Top 10 for Homecoming 2010 - University of Montevallo

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Contents
Contents
Top 10 for Homecoming 2010
Homecoming 2010 Feb. 12-13 will offer a look at the
top 10 things that are unique about Montevallo. The
top-10 theme will also provide a glimpse of top-10
lists (songs, movies, best-selling books, etc.) for the
time periods of reunion classes, 1960s, 1970s and
1980s. A cluster reunion is planned for the classes
of 1990-1994. A Young Alumni event is also on tap.
Among Homecoming highlights will be the 92nd annual
College Night productions, academic departmental open
houses and get-togethers and the awards luncheon and
business meeting.
Departments
2 Montevallo Today u Winter 2010
Founders’ Day: Oldest Tradition
Amanda Beck, senior class president, is assisted in the
Founders’ Day robing ceremony by Scott Peterson, academic
grand marshal and chair of the department of biology,
chemistry and mathematics. Investiture of the senior
class is an integral part of the annual convocation. This
year marked the celebration of UM’s 113th Founders’
Day, which is the school’s oldest tradition. Other highlights
of the event included presentation of a number of
awards by the UM National Alumni Association and the
university.
Onward and Upward
Counseling and guidance graduate Sharon Maneice
Gilbert ’86, M.Ed. ’89, has provided positive reinforcement
for scores of young people as director of the
Upward Bound program at UM. From an early age, she
says she wanted to work in a field that would make a
difference in the lives of others. Today, she works with
low-income and first-generation (neither parent has a
bachelor’s degree) students helping them realize their
potential through pursuit of higher education. Please
turn to Page 20 to learn more.
10 Sports
12 Alumni Club Notes
13 Class Notes
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19 On Campus
20 Montevallo Profile
23 Guest Essay

On the cover: Golden leaves from Montevallo’s famous ginkgo tree near
Reynolds Hall frame Andrea Echols, a UM sophomore, as she stops for a
moment to savor the beauty of the living landmark, often called the fan tree of
China.
Photo by Matt Orton
Glee Whitsett (right), associate professor of secondary education and director of elementary and secondary
education, talks with colleagues before the beginning of the procession for UM’s 113th annual Founders’
Day convocation in October.
Photo by Matt Orton
MONTEVALLO TODAY Vol. XCIX, No. 1 Winter 2010 Montevallo Today (ISSN 1052-3634) is published four times a year, in December,
March, June and September, by the University of Montevallo, Alumni Affairs/Public Relations, Reynolds Hall, Highland St., Montevallo, AL
35115. Periodicals postage paid at Montevallo, AL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, send address changes to Montevallo Today,
Station 6215, P.O. Box 6000, Montevallo, AL 35115. Text, photographs and graphic images included in this publication may not be reproduced
without written permission from the editor. The University of Montevallo does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
religion, age or disability in employment or in the provision of services.
Editor
Cynthia K. Shackelford
shackelc@montevallo.edu
205-665-6230 • 205-665-6224 (FAX)
Associate Editor
Diane Kennedy-Jackson
kennedyd@montevallo.edu
205-665-6227 • 205-665-6224 (FAX)
Class Notes Editor
Marsha Littleton
littletonm@montevallo.edu
205-665-6230 • 205-665-6224 (FAX)
Photographers
Matt Orton
Andrea Echols ’12
Andrea Graves ’10
Contributing Editor
Racheal B. Banks ’99
UMNAA President
Karen Kelly ’80
President-Elect
Kit Waters ’78
Parliamentarian
Melanie Poole ’86
Alumni Council
Representative
Ray Jones ’60
Admissions Representative
Lynn Gurganus ’83
Faculty Representative
Carolyn Miller Kirby
SGA President
Terry Hughston ’10
UMNAA Vice Presidents
Matt Fridy ’98
Jane Glover ’72
Mike Meadows ’79
Jim Methvin ’73
DeAnna Smith ’99
Karen Willette ’87
Virginia Young ’84
Members at Large
Barbara Bonfield ’58
Virginia H. Bunn ’64
Greg De Jarnett ’94
Sandi Falkenhagen ’68
Wadia B. Josof ’79
Michael E. Malone ’69
Cynthia T. Medley ’88
Walt Merrell ’97
Norma Bruce Nabors ’50
Tracy Payne ’94
Larry Peevy ’67
Laurl Self ’94
Keith Shoemaker ’98
Ex-Officio
Philip C. Williams
Racheal B. Banks ’99
Jeremy M. Ward ’05
Miranda Garrison ’00

Top-10 theme guides Homecoming 2010 planning
Once a theme for Homecoming 2010 was selected this fall, it
was full steam ahead as planners began gathering items to complement
the focus of the event, which will be held Feb. 12-13. Class
representatives began their preparations, an agenda was developed, a
Homecoming logo was chosen, brochures were prepared and mailed,
and dozens of other plans were put into motion.
The Homecoming theme will be “Top
10” for 2010. It will include the top-10
things that are unique about Montevallo.
Reunion classes also will be offered a
glimpse of the top-10 songs, movies, books,
etc. that were on the charts during their
respective class years. Reunion classes this
year are the classes of 1960, 1970 and
1980. A cluster reunion will be held for the classes of 1990-1994. A
Young Alumni event also is on the schedule. The class of 1950 will
meet for a dinner and a Five-and-a-Quarter Club celebration Friday,
Feb. 12, in Ramsay Hall.
In addition, the Alabama College Society, comprised of those who
graduated more than 50 years ago, will meet Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. in
Reynolds Hall.
Members of the College Night Club will meet Feb. 13 from 3-4:30
p.m. in the College Night Archives in Carmichael Library.
Homecoming-related events will begin early with the College of
Education Alumni Recognition Dinner Feb. 9. The spotlight will
be on COE alumni, faculty and staff members for their exemplary
achievements and service.
The UM department of art is soliciting donations from alumni
for the 14th annual Alumni Art Auction. Donated art may be in
any medium. Contributors should have art ready for hanging or
presentation on pedestals provided by the UM gallery. Artwork
should be shipped to: Alumni Art Auction, Station 6400, University
of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL 35115. The submission deadline is
4 Montevallo Today u Winter 2010
Wednesday, Feb. 11. Interested alumni may call the art department at
205-665-6400 for more details.
Previewing and early bidding for the auction will be held Friday,
Feb. 12, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the Bloch Hall Art Gallery. The
silent auction will be held from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday,
Feb. 13, in the gallery. Alumni and friends are invited to attend the
annual Bloch Party Feb. 13 from 4-5:30 p.m. Bidding will continue
during the party. Proceeds from the art auction will go to the art
department.
At the top of the Homecoming agenda for Saturday, Feb. 13, will
be the alumni coffee and registration from 8-11 a.m. in Reynolds
Hall. Receptions, coffees and open houses for academic departments
will be held at various times throughout the day on Saturday. For
more details about these events, please see the Homecoming schedule
on the following page.
At the awards and recognition luncheon Feb. 13, the UM
National Alumni Association will present the Distinguished Alumnus
Award and the Nathalie Molton Gibbons Alumni Achievement
Awards. The National Alumni Association business meeting will follow.
Myrick Hall will be bustling with activity during the afternoon of
Feb. 13. The Purple and Gold basketball game will tip off at 2 p.m.,
and the Michael E. Stephens College of Business get-together will take
place from 1-2 p.m. in Room 2 of Myrick Hall.
A cornerstone of Homecoming, College Night — 92 years old in
2010 — will offer shows Feb. 10 through the grand finale on Feb. 13.
(See reservation form below for ordering tickets to productions set
Feb. 11-13.) The deadline for returning the payment and form is Feb.
1. To register for Homecoming events online, visit the following web
site: https://www.montevallo.edu/alumni/Homecoming/hcreg.shtm.
For information about Homecoming events, interested persons
may contact Jeremy Ward, manager of the annual fund and special
events, at 205-665-6215 or via email at jward7@montevallo.edu.

Founders’ Day celebrated as school’s oldest tradition
Montevallo’s oldest tradition — Founders’ Day — offers an
opportunity to salute those responsible for the establishment of the
university and to recognize those modern-day heroes whose dedication,
service and loyalty to UM add much to the fabric of daily life at
the school.
On Oct. 8, UM celebrated its 113th Founders’ Day before a strong
showing of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university.
Presentation of awards by the UM National Alumni Association
was among highlights of the convocation held in Palmer Auditorium.
Recipient of the Alumnus Loyalty Award for 2009 was Dr.
Frederick Ford ’72, traffic safety education specialist emeritus. He
retired from UM June 1, 2006.
Ford earned the B.A. in history and political science from UM in
1972. Two years later he received the M.Ed. in traffic safety/educational
administration, also from UM. In 1982, he earned the Ph.D. in
traffic safety and health education from Southern Illinois University,
where he served as a project coordinator/visiting assistant professor
until 1985.
He returned to the South, serving as a safety and first aid instructor
for the University of Georgia before returning to Montevallo in
1989 as an assistant professor at the Alabama Traffic Safety Center.
He later advanced to associate professor status and then became projects
manager of the center.
In addition to teaching, research, publications work and a host
of other activities, Ford has served the University as a member of
the College Night Committee, a chair of the SACS sub-committee
for Student Development Services, a COE representative on the
University Planning Committee and a member of the Annual Fund
Campaign Committee.
Ford is a past president of the Shelby County chapter of the UM
National Alumni Association and remains active in that chapter, playing
a significant role in the planning of the Shelby County chapter’s
annual fish fry and bingo benefit bash, both of which raise funds for
student scholarships.
One nominator said of Ford, “Freddie’s love for UM has been
shown through not only his many hours of work with the Shrimp
Boil, but also through his work in other Montevallo events such as
Homecoming, Continuing Education, Elderhostel programs, UM
Athletics Falcon Club and the United Way campaign.”
Another said, “When others complain that they don’t have the
time to give for these events, Freddie takes it upon himself to do
whatever is needed to get the job done. I have seen him involve his
whole family to make our events successful.”
Dr. Ruth Smith Truss ’82, professor of history, received the
Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award. Truss earned the
bachelor of science in mathematics and history from UM in 1982.
She also holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in history from the University of
Alabama.
She joined the UM faculty as an adjunct instructor in 1993. In
1998 she was named assistant professor and has since attained the
rank of professor, teaching a range of courses from survey and honors
to upper-division and graduate seminars.
6 Montevallo Today u Winter 2010
Award winners at Founders’ Day in October included (from left) Amanda
Fox, recipient of the Outstanding Staff Service Award; Frederick Ford,
who received the Alumnus Loyalty Award; and Ruth Truss, recipient of the
Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award. The awards were presented by
the UM National Alumni Association at the Founders’ Day convocation.
nnTruss has published or reviewed
a number of scholarly articles. She
is a member of the Organization of
American Historians, the Southern
Historical Association, Friends
of the Alabama Archives, the
Alabama Association of Historians,
Phi Alpha Theta and Omicron
Delta Kappa. She also has served
the University on numerous committees,
including the Teacher
Education Committee, the Alumni
Committee, the Concert and Acting President Terry G.
Lecture Series Committee, the Roberson welcomes members of
NCATE and State Department of the UM community and guests to
Education Review Committee and the 113th annual Founders’ Day
the search committee for social work convocation Oct. 8.
faculty. She has also served on a
variety of search committees and as a faculty senator.
Truss’s 13 letters of recommendation denote the respect and admiration
she receives from fellow faculty members, University staff and
students. One nominator said, “Ruth is devoted to her work and to
the history profession, but, above all, she is passionate about her students.
That passion translates directly to her students and to all those
with whom she works.”
Another noted, “She wants and demands the best from each and
every one of her students . . .Yet, it is the authenticity and sincerity
that she brings to her profession that demonstrate why she is truly
a unique and rare gift, not only to teaching, but to the Montevallo

community.” Dr. Truss was selected as the keynote speaker for UM’s
fall commencement ceremony Dec. 18.
Amanda Fox ’04, senior departmental secretary in the department
of behavioral and social sciences, is the recipient of the 2009
Outstanding Staff Service Award.
Fox earned the B.S. in history with a minor in mathematics from
the University of Montevallo in 2004. She went on to earn the M.A.
in history from UAB in 2009. Fox began working for the department
as a student worker and was selected to fill the departmental position
when it became available in 2004. Since that time, she has proven her
abilities and genuine love for Montevallo, its faculty and students and
continues to do so daily.
Fox supports 16 faculty members in six disciplines, publishes four
newsletters per year, supervises a half-dozen student workers and
oversees two offices in separate buildings. She also assists the department
chair in preparing the annual budget, processes book orders
for all faculty members and insures the integration of adjunct faculty
into department processes. And by all accounts she accomplishes all
of this efficiently, effectively and with a smile on her face. Numerous
students echoed support for Fox, noting in case after case how she
has helped them, whether it was dealing with technology issues, class
registration, or, in one case, watching a three-year-old so that that
child’s mother could meet with her adviser to devise a plan of action
for degree completion that would also work around the schedule of a
busy, working mother.
In addition to her office responsibilities, Fox is a mother, is active
in her church and continues to take classes on a regular basis. She is a
member of the Higher Education Partnership and has worked on the
Alabama Poverty Project. She has been involved with Alabama Arise
and is a member of the Alabama Association of Historians.
Dr. Hollie Cost, associate professor of special education, is the
recipient of the 2009–2010 Faculty Service Award, presented by the
Faculty Senate. The purpose of this award is to recognize a professor’s
dedication to the provision of service and his/her impact upon
the University community. This person must have demonstrated
exemplary service to the University at all levels.
Cost was presented the award by Kristen Gilbert ’90, president of
the Faculty Senate, at the annual Founders’ Day convocation, held
Oct. 8. Gilbert’s remarks follow.
“Dr. Cost has a record of service that clearly demonstrates her
belief that her educational duties do not stop at the classroom door,
in fact, it is clear that she believes her duties do not stop at the gates
of campus, the city limits or even our nation’s border.
Hollie serves her students, the University and the community
through several endeavors. First, she has built upon a legacy of the
University of Montevallo by renewing our commitment to local
schools through the Montevallo Connection, a group that is committed
to identifying the needs at the University that can be met by
Montevallo schools and the needs at Montevallo schools that can be
met by the University. The Montevallo Connection encourages cultural,
educational and professional exchanges that will enhance the
educational experiences of students. On a practical level, this means
that Dr. Cost, serving as the coordinator, is hands-on, for example
organizing Future Falcon days that filled the campus with fifth, eighth
and 10th graders. She teaches one of her courses in the elementary
Hollie Cost (right), associate professor of special education, is the recipient
of the 2009–2010 Faculty Service Award, presented by the Faculty Senate.
Kelly Wacker, associate professor of art, was named the University Scholar for
2009-2010.
school and oversees tutoring programs that enhance the education of
her students and elementary school students. The list of important
contributions made by the Montevallo Connection goes on and on,
and Dr. Cost has had a hand in it all.
This belief in learning by lending a hand has extended into her
efforts to formalize Service Learning as a pedagogical tool here at
UM. Working with other faculty who utilize service learning in their
teaching, she is the coordinator of the newly formed Office of Service
Learning. Already, this inaugural semester, she has 19 students in 6
agencies across Shelby County working as Falcon Scholars in Action.
Dr. Cost has toiled in bringing this about, her efforts ranging from
spending her weekends lugging furniture into the new office all the
way to visiting students at agencies to assist them in any way that she
can and bragging on their efforts to anyone who will listen. Her aim
is to establish an easier path for other faculty who want to use service
learning in their classes and a way to formally recognize students who
go the extra mile, giving to others as they learn.
Dr. Cost is a member of 12 committees or groups on campus and
in the City of Montevallo, including Faculty Senate, chairing or serving
in a leadership role on at least six of those.
While this is an award for service to the University, with Dr. Cost,
service, work as an educator, community and life and are all intertwined.
Making it necessary, I believe, to mention that she is a twoterm
city council member and in this capacity she traveled, this past
summer, with President Williams to our sister city of Echizen, Japan,
representing the city, but undoubtedly representing the University
as well. She serves as the chair of the Sister City Commission, again
working with the middle schools to send students to Japan every
other summer and to assist families hosting students from Japan during
the opposing summers.
Montevallo Today u Winter 2010 7

Clearly service is a way of life, a theme of life for Dr. Cost. She
has woven it into her academic life, civic life and personal life. And
by doing so, a part of her is intricately woven into the fabric of the
University of Montevallo, and we are the better for it.”
Each year on Founders’ Day, the University community designates
an outstanding faculty member as “University Scholar.” The designation
is in recognition of significant contributions to scholarship and
creative endeavor — contributions clearly connected to the recipient’s
teaching and service as well. The designation is coveted; the selection
process is rigorous; the competition is keen; and the recipient is,
indeed, deserving of recognition as a distinguished University citizen.
Dr. Kelly Wacker, associate professor of art, was named Montevallo’s
2009-2010 University Scholar.
Dr. Wacker earned a B.A. in art history from Colorado State
University, an M.A. in art history from Bowling Green State
University and a Ph.D. in art history from the University of Louisville.
Prior to joining the UM faculty in 2002, she served on the faculty
of Ohio Northern University, the University of Louisville, Jefferson
Community College and Indiana University Southeast. Now, Dr.
Wacker teaches art history courses in modern and contemporary art.
While her teaching expertise spans the period of the Baroque to
the Contemporary, her special interest is in Land Art. Her research
over the last seven years has examined the transformation of this
modernist movement from its inception in the 1960s and 70s, typified
by massive earthworks emphasizing the role of the individual,
into the ecological and social-activist art that represents the current
period. Her research involves travel to site-specific installations of
art and correspondence with working artists, which lends immediacy
to her research and actively engages her colleagues and students. Dr.
Wacker describes her approach to the study of art history as “highly
interdisciplinary in that art, the individuals who create art, and the
societies which affect them are studied.” She further states, “I believe
that it is crucial for students to come out of an art history course with
8 Montevallo Today u Winter 2010
an understanding of individual works of art and the cultures which
produced them.”
Dr. Wacker’s publications, which have appeared in a variety of
national, peer-reviewed venues, include journal articles, reviews, catalog
essays, abstracts, monographs, encyclopedia entries and audio
commentaries. She actively seeks and is awarded research grants, and
she has made more than 19 presentations for conferences and professional
events. An essay by Dr. Wacker was included in the anthology
Women by Women: The Treatment of Female Characters by Women
Writers of Fiction in Québec Since 1980, and she is the editor of and
a contributor to another book, Baroque Tendencies in Contemporary
Art, published last year. Among a variety of other research endeavors,
Dr. Wacker also undertook a conservation and research project
that involved the curation and exhibition of UM’s collection of WPA
prints, which, as a result of Dr. Wacker’s work, have been added to
the General Services Administrations’ database of WPA art, making
UM a federal repository.
William Clow, dean of the College of Fine Arts at UM, noted during
the presentation of the University Scholar award to Dr. Wacker
that her scholarship exemplifies the role that original research plays
in the teaching profession. He went on to note that it has a direct
impact on the art curriculum, while enriching the campus through the
visiting artist series and gallery schedule Dr. Wacker uses to extend
her investigation of contemporary art. Through her research, Dr.
Wacker not only contributes to her field but also illuminates that
field for the broader community. The University of Montevallo and
its students benefit from Dr. Wacker’s scholarship as she shares the
knowledge and insights garnered from her work. “Dr. Wacker has
made outstanding contributions to her discipline and the University
of Montevallo community,” stated Clow. “Simply put, Dr. Wacker
embodies all that is great about UM and all that a college education
is supposed to be about.”
Rod Hildreth ’62 and Barbara Bonfield
’58 tour the recently renovated Peterson
Hall, which now serves as the primary
facility for painting and drawing instruction.
The tour was part of the Founders’
Day agenda Oct. 8.
Opposite: Michael Patton (left) professor
of philosophy, and Michael Sterner,
associate professor of mathematics,
converse with Sandi Falkenhagen ’68, a
member of the UM Alumni Board, at an
open house at the James Wylie Shepherd
Observatory Oct. 8. Shown in the foreground
is the new, 20-inch PlaneWave
telescope, which was installed during
the summer, along with its robotic
mount and hydraulic pier. At right, Mike
Hardig (second from right), associate
professor of biology, speaks with
Mildred Orr, John W. Stewart (right)
and Robert Altman ’70 at a donor and
supporter recognition ceremony held at
Founders’ Day Oct. 8 at the Ebenezer
Wetlands. For additional information
about the observatory and Ebenezer
Swamp ceremony, please turn to page
22.

Dabbs delivers keynote address at Founders’ Day
Editor’s Note: Mary Louise Rice Dabbs ’56 of Montgomery delivered
the keynote address at the Founders’ Day convocation Oct. 8.
Below are her remarks:
“Dr. Roberson, stage guests, ladies and gentlemen and especially
the class of 2010:
How do I stand before a group of young adults who are soon to
become college graduates and who likely know a lot more than I do
— and tell them anything that will be meaningful in their lives? I’m
not sure. But Dr. Williams must have thought that I know something
that could challenge, guide, inspire or encourage you in some way.
And . . . that I could do it in 10 minutes!
I think he must have seen in me a graduate who loves Montevallo
— one who has kept returning for 53 years since my own graduation
in 1956. I don't know how you came to choose UM as your
university, but for me, Montevallo is a tradition in my family. I never
considered another college.
My mother graduated here in 1930 as one of the first graduates in
social work. We now have an endowed scholarship in her memory —
the Louise White Dawson Scholarship in Social Work. A sister graduated
in 1959, a daughter in 1986, a son in 1987. Another son attended,
and my husband even took a couple of graduate classes here
before we married. Then in 2001, my granddaughter was born on a
Founders’ Day, and now almost 8, she already loves Homecoming.
This school in the heart of Alabama is in my heart and has been for a
long time.
But as I began to serve Montevallo — rather than just enjoy it —
the college began to mean more to me. I was on the National Alumni
board of directors for 13 years, from 1983 until 1996, and was
honored to be president of the board from ’92–’94. And now today
I have the great honor of serving Montevallo again by being your
Founders’ Day convocation speaker.
The words you hear me speak today won’t be any that you haven’t
heard before, but maybe I can rearrange them in such a manner that
you’ll hear them in a new way. If I could, I would tell you at least one
thing that you would always remember — that would make a good
difference in your lives as you finish school. Ask me later what our
elementary school principal at Dallas Academy told my class (when
I was in the second
grade) that I still vividly
remember!
There is one thing
you can do that will
surely make a difference
in your lives and in the
lives of those around
you — and that is to
serve. I would encourage
each of you to strive
to develop a servant’s
heart. You may become
a teacher, a salesperson
or the CEO of a huge
organization, but service
to others is what gives
meaning to our lives.
As Rick Warren said
in The Purpose Driven
Life: “It’s not about
you.” If we can’t make
our part of the world a
better place, why are we
even here? What’s the
Acting President Terry G. Roberson presents
the President’s Award to Mary Louise
Rice Dabbs ’56 following her address at the
Founders’ Day convocation Oct. 8.
point? Unless we do think it’s all about us. And what we think is so
important. We need to learn to redirect hurtful and negative thoughts.
Our thinking affects our feelings and our feelings affect our actions.
Psychologists tell us this. The Bible tells us also. So we need to think
right in order to do right. I would urge you to think about ways you
can serve others now and as you graduate and go to a job, graduate
school, the military and/or marriage.
Some people seem to believe, “Oh, I’m only one person, so what
could I do?” Change that thought. You are one person, and one person
can do a lot — one person with a heart for service. UM has quite
a number of very distinguished alums who serve around our state —
the mayor of Montgomery, the Secretary of State, the chancellor of
Troy State and the founder and executive director of The American
(continued on Page 23)
Montevallo Today u Winter 2010 9

Photo by Andrea Echols ’12
Sports
UM senior Freddy Little breaks away from a University of Alabama defender
in an exhibition match Nov. 4 in Tuscaloosa. In mid-December, the Falcons
were ranked No. 20 Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball
Rankings. At press time, Little was leading the team in scoring with more than
15 points per game. The Falcons, at 10-0 at press time, were off to one of their
best starts in school history.
Volleyball honored for sportsmanship
among teams in Peach Belt Conference
The women’s volleyball team has been presented the Peach Belt
Conference Women’s Volleyball Sportsmanship Award for 2009-10.
The PBC Awards Program honors one team from each of the 12 participating
championship sports following their championship season.
The team selected is the one who best exemplifies the spirit of sportsmanship
and conducts themselves with a degree of integrity, character
and class.
“I am very proud of our players for being selected for the sportsmanship
award,” said assistant coach Erin Heffner. “Sportsmanship
is something that we as coaches and the university expect from our
players and other student-athletes. We want to make sure that we are
positively representing our school, and it is nice to be recognized for
sportsmanship.”
The team, under the guidance of head coach Katie O’Brien, finished
the season 20-14 overall and 8-6 in the PBC. In 2009, O’Brien
completed her second season as head coach of the Falcons.
10 Montevallo Today u Winter 2010
Falcons soar into national rankings
The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team, 10-0 at press
time, moved up to No. 20 in the mid-December National Association
of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Rankings.
The Falcons tied the record for the best start in school history with
their 10th win without a defeat. The only other Montevallo team to
start on such a hot streak was the 2005-2006 team which finished
29-5. Fellow Peach Belt Conference member Augusta State University
is ranked third with a record of 7-0.
This is the first time the Falcons have been ranked since March 6,
2007, when the Falcons ended the 2006-2007 season ranked No. 13.
The Falcons are currently outscoring their opponents by an average
of 18.8 points per game and are being led by senior Freddy
Little (Raleigh, N.C./Bunn) and junior Tauras Dortch (Ensley, Ala./
Ramsay). Little is averaging 15.3 points per game while Dortch has
15.1 ppg. Fellow starters Gerald January (Macon, Ga./Westside)
and Cecil Coleman (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech) are also scoring
in double-figures. January averages 11.6 ppg. while Coleman scores
12.1 ppg.
For updates about UM teams, fans may visit the athletics web site
at: http://www.montevallofalcons.com
Jim Herlihy, director of athletics, takes a pie in the face for charity at the
hands of DeAnna Smith ’99, UM’s vice president for business affairs and
treasurer. Montevallo’s coaches and athletic staff helped raise funds for the
Make-a-Wish Foundation by being targets for pie throwers during a recent
event on campus.

n The UM women’s basketball team was off to a hot start this season,
posting a 7-2 record at press time in mid-December.
n Montevallo’s women’s soccer team claimed a spot on the National
Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas All-
Southeast Region Teams. Sophomore Natalie Martineau (Oakville,
Ontario/Ecole Secondaire) was named to the Third Team. This is the
first All-Southeast Region honor for any Montevallo women’s soccer
player after the Falcons moved to the region this season. Martineau
led the Falcons with eight assists and was tied for second in goals
with three.
n Nine Falcon athletes were named to the Peach Belt Conference All-
Academic Teams. To be eligible for the All-Academic team, a studentathlete
must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team’s events and
be either a starter or a significant contributor; 2) have achieved a 3.20
cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale and 3) have completed at least one full
academic year at his or her current institution. The PBC sports information
directors oversee and select the teams. From women’s soccer,
senior Erin Duncan (Orlando, Fla./Olympia) and junior Alex Terhar
(Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) were named Second-Team All-
Academic, and sophomore Michaela Moertzsch (Peine, Germany/
Gymnasium am Silberkamp) was named to the third team. From
men’s soccer, junior Milan Pualic (Subotic, Serbia/Srednja Ekonosmka
Skola School) was named First Team All-Academic while juniors Alex
Ghoja (Elkmont, Ala./Bob Jones) and James Steer (Sheffield, England/
Westfield School) were named to the second team. From women’s
volleyball, sophomore Anna Garrison (LaVergne, Tenn./LaVergne)
was named First-Team All-Academic while seniors Katy Handrick
(De Pere, Wisc,/De Pere) and Lauren Markle (Metamora, Ill./Peoria
Notre Dame) were named to the second team.
n Late this fall, the women’s cross country team picked up its first
region ranking in school history. The Falcons placed ninth in the
2009 Hall of Fame class
The 2009 UM Hall of Fame class
consists of the original head coach of
the Montevallo baseball program, Frank
Lightfoot (center), baseball First-Team
All-Americans, Tony Cappola (far left)
and Jeff Segar, volleyball record holder
for most career kills at Montevallo, Gabi
Raposo (far right), and women’s soccer
record holder for most career shutouts
and saves at Montevallo, Adrianne Peters.
This year’s group represents the 19th
class inducted into the Hall of Fame
dating back to 1989. With the addition
of the class of 2009, the University of
Montevallo Athletics Hall of Fame now
has 72 members. The 2009 group was
honored at Founders’ Day Oct. 8.
Sept. 30 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
Southeast Region rankings. In addition, the women’s cross country
team placed two runners on the Peach Belt Conference All-Academic
Teams. Sophomore Ginny Davis (Madison, Ala./Bob Jones) was
named First-Team All-Academic, while junior January Waters
(Grayson, Ga./Grayson) was named to the second team. These were
the first PBC All-Academic honors for the women’s cross country
program in their first season as member of the Peach Belt Conference.
n Seniors Alicia Lewis (Youngsville, La./Comeaux) and Manal
Cali (Northampton, England/Northampton School for Girls) of the
women’s basketball team were named to the Chick-fil-A Classic All-
Tournament Team in November. In addition, Lewis was named to the
Eckerd Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team in this fall.
n Senior Gerald January (Macon, Ga./Westside) and junior Cecil
Coleman (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech) of the men’s basketball team
were named to the University of West Florida Thanksgiving Classic
All-Tournament team in November. January was named the tournament’s
Most Outstanding Player.
n Head baseball coach John Jarnagin announced the first signing of
the 2010-11 recruiting class, Jeremy Boyte, an infielder/pitcher from
Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla. Boyte will join
the Falcons as a junior in the fall of 2010. Boyte is a graduate of
Russell County High School in Phenix City, Ala., and comes from the
same community college as current UM senior Kevin Garcia (Vega
Baja, Puerto Rico/Gulf Coast C.C.). “We are very excited for Jeremy
to join our program,” Jarnagin said. “He’s a great dual player and
can play anywhere in the infield. He’s also an outstanding student
and shows great character on and off the field. He comes from strong
high school and junior college programs. Coach (Jeff) Smith did an
outstanding job recruiting him, and Jeremy is a great start for the
recruiting class of 2010-11.”
Montevallo Today u Winter 2010 11

Alumni Club Notes Club Notes
Chilton County
The spotlight was on Montevallo’s undergraduate research program
at the Nov. 12 meeting of the Chilton County Alumni Club. The
meeting was held at the Cake Factory in Clanton. Several student
researchers gave presentations about their scholastic explorations.
In addition, a special musical performance was given by UM senior
Erica Russell. Chilton County Alumni Club member Tracy Payne ’94,
M.Ed. ’98, is director of undergraduate research and creative endeavors
at Montevallo. She is also a member of the UM National Alumni
Association board of directors.
UM student researchers shared their discoveries with members of the Chilton
County Alumni Club at a Nov. 12 meeting at the Cake Factory in Clanton.
They are from left: Candyce Osburn, Terry Hughston, Erica Russell and
Kouri Allen.
Jefferson County
Bidding and buying were
operative words at the
Jefferson County Alumni
Art Auction Nov. 19 at the
Town Hall at the Preserve in
Hoover. Alumni and friends
attending the event had an
opportunity to participate
in a silent auction to bid on
donated artwork and to
buy works of art outright.
Donated art was in a variety
of media. Proceeds went to
the Jefferson County Alumni
Art Scholarship.
12 Montevallo Today u Winter 2010
Scott Stephens, professor of art and
chair of the art department, and Laurl
Self ’94 chat at the Jefferson County
Alumni Art Auction. Self is one of the
coordinators of the event.
Photo by Andrea Echols ’12
Shelby County
The 2009 Shelby County Alumni Club’s fish fry was held Oct. 22
at the John W. Stewart Student Retreat Center on campus. The allthe-fish-you-can-eat
event is one of the most popular get-togethers
planned each year by Shelby County alumni. Homemade desserts
contributed by alumni and friends were also on the menu. Proceeds
from the fish fry will benefit the UM Shelby County Alumni
Scholarship Fund.
Tuscaloosa County
Jerry Fulmer
(left) ’69 and
John McKinnnon
’66 were
among alumni
who attended
the annual
Shelby County
Alumni Club
fish fry Oct.
22. Proceeds
from the event
went to the
UM Shelby
County Alumni
Scholarship
Fund.
A UM pre-game reception was held at the
Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa
Nov. 4 prior to an exhibition game
between the Montevallo Falcons and the
University of Alabama men’s basketball
team. A UM cheering section was set up
behind the Falcons’ bench.
Above left: Chris Stewart ’92 (left)
gets an overview of the UM men’s
basketball team from Jim Herlihy,
director of athletics at Montevallo,
at a pre-game reception Nov. 4 in
Tuscaloosa. The Falcons took on
the University of Alabama’s men’s
basketball team in an exhibition
match that evening. At left: Kacie
Slaughter ’09 and Larry Gibson
’83, M.Ed. ’88 show a piece of art
that was featured in the Jefferson
County Alumni Art Auction Nov.
19 in Hoover. Proceeds from the
auction went to the Jefferson
County Alumni Art Scholarship.

Class Notes Notes
Compiled by Marsha Littleton
’51
Laura Lightsey Matheson
resides in Covington, La. She
retired from teaching in 2004
and now enjoys exercise classes
and gardening.
’53
Beth Kimball of Gadsden was
featured in a recent article in The
Gadsden Times. For more than
50 years Beth has been teaching
piano to students ranging in age
from four to 81.
’56
Sara Jo Fontaine Bagley
has been playing the organ for
60 years, almost 25 of those
years at First Baptist Church of
Montgomery. She recently played
at the fall concert of the Capitol
Sounds Concert Band, a group
sponsored by the Montgomery
Parks and Recreation
Department.
’62
Arthur Hayes of Hueytown
writes that, since his retirement
from veterinary practice in 2004,
he has become a full-time yard
man and grandfather of four.
He continues to serve as a consultant
and part-time employee
of the Alabama State Board of
Veterinary Medical Examiners
and on the committee on admissions
at the college of veterinary
medicine at Auburn University.
’63
Jane Gillis Segrest had a
showing of her abstract painting
at Gulf Coast Community
College in Panama City during
the month of October. Panama
City Living Magazine will fea-
Photo by Andrea Graves ’10
About 20 members of the Class of 1956 were joined by about 30 other
Montevallo alumni and friends Oct. 7 for a luncheon and tour of The
American Village during the Second Annual Class of ’56-sponsored, Day-
Before-Founders’ Day Event. Last year, the get-together featured a train ride
at Calera.
The UM campus was the setting for a gathering Nov. 7 of Phi Mu’s who graduated
from 1973 to 1977 primarily. Shown from left are: (first row) Peggy Rudolph
Eaton ’73, Nancy Worley ’73, Cathy Mason Pridgen ’74, Marilyn Burgess King
’74 , Karen Mason Thompson ’73, Debbie Rentz Jackson ’74, (second row) Cathy
Tyler Price ’74, Wynelle Sanders Sewell ’75, Annette Churchwell Stewart ’74,
Mary Anna Moore Hill ’79, Claire Stewart Watts ’74, Alethea Cassidy Gilmore
’74, Jeannie Bush Hollinger ’74, Betty Martin Holland ’75, Mary Jane Bosworth
Hunt ’74, Betty Driver Walker ’75, (third row) Janet Hollomon ’76, Karen
Funderburk Lewis ’76, Julie Fuller Kelly ’75, Wanda Hudson Bowden ’76,
Ruthie Dagostine Cutcliff ’81, Debbie Handley Ensor ’76, (fourth row) Margarete
Arthur Roser ’77, Kathy Sinclair Geesey ’77, Amelia Foshee Butler ’75, Suellen
Yarbrough Hatcher, Lisa Powell Stevenson ’77, Anita McDaniel Brueck ’77, Becky
Ward Burns ’77, Debbie Ramseur ’77, Jeanine Taylor Wright ’77, Rebecca Smith
Ryalls ’75, Linda Merrill Tucker ’74, (top row) Donna Thompson Allen ’78,
Cheryl Hinote Angwin ’79, Diane Hayes Davis ’77 and Kathy Henry Smith ’75.
ture her work in the January
2010 issue. She will have her
art work included in two books,
The Artist Touch 4 and Best
of America Watermedia Artists
coming out in January 2010.
’65
Virginia Green Martin has
been named minister of music
at Christ Presbyterian Church in
Largo, Fla. She was ordained in
1974 and has served in a number
of churches and communities
as pastor, educator, social worker
and counselor.
’69
Michael E. Malone and his
wife, Janice Tarrant Malone
’68, have retired and are living
in their childhood neighborhood
of historic Roebuck
Springs in Birmingham. Michael
was recently appointed by the
Birmingham City Council to
the Jefferson County Historic
Commission.
’71
Judy Moore Hayes of
Northport is retired and is
involved in historic preservation
and promoting animal welfare.
She writes that retirement has
become boring and she plans to
return to counseling.
’75
Betty Driver Walker of
Montevallo provided information
about a Nov. 7 Phi Mu
alumni gathering on campus.
Those attending were primarily
graduates from the classes
of 1973 to 1977. Last year the
group lost a sister and felt they
needed to reconnect and get
(continued on Page 14)
Montevallo Today u Winter 2010 13

together. Most had not been
together in a group in 30 or so
years except for a 25th reunion
that the Phi Mu’s on campus
had in 1997. Some members
had gathered in August and
decided they wanted to contact
more sisters and get together in
Montevallo. They met at Betty
Walker’s house for a chili lunch,
visited and then toured the Phi
Mu hall and chapter room in
Tutwiler Hall. Chapter adviser
Theresa Pritchett and some collegiate
members welcomed the
group to the hall. The Phi Mu’s
presented a cash gift to the chapter
in memory of their deceased
sister, Lynne Couch, Class of
1975. They had six charter
members and 10 members of the
first Panhellenic pledge class in
attendance.
’78
Rodney Pruet and his wife,
Tammy, reside in Cropwell.
Rodney is retired from BellSouth
after 33 years of service.
’80
Gail Waters Wilcox and husband
Jack reside in Norman,
Okla., where Gail is a specialty
court counselor with Norman
Addiction Information and
Counseling. The Wilcoxes recently
celebrated the birth of grandson
Kaipo Grey Blackwood.
’82
Michael Weddington of
Southside has worked in the
fields of music, mathematics and
counseling since graduating from
UM. He has served in the Army
as a mental health specialist for
10 years and is pursuing a career
in clinical mental health counseling
in Gadsden.
’84
(continued from Page 13)
Scott Davenport and his wife,
Barbara Hargett Davenport
’84, reside in Marietta, Ga. Scott
recently played golf in the BMW
14 Montevallo Today u Winter 2010
Pro-Am at Cog Hill and qualified
for the Georgia State Amateur
Tournament.
Anthony Graham, his wife,
Audrey, and daughter, Ashleigh,
reside in Jasper where Tony is
president of After Hours Clinic
Inc.
’88
Mechelle Hollifield M.Ed. ’91,
Ed.S. ’94 has been named principal
of Brent Elementary School
where her teaching career began
20 years ago.
’91
After 14 years with Comcast
Cable in Tuscaloosa, Cal Davis
has accepted the position of
safety specialist with Union
Telephone in Mountain View,
Colo. He writes that one of the
more interesting challenges will
be winter survival training.
Tom Frazier has been promoted
to district manager for the
Social Security Administration in
Maryville, Tenn. He has worked
with SSA for more than 18 years.
’92
After working for 17 years in the
field of education, Rebecca Nix
Little Reese Ann Marie Payne,
granddaughter of Tracy Payne ’94,
M.Ed. ’98, is surrounded by UM
memorabilia in this recent photo.
She was born Oct. 13 to Miranda
Moore and Jeremy Payne.
Scott Davenport ’84 (far left) and his wife, Barbara Hargett Davenport ’84,
of Marietta, Ga., are shown with Lucas Glover (second from right), the
2009 U.S. Open champion, and Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 U.S. Open champion,
at the BMW Championship at Cog Hill. Scott played in the BMW
Pro-Am there.
Katherine Turnbow ’98 is shown
with a sign congratulating her for
completing the three-day walk
that benefited the Susan G. Komen
Foundation.
of Bessemer is pursuing a master’s
degree in social work at the
University of Alabama.
’94
Michelle Lyons M.Ed. of
Cordova, Tenn., director of
teacher development at the
Knowledge is Power Program
(KIPP), recently received the
Excellence in Teaching Award
from KIPP. She was one of 10
teachers in the national network
of 82 public charter schools to
receive this recognition.
’98
Dawn Andrews Howard has
taught at Vincent High School,
her alma mater, for eight years
and recently was named ALFA
Teacher of the Month for
October. Dawn and her family
reside in Sterrett.
Katherine Turnbow of St.
Petersburg, Fla., teaches kindergarten
at Maximo School. She
recently completed her second
Breast Cancer Three-Day Walk,
raising more than $2,300 for
Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
’00
Margaret Hennings recently
celebrated her first wedding
anniversary by skydiving with
husband Scott and several
friends. Margaret is the assistant
administrator at Capital
Healthcare Center, a nursing
home in Tallahassee, Fla. She
plans to sit for the licensure test
for nursing home administrator
in the near future.
’02
Scott Ellison M.Ed. ’04 is a
teacher and coach in the Chilton
County school system and also
serves as an adjunct professor in
UM’s social science department.

Two UM alumni sports information
directors, Chris Megginson
’05 (left) and DeWayne Peevy ’96,
caught up with each other Nov.
2 at the University of Kentucky’s
Rupp Arena when the No. 4 UK
men’s basketball team took on
the Campbellsville University
squad. Megginson is the SID for
Campbellsville, and Peevy is associate
athletic director of media relations
for Kentucky. Both worked in
sports information as students at
UM.
Scott and his wife Alexandria,
reside in Jemison.
Jackie Franklin Malone and
her husband of one year, Mike,
reside in Hueytown. Jackie is a
senior teller at BBVA Compass
Bank in Birmingham.
’03
Rachel Green M.Ed. ’05 has
accepted the position of director
of residence life at Flagler
College in St. Augustine, Fla.
Stephanie Comer Newton
of Nashville has been promoted
to the position of senior publicist
at Thomas Nelson Inc. She
has been the publicist for seven
books that have appeared on the
New York Times’ best-seller list.
Stephanie and husband Allen are
expecting a daughter in March.
’04
Shea Moody Essman M.Ed.
has been named principal of
Woodstock Elementary School in
Bibb County. She grew up in the
Bibb Co. system and has taught
there for 15 years.
’05
Matthew Hubbard Ed.S.
has been named principal at
Sylacauga High School after
teaching there for 13 years.
Matthew comes from a family
of educators and also credits Dr.
Terry Roberson at UM with his
continued enthusiasm for his
profession.
’06
Luke Lucas and wife Jackie
Marsh Lucas ’04 recently
relocated to Montgomery where
Luke is a graphic designer for
the Alabama-West Florida
Conference of the United
Methodist Church, and Jackie
is expanding her own business,
Little Acorn Photography, to a
full-time venture. The Lucases
are expecting their first child, a
daughter, soon.
’08
Amelia Hughes has been promoted
to the position of A-to-Z
content team leader at EBSCO
Industries in Birmingham.
Weddings
’00
Carrie Richardson Gervais
’96 shared a recent photo of
her three daughters (from left)
Morgan, Chloe and Phoebe.
Carrie and her husband, Joe,
also have two sons, Joey and
Nicholas. The Gervaises live
in Rogersville. Carrie is a
speech-language pathologist
for the Limestone County
Board of Education.
Dana Stone and James Nix
were married Feb. 7 at Tannehill
State Park. The Nixes are the
owners of A Anytime Lock and
Key, a mobile company serving
central Alabama.
’01
Laura Elliott married L. John
Fleming III ’01 Aug. 1. After
a honeymoon trip to Barcelona
and Valencia, Spain, the Flemings
reside in Homewood. Laura is
a financial analyst with Noland
Health Services, and John is
an account manager for Steris
Corp. Laura is also pursuing her
master’s degree in public administration
at the University of
Colorado in Denver.
’03
Robert Clayton Wooldridge
and Emily Elyse White were married
May 30 at the historic Ager
Farm near Asheville, N.C. After
a honeymoon in Costa Rica,
the couple resides in Durham,
N.C., where Clay teaches in
the Durham school system and
Emily is pursuing a master’s
degree at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dalila Fondren ’04 and Charles
Wayne Mathews selected Reynolds
Hall on campus for the setting of
their wedding Oct. 18.
’04
Dalila Fondren and Charles
Wayne Mathews were married
Oct. 18 on the front steps of
Reynolds Hall on the UM campus.
The wedding party included
UM alums Ashley Fondren
’00, sister of the bride; Jenna
Marsh Bates ’04; and Kristin
Thompson ’04. After a honeymoon
trip to Disney World, the
Mathews reside in Athens, Ga.,
where Dalila is a graduate student
at the University of Georgia
and Charles is employed with
Publix.
’05
Whitney Erb and Brandon
Elam were married June 20 at
First Baptist Church of Sarasota,
Fla., where a number of
Whitney’s teammates from UM’s
volleyball team joined in the celebration.
Whitney is the head volleyball
coach at Union College in
Barbourville, Ky., and Brandon is
a home hospital teacher.
Whitney Erb ’05 and Brandon Elam
were married June 20 in Sarasota,
Fla. Whitney is the head volleyball
coach at Union College. During her
time at Montevallo, Whitney was a
standout on the UM volleyball team.
A number of her former teammates
attended the ceremony.
’06
Stephanie Machen and Larry
Davis were married July 18 in
Sylacauga. Stephanie is a teacher
with the Talladega County board
of education. The couple resides
in Ragland.
Amanda McGinnis M.Ed. ’07
and Maurice Mercer were married
Dec. 6, 2008, in Sandestin,
Fla. The couple resides in
Pelham. Amanda teaches art
in the Leeds city schools, and
Maurice is a union representative
Montevallo Today u Winter 2010 15

Amanda McGinnis ’06, M.Ed. ’07,
married Maurice Mercer Dec. 6,
2008. The wedding took place in
Sandestin, Fla.
for the Retail, Wholesale and
Department Store Union.
Ashley Lang ’07 married Brandon
O’Field on the beach at Gulf Shores.
They were wed Sept. 26.
’07
Ashley Lang and Brandon
O’Field were married Sept. 26
on the beach at Gulf Shores,
Ala. The couple resides in the
Birmingham area where Ashley
works in property management
and Brandon is a security supervisor
for IPC International at the
Summit.
Melanie Quinn and Adam
Farver were married Aug. 22
at Luverne United Methodist
Church in Luverne, Ala. After a
honeymoon trip to Chattanooga,
Tenn., the couple resides in
Americus, Ga., where Melanie is
a writer and editor for Habitat
for Humanity International and
Adam is a video producer. UM
16 Montevallo Today u Winter 2010
Melanie Quinn ’07 and Adam
Farver were married in Luverne
Aug. 22. They live in Americus, Ga.
alum Dana Washburn ’09
served as wedding photographer,
and Lacey Griffin ’07 and
Sheena Griffin ’06 were in
attendance.
’08
Jennifer Lauren Holden
M.Ed. and Christopher Joseph
Campisi were married Oct. 10 at
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic
Church in Birmingham. UM
alumna Erica Cain ’09 served
as a bridesmaid. The Campisis
will take a honeymoon trip to
Jamaica in January and currently
reside in Pelham. Jennifer is a
transition counselor for Shelby
County schools, and Chris is
vice president of Energy Deep
Resources in Shreveport, La.
’09
Hillery Tucker and Ben
Cordes ’09 were married Oct.
17 at Vestavia Primitive Baptist
Church. After a honeymoon
trip to West Palm Beach, Fla.,
the couple resides in Prattville
where Ben works as an environmental
scientist for the Alabama
Department of Environmental
Management and Hillery is
a bilingual specialist for the
Elmore-Autauga Community
Action Committee Head Start
Program.
Meg Upton and Reagan
Denson ’03 were married Oct.
3 in Chelsea and now reside in
Hoover. Reagan is the inventory,
purchasing and pricing
administrator at Weathertech
Distributing Co., and Meg
is a new business analyst at
Protective Life Insurance.
Births
’97
Todd Reece M.Ed. ’07 and his
wife, Kellie, of Clanton announce
the birth of their daughter, Ellie
Grace, June 10. Todd teaches at
Billingsley High School where
he also serves as head baseball
coach and offensive coordinator
for football.
Ellie Grace Reece was born June 10
to Todd Reece ’97, M.Ed. ’07, and
his wife, Kellie. They live in Clanton.
Abigail Brooke Bocchino (left) kisses
her sister, Kendall Nicole, who was
born June 18.
’98
Brandy Wesson Bocchino
M.S. ’00 and husband
Christopher of Easley, S.C., celebrated
the birth of their second
daughter, Kendall Nicole, June
18. She was welcomed home
by big sister Abigail Brooke,
4. Brandy is a speech pathologist
with HCR Manorcare in
Greenville, S.C.
’99
Candy Clark and her husband,
Chad Clark ’99, celebrated
the birth of their second child,
George Grayson, Oct. 29. Big
sister Anne Darby, 4, welcomed
Gray to the family home in
Fairhope.
Amy Bates Layne, husband
Chris and four-year-old daughter
Shelby announce the birth of
Maggie Kate Layne Oct. 6. Amy
writes that she is enjoying being
a stay-at-home mom.
Maggie Kate Layne was born Oct.
6. Her parents are Amy Bates Layne
’99 and Chris Layne. She also was
welcomed by sister, Shelby, 4. Amy
enjoys being a stay-at-home mom.
Rhonda Mills Martin and her
husband, Clif, of Huntsville welcomed
the birth of their daughter,
Sydney Lee, Oct. 11. Rhonda
works at home as a graphic
designer, and Luke, 3, is enjoying
the big brother role.
’00
Jack Blankenship and his
wife, Carrie, welcomed the birth
of their third son, Josiah Robert,
Aug. 27. Josiah joins big brothers
Caleb, 3, and Noah, 1, in the
Blankenships’ home in Austell,
Ga.
Amy Tidwell Quick and
husband Jason of Odenville
announce the birth of their son,
Brayden William, Sept. 29. Amy
is a speech-language pathologist
in Trussville.

Jack Blankenship ’00 and his wife, Carrie, are shown with their three sons,
Josiah Robert, who was born Aug. 27, Caleb, 3 (right), and Noah, 1. They
live in Austell, Ga.
Amy Tidwell Quick ’00 and her
husband, Jason, are the parents of
Brayden William Quick, who was
born Sept. 29.
Solomon James Allday was born
May 29. He is the son of Carrie
Mathis Allday ’02 and her husband,
Allan. They live in Stillwater, Okla.
’02
Carrie Mathis Allday and her
husband, Allan, of Stillwater,
Okla., welcomed the birth of
their son, Solomon James, May
29.
Kindyll Andrews Allums ’03 and her
husband, Jason, are the parents of
two daughters, Katy Reese (left) and
Lilah Faith, who was born July 10.
’03
Kindyll Andrews Allums and
husband, Jason, celebrated the
birth of their second daughter,
Lilah Faith, July 10. She joins big
sister Katy Reese in the family’s
home in Dora.
Melissa
Janney
Higgins
’03 and her
husband,
Josh, are
the parents
of Madison
Lynn
Higgins,
born
March 24.
Melissa Janney Higgins and
her husband, Josh, of Thorsby
welcomed the birth of their first
child, Madison “Maddie” Lynn,
March 24. Melissa is a staff
accountant at UM, and Josh is a
lab technician at Tommie Corp.
in Thorsby.
’07
John Hubbard and his wife,
Rachel, of Odenville announced
the birth of their daughter, Lucy
Katherine, Sept. 20. John is a
captain in the U.S. Army.
Deaths
’31
Rachel Brodnax Hamilton,
99, of Montgomery, formerly of
Eutaw, died Oct. 31.
’36
Louise Glass Creighton,
95, of Montgomery died Aug.
24. She was a retired fiduciary
accounts examiner with the
Veterans Administration regional
office.
Mary Elizabeth “Macy”
McLain, 95, of Huntsville died
April 29.
’37
Louise “Pud” Abernathy, 92,
of Birmingham died Sept. 15.
She was a retired teacher.
’41
Laura Palmer Guerard, 90,
of Marion died Sept. 15. She had
taught home economics for 25
years.
Ruth Searcy Shell, 90, of
Abbeville died Aug. 25. She
served as an Army nurse in
England and France during
World War II and came home
to work in the Shell Clinic in
Abbeville for a number of years.
’43
Helen Mayton Crawford, 88,
of Greensboro died Aug. 24.
She taught home economics and
served as a home demonstration
agent.
’44
Nell Hodges Duquette, 86, of
Birmingham died Nov. 3.
’48
Ann Connally Brooks, 82, of
Friendswood, Texas, died Sept.
16. She was the organist for First
Presbyterian Church of Pearland,
Texas, for more than 30 years,
taught piano and composed
church music.
’53
Betty Shadix Wyatt, 78, of
Montevallo died Dec. 12. She
and her late husband, Pat, were
the owners of Times Printing Co.
for many years. Survivors include
two daughters, Patricia Wyatt
Honeycutt, Mary Jane Wyatt
Emfinger; two sons, Robert E.
“Bobby” Wyatt of Montevallo
and William M. “Danny”
Wyatt ’74 and his wife Rose
Mary Klopack Wyatt ’79 of
Homewood; 10 grandchildren;
and three great-grandchildren.
Betty was active in a number of
church, professional and civic
organizations in Montevallo.
’56
Norma Turman Brown of
Birmingham died Oct. 5.
’65
Mary Faggard Kanz, 65,
of Galveston, Texas, died
July 5. She was an associate
professor of pathology at the
University of Texas Medical
Branch, a researcher in toxicology
and author of a chapter in
Comprehensive Toxicology.
’66
Mary Virginia Veazey, 66, of
Maplesville died Nov. 13. An
author, editor, poet and illustrator,
she was the owner of Sticks
Press, a publishing company.
Montevallo Today u Winter 2010 17

’69
George Johnston, 62, of
Ozark died Sept. 1. He was a
home builder.
’74
Thomas Lee Jones, 62,
of Hoover died Aug. 29.
He was employed with the
Transportation Security
Administration.
’76
Thomas Preston Dortch, 54,
of Birmingham died Nov. 15. He
was a branch manager for Blue
Medical.
Raynell Miller Fetner M.Ed.,
60, of Ashland died Sept. 2. She
18 Montevallo Today u Winter 2010
was a retired teacher with 31
years of service.
’78
Bobbie Jean Cline M.Ed., 78,
of Sylacauga died Nov. 9. She
was a retired teacher.
’90
Cynthia Lynn Lewis, 40, of
Mt. Juliet, Tenn., died Oct. 6.
She was a research analyst with
Sarah Cannon Cancer Research
Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Condolences
’53
Class project focuses
on helping others
To Mattie Dickey Golden on
the death of her daughter, Phyllis
Lessons taught in the marriage and family class (FCS
402) late in the fall semester are those that had an impact
far beyond the walls of the Bloch Hall classroom.
Helping others was the theme of those lessons as members
of the class baked dozens of cookies in the UM foods
lab and prepared Christmas cards for troops serving in the
Middle East. Candyce Osburn of Alabaster, a member of
the class, said the most popular cookie choice was chocolate
chip or chocolate chunk. Chocolate stuffed cookies
ran a close second. After the cookies were baked, they
were packaged and frozen. The class mailed batches of
cookies to the troops Nov. 18 and Dec. 11.
While the cookies were baking, class members personalized
dozens of Christmas cards and marked them to
“any solider,” so that soldiers who receive little from home
were not forgotten.
Annette Mohan, who teaches the FCS 402 class, said
her students sent along handmade Christmas cards created
by students at Montevallo Elementary School. Also
included in the shipments were boxed Christmas cards for
the soldiers to send to their families and friends.
The giving spirit was evident in other areas of Bloch
Hall, as well. In the Ackerley Room near the front of the
building, students were busy with another project designed
to help others. Kappa Omicron Nu, the family and consumer
sciences honorary, and Chi, the counseling honor
society, teamed up to collect men’s, women’s and children’s
coats. A campus-wide coat drive resulted in the collection
of more than 150 coats, which were donated to the Jimmie
Hale Mission and Jessie’s Place in Birmingham.
Ferguson, of Lawrenceville, Ga.,
Sept. 22. Keith Golden ’81, of
Douglasville, Ga., Mattie’s son,
also survives.
’56
To Martha Brice Ryon of
Winter Haven, Fla., on the death
of her husband, Alden, who died
May 29.
To former professor of mathematics
Joseph Cardone on the
death of his son, Robert Vince
Cardone, Oct. 6. Vince was
employed with Motion Industries
for 26 years.
To the family of C. Cayce
Scarborough, who died Sept.
Classmates Whitney Palmer
(left) and Candyce Osburn
remove cookies from the
oven as part of a class
project that resulted in dozens
of cookies being sent
to troops stationed in the
Middle East. Members of
the FCS 402 class, “Marriage
and Family,” sent two
shipments of goodies to
military personnel prior to
the holidays.
15. He was married to the late
Margaret Saxon Scarborough,
who attended Montevallo in
the early 1940s. The Margaret
Saxon Scarborough Scholarship
was established at Montevallo
by her family and friends. The
scholarship will be renamed the
C. Cayce and Margaret Saxon
Scarborough Scholarship.
To the family of Amy “Amie” K.
Elliott, 18, of Madison, a freshman
at UM, who was killed in
an automobile accident Nov. 23.
She was an elementary education
major. Four other Montevallo
students were injured in the accident.
At press time, one student
remained hospitalized in serious
condition.
Kappa Omicron Nu, the family and consumer sciences honorary, and Chi, the counseling
honor society, teamed up to collect new or gently used men’s, women’s and
children’s coats this past fall. More than 150 coats have been collected and were
donated to the Jimmie Hale Mission and Jessie’s Place. Preparing the coats for delivery
are from left: Whitney Palmer, Andi Holway, Charity Miller, Candyce Osburn
and Latisha Lee.

On On Campus Campus
Search committee named
to find next president
The UM Board of Trustees at a meeting Nov. 25 accepted the
resignation of President Philip C. Williams and went on to name the
search committee for the next president of UM.
According to the terms of an agreement reached by Williams and
the trustees, Dr. Williams will complete his service to the University
July 31, 2010, unless he elects to leave prior to that time.
Named to the search committee were board members Todd
Strange (chair), Jeanetta Keller (vice chair), Wynelle Sewell, David
Wheeler and Senator Rodger Smitherman. Alumni Board member
Jim Methvin was also named to the committee, as were Foundation
Board members Carolyn Duncan and Robert Altman. Kristen Gilbert,
president of the Faculty Senate, will serve as a faculty representative.
Rounding out the committee are Anna McEwan, dean of the
College of Education, and Terry Hughston, president of the Student
Government Association.
George Walker, chairman of the UM Board of Trustees, announced
Nov. 17 that Williams will resume his position as president of the
University at the beginning of the 2010 spring semester. Dr. Williams
has been on sabbatical for most of the fall 2009 semester. Walker
went on to announce that Dr. Williams decided to offer the Board of
Trustees his resignation as president of UM effective July 31, following
a recent mediation process.
The agreement was reached after eight hours of mediation sessions
Nov. 5 and 6 at the University, which was preceded and followed by
The presence of UM alumni and friends at events on campus is
always appreciated and encouraged. For updates about happenings on
campus, visit the “News and Events”
web page at http://www.montevallo.
edu/news.
A calendar of fine arts events also
is located at http://www.montevallo.
edu/cfa/calendar.shtm.
Most arts-related events are
offered free of charge. Some do,
however, require tickets offered at
nominal fees. Call 205-665-6663 to
obtain information about arts events.
Schedules for upcoming athletic
contests may be found at http://www.
montevallofalcons.com.
one-on-one and face-to-face discussions. Walker and Dr. Williams
each thanked Dr. James Fisher for his efforts as mediator that ultimately
resulted in this agreement.
Dr. Williams stated, “I am very pleased that we have reached this
agreement, which will allow me to resume and to complete the work
I set out to do when this academic year began back in August. There
is much remaining to be done, and I look forward to getting back to
work on Jan. 4, 2010. I would like to acknowledge the support that I
have received from so many members of the campus community, and
I call upon all of them to now join with me in ensuring a very positive
outcome for this academic year now that the mediation process
has been completed. The idea to engage the services of a mediator
reflected the creative intelligence of our faculty, staff, students and
alumni. I have also greatly appreciated the commitment shown by
the Board of Trustees during the mediation discussions, as well as
the work of the mediator, Dr. Jim Fisher. All of us, working together,
have demonstrated how much this wonderful university means to us,
and how important it is to put the interests of our students first.”
“Notwithstanding the sincerity of those efforts, and after a great
deal of soul-searching, I have reached the conclusion that the best
interests of the University would be served by a fresh start. I believe
the University would greatly benefit from the leadership of another
president. I have therefore asked the Board of Trustees to accept my
resignation from the Office of President of the University, effective
July 31, 2010. During the spring semester, I will assist the Board,
as it may request, in preparing the University for the transition to
new leadership. I have every confidence that the reputation of the
University of Montevallo will attract an outstanding pool of candidates
and will continue its upward trajectory in the years to come.”
Alums encouraged to include UM events on calendars for 2010 and beyond
Selected events for 2010
Feb. 12-13 Homecoming
May 8 Spring Commencement
Aug. 7 Olympics Day
Oct. 14 Founders’ Day
Selected events for 2011
Feb. 11-12 Homecoming
May 7 Spring Commencement
Aug. 6 Olympics Day
Oct. 13 Founders’ Day
Please call 205-665-6230 for additional details about campus events.
Montevallo Today u Winter 2010 19

Your name: Sharon Maneice Gilbert
Year graduated from UM and degree received: master of education
1989; bachelor of science, 1986
Your home: Montevallo
Your hometown: Tuscaloosa
Please tell us about your family. I have been married for 20
years to Yuell Steven Gilbert. We met my first week at UM.
Steve is employed by Rainbow Technology Corp. in Pelham.
We have a 14-year-old son, Stephen, who attends Montevallo
Middle School.
What is your profession? Director of Upward Bound at the
University of Montevallo
What is the last book you read, and who is the author? The
House at the End of the Road by W. Ralph Eubanks
What awards/honors have you received? Southeastern
Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel
15 Years of TRiO Service Award; Positive Image Outreach
Ministries Inc. Positive Image Award; Leadership Shelby
County Class of 2004; Birmingham Metropolitan Chapter
of Top Ladies of Distinction Inc. Ladies Choice Award;
Montevallo Kiwanis Club Builders’ Award
What is your secret for success? The secret to my success is
my strong faith and work ethic. I have always had faith that
God would guide me in the right direction, “In all thy ways
acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” My parents
instilled in me at an early age the importance of hard work.
What is the best advice you have received? The best advice I
received was to pursue a college degree.
Do you have a favorite motto? If so, what is it? Yes. To whom
much is given, much is required.
What’s new? In March 2010, I plan to attend the Council for
Opportunity in Education Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C.
This visit will entail calling upon legislators, in their offices
on Capitol Hill, lobbying for their commitment to support
increased funding for federal TRiO Programs.
Please tell us about your educational foundation. My high
school sociology teacher (Mr. Foster) told me about the
University of Montevallo. He received his master’s degree from
UM and thought it would be a good fit for me. The first time I
stepped on campus, I felt like I was home. Being from a small
town, I loved the small-college environment. Everyone was
friendly and the professors were approachable.
As a freshman I was undecided about my major. I did not
declare a major until the end of my sophomore year. That gave
me an opportunity to explore various majors. I always knew
that I wanted to work in a field where I could make a difference
in the lives of others. In December 1986, I graduated from
Montevallo with a bachelor’s degree in counseling and guidance.
One month later, January 1987, I started graduate school
at UM. While in graduate school, I served as a graduate assistant
in the Career Planning and Placement Center (now Career
and Counseling Center). As a result of attending a job fair
through CPP, I was offered my first job as a placement director
at Paine College in Augusta, Ga. I worked at Paine College
while completing my internship and graduated from UM with a
master of education degree in counseling and guidance.
After I graduated, I worked for the Georgia Department of
Rehabilitation Services before returning to UM as the assistant
director of Upward Bound. Once more, I felt like I was coming
home again. The University of Montevallo gave me a solid
educational background and experience that helps me assist my
students in becoming productive citizens. Today I work with
low-income and first-generation (neither parent has a bachelor’s
degree) students helping them realize their potential through
pursuit of higher education.

Photo by Matt Orton

Photo courtesy of The Birmingham News/Frank Couch
Special program honors swamp supporters
UM held a special ceremony Oct. 8 during its 113th Founders’
Day to recognize those who have contributed to an idea born a
decade ago to transform the Ebenezer Swamp into a premier environmental
education facility.
It all began with a donation of land from the Bolton family: Mrs.
Arthur P. Bolton Orr (Mildred) and her late son and daughter-in-law,
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur P. Bolton III. Their generosity has created a
legacy, the Bolton-Orr Ecological Preserve at Ebenezer Wetlands.
The swamp’s champions include the UM Foundation, the Stewart
Organization, Homer W. Richardson and Robert M. Frolich; the
foundations of Alabama Power, Vulcan Materials Company and
Hearin-Chandler; Legacy, Inc., Shelby County, Alex Dudchock and
the Hon. Spencer Bachus III.
Mike Hardig, associate professor of biology at Montevallo,
thanked those who were present for their support of this endeavor.
“With much help, we’ve come a long way,” stated Hardig. “But there
is still much to be done — extension of the boardwalk, an outdoor
classroom, and a visitor center with interpretive displays, to name just
22 Montevallo Today u Winter 2010
Observatory celebrates
First-Light ceremony
Included in the Founders’ Day activities Oct. 8 was a gathering
at the James Wylie Shepherd Observatory, where those in attendance
had an opportunity to get a first glimpse at the new, state of-the-art
telescope, a 20-inch PlaneWave with robotic mount and hydraulic
pier.
Potential stargazers also had the opportunity to enjoy the premiere
performance of Dr. Jody Landers’ vocal and instrumental
composition, “How Sweet the Moonlight,” written especially for the
Shepherd Observatory. Dr. Landers is a member of the music faculty
at Montevallo.
On Nov. 21, the James Wylie Shepherd Observatory celebrated
its First-Light ceremony. More than 250 people, including three Boy
Scout troops, attended to see the observatory and its equipment.
Acting President Terry Roberson and members of the Shepherd family
addressed the crowd.
Visitors got a tour of the facilities and a demonstration of one
of the few wheelchair-accessible telescopes in the U.S. The JWSO’s
20-inch PlaneWave CDK 20 is one of the largest public telescopes in
use in the state and region.
UM President Philip Williams is responsible for the vision of a
wheelchair-accessible observatory, and Michael Patton, professor of
philosophy, and Michael Sterner, associate professor of mathematics,
are responsible for raising $300,000 in grant money and private
donations to complete Phase 1 of this facility.
Future plans include a digital planetarium, a visitors’ center, an
outdoor amphitheater, a docent’s cabin, extensive nature trails and a
visiting scholars’ dormitory.
Interested persons may visit the JWSO web site at www.jwso.org
for more information and a current calendar of events.
a few. So I invite
everyone to enjoy
the swamp while
envisioning how
much more there is
to come.”
The Ebenezer Swamp
is a perpetual center
of activity — from
year ’round water
testing to speciesinventory
projects.

Guest Guest Essay Essay
By Mary Louise Rice Dabbs ’56
Founders’ Day keynoter
issues challenge to serve
(continued from Page 9)
Village, to name only a few. But you don't have to be well-known to
be of great service.
Determine in your minds that no matter what your vocation is —
that you’ll find a way to serve those who are put in your path. You
will leave this school with a quality education that fits you for a life
of service. Service is a calling we should all share.
Selfishness is a force that can drive our lives if we’re not careful.
Sometimes I just want to do what I want to do, when I want to do it,
where I want to do it, and the way I want to do it. Who in the world
am I serving then? Certainly not others. I read that Albert Schweitzer
once said: “The only really happy people are those who have learned
to serve.” My husband had a real servant’s heart. That’s something
that still needs work in my own life.
Back in the ’50s, we had a college dean who told a story that
made a great impact on my life. Dean Powers spoke at a Laymen’s
Day program at my church in downtown Montevallo. He said that
he was straightening up things one night after his little boy had gone
to bed, and he picked up a globe and took it back to the child’s room
where it belonged. Then in the dark he heard a little voice from the
child’s bed: “What are you doing with my world, Daddy?” Wow!
How would you answer a question like that?
I’ve sometimes wondered if God is asking me that question.
“What are you doing with My world, child? The world I gave you?”
If it’s all about me, probably not much.
Do we really want to serve others? When you give yourself in
service, you’ve given someone a great gift. What will you do with
this world — or your small part of the world? Criticize it? Pollute it?
Ignore it? Or serve to make it a better place? I like the Danish proverb
that says: “What you are is God’s gift to you. What you do with
yourself is your gift to God.” That’s service to others.
We can’t expect a university to teach us everything we need to
know, but this is a great time to learn what you can and get some
things settled in your minds. Determine what is important to you and
set goals to reach. Compete with yourself, doing better today than
you did last year, last week, or even yesterday. Learn from the mistakes
you’ve made. Live in such a way that you’ll have fewer regrets.
That’s wisdom. Be the kind of person who will make your future
employers hire others just because they graduated from Montevallo
also.
While at UM, you’ve probably made some good friends. Spend
time developing those friendships. Special relationships are very
important now and can be for the rest of your lives. One of the most
important things you’ll take away with you from Montevallo will
be the friendship of classmates and professors. I think the bond of
Montevallo graduates is very unique. We don’t have a football team
to bring us together with football fever, but there is something about
the Purple and Gold spirit that claims us. There is an excitement
when you meet someone and find that that person graduated from
UM. It doesn’t matter how many years ago or how recently — there’s
a connection. So find an
alumni group in the area
where you settle. Find it for
fellowship and to see how
you can serve your alma
mater. Keep in touch with
classmates and come back
to Homecoming and other
events.
I’d like to invite you
right now to come back to
Founders’ Day next year
and join us for the third
annual Class of ’56-sponsored
Day-Before-Founders’
Day Event. Just yesterday
about 20 or so of my 1956
classmates, joined by about
30 more college friends,
husbands, and others had a
luncheon and a tour of The
American Village. Last year
we did the train ride from
Calera.
Mary Louise Rice Dabbs ’56 of
Montgomery was the keynote speaker for
UM’s 113th annual Founders’ Day convocation
Oct. 8.
My class keeps in touch
all year through newsletters, e-mail and phone calls — plus two or
three get-togethers on campus. I’ve been serving as our class representative
for many years and now share that job — since our 50th
reunion — with my first college roommate. We keep up lots better
now, and I call her the e-mail queen!
What is one of the biggest benefits of my Montevallo days? The
friends I made in college and still have today. You’ll be alums before
you know it. Plan now to enjoy the experience, keep up with your
friends, give to the University, and come back to campus!
But first you must graduate! Make Montevallo a better place
because you were students here. Study hard and make your moms
and dads proud. Make your alma mater proud, too. She has served
you well — now you go and serve others.
And may God bless you as you go on to make your part of the
world a better place.”
Montevallo Today u Winter 2010 23

Make Homecoming part of your
top-10 list for 2010!
Mark your calendars now
for Homecoming Feb. 12-13.
Registration form: Page 4
Homecoming schedule: Page 5
Register online at http://www.montevallo.edu/alumni/Homecoming/HCMain.shtm
For details, call 205-665-6215.