Austin College MAGAZINE | 2020 ISSUE

Global Life: ’Roos Around the World

Pledged to the Good Public Health Proves Public Good To Go Popular Major

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE Austin College Indian Cultural Association members present Holi (Festival of Colors) every spring on campus, sharing the celebration with all interested students. Observed since ancient times, the Indian national holiday marks the start of spring, as well as the conquest of good over evil and the coming together of people of all social hierarchies. Colored powders and waters are thrown in jubilation.

CONTENTS

FEATURES From the 2 President ’Roo 18 32 38 44 Notes Good Pledged to the Public Health Proves To Go Public Good Popular Major In Other 64 Words HIGHLIGHTS 360° Just Keep Leaves Power 3 Global Life 29 Running 36 Book and Tea Shop 42 to the ’Roos ’Roos Around the World A Story of Determination A Mindful Approach to Business POWER Campaign Update

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE Austin College Magazine

© 2020 Issue / Volume 59

PUBLISHED BY Office of Institutional Advancement/ Advancement Communications

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Cary S. Wacker Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement

EDITOR Vickie S. Kirby

STAFF WRITER Leigh-Ellen Romm

MAGAZINE DESIGNER/ART DIRECTOR Melanie Fountaine

PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF Vickie S. Kirby Christopher Maniet Nicholas Hummert Cary S. Wacker Trish Jennings Hanna Paine ’21 Jennifer Liang ’21 Electra Coffman ’22

STAFF ASSISTANTS Molly Corso ’23 Isabella Sada-Nieto ­­’23 Janet Salazar ’23

Steven P. O’Day President

Heidi Ellis Vice President for Business Affairs

Elizabeth Gill Vice President for Academic Affairs

Baylee Locker Kowert ’05 Vice President for Institutional Enrollment

Gillian Grissom Locke ’07 Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Tim Millerick Vice President for Student Affairs PHOTO BY ELECTRA COFFMAN ’22

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER MANIET ON THE BACK COVER: The Aussies Dance Team was one of several student groups performing at the fall 2019 Diwali presentation on campus. Captain Amy Sierra ’21 created the group’s dance specifically for the cultural event. Caught in this moment, Sylvia Sit ’22 provides the face for the five members performing. Other arms belong to Amy Sierra, Allie Straeck ’22, Bella MacMiller ’21, and Alex Fry ’21.

PREFER TO READ ONLINE? FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA See http://acmagazine.austincollege.edu www.austincollege.edu/connect Extended content available.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 1 1 FROM THE PRESIDENT

“We often use the term ’RooNation, but maybe for this edition of the magazine it should be ’RooWorld.” PHOTO BY NICHOLAS HUMMERT PHOTO

Dear Friends, As a new decade begins, we at Austin College Countless alumni have told me the difference are looking forward even as we embrace our a travel experience made to them, and these heritage. The 2019-2020 academic year marks experiences are in our DNA. It’s who we are. the implementation of the Compass Curriculum. Over the last 20 years, nearly two thirds of our Rooted in the powerful, time-tested tradition of graduates have traveled through JanTerm, Global the liberal arts, the Compass Curriculum will Outreach Fellowships, and study abroad. Others enable our students to deeply explore ideas from recognize the value of travel and applied learning diverse perspectives, preparing them with the at Austin College as well. Last fall, the College knowledge and skills to navigate and participate received a Global Citizen Award that honors in the global society of the 21st Century. The leaders from the United States and abroad for Compass Curriculum also requires students to their contributions to global citizenship, diversity, participate in applied learning experiences, such as inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding. Our research, internships, or programs like SEPA (Social students are recognized individually, too. Austin Entrepreneurship for the Alleviation of Poverty) College has the most Fulbright recipients, per and Model UN. capita, of any college in Texas. One of those learning applications is travel, as This past semester, I had the opportunity to highlighted throughout this issue of Austin College attend several student presentations about their Magazine. Travel experiences provide connections international summer research experiences. I was beyond the textbook. History is alive when deeply impressed with their work but maybe even crouching in a bunker or walking a battlefield. more impressed by the fact that they were there Understanding of environmental issues becomes to do their work. With no prior connections, they broader and more immediate hiking through rain were taking off to places like Thailand, Singapore, forests or across tundra. Any study of language and or Paraguay. It served as a powerful reminder that culture is deepened through firsthand experience Austin College students are as they’ve always been: and immersion. curious, smart, and, yes, fearless! We often use the term ’RooNation, but maybe While you turn the pages of this issue, know for this edition of the magazine it should be that as this new decade begins, some things never ’RooWorld. The list of countries around the change. At Austin College, we ARE transforming globe where Austin College students and alumni students so they can transform the world. go is literally from Argentina to Zambia. This Enjoy the magazine. Thank you for your past summer alone, we had students studying support of ’RooWorld. and working in Greenland, Paraguay, Ecuador, Honduras, Argentina, and Austria, to name a Sincerely, few. They served in cities, in remote rural areas, and everywhere in between. They applied their skills firsthand in clinics, in schools, and in retirement homes, but perhaps more importantly, STEVEN P. O’DAY, J.D. they actually experienced another culture and President, forged international bonds of friendship and Austin College understanding.

2 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 360°

Global Life: ’Roos Around the World

Photo: Janitzio, Mexico, as seenAustin by College Associate Magazine Professor | 2020 ISSUE of Spanish Dr. Julie Hempel 3 The360° word “global” is so … global in 2020. Almost the entire planet is accessible in ways unimaginable before the advent of the World Wide Web.

For the Austin College community, however, global is more than high-tech convenience that effortlessly connects across the miles. The term is a touchstone for deeper commitment to cultural awareness through engagement, experiences, and education to prepare for serving a connected world.

From international travel to multicultural campus events, ’RooNation can be found exploring new places and making new connections. On these pages, we embark on a visual journey around the world in 2019 as revealed by photographers with an eye for the unexpected, the beautiful, the raw truth of a moment in time. GUATEMALA

Top: the photo that inspired the magazine cover; taken by Professor of Spanish Dr. Patrick Duffey, pictured below on the 2019 JanTerm to Guatemala.

4 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE CHINA

Dr. Mindy Landeck, Assistant Professor of East Asian Studies: “Flavors of East Asia” JanTerm

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 5 6 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE Top and left: Priya Chary ’19 in Greece during JanTerm 2019; Above and right: Professor of History Dr. Hunt Tooley in Tunisia

THE ANCIENT WORLD

Austin360° College | ’Roos Magazine Around the | 2020World ISSUE 7 at the table

Above: Dr. Julie Hempel, Mexico; Left: Julia Bialecka ’20, Japan; Right: Michaela Davis ’20, GO! Fellow in Guatemala

8 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE This page, clockwise from right: Dr. Julie Hempel, Mexico; Dr. Syed Kamal, Bangladesh; Dr. Karla McCain, Professor of Chemistry/ Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, New Mexico sacred spaces

Austin360° College | ’Roos Magazine Around the | 2020World ISSUE 9 CUBA

This page: Images of Cuban street life during a semester abroad, Megan Slaughter ’20; Next page: Associate Professor of Spanish Dr. Elena Olivé led a JanTerm

10 Austin360° College | ’Roos Magazine Around the | 2020World ISSUE Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 11 BANGLADESH

All photos: Dr. Syed Kamal, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, during summer 2019 travel

12 Austin360° College | ’Roos Magazine Around the | 2020World ISSUE Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 13 14 Austin360° College | ’Roos Magazine Around the | 2020World ISSUE Left: Tajal Patel ’20, GO! Fellow in Kenya; This page, top row: Holly (Weingeng) He ’20, GO! Fellow in Nepal; Forest Gardner ’20, GO! Fellow in Peru; Above: Matt Li ’21, Hong Kong; Right: Shelby Bagby ’20, GO! Fellow in Peru

The Human Connection

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 15 This page, clockwise from right: Assistant Professor of English Dr. Tom Blake, Iceland; Tajal Patel ’20, Kenya; Professor of Economics Dr. Kevin Simmons, Fingal’s Cave, Scotland; Lihlu Fuentes ’21, France; Miguel Rojas ’19, Guatemala At Water’s Edge

16 Austin360° College | ’Roos Magazine Around the | 2020World ISSUE Adventure is Out There

This page, clockwise from top: Julia Bialecka ’20, Japan; Miguel Rojas ’19, Guatemala; Spencer Dirk ’20, GO! Fellow in Tanzania; Katie Seibert ’20, GO! Fellow in Peru

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 17 GOOD TO GO By Leigh-Ellen Romm Leigh-Ellen By

18 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE The Austin College experience has been successfully launching graduates into careers and postgraduate and professional studies for decades. For most students in recent years, that experience has included an internship or research project, international study or creative project, servant leadership or other activities that put their classroom education into action. In fact, a faculty committee discovered that nearly 90% of recent graduates had one or more such experience—but that wasn’t enough. What about the remaining students? The newly designed and approved Compass Curriculum, effective Fall Term 2019, answers that question and ensures that every student will enjoy practical experience and the deeper learning that accompanies it.

“Applied learning experiences have value far journey,” said Dr. Karla McCain, The Rupert B. beyond building the kind of social skills, work Lowe Chair in Chemistry and Associate Dean of ethic, and practical expertise that are important Institutional Effectiveness. “Applied learning is for life in the world,” said Dr. Beth Gill, Vice not only for the extroverted go-getter or the one President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the who already has a life plan. Every student will Faculty. “In keeping with the intellectual goals experience at least one of these opportunities.” commonly associated with an education of breadth Many applied learning programs and activities and depth, these experiences also improve the don’t require extensive applications, exclusive quality of learning itself by giving students a deeper selection processes, or additional costs for students. understanding of the subject and enhancing their Faculty also are intentionally seeking ways to capacity for critical thinking, while developing the build applied learning into more courses, and the skills for lifelong learning.” Applied Learning Committee will examine new Extreme encounters with learning outside the and existing campus activities that might meet the classroom generally have one of three outcomes: applied learning requirement. 1) confirm a career path for a student; 2) expose Now, all students will dig deeper at least once— that an area of interest or direction is not as but possibly many times—into learning experiences appealing as originally thought; or 3) reveal a that build skills, confidence, and résumés. student’s passion for something completely The following profiles illustrate the positive effects and new—producing an exciting course correction. outcomes of applied learning. For these young alumni “A significant development in the Compass and so many others, an Austin College education is like Curriculum is that all students will participate in an the careful preparation before a countdown to launch. applied learning experience as part of their college 3 … 2 … 1. Good to go.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 19 PHOTO BY NICHOLAS HUMMERT PHOTO Right on Course

Alisa White imagined being a doctor since childhood. She remains right on course to fulfill her dreams of practicing in women’s healthcare and obstetrics, helping bring new lives into the world.

ALISA WHITE ’20 has curated the kind of college Through these opportunities, Alisa says she has experiences that build stamina, make connections, learned to work effectively on team-based projects, and lead to a career. After graduating in 2020 with feel a part of the global community, and appreciate a major in Biochemistry and minors in Spanish the value of servant leadership. and Leadership Studies, she will enter Texas Tech During her 2019 JanTerm course, “CityLab: Medical School, admitted through the Early Food as Medicine,” Alisa visited UT Southwestern Acceptance Program as a junior. She’s had that goal School of Medicine and Moncrief Cancer Institute in mind from day one and worked toward it in of Fort Worth where she met Dr. Matthew Carlson, expected and unexpected ways. gynecological cancer specialist. Based on their “In my time at Austin College, I have had connection during the one-month course, Carlson many applied learning opportunities, including invited Alisa to shadow him during summer 2019. off-campus research, a Global Outreach Fellowship She gained experience with patient consultation, in Thailand, a medical shadowing JanTerm, created patient handouts about healthy lifestyle CityLab JanTerm classes, and a SEPA grant writing practices, and learned more about the role of internship serving MasterKey Ministries,” she said. culinary medicine in the treatment of cancer. Alisa

20 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE is interested in women’s health and gynecological experiences in holistic health—making me a and obstetric medicine. more qualified applicant for the Texas Tech Early “My work with the JanTerm culinary Acceptance Program,” she said. “Each one of medicine course and Dr. Carlson in combination my Austin College experiences has shaped me with my grant writing work for MasterKey and empowered me to use hard work, integrity, Ministries food pantry further strengthened service to others, and passion to make the world a my interest in medicine and gave me firsthand better place.” COURTESY PHOTOS

Traveling the world as a volunteer or leading service on campus as a member of the College’s Service Station Board, Alisa believes a positive attitude will inspire others to serve. During her internship as a grant writer, her supervisor said they were so impressed with her they already referred to her as Dr. White. During her summer shadowing experience, she was able to consult with patients about their diets, just like medical students in culinary medicine. Alisa is gathering all her experiences to put to use when she becomes a medical professional—right on course.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 21 COURTESY PHOTO This is Not a Drill

Cesar Ruiz combines his passions for data and public policy in his graduate work and his career, guided by the foundation and skills he honed at Austin College.

In Washington D.C., CESAR RUIZ ’18 works on Cesar learned many skills while participating predictive modeling and supply chain research as a student and head delegate for Model United of the pharmaceutical industry. As a member of Nations at Austin College. “Model United Nations the economics staff of the U.S. Food and Drug gave me great experience with professional Administration, he studies the numbers; as a writing and project management,” he said. graduate of Austin College, he appreciates the “Given the relevance of memo and report writing people those numbers represent. in the world of public policy, coming into While at Austin College, Cesar majored in interviews with demonstrable experience was International Relations and Economics and then extremely helpful.” continued at Carnegie Mellon University to study However, it was in Dr. Kevin Simmons’ Public Policy with an emphasis on Data Analytics. JanTerm class, “The Economics of Poverty” that “It’s definitely not a very common combination, Cesar began to understand the people behind the but it lets me intersect my interest in data science economic issues—people in need of solutions. with the ability to work on issues of public During the course, students spent class time interest,” he said. learning about poverty; then they “lived” it.

22 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 2 3 1

Becoming their own case studies, students a new perspective, and to realize that lives we developed mock household budgets and then may take for granted shield us from so much were dealt various life situations, such as loss of unpredictability,” he said. job, divorce, or devastating illness to deal with. In “At the end of the JanTerm, Dr. Simmons other words, life happened. talked about the importance of not just For Cesar, the class and the exercise helped rationalizing away people’s problems but trying shape his plans for the future. “Having to set to live in their shoes before forming an opinion,” up such a detailed budget and research realistic Cesar said. “That outlook has stuck with me as I ways to stretch that when faced with everyday look to enter a field where communities are often issues forced us all to look at the situation from at risk of being reduced to numbers on a screen.” COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO AUSTIN COLLEGE PHOTO

Cesar combined many interests into his Austin College learning experience. As a placekicker for ’Roos football, Cesar was named CoSIDA Academic All-District and the Bo Miller Scholar Athlete. He presented his business honors thesis on flood insurance participation in coastal counties to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists and University of Oklahoma professors. As his thesis advisor said, “When professors ask for a copy of the paper and access to your data, you know you did well.” Cesar studied in Spain for a month and competed in Model United Nations in New York City. All was preparation for his future. AUSTIN COLLEGE PHOTOS

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 23 PHOTO BY MORGAN RUSSELL PHOTO A New Trajectory

Jordan Castle envisioned a career in psychology research, but her Austin College involvements led her to seek out new paths that are much more hands on, as above at Buckner.

At her office at Buckner Children and Family Religious Life Intern her senior year, working with Services, JORDAN CASTLE ’15 lives and works Chaplain Dr. John Williams ’84 and the ACtivator for families in her job as Ministry Engagement ministry. Coordinator for North Texas. Her office supports On a short trip to Camp Gilmont with the other programs including foster care and adoption, Sallie Majors Interns, Jordan met Presbyterian kinship care, and programs for young women minister Polly Williams, who introduced her to The who have aged out of foster care, as well as single Stewpot, a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of mothers and their children. Dallas that provides meals and case work assistance At Austin College, Jordan majored in Religious to families experiencing homelessness. Polly told Studies and Psychology with plans for a career her about internship opportunities, and Jordan’s in research. She was interested in data about plans began to change. how people live, work, and behave. To put that She secured an internship with The Stewpot that into practice, she completed and presented an developed into three summers as a visiting youth undergraduate psychology research project. Among director, then three years of full-time employment other involvements, she also was a Sallie Majors as a volunteer coordinator. “I totally credit that

24 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE connection to Polly, and the opportunity through learned that I love working with volunteers—and Austin College that gave me a way into the world ended up in a job working with 45 volunteers a day.” of nonprofits in Dallas,” Jordan said. “Austin College definitely built my confidence “My experience at Austin College completely and helped me understand myself more changed the path of my career and what I was and completely,” Jordan said. She plans to become am passionate about,” she said. “I had no idea that a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as a I had a passion for volunteerism until I served as continuation of her desire to serve people. “I an intern and volunteered in various roles around developed that at Austin College,” she said, “and I Sherman, which changed my career trajectory. I don’t think I’d be headed down this career path if had hoped to work in psychology research until I not for my education there.”

Jordan’s college life was full! She was a resident assistant, Admission tour guide, and president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She enjoyed the ACtivator youth ministry and leading the annual Presbyterian Senior High Youth Connection (SHYC). She and classmates traveled to Turkey and Austria to study Ottoman and Hapsburg history for a JanTerm. Jordan’s generous spirit and volunteerism on and off campus were recognized with the Oscar C. Page Servant of the Year Award. She also found her husband-to-be, confidence in public speaking, and a new career direction. She’s not finished yet; she’s considering graduate studies in the future. AUSTIN COLLEGE PHOTOS

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 25 COURTESY PHOTO Engage the Boosters

In Eisenstadt, Austria, Rizwan Jagani absorbed the atmosphere of Haydn Concert Hall in Esterházy Palace—and began to realize his dreams of pursuing music professionally.

RIZWAN JAGANI ’15 arrived at Austin College as a lessons, solo competitions, and UIL all-region Pre-Med student. That was followed by a short stint orchestra placement. At Austin College, he with a Pre-Engineering focus. Then, with the help performed for four years in both the Sherman of Dr. Ricky Duhaime of the Austin College Music Symphony Orchestra and the Austin College Department faculty, Rizwan’s mission became Chamber Orchestra. clear—acknowledge his gift of music, follow his Duhaime, Chamber Orchestra director and heart, and major in Music. Mildred S. Mosher Professor in Music, welcomed “Austin College made me realize what I was István Polónyi of the Szent István School of truly meant to do and gave me the space to discover Music in Budapest to Austin College through the that,” Rizwan said. “I always knew in the back of Mary Wright Visiting Artist Program in spring my head the importance of music in my life, but it 2014. During his week on campus, the renowned did not manifest itself as an option for my future Hungarian violist worked with students and master until I had mentors who helped nurture it.” classes—and he met Rizwan Jagani. Rizwan began playing viola at age 10 and “I knew this could be important for Rizwan,” continued throughout high school with private Duhaime said. He noted that a great advantage

26 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE of studying at a small, liberal arts school is that After graduating from Austin College, students can be known for their talents and Rizwan completed his master’s degree in Music connected to mentors who can make a difference. at Carnegie Mellon University in May 2019. “István actually motivated me to pursue music In August, he released a CD and professionally as he saw tremendous potential in digital download titled Endless Night, me,” Rizwan said. Their friendship has continued and he is working toward an Artist as Rizwan has performed with his mentor at the Diploma at the University of Nevada, Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, for Las Vegas. As a tech-savvy music four years; in August 2019 as associate principal professional, Rizwan is exploring violist, Rizwan was sitting next to Polónyi during performance options and riding his performances. dreams as far as they will go.

Rizwan’s talents in music were always close to his heart, regardless of his area of study. As part of his decision to minor in Spanish, he says he had two incredible international study experiences—one in Chile and one in Mexico. In Mexico, he discovered a violin-making school and was AUSTIN COLLEGE PHOTOS able to borrow a locally- made viola for a week—a real highlight! He took part in Austin College’s KangaRAAS competitive Indian Garba/ Raas dance team and was active in organizations that shared his cultural heritage. He credits Austin College with providing opportunities “to become who I am as a person and an artist.”

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 27 CURRICULUM

The Class of 2023 is the first to be guided by The Austin College EXPERIENCE Compass Curriculum. Combining tenets of the time-tested liberal arts education—like critical thinking and diversity awareness—with hands-on experiences and exploration from multiple perspectives, the curriculum delivers a powerful education for the 21st Century. Five Compass Curriculum elements guide students on their journey. ENGAGE Through Experience, ’Roos connect their liberal arts education with learning beyond the classroom, as illustrated in the previous pages of “Good to Go.” Compass includes at least one Applied Learning Experience, three January term courses, and the New DISCOVER Student Seminar, formerly Communication/Inquiry (C/I). To further prepare for life in a global society, students Engage through one course in Global Diversity and one course in Systems of Power, Privilege, & Inequality. All students work toward competence in a language in addition to English. DEVELOP Students Discover a range of disciplines and make important connections through the diverse requirements of the Compass Curriculum. All students take four courses in Humanities, two courses in Social Sciences, and two courses, one with a lab, in Sciences. FOCUS Compass directs students to Develop key abilities crucial to their future success. All students take one course in Foundational Writing and two courses in Advanced Writing. Students also take Quantitative Literacy to understand research methods used to gather and manipulate data. Students Focus their efforts by choosing a major and minor from the College’s 55 areas of study. All students must complete a major and minor, or two majors, for graduation. Within this framework, students complete the requirements of the Compass Curriculum and leave Austin College “good to go” in their next steps toward rewarding careers and full, engaged, and meaningful lives. n

A CHANGING WORLD: NEW MASTER’S PROGRAM ON CAMPUS Austin College and Texas Tech University signed a new partnership in fall 2019 that will allow Austin College students to “fast track” a master’s degree in Mass Communications from Texas Tech, with Texas Tech faculty conducting the graduate courses on Austin College’s campus. Watch for details on the website: www.austincollege.edu/grad

28 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE Just KeepBy Vickie S. Kirby Running PHOTO BY NICHOLAS HUMMERT

The “all-in” ’Roos and successful juniors initially At first glance, one can almost miss the had no interest in attending Austin College, resemblance between the two veteran visiting as high schoolers only to satisfy their aunt, Karen Glenn, Chemistry Lab Coordinator at members of the Austin College men’s cross the College. Once on campus, their perspectives country team. Turns out, it’s somewhat by changed quickly. design. Twins Chris and Johnny Biffar would First, they learned about academics and the faculty mentor program. They liked what they look much more alike, identical in fact, if heard. Then, runners since 7th grade, the two Chris didn’t have long hair and a beard. met with Bryan Garcia, Cross Country Coach. The coach told them he didn’t coach his team to Sit with the two for a short conversation, though, Division III standards, as if those were somehow and the brotherly connection isn’t long disguised as less than Division I. His benchmark, the coach said, the inside jokes, verbal shorthand, and friendly one- is to make every athlete the very best he can be. upmanship reveal the obviously close bonds. Right away, Chris wanted to be a part of that.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 29 “The guys began to hold themselves accountable, and that is what creates a winning culture.” — Bryan Garcia Cross Country Coach PHOTO BY SYED KAMAL

A Team Effort The record-setting cross country team poses as the men prepare to leave campus for their final tournament of the season. Left to right are Andrew Thomas ’22, RJ Navarro ’22, Charlie McIntyre ’22, Johnny Biffar ’21, Chris Biffar ’21, and Coach Garcia. PHOTO BY NICHOLAS HUMMERT

Johnny, too, was sold. While college as a wanted to do going forward—and we wanted to do “package deal” wasn’t a given, the two were better. We decided we didn’t want to be mediocre happy with that outcome. Though they described anymore,” Johnny said. college as a huge culture change, they also felt Coach Garcia remembers exactly the practice that everyone at Austin College wanted them to and the days following. “That was a turning succeed. Chris is completing a major in History point,” the coach remembered. “The guys began and still deciding what path he will take career- to hold themselves accountable, and that is what wise; Johnny is completing a major in Art, with creates a winning culture.” plans to work as a Graphic Designer. Academic life The coach has witnessed Johnny and Chris is going well. grow as leaders and as individuals. “Johnny is the They hadn’t had as much to celebrate in their most competitive guy I’ve ever met and it doesn’t athletic efforts. The men’s cross country team, matter what the competition is,” Garcia said. “He formed in 2014, had never had a win. Five runners is also the most welcoming and inclusive guy. made up the fall 2019 team. As fall practice began, Chris is just the same. They are the backbone of it was obvious that more than one teammate our successful culture.” had not done the summer training they should Johnny and Chris explained that a cross have. “It looked like the beginning of another country course could be up to 8 kilometers, taking bad year,” said Chris, who confessed he was one about 28 minutes, and that while running, they of those teammates. The brothers described an get into a zone, stay aware of the guys around early practice that “really did not go well” from them and stay with them for most of the run, and Coach Garcia’s perspective. “When the coach left, go through a sort of mental checklist. “Arms, good. the guys got together and got real about what we Legs, good. Breathing, good.”

30 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE In fall 2019, they were pretty successful with outstanding races.” That success earned third place that checklist, but they’d had past difficulties. and a trip to the NCAA South/Southeast Regionals In previous seasons, Johnny might randomly two weeks later. There, amidst their largest-ever collapse, get up, run, and maybe fall three or four field of nearly 240 runners and 35 teams, the ’Roos more times in a race. Chris, too, has blacked out ran strong. Though they didn’t take any top spots, while running. Both young men have epilepsy. they won their coach’s pride and approval. “I The disorder was diagnosed when each had couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to his first seizure as sophomores in high school. represent Austin College,” Garcia said. Since they had been running for Chris said the full season was good several seasons, they never considered for mental growth and that the team stopping and mostly kept the disorder now has the confidence to race to under control. After fall 2018, though, win. “I feel like we’re all beginning more answers were needed as Coach to realize our potential,” he said. Garcia took their condition very Johnny said reaching regionals for seriously. He had already required the first time in program history was Johnny to skip distance track season obviously exciting, but in the future for two springs. Without better control “making regionals is not a hope but an of his condition, he might have had to expectation.” With the 2019 experience skip fall 2019, too. behind his teammates, he expects they PHOTO BY SYED KAMAL PHOTO That would have meant missing the will compete at a higher level. “The good stuff when the cross country team started goal,” Johnny said, “is to score in the top 10 at to pick up wins; the 2019 season had brought regionals next year.” four wins and one second-place finish prior to the That surely must have been some kind of SCAC Championship in November in Colorado meeting the teammates had to begin their season. Springs. “As a coach, my job is to see weaknesses Coach Garcia is proud of the dedication and work and help the team improve; there were no ethic that resulted. The Biffar twins and their weaknesses in Colorado,” Garcia said. “They ran teammates plan to just keep running. n

WINS FOR ATHLETICS

The Athletics Master Plan includes several strategic The College’s updates to facilities that will potentially benefit every competition-level member of the Austin College community. Those plans Russell Tennis are a priority of the POWER Campaign—and there are Complex has been some “wins” to share. updated with a Hannah Natatorium locker room enhancements are $500,000 gift from noted as a major need in the plan, particularly with the the Jordan Family addition of water polo to the sports lineup. Alumni are Foundation of Dallas, responding: PHOTOS BY NICHOLAS HUMMERT among other key • $250,000 from senior trustee Ann Ross ’66 donors. The courts have been reconstructed; shaded spectator • $250,000 from trustee Tom Hall ’81 seating and other enhancements are • $100,000 from senior trustee Lee Dean in place. See the updates at the Jordan Ardell ’74 and her husband Robert Family Courts at the Russell Tennis • $50,000 from trustee Sarah Gunderson ’81 Center. (The foundation represents the Efforts continue toward fully funding the natatorium families who funded Jordan Family locker room renovations. Language House in 1998.)

To learn about gift opportunities in Athletics or to make a donation, contact JR Ohr ’07, Director of Athletics Major Gifts and Engagement, at 903.813.2597 or [email protected].

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 31 DAN JOHNSON ’77 LIVES BY A WARRIOR’S OATH IN HIS WORK AS THE CITY MANAGER OF RICHARDSON, TEXAS, A SUBURB OF DALLAS. PHOTOS BY NICHOLAS HUMMERT

32 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE Pledged to the Public Good

By Leigh-Ellen Romm

The Athenian Oath speaks of loyalty to the city that residents of ancient Athens had pledged to protect, and Dan Johnson quotes it with ease and sincerity. “We will strive unceasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty. Thus, in all these ways, we will transmit this City not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us,” he recites, then goes on to say, “Our city has had an amazing first orbit of development. It’s the birthplace of telecommunication with Texas Instruments and Collins Radio in the mid-1950s and is now enjoying a huge renewal effort as new businesses are coming in and redeveloping older areas.” That “orbit” has positioned Richardson as a high-technology corporate setting to more than 700 companies and 100,000 people.

With 42 years of experience in public administration, graduation, he returned to work and then stayed Dan Johnson ’77 says it was an internship at the on in full-time employment while pursuing a City of Sherman while a student at Austin College master’s degree in Public Administration at the that helped him find his way into the field. In University of North Texas. By the time he was the 1970s, law was the presumed track for most 22 years old, he had gone from Administrative Political Science majors like Johnson, but he says Assistant to Budget Officer for the city. he was haunted by the idea of something else. “I think the thing Austin College did and “I walked into the City of Sherman offices and does well is teach a spectrum of topics,” Johnson said, ‘Hi, I’m here. I work really hard,’” Johnson said. “It seems to me that a healthy liberal arts said. As an Austin College senior, he completed education actually parallels a healthy community a directed study with the city that included spectrum with variety and diversity. For a city, it’s hands-on work in the city offices, along with not only what the city does but also the school required readings and reports. He also assisted district and all the other providers that make up with the Community Development Block Grant a set of institutions, like churches, social service Program through the U.S. Department of Housing agencies, you name it—all the ones that make up a and Urban Development. That summer after community working together,” he said.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 33 COURTESY PHOTO E.A. Hoppe ’04 Deputy City Manager of Kerrville, Texas COURTESY PHOTO David Morgan ’82 City Manager for Georgetown, Texas

Dr. Frank Rohmer, Associate Professor of Manager for Georgetown, Texas, worked with and Political Science and The John D. Moseley Chair were mentored by Johnson during the early years in Government and Public Policy, has taught of their public administration careers. They share many Austin College students who have gone common appreciation for the benefits of their on to successful careers in public administration. Austin College education. “By bringing the liberal arts to bear upon public “A career in public administration usually problems, the public administrator can give a requires a broad skill set,” said Morgan. “I work reasoned and disciplined voice to the people’s with a team to spin lots of plates at one time and demands, often making opinion more civil in am constantly calibrating to changing priorities. its expression and public in its reach,” he said. My degree established a strong foundation in “Austin College students who work in public critical thinking, persuasive writing skills, and administration have demonstrated a willingness emotional intelligence. These strengths are to subordinate their personal ambition to serve timeless.” the public good and to expand their vision to see Hoppe added, “Regardless of the professional problems as a whole.” arena, public management in today’s fast-paced E.A. Hoppe ’04, Deputy City Manager of and rapidly evolving society requires mental Kerrville, Texas, and David Morgan ’82, City nimbleness and a commitment to lifelong learning.

34 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE ANOTHER VOICE FOR GOOD

Traci Leach ’97, now Deputy City Manager for the City of Coppell, Texas, hasn’t worked directly with Dan Johnson but learned early in her career that he was well-respected in North Texas—and not just in local government circles. Upon completing a master’s degree in Public Administration in 1999, she began her career in city management in Farmers Branch, Texas. She later spent nearly seven years as Assistant City Manager of LaPorte, Texas, before joining the City of Coppell team in 2017.

Leach had opportunities to meet Johnson along the way. “Being able to connect through our common ties to Austin College provided a great conversation starter for me as an early career professional when we met back in the mid-

COURTESY PHOTO 2000s,” she said. “Dan is the consummate professional and has always been gracious with his time and advice A Small World when our paths have crossed at conferences.”

Traci Leach shared that she is one of six “I love working in local government, where we have the Austin College alumni who now work for the City of Coppell, with others opportunity to create relationships with the people we serving as a captain in the city’s Fire serve,” Leach said. “In this time of change and uncertainty, Department, the Director of Community I believe that we, as local government professionals and Development, the City Secretary, the public servants, are building communities where people Budget Officer, and a police officer. feel like they belong.”

I distinctly remember my Economics professor, their platforms and positions,” he said. Those Dr. Daniel Nuckols, explaining that the majority studies remind him to pay attention to the of the material that students learned during their development of the whole community—just like time at Austin College would be outdated within 10 the development of the whole person. years of graduating. The key take-away from that “In all the ways the lesson was that the material itself was not the Athenian soldiers pledged lesson. Instead, the liberal arts mantra is ‘learning their allegiance, some how to learn’ and then continuing the lifelong people pledge their lives learning for professional and personal success.” to the community saying, Johnson reminisced about the Austin ‘I will try to manage these College course “Heritage of Western Man” and things we hold dear,’ so its application to community work. “We were others are free to do other challenged with viewpoints, philosophies, and things,” Johnson said. arguments about personal liberty, relationships Adapting to the ever-changing world while to God, and embedded philosophies around ascribing to an ancient oath, Johnson is a governance. Those are the same things that now leader in his profession and a warrior for his show up in council candidates as the rhetoric of community. n

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 35 Leaves Book and Tea Shop A Mindful Approach to Business

By Leigh-Ellen Romm

ea people appreciate a good pause. Todd and writer before opening the shop, and she said she Tina Miller Howard, both ’99, expect that the can connect the value of a liberal arts education to T time it takes to steep a proper cup of tea can the daily decisions of small business ownership. help their customers at Leaves Book and Tea Shop “A liberal arts education broadens your slow down and connect. Tucked between a brewery perspective and exposes you to many ways of and an art studio in Fort Worth, Texas, Leaves has thinking. It teaches you how to analyze and no drive-through and no Wi-Fi … just tea and synthesize information in new ways and to books. recognize that there’s not just one way,” she said. “Leaves is a community gathering space where “My liberal arts education not only gave me a basis you are encouraged to pause from the hectic of knowledge to explore more deeply for insight pace of life. That’s our primary vision,” Tina said. but also helped me to understand the value of “Selling books and tea is the way we support that continuing to expose myself to more than just my vision because reading a book requires someone field of business.” to consider a particular topic for more than a The business is a family affair; everyone, 140-character tweet.” including their two young daughters, knows The shop opened in September 2018 and how to make tea and run the register. Tina said has many faithful, enthusiastic customers. They they made it through the first year of business come for the tea; they come for the books and for with stress management and good friends. “And, the special events including story time, writers’ underlying it all is the peace in knowing that we, forums, book club for business people, and late as cheesy as it may sound, were called to do this,” night gatherings for music, haiku, and other she said. thoughtful things. “We count our success by creating an Tina and Todd met at Austin College, where environment that allows people to take a pause, she completed majors in Economics and Spanish, even if it’s for the few minutes they wait for their and he completed a major in Business. Although tea to steep,” she said. “And, it encourages people the Howards share ownership of Leaves, Todd also to connect face-to-face with others. When we look works as the Physician Recruitment Manager at around the shop and see that happening, or when Radiology Associates of North Texas in Fort Worth. people share with us that our shop is their oasis, Tina was self-employed as a photographer and that makes it all worth it.” n

Tina, an inaugural Austin College Leadership Institute Scholar in Fall Term 1995, recently hosted an after-hours College event at Leaves for best-selling mystery a novelist Deborah Crombie ’77, alumni, and friends. Learn more about the shop: www.leavesbookandteashop.com PHOTOS AT TOP LEFT, MIDDLE LEFT & TOP RIGHT BY TINA HOWARD ’99 REMAINDER BY CARY S. WACKER

36 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 37 PHOTOS BY NICHOLAS HUMMERT George Diggs and Saritha Bangara in the IDEA Center Public Health Program Provides Popular Major and Minor

By Vickie S. Kirby

also began as a visiting faculty member in 2016 Less than five years after Public Health was and became tenure-track in 2018. This spring, added to the Austin College curriculum, it is Physician-in-Residence Dr. Joyce Mauk, a retired one of the top five majors among graduates. physician who will teach Public Health Advocacy, joins the two full-time faculty and Diggs, who, “This program answered a big unmet need in our with a specialty in Environmental Health, curriculum,” explained Dr. George Diggs, Professor continues in a part-time teaching role. For fall Emeritus of Biology, who has delayed full retirement 2020, the program plans to add a faculty member to serve as co-director of the Public Health Program. specializing in Social and Behavioral Health. The arrival of his co-director, Epidemiologist The science of Public Health focuses on Dr. Saritha Bangara, was a big step toward preventing or stopping the spread of illness and meeting that need. She came to Austin College in disease at the population level, while medical 2015 in a visiting role and became a tenure-track health professionals focus mainly on treating faculty member in 2016. Dr. Mathias Akuoko, sickness and disease at an individual level. Public whose specialty is Health Policy and Management, Health also works to limit health disparities.

38 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE Austin College’s Public Health Program focuses In most cases a master’s degree in Public on varied approaches to preventing disease, Health is needed to open career doors, Bangara promoting health, and prolonging life. Courses said. Austin College has Gateway agreements provide a broad understanding with Boston School of Public of the field but also allow Health, Texas Tech, UT Tyler, students to focus on particular and UT Dallas that allow aspects of public health they qualified students to apply are most interested in, from during their junior year the business and management without taking standardized side of public health to the tests. Students, of course, scientific, policy, social, can apply to any Public cultural, or clinical aspects. Health program but these

“We are pleased to offer institutions currently have PHOTOS BY NICHOLAS HUMMERT Public Health for students coming here with special Gateway agreements with the College. interest in the field, and many students planning Learning opportunities beyond the classroom to complete medical school are also interested in provide further exploration of the field, like the Public Health, as considerable overlap exists in the JanTerm exploration of healthcare in Ghana led fields,” Bangara said. “Public Health is sometimes by Akuoko. Research is another option, and 2018 viewed as a fallback option for students who graduate Ashley Chen ’18, who earned Honors in find they are not cut out for medical school, but Public Health at graduation, traveled with Bangara they soon realize it is not an ‘easy’ option. From in November 2019 to present research findings ‘Fundamentals of Public Health’ to ‘Epidemiology’ at the American Public Health Association in to ‘Biostatistics’ and more, these are dense and Philadelphia. Chen is an M.D./Master of Public intense courses.” Health student at UT Medical Branch at Galveston.

PUBLIC HEALTH’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA’S TOP FIVE KILLERS Saritha Bangara’s 2019 Freshman Seminar Course Heart Disease | Cancer | COPD | Stroke | Alzheimer’s Disease

• Nearly half of all Americans suffer with at least one of these sinister chronic diseases.

• These diseases are responsible for more than two-thirds of all deaths in the U.S.

• These diseases will continue to rampage unless lifestyle changes are made regarding tobacco use, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity.

• One hundred years ago, the majority of America’s “top killers” were infectious diseases—pneumonia and flu, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and gastrointestinal infections.

• Medical discoveries like antibiotics, vaccinations, viral isolation, and serologic testing, along with public health education about sanitation, hygiene in food preparation, and medical care, have wiped out several infectious diseases in the U.S.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 39 COURTESY PHOTOS

Interns Mahaa Siddiqui, Abiel Cardenas-Botello, Holly He, and Zain Kazmi interacted with several groups during their Paraguay experience.

Another opportunity, a summer Comparative as dental hygiene education, to elementary-aged Public Health Internship, pairs students with children. The student interaction with the local Grayson County United Way agencies for one community is especially important for Outreach month; students then travel to Paraguay for a Paraguay director and co-founder Eileen Sosa. “We two-week service learning experience with the want students to understand and recognize the organization OutreachPARAGUAY. The nonprofit impact of psychosocial, environmental, political, operates each summer in collaboration with and cultural context on the health of an individual Paraguayan community leaders, educators, and and a community,” she said. “We strongly believe health care professionals to get needed materials that it is by sitting at the same table, sharing a and services to resource-poor areas of Paraguay. meal, and sharing stories that we learn with and The organization also seeks to develop mutual from one another.” respect and friendship between the people of She said the Austin College students took Paraguay and the United States. every opportunity to pitch in to help and to learn In summer 2019, four Austin College students from their hosts. “It is our hope that everyone completed the internship and encountered several that travels with us to Paraguay has been changed new perspectives as they interacted with the local in some way by what they have seen and agencies that address addiction, homelessness, experienced, and by what they learned from the mental health, and more. The trip to Paraguay Paraguayan people,” Eileen said. “We want them to brought further revelations as they encountered return home better citizens, committed to efforts scarcity of resources, rural health limitations, aimed at reducing health disparities, both locally cultural differences, and sometimes limited access and globally.” to health care. Back on campus for the 2019 fall semester, the The interns and their hosts were part of a interns presented their experiences and expressed Mobile Health Clinic team providing diabetes and their desires to do just that, no matter what hypertension screening and education, as well directions their careers may take them. n

40 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE “I really appreciate the hospitality of the people of Paraguay,” said Mahaa Siddiqui ’21. “I can never repay them for all that I gained from my experiences. I hope to utilize everything that I learned in my future aspirations.” Zain Kazmi ’21, center, plans to work as a health care administrator. “My goal is to increase She plans to be a the access to health care for impoverished physician. communities, as well as for women and children.”

PARAGUAY

“Volunteering in the Abiel Cardenas-Botello ’21, at right, hopes to transfer rural communities of his public health, creativity, Spanish language, and Paraguay broadened Latin American cultural experiences to a position within health care. my perspectives on the disparities of health care, furthering my aspiration to Eileen Sosa is a former Peace Corps volunteer to practice rural health Paraguay who founded OutreachPARAGUAY with her husband, Milner Sosa, who was born in Paraguay. When as a primary care not in Paraguay, they are in Pennsylvania, where Eileen is physician,” said a Family Nurse Practitioner and Milner teaches Spanish Holly He ’20. and coaches soccer in middle school and high school. They and their three sons are familiar with Austin College; Eileen’s brother is President Steven O’Day.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 41 Power to the ’Roos Campus Renovations Refresh Key Buildings

By November 30, 2019, one year after President Steven O’Day publicly announced the Power Austin College Campaign, fundraising had reached 89% of the $125 million goal. As the calendar changes to a new year, additional giving continues to move the needle ever closer to the goal. Along with funding for scholarships and the endowment, the Campaign raises money for strategic capital improvements across the campus.

Wynne Chapel Reopens in 2020

Renovation of Wynne Chapel will be completed in early 2020, beginning a new chapter in the life of the iconic building. The interior of the 60-year- old structure has been upgraded while preserving the integrity of the original architecture as the place of worship on campus. The newly named Clifford J. Grum Sanctuary includes removable seating, fully retractable screens, new flooring, and an improved sound system. The new Sallie Majors Chapel, known for years simply as “the small chapel,” is newly named and refreshed. Gifts from the Mary K. and Clifford Grum Foundation of Lufkin, Texas, and from Joyce and Robert Johnson ’53 of McLean, Virginia, funded the updates.

Once complete, Wynne Chapel’s renovated Clifford J. Grum Sanctuary (above) will offer new options for campus events. Left: The smaller Sallie Majors Chapel also will gain a fresh look.

42 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE The Stage is Set for Ida Green

Renovation of the first floor of Ida Green Communication Center is underway and expected to be complete by the opening of Fall Term 2020. Funded by a major gift from Jim and Sally Robinson Nation ’64, the renovations include upgrades to the main theatre— to be renamed Sally and Jim Nation Theatre—and the creation of a new learning commons for gathering and collaboration.

New Rooms for ’Roos Opening Fall 2020

As more students choose to live on campus during their senior year, additional housing is under construction to hold approximately 130 students. Structured like The Flats at Brockett Court, the new North Flats near Jordan Family Language House will include community rooms, and fully furnished, suite-style residences, each with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, and a full kitchen.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 43 BULLETIN BOARD

A MOB OF PREACHERS: Alumnae met up at the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators National Conference ’ROOS AROUND THE GLOBE: Nick Timmerman ’11, Suzanne in Galveston, Texas, in February 2019. Francis Timmerman ’15, and Mariam Chaudhry ’07 discovered From left to right are Rev. Katy fellow ’Roos in Kinshasa, DR Congo, at a British Embassy Walters ’07, Associate Pastor of New event. Nick is the performing arts teacher for middle and high Braunfels Presbyterian Church in New school students at American School of Kinshasa, and Suzanne Braunfels, Texas; Rev. Sarah Demarest is local staff at the U.S. Embassy. Mariam and her husband, Allen ’03, Associate Pastor of First Nathan Cutler, moved to Kinshasa in March 2019. Mariam was Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas; a Program Analyst with the U.S. Agency for International and Rev. Keatan King ’09, Associate Development (USAID) for five years in Washington, D.C., prior Pastor of St. Philip Presbyterian Church to the move and remains with the agency, where her husband in Houston, Texas. is a Foreign Service Officer.

GOLDEN ’ROOS: Members of the Class of 1969 celebrated the 50th anniversary of their Austin College graduation during Commencement 2019 and officially joined the Golden ’Roo Society as President Steven O’Day presented each a 50-year medallion. See more photos: www.austincollege.edu/goldenroos

Page 54 ’ROO LEGACIES 2020 Page 56 ’ROO-MATES HOMECOMING & Recent Weddings FAMILY WEEKEND Page 59 JOEYS Additions to the ’Roo Family OCTOBER 16-18

44 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE ’ROONOTES

major travel accomplishment: of that university—Austin’s 29 years. Then, he retired 1962 they have visited all 50 states oldest—since 2015. Carol to Marble Falls, Texas, Cervando Martinez reports of the U.S. They didn’t start also has begun her second and entered the car sales he is still employed at The with that goal, and they three-year term as a member business. He and his wife University of Texas Health don’t have a complicated of the board at Schreiner of 42 years, Diane, moved Science Center in San system as to what “qualifies” University, a Presbyterian to that area to take care of Antonio, seeing patients, as a visit. Sometimes it’s university in Kerrville, their parents. John and Diane doing research, and teaching, just passing over the border. Texas, that will celebrate its have three sons and seven though he says he is winding Their favorite places to go centennial in 2023. grandchildren. down in preparation for are anywhere their son, retirement. He also keeps up a Lt. Colonel in the Army, Jane Kelly Sibley has been with old friends, including is stationed. The Giffords 1973 a docent at the Dallas ’Roos Raymond Capetillo, Ed have two sons and eight Museum of Art for the past Bondurant, Marshall Groce, grandchildren between the 12 years, giving tours of the Charles “Ace” Wright ’61, ages of 6 and 15. They also permanent collection, as and others. have seen and photographed well as visiting exhibits, to all 254 county courthouses K-12 students. She and her in Texas. Anne finds the husband live in Richardson, 1963 prettiest courthouse where he has retired from architecture in Goliad and his corporate job to teach Jerry Shaffer was inducted Lockhart. Going a bit farther into the Fannin County Linda Whitworth Reed and Energy Management at The afield in summer 2019, they David Reed ’74 are honorably University of Texas at Dallas. (Texas) Sports Hall of Fame took a European river cruise in 2019, having excelled in retired Presbyterian ministers on the Danube with fellow now living in Conway, football, basketball, baseball, alumna Carol Wilson Scott. and track and field in high Arkansas. David retired in 1975 school, and football at Austin 2012 from Mission Presbytery Allen Wallace retired in College. He became the Head after serving since 1994, August 2019 after almost 40 Football Coach of the Wylie 1970 planting new congregations years in the field of juvenile Pirates and coached his Gary Goodfriend has and serving various interim justice/corrections in Texas. teams to a 126-48-2 record retired from the commercial and transitional pastoral Throughout his career, in 15 seasons, including a banking industry after a roles in churches throughout he served in numerous state championship. He later 41-year career. He worked Texas and the South. Linda capacities, including Regional was Athletic Director for the in senior-level positions continued serving until Parole Supervisor for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch with commercial banks in February 2018. They are North Texas region. He also ISD and is now a Collin Houston, Dallas, and Austin, active at First Presbyterian served as Superintendent County Justice of the Peace. Texas, as well as with the Church of Conway, as well as of a juvenile correctional FDIC and RTC during the The Presbytery of Arkansas, facility in southeast Texas, a Texas banking crisis in the and supply-preach and fill residential treatment center 1967 1980s. He now lives in Round other needs occasionally. in Dallas, a juvenile detention Rock, Texas. Linda is a certified master center in Beaumont, and a Mike Nurre was elected chair gardener. David stays busy of the Greater East Dallas juvenile re-entry halfway with woodworking, as well house in Fort Worth. At Chamber of Commerce in as arranging and recording January 2019. 1972 retirement, he was Senior Carol McDonald was music in his studio. Deputy Ombudsman in the elected chair of the Board Office of the Independent of Trustees of Huston- Ombudsman for the Texas 1969 Tillotson University in Austin, 1974 Juvenile Justice Department John Gifford and Anne Baker Texas, in April 2019. She John Moore was a teacher, in the Fort Worth District Gifford have achieved a has been a board member coach, and principal for Office.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 45 ’ROO NOTES

serving as Club Manager for Director at TRE since 2009 titles, and been recognized 1979 Otto 4-H Club. As a program and has more than 30 years several times in his coaching Ty Cashion is an award- winner, she was able to of experience in early child career, including as a finalist winning historian, author of choose a nonprofit to receive development, disability, and for the Naismith National six books, a member of the the $1,000 award from intervention. High School Coach of the prestigious Institute of Texas Monsanto. She chose the Year and selection as TABC Letters, an Austin College Falls County 4-H program. Texas Coach of the Year, Distinguished Alumnus, 1984 Texas Sportswriters Coach of and now—40 years after Roger Gregory-Allen and the Year, and the Southwest his graduation from Austin 1982 Viki Reeder moved into United States Coach of the College—a member of Phi Charla Glass Aldous their motorhome in fall Year. Following his 25-year Beta Kappa. Austin College received honors from several 2019 and look forward to high school tenure, chartered its Phi Beta Kappa organizations last year for travels around the U.S. They Henderson held assistant chapter in 2001, long after Ty her work in the courtroom, will chronicle their travels coaching roles at Boise State, graduated, but the chapter including the 2019 Louise and reflections on www. Oklahoma State University, may induct an alumna/ B. Raggio Award from the ramblingroos.net and on and Tulsa University. alumnus each spring, and he Dallas Women Lawyers Instagram @ramblingroos. was the 2019 inductee. Ty is Association. Named for the 1985 a Professor of History at Sam DWLA co-founder and the Rodney Moore was included Jeff Burley joined East Texas- Houston State University in first female prosecutor in in The Best Lawyers in based Siebman, Forrest, Huntsville, Texas. Dallas County history, the America 2020. He is a Burg & Smith in the firm’s annual award recognizes partner in Sherman someone who has the Dallas- office in 1981 demonstrated the highest based 2019. He Anne Stapleton Skrabanek levels of professionalism offices has more was one of 10 winners while making significant of Weil, than 30 nationwide in the 2018 contributions to the Gotshal & years of Monsanto America’s Farmers advancement of women Manges, experience Mom-of-the-Year Program. attorneys. where in cases She is actively involved in the he practices in the areas of involving business litigation, family farm/ranch operation corporate law, mergers, and employment disputes, and volunteers in many 1983 acquisitions law. personal injury, and wrongful activities in her community, Colleen Head Batchelor death. A Life Fellow of the including leading a weekly was named Interim CEO in Danny Henderson became Texas Bar Foundation, he Library Story Time, serving April 2019 of The Resource the coach of the Maypearl has been committed to his as chair for the Rural Land Exchange in Colorado High School boys basketball local community, including Development Committee Springs, Colorado, a program in fall 2019. He has serving as Head of School for for the Blackland Income nonprofit that partners with more than 30 years of Texoma Christian School in Growth Conference, and individuals with intellectual coaching experience, Sherman and as a member serving as Home Economics or developmental disabilities including stints at Division I of the Leadership Advisory committee member for to help them achieve the schools. He has coached Council for the Texas Falls County Youth Fair. Her life they want. She had been teams to all levels of playoff Association of Private and favorite volunteer activity is Child and Family Services victory, including four state Parochial Schools.

A DISTINGUISHED ’ROO Sallie Sampsell Watson ’78, the General Presbyter for Mission Presbytery, was named a 2019 Distinguished Alumna of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary “in grateful recognition for distinguished service to the Church.” Sallie holds a Master of Divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Austin College. As the General Presbyter for Mission Presbytery, she serves 134 congregations in Texas, California, and Utah.

46 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE ’ROO NOTES

2019 and works for the Southwestern and Mexican 1986 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1991 Studies. An immigration office, focusing on workers’ attorney and clinical Fred Junkin has joined Dale Trompler was inducted compensation defense. lecturer with the University Phelps Dunbar’s Houston, into the Fannin County She has more than 20 of Houston Law Center’s Texas, office as partner, (Texas) Sports Hall of Fame years of experience in the Immigration Clinic, she began where in 2019. He was a three-year field and appears regularly her interest in immigration he will starter at quarterback at before the Pennsylvania law through the International focus his Bonham High School, earning Workers’ Compensation Human Rights Clinic at St. practice all-district and all-Texoma Court and Appeals Board. Mary’s Law School and has on energy, honors, and a standout in She was previously with advocated for immigrants eminent baseball, and track and field. Littler Mendelson, a global since beginning her degree. domain, He continued those three employment and labor law Before taking on her current and sports at Austin College, practice. work, she served as the litigation issues. He is an earning all-conference staff attorney at YMCA accomplished trial lawyer honors as quarterback. Dale International Services, was a with nearly three decades of became a football coach, partner with Tausk & Vega, experience. 1990 leading successful teams at and was in private practice Cliff Boucher is Dean for Wolfe City for eight years the School of Nursing in her own firm. Rosemary Heather Crawford then coaching at Greenville, & Health Sciences at is the current American McLaughlin began Stevenson Whitewright, and Bonham. Tyler Junior College and Immigration Lawyers University’s master’s He is now an Offensive previously Association/ Executive Office degree program in Forensic Coordinator and Track and served as for Immigration Review Investigation in fall 2019. Field Coach at Early High Dean of liaison for Houston. A Compliance Coordinator School. TJC North. for the Maryland Board A TJC of Pharmacy, she earned Dawn McMellen Starostka alumnus, Certified Fraud Examiner was named Network 1998 he went Brandy Baxter-Thompson status in 2017 and serves on Development Officer in on to moved to the law firm of the ACFE MD Board. She was 2019 for Feeding Texas, a Austin Lan Smith Sosolik in Dallas, re-elected to the board of nonprofit based in Austin and College, then earned a Texas, in 2019 as a partner the National Association of formerly known as the Texas doctorate at the University practicing in estate, trust, Drug Diversion Investigators Food Bank Network. Dawn of Michigan and completed and guardianship matters. in October 2018. says the position means a a postdoctoral research In 2018, she was honored return to the great state of fellowship at Harvard by the Dallas Volunteer Texas. Medical School. He has Attorney Program (DVAP) 1989 received many honors with the 2018 Ken Fuller Nicole Ryan during his career, which Outstanding Mentor Corkery has included teaching at 1997 Attorney Award, and the became a UT Heath Science Center at Rosemary Vega returned Dallas Bar Association partner in San Antonio, the University to campus in fall 2019 to Probate Section awarded Chartwell of Michigan, Harvard speak at the “Reflections on her the 2019 Nikki DeShazo Law in University Medical School, Immigration” Symposium Pro Bono Award. January and UT Tyler. sponsored by the Center for

AN OFFICIAL SWEARING IN Robert Burns ’86 was sworn in January 1, 2019, as Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals for the Fifth District of Texas at Dallas. Chief Justice Burns had previously served for 12 years as the Judge of The Criminal District Court of Dallas County. After graduating from Austin College, Chief Justice Burns attended Southern Methodist University School of Law, was a prosecutor in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office for six years, and then spent 10 years in private practice before joining the judiciary. He is the 14th Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals in Dallas since its founding in 1893.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 47 ’ROO NOTES

2001 2002 Andrew French earned Stephanie Allaire Flores WELCOME HOME an MBA in Healthcare MAT ’03 became Director of TO TEXAS Administration from the Intervention Services for the , University of Colorado Coppell (Texas) ISD in July Denver in 2019. He had 2019. For completed the past his M.D. at four University years, of Texas she had Medical served Branch at as the Galveston Coordinator of Special in 2006. He Education for Carrollton- is now Chief Medical Officer Farmers Branch ISD and at St. Anthony North Health previously had been an Campus of Century Health in Educational Diagnostician Westminster, Colorado. He in that district, serving as previously was Chief Medical a resource teacher, special Tim Kennedy ’98 has had two Officer of St. Anthony’s education team leader, and sister hospital, Castle Rock a fourth grade teacher. distinct career paths since his Austin Adventist, and had served Stephanie and her husband, College days. Upon graduation, he as Medical Director of the James, a firefighter for headed to Washington, D.C., for a Emergency Department the City of Dallas, live in 13-year career on Capitol Hill, at for Denver Health Medical Carrollton and have three the White House, and at the U.S. Center. children, Avery, 12; Carly, 9; and Hudson, 6. Department of Homeland Security.

He spent 2011 to 2014 at Yale Rusty Hicks was elected chair Divinity School, where he earned of the California Democratic a Master of Divinity degree and an Party in June 2019. He is Anglican Diploma plus a certificate in President of the Los Angeles County Educational Leadership and Ministry Federation from Berkeley Divinity School at of Labor Yale. He spent the next five years as and Chaplain at Washington Episcopal previously served School. In June 2019, he was ordained as its as a Transitional Deacon in the Jeff Riordan was named Executive Episcopal Church, and he became Head Football Coach and Secretary-Treasurer and its the Middle School and Upper School Athletic Director at Chapel Political Director. Rusty, who graduated from Loyola Law Chaplain at The Episcopal School of Hill High School in Tyler, Texas, in February 2019. He School, is also a decorated Dallas in August 2019. Tim hopes to had been Head Coach and U.S. veteran who completed be ordained as an Episcopal priest in Athletic Director at Crosby a one-year deployment in the next year. His Doctor of Ministry High School for seven years, Afghanistan. He and his wife, in Educational Leadership is in compiling a 66-18 record Sandra, live in Pasadena. progress through Virginia Theological at the Class 5A school and leading his teams to six Lindsay Williambrown is Seminary. playoff appearances, four a founding district championships, and director of a trip to the state semifinals. Kanarys, a He and his wife have two transparency- children. driven consultancy in Dallas,

48 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE ’ROO NOTES

Texas, that deals with residents. Matt and his wife in McKinney, Texas, and is inclusion, diversity, equity, 2006 have two children, daughter recognized as the #1 honey and accessibility. She holds Brynn, 5, and son Jack, 2. brand in the United States John Bucy III was recognized an MBA from Penn State and on Amazon. Becca says by his peers as the Texas University. She was a 2019 her family, including two House Democratic Caucus TEDxAustinCollege presenter. young children, likes its Freshman of the Year in honey best straight from May 2019. Elected in 2018, the jar. John represents District 2003 136 in the Texas House of Cat Dodson Goodrich is Representatives. He said he is Associate Pastor at First grateful for the support and Presbyterian Church in mentorship he has received Birmingham, Alabama. from his colleagues. She was included in an article about several female Katie Deeds-Holland is a ELLINGTON FAMILY pastors in a Birmingham Youth Services Librarian magazine in 2019. A few at the Prosper Community years after graduating from Jake Shockley was inducted Library in Prosper, Texas. She Boston University School into the Fannin County plans and presents tween of Theology, Cat discerned Sports Hall of Fame in and teen programming, a call to parish ministry, 2019. Jake was a standout Homeschool Learn and and she and her husband, baseball and football player David Savage earned his M.D. Network, and story times for Dary, moved to Atlanta. at Bonham High School and Ph.D. from the Medical babies and preschoolers. Last There she served three from 1998 to 2001, earning Scientist Training Program fall, she presented “Story years as a Resident Pastor all-Texoma honors as a wide at The University of Texas Time on the Road” at Prosper at Central Presbyterian receiver in football and as McGovern Medical School Fire Station #2, and she is Church through the Lilly a shortstop in baseball. He and the MD Anderson Cancer working on a Harry Potter- Foundation’s Transition into played baseball at North Center UT Health Graduate themed escape room. Katie Ministry program before Lake College in Irving and School of Biomedical and her husband, Joseph, live taking her current position. then at Austin College, where Sciences in 2018. Dr. Savage in Denton, where he owns Cat and Dary have two he set numerous school is now an internal medicine and operates Denton Bicycle daughters. records. resident physician at the Center. Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Casie Fontaine Rivas opened He said he will forever be Matt Ellington is a Pediatric Rivas Law in Sherman in grateful to the late Dr. Jack Orthopedic Surgeon in 2007 May 2019. After more than Becca Harpham May, Vice Pierce and his Austin College Austin, Texas. He specializes 10 years of business and President of Marketing faculty for helping him get in Pediatric Sports Medicine corporate law experience in for Nature Nate’s Honey into an M.D./Ph.D. program. and takes call at Dell Texas and Oklahoma, Casie Company, was selected to He is pictured with his wife, Children’s Hospital, a level-1 is excited to practice in her the 2019 Dallas Business Elizabeth Frost. They were pediatric trauma center. He hometown and support local Journal “40 Under 40” married September 20, 2019. also is on the faculty at UT business. listing. Nature Nate’s Dell Medical School, where Honey is headquartered he teaches orthopedic

MOVIN’ ON UP Adam Groshans ’05 is President of Mercy Health—Springfield, Ohio, having moved into the position permanently after a brief interim role. He had been on staff as Chief Operating Officer for two years. Before joining Mercy Health, Adam served on the administrative team for Tennova Healthcare in Lebanon, Tennessee, and was Senior Director of Marketing and Business Development for Dallas Regional Medical Center. Active in Kiwanis International and other community initiatives, Adam was a 2018 Dayton Business Journal “Forty Under 40” honoree.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 49 ’ROO NOTES

Art History Department Director Wildlife Sciences at the 2007 (continued) in April 2019, where she of Client Wildlife Research Center John Warren is Editor of presented “The Alchemy of Services of Kyoto University, Japan, Fanbyte.com, the recently Inspiration: Graphic Novels at The where she is conducting rebranded ZAM, which is a in Development.” Sophie Stewpot, research on the behaviors of network of sites focusing on and Carl are pictured with an chimpanzees. MMORPGS (massively multi- Jeff Fontana of the Art outreach center that provides player online role-playing Department faculty and a casework assistance and Aaron Flores is a real games). He predicts more student reader. enrichment programs to estate and communications gaming production jobs that individuals and families professional in Houston, who focus on low-budget, high experiencing homelessness. served on production events. “My work The center also offers Houston so far on Fanbyte is some children, youth, and family Mayor of the most rewarding of stabilization programs to Sylvester my career, which has gone at-risk children and their Turner’s from game development to families. Laura attended transition startup consulting and now Austin Presbyterian team on to media production. We’re Theological Seminary and public expanding aggressively to UT School of Social Work, health policy and quality Twitch streams and video earning master’s degrees in of life. He also was an ANVER FAMILY this year, so stay tuned.” Social Work and in Divinity in inaugural appointee to the Tamir Anver has completed 2013. In 2016, she moved to mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory his oral surgery residency, Dallas to begin her “dream Board. He was a 2019 2008 and he and his wife—his job” at The Stewpot and says TEDxAustinCollege presenter. Austin College sweetheart she has a lifelong love of the church, having grown up a Hailey (Cunningham)—now Jessica Wescott became Presbyterian preacher’s kid. live in the Dallas area with Chief Financial Officer their children, Zain, 2, and for Fuzzy’s Taco Shop in Sophia, 1. Tamir primarily September works in Denton at Vickers & 2009 2019. She Associates Oral Surgery. Maegan Fitzgerald spoke had been to Austin College students Executive Carl Antonowicz Laura Westerlage began in April 2019, hosted by the Vice accompanied his wife, serving as a part-time Center for Environmental President graphic novelist Sophie Pastoral Intern at First Studies. She shared her of Finance for the Baja- Goldstein, on a visit to Presbyterian Church of Dallas experiences as a doctoral inspired franchise since Austin College’s Art and in June 2019. She is also student in Primatology and January 2018, when she

FROM CAMPER TO DIRECTOR Henry Owen ’05/MAT ’06 is Executive Director of John Knox Ranch, a Presbyterian summer camp and retreat center near Wimberley, Texas. He grew up in the Presbyterian Church and continued his leadership and spiritual development at Austin College through the ACtivators program. After graduation, he taught second grade in Austin, Texas, for a few years before he and his wife, Emily J. Richardson Owen ’05, moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he established a nonprofit project, Friendship Gardens. Before moving to John Knox Ranch, Henry spent four years as Executive Director of the Nature Discovery Center in Houston. Emily is a former John Knox Ranch camper, an ordained Presbyterian pastor, and has practiced ministry in a church setting and as a hospital chaplain. She currently serves as pastor of Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in Austin. Together they have two sons, Jack Henry, 8, and Ross, 5, who Henry says might be the most excited in the family about living at the Ranch. Owen said he looks forward to opportunities to strengthen the partnership between Austin College and John Knox Ranch.

50 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE ’ROO NOTES

left her former role as Vice at Texas Tech and recently devised and implemented overall record in district was President of Development published a joint piece in outreach strategy to target a program best, leading to and Finance with MOOYAH Spark: A 4C4Equality Journal American shoppers through the girls’ first playoff berth in Burgers, Fries & Shakes. with members of her class social media and digital school history. Jessica began her career in on African-American writings marketing. Since March wealth management and about race and injustice. 2018, she has been Senior Brittnay Connor, a third- finds many similarities in Ben, Jill, and their 1-year-old Communications Associate grade bilingual teacher with working with franchises son, Owen, have moved to at the French-American Dallas ISD, was selected as since she believes both fields Little Rock, where Ben began Chamber of Commerce in a Dallas County Campus are about relationships and a seven-year residency New York City, which has Voices Fellow for 2019-2020, helping partners succeed. in Neurosurgery at the more than 1,000 individual an outreach of Leadership University of Arkansas for and corporate members. ISD. The cohort focuses on

Medical Sciences in fall 2019. making public education a 2011 Michael Holcomb received a strong and viable option for master’s degree in Physics in all students by activating 2013 and a Ph.D. in Physics in community leaders to shape 2019, both from Texas Tech policy, lead strategically, and University in Lubbock, Texas. champion needed change. In fall Brittnay teaches at Paul L. 2019, he Dunbar Learning Center in began a Fair Park. tenure- track Victoria Flores earned an Matthew Myers returned Ayvaunn Penn (Marian position MBA from Texas A&M– to campus in fall 2019 to Fields) is thrilled to be as Commerce in May 2019. In speak in the “Reflections on home in Texas and working Assistant 2016, she began working Immigration” Symposium as an adjunct instructor in Professor for Baylor Scott & White sponsored by the Center for the Theatre Department at of Research Institute at Southwestern and Mexican Texas Christian University Physics at Angelo State Baylor University Medical Studies. He is an attorney and as a theatre instructor University in San Angelo, Center in Dallas as Clinical with the Foster immigration for Junior Players in Dallas. Texas. Research Assistant and later, law firm, focusing on She also recently served Research Analyst, working employment and investor as a guest playwriting Chanel Rafie and partners with financial forecasting, immigration. He also instructor at Booker T. have opened Rafie Douglas budget creation, and serves as Chair Elect of the Washington High School for Abney Law in Dallas, Texas. Medicare coverage analysis. Immigration & Nationality the Performing and Visual They graduated from Texas She was promoted to Section of the State Bar of Arts in Dallas. Ayvaunn A&M Research Project Manager in Texas. Prior to joining Foster, earned a master’s degree University September 2019. Matthew clerked for U.S. in Playwriting at Columbia School Chief Judge Orlando Garcia University in 2018 and was of Law Aryn Hays earned a master’s for the Western District of the School of the Arts Dean’s together degree in Mechanical Texas, as well as for U.S. Fellowship recipient. Read and now Engineering in 2016 Citizenship and Immigration more about this director, practice and began working as Services, Office of Chief lyricist, actor, and composer personal a Process Development Counsel. and her work to inspire and injury law Engineer at Cree in the advance black excellence and social power and RF division in art and education at security disability cases. Find dubbed as Wolfspeed. Cree ThePennSpeaks.com. 2012 them at TitansLegal.com. Wolfspeed is a powerhouse Ben Elberson received the semiconductor company

Francis C. Jackson Award for Katelyn Heath lived in Paris, focused on silicon carbide outstanding performance France, for five years after 2014 (SiC) materials, power- in the surgical clerkship as graduation. Just prior to Austin Brewster was named switching devices, and he graduated from Texas leaving the country, she District Co-Coach of the RF devices targeted for Tech University Health worked as the English Year after his success as applications such as electric Sciences Center in May Community Manager in the Girls Head Basketball Coach vehicles, fast charging, 2019, completing his M.D./ International Promotion at Faith Family Academy in inverters, power supplies, Ph.D. His wife, Jill Murphy Department of the Galeries DeSoto, Texas. The coach telecom, military, and Elberson ’13, completed her Lafayette Haussmann luxury had just completed his aerospace. Her process and department store. She master’s degree in English second year and his team’s (continued on Page 53)

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 51 ALUMNI BOOKSHELF

Robert Lively ’68 has written Robert Lewis (aka Stikmanz) Kim Powers ’79 has turned Nicole Mittenfelner Carl ’06, a new book, On Earth as it ’78 finished his latest book his writing talents to the a postdoctoral fellow at the is in Heaven … A New Take Nod’s Way, scheduled for stage with the comedy University of Pennsylvania on Grace, released by Treaty release in late 2019. The Sidekicked that offers Graduate School of Oak Publishing in Austin, book, together with special revelations from Vivian Education, has published a Texas. Bob is an honorably dice, Vance, who portrayed the new co- retired Presbyterian minister, comprise famous sidekick Ethel Mertz authored having served for four a fantasy in every crazy Lucy and book with decades as pastor, teacher, divination Ethel mishap of the I Love Harvard certified pastoral counselor, system Lucy show. Kim says he truly Education campus minister, and that is also does love Lucy, and he must Press, recovery center chaplain. a poetical love Ethel, too. He has a new Applied He has written 12 books, work novel, Rules for Being Dead, Research including one novel. ordered by play and chance. scheduled for release in May for Sustainable Change: A The book is bilingual in 2020. When he’s not writing Guide for Education Leaders. English and his created plays and novels, he is Senior language Dvarsh. Writer for ABC’s 20/20 newsmagazine.

MAKING EMPATHETIC PHYSICIAN BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IN TRAINING Rizwan Jagani ’15 Dilan Shah ’17 released the album worked for a year Endless Night of his after graduation and viola instrumental spent another year performance, backpacking around the completed in the globe to enrich his sense final semester of of global citizenship. In his 2019 master’s fall 2019, he began his degree in Music medical school career as a Dorman Scholar at Carnegie Mellon University. The album in the inaugural class at the Texas Christian includes some of his favorite musical theatre University and University of North Texas pieces, each including original orchestrations, Health Science Center School of Medicine in produced tracks, and viola parts. Rizwan’s Fort Worth, Texas. The program aims to mold recording professor assisted him with the album empathetic scholars and redefine medical after discovering his YouTube channel: education to create physicians better prepared www.YouTube.com/RizwanJaganiViolist. for the future of medicine through patient- centered training and innovation.

52 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE ’ROO NOTES

French. She and her husband She has entered the Long 2014 (continued) 2016 have a 1-year-old daughter School of Medicine at UT San equipment specialties are Joel Barrett is a fourth-year and continue to live in Antonio wire bonding and bond medical student at Texas El Paso. Health testing, plasma cleaning, Tech University Health Science laser marking, and ultrasonic Sciences Center School Center welding. Aryn lives in the of Medicine, expecting to with Fayetteville, Arkansas, area, complete his degree in May plans to where she is a member of 2020. He is completing complete Ozark Volleyball Club and clinical rotations in Amarillo, her M.D. enjoys activities with her Texas, and applying for and a dog, June, a Catahoula-Lab residency training in master’s degree in Public mix. Psychiatry to begin in July Health. 2020. Mikayla Stocks completed Rebecca Rogers earned 2015 Nicole Collier is a Research a Master of Public Affairs a master’s degree in degree at Indiana University’s Libby Wise Janes and Associate and, as of International Development O’Neil School in 2019. She Jesse Janes moved to New September 2019, Interim from the London School of returned to Texas and began York City during summer Executive Economics in December 2018 work for the City of Austin 2019 after Jesse completed Director and is as Grants Coordinator for the his M.D. at Texas Tech for the working as Public Health Department, University Health Science Nonprofit an English overseeing contracts that Center School of Medicine. Academic teacher specialize in homeless He began his Pediatric Center at a small prevention, domestic residency at NYU School of Council English violence, or intellectual and Medicine—NYU Langone in at the academy developmental disabilities June. Libby, who completed Bush School of Government in South services. Mikayla credits her her master’s degree in Social and Public Service at Texas Korea. Austin College professors Work at Texas Tech in 2018, A&M University in College She enjoys the job and looks with her success and says began work in fall 2019 as Station, Texas. She earned a forward to all that country each line on her resume a Licensed Master Social master’s degree in Nonprofit has to offer. came from a direct Worker at NYU Langone’s Management in 2018 from connection made by one of Cardiology Unit. the Bush School. Sitara Weerakoon earned her professors. her master’s degree in Public Kusha Mohammadi is a Sarah Dillabough returned Health third-year Ph.D. student to El Paso after graduating from UT in the Department of and worked as a Legislative 2017 Health Biostatistics and Data Intern in the district office Preston Glasscock has Science Science of Texas Senator José accepted a position to serve Center at The Rodriguez. She then did as Judicial Law Clerk at the School University a one-year AmeriCorps Northern of Public of Texas VISTA service assignment District of Health Health with the City of El Paso Texas from in May Science Resilience and Sustainability 2020 to 2019, and in June, she Center in Department. Next, she 2021. He began a Ph.D. program in Houston. worked at the El Pasoans has already Epidemiology with a minor He is an intern at the Baylor Fighting Hunger Food Bank accepted a position to work in Biostatistics. A graduate College of Medicine and as the Food Donor Relations as a Litigator for Norton Rose research assistant, she was Memorial Hermann Trauma Manager and Director of Fulbright in Dallas when the inducted into Delta Omega Center, providing statistical Food Recovery. Today, she clerk position ends. Honorary Society in Public insight into cancer and is Sustainability Specialist Health in 2019. patient care data analysis. for a new urban planning Blair Creedle Reynolds He is also working on his and sustainability consulting earned a master’s degree dissertation in statistical firm in El Paso. She also is an in Medical Science from the inference on stochastic independent contractor for University of North Texas modeling with application in an environmental nonprofit Health Science Center in Alzheimer’s disease. He was Eco El Paso and for a May 2019 and was named a 2019 TEDxAustinCollege company in Sherman, doing Outstanding Graduate presenter. translations from English to Student in the program.

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 53 ’ROO LEGACIES

Continuing Their Family Traditions The Class of 2023 includes 50 students following family members into ’RooNation. Many have siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles who attended Austin College recently or years ago. Space doesn’t allow all of those students to be shown but pictured below are those students whose legacy connections are parents and/or grandparents (and showed up for the photo). Two of the freshmen—Grant Gilbert of Sherman and Jacob Meloni of Schertz, Texas—each have nine ’Roo relatives before them, each including one parent, two or three grandparents, and an array of aunts and uncles—plus a sibling for Grant. As “most legacied,” they placed the Class of 2023 flag at Opening Convocation in August 2019. See more legacy photos at www.austincollege.edu/legacy-students-2019. Elena Aventa, daughter of Tony Aventa ’90 PHOTOS BY HANNA PAINE ’21

Zoe Crane, daughter of Farrell Crane ’84 Sophie Daniel, daughter of Brandon Evans, Lezlie Parsons Daniel ’83 and Ladd Daniel ’84 son of Lucy Foster Evans ’87

Grant Gilbert, in ’Roo shirt, son of Dean Gilbert ’89, and grandson of Clara Harper, daughter of Cheri Vandivort Harper and Dean Gilbert ’71. Also pictured brother Clay Gilbert ’19 Michael Harper, both ’94, and granddaughter of Bettie Bass Vandivort ’72 and Bill Vandivort ’69

Lucas Herrmann, son of Chris Herrmann ’89 and Maya Leisey, stepdaughter of Joanna Leitch, daughter of Stephanie Lucio-Herrmann ’92 Todd Deatherage ’83 Georgia Vincent ’93

54 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE Lindy Luker, granddaughter of Kennon Magers, son of Bill Magers ’85 and Angela Magers Jacob Meloni, son of Jim Jarratt ’67 MAT ’98. At far right is brother Zachary Magers ’21. Paige Rodgers Meloni ’91 COURTESY PHOTO

Cristian Olvera, son of Mike Olvera ’98 Elijah Sisk, son of Mary Pope Sisk ’88 Kate Willeford, daughter of Keith Willeford ’91 and Kevin Sisk ’88

HONORING OUR SPORTS LEGENDS

The 2019 Legends honorees, pictured left to right with President Steven O’Day, are Deb Hunter, Jeff Robbins,

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER MANIET Kaitlin Elledge, Jason Johnson, Kevin Krause, Marcus Schulz, Jason Burton, and Kaitlin Shores.

2019 Athletic Hall of Honor inductees: Kaitlin Elledge ’11 (soccer) • Jason Johnson ’93 (football) • Kevin Krause ’92 (baseball) • Jeff Robbins ’84 (football) • Kaitlin Listol Shores ’08 (volleyball) Kedric Couch Alumni Coaches of the Year: Jason Burton ’07 (women’s basketball) • Marcus Schulz ’03 (football) Coach Joe Spencer Award for Meritorious Service and Lifetime Achievement in Coaching: Debra Hunter

SAVE THE DATE: Legends, August 7-9, 2020

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 55 ’ROO-MATES

Megan Dougherty Travis ’10, Hailey Wakefield, and Ashley 2000 and Shamyal Khan ’08 also 2013 Fitzpatrick. Emily and Jack Kelly Hamilton married attended. Matt and Kristen Caitlyn Graves and Kathryn live in Allen, Texas, with their Sarah Bruno in June 2018. chose to legally combine “Kat” Meyer were married yellow lab, Sammy. Jack Vanessa Brown and Kari their last names to form a on March 24, 2018, in works with The Real McCoys Bergman were members of new last name, Austew, that Manor, Texas. Wedding Realty, and Emily is a Tax the wedding ceremony. After both use. Kristen began a attendants included Lizzy Associate with Bland Garvey earning his master’s degree new position as Pastor of Lincoln ’14, James Taylor CPAs and Wealth Advisors. from Washington University First Presbyterian Church in ’14, and Thomas Clayton in 2002, Kelly cofounded Bordentown, New Jersey, ’12. Caitlyn and Kat met and ran a magazine in February 2019, having at Austin College in 2014 2014 publishing business in St. left her post as Chaplain when both worked for Meghana Bellary and Vishal Louis for 13 years. In 2017, at Kansas City Hospice & Duke TIP. Caitlin lives in Maktal were married June he entered a Ph.D. program Palliative Care, where she Fort Worth, Texas, works 14, 2019, in the backyard of for industrial organizational served from November 2013 at Tarrant County College her family home. Meghana psychology. through November 2018. District with professional and described a “traditional organizational development, arranged marriage turned to and is in the dissertation love” that began when their 2004 2009 phase of her doctorate in mothers (strangers), thinking education. Kat began her Dan Pucul and Lindy K. Nicolas Ayala married Miriam their children would never first year at Case Western Olsen ’03 were married in Ayme Gueta on June 8, marry, decided to “help.” Reserve University Law August 2016. They have 2019, in Morelia, Michoacan, Meghana and Vishal met, School in Cleveland, Ohio, taken some time to share the Mexico. The two own Rancho found their dreams coming in fall 2019. Both had news through ’Roo Notes, Los Girasoles and live in true, and soon decided to opportunities too good to and they were obviously Celina, Texas, with their son, marry. Shruti Hegde ’13 and pass up but say they are pretty low key about the Nicolas, various goats, and Surya Ravi were bridesmaids. “old hands” at long-distance ceremony. Dan wrote that three dogs. They own and Khusa Singh also attended. relationships and that life is he “took an extra half hour manage two wedding venues After the wedding and a busy and beautiful. for my lunch break that day. in Dallas: Fiesta Gardens Texas reception, the couple We had to go all the way to Event Center and Hacienda traveled to India for a Whitesboro to find a Justice Fiesta Gardens. Emily Olvera and Jack reception for Vishal’s family, of the Peace that would do McCoy were married June with over 500 attending. marriages.” Just as married; 15, 2019, at Knotting Hill Meghana is a teacher in none of the wedding stress. 2011 Place in Little Elm, Texas. Plano. Vishal is a Data Emily’s bridesmaids included Analyst. Now, Lindy is completing Gabriel Vasquez and Ashley Victoria Briscoe O’Connor, a master’s degree in Youvza were married on Counseling at University April 27, 2019, in Wylie, Texas, of North Texas. Dan, who with DJ Hardy ’09 and Sean earned a master’s in Drama Simpson ’12 in the wedding in 2009 at Texas Woman’s party. The new couple lives University, is the Technical in Garland, Texas, with their Coordinator for Ida Green daughters, Lilly and Emma. Communication Center. They live in Sherman. 2012 Savannah Murphy and Alex 2007 Mannari ’11 were married on Kristen Austin and Matt November 3, 2019. ’Roos in Stewart ’08 were married on the bridal party were Patrick April 20, 2018, in Kansas City, Coleman, Scott Cottingham Missouri, their home at the ’10, Austin Light ’11, Aziz time. Alumni in the wedding Kobty ’11, Victor Mollenhoff, party included Amanda Sahar Mehdi ’11, Kersti Austin Comer ’08, Molly Marusich, Erica Demies ’13, Dougherty Bucy, Audrey and Kate Wofford. The new Burnett Harris, Garrett couple lives in Fort Worth, Staples ’06, and Tres Ellis Texas, where Savannah works ’11. Kelly Yarbrough Frasier for Stryker and Alex works Sarah Bruno and Kelly Hamilton ’00 ’09, Laura Westerlage ’08, for MDG Medical.

56 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE Lindy K. Olsen ’03 and Dan Pucul ’04

Matt Stewart ’08 and Kristen Austin ’07

Miriam Ayme Gueta and Nicolas Ayala ’09

Ashley Youvza and Gabriel Vasquez ’11

Alex Mannari ’11 and Savannah Murphy ’12

57

Kathryn “Kat” Meyer and Caitlyn Graves ’13 Emily Olvera ’13 and Jack McCoy Meghana Bellary ’14 and Vishal Maktal

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 57 ’ROO-MATES

Rebecca McDonald ’18, Kylie 2014 (continued) Menocal ’18, Tad Howard, Abby Saizow and Alan Tanner Howard, and Shane Parrent were married Brooks ’18. The couple lives June 8, 2019, in Breckenridge, in Dallas, Texas, with their Colorado. Alumni in the adopted dog, Lilly. Tori is wedding were Madeleine in the Master of Physician Millender, Austin Vaughan Assistant Studies Program at ’13, and Shane Williams Chatham University and will ’13. Abby’s boxer, ’Roo, graduate in July 2020. Shawn was the flower dog for the works as a Financial Advisor ceremony. Abby and Alan at AXA Advisors. have added another boxer to the family, “sister” Breck. Lacyn Hill and Robert Ward The bride and groom met in were married August 11, the fall of their sophomore 2018, in Glen Rose, Texas, year and dated almost 7.5 in an outdoor ceremony. years. That may have had The wedding party included something to do with Abby’s Lauren Rose ’13, Savanna Alan Parrent ’14 and Abby Saizow ’14 education. In May 2019, she Romo ’16, Shannon McKelvie, graduated from Oklahoma and Presleigh Watson. Lacyn State University Center for works at Trinity Industries, Veterinary Health Sciences. Inc., and Robert recently Robert Ward The new couple lives in Tulsa, graduated from Richland and Lacyn Hill ’17 Oklahoma, where Abby is College where he studied a veterinarian at Woodland video game design and West Animal Hospital, and development. The couple Alan is Director of Game attends Frisco Bible Church, Operations for Tulsa Oilers where they met and became Hockey. friends in 2015. 2017 2018 Madison Lee and Jeremy Zoe Garner and Cary Halford ’16 were married Register ’17 were married April 26, 2019, at Mitas Hill July 20, 2019, at Marty Jeremy Halford ’16 Vineyard in McKinney, Texas. Leonard Chapel in Fort and Madison Lee ’17 They met when Madison was Worth, Texas. Austin College a freshman at Austin College Chaplain Dr. John Williams in 2013, playing ping pong ’84 officiated. Several ’Roos in the Pouch Club. Jeremy attended, and the wedding proposed just outside the party included Rebecca Pouch Club in December Franklin, Sydney Jackson ’19, 2017. The wedding party Jackson Farnsworth ’17, Ben included Brooks Ward ’16 Lehrman ’17, Brett Garner Zoe Garner ’18 and Thomas Oberg. Madison ’22, and Jake Davis ’20. and Cary Register ’17 works for a well-known tax, auditing, and consulting firm in Dallas, and Jeremy works in the Accounting Office of UT Dallas. The couple lives in Richardson, Texas.

Victoria Campbell and Shawn Slowinski were married May 24, 2019, in Leonard, Texas. The wedding party included Presleigh Shawn Slowinski ’17 Watson, Shannon McKelvie, and Victoria Campbell ’17

58 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE JOEYS

where Spenser works for the 2001 State of Texas Health and Mike Johnston MAT ’02 and Human Services, and Zac his wife, Erin, welcomed works for Southern Glazers their daughter, Moa Summer Distributors. Johnston, on May 29, 2019. Melissa Johnston McKenzie Montine Garcia Miller ’04 is the new addition’s and her husband, Jarrod, aunt. welcomed their daughter, Olivia Miller, on November 5, 2018. Montine is a Emery Jaye-Carter Moa Summer (Garrison ’11) 2006 special education teacher (Johnston ’01) Dennis Kelly Jr. and Emily in Salisbury, Maryland, and Webb Kelly ’10/MAT ’11 are Jarrod is on the faculty at the the parents of Claire Sawyer University of Delaware. Kelly, born August 18, 2019. Big brother John Dennis, born in January 2018, is very 2012 proud of his little sister, who Blake Doughty and Katie has lots of ’Roo support with Hendrickson Doughty her grandfather, two aunts, introduce Harper Jean and an uncle who are Austin Doughty, born on September College alumni. Dennis 18, 2019. Blake is Head Claire Sawyer received his master’s degree Boys Basketball Coach/ (Kelly ’06) in Education from Xavier Defensive Coordinator and Olivia University in May 2019. Katie is Associate Principal (Miller ’11) of Instruction and Guidance, both at Grapeland High 2007 School. Big brother Grayson, Catherine “Cat” Moran born July 2018, welcomed Ayeni and her husband, home his little sister. Ohiolei, welcomed their son, Jonathan Clinton Ayodele Ben Elberson and Jill Murphy Ayeni, on July 25, 2019. Elberson ’13 welcomed their Jonathan Clinton Ayodele son, Owen Ignatius Elberson, (Ayeni ’07) on October 5, 2018, in Harper Jean 2008 Lubbock, Texas. The family (Doughty ’12) Nathan Lockaby and Kaley has moved to Little Rock, Roberts Lockaby ’09 Arkansas. See Class of 2013 welcomed their daughter and notes. future ’Roo, Caroline Love Lockaby, on March 18, 2019. 2013 Jason Henry MAT ’14 and Caroline Love 2009 Heather Farquhar Henry (Lockaby ’08) Nicolas Ayala and his wife, welcomed their son, Owen Daniel Henry, home in Owen Ignatius Miriam, welcomed their son, (Elberson ’12) Nicolas Ayala, on December Richardson, Texas, on March 21, 2018. 20, 2019. Both teach fifth grade—Jason in Frisco ISD and Heather in Mesquite ISD. 2011 Spenser Cruikshank Garrison and Zac Garrison are the parents of a daughter, Emery Jaye-Carter Garrison, born on May 29, 2019. The Nicolas Owen Daniel family lives in Austin, Texas, (Ayala ’09) (Henry ’13)

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 59 2019 ALUMNI AND VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Honoring talented alumni is a highlight of Homecoming, from the career and community success of the Distinguished Alumni and First Decade Awardee to the continued commitment to Austin College of the Heywood C. Clemons Volunteer Service Award and the Cindy Bean Service-to-Alumni Award honorees. Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients First Decade Award

Amanda Clausen Hammel Jeffrey Levin ’79, M.D., Don Newsom ’64 enjoyed Madison Messinger ’14 ’95 is Senior Vice President is Senior Vice President a celebrated career as an graduated from Austin and Chief Information for Academic Affairs and educator, coach, athletic College with majors in Officer of Memorial Provost of The University of director, and administrator International Relations and Hermann Health System. Texas Health Science Center before his retirement. He Chinese Studies. An alternate A nationally recognized at Tyler. Much honored taught and coached football, for the prestigious Boren leader for population for his work, Dr. Levin has baseball, and track in several Scholarship, she studied in health technology, she has received the Marcus Key Texas school districts and China with support from guided Memorial Hermann Award from the Texas coached at Austin College a Gilman Scholarship. She to become a national College of Occupational and McMurry College. began nonprofit work with leader of Accountable Care and Environmental Don received many NAIA Literacy AmeriCorps before Organizations for the Center Medicine, The University coaching awards, and Austin joining North Texas Food for Medicare and Medicaid of Texas System Regents College recognized him with Bank in Dallas, Texas. Today, Services since joining the Outstanding Teaching induction to the Athletic she is that agency’s Child system in 2007. Amanda is Award, and the Texas College Hall of Honor in 1983 and Programs Administrator, a member of the steering Legacy Award, among the 2015 Joe Spencer Award overseeing programs that committee for the nonprofit others. A Professor in the for Lifetime Achievement serve approximately 13,000 IGNITE, which engages Department of Occupational and Meritorious Service in children. She designs executive-level women and Environmental Health Coaching. He is a former innovative program models, to generate innovative Sciences, he has helped Citizen of the Year in Celina, engages local hunger solutions in healthcare. She develop JanTerm and where he previously served coalitions, and speaks on and her husband, Brad, are Gateways opportunities for as Chamber of Commerce behalf of the food bank to active members of Christ Austin College students at president. He and his wife, community and corporate Evangelical Presbyterian UTHSC, particularly in Public Carol (Campbell) ’62, a 1997 groups. She has received Church in Houston, where Health and Biotechnology. Distinguished Alumna, live in several professional Amanda serves in the choir Jeffrey and his wife, Virginia McKinney, Texas. recognitions for her work. and in women’s ministry. Harleston ’79, live in Tyler.

Heywood C. Clemons Volunteer Service Award Cindy Bean Service-to-Alumni Award Denison, Texas. Blake is move into the next step of known by many as the life as alumni. He continues voice of Kangaroo football, to welcome and serve alumni providing play-by-play in every visit to campus and commentary when Austin beyond, seeking to maintain College plays at home in alumni connections to the Apple Stadium throughout College community. He the fall. An active member began work at Austin College of the local community, in 2005 and has served as Blake Utter ’07 graduated Blake serves on the boards Michael W. Deen works Associate Director of Student from Austin College with of directors of Boys and to connect with Austin Life, Director of Student Life, a degree in Business Girls Club of Denison and College students throughout and now, Dean of Students. He Administration. He is the The Rehabilitation Center their education, and that has further served the College owner and General Manager in Sherman, among other commitment helps him to on the President’s Inclusion of Blake Utter Ford in activities. better serve them once they and Diversity Task Force.

60 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE CRIMSON & GOLD … AND PURPLE

Homecoming & Family Weekend 2019 was one of the largest gatherings of alumni on campus in many years. The campus was a sea of crimson and gold … and purple. Much of the turnout was for the Centennial Celebration of Kappa Gamma Chi, Austin College’s oldest continuing organization of women. The group’s signature colors are purple and white.

In fall 1918, when the first women were officially admitted to Austin College, most organizations on campus were not enthusiastic about allowing the women to join. Unfazed, the women decided to create their own organization, and Kappa Gamma Chi Literary Society was founded. The organization offered social opportunities along with literary discussion. In 1940, the group reshaped into a social sorority and has been active on campus in that fashion ever since.

In 1994, the Kappas marked the 75th anniversary of their founding by creation of the Kappa Gamma Chi Alumni Scholarship, which would provide study abroad assistance to Austin College women.

As the 100th year neared, 120 Kappas, spanning 40 years, kicked off the Centennial Celebration with a four-day Carnival Cruise to Cozumel. It was deemed “epic.”

To officially commemorate the 100th anniversary of the group’s founding, Kappa alumni determined to raise an additional $100,000 to increase the Alumni Scholarship endowment. Vee Smith Volpe ’90, Jenny King ’92, and Holly Mace Massingill ’94 led the charge, raising $101,000 in six weeks— adding the final $20,000 to the total during the Kappa Centennial Reception at Homecoming to add to the excitement!

Organizing a Centennial Celebration is no small feat, and Jenny King took on much of the load. She would tell you it was because living in Dallas made it easier for her than others. It was a work of love, a lot of work. In addition to taking care of lots of logistics, she created an exhibit that includes the history of the organization, as well as many testimonials, memories, and memorabilia. The laughter, stories, and bonds of sisterhood went beyond class years and radiated from alumni to current students. Kappas and non-Kappas enjoyed the celebration.

Here’s to the next 100 years of Kappa Gamma Chi!

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 61 IN\ MEMORIAM

ALUMNI

1941 Mrs. Edith “Deedy” Hawkins Bennett . . July 13, 2019 1961 Patricia McClurg ...... August 25, 2019 1941 Drucilla Dickerson DeArmond . . . . .April 16, 2019 1961 Clarence Randolph “Randy” Russell Jr. . May 21, 2019 1941 Thomas Murphy ...... August 1, 2019 1962 Kay Baker ...... October 17, 2018 1942 Kitty Lus Druck ...... December 1, 2018 1962 Norman Dickey ...... April 7, 2019 1943 Bette Rector ...... October 3, 2018 1963 Lynne Hartman Black ...... January 4, 2019 1947 D. Glynn Smith ...... November 29, 2018 1963 Peter L. Kleinjan ...... November 4, 2018 1948 Robert Hale ...... August 28, 2019 1964 Don Read ...... March 21, 2019 1948 Carl Hefton ...... December 6, 2018 1965 Wayne McClure ...... January 10, 2019 1948 Charles Mitchell ...... January 1, 2019 1965 Judith Castleberry Miller ...... March 29, 2019 1948 Kathryn Mack Phipps ...... August 5, 2019 1965 Nancy Beinke Schwartz ...... July 11, 2019 1949 Samuel Barnes ...... March 22, 2019 1966 Joseph Cutlip ...... February 10, 2019 1949 John Edward Carter ...... October 9, 2019 1966 Susan Freiberg Urbach ...... August 30, 2019 1949 Betty Dean Morgan ...... October 12, 2019 1967 Richard Anton “Tony” Levacy . . . . March 6, 2019 1949 Claude Perry Jr...... November 21, 2019 1967 Patsy Merrill ...... November 15, 2018 1950 Virginia Foshee Duke ...... February 16, 2019 1967 Deane Sadler ...... May 9, 2019 1951 Marion Pollard Chandler ...... October 19, 2019 1968 David Lander ...... September 28, 2019 1951 Bill Farrow ...... February 20, 2019 1969 Jean Menefee ...... February 8, 2019 1951 Betty Lynn Laden O’Neal . . . . . October 18, 2019 1970 Sam P. Hooper Jr...... November 12, 2019 1952 Billy Spann ...... April 22, 2019 1971 Mark Beardsley ...... November 30, 2019 1952 Clem Fain Sylestine ...... May 21, 2019 1971 Lydia Rodrigues Frias ...... January 25, 2019 1953 Jean Harper Crain ...... August 3, 2019 1972 Isabel Garza Jimenez ...... November 19, 2019 1953 Marie Davis ...... August 3, 2019 1973 Michael Parker ...... May 21, 2019 1953 James R. Sheppard Jr...... September 10, 2019 1973 Mary J. Swirczynski ...... January 7, 2019 1953 Dorothy Tucker Winfield . . . . November 30, 2019 1974 Martha Katharine Brittain . . . . November 24, 2019 1954 Edward Anthony Joseph ...... March 31, 2019 1974 Foy Crookham ...... May 18, 2019 1957 Carol Luce Howell ...... November 26, 2019 1974 Jesse R. “Ray” Thomas ...... January 12, 2019 1957 Edward C. Kirby ...... December 22, 2017 1975 Roger “Kirk” Keller ...... November 2, 2019 1957 James E. Owens ...... July 4, 2019 1975 Mary Jane Willis Briscoe ...... October 1, 2019 1958 Paul Branum ...... January 4, 2019 1976 Matthew Ralph McCord ...... October 26, 2019 1958 Raymond Dupuy ...... February 23, 2019 1977 Johnny Ellis ...... December 25, 2018 1958 Weldon Rackley ...... June 2, 2017 1978 Preston Thompson ...... April 11,2019 1958 Dennis Redburn ...... March 12, 2019 1980 Connie Boone Thomas ...... April 1, 2019 1958 Patricia J. Turner ...... November 20, 2018 1982 Jan Pharis Lindsey ...... January 27, 2019 1959 John Duncan ...... February 5, 2019 2001 J.L. Chapman Jr...... July 26, 2019 1959 George Huser ...... August 13, 2019 2003 Lauren Cook ...... March 11, 2019 1959 Nelma Laverne Hyde ...... September 29, 2019 2004 Sarah Francis ...... February 6, 2019 1959 Nancy Dennis Wilbourn ...... January 7, 2019 2008 Rachel Escamilla ...... March 11, 2019 1961 Walter Ague ...... January 7, 2019 2010 Layne Rylander ...... September 29, 2019

Friends We Will Miss Austin College Faculty

Mary Carlson, who served as Secretary and Administrative The Austin College community lost three dedicated emeriti Assistant to the Dean of Social Sciences for more than 25 faculty last year who had served Austin College and years, died January 15, 2019. their students well over several decades. Space does not allow the listing here of their many accomplishments and Jan Bacon, who worked as Secretary in Abell Library, achievements, but their students and colleagues hold the Communication Arts, and Continuing Education during her 11 former educators in high esteem in their minds and hearts. years with the College, died August 19, 2019. Find their full obituaries on the Austin College website.

Pete Newell, who worked as HVAC Technician from 1982 until Hugh Barnard Garnett Jr. his retirement in 1994, died August 22, 2019. Professor Emeritus of Economics Hugh

Garnett died October 14, 2019. He joined H. Ross Perot, who received an Austin College Honorary the Austin College faculty in 1981, teaching Doctor of Humane Letters Degree in 1989, died July 9, 2019. until his retirement in 2003. He considered Austin College a perfect fit because of the emphasis on educating future citizens. \ “The highpoint of my career has been the

62 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE engaged citizenship and professional accomplishments of most recognized at Austin College with the Robert J. and so many of the students I have been privileged to teach,” he Mary Wright Campus Center a focus of daily life. Bob and once said. In addition to his expert and insightful guidance his wife, Mary, supported numerous other programs and in economics, Garnett was passionate about botany, initiatives of the College. They were particularly pleased to conservation, photography, and birding. He gifted a 7-acre, create a number of scholarships and to interact with the native tallgrass prairie, later named Garnett Prairie, to the recipients. Wright was honored on several occasions by College as an outdoor teaching and research laboratory for Austin College, his fellow trustees, and its students, receiving the Sciences. the College’s Toddie Lee Wynne Award for Distinguished Service in 1990 and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Dan Schores 2006. Upon his retirement as board chair, Student Assembly passed a resolution to name the drive leading to Wright Dr. Daniel Mortimer Schores, Associate Campus Center as “Robert J. Wright Circle.” Professor Emeritus of Sociology, died August 19, 2019. He taught Sociology and Anthropology at the College from 1969 David Fornoff until his retirement in 1994. He described Senior trustee David A. Fornoff, died April himself as a generalist with a wide range 18, 2019. The Waco business leader and of interests that he felt fit well with the philanthropist was an active member of the liberal arts experience. During his tenure, Austin College had College’s Board of Trustees from 1986 to a Continuing Education Program, and he served as director 1993 and remained a senior trustee until his for many years. Approximately 1,500 community residents death. In addition to offering his leadership attended the 70-80 courses offered each year. He also was and guidance to the board, Fornoff and his director of the College’s Elderhostel program, which brought wife, Dorothy, supported various board projects, particularly senior citizens to campus from around the country. He construction of Wright Campus Center, as well as IDEA continued to work with the program long after his retirement. Center construction.

Paul Thomas Carolyn Harte Dr. Paul Leslie Thomas, Professor Emeritus Senior trustee Carolyn Harte of San of Psychology, died September 16, 2019. He Antonio, Texas, died October 8, 2019. She joined the College faculty in fall 1963 and joined the board in 1986 and remained on throughout his teaching tenure also served the senior board until her death. In addition as Director of World Affairs and Field to providing influence and input, her Studies, Director of Institutional Research, involvement was one of great philanthropy. Associate Registrar, and Registrar. He She and her husband, Houston Harte, retired from his Registrar role in 1992. Beginning in 1992, he who preceded her in death, were generous benefactors of served as Assistant Dean of the Faculty and Professor of the College. Among other gifts, they endowed the Houston Psychology, retiring from the College in June 1996. and Carolyn Harte Middle Income Assistance Endowed Scholarships, specifically to assist students ineligible for federal assistance in meeting the cost of private higher education. Mrs. Harte also contributed to several other \ campus initiatives.

Austin College Board of Trustees Jesse Raymond Thomas III, M.D. The dedication and support of these senior members of the Senior trustee Jesse R. “Ray” Thomas of College’s Board of Trustees had tremendous impact upon the Carrollton, Texas, died January 12, 2019. Ray College in recent decades. These trustees, who happen to be served on the Board of Trustees from 2000 devoted Presbyterian Church leaders also, have made gifts to 2013 and remained an active senior that have been monumental in the life of the College. Find trustee until his death. He served as chair of full obituaries on the College website. the Academic Affairs Committee for much of his active service and was an integral Robert J. Wright member of both the Trustee Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee. The esteemed physician and owner Robert J. Wright, longtime friend and of dermatology clinics in Sherman and Plano was a 1974 former chair of the College’s Board of graduate of the College. He and his wife, Elizabeth (Black) Trustees, died January 17, 2019. He joined Thomas ’73, made several significant scholarship gifts to the the Austin College Board in 1983, served as College and supported numerous other projects, including chair from 1997 to 2007, and continued on construction of Wright Campus Center. the senior board until his death. A respected Dallas business leader and philanthropist, Robert Wright’s name is perhaps one of the \

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE 63 IN OTHER WORDS

Commitment That Runs Deep

By Holly Mace Massingill ’94

PLEDGE CLASS #72: At Homecoming 2019, left to right, are Shelley Hallman Shook, Alison Kiernat Hughes, Holly Mace Massingill, Jeanna Montgomery Brooks, Kim Jacoby Kehoe, Jennifer Kyle Hernandez, and Stella Lucio

Mulhollan, all ’94. COURTESY PHOTOS

often tell students who are starting their College special. As ’Roos, our relationships with college search, “If you want to expand your each other are not due to sameness. They are not I horizons, go to a small school.” a result of like-minded individuals finding one another at the age of 18. I argue that our strength I have seen time and again that at a large is in large part because we are different. institution, a young person can usually surround themselves with like-minded people. At a small Of my six pledge sisters who attended school, that isn’t always the case. Homecoming 2019 and myself, our occupations include veterinarian, librarian, attorney, When I had the privilege of returning to coach, nurse, realtor, and community outreach campus this fall to celebrate the Centennial coordinator. We are a diverse group, and I wonder Celebration of my sorority, if we would have found each other at a large Kappa Gamma Chi, I realized school or in a big sorority. I wonder if we would that my mantra is truer than have cared enough to attend our Homecoming 25 ever. At Homecoming, over 200 years later. Kappas gathered in Sherman to celebrate 100 years of I have come to appreciate the smallness of the sisterhood. And, while Kappas city where Austin College resides as part of our have always been known to uniqueness. Sherman isn’t an obstacle. It’s part of enjoy a good party, it was far more meaningful the winning combination. While out on the town than that. during Homecoming, I saw so many familiar faces. In a big city, I simply would not have run into 100 As I reflected on the weekend, I had to ask of my friends at a local restaurant. I would assume myself, “Why?” Why would all these women from this experience is true in the daily lives of our all age ranges come from all over the country to current students as well. attend Homecoming for our local sorority? Attending a small school in a small town and The answer is because the commitment to being a member of a small sorority resulted in a Kappa runs deep for us. Not just because of our much bigger life. For that, I am eternally grateful. n rich history (our founding member, Ms. Lola Belle Perkins, was a revolutionary who came to campus with the first group of women ever allowed Holly lives in Rollingwood, Texas, with her husband, admission) but because our relationships with each Gavin, and their son, Mace. A broker associate with other run deep. Keller Williams Realty in Austin, she also is the sole Just like our sorority, just like our classes, just proprietor of Lone Star Legacies. Holly is a member of like our town—“smallness” is what makes Austin Austin College’s Board of Trustees.

64 Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE Today, cheering the ’Roos. Tomorrow, the world. PHOTO BY MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY

Members of the inaugural ’Roo Pep Band are forging a new path—not only in music but also for life. Their journey is possible because we are committed to providing access to quality liberal www.austincollege.edu/giving arts education for talented and deserving students. With over 30% of our incoming freshmen identified as “first-generation,” that challenge is greater than ever.

POWER Austin College is helping meet the need. Scholarships are one of the POWER campaign’s highest priorities, and gifts for endowed or immediate-use funds open the door to a wider world. We are grateful for the support of donors and friends to transform young people. Every gift matters—make yours today!

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, TX PERMIT NO. 110 Office of Institutional Advancement 900 North Grand Avenue, Suite 6G Sherman, Texas 75090-4400

Austin College Magazine | 2020 ISSUE PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER MANIET