Outstanding Young Baylor Alumni To Be Recognized At Pigskin

October 20, 2004

by Judy H. Prather

The Baylor Alumni Association will honor four Baylor graduates with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award during Pigskin Revue at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at Waco Hall.
The honorees include Jodi Arnold of New York City, Dr. Samuel "Dub" Oliver of Waco, James (Jim) Springfield of Harlingen, and Wendi Foy Green of Franklin, Tenn.
Arnold graduated from Baylor in 1988 with a BS degree in fashion design and now has her own fashion line in New York City, employing 12 people and selling to 200 stores worldwide. Arnold moved to New York the day after graduation and was first employed by Simplicity Patterns and then as an assistant designer with Danskin. Arnold debuted with her own line, Mint, in the spring of 2000, and was honored with the Young Designer Award by the American Cotton Council. Her clothes have been worn by celebrities such as Cameron Diaz and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Oliver graduated from Baylor in 1987 with a BS in education. He returned to Baylor in 1992 as director of student activities, after earning two graduate degrees at Texas A&M University. In 1999, he was named associate dean for student life and currently serves as dean for student development. Oliver, who also teaches courses at Baylor, has twice received the outstanding professor award from Mortar Board. He is currently interim pastor of Canaan Baptist Church in Crawford. He and his wife, Susie, have one daughter, Callie.
Springfield earned the BBA degree from Baylor in 1987 and a master's in health care administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He worked at Hermann Hospital in Houston before joining Valley Baptist Health System in Harlingen in 2001. After serving two years as the executive vice president and chief operating officer, he was named president and CEO in 2003. The American College of Healthcare Executives chose him an "Emerging Leader" and honored him with a "Regents Award," and they recently named him "Young Healthcare Executive of the Year." Springfield and his wife, Teri, live in Harlingen with their four children.
Green graduated from Baylor in 1986 with a degree in radio-television. She produced her first solo album, Finders Keepers, in 1988, and then founded the Christian music trio Sierra. The group's debut album set sales records for the label Star Song. They hosted a television program and recorded five albums, with nine number-one hits on the Christian Music charts and 10 other songs in the top five, before disbanding in 2001. Green is married to record producer Brian Green, and they have two children.
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is given annually by the Baylor Alumni Association to recognize professional achievement and distinguished service to Baylor by alumni 40 years old or younger.
For more information contact Cheryl Allen of the Baylor Alumni Association at (254) 710-1121 or (800) BAYLOR-U, option 6.