Cumberlite 2023 Issue 3

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.
1 RANDY RUSSELL, ’69, coauthored
a new book titled, Getting
Paid to Be You, a non-fiction book that
takes the reader on a journey of selfdiscovery.
2 RON DORTCH, ’77, became a
first-time grandpa on May 31, 2023.
Amelia Elaine Taylor was welcomed
with open arms by new parents Tawny
(daughter) and Chad, and an even bigger
welcome by the grandparents. Grandpa
Ron said, “I can't wait to spoil her!”
silent in deeper places, featuring the
poetry of DAVID DENTON, ’83, and
the art of his daughter, Darcie, went on
display at the Camp House Gallery in
Chattanooga, Tennessee at the end of
June.
STEPHANIE WHITLEY
FERGUSON, ’88, recently released
a new devotional for divorcees in
partnership with YouVersion, an online
and mobile Bible platform. The reading
plan is called Shadow-Breakers: A 10-Day
Devotional for Christian Divorcees and can
be found at www.bible.com.
KEITH BOWMAN, ’03, released
a 7-day devotional that provides an
interactive experience reframing
the week around Sabbath rest. The
devotional gift set can be ordered at
www.sabbathgift.com.
3 BRITTANY (BRANNON)
NEWS, ’04, and her husband George
welcomed their daughter, Lennyn Rose
Lovette on June 13, 2023. At birth,
Lennyn weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and
was 20 inches long.
4 BONITA (ROBERTS) VEGA, ’06,
passed away unexpectedly on May 17,
2023.
5 JENNIE (CAGLE) HARE, ’07,
welcomed her daughter, Lele Elizabeth
on March 14, 2023. At birth, Lele was 9
pounds and 21.5 inches long.
KATIE (BIRGE) HARRIS, ’12,
graduated from residency at Cincinnati
Children’s Hospital in June 2023.
TAYLOR ARMSTRONG, ’13,
graduated from Loma Linda University
in June 2023 with a child life specialist
master’s degree. She currently works at
Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
JESSICA AHN, ’14, graduated as a
member of the Gold Humanism Honor
Society from Loma Linda University
School of Medicine with an MD in June
2023.
6 JILLIAN CHEEVER, ’14,
graduated from Loma Linda University
in June 2023. She earned a master’s
degree in public health with a health
education and wellness coaching
emphasis.
CHELSEA (DANCEK)
CHAIPRAKORB, ’14, graduated
from Loma Linda University School of
Dentistry in June 2023 with a DDS.
Congratulations to TYLER
HAMILTON, ’14, who graduated
from Loma Linda University School of
Dentistry in June 2023 with a DDS.
JONATHAN MANCAO, ’14,
graduated from Loma Linda University
School of Medicine with an MD in June
2023.
CALEB MCKINNEY, ’14, graduated
from Loma Linda University School of
Medicine with an MD in June 2023.
7 JOCELYN MERCADO, ’15,
graduated from Lincoln Memorial
University Duncan School of Law with
a Doctor in Jurisprudence on May 11,
2023. She is pictured with her brother
Andrew Mercado, ’24.
ANDIE PURDEY, ’15, graduated from
Kennesaw State University with a BS in
human services in May 2023.
8 ISABELLA SHOWALTER, ’16,
graduated from Loma Linda University
in June 2023 with a master’s degree in
occupational therapy.
9 Congratulations to SHELBY HUSE,
’18, who passed the Commission on
Dietetic Registration exam and is now a
certified registered dietician.
LAKEN SCOTT, ’18, graduated cum
laude from Walla Walla University in June
2023 with a BA in art.
MEREDITH (BRACKBILL) BOYD,
’19, graduated from Walla Walla
University in June 2023 with a BA in
strategic communication.
ALEAH CLARK, ’19, served as
senior class vice president/secretary at
Walla Walla University. She graduated
summa cum laude in June of 2023 with
14 CUMBERLITE ISSUE 3 | 2023