Bellmead, TX.