Class Notes – Spring 2025
1950s
Carolyn Grigsby Feather, BA ’54, celebrated her 90th birthday with her Memorial Residential Hall suitemates. Pictured from left to right: Jean Robertson Odom, BA ’55, Glorianna Simmons Parchman, BA ’54, Martha Edwards Floyd, BA ’54, Kathy Goode Langford, BA ’53, and Carolyn Grigsby Feather.
Robert D. Whitten, BA ’55, and Barbara H. Whitten, BA ’56, of Springfield, VA, established the Whitten Endowed Chair of Christian Social Ethics.
R. Bryan Boatwright, BA ’59, MD ’63, and his children established the Boatwright Family Endowed Scholarship for the Honors College.
1960s
Bo Cobb, BBA ’61, of Keo, AR, established the Samuel C. Cobb Endowed Scholarship.
Robert (Bob) Carothers, BBA ’62, was inducted into the 2024 class of the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame and received the Bill Hart Memorial Legends Award on April 29, 2024, in Abilene, TX.
Karl Mattlage, BBA ’63, JD ’65, was appointed by Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker to her Urban Light Rail Transportation Planning Committee. He previously served as transportation commissioner with CDOT for two terms under two different Colorado governors.
The Ella Wall Prichard Lariat Editor-in-Chief Endowed Scholarship in Journalism was established by the Prichard Family Foundation, of Dallas, in honor of Ella Prichard, BA ’63.
Patricia “Pat” Bennett Thompson, BMEd ’63, and Bradley “Brad” Thompson, BBA ’64, of Waco, established the Patricia and Bradley Thompson Endowed Scholarship for Church Music Studies and the Patricia and Bradley Thompson Endowed Scholarship for Truett Seminary.
Nelson C. F. Yim, MS ’63, of Austin, established the Nelson and Maria (Chang) Yim Endowed Scholarship.
Cherry Fagg Williams, BA ’67, of Arlington, TX, established the Cherry Fagg Williams and Roger V. Williams Endowed Scholarship in honor of her uncle, Robert Cherry, and her parents, Warrene Cherry Fagg and Harris W. Fagg.
Marilyn Souchek, BA ’68, and Allen Souchek of Encinitas, CA, established the Marilyn McLerran Souchek Endowed Scholarship for the College of Arts & Sciences.
Mike Fielder, BA ’69, JD ’72, and Paula Fielder, ABC ’16, of Dayton, TX, established the Edna Mae Fielder Endowed Scholarship Fund.
1970s
John Hassell, BBA ’70, officially retired from Indiana University on May 31, 2024. Following the footsteps of great Baylor accounting teachers, Emerson Henke, James Parsons and Roderick Holmes, Hassell chose a teaching career and obtained his PhD in accounting from Indiana University. He taught his first accounting class at Baylor University in January 1976. Later he taught at the University of Utah, Florida State University, the University of Texas at Arlington and for the last 28 years at Indiana University-Indianapolis, Kelley School of Business. Contact him at jhassell@iu.edu.
Joanne Briscoe Jones, BS ’70, and Ben Jones, of Dallas, established the Impact, Influence, and Innovation Endowed Scholarship for Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences.
Bonnie Plume Morris, BSN ’71, of Carrollton, TX, established the Bonnie Plume Morris and David Lynn Morris Endowed Scholarship in Nursing, a Hord Challenge Scholarship.
Clint Lewis, BA ’72, JD ’75, of Beaumont, TX, established the Clint Lewis Endowed Scholarship in Law.
Steven Haworth, BA ’73, JD ’73, of Frisco, TX, established the Steven and Patricia Haworth Endowed Scholarship in Law.
Jeffrey Hale Collins, BA ’74, is a professor at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. He also has taught at St. John’s University in Rome, Italy, each summer for the past 12 years. Collins authored eight books, including The Phoenix Songs, Turning Stones, Archives From the Earth and Homo Cosmos.
Marsha Mayfield Lockett, BSEd ’75, was named to the Central Texas Salvation Army Board of Directors. She also serves on the Trust Board of Dell Children’s Hospital of Austin and the Foundation Board of Helping Hand Home. Lockett and her husband, David Lockett, ABC ’06, established an endowed scholarship that provides continued education for Baylor students who have lost their financial support as the result of the passing of a parent.
David Ring, BA ’76, and Karen Ring, BS ’77, of Coppell, TX, established the David and Karen Ring Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Allison Alexander Stewart, BBA ’76, of Houston; Jud G. Alexander, BBA ’77, of Seguin, TX; and Jay T. Alexander, BBA ’80, MBA ’81, of Brenham, TX, established the Bobbie Jo and Jud G. Alexander Endowed Scholarship Fund in Education in honor and memory of their loving parents Bobbie Jo (Sorrells) Alexander, BA ’52, and Jud G. Alexander, who attended Baylor University until enlisting in the U. S. Marine Corps to serve in Korea.
Vernon Miller, BA ’77, MA ’79, authored his third book, Handbook of Organizational Communication Theory and Research (edited with M. Scott Poole). He continues as a professor in the departments of communication and management at Michigan State University.
Lanna Palmer, BSE ’78, MSEd ’81, and Les Palmer, BA ’78, JD ’81, of Waco, established the Anita Baker Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
Cyndy Banik Dunlap, BSN ’79, and Joe Dunlap of Mount Calm, TX, established the Dr. Cyndy Banik Dunlap and Joe Dunlap Endowed Scholarship in Nursing, a Hord Challenge Scholarship.
1980s
Jennifer Henderson, BBA ’80, of Bryan, TX, established the Jeanette Cain Henderson Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of her mother, Jeanette Cain Henderson.
Connie Cole Jeske, BSN ’80, and Leroy Jeske, of Broken Arrow, OK, established the Rev. Dr. Connie Cole Jeske and Dr. Leroy Jeske Endowed Scholarship in Nursing.
Donna G. Miller, BSEd ’80, of Waco, established the Donna G. Miller, D.D.S., M.A.G.D. Endowed Scholarship in Predentistry.
Roland Garcia, BBA ’81, was selected by the Houston Business Journal as a 2024 Diversity in Business Award honoree. The award honors individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to promoting practices that advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as in business leadership. Garcia also was named a Texas Super Lawyer for 2024.
Virgil Yanta, JD ’82, and Renee Yanta, of San Antonio, established the Holly Katherine Yanta Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund for Double Bears.
Linda Kirby, BA ’83, and Robert Kirby, of Buckeye, AZ, established the Williamson and Kirby Family Endowed Scholarship.
Melissa Rowland McCarroll, BSEd ’83, and David McCarroll, of Midland, TX; Brenda Rowland Sims, BSEd ’79, and William Sims, of McKinney, TX; Brandon McCarroll, BA ’08, MDiv ’13, and Hope McCarroll, of Denton, TX; Patrick Sims, BA ’10, and Meredith Sims, BSFCS ’10, of Fort Worth; and Matthew McCarroll, BSFCS ’13, of Weatherford, TX, established the David and Norma Rowland Endowed Scholarship in the George W. Truett Theological Seminary in honor of their parents and grandparents, David Rowland, BA ’56, and Norma Rowland, ABC ’95.
Kathryn Maietta, BA ’85, of Bangor, ME, authored her fifth self-help book in June 2023, The Win-Lose Book: 20 Tips to Winning and Losing Gracefully in Sports, Politics and Life. Included in the book are tips for teaching children how to win and lose gracefully and tips for co-existing at home, work or school with others who refuse to win or lose gracefully.
Kenneth R. (Kent) Chambers, BA ’87, JD ’88, began serving as Justice on the 9th Court of Appeals on July 1, 2024. The court sits in Beaumont, TX, and serves as the appellate court for 10 Southeast Texas counties. After winning the Republican Primary on March 5, 2024, Chambers was appointed to the bench by Governor Greg Abbott when the sitting Justice, Hollis Horton, announced his retirement effective June 30, 2024. Justice Chambers served the remainder of Justice Horton’s term which expired on Dec. 31, 2024, and because Chambers was unopposed in the general election in November 2024, he is serving a six-year term that began Jan. 1, 2025.
Julie Covington, BSHE ’87, MSED ’94, MTS ’23, of Waco, established the Dr. Red and Sandra Covington Endowed Scholarship in the George W. Truett Theological Seminary in honor of her parents, Sandra Covington, BA ’58, and Ray “Red” Covington, BA ’59, MD ’63.
Trey Jordan, BBA ’87, a proud Baylor graduate and entrepreneur, is bringing a beloved family recipe back to Texas with the launch of Papas Pimento Cheese. Jordan’s father, a restaurant pioneer who began his career in Waco in the 1970s, opened a Wendy’s across from Baylor. With a legacy tied to Waco and Baylor, Jordan is proud to return to Texas with the next generation of his family's culinary tradition. The launch of Papas Pimento Cheese marks over 50 years of passion for the restaurant business, passing from father to son and now onto Texas grocery shelves. Baylor connections have been crucial as the business expanded across the Southeast and Southwest United States.
1990s
Clayton Bailey, BA ’90, of the litigation boutique Bailey Brauer PLLC, has earned selection to the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers Legal guide.
Amos Louis Mazzant III, JD ’90, and Michelle Mazzant, of Sherman, TX, established the Honorable Amos and Michelle Mazzant III Endowed Scholarship in Law.
Blake Deatherage, BBA ’91, completed his Doctor of Business Administration. After more than 30 years in corporate healthcare accounting, Deatherage has now transitioned to full-time academia with UT-Arlington College of Business as the assistant director of the Master of Healthcare Administration program.
Christopher Keefer, BSEd ’91, has retired from teaching in public schools after 32 years. He will continue to serve as the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Poolville, TX, where he has served since March 2004.
Trent Carlyle, BA ’92, MD ’96, and Elizabeth Carlyle, BBA ’92, JD ’95, of Houston, established the Ingram Carlyle Endowed Fund.
Pete Havel, BA ’92, was named to the position of ombudsman of the Texas House of Representatives, a role focusing on enhancing workplace culture, workplace conduct training and professional outcomes within the House legislative community.
James Rider, BA ’93, joined Trinity Anglican Seminary as director of philanthropic and legacy gifts. Trinity is the only evangelical Anglican seminary in the United States. Rider previously served six years at Denver Seminary in fundraising and planned giving.
David Roberts, BBA ’93, and Kim Roberts, BSE ’94, of Scottsdale, AZ, established the David and Kim Roberts Endowed Scholarship Fund for the School of Education.
John Stephenson, MBA ’94, and Karen Stephenson, of Redmond, WA, established the Stephenson Family Endowed Scholarship for the Honors College. The Stephensons’ daughter, Rebecca, is part of the Baylor Class of 2027.
Dr. Gregg Vagner, BA ’93, and Staci Vagner, BBA ’93, of Austin, established the Dr. Gregg and Staci Vagner Endowed Scholarship.
Taekuk Cho, BA ’94, is the deputy special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, TX. HSI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. In this capacity, he oversees 400 special agents; criminal analysts; and federal, state and local law enforcement task force officers.
Jim Currie, BBA ’94, and Karen Currie, of Southlake, TX, established the Currie Family Endowed Scholarship in Business.
Christopher B. Trowbridge, BBA ’95, JD ’98, managing partner at Bell Nunnally, was recognized in the 2024 Chambers USA guide.
Court Carney, BA ’96, authored his second book, Reckoning with the Devil: Nathan Bedford Forrest in Myth and Memory (LSU Press, 2024). This book is available in stores and online. Carney is a professor of history at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Brett Brantley, BBA ’97, of Dallas, established the Brett Brantley Family Endowed Excellence Fund in the Hankamer School of Business.
Greg Shepard, BBA ’98, launched Oakville Maids in Oakville, Ontario, marking his fifth professional home cleaning company. For more information, visit oakvillemaids.ca.
2000s
Jennifer C. (Davis) Frantz, BMEd ’00, began her second term on the Board of Directors for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Boston in July 2024. In June 2024, Frantz received The Everett Page Award for Volunteer of the Year for DBSA Boston. She and her husband, Michael, reside in Watertown, MA, and are active in ministry at their local church.
Boyd Bailey, BA ’02, celebrated four years since founding his company, Reputable, a principal-led public relations agency specializing in earned media opportunities. Boyd lives in Santa Barbara, CA, and his team works with clients across the United States in various industries, including aviation, aerospace, transportation, travel and technology. Boyd’s expertise lies in helping his clients provide informed commentary on relevant news, keeping them at the forefront of industry conversations with top-tier earned media placements. He can be reached at boyd@reputablepr.com and you can check out his new website at www.reputablepr.com.
Michael T. Hillman, BBA ’02, MBA ’03, of Woodway, TX, established the Hillman Family Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Caroline Sawyer, BBA ’02, was the 2024 recipient of the Governor’s Awards in the Humanities and the Akers Prize. The Akers Prize, formerly the Fresh Voices in the Humanities Award, is presented by South Carolina Humanities and recognizes innovative individuals who use culture and history to bring people together, but whose efforts may have gone relatively unnoticed beyond their own community. Sawyer is an award-winning producer and associate professor of communication studies at the University of Southern Carolina -Beaufort.
Becky Dean, BA ’03, released her third young adult romance book, Hearts Overboard (Delacorte Press, 2024). Learn more about her young adult novels and her science fiction books (written under B.L. Dean) at beckydeanwrites.com.
Cindy Potts, BA ’04, of Waco, established the J. Franklin Potts Memorial Endowed Scholarship in loving memory of her husband, Franklin Potts, BBA ’67, MS ’68.
Mildred “Mimi” Perreault, BA ’05, published the co-edited volume Crisis Communication Case Studies on COVID-19: Multidimensional Perspectives and Application, part of AEJMC’s - Peter Lang Scholarsourcing Series. This edited volume employs a case study approach to examine communication surrounding the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Daniel Williamson, BBA ’98, PhD ’05, and Jennifer Williamson, MSEd ’98, PhD ’05, presented the keynote address for the Turkish 25th International Psychological Counseling and Guidance Congress hosted by Gazi University on May 18, 2024.
Shruthi Arismendez, BS ’06, was appointed to the Texas Early Learning Council. The Council utilizes its breadth of stakeholder representation to increase coordination and collaboration across state agencies and local program and service providers to improve the quality of and access to early childhood services across Texas. Arismendez is the director of the Maternal and Child Health Unit at the Department of State Health Services. She is a member of the Association of Maternal and Child and Health Programs and the American Public Health Association and a volunteer for the Food Bank of Central Texas.
Brandon Gruber, BS ’06, authored his debut novel, That Summer, in July 2024 and started a publishing company, Rope Swing Bound, specializing in fiction. Inspired by the hit song from Garth Brooks, the story pays tribute to some of Gruber’s favorite songs from his formative years.
Tony Samp, BA ’06, was recognized in Washington, D.C., among the 500 Most Influential People of 2024 for his work on artificial intelligence policy.
David Aycock, BBA ’07, EMBA ’18, was named executive director of Penn State University Press effective Aug. 1, 2024. Aycock and his fiancée, Ashley Rios, moved to State College, PA, last fall.
Brian M. VanHall, MBA ’07, MHA ’07, transitioned from serving as executive vice president of Ambassador Enterprises, a legacy-minded private equity investment firm, to serve as CEO of Continental Diamond Tool Corporation, a premier provider of super abrasive solutions for advanced applications across the world. He also serves as the board chair for RIVAL Holdings, an integrated solutions platform investing in innovations to transform the built environment.
Zackary D. Callarman, BA ’09, joined the law firm Blank Rome LLP as a member of the energy industry team.
Romisa E. Rangel, BA ’09, MS ’10, celebrated three years of owning and working at her private practice, Oso Therapy Associates, as a speech-language pathologist. Rangel chose the name Oso Therapy Associates to celebrate both her alma mater and her Hispanic heritage.
2010s
Mitch Mitchell, JD ’10, product counsel at Trust & Will, was selected as a member of the Legal Services Corporation’s (LSC) prestigious Emerging Leaders Council. The Council is dedicated to raising awareness about the critical need for legal aid in America and striving to ensure equal access to justice for all.
Egle Uljas, BM ’10, MM’ 18, Olympic runner and pianist, took up residence at the Paris Regional Conservatory (CRR) ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games as part of the Olympian Artists program. She led workshops on the topics of physical and mental preparation for high-level performance in sports and music, drawing on Olympic values. She encouraged dialogue around common pressures of competition and issues of mental health as experienced by people in both elite sports and musical performance fields.
Mark Dimski, BA ’11, was named to the board of Sisu Youth Services, a low-barrier, identity-affirming space in Oklahoma City where 15- to 24-year-old youth experiencing homelessness can receive emergency shelter, resources and access to transitional housing services.
A Trope Tokan-Lawal, JD ’11, is practicing law in Lagos, Nigeria, ensuring that children and juveniles receive adequate legal representation and do not stay in detention for longer than is just. Her foundations are TOKAN Foundation and Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC). Through CRJJC they provide pro bono legal services to children and juveniles and have secured the release of eight children between 2022 and 2024.
David Reed, MFA ’12, was awarded the title of fight director from the Society of American Fight Directors (SFAD), becoming the 71st individual worldwide with the same title, 65 of whom are currently practicing. Reed is a certified teacher with the SAFD, as well as an associate member of Stage Directors and Choreographers and a certified intimacy director with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. He currently serves as an assistant professor of theatre at the University of Arkansas.
Stacia Barrett, MSW ’13, joined the staff of Communities in Schools of the Dallas Region as the director of clinical programming. She also is a certified dancing mindfulness facilitator offering classes to the community and online.
Anna Reiman, BBA ’13, authored, illustrated and self-published a series of children’s books called Cowboy’s Big City Adventures. Cowboy is her mini goldendoodle and, through the books, he teaches kids about how much God loves them. Each story has a Bible story and engages children as Cowboy and his friends learn more about the scriptures. Visit www.CowboysBooks.com for more details.
René Moquin, PhD ’15, received tenure at Northeastern State University and is now an associate professor of information systems.
Madison Young Moore, BBA ’16, was named to the Institute for Energy Law’s seventh Leadership Class. This prestigious program is primarily for energy professionals who have been practicing in the energy field for between three and 12 years. Since joining Beck Redden, Moore has represented plaintiffs and defendants in commercial litigation, oil and gas disputes, securities class action litigation, fiduciary matters, property disputes and more. As a trial lawyer with a background in economics, Moore strives to be a trusted advisor and advocate for energy clients, seeking opportunities to enhance her skills and deepen her knowledge in the energy industry.
Pricilla James, MBA ’18, was named an honoree for Waco Under 40 by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce.
2020s
Brian W. Jones, LLM ’20, was appointed president of Merrick Bank, a $6 billion asset bank headquartered in Salt Lake City, after serving as general counsel for 19 years.
Sophie Goodwin, BA ’21, and Sam Massey, BA ’22, were married July 20, 2023, at Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church in Foxfield, CO.
NaTasha Crain, PhD ’22, received a promotion to assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction with Marshall ISD. She was awarded the 2024 Principal of the Year at the 39th Conference of Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) in March 2024 in Houston.
Jaydon Kellum, BS ’23, married Rachel Gurley Kellum, BS ’24, on July 13, 2024. The couple met at Baylor.
Friends & Family
Wayne and Stacie Borduin, of Alamo, CA, established The Faith in Action Endowed Scholarship for Homeschooled Students. The Borduins have five children, two of whom have attended or are currently attending Baylor.
Fred O. and Anita J. Cornett, of Annandale, VA, established The Cornett Family Endowed Scholarship in Education. The Cornetts’ daughter, Annalise, is a member of the Baylor Class of 2025.
The Bret and Yecenia Curtis Family Endowed Fund for Track and Field was established by Bret and Yecenia Curtis, of Austin. Their son, Beltre, is a member of the Baylor Class of 2028.