The Sewanee Mountain MESSENGER Vol. XXX No. 7 Friday, February 21, 2014 Barry Steps DuBose Center Down Aft er Appoints New Director Th e board of directors of DuBose Conference Center has named Chat- 45 Years tanooga businessman and civic leader David R. Ramsey as its new executive director. Ramsey brings experience in executive leadership, day-to-day business Aft er 45 years of service, Sewanee management, nonprofi t development and fund-raising, as well as a lifelong athletic department staff member Bill history with DuBose. Barry has announced he will retire Ramsey also has deep connections to DuBose, including as a camper at from the University at the end of the Camp Gailor-Maxon and serving meals at Episcopal Laymen’s Conferences. school year. He has served two terms on the DuBose board, and was the board president “I have enjoyed working for the 1996–97. University and the athletic depart- “In many ways, it feels like my whole life has been a preparation for this job: ment during my time on the moun- from my days here as a camper and a layman, to serving on the DuBose board, tain,” said Barry. “Th e coaches, athletic to running and growing construction- directors and support staff , along with related businesses, and doing develop- the administration during this time, ment work for nonprofits,” Ramsey have been a pleasure to work with said. “Every aspect of that experience throughout my career.” Butch Trucks (left ) and David Green leads me here.” Th e athletic department will rec- “David’s executive and develop- ognize Barry prior to tonight’s (Friday, ment experience will be critical as Feb. 21) men’s home basketball game Chief Green Fulfi lls DuBose begins a new strategic plan at 8 p.m. in Juhan Gymnasium. and a fully integrated development Barry will step away as one of the plan to support DuBose’s mission into most highly regarded staff members Lifelong Dream of Playing the future,” said Brad Almquist, chair- of the department of athletics. In man of the DuBose board. “He has a 2011, Barry was inducted into the deep love for the place and respects its Sewanee Athletics Hall of Fame. rich history, its role in the church and Barry was hired as the head ath- with Allman Brothers on the Mountain. And he also has the letic trainer at Sewanee in 1969. Barry by Kevin Cummings, Messenger Staff Writer skills to be a great steward and leader David Ramsey served for 25 years in the training “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” was the background music for writing the for DuBose.” room before taking the role of facili- fi rst lines of this article. The Allman Brothers legendary instrumental is one Ramsey’s fi rst action was the hiring of Christy Mitchell as associate director ties and business manager when the of David Green’s favorite songs and “At Fillmore East” is his go-to album. “I’ve for guest services; her hospitality industry experience includes events manage- Robert Dobbs Fowler Center opened run through two vinyl copies of it and a couple of CD copies. I just have it in ment for the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg. in 1994. my head,” he said. “Christy is a great addition to the DuBose staff , and will enhance our ability “The Sewanee faithful regularly Sewanee’s fi re chief was happy to reminisce about a recent gig that was a to develop new programs, att ract more guest groups, and retain the same warm beat a path to Bill’s offi ce to reminisce dream come true for him. During the interview at his offi ce in University Print DuBose hospitality everyone loves,” said Ramsey. about Tiger athletics from years ago,” Services, we sat in a hallway next to an off set printer. Deep black ink splotches Ramsey is the former CEO of Ramsey Electric Supply Co. and led it from a (Continued on page 6) dott ed the fl oor as he talked about gett ing to play drums with Butch Trucks, small family-owned company to a large distributor with more than 40 employ- one of the founding members of the Allman Brothers Band. ees. He ran an environmental fi rm, Earthscapes, and a business consultancy. “If I could do anything musically, it would be to jam a litt le bit with the All- His former civic involvement includes Chatt anooga Rotary Club, United Way SCCF man Brothers,” he said. and UT Chatt anooga Chancellor’s Roundtable. Most recently, Ramsey served Green, 57, picked up a pair of drumsticks when he was 13 and began a as development director for the Children’s Nutrition Program of Haiti. lifelong love for the Allman Brothers Band, whose complex blend of music Ramsey succeeds Ernest Walker IV, who decided to return to Atlanta to features two drummers: Trucks, a straightforward rocker, and Jaimoe, whose resume his business career. Announces style is more jazz fusion. “Th e board is grateful to Ernest for his hard work and his dedication to Du- In January Green took a Caribbean cruise, part of which was a “Music Bose in what has turned out to be an interim position,” said Almquist. “Ernest Masters Camp at Sea.” It featured jam sessions and seminars with six music has helped us assure a smooth and positive transition for David and the staff .” Next Grant professionals, including Trucks. DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle is a nonprofi t conference center During the trip Green got to play drums alongside this man who was such serving the Episcopal Church in Tennessee and an expanding roster of educa- an inspiration to him. At the end of the cruise, Trucks presented Green with tional, arts, community and church groups. For more information go to < www. Round the “Butch Trucks Award” for best drummer at the camp. duboseconferencecenter.org>. The South Cumberland Com- (Continued on page 6) munity Fund (SCCF) welcomes grant requests from nonprofi t organizations New Collaborative Th eology for projects that strengthen community and improve lives in the South Cumber- land region. Th e deadline for applica- Program: “Be the Change” tions is May 1; fi nal selection of grant The diocese of Alabama has re- ander, dean of the School of Th eology. recipients will be made by Aug. 1. ceived a grant for a new initiative, “Be Th e purpose of the grant is to shape “Th e Community Fund has given the Change Alabama,” a partnership faith into action by training faith-based $225,000 to 20 diff erent groups over between the diocese of Alabama, the leadership teams for local community the last two years. We’re proud to be School of Th eology, and the Leader- action in upper Alabama, creating mis- part of this community, and we hope ship Development Initiative (LDI). sion enterprise zones. to make a lasting impact with our The grant was awarded by the “We’re excited about this expan- grant program,” said Scott Parrish, Domestic and Foreign Missionary sion of ministry in the ‘Northern SCCF board chairman. Society of the Episcopal Church. LDI Kingdom,’ as we lovingly refer to the Several changes have been made to is a hands-on, six-month learning lab northern part of the Diocese of Ala- the fund’s grants program this year. Th e based in Boston that aims to develop bama,” said the Rt. Rev. Kee Sloan, fund will not make grants of less than spiritual leaders for the church. bishop of the Diocese of Alabama, $1,000 or more than $10,000. “Th is initiative demonstrates how “and excited to set off on a coopera- In addition, applicants in 2014 must a lay training center located in a semi- tive venture between the diocese, the att end an information session designed nary can forge the partnerships neces- School of Theology and the larger to ensure they understand what is re- sary at the church-wide, diocesan and church. All of these parishes have quired in an application. parish levels for our church to ‘be the (Continued on page 4) There will be two opportunities change,’” said the Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alex- to attend this required meeting: 10 a.m., Saturday, March 29, and 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 8; both will be at the P.O. Box 296 Coalmont Community Center. Sewanee, TN 37375 SCCF has established seven prior- ity areas for funding: building our sense of community, strengthening our economy, developing the potential of our youth, tapping the potential of our elders, conserving the past, enlarging the vision of the future, and meeting basic needs. It is Girl Scout cookie time! At Regions Bank, Mary Ming Lynch dressed as a Tagalong For more information go to <www. cookie to help Troop 2107. Cookies will be on sale 6–8 p.m., today (Friday), Feb. 21 at southcumberlandcommunityfund. the Fowler Center; 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, at Hammer’s in Winchester; org/grants> or call (931) 383-9044. and 2:30–4:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Fowler Center. 2 • Friday, February 21, 2014 • Th e Sewanee Mountain MESSENGER THE SEWANEE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER 418 St. Mary’s Ln. P.O. Box 296 Sewanee, Tennessee 37375 Phone (931) 598-9949 Fax (931) 598-9685 Email [email protected] Contributors Phoebe Bates www.sewaneemessenger.com Jean Yeatman Laura L. Willis, editor/publisher John Shackelford Annie Armour Janet B. Graham, advertising director/publisher John Bordley April H. Minkler, office manager Virginia Craighill Ray Minkler, circulation manager Patrick Dean Leslie Lytle, staff writer Buck Gorrell K.G.