Cumberlite 2023 Issue 2

y Nancy Gerard 

Genuine connection is a gift in a world 

that sometimes feels like it is pulling 

us apart. When the gift of connection 

is experienced with people who were 

like family during the formative teenage 

years, it is a truly beautiful thing! 

March 31-April 2 provided an 

opportunity to return to Georgia- 

Cumberland Academy for Alumni 

Weekend 2023. With a theme of “Better 

Together”, the weekend provided many 

ways for people to reconnect with the 

people from their past. 

The Wally Fox Memorial Golf 

Tournament helped kick off the weekend 

on Friday, March 31. The tournament 

hosted the largest group of golfers ever, 

and friends, alumni, and donors raised 

AT ALUMNI 

WEEKEND 2023 

nearly $35,000 to help support students 

at GCA! Thank you to all who supported 

this event as a golfer, or as a sponsor! 

(See pages 18 and 19 for more details on 

the golf tournament.) 

Highlights from the Friday night 

vespers program included music by New 

Creation Chorale under the direction of 

Tony Thompson, ’83, and a challenge 

from speaker Shelly Litchfield, former 

staff, to be and go “Better and Farther 

– Together.” Elizabeth Theus Glass, 

’88, felt the power of God throughout 

the weekend. She commented, “Shelly 

touched a lot of hearts. She’s so honest 

and her love for Jesus shines through.” 

Sabbath morning greeted us with 

beautiful sunshine after a storm passed 

through in the night. Alumni and friends 

began gathering for the Welcome Home 

Breakfast, where a beautiful spread of 

breakfast food and drinks, prepared by 

the GCA cafeteria and arranged by Caryn 

Carman Payne, ’69, greeted guests. The 

hugs, the smiles, the joy of reconnection 

were signs of the genuine love GCA 

alumni have for each other! 

After the welcome and roll call prior 

to worship, Principal Serge Gariepy and 

Alumni President Rhondda Robinson 

Thomas, ’78, presided over the awards. 

First, the class of 1973 came forward to 

receive their 50-year medallions. Then 

the Alumni of the Year awards were 

given to honored alumni Diane Artress 

Connelly, ’88, Harold Cunningham, ’73, 

and Andy McDonald, ’73. Life Legacy 

Awards were presented by alumni who 

gave heartfelt tributes describing the 

impact of the honored staff. Recipients 

this year were Ed Connell, Doug 

Nesmith, and Ed Reifsnyder (awarded 

posthumously and received by his 

son, Steve Reifsnyder, ’67). For more 

information on each of these honorees, 

visit the Alumni tab at www.gcasda.org. 

The morning worship service was 

filled with heavenly music by alumni and 

current students, along with inspired 

preaching by Keith Bowman, ‘03. David 

Kim, ’88, especially enjoyed the praise 

music accompanied by the orchestra. 

David and his wife Esther were also 

pleased to participate in giving to the 

morning offering, which benefited 

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2 CUMBERLITE ISSUE 2 | 2023

2 3 4 

worthy students at GCA. “We pray that 

some student who otherwise may 

not have had a chance at Adventist 

Education will benefit from it and 

discover their God-appointed destiny at 

GCA!” 

After honor class photos and lunch, 

honor class reunions began. Speaking 

of the class of 1978’s reunion, Debbie 

Upton Strawn said, 

“We had lots of 

fun together with 

some classmates 

that haven’t been 

back to campus 

since graduation. 

The Cumberlite 

papers were a 

huge success. 

Everyone had so 

much fun reading 

and reminiscing 

over our years at 

GCA.” Nicole Davis 

Suekert, ’13, was 

thankful to be back 

on campus for 

Alumni Weekend. 

“One of the big 

highlights for me 

was getting to see my classmates. It 

was amazing to see how much life had 

changed yet how much the friendships 

felt the same after 10 years.” 

Among all the other afternoon 

activities, farewell events were held 

for Todd Hunt, ’85, and current men's 

assistant dean and Janet Naus (DJ), 

current head women’s dean. Women 

came from as far away as Norway to say 

“thank you” for DJ’s 31 years as dean and 

the impact she has had on generations 

of young women. 

“GCA holds a special 

place in my heart. It is the 

place where I made some 

of my closest friends and 

where I discovered God’s 

incredible, personal, and 

unconditional love for me. 

I am forever grateful for the 

staff that poured into my life 

during my time there and 

the safe environment that 

GCA was for me to grow 

and learn. Coming back felt 

like coming home!” 

Nicole Davis Suekert, ’13 

As the Sabbath came to an end, Ben 

Martin, ’98, led a group of GCA students, 

staff, and alumni in worship as they 

wrapped up the 

theme of “Better 

Together” with a 

reminder of Jesus’ 

teaching on how 

our love toward 

others, even the 

people we hate, 

is how others will 

know we are His 

disciples. 

Alumni Sports 

Night featured GCA 

vs. alumni softball 

teams, with a score 

of 16 to 9, in favor 

of the GCA team. 

GCA ladies took on 

the alumni ladies 

in basketball with a 

final score of 21-33. 

To round out the athletic events, the 

GCA guys took on the GCA alumni team 

in an exciting game that ended with a 

score of 53-67. 

The final event of Alumni Weekend 

2023 took place Sunday morning with 

the Ride for GCA. The group enjoyed 

a spectacular springtime ride through 

the North Georgia countryside and 

mountains, ending at Mountain Cove 

Farm for lunch. Thanks go to Dewey 

Campbell, ’84, for planning and leading 

the ride. Thanks, also, to Don, ’69, and 

Elizabeth Wilson for sponsoring the Ride 

for GCA this year. 

If you missed Alumni Weekend 2023 

and would like to watch the programs, 

or if you were there and would like to 

relive some of those wonderful weekend 

programming moments, you can go to 

www.youtube.com/@gcasda/playlists 

to watch the recordings of the worship 

services. 

Please make plans to join us next 

year for Alumni Weekend 2024, April 5-7! 

It won’t be the same if you’re not there! 

PHOTO CAPTIONS: 

1. New Creation Chorale, Camerata, 

and GCA Chorale perform 

A Parting Blessing during the 

Friday Vespers program under the 

direction of Tony Thompson, ’83 

2. Donalyn (Parker) Stephenson, 

’83, sings He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My 

Brother Friday during Vespers 

3. Laken Scott, ’18, Nicole (Davis) 

Suekert, ’13, and Kailey Wales, 

’13, lead praise and worship on 

Sabbath morning 

4. Celebrating 30 years of DJ’s 

service at GCA (L to R) – Amanda 

(Chase) Avera, ’06, DJ Naus, Sara 

Chase, ’01, and Laura (Chase) 

Sheth, ’13 

CUMBERLITE ISSUE 2 | 2023 

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4 CUMBERLITE ISSUE 2 | 2023 

ALUMNI WEEKEND 

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS 2023


5

Honor Classes 

CLASS OF 1968 

From L to R: Andi (McGaha) Erwin, Brenda 

(Murray) Morris, Barbara (Cummings) Willis 

CLASS OF 1973 

Front Row: Harold Cunningham, Candace (Elkins) Foreman, Truby Christman, Lynne (Britt) Higdon, Theresa (Klein) Doran, 

Joy (Woodell) Cliett 

Middle Row: Larkin Fessenden (Class of '72), Steve Fuchcar, Sharon (Hansen) Skoretz, Renee (Wentland) Earle, Jeannie 

(Newgard) Cunningham, Susan (Summerour) DeFoor, Janis (Burnside) White, Tebbi (Meissner) Kochenower, Patty McGhee 

Back Row: Terry Day, Warren Rood, Melody (Everts) Hopson, Chad Chastain, Nathan Lindsey, Alan Ashcraft, Byron DeFoor, 

Andy McDonald, Farrell Preston 


CLASS OF 1978 

Front Row: Judy (Ringer) Twigg, Cheré 

(Bresee) Atherton, Rhondda (Robinson) 

Thomas, Linda (McCarthur) Norman, Gwen 

Thompson, Cindy (Filler) Vann 

Middle Row: Sandi (LaBar) Calvert, Angela 

(Addison) Lorenz, Jan (Ashcraft) Upton, Janice 

(Regal) Straub, Debbie (Upton) Strawn, Denise 

(Mitchell) Hevener 

Back Row: Marvin Wilson, Andy Nall, Greg 

Owens, Brenda Greenman, Onecia (Lee) 

George 

CLASS OF 1983 

Front Row: Vonda (Clark) Beerman, Greg 

Fowler, Renee (Satterfield) Rimmer, Lisa 

(Matayas) Paulauskis 

Middle Row: Ramona Harris, Grayce 

Grant-Wood, Karen (Artress) Orquia, 

Georgia (Butterfield) O’Brien, Donalyn 

(Parker) Stephenson, Regina (Ritchey) 

Stojkic 

Back Row: Jamie Bishop, Troy Patton, 

David Denton 


7

CLASS OF 1988 

Front Row: Tami (Wiseman) Tishaw, 

Anthony Harris, Elizabeth (Theus) Glass, 

Joy (Perry) Jaqua, Diane (Artress) Connelly, 

Angela (Dobias) Viar, Georgie (Seckler) 

Smith 

Back Row: Kent Wallace, Bob Overstreet, 

Trent Epperson, David Kim, Alan Connelly, 

Lance Hendley 

CLASS OF 1993 

Front Row: Joy Dunn, Eve (Parker) Knight, David 

Steele, Kacy Tate 

Back Row: Rebecca (Sturtevant) Sitz, Laurie 

(Spilovoy) Cover, Stephanie (Stover) Rucker, 

Sandra Mosley, Joni (Self) Yamamoto 


CLASS OF 1998 

Front Row: Hanna (Edwards) Wyatt, Jolene 

(Harrell) Sharp, Quanny (Carter) Ard, Brooke 

(Naus) Tatum, Lourdes Rivera 

Back Row: Amanda Skoretz, Richard Shinn, 

Ben Martin, Cleve Philossaint, Jonathan 

Sharp 

CLASS OF 2003 

Front Row: Monica (Carter) Barnes, Mandy 

Brady, Nicole (Antone) Lasley, Trista (Peterson) 

Roque 

Middle Row: Steven Wilson, Terry Skaggs, 

Donnie Keele, III, Morgan (Kurzynske) 

Dingman, Jenney (Knox) Tello 

Back Row: Keith Bowman, Jeff Sheldon, 

Jeremy Mills, Matthew Pepper, Josh Woods, 

Michelle (Thomas) Paige, Jennifer (Stout) Smith, 

Jessica (Johnston) Harrington, Ricky Naus 

CLASS OF 2008 

Front Row: Allyson Bridges, Shaina 

(Clough) Rodriguez, Heather (Thames) 

Leeper, Mimi (Monarrez) Daniel, Nicole 

(Humphrey) Arellano 

Back Row: Albert Hernandez, Kaleb 

Leeper, Jacob Arellano 


9

CLASS OF 2013 

Front Row: Nicole (Davis) Suekert, Abby 

Robbins, Kailey Wales, Rachel Clark, Laura 

(Chase) Sheth, Darby (Jones) Schultz, Kelli 

(Stickney) Brady 

Middle Row: Bree (Paradis) Lowery, Ashley 

(Speer) Redfox, Jasmine Arellano, Jeffrey 

Simmons, Leah (Teague) Pubillones, Alex Brady 

Back Row: Steven Metott, Justice Peltier, 

Benjamin Brooks, Christopher Pubillones, 

Steven Pubillones, Sam Voegele 

CLASS OF 2018 

Front Row: Alex Candamil, Caroline 

Markoff, Geoff Fowler, Dakota Futcher, 

Jordan Davis, Joshua Holland 

Middle Row: Gage Hufstetler, Lismary 

(Rosales) Shatus, Genesis Arteta, Kiera 

Coker, Nmamdi Onyeije 

Back Row: Zoe Dorsett, Jordan Jablonski, 

Amber Maddox, Laken Scott, Javiera 

Alquinta 

FORMER STAFF 

Front Row: Janet Wood, Barbara 

Willis, Mary Ellen Fox, Marcia Haluska, 

Margaret Anderson 

Middle Row: Sara Chase, Heather 

Leeper, Charles Zacharias, Fred 

Anderson 

Back Row: Bill Wood, Greg Gerard, 

Kaleb Leeper, Wayne Stickney, Don 

Keele, Jr., Charles Young, Don Livesay 


E.F. REIFSNYDER 

PRINCIPAL, 1964-68 

LIFE LEGACY AWARD 

When the doors of Georgia- 

Cumberland Academy opened in 

1965, Elder Reifsnyder, GCA’s first 

principal, had already been hard 

at work for a full year. The tasks of 

recruiting staff, recruiting students, 

making decisions about curricula, 

and thinking through the details 

of how to get the school up and 

running kept Ed Reifsnyder busy 

that first year. He was already an 

experienced leader, having served 

as principal of two schools prior 

to being invited by the Georgia- 

Cumberland Conference to bring 

GCA into existence. 

From the first, his spiritual 

leadership was evident. Early staff 

speak of the spiritual tone he helped 

set at this school. He was a man of 

faith and conviction. He was also a 

man of prayer. 

Elder Reifsnyder, were the only fire 

fighters outside of Calhoun. 

One’s first impression of Elder 

Reifsnyder could easily have been 

that he was strict and stern. Yet 

many stories circulate of the funny 

nicknames he gave people and crazy 

escapades such as a whipped cream 

fight in the cafeteria with a student. 

He knew how to have fun with the 

kids, and they knew he cared about 

them. 

E.F. Reifsnyder’s partner in ministry 

was Eloise, his wife of 72 years. The 

couple had two sons, Ed and Steve 

Reifsnyder. Although Ed had already 

graduated from academy by the time 

the Reifsnyders arrived at GCA, Steve 

attended and graduated during his 

father’s tenure as principal. 

Elder Reifsnyder passed away August 

31, 2012, at the age of 92. The impact 

of his life and the legacy of leadership 

to Adventist Education will be felt for 

eternity. 

Elder Reifsnyder trained and served 

as a fire fighter before he began his 

work in education. When he came 

to Calhoun, Georgia, and discovered 

there was no fire department for 

Gordon County, he set to work 

training students and staff and 

then established the first county 

fire department. For many years, 

the GCA firefighters, trained by 

Steve Reifsnyder, ’67, (second from L) accepted the Life Legacy 

Award from Brenda (Morris) Murray, ’68, on behalf of his father 


11


ED CONNELL 

TEACHER, 1977-89 

Ed Connell arrived at Georgia- 

Cumberland Academy with his wife, 

Tyke and their son, Steve, in the 

summer of 1977. Their son, Darby, 

was born during their tenure at 

GCA. Principal Lyle Anderson invited 

the Connells to join the GCA family 

and move across the country from 

Oregon. Ed had grown up near 

Collegedale, TN so it felt a bit like he 

was returning home. 

Ed always sensed that it was his 

destiny to be a teacher. After 

graduating from Union College, his 

science and math teaching career 

began at Valley Grande Academy in 

Texas. From there he spent three 

years at Milo Academy in Oregon, 12 

years at GCA, and a final 22 years at 

Southwestern Adventist University 

in Keene, Texas. Ed retired in 2011. 

A lifelong learner, Ed pursued 

graduate education at Baylor 

University, Andrews University, 

Texas A&M University, and the 

University of South Carolina. 

Ed’s memories of their life at GCA 

are rich. He remembers with 

fondness the off-campus outings 

and trips, as well as participating 

in intramural sports. He recalls 

playing in the band, trips with his 

physics classes to Epcot and the 

Kennedy Space Center, and the 

many other school activities. Even 

home leave bus trips, where he had 

the opportunity to meet and interact 

with parents provided special 

memories. As he reflects on his 

David Denton, ’83, presenting the 

Life Legacy Award for Ed Connell 

years in education, Ed notes that the 

rewards are the joy of each moment. 

And moments are what make up a 

life. 

Some of those moments of impact 

will never be forgotten by his 

students. David Denton, ’83, recalls 

Mr. Connell seeing something in him 

beyond just a boy who should have 

been consigned to special study hall. 

Invitations to the Connell home to 

watch football made David feel like 

someone who mattered to a beloved 

teacher beyond the classroom and 

left an indelible impression on him. 

Another classmate remembers 

being invited to the Connell home 

for meals and being made to feel 

like she was part of their family. She 

remembers that both Mr. and Mrs. 

Connell were always happy to take 

time to explain anything she didn’t 

understand. Mr. Connell made math 

understandable and was happy 

to answer any question. She also 

remembers him giving up his Six 

Flags ticket so she, a student who 

couldn’t afford the trip, could go 

with her friends. 

The Class of 1983 unanimously 

chose Mr. Ed as the recipient 

of a Life Legacy Award for 

his compassion, service, and 

educational professionalism. 


DOUG NESMITH 

DEAN OF MEN, 1996-PRESENT 


It all started at summer camp. While 

a high school student, Doug Nesmith 

worked at camp and began to feel 

God leading him into education. And 

it all made sense. He loved to learn, 

and he loved working with kids, so 

education was the logical choice. 

While in college, Doug heard about 

an academy in Georgia that needed 

a task force dean. He applied for the 

job, Dean Tim Epperson hired him, 

and that is how Doug first ended up 

at Georgia-Cumberland Academy. 

Doug recalls being mentored by 

Dean Epperson and loving his work! 

When his task force year at GCA 

ended, Doug returned to Union 

College to finish his degree, knowing 

that he wanted to be a dean again 

sometime in the future. 

After graduating from Union College 

in 1994 with a degree in elementary 

education, Doug took a teaching 

position at Mile High Academy. It 

was there that he met his future 

wife, Candace Myers, who was also 

teaching at Mile High. Soon they 

were married, and a year later they 

were both offered jobs at GCA, 

where Doug became dean of boys 

and Candace joined the music 

faculty. 

Doug says the most rewarding part 

of his job as dean is watching the 

young men grow up. He loves seeing 

the changes that occur in selfcontrol 

and maturity over the four 

years of academy and is happy to 

play a role in that development. The 

job has its challenges, to be sure, but 

Doug prays that when the students 

are looking at him, they will see 

Jesus. He also prays for God to keep 

the guys safe, to help them learn, 

and to have fun at GCA. But mostly, 

he prays that each one of them will 

fall in love with Jesus for the rest of 

their lives. 

David Huey, ’98, recalls of Dean 

Nesmith, “He was a part of the 

small group of staff who were 

there not for the money, but for 

the importance of helping students 

develop and shape their minds for 

the challenges in the world that 

lay ahead. As a dean, he played a 

significant role in teaching us how to 

become self-sufficient young men.” 

Doug and Candace have five grown 

children who graduated from GCA, 

the youngest of which is a freshman 

in college. 

From L to R: Serge Gariepy, Doug Nesmith, Ben 

Martin, ’98, and Rhondda (Robinson) Thomas, ’78 


13

ALUMNA OF THE YEAR 

DIANE (ARTRESS) CONNELLY, '88 

Diane Artress Connelly is a wife, 

mother, sister, and friend to many. 

Diane was born in Marietta, Georgia, 

and is the youngest of four Artress 

girls, all of whom graduated from 

Georgia-Cumberland Academy. 

While here, she made lifelong 

connections with teachers and 

students alike. 

Diane graduated magna cum laude 

from Andrews University with a 

major in English in 1992. Diane’s 

father and uncle were physicians 

as is her older sister, Karen 

(Artress) Orquia, ’83. For 

GCA career day, she had 

followed obstetrician Dr. Art 

Butterfield and had enjoyed 

this opportunity. After careful 

consideration, she enrolled 

in Loma Linda University 

School of Medicine. While in 

medical school, Diane took 

an additional year to earn 

a master's degree in public 

health, with an emphasis 

in Health Education and 

Promotion. She graduated in 

1997. With a strong interest 

in women’s health, she soon 

specialized in obstetrics and 

gynecology. It was a good 

decision. Over the last 28 years, she 

has delivered approximately 5,000 

babies! 

Since 2007, she has been an 

attending physician at Kaiser 

Permanente in Riverside, 

California. She is a diplomat of the 

American College of Obstetrics and 

Gynecology and an Alpha Omega 

Alpha Honors Society member. 

In addition to her work seeing 

patients, she co-chairs the Bioethics 

Committee, served on the Blood 

Management Appropriateness 

Committee, and enjoys teaching 

medical students and residents. She 

was voted one of the Physicians of 

the Year by the Southern California 

Physicians Medical Group for Kaiser 

Permanente in 2014. 

Diane also serves her church, the 

local community, and her family. 

For many years Diane volunteered 

in children’s ministries at the Loma 

Linda University Church. Diane met 

her husband, Alan Connelly, ’88, at 

GCA, and they will celebrate 

their 29th anniversary this 

June. They have a daughter, 

Allison, a Southern Adventist 

University student majoring 

in biology, who plans to 

attend medical school. While 

the Connellys have called 

Loma Linda, California, 

home for over 30 years, she 

has maintained close ties 

to friends and faculty from 

GCA. Those who know her 

appreciate and admire her 

faith, kind spirit, laughter, 

and example of wife, mother, 

sister, and friend. 


ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR 

HAROLD CUNNINGHAM, '73 

Harold Cunningham grew up in 

Augusta, Georgia and was able 

to attend Georgia-Cumberland 

Academy because of the generosity 

and sacrifice of local church 

members. After graduation from 

GCA, Harold attended Southern 

Missionary College, graduating in 

1977 with a degree in theology. 

Following a year at the University 

of Tennessee studying psychology, 

Harold began his pastoral ministry in 

the Pennsylvania Conference. After 

a year there, his seminary training 

began at Andrews University. 

After graduating with his Master 

of Divinity, Harold was back in 

Pennsylvania for three more years 

as a pastor. 

In 1985 the Georgia boy returned 

home to become the chaplain and 

Bible teacher at Atlanta Adventist 

Academy. For fourteen years Harold 

influenced and shaped the lives 

of academy students. His ministry 

in the classroom gained him the 

recognition of his peers and the 

admiration of his students. While 

at AAA Harold received the Zaparra 

Award for Excellence in Teaching. 

Harold returned to pastoral 

ministry in 1999 when he was 

called to lead the Peachtree City 

Church. His leadership skills and 

well-honed abilities to work with 

people soon got Harold an offer 

to serve as the ministerial director 

for the southern region of the 

Georgia-Cumberland Conference. 

As a ministerial director, he was 

honored by the North American 

Division as Ministerial Associate of 

the Year in recognition of his ability 

to communicate and relate to the 

needs of pastors in the field. He 

developed a newsletter for pastors 

called "Georgia Grown" combining 

his love for gardening/farming 

and his passion for seeing the 

advancement of God's Kingdom. 

After five years in the southern 

region, Harold was asked to become 

Vice President 

for Pastoral 

Ministries for 

the Georgia- 

Cumberland 

Conference. In 

this position, 

Harold led a 

team of 4 other 

ministerial 

directors in 

their work 

with pastors 

and churches 

throughout the states of Georgia, 

Tennessee, and North Carolina. 

Now retired, Harold is a community 

activist who serves his community 

in a variety of ways. Harold served 

on the Appalachian Regional 

Commission, a federal agency 

dedicated to the growth and 

development of small towns in the 

southernmost sector of Appalachia 

and is currently vice-president of a 

chapter responsible for developing 

projects and coordinating volunteers 

within Georgia state parks. Of all 

his educational accomplishments, 

Harold says he is most proud of 

his master gardener certification 

from the University of Georgia 

and graduating with a certification 

in agriculture and farming from 

Tennessee State 

University. 

Harold has 

been married to 

Jeanie Newgard 

Cunningham, 

‘73, for 47 years. 

Harold and 

Jeannie are the 

proud parents 

of two grown 

daughters, Stacey 

and Amy. 


15

ANDY MCDONALD, '73 

ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR 

Andy McDonald’s Georgia roots 

are deep. His family’s history is 

intertwined with the history of 

Atlanta and of the Adventist Church 

there. Andy joined the GCA class of 

1973 his junior year after completing 

10th grade at Atlanta Union 

Academy. At GCA he quickly found 

his place as a leader, being voted 

student association president his 

senior year. 

Following graduation from 

GCA, Andy went on to Southern 

Missionary College and majored 

in theology. After SMC, Andy 

was sponsored by the Georgia- 

Cumberland Conference and 

attended the Adventist Theological 

Seminary at Andrews University, 

graduating in December 1979. 

Andy would also complete a Doctor 

of Ministry degree from Andrews 

University in 1999. 

Andy’s first four years were spent in 

the Georgia-Cumberland Conference 

(actually living on the GCA campus 

while interning in Calhoun) then 

serving the Brunswick and Cohutta 

districts. In 1984, he accepted a call 

to be a youth pastor at the Florida 

Hospital Church (now WholeLife 

Church). Before the year was out, at 

age 29, he took the leadership reins 

at the church and began a multidecade 

transformation process 

that took it from a mono-cultural, 

mono-generational congregation to 

a multi-cultural, multi-generational 

faith community that was responsive 

to member needs and aligned with 

its mission. Andy never veered from 

his calling as a pastor, and he retired 

41 years later as a pastor with 37 of 

those years in one church. 

In retirement 

Andy is now 

spending time 

traveling, 

studying, 

enjoying his 

family, and 

continuing 

to grow as a 

person. Having 

always found 

nature to be 

personally 

restorative, 

Andy is 

currently 

becoming 

certified in 

Forest Therapy so he can help others 

improve their physical and mental 

health through the natural world. 

Andy has been married to Vicki 

Johnson McDonald since 1978 and 

the couple are the proud parents of 

two grown children, Whitni (married 

to Jeff Carlson) and Zachary (married 

to Riley Cochran). Andy and Vicki 

find great delight in their three 

grandchildren, Paxton, Andie Jo, and 

Holden and are looking forward to 

sharing more time with them. 


REGIONAL EVENTS 

The GCA Fire Department. The aviation program. 

Wally Fox pranks. Football Mania. Afterglow. Flower 

Vespers. Decorating the dorm for Christmas. Mission 

Trips. The New England Trip… When asked to share a 

favorite memory of GCA at this year’s regional events, 

these were some of the precious memories that 

alumni shared with each other. With the removal of 

COVID restrictions across the country, we were excited 

to resume a full schedule of regional get-togethers 

with alumni and former staff. In January, we visited 

Oakwood University, enjoying a delicious homemade 

lunch, while connecting with area alumni. In February, 

we made several visits across the US, stopping at the 

campus of Union College for a pizza supper, providing 

a Mexican lunch to alumni at Loma Linda Academy, and 

enjoying an Italian meal in Orlando, Florida! At each 

event, we shared updates about the school, gave a tour 

of the new website (www.gcasda.org), and answered 

questions from the group. 

Loma Linda 

Alumni, 

Former 

Staff, & 

Current 

Staff 

Oakwood 

Alumni 

This year marked the 15th 

year of Ride for GCA. Created 

by David Woodcock, ’85, Ride 

for GCA is a motorcycle riding 

fundraiser. All proceeds from 

the ride go into the Worthy 

Student Fund, which assists 

students who require financial aid. 

Sponsored by Don Wilson, ’69, this year’s 

motorcycle ride began with sunny skies, despite 

the chilly temperatures. After checking in and 

receiving their t-shirt, custom designed by Heather 

Leech, ’12, Dewey Campbell, ’84, shared the route 

with the group. Serge Gariepy, GCA principal, 

offered a prayer of protection before the drivers 

and passengers started the ride. 

Upon arriving, the group 

enjoyed a special lunch 

catered by GCA Food Service 

Director, Matt Anderson. 

Thank you to all who 

participated in this year’s 

ride. Make plans now to join 

us for next year’s ride on 

April 7, 2024. 

Orlando 

Alumni, 

Former, 

Staff & 

Current Staff 


17

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE 2023 FIRST PRIZE TOURNAMENT WINNERS! 

The Greg Birge Team 

First Prize, First Flight 

The MARK RICHARDSON Team 

First Prize, SECOND Flight 

Record-Breaking Attendance at the 

30th Annual Wally Fox Memorial Golf Tournament 

This year, for the first time in the history of the tournament, 

GCA had a record-breaking 134 golfers participate! 

Although the tournament had a chilly morning 

start, it turned into a perfect spring day for golf. 

We would like to extend a special thank you to our 

corporate title sponsor, AdventHealth, as well as our 

promotional sponsor, ACGink, who provided custom 

golf polos for all the players. Because of the generosity 

of all our sponsors and golfers, the tournament raised 

nearly $35,000 for student scholarships! 

Golf Tournament Sponsors 

Title Sponsor 

Promotional Sponsor 


CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE 2023 FIRST PRIZE TOURNAMENT WINNERS! 

The SCOTT BEGLEY Team 

First Prize, THIRD Flight 

ALUMNI CUP WINNERS 

CLASS OF 1990 

Champions SponsorS - $3,000 

Mark, ’75, and Brenda (Brown), ’76, 

Richardson: in memory of Coach Fox 

Lunch Sponsors - $2,000 

Danny, ’75, and Jackie Harris 

Mrs. Kirk’s Favorites – ’84 

Johnny and Georgia (Butterfield), ’83, 

O’Brien 

Platinum Sponsor - $1,500 

Don Wilson, ’69 

Gold Sponsors - $1,000 

Collegedale Academy 

Dalton Plastic Surgery, Reginald 

Sherrill, MD 

EST. 2003 

EVERTS 

770-877-1527 

EvertsInc.com 

State Licensed - Bonded and Insured 

Georgia-Cumberland Conference 

Southern Union Office of Education 

Southern Union Youth & Young 

Adult Ministries 

US Foods 

Silver Sponsor - $500 

Alan and Diane Connelly, ’88 

Hole Sponsors - $250 

AdventHealth Ophthalmology, 

Daniel Ahn, MD 

Chase Farms 

College Press 

GCA Adventist Church 

Hodag 

Learning Labs 

Brian Martin, ’75 

The Murrill Family 

David, ’75 and Tami (Baker), ’76, 

Richardson 


19

Planned Giving News 

YOU CAN USE! 

What Is a Donor Advised Fund? 

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is an account you 

establish with an administrator such as a nonprofit, 

bank, investment firm or other financial services 

provider. Some institutions have minimum amounts 

and differing distribution requirements. However, all 

feature one benefit: You give to the fund when you 

want, then advise the administrator. Just remember 

this is an “advised” fund, so the administrator is not 

bound to follow your advice. However, administrators 

almost always follow the account holder’s advice 

unless there is a problem with the intended recipient. 

A DAF is an account authorized by Congress and 

recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Each 

time you contribute to your fund, you receive an 

income tax deduction. 

Is a Donor Advised Fund Right 

for You? 

If you like controlling the timing of your charitable 

giving and your income tax deduction, then a Donor 

Advised Fund makes sense. It’s generally easy to 

establish and is a hassle-free way of giving to your 

favorite causes. 

May We Help You? 

To learn more, please contact Beth Zeiss at 

(770) 337-4374 or bzeiss@gcasda.org. 

We welcome the opportunity to answer your 

questions and work with you and your advisors. 

Donor Advised Funds 

Take Control of Your Charitable Dollars 

• • • 

Get an 

income tax 

deduction now, 

give to charity 

later 

Easily make 

contributions 

anonymously 

If any of these benefits appeal to you, then a Donor 

Advised Fund may be right for you. It allows you 

more control of your charitable dollars, especially for 

maximizing your charitable income tax deductions. Your 

account administrator invests the fund, and you can 

make gifts to charities from it when you want. 

Benefits of a Donor Advised Fund 

• Control the timing of your deduction and donation 

• Effortlessly give anonymously to charity 

• Pass ownership to children or friends to create 

a legacy 

Other Considerations: 

• Receive an income tax deduction when you want 

• Your account gives, not you, so your identity is 

revealed only if you want 

• Your account can accept stock for capital 

gains benefits 

Maximize your 

tax deductions 

• You can only advise the administrator, not direct 

the distributions 

The names and images shown here are representative of typical donors and may or may not be actual 

donors to the organization. Under federal rules your benefits may be different from this example. 

Please contact us for your specific benefits. 

Copyright © 2023 Crescendo Interactive, Inc. Used by permission. 

This information is not intended as tax, legal or financial 

advice. Gift results may vary. Consult your personal 

financial advisor for information specific to your situation. 

23PY3

ALUMNI & FORMER STAFF UPDATES 

WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! 

Please send us updates about educational accomplishments, new career opportunities, additions to your family (whether 

through marriage or birth), or any other news you would like to share. Email Beth Zeiss at bzeiss@gcasda.org. 

TERRE PARMAN, ’77, retired after 

35 years of federal service. Sadly, his 

wife of 40 years, Lynette, passed away 

on March 20, 2023. She is survived by 

Terre along with their daughter Tracey 

Duwaik, sons Michael and Andrew 

Parman, as well as their grandchildren, 

nieces, and nephews. 

JEFF REIBER, ’94, lives in Woodstock, 

GA with his wife, son, and daughter. 

He teaches at the Atlanta School of 

Massage. He also owns two small 

1 

2 3 

businesses. The first business focuses 

on massage for athletes and oncology 

patients. The second business is as 

an antique purveyor and restorer. His 

vintage finds and designs can be found 

@j.reiberdesigns on Instagram. 

1 JEANETTE ILLIDGE, ’00, is 

an audiobook narrator at Lantern 

Audiobooks. The Audio Publishers 

Association has nominated her 

narration for the short story, Something 

Borrowed, or the Costume by Daniella 

Paige for an Audie Award. 

2 EMILY (YOUNG) MAXIE, 

’06, graduated with an MBA from the 

University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton 

School. 

4 

3 Congratulations to ALEXIS 

(SORNSON) MOHR, ’09, and her 

husband Robert, who welcomed Lorelai 

April on April 6, 2023. At birth, Lorelai 

was 6.5 pounds and 19 ¼ inches long. 

4 MELISSA (STARKEY) TRYON, 

’09, and her husband Daniel welcomed 

their second child, Frances Kate on 

March 21, 2023. At birth, Kate weighed 

7 pounds and 8 ounces and was 19.5 

inches long. 

JOEL GREVE, ’11, earned an MAPM 

in pastoral ministry from Andrews 

University on May 5, 2023. 

5 SARAH (THEUS) MANCAO, 

’12, and her husband David, are 

doubly blessed as they welcomed their 

daughters Georgia Wren and October 

Wilde to the world on April 26, 2023. 

At birth, Georgia weighed 5 pounds, 4 

ounces and was 17 inches long. October 

was born eight minutes later weighing 6 

pounds, 5 ounces, and was 19.5 inches 

long. Both babies and Sarah are doing 

well, and big brother Bodhi 

is excited that his sisters 

have arrived! 

LAUREN BRACKBILL, 

’14, earned an MSEd in 

literacy education from 

Southern Adventist 


Congratulations to ERIC 

CLAUS, ’14, who was voted 

by the North American 

Division of Seventh-day 


21

6 

8 

Adventist administration to be the 

new Associate Director of ITS for 

Infrastructure and Hosting. 

6 SARAH LAU, ’15, completed an 

MPH from Emory University’s Rollins 

School of Public Health. She plans to 

begin studies for a PNP MSN this fall. 

7 KEHIRY CASTILLO, ’16, recently 

accepted a position as a multimedia 

journalist associate at NBCUniversal. 

HUDSON SUTTON, ’16, completed 

a three-year administrative residency 

program with AdventHealth. He 

recently accepted a position as the 

Strategic Planning and Operating Room 

Business Manager for AdventHealth 

Hendersonville in North Carolina. 

SADIE (DIXON) UMALI, ’16, started 

a new job at Grayce Bridal & Formal 

in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Sadie is a 

bridal stylist, who will assist brides in 

finding the perfect gown. 

BREEAN ADAMS, ’17, earned an 

MSW with an emphasis in school social 

work from Southern Adventist University 

on May 7, 2023. 

8 EMILY (HEHN) LARSEN, ’17, 

married her sweetheart Brett on March 

27, 2023, at Clisby Pines, an outdoor 

wedding venue in North Georgia. 

BRANDON VANFOSSEN, ’17, 

earned a BS in business administration 

from Southern Adventist University on 

May 7, 2023. 

JULIET BROMME, ’18, is studying law 

at George Washington University. 

KAREN DOMINGUEZ, ’18 graduated 

from Southern Adventist University with 

a BS in nursing. 

ISABELLA EKLUND, 

’18, graduated cum laude 

from Southern Adventist 

University on May 7, 2023, 

with a bachelor’s degree in 

social work. 

MIKE FISHER, ’18, 

graduated from Andrews 

University with a BT in 

aviation/maintenance. 

He started a new job as 

an aircraft maintenance 

technician for Star Aviation located 

out of the Chattanooga Metropolitan 

Airport. 

SHELBY HUSE, ’18, earned a 

graduate certificate in nutrition and 

dietetics from Andrews University on 

May 7, 2023. 

9 Congratulations to JORDAN 

JABLONSKI, ’18, who graduated 

magna cum laude from Southern 

Adventist University on May 7, 2023, 

with a BA in graphic design. 

ALEX NESMITH, ’18, earned a BA in 

communication with a public relations 

emphasis from Union College on May 7, 

2023. 

DANIEL BURKE, ’19, graduated 

cum laude from Southern Adventist 

University on May 7, 2023, with a BBA in 

finance. He was one of five SAU students 

who graduated with the distinction 

of being a Southern Scholar. Southern 

Scholars complete a special educational 

path that involves honors courses and 

independent study. His research project 

was titled, “The Change of Italian and 

United States Banking Systems in Response 

to the Global Financial Crisis.” 


KRISTIN BURGESS, ’19, graduated 

magna cum laude from Andrews 

University on May 7, 2023 with a BS 

in speech-language pathology and 

audiology. 

BRANDON DESOUZA, ’19 

graduated cum laude from Southern 


with a BS in biology and biomedical 

emphasis. 

10 RAFAEL ENCARNACION, ’19 

graduated from Southern Adventist 

University on May 7, 2023, with a 

bachelor’s degree in social work. 

JARED FREEMAN, ’19, earned a BS 

in Chemistry from Southern Adventist 


NICOLAS GALINDO, ’19, earned 

a BS in business administration from 

Southern Adventist University on May 

17, 2023. 

EVAN HYDE, ’19, graduated from 

Southern Adventist University on May 7, 

2023, with a BBA in management with 

an international business emphasis. 

SYDNEY LOPEZ, ’19, graduated 

magna cum laude from Southern 


with a BA in liberal 

arts education. 

Congratulations 

to ELYSSE 

MASTRAPA, ’19, 

who graduated 

magna cum laude 

from Southern 

Adventist University 

on May 7, 2023 with 

a BBA in accounting. 

WILL MITCHELL, ’19, earned an 

AT in construction management from 



CALVIN SCOTT, ’19, graduated cum 

laude from Andrews University on May 

7, 2023 with a BHS in physical therapy. 

He has been accepted to the physical 

therapy doctoral program at AU where 

he will begin studies in the fall. 

AMIE SHELLEY, ’19, graduated 


University on May 7, 2023, with a BA in 

psychology. 

KATIE SHELLEY, ’19, graduated 


University on May 7, 2023, with a 

Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. 

MAGGIE ANDERSON, ’20, earned 

an occupational therapy assistant AS 

from Union College on May 7, 2023. 

Congratulations to NATHAN 

GRISWOLD, ’20, who graduated 

summa cum laude from Southern 

Adventist University on May 7, 

2023, with an AS in nursing. Nathan 

has accepted a nursing position at 

AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, 

Georgia. 

PETER KWON, ’20, graduated 


University on May 7, 2023, with an AS in 

nursing. 

EMILY FREEMAN, ’21, graduated 

summa cum laude with an AT in 

construction management from 



11 NOELLE STONER, ’21, graduated 

summa cum laude from AdventHealth 

University on April 24, 2023, with an AS 

as an occupational therapy assistant. 

9 


23

GEORGIA-CUMBERLAND ACADEMY 

ALUMNI & DEVELOPMENT 

397 Academy Dr. SW 

Calhoun, GA 30701 

Phone: (706) 629-4591 

Fax: (706) 629-1272 

bzeiss@gcasda.org 

ngerard@gcasda.org 

CUMBERLITE STAFF 

EDITOR: 

BETH ZEISS 

ASSISTANT EDITOR: 

NANCY GERARD 

LAYOUT & DESIGN: 

EMMALEE SHALLENBERGER 

COPY EDITING: 

SUSAN JENKINS 

PHOTOGRAPHERS: 

NANCY GERARD 

MELISSA JOHNSON 

K.C. LARSEN 

BETH ZEISS 

Give on Your Terms 

Give on Your Terms 

Donor Advised 

Funds Donor Advised Give Funds You 

Give You Control 

Control 

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is an account you establish with a 

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is 

bank, investment company or charity to help you organize your giving to the 

an account you establish with a bank, 

nonprofit organization(s) important to you. 

investment company or charity to help you 

organize Each time your giving contribute to money the or nonprofit stocks to the organization(s) 

fund, you receive income tax 

deduction. Your account administrator invests your funds and when the timing is right 

important to you. 

for you, you tell the administrator to make a distribution. You choose the amount. 

Each time you contribute money or stocks to the fund, 

you Benefits receive an income of a tax DAF deduction. Your account 

administrator • Time your invests contributions your for maximum funds and tax deductions when the timing 

is right • for Give you, to charities you when tell the you want administrator to make a 

distribution. • Give anonymously You choose through the your amount. fund 

• Name children and grandchildren as successor owners to create a legacy 

May We 

Help You? 

To learn more, please contact 

Beth Zeiss at bzeiss@gcasda.org. 

We welcome the opportunity to 

answer your questions about DAFs 

and show your possible benefits.

Cumberlite 2023 Issue 2

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