COVER STORY 4 Music Roots so Deep Our Rivers Sing FEATURES 10 Rock and Roar Royalty 20 Band Director USA 26 Reach and Teach 30 Profiles in Excellence OF NOTE 2 President’s Message 14 Around Campus 36 Athletics 40 Alumni President’s Message 41 2018 Homecoming Schedule 42 Alumni News 44 Class Notes 46 In Memory 47 Excerpts from the Archives

FALL 2018 • VOLUME 26 NUMBER 2

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA FALL 2018 • VOLUME 26 • No. 2 • FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF UNA MAGAZINE

ADMINISTRATION President Kenneth D. Kitts PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost Ross Alexander Kenneth D. Kitts Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Evan Thornton ’15 Vice President for Student Affairs magical time on UNA’s campus. We’re Kim Greenway ’91 always thrilled to see our alumni return Vice President for University Advancement to relive old memories and create new Deborah L. Shaw ’82 ones. This year’s Homecoming theme STAFF is “It’s Time to Rock and Roar,” bringing PUBLISHER home the idea that music is at the heart Deborah L. Shaw ’82 of everything we do in the Shoals. In fact, EDITOR music is the theme for this edition of the Bryan Rachal UNA Magazine. COPY EDITOR Kenneth D. Kitts B.J. Wilson ’80 You’ll read how April Clark, an ’02 graduate of the College of Education and CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dear Lions, Karen Hodges ’84 Human Sciences, uses rock music to reach Welcome to the Fall 2018 edition GRAPHIC DESIGNER students in Colbert County, and how Drs. of University of North Alabama Magazine Chuck Craig ’79 . Edd and Lloyd ’92 Jones have created a As the university gears up for the new UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHER family legacy through the marching band. Shannon Wells ’05 academic year, we look back at our The classics are also well represented: the accomplishments with pride. This will be COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Shoals Symphony at UNA, Collegiate Joseph Romans Photography my fourth fall at UNA, and in that time Singers, and UNA Opera keep Norton CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS I have been continually impressed by Auditorium packed. From the amazing Taranae Cooley the innovative ways our faculty and staff Abraham Rowe artists graduating from our Entertainment utilize the resources they’re provided. I CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Industry program to the band directors am committed to the continued increase Jessica Pajaron ’17 we produce, music permeates every facet of those resources and to the growth of FEATURE WRITERS of the UNA campus. Chris Chamberlain this extraordinary university. Kali Daniel ’16 Great music, great people, and a As you know from our spring Shane Herman ’99 great university are important parts of Jeff Hodges ’82 edition, we recently completed our B.J. Keeton ’09 the magic that makes the Shoals such comprehensive campaign. The story Rebekah Milwee ’18 a distinctive region. Dena and I hope Bryan Rachal featured on page 14 recaps the campaign’s you will return to campus this fall to B.J. Wilson ’80 highlights and underscores its importance experience that magic and to take pride in QUESTIONS OR INQUIRIES: to UNA’s future. Once more, please know your alma mater. We are grateful for your 256-765-4225 or [email protected] how thankful we are for your generosity. continued support of UNA. ADDRESS CHANGES AND ALUMNI UPDATES: This fall culminates an especially 256-765-4201 or [email protected] exciting transition as our Athletics STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION Roar Lions! It is the policy of the University of North Alabama to afford equal opportunities in department enters the Division I ranks. education and in employment to qualifi ed persons regardless of age, color, creed, Ken Kitts disability, national origin, race, religion, or sex in accordance with all applicable We’ve added new coaches and new sports, federal and state constitutions, laws, and valid regulations. The coordinator for nondiscrimination policies for students is the Title IX coordinator, Guillot University and we’re ready to add some DI wins. Our Center, or 256-765-4223 . The coordinator for employees is the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources and Affi rmative Action, Bibb Graves Hall, or telephone Lions are prepared to compete at the next 256-765-4291 or email: [email protected]. Information contained herein is as it currently exists but level, and we hope you will be there to is subject to change without prior notice. cheer them on during this historic season. Fall also brings Homecoming, a truly

2 University of North Alabama Magazine UNIVERSITY ENCOURAGES TIMELY GRADUATION WITH ‘Finish in Four’ INITIATIVE Officials with the University of “We have a moral obligation to avoid a fall tuition increase thanks to the North Alabama are hoping a new students, parents, and the community to banded tuition model. initiative will create additional pathways graduate our students in four years,” said Under the new plan, there will be for student success, ensure timely Dr. Ross Alexander, vice president for one rate based on the current cost of 15 graduation and reduce student debt. Academic Affairs and provost. credit hours. The University’s new “Finish in Alexander said a four-year graduation University President Dr. Kenneth Four” campaign will incentivize students timeline will help reduce the debt burden Kitts commended the Board of Trustees to graduate within four years while also for students and families. for its openness to ideas that can keep increasing retention and improving “College should be a four-year tuition affordable and ensure student graduation rates. A central component of commitment. If our students are here success. the initiative is the University’s proposed longer than four years, we want them to “Our board is dedicated to banded tuition plan, which offers one earn a graduate degree.” maintaining a fair and competitive tuition rate for students taking 12-18 credit UNA recently unveiled its rate for current and future UNA students. hours. Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) I applaud their tradition of leadership on The Board of Trustees’ Finance, through which students can earn both this important issue,” Kitts said. Facilities and Personnel Committee baccalaureate and graduate degrees within The banded tuition plan is intended agreed with the proposal at its meeting five years in a variety of programs: una. for full-time undergraduates only and will earlier this week, and the measure was edu/graduate/amp not affect part-time or graduate students. approved by the full Board at its quarterly Because of trustee approval, for the meeting June 13. first time in a decade, UNA was able to

Fall 2018 3 4 University of North Alabama Magazine | COVER FEATURE The drive from Nashville to Florence Former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist begins on the interstate, with the road Ed King had the last word before the eventually narrowing to a two-lane closing credits of the breakthrough 2013 highway and finally a single strip of documentary Muscle Shoals that shined a asphalt that runs along the Tennessee light on five decades of amazing music River. Right about the time that you cross coming out of the region, and he has the Alabama state line, the Nashville a definite idea about the connection radio stations begin to fade away, their between the music and the water. “The signals replaced by the funkier, greasier Shoals is special mostly because it’s the music of Muscle Shoals. Even the songs birthplace of so many classic tunes. The on the gospel stations feature horn fact that so much water is involved is sections. The Tennessee has been known because music and the outside waters as “the singing river” since the Yuchie flow together. It’s one of those places that Tribe camped on its banks and heard what players flock to.” they thought was the lilting voice of a The Shoals has always been a musical woman in its flowing water. place, and the University of North

Fall 2018 5 Dr. Bob Garfrerick

Alabama is an important part of that legacy of sound. Not only does much of the day-to-day life of the University revolve around music, but its Department of Entertainment Industry trains the next generation of musicians, producers and entrepreneurs as well as contributing a steady stream of talent to the studios in the area that continue to create the present and future of the Muscle Shoals sound. Dr. Bob Garfrerick is the chair of the Department of Entertainment Industry and is charged with educating around 175 DEI majors in the program. Working out of a building on Tombigbee Street in downtown Florence, Garfrerick recognizes the value of the department being located in the Shoals. “This area has such a rich musical and cultural heritage,” he said. “We try to maintain strong ties to locals in the industry. We have a lot of interaction with our alumni who volunteer to be panelists and guest speakers. They’re so loyal to us that they’ll routinely drive from Nashville to come speak to a class and interact Walt Aldridge ‘78 with our students.” Plus you never know who you’ll meet just hanging out near

6 University of North Alabama Magazine | COVER FEATURE their engagement with the community over the past years, thanks to Bob and Walt and others. What we’re trying to do with Single Lock is give the young talent a reason to stay as a viable option. It used to feel like you had to leave to make it, but it’s not like that anymore.” Baker fought the urge to move away Gary Baker to Nashville for years. “Back in the early ‘80s, I used to get dropped off at the bus the department. “You’ll meet some odd Shoals, and the University. In fact, he station early on Monday mornings. I’d characters walking around town,” Bob recently sold the building that houses work and sleep on couches in Nashville said, “and then you’ll find out they toured the DEI after years of leasing his former and come back home on Fridays. It was with the Beatles.” studio space for students to use. Aldridge hard. My publisher and my co-writers Walt Aldridge ‘78 is another foresaw the benefits of this years ago. wanted me to move, and I even put a faculty member in the Department of “We’ve always had a desire to be more deposit on a house near Nashville but Entertainment Industry, an alumnus of visible. That’s why we have a storefront cancelled it later. When I was accepting UNA and an Alabama Music Hall of here, more of a face in the community. my second Songwriter of the Year award, Fame songwriter with dozens of hits to We rely on community support, and my publisher made a comment that he his credit. His office is decorated with they depend on us graduating a talented guessed it was okay for me to stay in plaques recognizing his achievements as workforce for them.” Florence. It was working for me.” a songsmith, but also with inspirational Baker agrees. “It’s a great move for But how does the University and signs preaching the value of hard both me and the University. It was my the local music community work to keep work and persistence. In addition to dream! The sole reason I built that studio graduates involved with the local music teaching students about the artistic side was to keep the young talent here and scene in today’s atmosphere of instant of songwriting, Aldridge preaches the watch them develop. I’ve hired 6-7 of gratification and short attention spans? importance of a solid work ethic. “A lot them, and they’ve all gone on to do great Some of the reasons are quite pragmatic. of young people come into the program things in the music business. I believe Garfrerick preaches that technology thinking that they were the best musician that kids will continue to come through has altered the past norms of the music in their hometown, so this should be and be successful. When I lecture at the industry. “Thanks to the modernity of the easy for them. Pursuing success involves University, you can tell the ones that business, the world has gotten smaller. outworking the competition. You have to there’s no way they’re not going to be in It used to be that once you reached get up early and stay up later!” the business.” success, you’d have to move closer to the Gary Baker is a Florence resident and As co-founders of independent infrastructure of the industry in Nashville, one of the most successful songwriters record label Single Lock Records, John New York or L.A. Now the songwriting in country and pop music history. Baker Paul White ‘99 and Ben Tanner (along industry is smaller than it used to be, and is a big fan of Aldridge’s attitude toward with Will Trapp) started up their new the touring industry is more robust than hard work. “Walt’s been one of my best business with some of their specific goals it’s ever been.” teachers. You have to work at songwriting being to record Alabama talent and offer White recognizes the advantages like any other job. You have to use the opportunities for DEI grads. Tanner grew of living and working closer to UNA. tool or it gets rusty. I believe that the up in the Shoals and attended classes at “People love the low cost of living and University is teaching that to the kids.” UNA while still in high school. He has the low crime rate. Florence is an easy Baker is intimately involved in seen some changes in his years in the drive to Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville, the connection between Florence, the area. “The University has really increased and Memphis. It’s easy to tour from your

Fall 2018 7 John Paul White ‘99 and Ben Tanner

back porch. When people say we’re in in Nashville before settling into a faculty the middle of nowhere, I say we’re in the position at UNA. “I love it here. You can middle of everywhere!” live more cheaply and be surrounded Aldridge jokes about the cost of by creativity. In Nashville, I felt like I living, “My housing is half of what I’d pay had to compete with everyone else who in Nashville, but my ASCAP checks are got off the Greyhound bus today. We’re the same.” He also sees personal reasons developing a creative environment with that grads are choosing to stay in the a cool indie record scene. I’ve been area. “There’s a misconception the kids doing this for 30 years, but I think our have that they’ll have to make country students’ aspirations have changed. music if they move to Nashville. I went They’d like to find an indie label and be through that myself, and then I went to an entrepreneur.” Nashville where I found people that were Baker shares that he loves the pace of doing what I wanted to do. Students stick work and life in the Shoals. “We’re not on around because of that fear. This is closer a hard clock here. Muscle Shoals works to home than Nashville and they want to on a different schedule. Even players from keep one foot in what’s familiar.” Nashville know when they come down Bob Garfrerick spent plenty of time here that we’ll get our work done without

8 University of North Alabama Magazine | COVER FEATURE a clock. I bought 350 acres on the bluff in He continued, “We keep the White believes the Shoals and the Sheffield, and it changed my life. It’s the department small so that all the faculty people teaching in the Department of best thing I ever did for myself, not just will know you by your name, and we Entertainment Industry offer a unique for my psyche, but for my business. I’m encourage students to take a breadth opportunity for students to learn how glad I didn’t move to Nashville.” of coursework that will give them the to craft great music. “The secret of the The Department of Entertainment experience to be employable across a ‘Muscle Shoals Sound’ is that there was Industry recognizes the music business range of professions. For me, keeping no secret or no sound. People just made is constantly evolving, in fact that’s why up with change is what makes my life the best records they could. They didn’t they changed the name of the department and career rewarding; that’s what keeps insist on putting a stamp on it. They to encompass more than just music me young. I can remember buying the just concentrated on what best served performance and engineering. Baker has first MP3 player that came out for the this song and this artist at this moment seen a lot of changes in the business, but department. It held like 60 songs, and we in time. Our generation fed off of these the Shoals keeps up with the new waves, all looked at it like it had come from outer talented producers and soaked it up and in large part because of what’s happening space. The danger to being so connected just focused on the song.” at the University. “The resilience of the is that it becomes an end instead of a At Single Lock Records, Tanner area is unbelievable. The songwriting tool. Our students have access to so much keeps his partner’s mantra in mind. scene used to be huge, and people were knowledge, but Google doesn’t give you “We try to involve ourselves with good getting cuts left and right. Now it’s context. Our challenge as educators is people and stay song-focused. For a long swinging back to where new artists are to convince students that knowledge time, the general attitude was to look being developed. It’s a different ballgame is context and that we live in a human at all this stuff we did, pride in the past. for songwriters. There’s not the money world.” There’s been a turn recently that we’re in songwriting that there used to be. We John Paul White lauds the University still proud, but we’re doing good stuff need to teach them that there are more for providing the base he needed right now! And we want to do this for the avenues than just writing songs. We need to become an extremely successful next generation. It’s a good feeling to be to help them figure out how to generate songwriter, performer and producer. here right now. It’s hopeful and forward- income in other ways. Heck, we learned “UNA was a huge catalyst in my career. I looking. We want to hang on to stuff how to write for ringtones!” didn’t grow up in marching band, so I was from the past that’s classic, but you don’t While the ringtone industry might initially pretty clueless in music theory want to be a relic. We strive to be steeped not be robust anymore, Garfrerick and classes. I didn’t know what chord I was in tradition but without worshipping or the rest of the faculty are always trying playing half the time. But I was able to fetishizing the past. We want to stay true to stay on top of the next big thing. take the rudimentary tools I had and what to what made us want to be here in the “Change moves at such a blistering pace I knew about lyrics and chord structures first place, but not stuck in the mud.” that what I taught my students last year and use them to learn how to work with It’s true that the Singing River may may not be relevant at the heights of people I didn’t know. I walked out being have a muddy bottom, but it always keeps their careers. Our future is to continue able to hold my own without looking like moving through the Shoals like the music to evolve where music intersects with a fool.” flowing through the University of North other entertainment. We’re putting more Aldridge also emphasizes the growth Alabama. emphasis on live performance and touring that can only happen when you are because that’s where the revenue is, and surrounded by talented new influences. we’ve added sports management to the “College is the time you begin to throw department because content is content. off the chains of peer pressure. You begin The income stream from inside an arena to experiment and might decide ‘I like can come from a different constituency jazz,’ or ‘I like classical.’ You become whether it’s from a Brad Paisley concert or receptors of all sorts of influences. That’s a tractor pull.” when cool things happen!”

Fall 2018 9 ROCK and ROAR ROYALTY WALT ALDRIDGE ’78 It’s easy to see Walt Aldridge as an unassuming man. He’s relatively quiet and his movement belies his tall frame. However, when he picks up the guitar, it all makes sense. Walt Aldridge can write songs. And not just your typical songs, like Shenandoah with the solely written but songs that impact people. “Moon Over Georgia” and Blackhawk’s As one of UNA’s most “Like There Ain’t No Yesterday,” co- famous alumni, Aldridge has written with Walt Aldridge. Mark spent received his fair share of praise, 11 years at FAME before moving onto but quite simply he deserves it. a succession of Nashville publishers In 2017, the man who said including Reba McEntire’s Starstruck he’s “always been drawn to Music Group, March Music, Jody music and playing the guitar,” Williams Music, SONY ATV/Tree, and was inducted into the Nashville currently Noble Vision Music Group. Song Writers Hall of Fame, He has had more than 82 major songs a real who’s who of country recorded in his 32 plus year career, music in America. And there’s including 14 recordings co-written with Walt, up there with the rest of Walt Aldridge country superstar Josh Turner. Mark co- them. wrote Craig Morgan’s five week number All told, Aldridge has written or one country song “That’s What I Love co-written seven number one records, About Sunday,” which and made the charts 56 times. Including was named as Billboards “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde,” top song at radio in 2005 “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me,” “Til and their number 8 song You’re Gone,” “Holding Her and Loving for the 2000s decade. You,” and “I Loved Her First.” Mark is represented with Add in 17 years at the world- a display in the songwriter renowned FAME studios and multiple area at the Alabama Music years of teaching students at the Hall of Fame and also University of North Alabama the craft has a bronze star in the that is song writing, and Aldridge has had lobby as a salute to his a career that most dream of. accomplishments. He But there’s awards, and then there’s recently had a song he awards. When you hail from Alabama, a co-wrote with Jessi Jo Mark Narmore place rich with musical heritage, there’s Dillon and Brandy Clark something to be said about the Alabama on Brandy’s current record which was Music Hall of Fame. Aldridge conquered MARK NARMORE ’88 nominated for a Grammy. He also had that, as this past February he was inducted Mark Narmore is a 1988 commercial multiple songs on Shenandoah’s Christian into that too! music graduate from UNA. Some of CD which was nominated for the coveted More accolades are sure to come in his teachers were professionals such Dove award. Mark is proud of his Shoals Aldridge’s lifetime, but it’s certainly okay as Terry Woodford and Kevin Lamb. upbringing and is heavily involved in to celebrate the ones that are already Halfway through his college career he tourism and promotion of the University here! signed an exclusive songwriting deal and of Shoals music, historic and current, with FAME having hit singles on groups wherever he travels.

10 University of North Alabama Magazine | ROCK AND ROAR ROYALTY Melvin Baldwin MELVIN BALDWIN ’88 There is definitely something to His resume also includes appearances be said about “honoring the song.” This on the following television shows: is exactly what Melvin Baldwin does. The Today Show “Melly” as he is known in the music The Tonight Show industry, is and has always been adamant Late Night with David Letterman about learning an artist’s music first and Saturday Night Live then adding the live feel to it without The View stepping over the lines. He is truly an The X Factor (US & UK) artist’s drummer. Dancing with the Stars Markus Anthony Hall Melly began studying the snare drum The Oprah Winfrey Ellen DeGeneres at the age of nine in his hometown of MARKUS ANTHONY HALL ’85 Waukegan, Illinois. A few years later he The Tom Joyner Morning Show began playing set. Later, Melly obtained The Steve Harvey Show Markus Hall is the co-owner and a full music scholarship to UNA where Melly’s touring performances chair of FAME Music Publishing and he obtained dual degrees in management have taken him to seven continents House of FAME Music. He is a 33-year and marketing. While at the University, and hundreds of countries around the veteran of the music industry and an Melly participated in the marching band, world. But what he is most proud of are award winning songwriter and father. The concert band, percussion ensemble, his accomplishments closer to home. company has been awarded 43 ASCAP, and most importantly jazz ensemble. In 2016, he was included and featured BMI or SESAC Awards during his tenure. This is when he became serious about in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame as In the mid-nineties, the companies won set playing. Since graduating Melly has an accomplished drummer. Melly was back-to-back-to-back Song of the Year worked nonstop to become the rock solid honored and humbled with being able awards by the CMA, the Grammys, and time keeper that he is today. to return to the University as a guest his song “I Like it, I Love It” was awarded Now making his home in the metro performer with the UNA Jazz ensemble Song of the Year by American Songwriter Atlanta area, Melly is currently touring at the 2017 President’s Spring Concert. Magazine. The song has been the with R&B artist Johnny Gill, soloist and When Mel isn’t touring he can be Nashville Predator’s Goal song for every member of the R&B super group New found in his recording studio where he home goal of the franchise’s history and Edition; but his resume doesn’t stop there. spends time producing and engineering has been recently featured regularly in Mel has toured and performed extensively other artists. He also utilizes his business the Stanley Cup Playoffs. More recently, with the following artists: New Edition, and management degrees as the owner of the company has published Jason Isbell Bell Biv DeVoe (BBD), Bobby Brown, 3-B Interior Painting Solutions. for most of his career as he has ascended Avery Sunshine, EnVogue, Keith Sweat, to become the superstar of the Americana Eric Essix, The Indigo Girls, The S.O.S genre. To date, Jason has won four Band, Toni Redd, Dionne Farris, and pop Grammy awards and “Alabama Pines,” sensation Justin Bieber to name a few. He a FAME song, won Americana Song of has also appeared in several music videos the Year in 2012. Markus Hall lives in and can be heard on a host of recording Nashville with his wife Jessica and four and music soundtracks. children: Sara, Sam, Parker and Pierce.

Fall 2018 11 Dillon Hodges

FIREKID • DILLON HODGES ’12 Known as firekid, the universe brought Dillon Hodges and Heidi Feek together based on their shared love for Rachel Wammack making the old new again. They were introduced by a mutual friend who recognized the connection: Hodges’ taking him to bluegrass guitar contests RACHEL WAMMACK ’16 music aimed to mix elements of bluegrass throughout malls in smalltown America, Possessing a warm, soulful voice and and pop, Feek’s a culmination of trail competing against fellow pickers in the a sassy but sweet Southern spirit that songs and pop. But as their discography Southeast, and at 17, Hodges became the makes her instantly feel like a longtime develops, firekid strays farther and farther second youngest person ever to win the friend, Rachel Wammack is poised to be away from being just a genre-bending National Flatpicking Championship. “It’s country music’s next “it girl.” “I’ve always folk pop band. That’s evident in XY, their all I ever wanted and it changed my life. loved music,” says Wammack, who first new four-song EP influenced by vintage I came home and told my high school caught the attention of Sony A&R exec hip hop production and 90s country friends, ‘I won the National Flatpicking Jim Catino when she was performing in songs. Meanwhile, the album showcases Championship!’ and they asked me what Muscle Shoals as a teen. Though she and the refined skill of both members as that was. It was humbling,” he explains, her dad traveled to Nashville to meet with individual musicians and gives listeners “But I needed to find a new goal, and Catino about a deal, Wammack chose a glimpse of their personal lives, more I decided that it would be to bring to delay moving to Music City. “I stayed specifically— loss. With both Hodges bluegrass to a larger audience.” And out of home, went to college and performed and Feek emerging from divorce and that, firekid was born. almost every single weekend at a different grieving the death of loved ones, XY is A 2012 UNA graduate, Hodges restaurant, wedding, private event, firekid’s exploration of those feelings, released his debut, self-titled firekid anywhere I could. If a restaurant didn’t finding happiness, and learning how to album on Atlantic Records in 2015 and have music, I would ask them if they appreciate the small victories. has toured nationally, performing at many could have music and me be that music,” Originally a moniker for his solo of the nation’s premier music festivals in the 23-year-old says. “I love performing project, firekid began with Dillon Bonnaroo, The Hangout Fest, South by out. Don’t ask me if I like songwriting or Hodges. Growing up in Florence, Southwest, and Lollapalooza. performing better because I don’t know, Alabama, an 11 year old Hodges first The new version of firekid, with but I have a heart for both.” mentioned playing guitar but his parents Hodges and Feek, made its debut Wammack graduated from the were skeptical that he would stick with appearance on the Grand Ole Opry in University of North Alabama with a it. After being gifted a $10 guitar his Nashville in July. “We met because we degree in professional writing. During uncle bought at a yard sale, family friend were both, independently, trying to her junior year she was named Miss Mark Campbell agreed to teach him the modernize traditional music. No one else UNA, and went on to compete in the basics. “I wanted to learn how to play we knew was doing that. It was such a Miss Alabama pageant where she won Creed, but he didn’t know what that special thing that we found each other,” the talent portion of the competition. was. He said, ‘If you want to take lessons Feek says. After graduation, she moved to Music from me, then you’re gonna learn how City and in a short period of time had to play bluegrass.’” His parents began

12 University of North Alabama Magazine | ROCK AND ROAR ROYALTY Darryl Worley six publishing offers. Of course, when DARRYL WORLEY ’87 fielding label deals, the choice was easy. Under the guidance of her early Born and raised in southern came after him, relented on their creative champion Jim Catino, she signed with Tennessee by a Methodist minister and demands and – lo and behold – several RCA Records. a church-choir mom he describes as of those songs from the demo ended up Helmed by award-winning producer a “prayer warrior,” Worley started his becoming his first hits. His inaugural Dann Huff, Wammack’s debut EP musical career at the FAME Studio in album landed three Top 20 titles – “When spotlights a young artist with a potent Muscle Shoals, under the tutelage of You Need My Love,” “A Good Day To voice and impressive songwriting chops. producer/publisher Rick Hall (Mac Davis, Run” and “Second Wind” – and his second The project includes the poignant ballad, Jerry Reed), where he remained for a solid album’s namesake, “I Miss My Friend,” “Damage,” which she co-wrote with five years. He played clubs almost nightly, brought his first #1 single. Tom Douglas and David Hodges; the honing his stage craft at the same time Worley has clearly made a difference vibrant single “Hard to Believe;” and he was woodshedding his songwriting in his neighborhood, using his celebrity “My Boyfriend,” an empowering female skills, and as Worley gained confidence, to improve the lives of the people around anthem declaring “my boyfriend doesn’t he found his way to Nashville. There, him. It’s the same goal he’s applied to his speak for me anymore.” “All my songs are he secured a recording deal in 1999 on music, whether it’s honoring soldiers in very personal,” she says. “If it’s coming the basis of some demo recordings that “Have You Forgotten?” seeking positivity out on my album, it’s going to be personal showcased his authoritative vocals and in “Awful, Beautiful Life” or celebrating and a way that someone can get to know his understanding of the hard-working responsibility in “Family Tree.” Those me. I hope people will be able to relate.” country audience. messages are all present in the Greatest Wammack also hopes to represent He discovered, however, that the portion of Second Wind, and the Latest her hometown well. “I do hope that music business didn’t share the depth of songs continue the pattern. “It’s Good To people from Muscle Shoals will be proud his passion for that old-school sound. Be Me” locates the elusive silver lining in of the music that I make because they Numerous voices in Nashville were life, “Runnin’” finds meaning in obsessive were the people who supported me pushing him to sing more contemporary activity and “Lonely Alone” encourages throughout high school and college,” she songs and to co-write more often with honesty in times of personal hardship. said. “I am just praying that I’m making well-known composers. The songs from music that they can stand behind and the demo that got him signed were tossed go, ‘There’s our girl! There’s our Muscle in favor of other material that may have Shoals girl!’” fit the trends, but didn’t quite suit him. So Worley put his foot down.“No” proved to be a powerful word. The powers that be

Fall 2018 13 “Build the Pride” CAMPAIGN UPDATE

To say the “Build the Pride” comprehensive campaign was wildly successful would be an understatement. Initially a goal of $25 million was set, however that amount was not only reached in record time, but exceeded. In spring 2018, UNA proudly announced that over $36.67 million had been raised in five short years. Funds are being used for both student and professor endowments, campus building projects such as the Mitchell Burford Science and Technology building, the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Dr. Deborah Shaw ’82 Professions, transitioning to a DI certified university, and more. These cutting What a year for the University I would also like to draw your edge initiatives were made possible of North Alabama! As you know, attention to the articles in this edition by the generosity of alumni, friends our comprehensive campaign closed about our musical heritage. The Shoals of the university, and members of the the end of April of this year. With a is rich with art, culture and especially community. significant increase in donor gifts and music, and the University of North Build the Pride was the first pledges, we raised over $36M, which Alabama plays a large role in that. From comprehensive campaign the University has led the University to improve our amazing faculty, to our graduates who of North Alabama ever conducted, services, construct new buildings, have gone on to become stars, all the way and the university’s largest fundraising create new and stronger academic to the friends of the institution that come effort to date. University campaigns programs, and provide a record back to give our students a taste of the are generally meant to address campus number of scholarships to deserving “real world,” music is a big part of what priorities that would otherwise not students. For UNA to continue to we do. be met with state funding alone. The grow and flourish, our work is not I ask that you never forget one of our primary distinction between a traditional done. As the University continues graduates, Major Dwayne Williams, who fundraiser and a campaign is simple - their work on a five-year strategic lost his life in the Pentagon on Tuesday, distinct and clear goal setting. plan, we will use that as a guide September 11, 2001, a day forever etched Campaigns help give donors a to determine our next fundraising in our memory. He died honorably, visualization of exactly where their priorities. The University has created serving his Army, his country and his money will go. Comprehensive a strong momentum, and we want and fellow soldiers. Dwayne received a full campaigns such as Build the Pride hone need to keep the energy alive in order athletic scholarship to play football at in on what donors are most interested in to continue our work. We sincerely UNA. He later served in the Gulf War. improving and creating at a university as ask you to do your part by staying This hero is buried in Arlington National opposed to capital campaigns, which are engaged with UNA, and supporting Cemetery. We must never forget. limited to building projects. our great University. Last but not least, thank you. Thank Before opening the Build the Pride Please mark your calendar for you for your support of this institution campaign to the public, members of UNA’s Homecoming festivities, which and our students. We could not do it the University administration met with will take place Oct. 11 - 13. As a without you! potential donors to ensure that the proud alumnae of this institution, donor wants aligned with university needs. These interests ranged from it brings me great joy to see former Roar Lions! Lions back on campus. I think you Debbie Shaw ‘82 professorships to endowed speaker series will be amazed at how much it has Vice President for Advancement & scholarships, endowed research funds, changed through the years! The Executive Director UNA Foundation and more. growth has been intentional, slow and In order to help better understand managed, which has overall made the the donors, UNA hired gift officers like changes extremely positive. Barbie Terry who would consult with donors and secure the donations. As is the case with most campaigns, Terry and

14 University of North Alabama Magazine | AROUND CAMPUS other members of the university met face- campaign open for another ten million masses really came together to make this to-face with several donors and listened dollars. happen,” Shaw said. to the different insight each could “The last few million of any Once pledges were secured, the provide. campaign is typically the most difficult University was able to move forward with “One thing that made this campaign to raise, so we allowed ourselves three the naming opportunities. After all, what in particular so successful was support not more years to reach that goal. It was better way to show your appreciation only from the foundation office but from wonderfully affirming for me when we for a donor who’s helping change your the academic side as well,” said Barbie not only raised, but exceeded our goal institution for the better? Terry, UNA college development gift in only two years. My wife Dena and I As a direct result of the campaign, officer. “The deans even got on the road have been completely overwhelmed by two new building projects were able and met potential donors with us. That the outpouring of love and support our to be funded and named. The Mitchell type of support from the deans helps give community has for this university,” he Burford Science and Technology the donor an understanding of how their said. Building, and Laura M. Harrison Hall, money truly supports our students and According to Dr. Debbie Shaw, vice which upon completion will house the faculty.” president for University Advancement Anderson College of Nursing and Health When UNA President Ken Kitts and executive director of the UNA Professions. arrived on campus as the new commander Foundation, the majority of the $36.7 The fundraising initiative for Laura in chief, he said he was pleased to find the million was raised by a very small group M. Harrison Hall was a major part of University was very close to reaching the of donors, but the final portion was made the campaign from the beginning, as the initial $25 million goal. up of the donors who gave $5,000 or less. nursing program is currently housed in “We met our goal more quickly than In total 7,498 individuals donated. the already crowded Stevens Hall. The anyone had anticipated. But I liked what I This means that of the $36.7 million that Anderson College of Nursing and Health was seeing and hearing about UNA, and was donated, 498 donations were larger Professions is consistently ranked as one I believed those that loved the university than $5,000, while 7,000 of the 7,498 of the best programs in the state. UNA would be eager to help enhance it,” Kitts individuals who gave made contributions Nursing can boast at one point a higher said. “It was my confidence in UNA under $5,000. pass rate for the NCLEX than all other and the love I saw for it throughout the “This proves that every dollar public universities in Alabama, as well as a community that pushed us to keep the counts, not just the larger donations. The higher pass rate than the national average.

Fall 2018 15 So it makes sense to provide the program Engineering Technology program. Rather athletics. This is a larger platform on with a state-of-the-art facility as more than bringing a traditional engineering which UNA can compete and participate. prospective nursing students continue to theory program to the Shoals, University “There is no better way to enhance look to UNA. officials spoke with local companies and our profile and tell the world we’re here Another significant portion of found they all agreed on an Engineering than by making the move to a division campaign funds went towards the Technology program, which is what the one university. This is clearly the next construction of the Mitchell Burford industry needs in employees at this time. level of excellence across the board. Our Science and Technology Building. This is a hands-on way of learning, rather move to DI is a commitment to excellence Ground was broken May 6, 2013, shortly than the traditional applied learning. university-wide. We are excited about the after the campaign began, and the UNA is betting on extremely high job opportunities that will arise as we elevate building was completed in 2015. placements from this program, as it has from an already fantastic university to “One thing that was really cool to been very successful in doing so thus far. unprecedented levels of achievement,” me was that we had donors from every UNA also established a School of Kitts said. constituency base,” said Barbie Terry. “We the Arts, and changed the university A prime example of how the move not only had science alumni donating, Honors program to an Honors College. is not only academic, but university-wide but also non-science alumni who gave Another major point of interest is the business school’s recent AACSB because they appreciated those science throughout the campaign has been the certification. AACSB or the Association to professors from their past, as well as move to become classified as a Division I Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, current and retired faculty, corporations, university. Most University officials agree is the gold standard of business schools and friends of the university. To me that the transition isn’t just sports related, in the world, with only about five percent this showed a commitment not only but also focuses heavily on increased of universities having this accreditation to the sciences, but to UNA and the academics. worldwide. programs we are offering. It’s important to “There is an absolute direct “This accreditation puts us in a very acknowledge the necessity of the sciences relationship between the two,” said UNA elite group. This puts us alongside the in relation to the economic growth of our President Ken Kitts. “And I’ve been best business programs in the world,” said community.” crystal clear ever since this conversation Kitts. One of the newest STEAM (Science, began that a move to DI is an institutional And while gifts and academics Technology, Engineering, Arts, and transition, that is not specifically about all make up the campaign, a university Mathematics) offerings at UNA is the athletics. This is not even mostly about needs sustained funds and that’s where

10/1/2013 to 4/30/2018 Endowments ...... $ 11,261,344 ...... 31% Capital Projects ...... 13,572,717 ...... 37% Programs and/or other Restricted Funds ...... 7,799,310 ...... 21% Unrestricted and 1830 Fund ...... 4,075,064 ...... 11%

TOTAL GIVING ...... $ 36,708,435

16 University of North Alabama Magazine | AROUND CAMPUS endowments come in. Endowments are MYRICK IS FIRST TO GRADUATE FROM generally an area of giving emphasized by donors, and in the Build the Pride comprehensive campaign, they made up 31 percent of total funds. This category DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM tack on the electrical engineering degree includes scholarships and professorships, that I wanted to begin with.” endowed speaker series scholarships and While some would be concerned endowed research funds. with the idea of distance learning, “An endowment is where money goes Myrick said he was accustomed to into a hypothetical pot and is invested,” taking online classes at UNA, so the said Dr. Debbie Shaw. “So that main idea of doing the same at Alabama endowment amount never goes away. As wasn’t a big deal. Thankfully, he didn’t a Foundation, we invest all endowments have to do that, because his UNA together and the interest from those physics curriculum integrated well with investments is where we pull the money the electrical engineering curriculum. from. As an institution, we strive for “It was less difficult, but more endowments because the money is always daunting. It’s just a lot of material that going to be there,” she said. you have to get through and all of it Although almost the entirety of is at least marginally difficult or time funds raised go towards a specific goal, consuming. Still I found that it was more unrestricted and 1830 Fund donations go Taylor Myrick ’18 than worth it once I got done and it toward immediate needs on campus. felt really good to look back at what I Eighty-one student scholarships, one It just so happens that University of accomplished,” he said. new named academic college, two named North Alabama alumnus Taylor Myrick Myrick ended up finishing a year academic buildings and two endowed is also a University of Alabama alumnus. earlier than expected for the DDEP professorships are just a few of the major And while that may sound pretty because he entered the program a year initiatives donors to Build the Pride made common, Myrick’s path to the dual ahead. possible. According to Shaw though, this degree was a first for UNA. “I was sort of a guinea pig for the is only the beginning. Myrick is the first UNA student to whole thing and at times it felt that “After the success of Build the Pride, complete the Dual Degree Engineering way,” Myrick said. “The transfer process planning another campaign is inevitable,” Program (DDEP), which is a 3+2 plan wasn’t as seamless as I’m sure it is now, said Shaw. “As for future campaigns, you that offers students the opportunity and I had to work closely with UA’s could almost consider the University to earn two bachelor’s degrees in five electrical engineering department and already in one, if only in the planning years from UNA and the University of department head to get my degree phases.” Alabama. The program is designed to requirements cleared out. Now that And just like that it starts all over allow students to attend three years at they’re aware of what it’s like though, again. UNA and two years at UA. I’m sure it’s going to be much easier for What does the University of North Myrick chose to major in physics at future students.” Alabama need to offer that it doesn’t now? UNA; he then went on to earn a degree Easier and possibly a quicker path What does the community need? Where in electrical engineering from UA, but to employment. Myrick was recently will UNA be in five, ten, and fifteen that wasn’t always the plan. hired on as an electrical engineer at years? “My goal all along was to get a SAIC in Huntsville. SAIC is a contractor As the University moves along to degree in electrical engineering,” Myrick for the United States Department of implement the many initiatives this said. “Obviously that’s not something Defense. campaign has made possible, what that UNA offers on its own, so I was “The program 100 percent will recruitment, job placement, and going to take basic classes at UNA and contributed to my success. I felt economics in the Shoals look like? then transfer out to a college with an prepared for everything I was asked in University officials must weigh these engineering department,” he said. my interviews and the entire process, questions right now in the hopes of What Myrick didn’t account for thanks to my education at both UNA providing for future Lions. was a love for physics he didn’t know he had. and UA.” “Early on in an engineering degree And since he’s an alumnus of both you have to take physics,” he said. schools, what if they ever play each “I discovered in taking those early other in athletics? physics classes that I was doing very “I’d root for UNA for sure,” Myrick well and really understood the material, said. “Bama is great and all, but UNA is so when the DDEP came up it just felt my hometown and I can’t stress enough like a natural progression to go ahead how much I enjoyed my time at UNA.” and get a degree in physics and then

Fall 2018 17 and I believe it will help me as I pursue a career because we’re living a world that’s becoming more globalized. So many more of us need to be able to speak a LANGUAGE LION foreign language as part of our careers.” By the time you receive this applicant “must convince that he would After his time in Japan, Traywick will magazine and are thumbing through the be a great ambassador. At the end of return stateside to complete his foreign articles of what’s going on in and around the day, James wants to be part of the languages degree at UNA. He said he campus, one of its students, junior James world. He sees himself in an international hopes that it will also prepare him to take Traywick from Trussville, will be actively context.” on a role as part of the Japan Exchange immersing himself in the language and Price said he’s cultivated his and Teaching Program (JET) returning to culture of Japan. relationship with Traywick since Price teach Japanese to others. He finds himself half way around the worked in the University’s Success Ultimately, Traywick said his world quite on purpose. Center, staying connected with him, and, love for learning and speaking foreign “My goal is to be fluent in the now, in his current role, he’s in a position languages could lead him into a career language,” Traywick said in the weeks to help Traywick realize his goals of as a translator, particularly translating before his August 14 departure. “My fluency in a variety of languages. Japanese, and completing graduate-level definition of being fluent is that I could “There’s a lot of serendipity in that,” training towards that end. converse with a native speaker on any Price said. “The choices James has in “I now know what a polyglot is as topic. Knowing that it’s such a different Japan wouldn’t be possible without the someone who can speak four, five, or language, I believe I should be able to get Office of International Affairs trying to more languages,” he said. “It’s admirable the basics down by the end of my time find new partnerships. He’s a pioneer, of to be able to switch from one language there.” sorts, and I and the Office of International to another like that, so I know I want to Traywick will spend two semesters in Affairs had the right program in place become a polyglot.” Japan thanks largely to the Freeman-ASIA to put it all together, and James had the Already, Traywick can tick off the award, which is needs-based funding persistence to pursue it.” languages about which he feels confident designed to assist recipients with the Price worked with Traywick on his speaking: English, of course, Portuguese, cost of the study abroad program as well personal statement for his application, and Spanish, and he has also taken as related expenses. Traywick joins over mentoring him throughout the process courses in Japanese and Korean during 4,900 Freeman-ASIA alumni who have and finding multiple avenues for which to his tenure at UNA. Talking to him about benefited from studying abroad in Asia apply for scholarships and other awards. languages – how they work and sound and returned to share their experiences “One of the things that makes UNA and are used – is not unlike participating with their peers on their home campus so unique is that I can spend this kind in a mini grammar lesson, with Traywick and in their communities since 2001. of one-on-one time with applicants like in the role of instructor. Traywick’s $7,000 award was the full James, making sure they’re applying “In terms of Spanish and Portuguese, amount available to a student, and he’ll for the right programs and telling they sound similar, and, basically, the spend his time studying at the Nagoya their stories most competitively and grammar is the same. The only difference University of Foreign Studies, or NUFS, compellingly,” Price said. is the accent and words sometimes have in Nisshin, Japan. Traywick’s passion for languages, that false cognates. In Korean and Japanese, The partnership between UNA and persistence to achieve fluency, ignited for the grammar is similar. A sentence NUFS is entirely new. In fact, Traywick him a few years ago when he agreed to in English is subject, verb, object. In becomes the first student not just from serve as a missionary in Brazil. Prior to Japanese, it’s subject, object, verb, and UNA to study abroad at the Nisshi-based landing in country, he took Portuguese it’s basically the same in Korean. The university, but he also becomes the first language classes, but, it was six months differences, of course, are in the writing student from Alabama to accomplish this into his year-long stint in Brazil before he system and speaking.” as no other institution in Alabama has felt as though he’d broken the language With two Japanese courses under his cultivated a partnership with NUFS. barrier. belt already thanks to the rigorous foreign For Matthew Price, the director “I want to do the same thing by language curriculum at UNA, Traywick of Premier National and International living abroad in Japan,” Traywick said. said he’s not a total novice, but he has a Awards at UNA, Traywick is a natural fit “Ever since my time in Brazil, I have lot to learn. to receive the award as well as to take full had a love of language. Before I went “I’m just really excited to go and advantage of his time in Japan. there, I’d graduated from high school, spend many hours a week immersed in “More than a grade point average but I still didn’t know what I wanted the language,” he said. what the scholarships look for is someone to do. In Brazil, I realized I was able to who wants to be a citizen of the world,” learn Portuguese and speak in a foreign Price said. As part of the application, the language. It was something I could do,

18 University of North Alabama Magazine | AROUND CAMPUS “TRAVEL THE WORLD.” anyone curious about Koti said all students preparing to customs and traditions study abroad in Tanzania are required in other places,” Pretes, to read his chapter before their trip, and a geography professor, that includes students participating in the said. “Customs and geography study abroad program from etiquette can be Northern Illinois University. completely different in “I required that that become part of other places, so before the pre-departure training to learn about traveling it’s a good idea cultural practices there — things that if to brush up on what to they knew before going would be helpful do and not to do, to in their interactions with local people,” he avoid misconceptions said. “The information I provided there and even embarrassing does not give you an in-depth analysis moments.” of East African cultures, but you know to The professors not offer the left hand as a handshake; were contacted by an gentlemen know to not hug females alumnus’ parent, Ken and especially when in places that are Taylor, who served as predominantly Muslim.” the book’s editor. After Like Koti, Pretes’ experience largely that, each professor contributed to his pieces on Australia submitted pieces based and Scandinavia. Pretes lived in Australia on their expertise. for four years and Finland for five Scott Infanger, before teaching at UNA. And while the associate professor of professors based much of their writing on Spanish, described personal encounters, they also researched customs in Brazil, Cuba, to explore customs across the broad areas Peru, and Quechua, the they discussed. primary descendants “I sent the chapter to a listserve of the Inca. Infanger I belong to for Kenyan scholars and studied Spanish at the professionals here in the United States University of Idaho and around the world, and I wanted to get before pursuing two some input regarding the rigor in some master’s degrees in of the things mentioned there because Dr. Francis Koti Spanish literature and they’re from personal experiences,” Koti Portuguese literature at said. “Some of them are from places that The phrase adorns many lifelong Vanderbilt University. He subsequently I was never raised. So I wanted to know, bucket lists, retirement goals, and received a doctorate in Spanish and ‘Is this an accurate account of where you seemingly far-off dreams. But at Portuguese at Vanderbilt. guys come from?’ And there was actually UNA, it’s a reality students are able Koti, a native Kenyan and chair of very good, positive response.” to encounter thanks to a number of the geography department, wrote about Each of the professors have published professors who accompany them on the customs of East Africa, a region he numerous scholarly essays, and adding study abroad trips. Most recently, a few has both researched and experienced first- this most recent publication to the of those professors were published in a hand. university’s scholarship profile is a boost traveler’s encyclopedia that is now being “The one thing that I mention for the entire community, Koti said. incorporated into curricula locally and there at the end of the book is that it is “Both for me and for the university, elsewhere. a very general account of East Africa as it’s a good way to get our message out Drs. Francis Koti, Michael Pretes, the region has more than 100 different there,” Pretes said. “That things are and Scott Infanger were all given the cultural ethnic identities,” Koti said. “So different in different places around the opportunity to write articles for “Etiquette to sum it up in six pages of a book is quite world, and that universities can help and Taboos Around the World: A an over-generalization. So these are very identify and explain this.” Geographic Encyclopedia of Social and general accounts for someone traveling.” The book is a Greenwood Cultural Customs,” a textbook that spends These generalizations are useful publication and available on Amazon, about 10 pages each discussing cultural in classrooms where vast regions are Cengage, Google Books, and most places norms in 93 countries and regions. explored in detail — and not just textbooks are sold. “This book is a handy reference classrooms at UNA. guide for anyone traveling as well as for

Fall 2018 19 Band Director USA

As the 20-minute show continues, the audience is treated to skilled musicianship, precise drill patterns, exhilarating percussion features, and “UNA has been referred to as a athletic performances by the band’s ‘band director factory,’” says Dr. Lloyd Lionette, majorette, and color guard lines. Jones ’92, who has been the Director It’s all glitz and showmanship at of Bands for 18 years. “All across north halftime, but each performance represents Alabama, you will find the vast majority years of study and practice from every of directors are from UNA. At one time, person on the field. And the reason many nearly 25% of the band directors in of those students are on the field is that Alabama were UNA graduates. It’s still they knew UNA was the best institution about 20%, which is a large amount for to prepare them for a career in music. a small-to-medium sized university. That Some music students major in fields like statistic tells me that our numbers are instrumental performance, while others healthy, students entering the field are plan to teach music to future generations well-prepared, and they are staying in the by studying music education. profession for long periods of time.”

Chances are if you’ve attended a University of North Alabama football game, you’ve heard the most wonderful collegiate band to ever exist; at least we think so! A tradition of Lion halftime, UNA’s 250-plus member marching band executes a four-count turn to face the home crowd; the horn line blasts the audience with a loud, jazzy fanfare. Director of Bands Dr. Lloyd Jones calls that opening the “park and blow.”

20 University of North Alabama Magazine | FEATURE

the Huntsville area to the heart of the “more in league with what is expected of poor black belt in Wilcox county.” She a graduate assistant,” and that the extra Why Music currently teaches at Sweet Water Schools, responsibility better prepared him for where she serves as band director and leading his own band program. “Being Students teaches music to students from pre-K in the UNA Band was unique in the through grade 12. sense that students take so much more ownership over the product than at Choose UNA other schools. Students lead sections in The band program is the largest music rehearsals, help organize events student organization at UNA, and it’s on campus, and logistically make sure also one of the oldest. In fact, the band is everything is running efficiently within older than the university’s name, having the program. I honestly couldn’t imagine begun in 1949 when the institution a Music Education student leaving college was still called Florence State Teachers and starting a job without having these College. The program’s longstanding experiences.” legacy of excellence has attracted Evan Curtis ’15 Kory Jones also affirms that being thousands of students to UNA over given leadership roles in the UNA Band the years, many of whom chose UNA While UNA attracts many students has been vital to her success as a music specifically because of its high-quality who are interested in music education, the educator. “I learned to be very specific in Music Education program. band program also creates band directors my approach to bringing everyone up to Kory Jones ’06 knew before out of students who had never planned the same approximate level,” a skill that entering college that she wanted to be to take that path. Evan Curtis ’15 was has been very important when teaching a band director, and she chose to attend a Commercial Spanish major when he students in underprivileged school UNA to accomplish that goal. “I came began at UNA as a freshman. “I loved systems. “I also learned to make just about from a long tradition of Rutherford High band when I was in high school, but when anything work with whatever materials School (in Panama City, Florida) students I got to UNA it was completely different,” and people we had, and that has definitely who were ‘gently’ pushed towards said Evan. “Everyone was so passionate been an asset at my last two schools.” the band program by our high school about the activity that you couldn’t help Alumni like Kory and Evan have director, who had studied under [former but buy in and give it your all. I ended up spread the influence of UNA to bands UNA Director of Bands] Dr. Edd Jones changing my major to Music Education and music programs throughout the state. at Livingston. I think he saw something my sophomore year. Being a part of the And while UNA graduates dominate the in us that was a right fit for the culture, band helped me discover my identity as a music education field in Alabama, the work ethic, and musical results of the leader and musician, something I may not band program’s influence is not limited to band, and he didn’t want us to squander it have found otherwise.” the state, the region, or even the United elsewhere.” That leadership training has helped States. “We have UNA alumni serving in Since graduating from UNA, Kory Evan in his career as a band director at instrumental music education all over the has taught in “four very diverse school Holly Pond High School in Cullman world—literally,” said Dr. Lloyd Jones. systems,” ranging from the “up-and- County. He says that UNA Music coming Riverton Middle School in Education majors are given responsibility

Fall 2018 21 One of the close friends that James the instrumental music education field. met in the UNA Music Education For example, the past president of the program was Kory Jones. Now, not only Alabama Bandmasters Association is a are James and Kory both working as band UNA alumus, as is the current president, directors, but they are also married and as well as the president-elect.” have a young son, Daniel. Kory attributes Having been part of the UNA the camaraderie of the band members to Band has become a point of connection their commitment to excellence. She said among band directors across the state. that they put in “long hours working to The UNA Music Education program isn’t achieve something worthy of praise. And just a college degree. It’s a network of because of that shared experience, deep professionals who are always happy to friendships naturally followed.” help the next generation of band directors This sense of encouragement from their alma mater. and support goes beyond a student’s immediate bandmates and degree cohort; it extends across generations. “There is “Kenneth Ragland ’99 is a successful a large network of UNA alumni who educator in the Dallas, Texas area. Taylor help mentor the younger graduates as Criswell ’06 is the conductor of the they come out of school,” says Dr. Jones. Army Band of Europe—the only U.S. “The UNA alumni are indeed leaders in Army Band stationed on the European continent. We have graduates teaching in Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond.” The excellence of the education, training, and performance groups are important reasons why UNA has earned its reputation as a “band director factory.” But those factors on their own can’t completely explain why so many students remain dedicated to the UNA Bands and to the field of music education. Deeper factors also come into play: friendship, encouragement, love, and support. Thomasville City Schools band director and former UNA student James Boyett ’05 says, “There are a lot of favorite memories from my time in the UNA Band. Some of the best were spending long hours in the practice rooms, where we would all work hard and encourage each other, and of course, eating at Southern BBQ (a.k.a. the band cafeteria).”

22 University of North Alabama Magazine | FEATURE are already planning to study at UNA to become band directors, and for others, The Future of UNA BANDS like Evan Curtis, the excellence and camaraderie of the UNA band program Looking to the coming years, Dr. rate band program.” will make converts of them. Still others Jones is optimistic about the direction In addition to the halftime shows will just enjoy continuing their love of of the band program. “I see the UNA at Braly Stadium, the band performs music while they prepare for other careers Band growing in the future. I wouldn’t be exhibitions at high school marching band at UNA. surprised if we hit 300 members within 5 competitions throughout the region. At “The best thing about the UNA years.” most of these competitions, the band is Band is the people. I believe that,” said Some of the biggest recruitment a headliner of sorts; their halftime show Dr. Jones. “We have outstanding students tools for the UNA Bands, and the Music is the performance that the high school in the band program. Quality attracts Department as a whole, are the dazzling band students, parents, and spectators quality.” performances by the marching band, as look forward to seeing at the end of the well as UNA’s first-rate concert band and evening. performing ensembles. The quality of These exhibitions are often some UNA’s performances continues to attract of the most exhilarating performances students from across the region and for the band members, as they are beyond. Currently, the band has students treated like rock stars for the day. High from 11 states, a number that will likely school students often make signs and continue to increase. “These students cheer for their school’s alumni who are major in all degree fields on campus. now marching with UNA, all the while Sixty-five percent major in academic areas imagining what it will be like when other than music,” said Dr. Jones. Despite they get the chance to don the purple having different career ambitions, these uniform and hear the crowd cheer when students put in the hours and the work it’s time to “park and blow.” Some of because they “enjoy being a part of a first- those students, much like Kory Jones,

Fall 2018 23 Keeping up with the Joneses

The Joneses have not just been figureheads of the band program; they are the very reason that music students from around the region are attracted to UNA. James Boyett was a community college student when he first visited UNA and met the Drs. Jones. “The reason that I chose UNA was because of Lloyd and Edd Jones. When I started looking at where to transfer to in order to finish my degree, I visited several universities. Most of the people I talked to either acted as though they didn’t have time for me, or didn’t care if I went to their school or not. When I visited UNA, Lloyd and Edd Jones sat down with me, and made me feel like not UNA BAND DIRECTORS only did they care that I came to UNA, The UNA band program has existed While Dr. Edd Jones has stayed on they cared about me. About halfway for about 70 years, and for 40 of those as Professor Emeritus, assisting with the through our meeting, I already had my years, the Director of Bands has been a band and teaching instrument lessons, mind made up that this is where I needed Jones. The Jones legacy was begun by Dr. Lloyd says, “Dr. Edd Jones did not want to be.” Edd Jones, who served as director for 21 anyone thinking he wanted to still run It is that kind of inviting environment years, and it was continued with his son, the band. He had established the UNA that makes the UNA bands special. current director Dr. Lloyd Jones. Band as a first-rate musical organization. Whether it was a young Lloyd Jones “I’ve been around the UNA Band most It was up to me to continue that tradition. being raised near the band by his father, of my life,” said Lloyd. “My father was I had watched him and how he worked, or incoming student James Boyett being director from 1978 – 1999, so I watched so it was fairly natural to continue the treated like he belonged there from his as a kid.” process. Some things have changed, but first visit, the Jones legacy at UNA is set Lloyd began as a student at UNA in the foundation and the fundamentals are to be one of family—a family of talented, 1985 and returned to the University in the same.” hard-working, first-rate musicians. 1993 as a graduate student. He took on greater responsibility as a grad student, beginning to write the halftime shows for the band. He joined the faculty as a woodwind instructor in 1997 and became Director of Bands in 2000. “I never expected to be the director of the UNA Band. I had actually planned to pursue a career away from Florence,” said Lloyd. In fact, Lloyd had another job offer lined up when he chose to accept the interim director position at UNA. He had expected to stay in the position for one year, but the excellence and legacy of the program has kept him at the University ever since.

24 University of North Alabama Magazine | FEATURE University of NORTH ALABAMA MARCHING BAND 1849-2018

Fall 2018 25 26 University of North Alabama Magazine | HOMECOMING 2017 Cameron Flener and April Clark ’02

From the moment children enter so much that when I was in high school said. “So I started looking into different kindergarten, they’re bombarded with I was told more about the opportunities options of how we could have a concert the same question for years: What do that are available instead of just your fundraiser and I reached out to several you want to be when you grow up? April standard careers — teacher, lawyer, different bands.” Clark and Cameron Flener are helping doctor,” she said. “I thought, ‘I would Enter Cameron Flener, the vocalist of high school students reach that answer love to go back and teach students about The Velcro Pygmies. more easily. business and the different opportunities “He loved the concept of bringing The two founded Reach and Teach, that are out there,’ so that by the time a rock concert to campus and allowing a marketing program encouraging high they graduate high school they might students to really participate not just in school students to explore various career know more about a career path they the concert aspect but in the concert paths. would have never considered before.” promotion aspect as well,” Clark said. Clark got the idea for the program Reach and Teach began as a method Clark was teaching a sports and based on her own experiences. A two- of raising funds for students attending entertainment management class at time UNA graduate, Clark received the national Future Business Leaders Colbert County High School at the her bachelor’s in accounting, realized of America competition in Anaheim, time of the concert’s conception, and accounting careers weren’t for her, California, Clark said. immediately encouraged her students’ then received her master’s in secondary “I sat down with my students and participation. education. we just brainstormed ideas of how we “A lot of times in a traditional “I knew accounting wasn’t for me could raise money, and they came up with classroom they learn from a textbook very soon after I graduated and I wish the concept of having a concert,” she or they memorize definitions, and that’s

Fall 2018 27 something that I never wanted [for] hypothetical situation,” Clark said. “Like, participation in Reach and Teach really my classroom,” she said. “We rarely ‘I ran a popsicle stand in the classroom’ changed the trajectory of his life. He has use textbooks. So I had always tried to — that has no real results. This is actually a completely different outlook on his life.” incorporate real-world experiences.” real results from their hard work.” And that confidence is critical for Students participated in every While the ultimate goal of the Reach students to pursue various careers that facet of planning the event, from and Teach program is to expose students they might have otherwise considered. budget management and scheduling to to various potential careers, Clark said “It’s important for them to discover promotional materials and event logistics. she’s noticed superior engagement from who they are before they can decide “They first start off by setting goals her students because of the hands-on what they want to be,” Flener said. “Once for what they want to accomplish and learning. they’ve made that discovery, they have to then they have to identify their target “I had one student that was very have the confidence to pursue it. Being market,” Clark said. “They have to go reserved, very shy, didn’t speak up very unconventional is difficult for a young out and solicit sponsorships. They also much, not interested in the marketing person even if on the outside they ‘appear’ have to be involved in every aspect of the class whatsoever, he was just kind of to be unconventional. Through Reach operation — that includes ticket selling, there,” she said. “So when we had the first and Teach we strive to allow students to merchandise selling, stage setup, sound concert, I noticed he had a very creative recognize the actual value of not being engineering. They get to work with the mindset. He would always doodle on his ‘normal.’” lighting crew and see the different aspects papers. So I thought, ‘well I’m going to Seeing the results of the program, of the job.” see if he’ll be interested in doing some art Flener told Clark he had big dreams. Students also interact with the band, for the concert.’” “After [the first concert], Cameron seeing how even entertainers operate as a The student was very excited because came up to me and said, ‘I really want business. he was assigned a critical task for the to be able to take this concept to other “Anything you can think of that entire project, she said. schools across the country, because I would be involved with event promotion, “After the concert was over, he put feel like it’s so important that we impact there’s an opportunity for students to do together this really incredible video other students. We can’t just keep this to that — whether it’s photography, sound and he might not have known it was ourselves.’ engineering or stage setup.” incredible, but everybody else saw his “He asked if I’d be willing to write Clark said she’s seen a dramatic talent,” she said. “It gave him that boost of the curriculum and work with him. He’s change in students’ attitudes toward confidence he needed to really come out really good on the band promotion side learning since beginning the program. of his shell. I had him again in my class and the band business side. It’s been a “Once they work so hard over the the next year and he was a completely very good partnership between the two course of the Reach and Teach program different person. He volunteered on of us because I have the educational and then they have that concert at the very first day of school to give his background to really know what needs the end that’s a reward and payoff for presentation about himself, which is we can meet through this program at the their hard work, you can tell that their something I require my students to do, different schools.” confidence has been boosted so much but he volunteered to go first. After reaching and teaching in because they’re able to see something “Just that one little boost of other schools, Clark and Flener saw the that they accomplished, not just a confidence that he got through results they had hoped for and knew

28 University of North Alabama Magazine | FEATURE the program was on track for something setting that you think of,” she said. “But Clark hasn’t forgotten the community bigger than they originally envisioned. I know how it has personally changed that inspired her to give back, either. “The impact in my classroom — my teaching style to bring in these other “After I graduated and I had the and then every single program that has concepts of real-world experiences and opportunity to write a curriculum for the been implemented at other schools so really allowing students to lead their Reach and Teach program we’re working far — we’ve seen that exact same result learning. They’re able to brainstorm with, my automatic thing [to do] was to in other students, too,” Clark said. “That’s and come up with these ideas and I’m reach out to Dr. [Lamont] Maddox who what drives our passion. Just being able just there to help facilitate. They can taught my curriculum development class,” to impact those students and know that really take ownership of their learning. she said. “He was so willing to help and something little they got that has nothing So I really hope this program can really sit with me, mentor me, and kind of go to do with marketing can potentially change that mindset of teachers who need over what I had already written and give change their outlook on life.” a change in their classroom and they can me some suggestions and ideas. Even Flener said the program is school- make a decision to reach those kids that after I graduated I felt very comfortable based, yes, but the values taught are much aren’t typically engaged.” reaching back out to those professors and greater. The teaching style is revolutionary, advisers. They’ve always been more than “Reach and Teach is the most unique with a plethora of interest in the program willing to help in that regard.” hands-on learning experience I’ve ever as well as student response being the clear What Clark valued most about her seen,” Flener said. “It not only teaches evidence. time at the University was the professors’ students academics, but, perhaps even “Reach and Teach actually changes willingness to not only teach, but teach more importantly, the life skills they will lives, and there are few programs in the in real-world, community-driven settings need regardless of what career path they high school universe that accomplish — something Clark teaches in her own choose to pursue.” this,” Flener said. “We’ve created a program. Reach and Teach has expanded program that is fun and as a result is self- “I loved my time at UNA and I told throughout the state, and now this motivating.” my graduating seniors all the time that dynamic duo is taking their project to the Currently The Velcro Pygmies we’re so blessed in this community to next level. are the only band students work with, have an awesome university like UNA “We actually just had a meeting with however, Clark said they are working right here in our backyard,” she said. a school board in Georgia and our plans on getting more artists involved in the “I’m proud to be an alum and I think it’s are to really expand it nationally,” Clark process. really made an impact on who I am, how said. “We have recently developed a five- I teach and how I represent that in my Clark hasn’t forgotten her roots year plan for Reach and Teach which classroom.“ and her greater purpose in the Reach involves involving other musical entities, Those interested in learning more and Teach program, which is not only but not even just musical entities,” she about the program can visit www. to expose students to various tangible said. “We want to eventually involve reachandteach.rocks, and bands, vendors careers, but also to change teaching other promotable aspects, whether it be and those in the community interested in methods across the country. The Harlem Globetrotters or something involvement can reach Clark through the “A lot of times teachers have been like that. It’s still the same concept, the website. teaching for so long that they kind of get students are still being able to promote “I think so many times, ‘If I would’ve into a routine of that traditional classroom that event.” had opportunities like this,’ or even just knowing about career paths, there’s no telling what I would have grown up to be,” Clark said, before adding with a laugh, “I might be on tour with Beyoncé or something doing her stage setup.” The entire program can be summarized with one simple word: Opportunity. “It’s all about being able to provide those opportunities for other people,” Clark said. “Because I feel like those opportunities have proven themselves to me and I want to be able to do that for these younger students and have that impact on them. “It’s been such an incredible experience. It’s something I never dreamed that I would be involved with. But I feel like it’s my purpose.“

Fall 2018 29 PROFILES IN E X C E L L E N C E

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ADVISING Dr. Robert Young Dr. Young is an exceptional academic advisor, professor, mentor, co-worker, and friend. He has worked with many students and co-workers in his 30 years at the University of North Alabama. During that time, he has been a well-liked and a well-respected example for students and local educators. He goes beyond the call of duty to make sure that his students succeed. He has the analytical skills to solve problems that require sensitivity and compassion. Dr. Young daily shares his philosophy of advising and of education. He does not do this by talk, but by the example he to be genuinely interested in the lives of interests lay, and suggested that social sets. He clearly shows the passion he feels former students. work might be a better fit. He introduced for education, and for his students. He Dr. Young is also a mentor to many the student to people in the social work does not “jump on the band wagon” for of the faculty members he works with. He department, and she changed her major. every new idea, but presents a balanced always tries to do what is best for students Suddenly, the student had found her view of what is truly best for education. and for the faculty who serve them. He passion. Her schoolwork improved, and He is willing to listen; and to present shares his talent with others who are she had goals for which she could strive. multiple viewpoints. His knowledge of trying to advise students. For new faculty, This student graduated, and has recently early literacy and child development are collaborating with Dr. Young and learning been hired in a case-worker position as invaluable to students and teachers alike. from him is embedded professional a social worker. Dr. Young did not just Dr. Young is very aware of what development. Some of his co-workers are forget about this student. He remained students need to be able to graduate and also his former students. in contact with her and encouraged be successful. His co-workers say he is Each semester, Dr. Young meets her, even though she was no longer their “human GPA calculator.” He always with his students one-on-one. He has in his department. He even ended up seems to know exactly how many As or a wonderful rapport with his students. performing her wedding ceremony. Bs a student needs to be able to reach He begins when they first enter the Students, faculty, alumni, and the required grade point average. He can University, and continues all the way local educators alike can attest to the analyze a transcript to see what is needed through, even serving as a marshal for tremendous impact of Dr. Bob Young’s for a student to be able to get into the the graduation ceremonies. If you ask a advising at the University of North program. former student about Dr. Young, you will Alabama. He is the kind of academic Not only is Dr. Young a great advisor always get a smile, and probably many advisor every college student deserves when students are at the University, but stories about how Dr. Young helped them and the kind of mentor/advisor every he continues to be a part of the students’ achieve success. graduate and colleague needs. lives after their tenure at the university One way that Dr. Young shows that is over. He repeatedly visits with former he puts his students first, is that he advises students at various schools. He asks about them about what is best for them, and their lives, remembering details that many not just necessarily for the education teachers would have forgotten long since. program. In one example, he had a He discusses educational philosophy, and student advisee who was in the education gives advice about the career path these program. She was not having great teachers need to take, to continue to success, and was not motivated to do so. advance their careers. He always seems Dr. Young listened carefully to where her

30 University of North Alabama Magazine | PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE PROFILES IN E X C E L L E N C E

Preventive Medicine at UAB, working on the Enhanced Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease (ENRICHD) team. As part of that fellowship he received training and supervision in cognitive therapy from the Beck Institute in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. Finally, in 1999 he accepted an assistant professor position at his alma mater, UNA. He said, “It was a very long journey to get back to UNA. Ironically, as his ticket to graduate school. my office is the very same office from PHI KAPPA PHI With UNA degree in hand, he which I had received advisement from ELEANOR P. GAUNDER began graduate studies at Auburn Dr. Robinson back around 1990-1992. I EXCELLENCE IN University in clinical psychology, where think of that from time to time when I’m he studied anxiety and fear responses advising students.” TEACHING AWARD using psychophysiological monitoring Since arriving back at UNA, Dr. (polygraph) equipment under the Bates has been appointed by Gov. Bob Dr. Larry Bates tutelage of Dr. F. Dudley McGlynn. Riley to serve two terms on the State Dr. Larry Bates was working in While at Auburn, he also co-authored a Board of Examiners in Psychology, which the Shoals area and decided to take a book chapter on the treatment of panic oversees all psychology licensees in psychology course at the University to disorder. the state. In 2015 he was awarded the learn more about it. There he heard Dr. His last year of graduate training Southeastern Psychology Association’s George Robinson talk about Ivan Pavlov was a residency at the University of Mentor of the Year Award and the and one could say that Pavlov rang his Mississippi and Veterans Affairs Medical UNA Alumni Faculty/Staff Service bell, if you’ll excuse the pun. Bates said, Centers in Jackson, Mississippi, where Award. Having completed 19 years as “Pavlov’s work explained human behavior he had clinical rotations in trauma a psychology professor, Dr. Bates sees from a basis in science, and I couldn’t stop recovery, eating disorders, and substance his main task as trying to instill that thinking about it. I was simply hooked.” abuse. While serving in the VA’s Trauma same love for learning about psychology A couple of years later, Bates Recovery Center, a high school shooting and love for research in his students. decided that he wanted to become a occurred at Pearl High School. The “I get to know students best when we psychologist and decided to complete school officials contacted Dr. Judith do a research project together. Often, his undergraduate studies at UNA. He Lyons, his supervisor and mentor at it’s a year-long project of weekly recalled “I was almost 30 years old and the time, to help them coordinate the meetings, late night emails and texts, a nontraditional student going back to counseling duties when the school and a thousand deadlines. In the end, I school to change careers. I ended up reopened. Dr. Bates got to assist her proudly see them present that research taking a job as a nursing assistant at ECM in that endeavor, and because of that, before professionals. Part of teaching is hospital (cardiac unit) on midnight shift so Bates noted, “I still can’t watch newscasts mentoring, perhaps the best part.” that I could go to school during the day.” of school shootings because of that Dr. Bates’s primary research interests He assisted Dr. Richard Hudiburg and experience.” are in the areas of psychology of religion Dr. Charles E. Joubert with psychology After his residency training in and hiking behaviors. Born in Red Bay, research. One of those studies resulted in Jackson, Dr. Bates accepted a post- he and his wife Missy now reside in Bates’s first publication, which he credits doctoral fellowship in the Division of Muscle Shoals.

Fall 2018 31 PROFILES IN E X C E L L E N C E

DR. LARRY J. NELSON OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARD Dr. Laura Williams

Dr. Williams began her teaching these students are nurses, and that their career at the University of North Alabama knowledge would far surpass her own: “It in 2007. She brought with her thirteen is so rewarding to have nurses from all years of registered nursing experience in areas of practice, to just listen and learn hospital and home health nursing, with as they solve problems and generate eight of those years as a family nurse scholarly inquiries that only a seasoned practitioner in the community settings nurse could.” Furthermore, the online of family practice and long-term care. environment allows the instructor to Community settings are those areas interact with nurses across the country. outside of the hospital that are less acute “The same clinical problem that I would and focus more on the management of introduce to students in a face-to-face chronic health conditions, which are classroom now becomes a problem that crucial to the physical, emotional, and can be addressed within the physical, psychosocial health of patients. There social, and cultural frameworks of is a personal relationship that the nurse different regions of the United States.” develops in the community setting that Dr. Williams is married to Brad, encompasses much more than physical a civil engineer, and they have three health. It is that personal relationship children. Twins Josh and Jake are and holistic view of the patient that Dr. juniors at UNA, and Jackson will enter Williams tries to instill in her students. kindergarten at Kilby School in the fall. In her opinion, effective communication Dr. Williams is very thankful for the and active listening are the most valuable opportunity to work at the University. skills a nurse can possess. “For me, the greatest reward in teaching is Nursing education is unique and to develop a relationship with that nurse challenging in that it includes coursework success, and value the opportunity to at a certain point. He or she may be an and a clinical component. Nursing faculty educate the nurses that will care for undergraduate student, an RN working are required to be knowledgeable in both you and your family. After that, it is our to receive her BSN, or a student pursuing areas. Although the basic structure and mission to educate those who wish to a MSN. Then you get to watch them functions of the human body may not further their nursing education, either by grow, both in their career and in life. Our change, the ways that nurses care for obtaining a BSN after their Associate’s students are caring for patients locally, them constantly do. In the last 25 years, Degree program, or to obtain a Master of regionally, nationally, and internationally. nursing has seen enormous advances in Science in Nursing (MSN).” They represent us so very well.” technology that have brought paperless Dr. Williams taught both community charting, advanced surgical techniques, health and adult health nursing II advanced monitoring systems, advanced in the undergraduate program for medication administration, and innovative eight rewarding years. “There is great assistive devices for acute, rehabilitation, satisfaction in engaging students in and chronic care. Nurses must learn to courses and clinicals, side by side, and do all of this proficiently. “It is our role working together to assess and treat as educators to provide our students patients,” she said. with the critical thinking skills and In 2017, the opportunity arose to tools that will enable them to adapt to transition to an online teaching role a constantly changing profession, while in community health for RN-BSN simultaneously providing safe, competent students, and graduate courses in the patient care,” said Dr. Williams. MSN program. The online environment Dr. Williams is very proud to be a is rich with opportunities for learning, member of Anderson College of Nursing. engagement, and creative teaching “The faculty are committed to student with students. She quickly learned that

32 University of North Alabama Magazine | PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE PROFILES IN E X C E L L E N C E

the most seismically active places on the Bulletin of the Seismological Society Earth and are where great earthquakes of America (Moore-Driskell et al., 2013). (M > 8.5) occur. Her research aims to The data in this publication was used to better understand what causes variability perform seismic velocity tomography of in seismic behavior and earthquake the Nicaragua and Costa Rican margin generation at subduction zones as well as in order to understand the structure and the role fluids, pore pressure, stress, and controls of the seismogenic portion of the material properties play in the variations. subduction zone. Since most subduction This information is critical in evaluating seismogenic zones lie offshore, seismic hazard and mitigation. our knowledge of the extent of the In 2014 Dr. Driskell was awarded seismogenic zone and where seismogenic a National Science Foundation (NSF) zone earthquakes are generated is crucial grant of $62,000 to research the Alaskan to understanding the seismic and tsunami Subduction Zone. The project, Basin-to- hazard for low-lying coastal communities. Slab Imaging of the Alaska Subduction Using data collected by seismic stations Zone, is a collaboration with Dr. on land and under water (ocean-bottom Douglas Christensen and Dr. Carl Tape seismometers, OBS) collected through at the University of Alaska Fairbanks the NSF funded MARGINS program, she Geophysical Institute. The project seeks imaged the subducting and overriding to characterize the three-dimensional plate of this region. This research, 3D structure of the Cook Inlet basin-crust- Double Difference Velocity Tomography slab-mantle system of the Alaskan of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, is being subduction zone. revised for publication in Geosphere In 2015, she conducted fieldwork in (Special Edition: Subduction Top to southern Alaska, along with UNA student Bottom). She has also worked with Nealey Sims, who is now a Ph.D. student researchers at Georgia Tech, Southern at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Methodist University, University of DR. JIM F. COUCH The team deployed 30 broadband Oregon, University of Alabama, and OUTSTANDING seismometers for a seismic experiment UNAVCO on other and ongoing called SALMON (Southern Alaska subduction research. SCHOLARSHIP/ Lithosphere and Mantle Observatory Dr. Driskell was recently selected RESEARCH AWARD Network). The science objective of as an NSF EarthScope National Lecturer SALMON is to use local and teleseismic for the 2018-2019 academic year. Dr. Melissa Driskell earthquakes to image the seismic structure According to the EarthScope website, of the crust and upper mantle to better “The EarthScope Speaker Series is Dr. Melissa M. Moore-Driskell is an understand the active tectonic setting and part of the EarthScope Education and associate professor in the Department of the tectonic history of the Cook Inlet Outreach program and seeks to present Physics and Earth Science and associate region. The seismometers were retrieved the scientific results of EarthScope dean of the Honors College. She received in 2017, and the data is being currently researchers to faculty and students her bachelor’s in geology at the University processed. The experiment recorded over in departmental seminars at colleges of North Alabama and her master’s in 200,000 in the two years it was deployed. and universities. Speakers are selected geophysics from Arizona State University. The deployment, science goals, and data based on their outstanding research She earned her Ph.D. in geophysics from on the Iniskin M7.1 earthquake recorded accomplishments involving EarthScope as the Center for Earthquake Research and by SALMON is described in a paper well as their abilities to engage a variety Information (CERI) at the University of published in the journal Seismological of audiences.” Memphis. She joined the UNA faculty in Research Letters (Tape et al., 2016). Driskell was the recipient of the 2006. In addition to Alaska, Dr. Driskell 2017 College of Arts & Sciences Early Dr. Driskell is a seismologist. She also researches the Middle American Career Outstanding Research Award. In began her geophysics research studying subduction zone offshore Nicaragua and addition to her NSF grant, she has been the structure and seismic wave properties Costa Rica. In September 2013, research awarded seven internal research grants. of the Earth’s Core-Mantle Boundary. entitled Integration of Arrival Time She has published multiple research Now her research focuses on using Datasets for Consistent Tomography articles in the top-10 geophysics journals seismic waves to determine the structure Quality Control: A Case Study of and has presented at dozens of national of tectonic plate boundaries, specifically Amphibious Experiments Along the and international conferences. subduction zones. Subduction zones are Middle America Trench was published in

Fall 2018 33 PROFILES IN E X C E L L E N C E

International Program Offerings Committee, and Graphics Standards and Web Communication Committee. Dr. Hall serves as leadership succession officer of the Upsilon Omicron chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International and has been active in local events such as Give-a-Kids- a-Chance. On an international level, Dr. Hall has a passion for helping underserved areas and has been a part of several medical teams in Guatemala and Haiti. In August 2016, Dr. Hall participated in a trip to Desab, Haiti, through UNA Alternative Breaks. After this trip, she continued to work with the “Haiti Endeavor” to share the story of the Desab community with university faculty, staff, and community representatives. Dr. Hall has been active in introducing students to service learning through the Anderson College of Nursing Study Abroad trips. During these trips, the student and or an act of kindness can bring. In 2009, medical team provide medical care for up ACADEMIC she became a family nurse practitioner to 700 patients in underserved areas and AFFAIRS AWARD FOR and worked in the pediatric field. health education to the local schools. She OUTSTANDING Dr. Hall began teaching at the said that her hope for the students is “that Anderson College of Nursing in spring they will gain an understanding that there SERVICE 2013. She has had the opportunity to are people in need all over the world, and teach the pharmacology in nursing we all have skills that can be used to serve Dr. Clarissa Hall course, community nursing course, and others.” foundations of nursing course. She has When asked about service, Dr. Hall When Dr. Clarissa Hall graduated also served as a faculty mentor, has been said, “These unique opportunities have from the University in 1991 with her on many Anderson College of Nursing helped me develop a better understanding Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, committees, and has participated in of world culture, a realization that she had no idea that in the years to many recruitment activities. Dr. Hall learning is two-way, and that a smile is come the nursing profession and UNA said, “Talking with potential students and universal. I have been blessed that God would open the door around the world parents about UNA and becoming nurses gave me the desire for service, parents and to service. After becoming a Registered is exciting.” Her position has also yielded grandparents that nurtured it, a husband Nurse, Clarissa filled her days with caring many opportunities for university service, and children that supported it, and that for home health patients and becoming with membership on the Faculty Senate, nursing and UNA gave me the platform to aware of the impact a smile, a kind word, Faculty Senate Executive Committee, serve.”

34 University of North Alabama Magazine | PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE Fall 2018 35 Tony Pujol NEW FACES IN NORTH ALABAMA ATHLETICS TONY PUJOL Just over 100 days into his tenure Jeremy Provence is also set to begin a hired in early April as the seventh UNA as head men’s basketball coach at North new era leading the Lion cross country head coach in the program’s 87-year Alabama, Tony Pujol has not had time programs. history. Tom Berryman and Ahmad Smith to decorate his new office. There are For Pujol, getting settled in has were brought on board to join assistant not many plaques on the wall, or signed proven to be a step-by-step process. “We Willie Watson and graduate assistant basketballs or framed autographed are starting to get settled in our house,” Daniel Williams. photos. It’s not that the new coach doesn’t he said. “A lot of things are still in boxes Bigger coaching staffs is a common have nice things to show off. It’s just that right now. I have to stay focused body thing among Division I programs. UNA he’s been busy hiring assistants, setting up and mind. I will get up and get in a women’s head coach Missy Tiber also marquis games and recruiting new players workout before hitting the office with a promoted former graduate assistant Ellen as the Lions move into their first season as very compartmentalized daily schedule. Holton to full-time assistant and will add NCAA Division I members of the ASUN I have to be able to tackle tasks one at a another GA for the upcoming season. conference. time in order to get things done off of my “The entire department, and Pujol is just one of many new faces list.” especially our staff has done a among the UNA Athletics coaching The addition of two assistant tremendous job,” said Pujol. The 14-year staffs. New head volleyball coach Bob coaches, along with seven new roster veteran comes to UNA after coaching White has also assembled his staff, while players has kept Pujol busy since being stops at Appalachian State, Virginia

36 University of North Alabama Magazine | ATHLETICS Commonwealth, and Alabama. He has true in the military, in the business world, the mornings, or at the Pie Factory in served as an assistant coach at Wyoming in basketball and in life in general.” downtown Florence at night. “There are since 2016. With traveling and coaching taking plenty of good places to eat and a lot of “My family is ecstatic about the up so much time, the Pujol family is good people to see here in town.” weather here,” said Pujol. “They are really forced to take advantage of the time they Once the season arrives, however, enjoying it. Not that Wyoming wasn’t have together. Pujol said he wants to build a specific great in the summer but my family is from “We don’t get a lot of family time brand of basketball. “On the court we south Florida so they are more at home so when we are together we all just like want to be tenacious and relentless,” with the humidity.” to lay around the house,’ said Pujol. “It’s he said. “We are looking for players As for getting marquis games, Pujol good to have some private time with the who are ready to take ownership of the and the Lions have already made a family where you can catch up. We all program. It needs to be bigger than me. splash. UNA is set to play road games at enjoy the outdoors so we are always on The history of UNA is so important. I am Toledo, Troy, Jacksonville State, Pitt, and the lookout for places to go hiking.” proud of our body of work but there is Gonzaga. The Zags have advanced to the UNA fans might also catch the still a long way to go.” Sweet 16 for four straight seasons while Pujol family at Big Bad Breakfast in the showdown with JSU will rekindle one of the Lions’ oldest and most heated rivalries. “Before I came here, I familiarized BOB WHITE myself with UNA,” said Pujol. “I wanted to know its athletic history and its After winning more than 82 percent tournaments, including two trips to the educational background. I wasn’t just of his games as a collegiate head coach, Final Four. putting my name in every hat every time Bob White has been selected to lead In 2015, he led PBA to a 31-5 record there was a head coaching job opening. I the volleyball program at and the highest ranking think UNA needed the right fit and I also the University of North in program history at No. needed the right fit for myself.” Alabama. Following the 2, while finishing as the As the summer recruiting season departure of former coach South Region champions winds down, Pujol is tasked with splitting Stephanie Radecki, who took and NCAA runner-up. time with his family and his new team, over head coaching duties For his efforts, White was which will feature eight true freshmen. at Southern Miss, White named the AVCA Division Before fall classes begin, the players will became the program’s ninth II Coach of the Year. He get one more break for summer. Before head coach. followed that by repeating as they leave town, however, Pujol wants White, who will also regional champions and again just a little more time with his new team. lead the Lions beach program advancing to the Final Four. “I want to finish up recruiting and be which debuts this spring, During his tenure able to spend some more time with them comes to UNA from Palm at PBA, White also led and continue to build relationships,” Pujol Beach Atlantic, where the Bob White the Sailfish to seven said. “I want the players create something Sailfish program was a perennial Division NCCAA regional titles and a national of their own and establish a culture. We II powerhouse. He brings his former PBA championship in 2014. He amassed a will have new guys carrying the team so assistant coach David Gordon to Florence 398-84 record while winning two South it’s up to them to take ownership.” and also added Haley Doerfler to the Region championships, and achieving Taking ownership has been an early coaching staff. eight seasons of 30 or more victories. theme for Pujol and the UNA program. “David was a big part of that success “It is a special and unique The coaches, staff and players have been at PBA,” said White. “He is a perfect fit opportunity transitioning a strong and reading the book Extreme Ownership by for our transition into Division I. Haley’s successful NCAA Division II volleyball Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Outlined knowledge of the indoor and outdoor program to NCAA Division I,” said from a military perspective, the two game, her success as a coach, and most White. “I feel like I’ve been coaching former Navy SEALS provide lots of importantly her communication skills and my whole life for this chance and it is fascinating and inspiring anecdotes that personality also make her a perfect fit for such a huge honor for me and my family can be transferred into business workings. UNA.” to become a part of the UNA family. I “It’s a really good read and it gives White, who has a career coaching am excited and ready to roar with this examples of what a leader needs to do in record of 462-92, led Palm Beach Atlantic program.” order to be successful,” said Pujol. “That is to six straight NCAA Division II regional

Fall 2018 37 JEREMY PROVENCE

Jeremy Provence became the North All-American Southwest Conference Provence led the women’s and Alabama head men’s and women’s cross honors that season. men’s track program to the school’s country coach in early May. The former A three-time member of the first American Southwest Conference collegiate standout runner also took over American Southwest Conference All- Championship appearance and seven the role of assistant game Academic Team, Provence of his runners competed in the NCAA operations manager. is the only runner in men’s regional cross country championships. A native of Winfrey program history at University He had 20 runners on the American Valley, Arkansas, Provence of the Ozarks to earn Capital Southwest Conference Cross Country received a bachelor’s degree One Academic All-District All-Academic Team and his women’s cross in Physical Education from honors and is one of only country program was awarded the United the University of the Ozarks two runners at the school to States Track and Field and Cross Country in 2012 and added a master’s be a member of the US Track Coaches Association Women’s Team degree in Health, Leisure, & Field & Cross Country Academic Award (2016). and Exercise Science with an Coaches Association All- He coached the American emphasis in Exercise Science Academic Team. Southwest Conference Cross Country from West Florida in 2014. Provence began Sportsmanship Male Athlete of the Year He served as the head cross his coaching career as a as well as the winner of the ASC Women’s Jeremy Provence country coach at the Ozarks volunteer assistant for the Track Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year for the past four years. men’s and women’s cross country program (2017). A collegiate runner from 2008-11 at the University of West Florida in 2012. Provence continues to run at University of the Ozarks, Provence He then served as a graduate assistant at competitively and has numerous wins owns the second-fastest 8K time (25:54) UWF in 2013. and top 10 finishes in nine mile, 25k, half in school history. He participated in four He returned to his alma mater in marathon, and marathon events. NCAA III Regional races during his career 2014 as head coach of the women’s and and was named to the USTFCCCA All- men’s cross country program and the Region Team in 2011 as well as earning men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track program.

FOOTBALL

The University of North Alabama served as a graduate assistant coach at 2006. He then played receiver Arkansas football team has added assistant coaches Auburn University under Gus Malzahn from 2007 to 2011 where he was the kick on both sides of the ball. After one season in 2015 and had spent two years as an holder for the last two seasons. as receivers coach at Chattanooga, Ryan administrative intern at Ole Miss under Upshaw Aplin returns to the UNA coaching staff Hugh Freeze. comes to UNA as offensive coordinator. The Lions have He is a former two-time Sun after holding the also added Austin Tucker as receivers Belt Conference Player of the Year at same position at coach and Cordell Upshaw as defensive quarterback for Arkansas State, becoming Southern Arkansas. line coach. the first person in the history of the He helped the During his league to receive the Male Student- Muleriders begin previous stint at Athlete of the Year award twice. their recent stretch UNA in 2016, Tucker served of winning football. Aplin coached the an offensive Over his time on UNA receivers as graduate assistant at staff, SAU won Cordell Upshaw the Lions posted Memphis in 2017 19 games, posted an 11-2 record, and at Auburn in a .613 overall winning percentage, and won Gulf South 2016. He played appeared in the CHAMPS Heart of Texas Conference and receiver and Bowl in 2012. Super Region 2 quarterback at championships, Shiloh Christian Ryan Aplin and advanced High School to the NCAA Division II National in Springdale, Austin Tucker Championship Game. Arkansas, where Prior to coming to UNA, Aplin had he won a Class 3A state championship in

38 University of North Alabama Magazine | ATHLETICS 2018 FALL ATHLETIC SCHEDULES * ASUN contests • All times Central

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE DATE/DAY OPPONENT SITE TIME DATE/DAY OPPONENT SITE TIME SEPTEMBER AUGUST 1 Sat. at Southern Utah ...... Cedar City, Utah ...... 7:00 p.m. 24 Fri. vs Little Rock ...... Jacksonville, Ala...... 9:00 a.m. 8 Sat. at Alabama A&M ...... Huntsville, Ala...... 6:00 p.m. 24 Fri. at Jacksonville State ...... Jacksonville, Ala...... 2:00 p.m. 15 Sat. at North Dakota State ...... Fargo, N.D...... 2:30 p.m. 25 Sat. vs Mercer ...... Jacksonville, Ala...... 11:30 a.m. 22 Sat. AZUSA PACIFIC ...... HOME ...... 6:00 p.m. 31 Fri. vs Tennessee State ...... Chattanooga, Tenn. .... 2:00 p.m. 29 Sat. at Campbell ...... Buies Creek, N.C...... 5:00 p.m. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 1 Sat. vs UNC-Asheville ...... Chattanooga, Tenn...... 9:00 a.m. 6 Sat. WEST FLORIDA ...... HOME ...... 6:00 p.m. 1 Sat. at Chattanooga ...... Chattanooga, Tenn. .... 6:00 p.m. 13 Sat. MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE...... HOME ...... 6:00 p.m. 7 Fri. vs Tennessee Tech...... Memphis, Tenn...... 12:30 p.m. (HOMECOMING) 7 Fri. vs Louisiana Monroe ...... Memphis, Tenn...... 4:30 p.m. 20 Sat. at Jackson State ...... Jackson, Miss...... 2:00 p.m. 8 Sat. at Memphis ...... Memphis, Tenn...... 1:00 p.m. 27 Sat. OPEN NOVEMBER 18 Tue. * at Lipscomb ...... Nashville, Tenn...... 6:30 p.m. 23 Sun. * KENNESAW STATE ...... HOME ...... 2:00 p.m. 3 Sat. SHORTER ...... HOME ...... 6:00 p.m. 28 Fri. * LIBERTY ...... HOME ...... 7:00 p.m. 10 Sat. NORTH GREENVILLE ...... HOME ...... 1:30 p.m. 30 Sun. * FLORIDA GULF COAST ...... HOME ...... 2:00 p.m. 15 Thu. at Incarnate Word ...... San Antonio, Texas ..... 7:00 p.m. OCTOBER 5 Fri. * at Jacksonville ...... Jacksonville, Fla...... 6:00 p.m. SOCCER SCHEDULE 6 Sat. * at Stetson ...... Deland, Fla...... 5:00 p.m. DATE/DAY OPPONENT SITE TIME 9 Tue. * at NJIT ...... Newark, N.J...... 6:00 p.m. AUGUST 14 Sun. * NORTH FLORIDA ...... HOME ...... 1:00 p.m. 7 Tue. vs. Southeastern Louisiana ...... Foley, Ala...... 10:00 a.m. 19 Fri. * at Kennesaw State ...... Kennesaw, Ga...... 6:00 p.m. (EXHIBITION) 23 Tue. * LIPSCOMB ...... HOME ...... 7:00 p.m. 11 Sat. at Tennessee-Martin ...... Martin, Tenn...... 12:30 p.m. (EXHIBITION) 26 Fri. * at Florida Gulf Coast ...... Ft. Myers, Fla...... 5:00 p.m. 28 Sun. * at Liberty...... Lynchburg, Va...... 12:00 p.m. 17 Fri. ALABAMA STATE HOME 7:00 p.m. NOVEMBER 19 Sun. ALABAMA A&M HOME 1:00 p.m...... 24 Fri. JACKSON STATE HOME 7:00 p.m. 2 Fri. * STETSON HOME 7:00 p.m. 26 Sun. at Tennessee Tech Cookeville, Tenn. 6:00 p.m. 4 Sun. * JACKSONVILLE ...... HOME ...... 1:00 p.m. 31 Fri. at Jacksonville State Jacksonville, Ala. 7:00 p.m. 6 Tue. * NJIT ...... HOME ...... 7:00 p.m. SEPTEMBER 9 Fri. * at North Florida ...... Jacksonville, Fla...... 5:00 p.m. 2 Sun. at Vanderbilt Nashville, Tenn. 1:00 p.m. 15 Thu. ASUN Volleyball Tournament .... TBA 16 Fri. ASUN Volleyball Tournament .... TBA 7 Fri. ABILENE CHRISTIAN HOME 7:00 p.m. 17 Sat. ASUN Volleyball Tournament .... TBA 9 Sun. ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM HOME 1:00 p.m. 14 Fri. at Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tenn. 5:00 p.m. 16 Sun. TROY HOME 2:00 p.m. CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE 23 Sun. * KENNESAW STATE HOME 4:00 p.m. DATE/DAY OPPONENT SITE 28 Fri. * at Florida Gulf Coast Fort Meyers, Fla. 6:00 p.m. AUGUST 30 Sun. * at Stetson Deland, Fla. 12:00 p.m. OCTOBER 31 Fri. at Belmont Opener • W5k / M5k ...... Nashville, Tenn. 5 Fri. * LIBERTY HOME 7:00 p.m. SEPTEMBER 12 Fri. * JACKSONVILLE HOME 7:00 p.m. 8 Sat. at UAH Chargers Cross Country Open • W5k / M8k...... Huntsville, Ala. 14 Sun. * NORTH FLORIDA HOME 1:00 p.m. 22 Sat. at Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival • W5k / M10k ...... Fayetteville, Ark. 19 Fri. * at Lipscomb Nashville, Tenn. 6:00 p.m. 29 Sat. at Foothills Invitational • W5k / M7k...... Oxford, Ala. 21 Sun. * at New Jersey Tech Newark, N.J. 12:00 p.m. OCTOBER 27 Sat. ASUN Tournament Quarterfinal TBA 12 Fri. at FSU Invitational • W5k / M8k ...... Tallahassee, Fla. NOVEMBER 2 Fri. ASUN Tournament Semifinal TBA 27 Fri. at ASUN Conference Championships • W5k / M8k ...... Newark, N.J. 4 Sun. ASUN Tournament Final TBA

PURCHASE YOUR SEASON TICKETS 256-765-5466 or online at roarlions.com VOLLEYBALL • $35.00 • SOCCER • $35.00 • FOOTBALL • $60.00 • $75.00 • $90.00

Fall 2018 39 UNA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS Aaron Irons ’99 President Derrick Chatman ’08 President Elect message from the Bishop Alexander ’09 Vice President Tosha-Paige Brewer ’13 2nd Vice President ALUMNI PRESIDENT Christa Raney ’97 Secretary Raleigh Green ’10 Treasurer Dear University of North Alabama Michelle Eubanks ’96 Past President Alumni and Friends, Gale Satchel ’06 Club Advisor Pat Roden ’77 Faculty Advisor “There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.” UNA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Woodrow Wilson, the man for whom Gloria Aday ’70 the great dam that tames the Tennessee River in Bucky Beaver ’64 the Shoals Area is named, said this about service to Andy Betterton ’75 others. As I refl ect upon the year, I am honored and Robbie Burdine ’12 Pat Burney ’88 thankful to have been given the opportunity to serve Anna Wilson Burnley ’97 my fellow University of North Alabama alumni. Stephanie Coleman ’82 I am excited to announce that we have Ryan ‘01 & Lisa ’00 Clayton completed our named Alumni Association room Mary Leigh Gilespie ’96 pledge in the Mitchell Burford Science and Clayton Grider ’08 Jordan Graham ’14 Technology Building ahead of schedule. In addition, Chase Hagood ’04 your Alumni Association will be naming an area Jan Hannah ’89 Aaron R. Irons ‘99 within the Collier Library, continuing our legacy of Will Hodges ’10 leaving lasting impressions upon the University of Jan Ingle ’85 North Alabama for generations to come. Savannah Liles ’11 Eric Kirkman ’97 & ’00 The Alumni Association will be hosting our outdoor dinner party Lions Under Justin McGill ’12 the Lights on September 28th. This unique culinary experience is set under the lights Jean McIntyre ’65 of the cobblestone paths adjacent to the Harrison Plaza fountain. If you have not Ana Fuller Pannell ’06 already purchased your tickets, please contact the Alumni Offi ce or visit the website Rod Sheppard ’98, ’04, & ’07 before they are sold out. This spring we had a wonderful Alumni Summit, we have Larry Softley ’89 & ’08 Katherine Fowler Stone ’02 & ’04 streamlined our online presence, and we have increased our Alumni Club activities. Linda Vaughan ’70 We have an exciting schedule of events for Homecoming, including the Alumni Awards Banquet, Jack Karnes Memorial Golf Tournament, reunions, parade, tailgate, UNA ALUMNI CLUB LEADERS and the homecoming football game. I hope you will “make time to take time” to come ALABAMA Birmingham • Chris Burrell ’02 home to UNA during this very special time of year. Shoals Area • Elaine Witt ’76 I am proud of the support our Alumni and Friends have given President Kitts Shoals Area • Larry Softley ’89 as it pertains to Project 208. The mission to obtain equitable funding for UNA is Decatur/Morgan County • Zac ’02 & Laura ’03 Richardson paramount. I am pleased of the progress that has been made thus far, obtaining a Huntsville • Laurentis Barnett ’03 6.12% increase in funding for the University. However, we must double down on Mountain Lakes • Stan Mannon ’85 Tuscaloosa • Jim Page ’01 our efforts and continue to make those in positions to affect change aware of this disparity. GEORGIA Atlanta • Carnette Johnson ’83 The fruits of our university are wonderful, but without growth and change, MISSISSIPPI our university will die on the proverbial vine. The addition of degree programs Central Mississippi • Kathy Fletcher ’74 and the creation of the Honors College, along with new and revitalized facilities, Tupelo Area • Keith Henley ’89 have allowed our university to produce some of the most talented and career-ready East Central Mississippi • Mike Thorn ’82 graduates ever. The University has the largest MBA program in the state of Alabama; TENNESSEE the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions boasts the highest NCLEX Memphis • Coleman Barron ’14 pass rate in Alabama; UNA offers Engineering Technology and Chemical Engineering Nashville • Jamie Ellis ’08 programs; 500 students major in Health, Physical Education and Recreation; and BAND ASSOCIATION doctoral programs are on the horizon. Jeff McCrary ’83 As the University continues to grow, it is important for my fellow alumni never GEOGRAPHY Jessie Baker ’12 to forget our university’s rich heritage, to remember how it was during your time spent here, and to be proud of the changes that continue to propel our university and SOCIAL WORK Stacy Lee ’01 its graduates to the top. I encourage you to share your UNA story with fellow alumni and friends, and to keep in mind that there is no better way to positively infl uence a BLACK ALUMNI Nikki Durr ’00 potential student or their family than by sharing your story.

Roar Lions! Aaron R. Irons ‘99 2017-2018 Alumni Association President

40 University of North Alabama Magazine | ALUMNI 2018 HOMECOMING SCHEDULE Thursday, October 11 NPHC Stroll Off ...... 7:00 p.m. Honors College Coffee Social ...... 9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. TICKET REQUIRED • Norton Auditorium Current Students, Alumni, Faculty and Friends of the Honors College University of North Alabama • Gunn Commons • Starbucks 14th Geography Alumni Conference ...... 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wesleyan Hall Homecoming Parade ...... 11:00 a.m. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT CONFERENCE • unagaa.org Downtown Florence Friday, October 12 Collier Library Archives Exhibit ...... 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Jack Karnes Memorial Golf Tournament ... 8:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. University of North Alabama • Collier Library Cypress Lakes Golf Course • 1311 E. 6th Street • Muscle Shoals REGISTRATION REQUIRED Golden Lions Reunion Class of 1968 ...... 12:00 p.m. 256.765.4201 • una.edu/alumni/homecoming Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of the Florence State College Class of 1968 University of North Alabama • Rogers Hall • Dining Room 14th Geography Alumni Conference ...... 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. REGISTRATION REQUIRED Wesleyan Hall Homecoming Matinee: Alumni Awards Banquet ...... 6:00-8:00 p.m. Disney’s “Christopher Robin” ...... 1:00 p.m. Guillot University Center • Banquet Halls Doors Open at 12:30 p.m. • Limited Seating REGISTRATION REQUIRED Guillot University Center • Performance Center 256.765.4201 • una.edu/alumni/homecoming Tailgating ...... 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. UNA Soccer vs. Jacksonville...... 7:00 p.m. Braly Stadium • Spirit Hill & Spirit Quad • Florence TICKET REQUIRED • UNA Soccer Field/Practice Field Lion Walk...... 4:00 p.m. Pep Rally ...... 9:00 p.m. Royal Avenue to Braly Stadium • Florence UNA Soccer Field/Practice Field Saturday, October 13 Pre-Game Show ...... 5:20 p.m. FOOTBALL GAME TICKET REQUIRED • Braly Stadium • Florence Homecoming 5K ...... 8:00 a.m. University of North Alabama • Harrison Fountain UNA Football vs. Mississippi College ...... 6:00 p.m. REGISTRATION REQUIRED TICKET REQUIRED • Braly Stadium • Florence SGA Past Officer’s Breakfast ...... 8:00 a.m. Guillot University Center • Loft Office of Alumni Relations • 256.765.4201 REGISTRATION REQUIRED REGISTER ONLINE AT UNA Athletic Hall of Fame ...... 9:00 a.m. una.edu/alumni/homecoming Guillot University Center • Performance Center

Fall 2018 41 UNIVERSITY TAPS ALUMNUS KIRKMAN ’97 FOR DIRECTOR OF KILBY LABORATORY SCHOOL POSITION

Dr. Eric Kirkman ’97, former “From there, I want to tap into the Sheffield Junior High principal, is the new stakeholders and get their input regarding director of Kilby Laboratory School. some goals for the upcoming year. I desire Kirkman replaced Dr. Chris James to have my finger on the pulse of the June 1. James, who has served as the school culture and then plan accordingly,” Kilby director for three years, was he said. recently named associate professor in the Kirkman said he also has some College of Education. changes in mind as well. Kirkman has spent the last 19 years “I would like to make some cosmetic in education and said he looks at this new changes to the building to add some position as an opportunity to maximize school colors and ‘UNA Spirit’ to the his talents. Kilby campus,” he said. “I also would like “This position is great, because not to establish a leadership council out of only am I getting to work with school- the student body to not only serve as the age students, but college students as ‘student council’ for the school, but to well,” said Kirkman. “I now get to engage also serve as student ambassadors.” all facets of my passions as I work with Kirkman said he plans to use the young students and aspiring educators oversight and proximity to UNA as a alike. This will all be accomplished at way to reach out to the University to my alma mater, which has done so much create opportunities for Kilby students to for me and my career as an educator and engage in service activities as they learn active community member.” more about the various departments and Kirkman said first steps included colleges on campus. becoming familiar with the current Kilby “I want to connect Kilby to the budget and academic programs, the University as much as possible and the schedule and what resources will be at his community,” Kirkman said. disposal.

42 University of North Alabama Magazine | ALUMNI FEATURE Kirkman ’97 AS A MEMBER OF THE MARCHING BAND

HOMECOMING ALUMNI AWARDS 2018 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Mr. Joel Anderson ’15 Florence, AL ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR Dr. David Sunseri ’98 Nashville, TN EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Dr. Lisa Graves-Minor ’80 Tuscumbia, AL POLITICAL SERVICE The Honorable Chris Jackson ’11 Loretto, TN FACULTY/STAFF SERVICE Dr. Matthew Schoenbachler ’89 Florence, AL COMMUNITY SERVICE Ms. Carnette Robinson Johnson ’83 Snellville, GA MILITARY SERVICE CPT John Morgan ’91 Harker Heights, TX FRIEND OF THE UNIVERSITY Mr. Bill Matthews Killen, AL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME Mr. Jerry Hill ’81 Football 1977-80 Ms. Jessica Liddy Wallace ’07 Softball 2004-07 Ms. Emry McKay Bryan ’07 Cross Country 2004-06 Travel with the Lions! Mr. Carl Wilmer Basketball 1990-91 una.edu/alumni/travel

Fall 2018 43 CLASS NOTES

graduated with Bachelor of Will Sites ’95 was the Rivas has served as principal 19 60s Science and Master of Arts recipient of the Governor’s and chief investment officer at degrees. Award for Excellence in Allied Orion Group and plans Robert McKenzie ’62 Education for Lincoln to spearhead the company’s was recently inducted into Wes Sigler ’88 has been University. Sites is an assistant vision with his new role. Rivas the Colbert County Sports named CEO of the University professor of journalism at the graduated with a bachelor’s Hall of Fame. McKenzie of Mississippi Medical Center- university. He graduated with degree and a Master of was a celebrated player in Grenada and UMMC Holmes a bachelor’s in Communication Business Administration basketball, baseball and track. County. Sigler graduated Arts in Journalism. degree. He graduated with a Bachelor with a Bachelor of Science in of Science in Secondary Accounting. Stephen Porter ’96 has Education in History. been named the new Athens 20 00s Ruth Ann Holt ’89 & ’91 High School Band Director. Charles Pate ’67 recently was named vice president Porter recently served as the Rich Curtis ’00 served as published a book on the Civil for student affairs over all Hanceville High School Band the juror for the 20th annual War. An ROTC graduate, he Columbia State Community Director. He graduated from All-Media Student Exhibition began research at the National College locations. Holt UNA with a bachelor’s degree hosted by VSU. Curtis Archives in 1977 while graduated with a Bachelor of in Music Performance. reviewed over 150 works and stationed in Washington, D.C. Arts degree in English. chose around 60 to include in Since then he has published Dr. Barclay Key ’97 is the exhibition. Curtis serves over 150 articles and three Anne Whitaker ’89 has currently a professor of as assistant professor of art earlier books, primarily on U.S. been selected as a member American History at the at Thomas University. He military small arms. of the Board of Directors for University of Arkansas in graduated with a Bachelor of Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Little Rock. He recently Fine Arts in Painting. a leading global specialty presented a discussion of the pharmaceutical company. Oregon Plan along with other Deborah Kenyon ’01 19 70s Whitaker has over 25 years of historical Arkansas events. Key has been hired as the new experience in pharmaceuticals Ron Russell ’71 was graduated with a Bachelor of principal of Tanner High and graduated with a Bachelor inducted into the Colbert Science in History. School. Kenyon has been County Sports Hall of Fame of Science in Chemistry. an educator for the last 17 for his work on fitness Dr. Eric Kirkman ’97 was years. Most recently, she development programs. selected as director of the served as assistant principal of Russell graduated with a 19 90s Kilby Laboratory School. He Tanner High School. Kenyon Bachelor of Science. has 19 years of experience as graduated with a Master of Mike Elkins ’90 has an educator, and previously Arts in Education from UNA in Dr. Ann Roy-Moore ’75 been elected to serve served as principal of 2001. has been named as the two years on the Alabama Sheffield Junior High School Dwight Watson ’01 new Montgomery County Retail Association’s Board in Sheffield, Alabama. Dr. serves as assistant women’s superintendent, after serving of Directors. Elkins serves Kirkman earned a Bachelor of basketball coach at Randolph as the interim superintendent. as president of Unclaimed Music Education in 1997. –Macon College in Virginia. Roy-Moore previously Baggage Center in Dr. Mark Laughlin Randolph-Macon has acquired served as superintendent as Scottsboro. He has served as ’98 assisted Snead State a spot in the NCAA Division Huntsville City Schools. She president of this well-known Community College Music III Tournament, with Watson’s graduated with a Master of Alabama company for the past Department by serving as the help, after winning the Old Science in Education. five years. Elkins graduated guest pianist in the college’s Dominion Athletic Conference with a bachelor’s in Finance. annual jazz showcase as Championship. Watson well as the leader of the Brent Turpen ’91 & ’94 graduated with a Bachelor of 19 80s intermediate improvisation Science. has joined Pinnacle Financial Partners as a financial class of the college’s clinic. Glenda Colagross ’83 Dr. Chris James ’02 analyst. Turpen graduated Laughlin graduated with a & ’90 has been named has been named associate with Bachelor of Science bachelor of music degree in president of Northwest- professor of instructional and Master of Business piano performance. Shoals Community College. leadership in the UNA College Administration degrees. Colagross has over 25 years Ricardo Rivas ’99 was of Education. For the last of experience in Alabama’s named as chief executive three years, Dr. James has two-year college system. She officer at Allied Orion Group. served as the director of the

44 University of North Alabama Magazine | CLASS NOTES Kilby Laboratory School. Dr. James earned a Master of Arts in Education in 2002.

James Moore ’02 was selected to serve as Head Football Coach at East Lawrence High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation.

Jonlee Sasser ’09 has been hired at Clay-Chalkville High School as the assistant football coach. He recently served as assistant football coach at Cullman High School.

Stephenie T. Smith ’09 & ’14 was recently selected a “Sweet 16” finalist for Alabama Teacher of the Year, one of eight secondary teachers represented in her SPRING COMMENCEMENT FEATURES district. She was previously selected as Teacher of the FLORIDA STATE SENATOR Year for Buckhorn Middle School as well as in Madison and City Schools. Alumna Annette Taddeo ‘92

Mitch Hill ’08 has been University of North by becoming the first Latina announced as the head Alabama alumna and Democrat to serve in the baseball coach at Martin Florida State Sen. Annette Florida Senate. Methodist College in Pulaski, Taddeo ’92, was the featured However, her Florida Tennessee. He previously commencement speaker beginnings were much more held the position of head at the University of North humble. Taddeo worked hard baseball coach at Alabama Alabama spring graduation to learn English and earn A&M University. Hill graduated ceremonies. admission to college. She was with a Bachelor of Science in Born to an American able to pay for school through Health, Physical Education, World War II and Korean Pell grants and waiting tables, and Recreation. War fighter pilot and a and ultimately turned her Colombian mother, Annette experience into a business. Taddeo’s family fled an After helping her parents 20 10s unstable Colombia when rebuild their home in Perrine she was 17 and relocated in the wake of Hurricane Traci Hite ’12 has been hired as Regional to Miami to build a better life. That decision Andrew, Taddeo set out to build her own Promotional Manager at would prove to be a life changer in many business, providing translation services. Word Entertainment. Hite ways for Taddeo, culminating in her most Today, Language Speak provides translations recently worked at Capitol recent election. in more than 240 languages and has been Christian Music Group. She On Sept. 26, 2017, Taddeo was elected named one of the top 100 small businesses graduated with a degree in Florida State Senator for District 40. This in Florida, and one of the top 500 small Communication Arts. was the first time in Florida’s history that a businesses in the United States. Democrat had flipped a seat from red to blue Taddeo is the wife of Dr. Eric Goldstein in a special election. She also made history and mom to their 11-year-old daughter, Sofia.

Fall 2018 45 IN MEMORY Years Unidentified Jane Gunter 1970s October 24, 1921 – August 26, 2016 Patrick Mark Bridges Joyce Maples ’70 March 12, 1950 – April 21, 2018 William G. Huddleston January 29, 1947 – April 7, 2018 April 4, 1949 – October 6, 2015 Diane Caffee Ramon Navarro Sharbutt ’72 1956 – April 28, 2018 Noel Moore November 28, 1945 – February 15, 2015 November 24, 1925 – December 6, 2006 Raymond Kirby McCraney Rayford C. Henry ’73 November 5, 1945 – 2018 Faculty and Staff August 7, 1913 – December 17, 1996 Dennis Papczynski Raymond Marshall Emanuel Carmon P. Coker ’74 July 7, 1948 – March 28, 2018 November 28, 1945 – April 10, 2018 October 26, 1951 – April 5, 2018 Amy Wright Ricks Charles Looser, Jr. ’77 May 16, 1925 – May 21, 2018 1940s August 6, 1927 – April 25, 2014 Orval Pounders Kathleen Thompson ’40 May 16, 2018 May 16, 1920 – March 2018 1980s Sandy Bell ’81 Roger Wayne Miller Floy B. Strange ’49 October 20, 1955 – March 25, 2018 May 18, 2018 September 26, 1925 – December 22, 2017 Shirley McDowell ’82 Gabriel Allen Williams 1950s March 11, 1960 – April 17, 2018 April 10, 1972 – July 7, 2016 Barbara Wade Cox ’50 Kent Lenox ’82 Margaret Manuel McLaurin November 29, 1928 – March 31, 2018 August 13, 1959 – May 15, 2016 February 28, 2018 Sarah Alice Carter ’50 Greer Marise Slade ’82 Carl Thomas Faires November 2, 1928 – March 12, 2018 August 16, 1947 – March 13, 2018 September 28, 1938 – June 23, 2018 Howard Roberts ’54 Commella Dean Simmons Jones ’88 Friends of the University July 15, 1929 – March 6, 2018 December 24, 1924 – September 9, 2010 Roy L. Maner Joe Brewer ’55 Christopher Vann Grissett ’87 April 11, 1929 – January 4, 2018 January 4, 1930 – March 27, 2018 July 18, 1964 – October 1, 2016 James Carson Triplett Connie Gene Creel ’58 May 20, 1930 – March 30, 2018 December 4, 1930 – November 14, 2016 1990s Steven Roger Kroes ’91 George M. VanSant Charles Herbert Jackson ’58 April 22, 1968 – April 18, 2018 September 2, 2017 February 12, 2018 Ray Curtis Taylor ’95 Betty H. VanSant Harvey D. Wickware ’59 May 4, 1954 – April 23, 2018 July 30, 1930 – July 17, 2016 September 20, 1932 – May 28, 2017 Betty Jean Willerton ’95 Dorothy M. Pinkard 1960s December 13, 1944 – July 5, 2017 April 6, 1927 – January 7, 2016 Frank Fleming ’62 Amy Beth Evans Wampler ’98 Richard Butler June 17, 1940 – March 18, 2018 January 27, 1976 – April 29, 2018 June 22, 2006 Patricia Ann Smith ’62 Robert B. Leo ’95 Richard Alan Scott July 20, 1941 – December 18, 2015 January 13, 1949 – January 9, 2006 May 2, 1935 – August 23, 2010 Doyle Wayne Friel ’64 Ruth W. Warren August 25, 1939 – May 4, 2010 2000s May 27, 1927 – October 20, 2017 James Kenneth Scott, Sr. ’64 Ashley Ranae Hobson ’04 William B. Watson, Jr. November 4, 1941 - June 16, 2018 January 30, 1980 – April 30, 2018 December 1, 1946 – February 5, 2012 Vernon S. Brown, Jr. ’67 2010s William F. Waldkirch 2018 May 7, 1923 – February 25, 2017 Leila Phillips ’10 Helen Tittle ’68 August 13, 1957 – April 14, 2018 Judith K. Tricoli March 24, 1928 – November 2, 2010 May 5, 1943 – June 21, 2010 William Gary Clark ’69 Bartolomeo Tricoli February 20, 2018 March 13, 1925 – April 22, 2016 Mary W. Morrison ’69 William B. Campbell July 12, 1934 – July 18, 2013 February 20, 1932 – June 11, 2014 Margaret Hunter December 14, 2016

46 University of North Alabama Magazine | IN MEMORY EXCERPTS from the ARCHIVES

Students from the State Normal School participate in the Florence Centennial Pageant on a stage constructed on campus for that event. Founded on March 12, th 1818, Florence is celebrating HAPPY BIRTHDAY, its bicentennial with a 200 number of special events. CITY of FLORENCE! One of the major events for the city’s centennial celebration held August 8-10, 1918 was a Centennial Pageant and Masque presented on the State Normal School campus. The pageant was written by faculty member, Susan K. Vaughn and staged by Cora Bell Morse of New York. The music was performed by Memoli’s band of Birmingham. The pageant involved 200 players. It was staged at the location of today’s UNA Memorial Amphitheater. The lay of the land formed a natural amphitheater and the capacity to seat an audience of 5000 above the cove. A wooden stage was erected for the event and served as the campus stage until the completion of the current amphitheater in 1934. The pageant concluded with a ball, which the players attended in costume. Proceeds benefi ted the Red Cross.

Fall 2018 47 LION TRACKS LEAVE YOUR TRACKS ON A LIVING TRADITION The University of North Alabama has made great football or other sport, band, SGA, etc.). The cost of each impressions on the lives of many alumni and friends of 4-by-8-inch brick is $100, which includes three lines of text at the University. Now, you have the opportunity to leave a a maximum of 20 characters per row. All proceeds from brick permanent mark on campus with an engraved brick. Help orders will benefi t the 1830 Fund, which supports immediate further the mission of UNA with your contribution. campus needs. Bricks are laid in one of two primary locations, the Victory Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to commemorate and Flame Garden and The Commons walkway. Each marker celebrate your personal contribution to the rich tradition of can feature the graduate’s name, year of graduation, specifi c excellence that has fl ourished and thrived at UNA since 1830. major or extracurricular activity (fraternity or sorority affi liation, Your gift is 100 percent tax deductible. Give a gift that stands the test of time! PERFECT FOR: Graduation • Birthdays • Holidays

CONTACT Offi ce of Alumni Relations • UNA Box 5075 • Florence, AL 35632-0001 • 256.765.5080

ALUMNI INFORMATION UPDATE Name (include maiden name if applicable)

Graduation Year(s) and Major(s)

Address

City State Zip

Home telephone E-mail address

Business telephone Position I want to get involved with UNA alumni in my area... Local Club Development Homecoming Alumni Committee Assignment Mentoring Athletic Events Board Member Recruit Students Reunions Have you won an award, changed jobs, earned a promotion or completed another degree? Your UNA classmates would like to know more about it! Send us your news and we will publish it in a subsequent issue of the University of North Alabama Magazine. Please complete the form and send it to the Office of Alumni Relations, UNA Box 5047, Florence, AL 35632-0001 or e-mail to [email protected]. una.edu/alumni UPDATE YOUR RECORDS

48 University of North Alabama Magazine

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PRESORTED U.S. POSTAGE PAID UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED