By Ron Hamilton

by Ron Hamilton COLUMNS, Winter 2007 13 his year’s Homecoming theme, Great Expecta- Below, Doug Smith ’72, a cheerleader during his days on the Hill, waves the team banner just before the football game’s kickoff. Smith was given the tions, was literary in nature, a “tip of the hat” honor of leading the team onto the field for the Panthers first evening contest to the library groundbreaking, which got the at Callaway Stadium. Though rival Huntingdon won the game, the attendance Tweekend under way Friday morning. But, of course, and atmosphere were impressive. the theme referenced more than the library. It spoke Below right, Janice Johnson Hall ’84 holds her organization’s banner during the of the expectations of all who came back to their alma Alumni Celebration held Oct. 27 at Callaway Auditorium. The event offered a time to recognize classes in reunion as well as several alumni award winners. mater: expectations of good times, good food and good memories mixed in with voices saying, “Good to see you.” With the weekend built around Saturday’s football game, the College’s south campus was once again the hub of Homecoming activity. The gridiron com- petition, which began at 6 p.m., was the Panther’s first evening contest at Callaway Stadium, and according to Senior Director of Development and College Rela- tions Martha Pirkle, the later kickoff was a nice excuse for some extended tailgating. “People came early and stayed late,” Pirkle said. “We had tailgaters who arrived here at 8 o’clock that morning and didn’t leave until 11 o’clock that night.” And, Pirkle said, Homecoming attendees arrived in big numbers as well. “Last year, with the attraction of the first Home- coming football game, we had great attendance,” she said, “but this year was even better—and I heard so many stories of alumni who made it back for the first time in years.” In addition to the groundbreaking and football game, another Homecoming highlight was this year’s Alumni Celebration, which took place Saturday morning. The event offered a time to recognize the classes in reunion as well as several alumni award winners. Saturday morning also saw the Homecoming Pa- rade caravan weave its way though the south campus for the second year in a row. This year’s parade float winners were the sisters of Kappa Delta, who rode atop a “Wish Upon a Star” themed float. The Panthers came up short in the Saturday eve- Nicki Gosdin ’08 accepts a hug from ning football game against nearby rival Huntingdon, Demetris Render ’08 shortly after but the atmosphere and attendance were impressive. being named Homecoming Queen During halftime, Nicki Gosdin ’08 of Newnan was during halftime of the football game. Kappa Delta won the parade float crowned the Homecoming Queen, and the Interna- contest, while the International Club tional Club was announced as the Banner Winner. was the banner winner. After the game, a big crowd hung around to hear Eagles tribute band Tequila Sunrise perform to mark the final highlight of an event-filled day. The weekend concluded Sunday with the morning LaGrange College Commu- nity Memorial Service in the Chapel and the afternoon Sports Hall of Fame induc- tion in the Stu- dent Center. n 14 COLUMNS, Winter 2007 Wall of Outstanding Alumni Dr. Arne Dietrich Dr. Arne Dietrich graduated from LaGrange College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology in 1990 and went on to earn the Ph.D. in behavioral neuroscience from the University of Georgia. Dietrich is currently an associate professor of psychology and chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the American University of Beirut. His current research interests are the cognitive neuroscience of physical exercise and the neural basis of altered states of consciousness. His research has been featured in CNN, Reuters, ABC News, Yahoo.com, Runner’s World, Prevention and National Geographic Adventure. Katrina Pittman Graham Katrina Graham attended LaGrange College for two years before transferring to the University of Georgia and earning her bachelor’s degree in 1969. For more than 30 years, Graham worked in the natural gas industry, including serving as director of civic affairs of AGL Resources, the parent company of Atlanta Gas Light Co. Since 2000, she has held the position of Vice President of the Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges and is responsible for the foundation’s fundraising strategies, proposals, grant requests and public relations. Over the years, Graham has served on the boards of Senior Connections, Atlanta Downtown Partnership and Camp Best Friends. Gertrude “Tut” Manly McFarland Gertrude McFarland graduated from LaGrange College with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech in 1947. For 22 years she taught private speech lessons in public schools before joining the Dalton (Ga.) Public School System as a third grade teacher in 1969, a position she continued in until her retirement in 1991. McFarland, who has a passion for acting, spent three summer seasons with The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Va., and one summer season with the Priscilla Beach Theatre in Plymouth, Mass. Additionally, she has worked with The Dalton Little Theatre for 60 years. An active member of Dalton First United Methodist Church, McFarland also has served as a member of the Pilot Club of Dalton for 56 years. She is an energetic traveler and has visited all seven continents. James “Jay” Allen Montgomery Jay Montgomery graduated from LaGrange College in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, Drawing and Painting. He then attended the Portfolio Center in Atlanta, graduating from that institution’s Illustration Program in 1994. Since 1995, Montgomery has worked as a freelance illustrator with a client list that has included The New York Times, Coca-Cola, Georgia Pacific, Kodak, Chick-Fil-A, Owens Corning and The Cartoon Network. In addition to his freelance work, Montgomery also teaches graduate and undergraduate classes part-time at the Atlanta branch of the Savannah At top, Rick de Treville ’70 blows his horn during a Pep Band jam at the Homecoming College of Art and Design. Over the years, he has won a number awards and game. The Orlando resident was invited to sit in with the student band members, contests, including placing first in last year’s ArtWanted.com’s Religious who provide musical motivation during the game. Easter Art Contest. Above, from left, Assistant Professor Linda Dr. Sonya Gaither Shepherd Mason-Barber and Nursing Chair Dr. Celia Hay Dr. Sonya Shepherd graduated from LaGrange College talk with Lisa Frasier ’08, in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Clinical Instructor Science. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Ginger Truitt and Library Service from Clark-Atlanta University and her Ed.D. Lisa’s mom, Dorina in Educational Administration from Georgia Southern Frasier, who University. were gathered Since 1995, Dr. Shepherd has worked at the Zach S. for the Nursing Henderson Library at Georgia Southern University where Department today she serves as a tenured associate professor and associate department Reunion. head of information services. Dr. Shepherd is an active member of the Georgia Southern faculty and has At right, Anne Shell served on the Black Green Task Force, as a faculty senate representative, Watkins ’57, on the Academic Standards Committee, the SACS Reaffirmation Team and left, shares a Governance Task Force. moment with Over the years, she has received numerous grants and recognitions, Charlotte including being named a Frye Leadership Fellow in 2005. Raum Dodson ’59. COLUMNS, Winter 2007 15 At right, members of the Class of 1957 pause for a photo. They are, from left, first row, Herb Owen, Bobbie June Efurd Dean, Julia Colvard Clary, Jeannine Johnson Dawson, Peggy Jones Yeadon, Winnie Langley Allen and Fred Allen; second row, Carolyn Morris, George Hurst, Barbie Brown Hurst, Anne “Popie” Hill Seay, Ann Shell Watkins and Phil Watkins; third row, Marianne Mitchell Adams, Dorothy O’Bryant Sosebee, Jackie Linn Jones, Shirley Hinton Jackson, Betty Moss McGuirt, Virginia Turner Clifton and Carolyn Bradley; fourth row, Ralph Johnson, Judy Greer, Carolyn Briscoe, Virginia Langford Koester, Eugene Koester, Milton McGuirt, Richard Clifton and Jim Jackson. Below right, the LaGrange College Memorial Service was held Oct. 28 in the Chapel to remember members of the LaGrange family who have passed away since last Homecoming. Bottom right, the late Josh Fonner’s father, mother and sister (Fred, Penny and Jessica) participate in a ceremony that honored Josh just before the game. Josh, who played football for the Panthers last year, died in a car accident on Oct. 21. Below, Jessica Fonner grasps a handful of balloons. Forty- three (Josh’s jersey number) were released before the game. 16 COLUMNS, Winter 2007.

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