MONTEVALLO TODAY University of Montevallo Alumni Magazine • Spring 2020
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MONTEVALLO TODAY University of Montevallo Alumni Magazine • Spring 2020 CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020 MONTEVALLO TODAY University of Montevallo Alumni Magazine From Calkins Hall Dear Montevallo family, PUBLISHERS Looking back over the past semester, I can’t Scott Dillard MBA ’17 Kira Thomas ’12 help but marvel at the significant accomplish- [email protected] ments we have achieved as a University. EXECUTIVE EDITOR/ALUMNI EDITOR In this issue, you will read about the tremen- Tiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00, MBA ’13 dous success of the “It’s About Family” compre- [email protected] hensive campaign in which the University raised MANAGING EDITOR approximately $36.5 million, or nearly double Neal Wagner [email protected] the original target of $20 million. Frankly, that level of fundraising success is DESIGN EDITOR Julie Haggard almost unheard of in higher education circles, LAYOUT and it serves as a great testament to the powerful Walker360 connection and sense of pride students, alumni PHOTO EDITOR and supporters feel for this great university. Alyssa Green ’14 Anywhere you look on campus, you will see the impact of the campaign. New build- PHOTOGRAPHERS ing projects such as the Center for the Arts and Stephens College of Business, new Kat Bell ’20, Jimmy Mitchell, endowed professorships and department chairs and more than 115 new scholarships Michael Wade have all been made possible as a result of the campaign’s success. This is certainly cause CLASS NOTES EDITOR for celebration. Waid Jones ’20 The campaign also strengthened the University’s Traditions Fund, ensuring many CONTRIBUTORS Wesley Hallman, Carolyn Jones ’11, beloved campus institutions will continue well into the future. One such tradition is Brenda Knight, Marsha Littleton, College Night, which as you will see in this issue, has never been stronger. Emily Reed, The investment we have made in the University through this campaign will pay Lindsay Schluntz dividends for decades to come. As the future continues to unfold, the core principles ALUMNI ASSOCIATION UMNAA President Montevallo stands for have never been more relevant. Thanks to your support, those Cynthia Todd ’88 principles will continue to shape UM students into responsible, informed members of President-Elect their communities for generations to come. Stephanie Shaw ’93 Past-President Respectfully, Toni Leo ’80 Alumni Council Representative Kirk Lightfoot ’76 Admissions Representative Audrey Crawford Dr. John W. Stewart III Faculty/Staff Representative President Dawn Makofski ’00 SGA President This issue of Montevallo Today was in the final phase of production when the Olivia Eldridge ’20 COVID-19 pandemic shutdown occurred. Due to the delay and as a cost saving mea- UMNAA Vice Presidents sure, this issue is being published online only. While we all endeavor to find our new Eddie Baker III ’03, Jean Kline ’77, Greg Lee ’99, Dr. Terra Miller ’06, Megan Randolph ’06, sense of normalcy, we hope you will enjoy reminiscing Homecoming 2020 and other Diane Ray ’68, M.Ed. ’74, Christopher Willis ’07 events that were held from November through February. Members at Large Tracey Morant Adams ’88, Tiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00, MBA ’13 Shana Reach Arnold ’95, Dr. Resia Brooks ’97, M.Ed. ’01, Director of Alumni Affairs Kay Butts-Pruett ’04, Jan Chance ’72, Suzanne Durham ’68, Sandi Falkenhagen ’68, Melissa Garrett ’75, Claudia Harrell ’73, Greg Jones ’85, Stacy Moon ’90, Raymond Rainey Jr. ’88, Pat Scales ’68, On the Cover The Falcon M photo collage includes spring 2020 graduates who Dr. Antonio Williams ’05 submitted photos in response to an email/social media call for submissions in May. Ex-Officio We are honored to welcome the class of 2020 into the ranks of this institution’s more Kacie Kilpatrick ’09 (Junior Board President), than 25,000 alumni. As the spring graduates transition from UM students to UM Tiffany Roskamp-Bunt ’00, MBA ’13, Dr. John W. Stewart III alumni, we encourage them to enjoy, celebrate and always remember no matter what they do or where they go, they will always belong to the Montevallo family. Please visit montevallo.edu/class-of-2020 for message from alumni to 2020 graduates. 2 | Montevallo Today contents 22 DEPARTMENTS 4 COVID-19 Campus 16 Foundation News 6 Update 18 Alumni Profile 6 Faculty Spotlight 20 Homecoming 7 Student Spotlight 24 Class Notes 12 Campus News 33 Alumni Events 14 Athletics FEATURE 8 THE FACES OF SUCCESS Whether preparing the next generation of leaders in a middle school classroom or preparing for a successful career on Broadway, Montevallo students and young alumni are setting the bar for success. 14 facebook.com/UMontevallo twitter.com/Montevallo instagram.com/Montevallo facebook.com/UMalum Montevallo Today Vol. CX, No. 2 Spring 2020 Montevallo Today (USPS 005432; ISSN 1052-3634) is published three times a year by the University of Montevallo, Alumni Affairs/University Marketing & Communications, 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. To contact the Alumni Affairs Office, please call 205-665-6215. Text, photographs and graphic images included in this publication may not be reproduced without written permission from the editor. The University of Montevallo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or disabled veteran/Vietnam era veteran status in the University’s educational programs; admissions policies; faculty, staff and student employment policies; financial aid; or other school-administered programs and services. COVID-19 CAMPUS UPDATE Montevallo Responds During COVID-19 Pandemic In mid-March, the University was forced to transition to a distance education model in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines and keep all students, faculty, alumni and staff safe in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, all UM students began attending online classes with University faculty members, and all non-essential UM employees began working from home beginning on March 16. When the pandemic began causing drastic changes at Montevallo and across the globe, this issue of Montevallo Today was nearly completed, meaning all of the content beyond these two pages took place before March. Because of the effects of COVID-19, this issue is being published online only. All alumni events after March 10 were at Carmichael Library, heard news reports dreds of 3D printed face masks to health care canceled or postponed. about hospitals across the nation facing a facilities in Birmingham, Huntsville, Decatur Because state guidelines prohibited large severe shortage of personal protective equip- and Mobile. gatherings at the time, the University was un- ment such as face masks and shields. Learn how other alumni have helped able to hold a traditional graduation ceremo- After reading about people using 3D during the COVID-19 pandemic at mon- ny on Flowerhill Lawn in early May. Per the printers to create personal protective equip- tevallo.edu/alumni-give-back. results of a survey of the spring graduates this ment to donate to health care facilities, Price Helping Students summer, the University is planning to hold a knew he could do the same. The University, the UM National Alumni traditional, in-person commencement cere- Price contacted his colleague Kyle Moore, Association and the UM Foundation have mony for them once the virus has abated and assistant professor of theatre, who also had also stepped up to help students who may be it is deemed safe to gather in large numbers. access to a 3D printer. Together, the two facing financial hardships as a result of the “They have proven a talented and resilient used their expertise to create a plan to help pandemic. group to be sure,” President Stewart said of Alabama health care facilities by 3D printing In April, the University approved refunds the 375 spring graduates. “It will be exciting as many protective face masks as possible. for unused housing and meal plans for stu- and gratifying to watch all their many con- Price and Moore received support from dents who were required to leave campus as a tributions to the life of our community, state Dr. David Callaghan, chair of UM’s Depart- result of the pandemic. and nation in the coming years.” ment of Theatre, Carmichael Library Direc- In addition, the University distributed $1.2 Although campus was a little quieter than tor Dr. Charlotte Ford and UM Associate million in federal emergency funds directly usual this spring, the University’s impact on Professor of Theatre Emily Gill, who helped to students to assist them with the hardships students and the community did not falter. to secure material to use for straps on the they faced in the wake of COVID-19. face masks. The UM Student Government Helping the Community Shortly after students were required to Association also donated $2,000 to purchase Shortly after the outbreak began affect- leave campus, the University also established materials necessary for the masks. ing Alabama, Michael Price ’15, the digital the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund, which Their efforts allowed them to donate hun- media and emerging technologies librarian provided limited emergency financial support 4 | Montevallo Today to UM students who were unable to meet essential expenses due to a temporary or un- expected hardship caused by the pandemic. By Giving Tuesday Now, held on May 5, donors had contributed $60,000 to the fund including gifts from alumni and the UMNAA board. The UM Foundation board of directors approved an additional $1.25 million in scholarship funding during a May 8 meeting to help offset the financial burden the COVID-19 outbreak has caused for students.