Painting the Town Maroon - McMurry University

SPRING 2010
Painting
the Town
Maroon
Towns, churches, and schools
are showing their true colors
T H E M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y
m ag a z i n e f o r a lu m n i & f r i e n d s

From the
President
Dear McMurry Alumni and Friends:
Connections – they surround us and sometimes serve
to define us. We seek connections for the familiarity
they provide in an unfamiliar world. Connections help
us extend our knowledge from what is known into the
realm of the unknown. We are aided in finding our
way through uncertainty as our
connections brace us for new and
bold adventures.
McMurry University – from its
1923 beginning – has supported the
development and the reinforcement
of connections. The choice of the
college to attend, the academic
area to study, or perhaps the social
club or other student activities in
which to become involved are all
based on connections. Connections
that allow, and even encourage,
us to move from the known to the
unknown.
And, as has been the case since
its inception, McMurry has served
as a catalyst for the relationships
that have extended far beyond
the four years of our students’ stay on our campus. We
voice the importance of that connection in the line
from our McMurry Core Values that states that we are a
community of scholars who values personal relationships
as the catalyst for life. That same Core Value comes alive
when the actions of those connected to McMurry prove
the importance they place on continuing and sharing
those relationships.
This Chieftain captures some of the interesting
connections that have helped to shape—and have
been shaped by—the McMurry Experience. Here
we read about young men and women who have
come to McMurry, encouraged by those who
themselves have strong ties to the
University. Churches, schools and
communities—all connected with
and shaped by McMurry—are
continuing to serve as “connecting
catalysts” for generations of students
choosing to study, compete, live and
grow in the McMurry family.
I know you will enjoy this
issue of the Chieftain. After reading
it, I challenge you to recall your
connection with McMurry, as well as
the students, faculty, staff and coaches
who shared that experience with
you. Go ahead—smile if the mood
strikes you. But the challenge does
not end there. Share your connection
with those who would be a part of
our McMurry family, and in doing
so, become that most important catalyst and connection
builder.
Kind Regards,
John H. Russell, President

T H E A lu m n i M ag a z i n e o f
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y
S P R I N G 2 0 1 0
Publisher
McMurry University Relations Office
Box 938 McM Station
Abilene, Texas 79697
Editor-in-Chief
Nancy Smith ’79
Editors
Gary Ellison
Lori Thornton
Alumni Editor
Greeley Myers ’93
Art Director
Sheila Kitts ’01
Photographers
Gary Ellison
Sheila Kitts
Brian Shmidt
Tiffany Turk
Contributing Writers
Gary Ellison
10
Greeley Myers
Kyle Robarts
John Russell
Nancy Smith
©2010
McMurry PRESIDENT
and OFFICERS
Dr. John H. Russell
PRESIDENT
Dr. Paul Fabrizio
INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Lisa Williams
VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Steve Crisman
VICE PRESIdenT FOR INSTITUTIONAL
ADVANCEMENT
Brad Poorman
VICE PRESIDENT FOR INFORMATION &
Support SERVICES
Features
4 Painting the Town Maroon
Artesia, New Mexico
10 A Church and a University
Polk Street United Methodist
Church
14 Something in the Water
Merkel High School
17
Athletics
436
27
21 Athletics Update
Friends & Family
26 From the Alumni Director
31 Homecoming Photos
32 Class Notes
34 Friends We’ll Miss

Showing Their True Colors
Basic instruction in art states that there
are three primary colors—red, blue and
yellow—and combinations of those colors
form all other colors on the color wheel.
The color maroon, dear to the hearts of all
McMurry alumni, is created by the blending
of many other colors, mixed together in
perfect combination. Connections and
relationships—the stuff that colors our
world, and in a deeper sense, makes us who
we are.
At McMurry University, our collective
identity is based on a composite of our
various parts—faculty, staff, alumni,
students, donors and friends—not separate,
but joined together. The connections of our
parts are integral to defining who we are.
A very simple notion, but in
reality, a much more complex
phenomenon. In the world of
McMurry, as in the real world,
individuals are connected in
a complex web that crosses
distance, generations and life
experiences. Our individuals
are connected through one or
more commonalities—they live
in the same town; they attended
the same church or high school; they know
the same people; and they love McMurry.
This issue of the Chieftain will explore these
connections—cities, churches and schools
showing their true colors.
Why are their stories of interest? Our
premise is that they are interesting because
many of the connections were unplanned,
Connections and
relationships—
the stuff that
colors our world
and in a deeper
sense, makes us
who we are.
unlikely, and even illogical. In our feature
articles we will share stories about
connections that are unique—between a
teenage girl and an elderly couple, between
the city of Abilene and a small town in New
Mexico, and between alumni and others
“adopted” into the McMurry family.
We think the stories of these people
and how their connections came to be are
enjoyable enough to entice one to peruse
the pages of this issue of the Chieftain. More
fascinating than the connections revealed,
however, is the effect of these relationships
on the people involved and on the University
itself. The lasting impact of relationships is
the fodder of many books and movies. In
the old favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life, George
Bailey experiences the realization
of what life in his hometown
would have been without his
influence. As explained by his
guardian angel, Clarence: “Each
man’s life touches so many other
lives, and when he isn’t around,
he leaves an awful hole…” The
quality of McMurry’s connections,
as measured by influence and
lasting impact, is profound, but
for the most part largely unrecognized.
The people in our feature stories are our
individual parts, linked together with a love
for this University, and through their actions
they are shaping the identity of the collective
whole for future generations.
Is this an over-exaggeration? An article
entitled Why We Are All Connected to
2 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

The people in our feature stories are our individual parts, linked together with a love for
this University, and through their actions, they are shaping the identity of the collective
whole for future generations.
Each Other, written by Arin Vahanian, a writer and
consultant, emphasizes the impact of our connections
this way: “Others’ decisions and actions put them on the
path to meeting you, interacting with you, and likewise,
your decisions and actions will lead you to meet and
interact with different people. It is for this reason that
we are all connected—our decisions and actions change
the course of human lives and human history.” If human
history can be shaped by the quality of connections, so
then can McMurry University.
Maroon and McMurry—a color and a university—
both uniquely created by the perfect blending of its
parts. The color of our maroon deepens and is made
richer through our connections—past, present and
future—in towns, churches and schools where our
alumni have been deposited. This issue of the Chieftain
salutes those who have defined McMurry University, and
we thank them for showing their true colors. •
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 3

Painting the Town Maroon
b y G r e e l e y M y e r s , D I R E C TO R O F A LU M N I R E L AT I O N S
A brisk winter wind blew on an early evening as I
gathered with McMurry alumni and friends for dinner at
a favorite local restaurant. Nearly twenty people attended
the dinner, which is surprising considering the location
of the gathering. It was not Dallas, Lubbock or Houston;
but rather Artesia, New Mexico, a small community
of approximately 15,000 people. While there are many
cities, towns, churches and schools that have had a
unique connection to McMurry over the years, there has
always been something special about this small town in
southeastern New Mexico.
This connection has manifested itself in several ways
throughout the years. Two alumni from First United
Methodist Church have received the Cross and Flame
Award; several alumni have served on the McMurry
Alumni Board of Directors (including Dr. Kay Younggren
’02 who currently serves on the board); and beloved
alumnus Cyril Stone ’46, a Distinguished Alumni Award
recipient, is from Artesia. A very enthusiastic group of
alumni from Artesia attends McMurry Homecoming
4 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

every year, and more importantly, seven current McMurry
students are from Artesia. Considering the geographic
distance between the two towns, Abilene and Artesia, it
raises the question: What is it about Artesia that keeps it
so closely connected to McMurry?
When I was driving into Artesia, a large oil
and gas refinery came into view—the symbol of the
town’s economic foundation. Continuing through the
quaint downtown area, another symbol of this proud
community appeared—the Bulldog Bowl, home of the
Artesia Bulldogs. Artesia (much like towns throughout
West Texas) takes great pride in its football team and
has been a powerhouse in high school football in New
Mexico for decades. That proud tradition is reflected in a
state-of-the-art facility that rivals many stadiums found
throughout Texas. Leaving the stadium and heading back
through the downtown area, many statues that reflect the
history of Artesia grace the landscape. These visible signs
demonstrate that Artesia has a deep sense of history and
pride, something that Cherie Widmayer ’73 echoed during
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 5

While there are many cities, towns, churches and schools that have had a unique connection to McMurry
over the years, there has always been something special about this small town in southeastern New Mexico.
dinner at the alumni gathering: “Artesia and McMurry
are similar in the fact that they are both close-knit
communities that take pride in being the best they
can be.”
As people visited that evening over chips, salsa and
authentic Mexican food, there quickly surfaced a few
common factors that link this small community in New
Mexico to McMurry. One of these important factors is
family, as evidenced by the attendance of Alice Lorang
’53 and her two daughters, Shelley Lorang Ebarb ’78 and
Christi Lorang Bever ’79. Alice shared the following:
“My brother attended McMurry and my three daughters
attended, with two of them (Shelley and Christi)
graduating.” Christi acknowledged the influence of her
parents in her decision to attend McMurry. “My parents
are alumni and had so many good things to say about it.
As a child, I visited at homecoming and fell in love with
it.”
Not only did Alice influence her daughters, she
influenced her future students as well. After graduating
from McMurry, Alice moved to Artesia and taught at
the high school where Cheri Widmayer ’73 attended.
After her graduation from McMurry, Cherie followed
Alice’s example and also returned to Artesia to teach. In
fact, a number of alumni from Artesia returned home
after graduation, and many of those “returners” are
employed as educators. The Artesia school system has
provided a great venue for McMurry alumni to influence
and encourage future generations of Artesia students to
attend McMurry. Randy and Lynn Worley, whose son

Nathan currently attends McMurry, pointed
to the important role of McMurry alumni
in the Artesia community by stating that
“the special connection is due to the alumni
who live here. They are truly advocates and
continue to recruit from each group of fine
students who graduate from Artesia High.
The alumni are very active and are respected
citizens in our community.” The Worleys also
noted how alumni encouraged their young
protégés: “Shelly Ebarb would always say to
Nathan, ‘you would fit perfectly at McMurry,
and I can see you as a leader on campus.’”
Other alumni like Ronnie Null ’66 and Cherie
Widmayer were singled out by the Worleys for
their influence: “Ronnie was always positive
about McMurry and Cherie was one of the
first phone calls Nathan made when he heard
the good news that he received his awesome
scholarship.”
At the same dinner, others emphasized the
influence of the McMurry family in Artesia by
sharing their stories. David Codding, father
of Jennifer Codding ’04 and Diane, a senior at
McMurry, shared that “the important part of
the Artesia-McMurry connection is the people.
Artesia Public Schools have a number of teachers
who are alumni and who have taken an interest
in the children growing up here, and they have
set a good example for our children.” Charlie ’78
and Shelley Ebarb ’78 share the same sentiment.
“There are several teachers in our school system
who went to McMurry and had good experiences.
They want to share that with students in hopes
that they will have the same good experiences
and find their place on campus.” As if to add an
exclamation point, Dr. Kay Younggren ’02, who
is now a dentist in Artesia, and Ronnie Null ’66
voiced their agreement that McMurry alumni in
Artesia were the key factors in students finding
their way to Abilene.
While McMurry alumni and friends visited
over dinner, they shared with me the important
role that McMurry had played in their lives. While
attending McMurry, Ronald and Paula Davis ’72
were a young married couple with two young
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 7

children. They expressed
appreciation for the support
of McMurry faculty and
staff who “helped us and
were so supportive of a
young couple with two
sons (18 months and
5 months at the time).”
Larry Ray ’73 also stressed
the importance of the supportive
McMurry community in his
comments: “If it hadn’t been for the other
students, I don’t believe I would have ever graduated.
They had a hand in my success.” Patty Heidenreich,
mother of Jacob ’05, gives credit to the McMurry faculty,
by sharing the following: “Jacob became a leader while
at McMurry, and he met some terrific people. Coach Bill
Libby was such a great asset when Jacob began his college
life.”
As the evening progressed I asked about the people
who had influenced them during their time at McMurry,
and so many people were mentioned that it is impossible
to list them all. Faculty members like Drs. Robert Sledge,
Gary Wilson, David Klassen, Clark Beasley and coaches
like Hershel Kimbrell, Grant Teaff and Pete Shotwell were
a sampling of names mentioned.
The quality of education at McMurry received equal
accolades. Brent Hammett ’68 stated, “McMurry exposed
me to a new and expanded intellectual world.” David
Codding expressed his agreement by saying, “I have been
impressed with the scope of educational exposure at
McMurry. My girls have been well prepared for graduate
school and for life.” Beyond a supportive community
and strong education, Charlie
and Shelly Ebarb received
something equally as
important from their
McMurry experience: “We
found each other!” Upon
graduation Charlie and
Shelley married and have lived
happily in Artesia since their college
days.
After an incredible evening listening to
stories of these committed alumni and friends
from Artesia, another piece of the puzzle fell into place,
and that is the invaluable support of generous donors
to McMurry and the role of the local United Methodist
Church. As mentioned earlier in the article, First
United Methodist Church in Artesia is one of only a few
churches whose members have received the Cross and
Flame Award two times (Cherie Widmayer and Shelley
Lorang Ebarb). This prestigious award is presented to
individuals in recognition of their distinguished service
to McMurry and the United Methodist Church. The
fact that two members of this local congregation have
received the Cross and Flame speaks to the role that First
UMC plays in this connection between McMurry and
Artesia, a connection that was voiced often throughout
the evening with my Artesia friends. In addition, many
former and current students have been the beneficiaries
of generous financial support provided through that
church. Students from First UMC are eligible to apply for
two different scholarships—the Yates Family Scholarship
and the Tom and Mary Sivley Scholarship. In addition,
the Chase Foundation provides scholarship assistance to
8 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

“Artesia is like McMurry in that people care about each other and support each
other. The spirit of community is prevalent in both.” - Christi Bever
students from Artesia with at least a 2.5 GPA to attend
any college of their choice. However, McMurry is one
of a few colleges or universities that matches these
funds. The combination of these generous donors and
foundations has provided many Artesia students the
opportunity to attend McMurry.
As the evening came to a close, I left with a sense
of appreciation for the McMurry pride that is alive and
well in this small, close-knit community. A quote by
Christi Bever really sums up the connection between
McMurry and Artesia: “Artesia is like McMurry in that
people care about each other and support one another.
The spirit of community is prevalent in both.” While
the official colors of Artesia are orange and black, there
is no doubt that Artesia has been painted a prevalent
shade of Maroon. •
**A special thanks goes to all Artesia residents who helped contribute to this article. My hope is that this article has
done justice to the special relationship between McMurry and Artesia.
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 9

A Church and a University—Influencing
Each Other and Connecting People
10 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

One might say that in certain lighting, the soft tan bricks of Polk Street United Methodist Church
take on a certain maroon hue. From generation to generation, the connection between McMurry
University and Polk Street UMC continues to strengthen. Here are the stories of some of the people
whose lives have become intertwined through this connection and who have themselves become
catalysts in growing and cultivating future connections.
Clifford ’51 and Irene Trotter
Clifford and Irene Trotter
planted one of the first seeds
for the Polk Street–McMurry
connection. After high school,
Clifford joined the Army Air
Corps, where he served as a radio operator on
a B-17 in Europe during World War II. After he
returned, he farmed for his father and attended
Wayland Baptist for two years. He also served as
pastor for Cone/Carr’s Chapel during that time.
Knowing Clifford’s dream of becoming
a fulltime minister, W.C. Hines, the District
Superintendent of the Plainview district, asked him
if he would be interested in going to Hawley and
Hodges (north of Abilene). “He said it would allow
me to go to McMurry,” Clifford shared. “Irene and
I were happy to be able to go. But as happy as we
were to go to McMurry, we were sad to leave our
parishioners at Cone/Carr’s Chapel.”
Clifford and Irene came to Abilene in 1949,
and he graduated from McMurry in 1951. Clifford
began his two year probation for the Methodist
clergy, and the couple moved to Trent from their
appointment at Hawley/Hodges. “Trent had asked
for a full-time pastor. The parishioners felt they
were not as connected as they wanted to be with
student pastors leading their church,” said Clifford.
Clifford was appointed to the church. However, a
promised salary increase did not materialize, so
the District Superintendant moved the Trotters to
Fair Park Church in Abilene. The challenge from
the leadership was to “either close it gracefully
or make it grow.” Through a lot of hard work and
determination and despite a number of difficulties,
the Trotters did indeed make it grow. “After three
months, every Sunday somebody joined the
church,” said Irene, and when they left, there were
more than 500 members.
Their time at Fair Park allowed the Trotters to
keep in close contact with McMurry and allowed
Clifford to take master’s classes at McMurry in
Religious Education. His success in growing Fair
Park led to their next appointment at First United
Methodist Church in Dumas, Texas, which lasted
for eight years. Clifford served for five years in
Hereford, Texas, and then was asked to serve on
the Bishop’s Cabinet as District Superintendent for
the Amarillo district. After two and a half years,
the Trotters moved to Lubbock for 18 months
as District Superintendent before Clifford took
over as Senior Pastor at Polk Street in Amarillo,
the Northwest Conference’s largest congregation.
The Trotters served there for ten happy years.
Clifford was then appointed Amarillo District
Superintendent for four years before retirement.
After leaving the active ministry in 1989,
Clifford was asked by Dr. Tom Kim in 1990 to work
for McMurry in the church relations office, and he
eagerly accepted. When he would go to churches,
Clifford would ask for meetings with students and
their parents and bring information on financial
aid resources. In addition, he worked with the
advancement office. He stayed at that job for two
and a half years working from Amarillo before
“retiring” in 1993. He then worked for the Texas
Methodist Foundation for seven years and was
instrumental in getting gift annuities for McMurry.
After “retiring” once more, Clifford again stepped
up for McMurry in 2005 when Dr. John Russell
asked him to work again on a part-time basis. He
decided to retire for good in 2007.
Clifford served as president of the McMurry
Alumni Board in 1966 and as a member of the
McMurry Board of Trustees for many years. He was
honored by McMurry with an honorary Doctor of
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 11

Divinity degree while serving at Hereford. Through his
many years in the ministry, the Trotters established lasting
relationships and connections with many, including Lane
and Tamra Boyd, who they met while serving in Dumas,
Texas. Among their many friends at Polk Street UMC
were Goldie and Omar Hermsmeyer and young Erin
Stevens and her family.
Lane and Tamra Boyd
Lane and Tamra Boyd both grew up in
Dumas, Texas, and they met Clifford
and Irene Trotter while attending
First United Methodist Church
there. “I think the first time I heard
about McMurry was from Clifford,” said Lane. “I was
in the fellowship hall at Dumas UMC and Clifford said
something about going to McMurry. I think I was in the
ninth grade. I didn’t plan on it [attending McMurry], but
he kept twisting my arm,” he said grinning. Tamra had a
similar story. “He [Clifford] took me to McMurry for a
campus visit.” She was sold on McMurry and enrolled as a
freshman.
Lane decided to begin his college career at Texas
Tech, and he stayed there for one and a half years before
transferring to McMurry.” On a visit to McMurry to
see Tamra, Lane remembers going into the dean’s office
on a Saturday morning and “noticing the welcoming
atmosphere and the attention we got. That tilted the scales
a little bit. When I finally decided to major in ministry
and to transfer, the professors and others were so helpful
and adjusted their day to advise me regarding a possible
schedule for my first semester at McMurry.”
“That first experience might have been even more
impressive for someone who was attending a large state,
public university,” Tamra added. And she said Lane might
have had one other reason for transferring to McMurry. “I
let him go with that explanation for a long time. He finally
admits that there might have been something else that
helped him decide to come to McMurry,” she said smiling.
While at McMurry, Tamra served as president of
Theta Chi and Lane was Theta Chi Guy. Lane also served
in McMurry Student Government, served as president
of Alpha Chi and participated in a Model UN trip to
St. Louis. Tamra was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi
National Education Honor Society.
After McMurry, Lane earned a master of divinity
degree from Duke Divinity School and then took his first
pastoral assignment as associate pastor at Polk Street. He
moved to Wolfforth outside of Lubbock for four years and
then back to Abilene at Elmwood West United Methodist
Church for four years. “That gave us an opportunity to
reconnect with McMurry,” said Tamra.
They served congregations at Spearman and
Sweetwater and then Lane was named Pampa District
Superintendent. Then, after serving at First United
Methodist Church in Midland, Lane and Tamra moved to
Polk Street in February 2005.
In sharing his McMurry experience, Lane said, “We
received a good well-rounded education and learned the
value of being open-minded and to keep our eyes open
to learning new things and gaining new perspectives.
The professors, as well as being very intelligent, were very
committed to their faith and to the church. That’s a strong
witness.”
“You felt like you were important. You were
respected,” Tamra added. “We both got our master’s after
we left, and we both felt we were prepared for the next
step in our academics. I never felt at other institutions
the relationships I felt at McMurry. I think we benefited
from McMurry’s size and its affiliation with the United
Methodist Church. We were treated with respect and
kindness.”
Lane has served on the McMurry Board of Trustees
off and on since 1990. In August he will officiate the
wedding of McMurry and Polk Street alumna, Erin
Stevens. Erin’s mother and step-father are members at
Polk Street.
Omar and Goldie Hermsmeyer
Originally from Nebraska, Goldie
and Omar Hermsmeyer married and
moved to Amarillo in 1945, where
Omar was a successful businessman.
He owned the Toyota dealership
in Amarillo, as well as a downtown office building and
the only downtown pharmacy. Members of Polk Street
UMC since 1945, they became involved with McMurry
University through the church and through their belief in
the importance of higher education. “We gave because we
were mission-minded, and we paid our donations directly
12 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

to McMurry,” said Goldie. Also, she recently donated a
large gift toward the renovation of Bynum Band Hall as
part of the Shaping the Future capital campaign.
Goldie is proud of her longtime relationship with Lane
and Tamra Boyd and Clifford and Irene Trotter. “Clifford
and Irene have been very good to me,” she said. “I helped
Irene when her mother was in the St. Anthony’s Hospital
and I was a volunteer there.” She also volunteered her
time working with youth at Polk Street and still promotes
McMurry by giving their youth director the McMurry
alumni magazine to display in the youth department.
Demonstrating a strong belief in the importance
of higher education, she has helped fifteen of her young
relatives attend college. “It’s not like it was when we were
growing up. Today, you need a college education.”
Omar, who served for many years on the McMurry
Board of Trustees, died in 1996. In 1999, Goldie endowed
a scholarship in his honor to help students from the Texas
Panhandle come to McMurry. Goldie fondly recalls that
Erin Stevens from Polk Street was the first recipient of the
scholarship.
Erin Stevens
Erin Stevens is one of the youngest
links in the Polk Street–McMurry
connection. “Growing up attending
Polk Street United Methodist Church,
I would hear a lot about McMurry
University, from current students who visited our Sunday
School class on a McMurry Sunday and from other
church members like Rev. Jim Garrett, who served on the
McMurry Board of Trustees,” she said. “Rev. Garrett would
often return after a board meeting and mention McMurry
in his sermon.”
Clifford Trotter and Goldie Hermsmeyer were also
instrumental in Erin’s selection of McMurry. While at
McMurry, Erin was extremely thankful to have been
awarded the Omar Hermsmeyer Endowed Scholarship,
which she credits in helping pay off her college expenses.
“Clifford and Irene Trotter have been a part of my
life for as long as I can remember, and when I learned that
Clifford went to school at McMurry, I knew I needed to
look into that school.” Another Polk Street connection was
with the Susanna Wesley Sunday School Class. “I received
their scholarship all four years that I was in school. I would
go and visit them any time I was home and update them
about my McMurry experience.”
While at McMurry, Erin was involved in Gamma
Sigma Women’s Social Club and was president her senior
year. She was a senator in McMurry Student Government
her sophomore and junior years and was president
of the Senior Class. “I helped re-charter the Student
Ambassador Board and served as president, as well as
sponsor when I was employed with McMurry. I was a Tribe
Guide, a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Lambda
Pi Eta,” Erin said. “All of my involvement at McMurry
played a huge part in the success of my career. Leading
organizations such as Gamma Sigma and SAB truly helped
prepare me for the working world.” After graduation,
Erin was hired as Associate Director of Alumni Relations,
where she influenced many alumni as positively as she was
influenced by her Polk Street mentors.
“I am forever indebted to McMurry, because without
the experiences I had in my six year,s there I would not
be the person I am today,” Erin said. “McMurry took me,
an average student who was just a number in high school,
and turned me into a mature adult, a leader, a stronger
Christian, a hard worker, a better daughter, sister, friend
and soon-to-be wife.”
Erin will be marrying Aaron Samson on August 7,
2010 at Polk Street where Lane Boyd will be officiating.
“I got to know Lane and Tamra while I was working at
McMurry and I couldn’t think of a better person to marry
us than fellow McMurry alum, Lane.”
Erin continues to build on her McMurry connections.
She currently serves on the Alumni Association Board
of Directors and is a constant advocate for McMurry.
She proudly shared that she was successful in getting her
cousin, Kelsey Head ’13, to attend McMurry.
Forever Connected
Clifford and Irene Trotter, Omar and Goldie Hermsmeyer,
Lane and Tamra Boyd, and Erin Stevens...lives
interconnected through a church and a university, both
of which positively influenced the other and their shared
relationships. As the Polk Street–McMurry connection
expands and grows stronger, geography and generations
overlap, and the people involved will remember their
common heritage, memories and connections. •
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 13

Something in
the Water
On any given day, television stations across the
country carry brief announcements targeted
to small town residents in their viewing areas
to boil drinking water. In most cases, aging
infrastructure is the culprit, and such is the case
when a recent announcement on a local station
informed local residents of Merkel, Texas of
the need to take added precaution. Now…we
don’t know what’s in the water that needs to
be taken out, but at McMurry, we think there
must be something else in the water in Merkel,
Texas that we would like to bottle and distribute
en masse. It is our theory that the unknown
ingredient adds a slight maroon tinge to the
water. And for those who ingest the refreshing
liquid, an intense craving develops to fully
immerse oneself in our academic “fountain of
truth,” if you will, and to experience all things
“McMurry.”
The aforementioned theory is based on
the fact that 35 graduates of Merkel High
School currently attend McMurry University.
That may not seem noteworthy; however,
when you consider that the total enrollment
of Merkel High School is 325, the number
of graduates who have found their way to
McMurry is significant. In fact, over 10% of last
year’s graduating class are currently full-time
freshmen at McMurry. In addition, during the
past five years, we’ve added 42 to our alumni
rolls who once wore the Merkel purple and gold.
Located just fifteen miles west of Abilene, you
might logically assume that our close proximity
has enhanced our ability to attract Merkel
graduates; and while there is validity to that
14 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

35 graduates of Merkel High School currently attend McMurry University. That may not seem
noteworthy; however, when you consider that the total enrollment of Merkel High School is
325, the number of graduates who have found their way to McMurry is significant.
argument, a recent poll conducted by the College Board
reported that of all factors that influence the millennial
generation in their college decisions, staying close to
home is number seven on the list out of nine. In short,
this generation is more inclined to leave home than
previous generations. And, even for those who choose
to attend a college because it is close to home, there are
several other options available to them in Abilene. So
the “location” factor alone doesn’t hold water—Merkel
water or any other variety.
The same student poll cited academic quality as
the most important factor in choosing a college, and
therefore we might argue, with some success, that our
excellent placement rates and first-rate faculty has
single-handedly attracted Merkel’s best and brightest.
Our 35 majors and nine pre-professional programs
offered in a small campus setting that boasts a 14:1
student-teacher ratio would certainly be attractive
to many a small-town scholar who excelled in high
school through personal attention they received from
knowledgeable instructors who showed a genuine
interest in their academic experience. Michael Qualls
graduated from Merkel High School and subsequently
from McMurry University in 2005. He chose McMurry
for all the reasons above: “In the state of Texas, there
are a lot of colleges to choose from. I chose McMurry
because of the small classes and great faculty. It was also
close to home if I wanted a home-cooked meal.”
Currently a high school girls’ basketball coach
in the Boys Ranch Independent School District near
Amarillo, Qualls shared that he was drawn to the
outstanding athletic program and family atmosphere
at McMurry that reminded him of his own high
school experience at Merkel. A standout player on the
men’s basketball team in high school, he continued
his basketball career at McMurry, along with two
other former Merkel cagers. In fact, those close to the
program affectionately referred to the men’s team at
that time as “McMerkel.” Among other Merkel Badgers
of the same era who made names for themselves at
McMurry were golfers Rode McElreath ’07 and Colby
Watts, and track and field athletes Brittney Harris and
Amanda Richardson Jordan ’07. Qualls speaks fondly of
his mentors and role models on the McMurry coaching
staff, naming several in particular: Ron Holmes, Bev
Ball, John Byington, Bill Libby and Veronica Snow. In
fact, Qualls cites his relationships and the influence of
teachers and coaches at both Merkel and McMurry as
instrumental in his decision to pursue a coaching and
teaching career.
While one adult role model can exert a huge
influence over a young life, what might be the influence
of thirty?! That just happens to be the number of
McMurry graduates currently employed by the Merkel
Independent School District. Renee Waggoner, a 2002
McMurry graduate who teaches elementary school
in Merkel, said the following about her McMurry
experience: “I felt like the teachers/professors wanted
me to succeed. We were all on the same side…I loved
my professors! They truly took a vested interest in me,
my life, my family and my education.”
Renee was proud to have the opportunity to share
her McMurry experience. A well-known mantra
in operating a successful business is that a satisfied
customer is your best salesman. Would that mantra
not also apply to higher education? Mary Ann Duke
Abbott, a middle school teacher at Merkel and a
1990 McMurry graduate, was certainly a “satisfied
customer” and provides the following testimonial:
“Being from a small school, McMurry’s small campus
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 15

fit my personality. The faculty was a close-knit group of
professionals with experience in the field in which they
taught. With a low faculty/student ratio, I was able to
have access to the professors before and/or after class for
extra help, if needed. Most importantly, the professors
knew my name and knew my study ethics. I am honored
to be a graduate of McMurry and proudly recommend to
any senior to give McMurry a try.” Based
on the many relationships the university
has developed over the years, with
countless alumni sharing similar stories,
we feel certain that we’ve underestimated
their role in influencing generations of
students after them to attend McMurry.
I would be remissed if I didn’t also
give credence to the importance of peer
pressure in college decision-making.
High school graduates look up to older
siblings and hometown heroes, and that
was certainly the case with Matt Qualls,
senior all-level P.E. major and younger
brother of Michael Qualls. “It was a
source of pride. We looked up to my
brother and his friends,” he shared. “Their example made
other kids want to go to McMurry.”
Pride in one’s roots…Merkel and McMurry…a
common denominator that will continue to connect
the two in the future. A recent phone call was made
to a supporter and friend of McMurry to express
appreciation to her for donating a scholarship to a
McMurry student. She mentioned in the conversation
that, even though she currently resides in Abilene,
she grew up in Merkel. She shared her rationale for
providing financial assistance: “I was very impressed
with the woman [applying for the scholarship]. Then I
Most importantly,
the professors knew
my name and knew
my study ethics.
I am honored to
be a graduate of
McMurry and proudly
recommend to
any senior to give
McMurry a try.
found out she was from Merkel, so it gave me pleasure to
support McMurry and my hometown.”
We submit that the Merkel High School-
McMurry Connection is proof of the importance of
relationships when selecting a college home. Besides
the obvious influence of friends and family members,
there are also the 30 proud McMurry alumni who are
employed at Merkel ISD. Comments
like “I entered McMurry and felt right
at home,” “I enjoyed the small class size,
the accessibility and interaction with
professors,” and “I loved my college years
and feel like I got a first-rate education”
resonate from these alumni and reveal
the attachment they still feel to their alma
mater. We are proud of the many Merkel
Badgers who are current students and
alumni of this university, and we salute
our neighbors just west of us on Interstate
20. Maroon Pride runs in their veins, and
relationships are the connector—and then
again, it might just be something in the
water. •
Note: A special word of thanks is extended to the
following McMurry graduates who are employed by, and/
or who graduated from the Merkel Independent School
District: Ashlei Adams ’03, Heather Guthrie ’85, Renee
Waggoner ’02, Maggie Gonzales ’03, Mary Ann Duke
Abbott ’90, Cindy Fitzhugh ’77, Pam Welborn ’79, Dayna
Henderson ’77, Gayle Maxey ’81, Angie Bloodworth ’99,
Kaye Lynne Dearing ’73, Michael Qualls ’05, and Matt
Qualls ’10. Your testimonials and background information
were invaluable in the writing of this article.
16 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

March 11 & 12, 2010
H O S T E D B Y M C M U R R Y U N I V E R S I T Y
Abilene, Texas

Honoring Native Americans is organically important to
McMurry University, reaching well beyond the issue of an
athletic team mascot. This major symposium will explore
how an academic institution, along with individuals who
take seriously the respect and dignity due all persons, can
appropriately honor Native American peoples and cultures.
Event Schedule
Thurs., March 11
5:30-7:00 p.m. Registration—Mabee Room, Campus
Center
7:00 p.m. Plenary Session
7:30 p.m. Keynote Presentation
Social and Cultural Challenges—Dr. Richard King
8:30 p.m. Small Group Discussions
9:30 p.m. Adjourn
Fri., March 12
8:30 a.m. Coffee and Opening Comments
9:00 a.m. Keynote Presentation
Theological and Ecclesiastical Challenges—Dr. Thom
WhiteWolf Fassett
10:00 a.m. Small Group Discussions
11:00 a.m. Keynote Presentation
Institutional Challenges for an Academic Institution—
Dr. Gordon Bronitsky
12:00 noon—Lunch on Your Own
1:15 p.m. Small Group Discussions
2:30 p.m. Panel Discussion—Including all presenters
3:30 p.m. Wrap-Up
Keynote Speakers
Dr. C. Richard King
A resident of Pullman, Washington, Dr. King is
the chair of the Department of Comparative
Ethnic Studies at Washington State University.
He has conducted research and written
extensively on the racial politics of culture,
sport, and the Native American mascot controversy. He
has written several books including Team Spirits: The Native
American Mascot Controversy, American Athletes in Sport and
Society and The Encyclopedia of Native Americans and Sport.
Dr. Gordon Bronitsky
A long-term resident of Albuquerque, New
Mexico, Dr. Bronitsky was exposed early to
the extraordinary richness and history of the
indigenous peoples across the Southwest.
He received a Ph.D. in anthropology from the
University of Arizona and his early research and explorations
laid the foundation for his ongoing career and the
establishment of Bronitsky and Associates, an international
cultural marketing firm, with offices in Albuquerque and
Breisach, Germany.
Dr. Thom WhiteWolf Fassett
As emeritus General Secretary of the
International rights organization of the
United Methodist Church, the General Board
of Church and Society, Dr. Fassett works
in the field of faith, politics and issues of
justice. Among his many appointments, he served as
Special Assistant to the United States Senate and House of
Representatives conducting investigations into Federal/
Indian policy. A resident of Hector, New York, Dr. Fassett is
an internationally recognized champion of human and civil
rights.

Conference Details
This event is hosted by McMurry University and is funded through
donations. There is no registration fee; however, space is limited,
so participants should register in advance. Meals on Thursday
evening, March 11th and lunch on Friday, March 12th may be
purchased on campus. For hotel accommodations, visit
www.abilenevisitors.com.
Directions and Parking
McMurry University is located on the southwest corner of the
South 14th and Sayles Blvd intersection. The physical address is
1400 Sayles Blvd. The Garrison United Methodist Campus Center is
located in the center of campus with access on Sayles Blvd south
of Radford Auditorium. For detailed directions, visit www.mcm.
edu/newsite/web/enrollment/location.htm.
Contact Information
For questions or additional information, contact
one of the following:
Judy Surles
(325) 793-4850 or surles.judy@mcm.edu
Nancy Smith
(325) 793-4667 or smith.nancy@mcm.edu
Registration Information
Name: _______________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
____________________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________
E-Mail: ______________________________________
Check one:
_____Alumni
_____Student
_____University Faculty/Staff
_____School District Representative
_____Community Representative
_____Board of Trustees
_____Other_________________________________
Number Attending: _______
Name(s) of Guests
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Please detach and mail to:
School of Social Sciences and Religion
McMurry University
Box 85 McMurry Station
Abilene, TX 79697
or call Judy Surles at 325-793-4850
or register on-line at www.mcm.edu
Registration Deadline: March 9, 2010

For the full athletics update, please visit us on the web at
http://athletics.mcm.edu.
ATHLETICS
Moreno selected as finalist for Bob Cousy Award,
the nation’s top college point guard
UPDATE
McMurry senior point guard Robert Moreno was selected
as one of nine finalists for the Bob Cousy Award honoring
the top collegiate male basketball point guard annually at
the NCAA Division I, II and III levels.
The Brownsville native, Moreno, in his fourth year
with McMurry’s basketball program, leads the American
Southwest Conference for the second-straight year in both
assists per game (5.8) and assists-to-turnover ratio (2.1:1).
He is also among the conference leaders in steals per game
where he ranks third at 2.3 per game, and Moreno’s 3-point
field goal percentage of .556 ranks second in the ASC.
After battling injuries off-and-on his first two seasons,
Moreno has become a constant force for both McMurry
and the ASC. Through the game on January 3rd against
UT-San Antonio, the 5-7 guard has 380 career assists and
142 steals.
The Bob Cousy Award, sponsored
by The Hartford, is presented by the
Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
Cousy is considered to be one of the
best point guards to ever play the game
of basketball at any level. Cousy was an
all-American at Holy Cross and a fivetime
NBA champion with the Boston
Celtics.
“We’re very excited about Robert
being selected as one of the nine
finalists for the Bob Cousy Award
because of the history that Bob Cousy
brings to basketball,” said McMurry
head coach Ron Holmes. “He
revolutionized basketball and for
Robert to be considered as a finalist for
that means that he’s made a difference
in the lives of some Division III kids
that he’s made better players. You
can introduce four Boston Celtics
to Bob Cousy and you’ve got five
great players, and I think you can say the same thing about
Robert.”
Moreno has been an all-ASC selection twice. His
freshman year, despite playing just 13 games because of a
broken ankle the first game of the season, he came back
to play most of the league games and was selected to the
ASC West Division all-Defensive team. Then, last season
as a junior he was a second team all-ASC West Division
selection. Moreno has helped McMurry to two ASC
Tournament appearances his freshman and junior seasons.
So far, in his four-year college career, Moreno has
surpassed the 10 assists mark in a game seven times,
including a career-high 15 last season on January 31st
against Concordia-Texas. Earlier this season he scored a
career-high 19 points, including five consecutive 3-pointers
to help McMurry rally from a 12 point-deficit in the
second half to defeat the University of the Ozarks.
“For [Robert] to bring recognition to the school
through his hard work because he’s been a four-year starter
is really exciting and sets a goal for other freshmen to
attain,” said Holmes.
The Bob Cousy Award has been handed out
since 2004. Past NCAA Division I winners
include Ty Lawson (2009, North Carolina),
D.J. Augistin (2008, University of Texas),
Acie Law IV (2007, Texas A&M University),
Dee Brown (2006, University of Illinois),
Raymond Felton (2005, North Carolina),
and Jameer Nelson (2004, St. Joseph’s
University).
The award’s web site, www.
cousyaward.com, states that “the selection
criteria emphasizes leadership, teamwork,
success and fundamentals as being critical
parts for the game of basketball at point
guard.” •
Photo by Brian Schmidt

ATHLETICS
For the full athletics update, please visit us on the web at
http://www.mcmurrysports.com.
UPDATE
FALL REVIEW
Football
In his first year as head coach, Hal Mumme didn’t
disappoint. With the promise of overhauling a struggling
program, McMurry posted a 4-6 record in 2009. The
four wins was more than the previous two seasons
combined and Mumme’s “Air Raid” offense set several
single-game and single-season records. After an 0-4 start,
McMurry won four-straight games (East Texas Baptist,
Sul Ross State, Howard Payne and Texas Lutheran).
Then, in the final two games of the season, McMurry
lost a hard-fought battle with Hardin-Simmons 21-
10 and fell to Louisiana College in the finale playing
without record-setting quarterback Jake Mullin. Mullin
set several records in 2009 including the single-game
passing yardage record (479 vs. Trinity) and the singleseason
passing yardage record (2,749). Senior linebacker
Drew Wallace, junior wide receiver Marcus Franklin and
sophomore free safety Will Morris were named to the
all-American Southwest Conference first team while five
other players garnered all-ASC honors.
Volleyball
An up-and-down season ended
with McMurry making its thirdconsecutive
trip to the American
Southwest Conference Postseason
Tournament. McMurry defeated East
Texas Baptist in the opening round
before falling to Hardin-Simmons in
the semi-finals round for the second
time in three years, and head coach
Cammie Petree and the team finished
with an 18-12 record. This was Petree’s
seventh consecutive winning season
(2001-05, 2008-
09) in her second
season back and
her third stint as
head coach. Five
players were honored by the ASC for their performances
in 2009. Terah Brown was both an all-ASC selection and
an ASC West first-team selection before she eventually
was named AVCA honorable mention all-region.
Freshman M.J. Vickers was a first-team all-ASC West
Division selection while Danielle Kelton, Sarah Anding
and Bailey Marcum were all named to the ASC West
Division second team. Kelton was the only senior and
finished her career as the only player in school history to
record at least 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in her career; in
addition, Kelton was just the second player in the history
of the ASC to accomplish that feat.
Men’s & Women’s Soccer
In his third season as head coach, Tim Grove and the
McMurry men’s soccer team finished the season with a
2-12-3 record, and McMurry’s highlight came September
11th when it beat the University of Dallas, snapping UD’s
28-match home win streak. Humberto Sepulveda and
Miguel Rodriguez each made the honorable mention all-
American Southwest Conference squad.
On the women’s side, McMurry suffered its
third-straight season without a win. Grove took over
the program prior to 2009 and the women showed
improvement, but finished 0-14-1. However, Jazmyn
Colon’s all-conference selection was a highlight for
the team as Colon was the first all-ASC selection for
McMurry’s women since the 2006 season.
Men’s & Women’s
Cross Country
The return of Carla Lewis to the women’s
cross country team, after one season off,
propelled the McMurry women to a
second-place finish at the American
Southwest Conference Championships
and a 14th place finish at the NCAA
Division III South/Southeast
Regional Championships.
First-year quarterback Jake Mullin had a solid sophomore
season for first-year head coach Hal Mumme setting seven
school records in nine games. – Photo by Brian Schmidt

For the full athletics update, please visit us on the web at
http://www.mcmurrysports.com.
ATHLETICS
UPDATE
However, the story of the season was Lewis’ individual
accomplishments. Lewis won the individual crown at
the ASC championships for the second time (also as a
freshman in 2006) becoming the only female runner
in McMurry history to win the title twice. Then, in the
regional meet, she placed sixth (highest placing in school
history) to earn a trip to the NCAA Division III national
meet, becoming the first female in McMurry history to
advance beyond regionals. Lewis finished 148th out of 279
runners at the national meet.
On the men’s side, head coach David Chandler saw
McMurry finish third place while senior Ken Wheeler
placed third overall. In the regional meet, the McMurry
men finished 14th and Wheeler earned all-region honors
for the fourth-consecutive year to cap one of the best
careers in McMurry men’s history.
WINTER UPDATE
Women’s Basketball
After a rough start, head coach Veronica Snow
and McMurry rebounded and are back in
the race to contend for their second-straight
American Southwest Conference West
Division title heading into the final month of
the season. McMurry began the season 3-5 before
winning seven out of its next eight games to
make its record 10-6 overall and 7-5
in league play. Through January
23rd, the team stands fourth
in the ASC West, which
would be good enough to
make the ASC Postseason
Tournament; however,
the fate of the league
standings haven’t been
decided as McMurry is just
two games behind the leader,
Mary Hardin-Baylor. Junior
Senior Carla Lewis not only won her second ASC individual
championship in 2009 but went on to become the first
McMurry female in school history to advance to the NCAA
Division III national meet. – Photo by Brian Schmidt
transfer LaPorsha Alexander leads McMurry with 14.6
points per game off the bench; she also leads the team in
rebounds with 6.6 per game.
Men’s Basketball
Head coach Ron Holmes began his 20th season as the
McMurry men’s basketball coach in November and saw
the team jump out to a 7-2 start in the 2009 portion of
the schedule. After the New Year the men’s team cooled
a little, but heading into the final month of the season,
McMurry now carries an 11-5 record and a 9-3 mark in
the American Southwest Conference West Division with
a chance to repeat as west division champions. Junior
transfer Jeremie Hart and senior post Jamal Anene have
carried the team offensively, with Hart averaging 20.2
points and 7.8 rebounds, while Anene averaged 12.3 points
and eight rebounds per game. Steven Luckey has added
10.1 points per game from the guard position and senior
point guard Robert Moreno leads the team and the ASC in
assists with 5.3 per game.
Men’s and Women’s Swimming
The McMurry swim teams continue to schedule
tough competition year-in and year-out to
prepare themselves for the conference meet for
independents in NCAA Division III in Elesa,
Illinois on February 17-18. McMurry swims
against scholarship schools like UT-Permian
Basin (NCAA D2) and Incarnate Word
(NCAA D2), helping the teams
stay competitive against its NCAA
Division III foes. On the men’s side,
senior Craig Osterman continues
to be the leader as one of the
most versatile male athletes in
the program’s history, swimming
top times in the short-distance
events including the freestyle, the
backstroke and the butterfly. On the women’s
side, three swimmers have competed well and
consistently won events. Alex Altstaetter is a
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 23

ATHLETICS
For the full athletics update, please visit us on the web at
http://www.mcmurrysports.com.
UPDATE
dominant backstroke swimmer, Amber Perkins leads
McMurry’s women in distance events, and Erin Johnson
is an all-around swimmer with her strongest events the
butterfly and freestyle.
Indoor Track and Field
McMurry’s men were ranked No. 6 and the women’s team
No. 12 in the first USTFCCA National Top 25 to begin
the 2010 Indoor Track and Field Season. Neither team
disappointed early in the season with each team having
athletes with provisional or automatic qualifying marks.
On the women’s side, sophomore transfer Sage Lasater
(Texas Tech) broke the women’s indoor school record in the
pole vault and set an automatic qualifying mark in the first
meet of the season in Lubbock with a jump of 12-07.25.
Her teammate and 2008 Outdoor National Champion,
Holly Rollins, also set a provisional mark in the pole vault,
early in the season. On the men’s side, Cory Altenberg and
Thomas Dimitri had provisional marks in the pole vault
while Gavan Bass, the two-sport standout (football), had
provisional marks in the long jump and the 55-meter dash.
The NCAA Division III Indoor National Championships
are March 12-13 in Depauw, Indiana.
SPRING SHORTS
Baseball
The McMurry baseball team will be looking for its seventhstraight
trip to the American Southwest Conference
postseason tournament in 2010. McMurry posted a 26-17
record under first-year head coach and long-time assistant
John Byington in 2009. In his second season, he’ll return
all-region honoree and two-sport standout Jake Mullin
(football) to play in the outfield. In addition, McMurry will
return seniors Jeff Jackson (catcher), Clay Shubert (IF),
Derek McBride (LHP), Dakota Smith (RHP), Greg Guse
(IF) and Blaine Wieck (RHP). The 2010 baseball schedule
began February 7th.
Men’s and Women’s Tennis
McMurry’s men, under head coach Mark Hathorn, took
the ASC West Division title for the first time in school
history in 2009 and will look to repeat in the spring. Will
Davis, Bryan Rainwater and Andy Bonau will help lead the
charge. On the women’s side, the team will look to return
to the ASC tournament for the first time since 2008. Gavee
Olsen, Rachel Smith and Amy Hathorn are among the
upperclassmen who will help guide the 2010 squad.
Mark Hathorn (far right) stands alongside the men’s tennis team who won the school’s first
ever ASC West Division title in the spring of 2009. – Photo by Ben Dobson
Men’s and Women’s Golf
Head coach Russ Evans and the men’s and women’s
golf teams will return to the course in February after
a successful non-traditional fall season in 2009. In the
spring of 2009, the men’s team finished third and the
women’s team finished fourth at the American Southwest
Conference Championship Tournament. Juniors Monica
Harris and Libby Scarlett will lead the women’s team, while
freshman Matt Ragovin and senior Matt Qualls are among
the players to watch for the men’s team.
Outdoor Track & Field
Life without six-time national champion and 17-time all-
American Hann Ollison begins for the McMurry men’s
team, who has turned out first-place and second-place
finishes in each of the last two NCAA Division III Outdoor
Championships in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Gavan
Bass (sprinter / long jumper) and Thomas Dimitri (pole
vault) return as all-Americans for head coach Barbara
Crousen and the men’s team. On the women’s side, Breana
Anderson-Burton (triple jump) returns as the only all-
America selection from last season, but Holly Rollins, who
is another year removed from knee surgery, will be back to
pole vault. •
24 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

WE WANT YOU
to serve on the Alumni Board!
The Alumni Association Board of Directors is looking for new members. The Board is entering a
new era and embarking on exciting initiatives. We want you to be part of it.
If you are interested, please contact one of the following board members or
call (325) 793-4603 or email myers.greeley@mcm.edu.
Daniel L. Alexander ’97
Dr. Mark Alexander ’89
Dr. Richard Michael Bennett ’65
Shana M. Norman Bristow ’92
Captain Jack Darnell ’55
Dale Anthony Evers ’82
Alex B. Eyssen ’98
John-Paul Huber ’93
Melody Hunt ’79
David K. Johnson ’02
Dr. Ralph M. McCleskey, Jr. ‘65
Christopher Montoya ’00
Jincy Drennan Ross ’96
Christina Sharpling ’96
Erin Stevens ’06
Barbara Whorton-Farley ’73
Carolyn Beckham Wiggins ’58
Jack Wilburn ’93
Carla Davis Woolley ’73
Dr. Kay L. Younggren ’02
Dr. Cyril Stone ’46

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& FAMILY
Dear Alumni and Friends,
The story of committed alumni and friends of McMurry
is shared in every issue of the Chieftain. In this particular
issue, we have seen the impact of alumni, students
and friends in places like Artesia, New
Mexico, Polk Street UMC in Amarillo,
Texas and Merkel, Texas. While we
spotlight a few in the pages of this
Chieftain, they are but a sampling of our
alumni and friends all across the country
painting their respective communities
maroon. I now want to challenge you to
become involved with McMurry in a way
that will reflect your maroon pride.
I have written in recent issues
about the restructuring of the McMurry
University Alumni Board of Directors.
In the past year, this group has increased
their activity and their involvement. The
Membership and Recognition Committee
is always recruiting potential new members for the
Board, and they have worked on improving the process
of selecting the Distinguished Alumni recipient. One
way you can get involved is to nominate someone for
that award. The new nomination form will soon be
online at McMurry Nation (http://nation.mcm.edu).
Our Stewardship Committee is also actively seeking
nominations for the Cross and Flame Award. I challenge
you to think of those who have made a positive impact
on McMurry and the United Methodist Church and
nominate them for this special award.
This past November, members of the Board
hosted a very successful gathering of alumni in the
Mid-Cities area of the DFW Metroplex. Over twenty
alumni gathered and reminisced about their McMurry
experience. This event was organized, planned and
carried out by alumni volunteers. Another of these
events in the Metroplex is being planned
as a breakfast gathering to be held in
Fort Worth on Saturday, February 27th.
But McMurry is not just painting the
town maroon in Texas. An alumniinitiated
dinner in Atlanta was held in
January—a great event that provided
alumni the opportunity to visit with Dr.
Russell. A similar gathering was held in
Washington D.C. on February 2nd. More
of these gatherings across the country
will be held, including one in Orange,
California on February 20th and one in
the New England area on April 24th in
Boston.
These gatherings are wonderful
opportunities for alumni to come together and share the
McMurry experience. They also strengthen the bond and
connection of alumni in a specific area with McMurry.
Would you like to host a gathering in your area? You
might think it takes a lot of time and resources, but it is
very easy. The alumni office will provide you the mailing
list, and we will design and mail the invitation for you. If
you are interested, please contact us and paint the town
maroon in your community.
Greeley Myers, ’93
Director of Alumni Relations
26 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

ALA CUMBA
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 27

28 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

ALA CUMBA
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 29

HOMECOMING REUNION DINNERS
40th Reunion
50th Reunion
“A school ring is a visible symbol of the
commitment to undertake and complete a
monumental task—recognized by all with
whom the graduate comes in contact. In
another sense, the school ring is a constant
reminder to its wearer of the knowledge,
skills and relationships cemented during
the university experience.”
- Dr. John H. Russell, McMurry President
The official ring is reserved
exclusively for alumni and enrolled
students in good standing who have
achieved at least 60 credit hours.
60th Reunion
For ordering information,
call 1.866.BALFOUR
(1.866.225.3687).
(REF CODE: 3040 (BK06248-16/TX2702)
30 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y
60th Reunion

2009 Recipients
Pug Parris ’73 and
Stephen Mittelstet ’67
with Dr. Russell
Know a McMurry alum who deserves this title?
Look for your opportunity to nominate them
on March 1 on the McMurry Nation website.
h t t p : / / n a t i o n . m c m . e d u

FRIENDS
& FAMILY
Chaplain Col. Holland Hope, a 1940
graduate of McMurry University, served on
the Chaplain Board, the “Think Tank” of the
10th SBTB branch in Camp Taji, Iraq in the
1970s. Holland was a member of the New
Mexico Conference of the United Methodist
Church. He served as a chaplain from
WWII until the late 1970s. Later he retired
to take a church in El Paso; he was living in
El Paso when he died. Holland received the
Distinguished Alumni Award at McMurry
University in 1993. These pictures are of the
Hope Chapel in Camp Taji, Iraq.
32 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y
1933
Robert E. Kirksey ’33 celebrated his 100th birthday on
November 18, 2009.
1956
Joe Bill Fox ’56 was among six people to be inducted into the
Birdville Athletic Hall of Honor on December 10, 2009. In high
school in Fort Worth he was named most outstanding athlete.
Later he was named all-conference quarterback for McMurry. He
was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Honor in 1987 at McMurry
University. In 1990, Fox was elected to the Texas High School
Athletic Directors’ Association Hall of Honor. He has had a fluent
career in athletics as football coach at Birdwell High School,
McMurry University and San Antonio and as athletic director
in the Birdville and Irving school districts. He received the
McMurry Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008.
1964
Dr. Bill Smith ’64 was recently promoted
to Coordinator for the Resident Student
Internship Program for the Baylor Tom
Landry Health and Wellness Center on
the campus of Baylor University Medical
Center in Dallas, Texas. In addition, Dr.
Smith will also direct employee customer
service training as Coordinator for Quality
Development and will serve as the Special Events Coordinator
for the Landry Center. Dr. Smith continues his role as an adjunct
professor at Richland College in the Department of Human and
Academic Development.
1970
Dr. Bruce Edwards ’70 earned his
master’s degree in Religious Education at
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
on May 17, 1981, and a Doctor of philosophy
degree in Psychology and Christian
counseling from Louisiana Baptist University
on May 2, 2008. As a result of information
discovered through his dissertation research, the Louisiana
Baptist University leadership opened a counseling center for the
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 32

area. He is presently serving as Minister of Education and
Administration at Airline Baptist Church in Bossier City,
Louisiana. He is married to Judy Adkins Edwards, and
they have two children and five grandchildren.
1971
Carla Moore ’71, an educator with the Lubbock
Independent School District, was named the TCTA
2009-2010 Retiree of the Year. TCTA, founded in 1927,
is an association for Texas teaching professionals and
serves 50,000 members across the state. This award
is given to honor a recently retired member who has
given outstanding service to education, students, the
community and the Association during his/her career.
Moore taught in the Lubbock ISD for over 30 years
and the TCTA judge said, “She has touched many lives
in the past, and she volunteers and promotes TCTA
membership.” TCTA will honor her in February in Fort
Worth. McMurry congratulates Carla.
1980
Rev. Harry Riser ‘80 is pastor at First United Methodist
in Clovis, New Mexico and father to current McMurry
honors student and history major, Dave Riser. The
National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
has accepted a paper by Dave Riser for presentation at its
national meeting in April at the University of Montana.
Dave’s paper is entitled “The Music Never Died: How
Buddy Holly Changed Music Forever.” The selection
process for the conference is quite competitive, and a
“proud dad” and the McMurry community are proud of
Dave’s success.
1985
Paula Radle Lightfoot ’85 is the Controller of Insurors
of Texas in Waco, Texas. She has been married to
husband, Tracy, for 23 years. Their oldest son, Kevin, 21,
graduated from Concordia University in December 2009.
Her youngest son, Keith, is 18 and attends McMurry
University. She writes, “The tradition continues!”
FRIENDS
& FAMILY
1987
Nita Houlihan Keesee ’87 is the Director of Math and
Science for Abilene ISD. Her grandson, Dylan, attends
Craig Middle School and her husband, Al, is a cable
technician for AISD. Al and Nita are expecting their
second grandchild. They recently celebrated their 36th
wedding anniversary.
1994
Dr. Kyle and Carla Rae
(Thieben) Kychik ’94 announce
the birth of Kaeleigh Sue on May
12, 2009. She was 19 in long and
weighed 6 lb and 7 oz.
1997
Lesa Cregeen ’97 graduated
with a B.A. in art, psychology,
and sociology. She is presently
employed as a customer service
specialist at A-Town/Hi-Tech of
Abilene. Lesa has recently been
involved with several art projects.
In December 2008, she and a group from Fountain Gate
Fellowship Church of Abilene sent artwork to holocaust
survivors in Israel. The artists ranged from ages 4 to
73. The 240 pieces of colorful art were viewed at Zion
Messianic Congregation in Haifa, Israel. Also, she
participated in the Abilene Heart Association’s April 2009
Gala at the Abilene Civic Center. She writes poetry as a
hobby. Her email is lesac@safe-mail.net.
2005
Kalyn Mathis ’05 and
Michael Qualls ’05
were married on June
14, 2008 in Jacksboro,
Texas. They live at Cal
Farley’s Boys Ranch
where Michael is a
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 33

FRIENDS
& FAMILY
coach and math teacher. Kalyn is attending the Texas Tech
School of Pharmacy seeking a Pharm. D. degree.
Michael R. Vives ’05 married on July 11, 2009. The
couple will live in Columbus, Georgia. Michael is a U.S.
Navy Ranger stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia. He is
currently serving as an Army Ranger in Afganistan.
Nichole Stanley Hoover ’05
and Charles Dee Hoover ’07,
welcomed their son, Charles
Baron Hoover, on August 6,
2009. Nichole is a stay-athome
mom and Dee is a DPS
Trooper for the State of Texas.
2006
Erin Stevens ’06 and her
fiancé Aaron Samson have
completed their pair by adding
Murry to the family. They now
have Mic and Murry!
2007
Andrea Clayton Gazaille ’07
and Jason Lee Gazaille ’06,
welcomed their son, Griffin
Graham Gazaille, on August 14,
2009. Andrea is a pre-K teacher
with Sweetwater ISD and Jason is
Assistant Vice President at First
Financial Bank Sweetwater. •
Reta Barrington Faught, a McMurry alumnae who
participated in a Boyce Hall Club Reunion at Homecoming
2009, shared her appreciation for the celebration with this
picture. She expressed special thanks to Dr. John and Gerri
Russell for attending. From Left to right: Reta Barrington
Faught, Marie Woodard Kidd, Mary Tom Kirk Tooley ’49,
Madie Jones Newman ’49, Aliece Paschall Porterfield ex
’51, Marzie Weaver Bartee ’49, Katherine Roper Higgins
’54 and Marilyn Wright Wolfskill ex ’54 is seated at the
table. Dorothy Wescott Vaughan was unable to attend but
sent her brother, Lee Wescott.
The Alumni Relations Office and your former
classmates are always eager to know what
you are doing and where you are doing it.
Let us know about your life, your career, your
family and other news by sending this form (with
a photo!) to: Alumni Relations Office, Box 938
McMurry Station, Abilene, Texas 79697, or email
myers.greeley@mcm.edu.
Name_________________________Maiden Name__________________
Address ______________________________Graduation Year__________
City ___________________________ State _____ Zip_______________
Phone_________________ Email Address__________________________
Notes of Interest:_ ____________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

FRIENDS
WE’LL MISS
Barbara J. Abbott of Abilene, Texas, died August 27, 2009.
Grace Adcock of Lubbock, Texas, died October 25, 2009.
Ruth Ann Morehead Adkins ’80 of Briscoe, Texas, died October 11, 2009.
Dr. Jean Barrick of Abilene, Texas, died October 22, 2009.
Elvin Bearden of Lubbock, Texas, died August 24, 2009.
Mary Willmoth Dalton Bryant ’46 of Bowie, Texas, died November 24,
2009.
Dr. Raymon L. Bynum ’50 of Richardson, Texas, died December 10, 2009.
Bill W. Cantwell ’55 of Arlington, Texas, died November 10, 2009.
D. Martin Cargile ’50 of Abilene, Texas, died October 8, 2009.
Marilyn Boydstun Clement ’56 of New York City, New York, died August
3, 2009.
Johnny C. Cornelius of Abilene, Texas, died August 13, 2009.
Dr. E. Brady Cox ’48 of Abilene, Texas, died October 22, 2009.
Josephine Palmer Crutchfield ’37 of Abilene, Texas, died September 18,
2009.
George Marion Dawson, Jr. ex ’42 of San Antonio, Texas, died November
27, 2009.
Oressa Delaney of Canyon, Texas, died November 1, 2009.
Dr. Mark L. Dorff of Tulsa, Oklahoma, died August 5, 2009.
James Arlin Easterly ’69 of Austin, Texas, died October 23, 2009.
Randall Brent Eaton ’93 of Abilene, Texas, died September 3, 2009.
Maxine Faulkner of Amarillo, Texas, died November 2, 2009.
Evelyn Gwendolyn Feris died July 30, 2009.
Timothy Lawrence Fliegel ’08 of Austin, Texas, died December 8, 2009.
Marsha Fry of Ballinger, Texas, died July 24, 2009.
Gerald W. Guthrie ’71 of Burnet, Texas, died October 3, 2009.
Colonel Ashley D. Jameson ’39 of Austin, Texas, died September 12, 2009.
Obituaries
Dr. William Short
William Newton Short, 66, of Abilene, lovingly known
as Dr. Short by many, was called home by his Heavenly
Father on Friday, November 13, 2009.
Dr. Short was born on February 23, 1943 in
Southern Rhodesia, Africa. He graduated from Gilbert
Leon D. Jones of Stamford, Texas, died September 27, 2009.
Dr. Jerold D. Kethley ’38 of Shawnee, Oklahoma, died August 22, 2009.
Kenneth Long died October 22, 2009.
Wilda Maxine McCowen of Abilene, Texas, died November 5, 2009.
Senator Anna Belle Clement O’Brien ex ‘42 of Crossville, Tennessee,
died August 31, 2009.
Montie Beth Ward Odom ’40 of Abilene, Texas, died September 18, 2009.
Birdie Margaret Walker Paige ’49 of Abilene, Texas, died August 5, 2009.
Joe C. Parish ’50 of Odessa, Texas, died August 1, 2009.
R.M. “Pat” Patterson ’49 of Liberty Hill, Texas, died November 26, 2009.
Blanche Evelyn Buchanan Petree ’40 of Abilene, Texas, died November
17, 2009.
Paul Leroy Pierce ’81 of Abilene, Texas, died November 25, 2009.
Sylvia Renfro of Abilene, Texas, died October 31, 2009.
Roland Rocourt ex ’91 died January 12, 2010.
Dr. William Short of Abilene, Texas, died November 13, 2009.
Neysa C. Petrie Sommerville of San Antonio, Texas, died September 20,
2009.
George D. Steakley ’42 of Westworth Village, Texas, died September 1,
2009.
Elvin Tomlinson ’61 of Belton, Texas, died November 28, 2009.
Josephine Upshaw of Stamford, Texas, died September 22, 2009.
Aleene M. McBeath Waldrip of Crowell, Texas, died September 12, 2009.
Howard Thomas Wilkins ’47 of Abilene, Texas, died December 25, 2009.
Harold G. Webley ’58 of Lake Worth, Florida, died August 6, 2009.
Doris Dawson Willis ’43 of Hamilton, Texas, died April 29, 2009.
William D. Young of Abilene, Texas, died October 21, 2009.
Rennie School, Lusaka, Africa and moved to the United
States in 1961. After receiving his BSW at Harding
University in Searcy, Arkansas, he began graduate
studies at Abilene Christian University before receiving
his master’s in French, German, and Spanish from the
University of North Texas in Denton. He obtained his
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 35

FRIENDS
WE’LL MISS
doctorate in Foreign Languages from Rice University in
Houston. He served as a faithful member at Minter Lane
Church of Christ for over 20 years where he taught Bible
classes and served in various capacities, with a dedication to
mission works around the world.
He was a professor of languages at McMurry
University for 27 years, teaching French, German and
Spanish. He was Chairman of the Modern Languages
Department and served as sponsor of the Makona Men’s
Social Club for the better part of three decades. Dr. Short
served on numerous boards and committees where he
received many awards and recognition for his teaching and
community service.
He was a dedicated Christian, professor, mentor,
friend, father and grandfather. He was respected by his
peers and loved by his students and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, W.N. and
Delia Short, and his son, Mark Short. He is survived by
one brother, Foy Short of White House, Tennessee; three
sisters, Cybil Dewhirst and Beth Ewing, both of Tupelo,
Mississippi, and Maggie Weaver of Prescott, Arizona; his
two daughters, Gina Meyer and her husband, Jarod, of
Phoenix, Arizona, and Vanessa Drennan and her husband
Hollis, of Argyle, Texas; one son, Dr. Dan Short and his
wife, Aimee, of Scottsdale, Arizona; seven grandchildren;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dr. Thomas Henry Greer ’38
Dr. Thomas Henry Greer, a McMurry University 1938
graduate, died January 15, 2010. He lived in Cedar Park,
Texas. He was a musician, violinist, violin maker, trumpet
player, composer, teacher and WWII Army band leader. He
served as the Band Leader of the 6th Army Group, received
the Bronze Star Medal, French Croix De Guerre and
numerous other awards. He received his Bachelor of Music
from McMurry, Masters of Music from SMU and Ph.D.
in Musicology from North Texas. He continued his music
career after the war and retired as professor and symphony
conductor at Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas
in 1977, and then moved to Austin. He was an outstanding
McMurry alum and received the Distinguished Alumnus
Award in 1975 from McMurry University.
Johnny Cornelius
Johnny Cornelius passed away August 13, 2009 at Baylor
Medical Center in Plano, Texas. Johnny was born in Spur,
Texas on November 22, 1946 to Carl W. and Mildred
Cornelius. He lived his first few years on a small ranch in
McAdoo, Texas before moving to El Paso with his parents.
From El Paso, the family was transferred to Dyess AFB in
Abilene. Johnny attended public schools in Abilene and
graduated from Hardin-Simmons University. He was a
member of the world famous HSU Cowboy Band.
Johnny was then commissioned as an officer in the
U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and later promoted to
Captain. He was honorably discharged from the army and
became a professor at Tarleton State University. Johnny then
returned to Abilene where he served as a vice-president
at a local bank. He then served as Tax Assessor Collector
for Taylor County. His final position was as professor
of business at McMurry University. He was a long-time
Methodist.
Survivors include his mother, Mildred Cornelius, his
father, Carl W. Cornelius, two uncles, retired Lt. Colonel
Elbert Jackson of Abilene and Curtis Faubus of Lubbock;
several cousins; and numerous friends, associates and
students.
Maxine Elliott Faulkner
Maxine Elliott Faulkner, longtime friend and supporter
of McMurry and resident of Amarillo, died Monday,
November 2, 2009.
Maxine was born August 3, 1908 in McPherson,
Kansas the same year that the Model T Ford was
introduced. She and her older sisters, Helen and Frances,
and younger brother, Dwight, were children of Lora and
Roy E. Elliott. The family traveled by horse and buggy until
they bought their first car in 1925, when they moved to
Walters, Oklahoma. She attended Oklahoma University for
a year before her marriage to Raymon Faulkner on June 1,
1930. They moved in May 1931 to Groom, where Raymon
was a lineman for Southwestern Public Service Co. Their
36 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y

FRIENDS
WE’LL MISS
son, Max Ray, was born May 27, 1932. In March 1933,
the day of FDR’s inauguration, Raymon was transferred
to Amarillo. Their daughter, Elaine, was born October 22,
1934. “Black Dusters” made child-raising difficult, but the
Faulkners had help from Maxine’s parents, who moved
in with the family in 1937. Maxine was a member of Polk
Street United Methodist Church since October 23, 1938.
Maxine received her B.A. and master’s degrees in
education from West Texas State College and taught
mostly third grade at San Jacinto Elementary School
until her retirement. Her husband, Raymon, died March
9, 1976. She was a teacher for Mother’s Day Out at Polk
Street Methodist Church for 20 years, but was still able
to enjoy traveling both at home and overseas. In 1995
she volunteered for the RSVP Children’s Immunization
Program and continued until two years ago, when the wind
was too strong for her to walk from her car to the hospital.
She and her daughter-in-law, Kenda, delivered Meals on
Wheels for a number of years and still played the piano for
her Sunday school class prior to her death.
Marilyn Boydstun Clement ’56
Marilyn Boydstun Clement ’56, a noted social activist who
helped expand black voting rights under the guidance of
the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s, and later
was a campaigner for a universal health-care system in the
United States, died August 3 in New York. Marilyn Louise
Boydstun was born in Tulia, Texas on June 30, 1935. She
graduated from McMurry in 1956.
Mrs. Clement, the daughter of gospel-singing Texas
sharecroppers, originally intended to become a missionary.
Instead, she settled in Atlanta in the early 1960s to join the
Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a civil rights
organization led by King. She worked directly for King and
contributed toward many of the organization’s projects,
including a campaign to elect black mayors across the
country.
Mrs. Clement made her career in social activism. She
served in leading roles for such organizations as the Center
for Constitutional Rights, a nonprofit legal and educational
group in New York, and the Women’s International League
for Peace and Freedom in Philadelphia.
After King’s assassination in 1968, Mrs. Clement
moved to New York and was associate director of the
Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization.
From 1976 to 1989, she was Executive Director of the
Center for Constitutional Rights and was heavily involved
with the Center’s efforts to take legal action against the Ku
Klux Klan and against the government in domestic spying
cases.
Survivors include her two children, Scott Clement of
Lone Oak, Texas, and Pamela Clement of Wirtz, Virginia.;
a brother, Les Boydstun ’59; and three granddaughters.
Raymon Bynum
Education lost a real leader with the passing of Dr. Raymon
Bynum. He devoted his entire life to public education,
starting as a math teacher and coach, and rising to become
the top public education official in the State of Texas.
From the classroom, Dr. Bynum moved into
public school administration. He served for 22 years
as the Assistant Superintendent of Richardson Schools
before being called to Austin. In 1975 Dr. Bynum was
named the Assistant Commissioner of Finance with the
Texas Education Agency. In 1979 he was named Deputy
Commissioner of Administrative Services for the TEA.
And in 1981 Dr. Bynum was appointed to serve as the
Texas State Commissioner of Education, a post he held for
more than three years until his retirement.
But Dr. Bynum did not really retire, instead providing
consultative service to public education throughout the
State of Texas. His recognized expertise in public school
finance kept him busy with school districts throughout
Texas.
Dr. Bynum was a McMurry graduate (’50) where
he achieved academic honors and played football. He
obtained an M.Ed. from SMU and was awarded an
Honorary Doctorate of Laws from McMurry in 1975. He
served as President of McMurry’s Alumni Association and
also served on McMurry’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Bynum
was named to the McMurry Athletic Hall of Honor in 1987
and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1984. •
M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y 37

Office of University Relations
Box 938 McMurry Station
Abilene, Texas 79697
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lubbock, TX
Permit No. 49
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30
Our Campaign is nearing its
successful conclusion.
25
20
15
We’ve been building for the future with your support.
Help put us over the top in 2010.
Make your contribution today!
10
Endowment
June 2005 and on
Furr
Welcome
Center
2007
Athletic
Field
2007
Current Total:
$
32.4 Million
Bynum
Band Hall
2008
Library
Renovation
2009
Finch-Gray
Science
Renovation
2010
Old Main
Renovation
2011-12
The Quest will provide McMurry the opportunity to explore with integrity and
imagination our stated desire to honor Native Americans. With such high profile
speakers, we will be challenged, informed and helped in our understanding of
appropriate appreciation for Native American heritage and culture.
March 11 & 12, 2010, at McMurry University
See page 18 for more information.