Class Notes
'36
Ana Maria Ramirez, '36, a registered nurse who cared for indigent children in Laredo, TX, during her lifelong nursing career, was honored during a May ceremony celebrating Nurses Week at Texas A&M International University. Ramirez received the Crystal Cantú Pioneer Award from the Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. She attended Baylor before transferring to the Sisters of Mercy Nursing Program in Laredo. Ramirez worked as a nurse for Mercy Hospital and later at the Laredo Health Department as the director of pediatric cardiology until her retirement in 1982.
'47
Dr. Robert R. Debes, BS '47, MA '49, DDS '53, of Houston, has published his second book on the oral and maxillofacial training program at UT Health Science Center at Houston. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/ The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston is a sequel to his first, Looking Back, which was published in 1999. Debes is a clinical professor at the UT-Houston School of Dentistry, where he has been on faculty since 1956.
'50
Floyd Brantley, BBA '50, of Conway, AR, a WWII veteran who served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater, attended the Victory in Europe 70th Anniversary at the National World War II Memorial event in Washington, D.C., on May 8. Brantley entered the Navy in 1944 and served as a medic during the war on an island near Australia. He went back to high school and then Baylor, where he was in AFROTC. He then entered the Air Force, where he became a captain by the end of the Korean War. Later, at age 49, he resigned his commission in order to enter the Arkansas Air National Guard, serving as a senior master sergeant before earning enough points to retire as an Air Force captain.
Fred Sain, BA '50, MA '59, celebrated his 65th year as pastor of Prairie Hill Baptist Church in Prairie Hill, TX.
William Tolar, BA '50, MA '56, played football for Baylor and earned two advanced degrees from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth. He taught for 10 years in the Baylor religion department and 40 years at Southwestern Seminary. For the past nine years, Tolar has been an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University, where he recently received the Tom Landry Leadership Award. He has also been honored as a distinguished alumnus of both Baylor and Southwestern. Contact at 3570 Cromart Ct. North, Fort Worth, TX 76133.
'51
James E. "Jim" Williamson, BS 151, was a fighter pilot in the Air Force, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He retired as a colonel in 1979 after flying over 600 combat missions. He later was a science teacher and coach in Irving, TX. Williamson and his wife of 54 years, Ann, recently enjoyed from a 15-day cruise through the Panama Canal. They have four children: David, Ruth, Linda (Williamson) Kirby, BA '83, and Robbie (Williamson) Pape, BA '86. Contact at 5414 Drumlin Field Way, Richmond, TX 77407 or pilotjim@aol.com".
'52
Ida Jean Tyer, BA '52, of Belfast, ME, writes, "My husband, Dr. Charles L. Tyer, BA '52, MA '55, (deceased in 2003) was a grader for Dr. Eddie Dwyer in 1952, and the last time we were on campus was in 2000. We saw the Dwyers at their home and went around campus with them. They were the last of either of our professors. Mrs. Velma Dwyer was a love."
’56
Mabry Collins, BA '56, retired in 2000 after 35 years as pastor from the First Baptist Church of Hamilton, GA. He recently retired as a licensed professional counselor in a clinical setting in Columbus, GA, where he worked with adults and soldiers with PTSD. Upon his church retirement, the Georgia House of Representatives passed the following commendation, H.R. No. 9038: "Now be it resolved...that the members of this body recognize and commend the Rev. Mabry A. Collins for his dedicated services as pastor and convey to him their respect and admiration and the best wishes for health and happiness in his retirement." Collins now volunteers and continues ministry work.
'57
Bob Lewis, BA '57, of Big Spring, TX, who goes by the name Tumbleweed Smith on his syndicated radio program and newspaper column, won a Gold Award of Excellence from the Communicator Awards, which received 6,000 entries, making it the largest and most prestigious award of its kind. He will receive a gold statuette made by R.S. Owens, producer of the Oscar and Emmy awards. Lewis was recognized for an audio documentary he produced for the Texas Jewish Historical Society titled Texas Jews Go to Cuba, based on a humanitarian trip the group took to the island nation last year.
'58
Jane (Sanderford) Potter, BS '58, is in her sixth year as trustee of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Contact at skilope@gmail.com.
'63
June Shipper, BMEd '63, MM '71, of Waco, retired this spring as second chair violinist of the Waco Symphony Orchestra after 52 years. Shipper, 72, is the WSO's longest-tenured player and will step down after the last concert of the season. She retired as Waco ISD’s orchestra instructor in 2000.
'66
Diane Patrick Elementary will open fall 2015 in Arlington (TX) ISD. The new school is named for Dr. Diane (Porter) Patrick, BA '66, in recognition of her lifetime dedication to education and her community. With 24 years of elected public service, including the Arlington School Board and the Texas State Board of Education, she recently retired after serving four terms as District 94 State Representative. Patrick has returned to her professorial role at the University of Texas at Arlington, and she is an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University. She is married to Dr. Ned Patrick, BS '66, DDS '71. The Patricks will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 20. Their family includes their children Craig Patrick, BA '92, JD '96, and Claire and seven grandchildren. Contact at patrick.diane@tx.rr.com or 4000 Shady Valley Ct., Arlington, TX 76013.
'71
Paul Armes, BA '71, president of Wayland Baptist University, will retire effective June 30, 2016. Armes became Wayland's 12th president in 2001. Under Armes' leadership, Wayland’s annual budget grew from $28 million to $68 million, its endowment grew from $31 million to $76 million, and the school added multiple graduate-level academic programs. Wayland reached a record enrollment, 6,834, in 2012. Armes earned master of divinity and doctor of philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He completed post-graduate studies in educational administration at Southwest Texas State University.
Stan Moser, BA '71, of Brentwood, TN, has authored We Will Stand: The Real Story Behind the Songs, Artists, & Executives that Built the Contemporary Christian Music Industry (CCM United, 2015, 233 pages). A Christian music industry veteran and founder of CCM United, Moser recollects on the groups such as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys and countless others. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at how CCM has grown in popularity and has impacted many lives today.
'74
Documentary filmmaker Kirby Warnock, BA '74, of Dallas, has led an effort to honor blues musicians and brothers Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan with an art piece in Dallas' Kiest Park. In May, the City of Dallas approved $142,000 in funding, with the rest coming from the Oak Cliff Foundation and funds raised by Warnock. The city hopes to select an artist for the project by September. Warnock wrote, produced and directed the 2013 film When Dallas Rocked, among others.
'75
Ace Collins, BA '75, has had a book, The Color of Justice (Abington Press, 2014, 320 pages), won a 2015 Christy Awards honoring excellence in Christian fiction. Collins' book was recognized in the suspense category. He has written more than 60 books. His latest title is Hollywood Lost.
'76
Roy Moran, BA '76, has authored a new book, Spent Matches: Lighting the Fire for the Spiritually Dissatisfied (Thomas Nelson, 2015, 241 pages). Moran explores the possibility that a few small paradigm shifts within the church might make the difference between extinction and effectiveness. Contact at roy.moran@shoalcreek.org.
John Eddie Williams Jr., BBA '76, JD '78, a successful attorney and managing partner at Williams Kherkher Law Firm in Houston, is Pasadena (TX) ISD's 2015 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Williams is a generous supporter of the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation. He and his wife, Sheridan, have long been loyal supporters of Baylor University, where John Eddie was 2012 Alumnus of the Year. The couple is active in donating to research at MD Anderson and Memorial Hermann hospitals as well as the Houston Chronicle Goodfellows fund.
'77
Jennifer House, BSEd '77, was named 2015 Librarian of the Year for Dallas ISD. An educator since 1978, House taught kindergarten and was a reading coach at Stevens Park Elementary before becoming the school librarian more than 10 years ago. Along the way, she learned Spanish to better communicate with students and to serve as an ESL teacher.
'78
Paul Basden, BA '78, of Frisco, TX, edited and contributed to a book of meditations on classic prayers, titled Encountering God in the Prayers of Others (Parsons Porch Books, 2014, 110 pages). Dr. J. Bradley Creed, BA '79, and Dr. Gary Furr, PhD '85, also contributed. Contact at paul@prestontrail.org.
Sally (Rutledge) Moore, BA '78, has a Christian blog, feverseason.com, that discusses current events and Biblical end-time happenings. Contact at misssally65@gmail.com or P.O. Box 806 Lake City, CO 81235.
'80
Mark Harren, BBA '80, a CPA at Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP in Waco, completed the Bank Administration Institute Loan Review Certificate Program, which only 1,000 people in the U.S. have done. Harren is the partner-in-charge of the Financial Institutions Division. He joined the firm in 2003.
Lisa Lowry Schwartz, BA '80, was reelected to a second two-year term as chairman of the Spring Branch Education Foundation in Spring Branch (TX) ISD. She also chaired the Houston Theta Charity Antiques Show, which raised funds for nine local charities. Featured speakers were Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush, both Thetas, and many Baylor Thetas volunteered. Schwartz and her husband Bill also welcomed their first grandchild, Archer King Marrs, on Nov. 12, 2014. His parents are Travis, '08, and Brittany (Schwartz) Marrs, BA '08. Contact Lisa at 13303 Pebblebrook Dr., Houston, TX 77079 or lisaleeschwartz@comcast.net.
'81
Michael Doyle, BBA '81, has been named vice president and business development officer of the newest branch of First Business Financial Services Inc., set to open in San Antonio. Doyle has been active in the financial services industry for 28 years, focusing on asset-based lending. Most recently, he opened the First Business Capital Corp. Denver office in 2011.
'82
David Fuller, BBA '82, MBA '83, is now president of the SunTrust Foundation, which contributes to the social, cultural and economic development of communities across the company’s markets. Fuller began his banking career in 1983 and joined SunTrust in 2004. In 2009, Fuller was recognized by Treasury and Risk Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Finance. In 2014, he was recognized as an Orlando Business Journal CEO of the Year honoree.
Jeffery L. McLain, BA '82, has been named Kent State University's vice president for institutional advancement. Previously, McLain served as senior vice president of the LSU Foundation. The Division of Institutional Advancement includes the offices of advancement and alumni relations as well as the Kent State University Foundation. Prior to joining LSU in 2005, McLain was associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement for the Texas Tech University System. He also spent 15 years at the University of Texas at Austin, directing alumni relations and giving programs.
Pam Rast, BSEd '82, MSEd '83, was inducted into the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame. Rast, who has served as the athletic training program director at Texas Wesleyan University for the past 21 years, won the most distinguished trainer award from the National Athletic Trainers Association, and the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association most distinguished athletic trainer award in 2012. Rast also was an athletic trainer at Clear Lake High School in Houston for eight years.
'83
Dr. Beth Haller, BA '83, a professor of journalism and new media at Towson University in Maryland, participated in the Fulbright Specialist Program in Australia in February-March. Haller's project, "Disability, the Media, and Digital Technology: Issues, Challenges, and Future Research," was related to her research on media portrayals of people with disabilities.
Richard A. Silfen, BA '83, of Philadelphia, has rejoined Duane Morris LLP as a partner in its Corporate Practice Group. He previously served as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of American Realty Capital Properties Inc., a commercial real estate investment trust based in Phoenix, AZ.
'84
Joe Cestari, BS '84, is now president of the Americas for Kinetic Systems Inc., based in Fremont, CA. Cestari has 30 years of high technology industry experience and recently served as president of Total Facility Solutions Inc. He is a director of Reno Subsystems Inc. and also serves on the Baylor University Engineering and Computer Science School Board of Advocates.
Troy Fore, BBA '84, MBA '85, of Fort Worth, president and CEO of 4Trust, is now president of First Financial Mortgage, the mortgage division of First Financial Bank, headquartered in Abilene, TX. Fore’s new title is the result of First Financial Bank's recent asset purchase agreement of 4Trust Mortgage Inc., which Fore started in 2000. He has 35 years of mortgage banking experience.
Maj. (U.S. Army Ret.) Glade Hamilton, MHA '84, became Governor of Rotary International District 5420 (encompassing the entire State of Utah) on July 1. He is executive director of Kolob Regional Care & Rehabilitation in Cedar City, UT, and he serves on the Board of Utah Health Care Association. Contact at gladerhamilton@msn.com.
Albert Navarro, BA '84, is now the presiding municipal court judge for the City of Bryan, TX. Navarro graduated from the University of Texas Law School and was licensed by the Texas State Bar in 1989. He has worked as a prosecutor and as an associate judge in the Bryan Municipal Court. Contact at anavarrolawfirm@gmail.com.
Dr. Cecil Taylor, PhD '84, was recently named emeritus professor of Christian studies by the University of Mobile, where he served 24 years as dean and professor of Christian studies. In retirement he continues to teach biblical studies online for Liberty University Seminary and on site for Wiley College, Marshall. Contact at 810 W. Pinecrest Dr., Marshall, TX 75670 or drcrt@aol.com.
'85
Cathey (Graham) Nickell, BA '85, authored a nonfiction book, Uniting Faith, Medicine and Healthcare: A 60-Year History of the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center. The book's release coincides with the 60th anniversary of this Houston non-profit. This is Nickell's first published work. She is married to Dr. Kevin Nickell, BA '84; they live in Houston and have four children.
Kathy (Wills) Wright, BSEd '85, MSEd '88, of Arlington, VA, has been appointed by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner to the National Women's History Museum Commission. Among its many charges, the Commission is tasked with determining the availability and cost of the Museum's collections and memorabilia; its impact on other related museums; its potential location; and its cost of construction and future operation.
'86
Lucy Karen Clay, BSEd '86, is the author of Charlotte Lives! : Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow and also Simplicity: Stories of His Love as written by Simplicity Moore. Since 1988, she has worked for literacy and education awareness and intervention for children and adults who learn differently. Clay is an advocate for those facing end of life decisions and a speaker on education and pro-life initiatives. Learn more at thesimplicityproject.org. Contact at P.O. Box 150752, Nashville, TN 37215 or lucyetl@aol.com.
Shannon Roberts, BA '86, was named executive director of the Dallas Historical Society. Roberts recently served as the executive director of the Santa Fe Children's Museum. She also was development director of the Resource Center, executive director of the Dallas Children's Museum when it merged with the Children's Museum at Perot Museum, and development director for Dallas Children’s Theater. Roberts is an MBA candidate at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business.
'87
Carolyn Oakes, BSEd '87, of Waukee, IA, is a junior high Bible studies teacher at Des Moines (IA) Christian School. The Urbandale (IA) Chamber of Commerce named her teacher of the year.
Stuart Spears, BA '87, was promoted to senior vice president and chief revenue officer for the Tennessee Titans football team. He has been with the organization for 28 years and has served most recently as vice president of business operations and sales. A native of Wilmington, DE, Spears and his wife, Joyce, reside in Franklin, TN. They have two sons, Wesley and Dustin.
'88
Limestone County (TX) attorney Roy DeFriend, BBA '88, JD '90, and the Limestone County District Attorney's office were given one of only two Director's Awards offered this year by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the prosecution of two men who caused injury to game wardens. Contact at roy.defriend@co.limestone.tx.us.
Haag Sherman, BBA '88, joined the U.S. Capital Advisors LLC board of directors. He is an experienced industry veteran and has a track record of building successful firms in asset and wealth management. Sherman is CEO of Tectonic Advisory. From 2002 to 2012, he co-founded and served in various executive capacities, including CEO and CIO, for Salient Partners LP, an investment firm with $17.5 billion in assets. Sherman is a certified public accountant and a member of the State Bar of Texas.
'89
Dr. Mary Hensley, EdD '89, is now district president of Blinn College's four campuses, including Bryan and Brenham, TX. She is the first woman to lead the district in the institutions 132-year history. Hensley previously served as executive vice president of College Operations for the Austin Community College District. She also has degrees from the Universities of Texas at Austin and El Paso, and holds elementary, counselor, supervisor, mid-management and superintendent certificates.
KariAnne Wood, BA '89, is the author of the award winning blog, Thistlewood Farms (thistlewoodfarms.com), recently featured in magazines such as Country Living, Redbook, Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Ideas and others. Wood lives with her husband and four children in Kentucky.
'90
Laura (Cole) Gosser, BS '90, writes, "I have been happily married to Jerry Nelson Gosser for 19 years. We have three beautiful children. We have twins, Grant and Hannah, who are 18 years old and their dream is to attend Baylor in 2016. We have another daughter, Hayley, who is 16 and plans to attend Baylor in 2017. They attend Prestonwood Christian Academy and we attend Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX. Sic 'em!" Contact at 2600 Avalon Dr., Lewisville, TX 75056 or laura.gosser@yahoo.com.
Steve Guillaume, BBA '90, has been promoted by Charlotte, MI-based Spartan Motors Inc. to president of the Specialty Chassis and Vehicles Business Unit. Guillaume joined Spartan Motors in January as vice president of New Business Development & Joint Ventures. Previously, Guillaume held senior leadership positions with Navistar, a manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Guillaume holds an MBA from Northwestern University.
Todd Hearon, BA '90, was named the Dartmouth Poet in Residence for 2015. He will live in Robert Frost's former home in Franconia, NH, for several months. Following his prize-winning first book of poetry, Strange Land, Hearn's second collection, No Other Gods, was published in March (Salmon Poetry, 2015, 86 pages). Also a dramatist and novelist, Hearon teaches at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH, where he lives with his wife, Maggie Dietz, and their twins, Lionel and Kempie. He is co-founder and artistic board member of The Bridge Theatre Company, Boston.
Leslie (Helms) Iler, BSEd '90, was named Teacher of the Year for Memorial High School in Houston and was also a finalist for the Spring Branch ISD Teacher of the Year. She is married to Jay Iler, BBA '85, JD '91. Their oldest son James will be a freshman at Baylor this fall. Contact at leslie.iler@earthlink.net.
'91
Patricia A. (Sherman) Bruce, BBA '91, JD '95, has joined the Austin office of the law firm of Husch Blackwell LLP. She joins as a senior counsel member of the firm’s Energy & Natural Resources team. She has 20 years experience advising on real estate law, and she assists oil and gas companies with real estate-related matters. Contact at Patricia.ShermanBruce@huschblackwell.com.
Kirsten M. Castañeda, BA '91, of Dallas, is now a partner at the Dallas office of Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend LLP, an appellate law firm. Previously, Castañeda was senior counsel in the Appellate and Class Action Practice Groups at Locke Lord LLP, in its Dallas office. Prior to joining Locke Lord in 1995, Castañeda served as briefing attorney for the Hon. John D. Ovard, former Justice of the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas. She earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University.
Dr. Jay M. Hudkins, BSEd '91, MA '92, an assistant professor of communication at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR, was promoted to associate professor, effective in fall 2015. Contact at jmhudkins@gmail.com or 4 Lilly Court, Little Rock, AR 72223.
Jeff Rose, BBA '91, has been elected Chief Justice of Texas' Third Court of Appeals, which hears civil and criminal appeals from a 24-county Central Texas region. Jeff and his wife Kim (Crawford) Rose, BBA '92, live in Austin with their three kids Will (14), Abby (13), and Ben (11). Contact at jeffrose.atx@gmail.com.
Paul Wilson, BBA '91, MBA '94, MTA '94, of Dallas, was promoted to CFO of Orix USA, a diversified financial services company. He previously served as chief accounting officer at ORIX USA, where he has worked since 2004 in various positions.
'92
Bryan Goodwin, BA '92, became president & CEO of McREL International, a nonprofit education research and consulting organization based in Denver, CO, that serves education systems across the U.S., Canada and Australia.
Artist and designer Kijsa Housman, BFA '92, had her work featured at city hall in Paducah, KY, as part of the 2015 Mayor's Art Club. Her artwork and home designs have been featured in several national magazines including Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion and Better Homes & Gardens. For more info about Housman and her new venture, Make, in downtown Paducah, visit kijsa.com.
Mike O'Quin Jr., BA '92, has released his first novel, Java Wake (Mantap Publishing, 332 pages), a travel-adventure novel set in Indonesia, where he served as a missionary for nearly 14 years with his wife, Stephanie Richart O’Quin, BA ’92. Contact at 8805 Ampezo Trail, Austin, TX 78749 or mikeandstepho@earthlink.net.
Mark W. Smith, BBA '92, MBA '93, of Houston, was appointed senior vice president and CFO for Atwood Oceanics Inc. He has responsibility for the company's global financial operations. Previously, Smith served as vice president, chief accounting officer and controller since May 2014. He joined the company in 2009.
'93
Amy (Younker) Rider, BA '93, of Highland Ranch, CO, was presented with the 2014 Charles A. Will Award, given to the person receiving their FALU (Fellow of the Academy of Underwriters) who has the highest average grade on their 4 ALU Education Program exams. Rider is the underwriting risk manager at Optimum Re Insurance Co., where she has worked for 20 years. She is president emeritus for the Rocky Mountain Society of Home Office Underwriters and is married to James Rider, BA '93. They have two daughters.
'95
Doug Cofer, BBA '95, MBA '96, founder and CEO of Four Columns, and Elise (Wasser) King, BS '08, an assistant professor of interior design in Baylor's Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, are involved in Creative Potluck, an organization to support downtown Waco arts and community growth. Cofer founded Four Columns in 2007 and recently relocated downtown to 100 6th St. Suite 100. Learn more at fourcolumns.net.
David Patterson, BBA '95, was named CEO of Falck Rocky Mountain in Aurora, CO. Falck is an emergency, assistance, safety and healthcare company providing services in 45 countries. The Rocky Mountain division will provide emergency ambulance service to the City of Aurora beginning Sept. 1. Serving as a paramedic since his time at Baylor, Patterson recently completed his term as the chair of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Dr. Jeff Potts, BA '95, is now president of Pantego Christian Academy in Arlington, TX. He holds an MA from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as his MEd from Columbia International University. He also completed his EdD from Liberty University. An entrepreneur with diverse business interests, Potts has served on both the staff and administration at Grapevine Faith Christian School since 1999.
Heather (Brisky) Webster, MS, '95, of The Woodlands, TX, is the owner of Webster Therapy Center. Her private clinic provides speech and occupational therapy for children and adults. From apraxia to voice, Webster enjoys working with all ages. She recently received training for feeding children with sensory deficits. "The best part of my career is helping the whole family!" she writes. Contact at heatherwebsterslp@live.com.
'96
Dr. Tonya Strickland, EdD '96, has been named provost of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC. She previously served as vice president for academic affairs and tenured professor of English at Bainbridge State College in Georgia. She recently completed a graduate certificate in biblical studies from New Orleans Theological Seminary. Strickland is the recipient of several awards, including a Georgia Governor's Commendation for Customer Service, a University System of Georgia Regents' Scholarship of Teaching and Learning award, and the Microsoft David R. Pierce Faculty Award from the American Association of Community Colleges for innovative use of technology in the classroom.
'98
Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal recognized two Baylor alumni with their 2015 "Forty Under 40" list. Colin Faulkner, BBA '98, is the Chicago Cubs' vice president for sales and partnerships. Faulkner worked his way up from an internship with the Waco Wizards (minor league hockey) to a vice president role with the Dallas Stars just six years after graduating from Baylor. He joined the Cubs in 2010. Ray DeWeese, MSEd '04, is general manager at Ohio State for IMG College, overseeing radio, TV, publishing, corporate partnership programs and more. DeWeese served as Baylor's director of athletic marketing from 2005-07 before heading to Ohio State. Only four schools--Harvard, Arizona State, Northwestern and Virginia--had more graduates honored than Baylor. The two Bears were the only representatives from the Big 12 and the state of Texas.
Kelly Parker, BFA '98, directed the Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" for Shakespeare on the Rock, June 5-6 in Salado, TX. Parker has been teaching at McLennan Community College for 10 years and currently resides in Salado. He holds an MFA from Texas Tech and has performed all over the country, including in New York and Los Angeles.
'01
Dr. Tracy (Holcomb) Goza, BA '01, of Magnolia, TX, has written and published a book, I Heart Heaven: A Psychotherapist's Biblical Validation For Near-Death Experiences (Credo House Publishers, 2015: 168 pages). She has researched and published academically on the topic of combat-related Near-Death Experiences and received the Diane K. Corcoran Award for Combat Veterans NDE Research. Learn more at drgoza.com.
'02
Matthew Flanigan, BBA '02, and Katie Kauppila, BA '03, were married Aug. 16, 2014, in Brentwood, TN. They celebrated with many Baylor friends from all over the country. The couple resides in Mt. Vernon, IL, where Matthew is a partner at Black, Hedin, Ballard, McDonald PC law firm, and Katie is a speech pathologist at Good Samaritan Hospital. Contact at 24 Wildwood Dr., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 or mflanigan@illinoisfirm.com.
Aimee L. Stone, JD '02, of Mansfield, TX, was honored at the Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 reception and dinner in May. She was recognized for her professional accomplishments and community involvement in the Tarrant County area. Stone is among 40 Tarrant County professionals chosen for the 2015 class, and the Fort Worth Business Press published profiles of the honorees. Contact at astone@shannongracey.com.
Holden Thomas, BBA '02, founder and CEO of Oak Mortgage Group in Dallas, was a 2015 Dallas Business Journal "40 under 40" honoree. In 2005, he founded the business, which has grown into a $10 million a year company. He was selected from 521 nominations. Thomas made National Mortgage Professional Magazine’s "40 under 40" list in 2012. Additionally, Holden has been a guest lecturer for Baylor's entrepreneurship program.
'03
Dr. Dolph Briscoe IV, BA '03, MA '06, of Austin, received his PhD in history from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. His mentor from Baylor, Dr. Michael Parrish, served on his dissertation committee. Briscoe writes he is deeply grateful to Dr. Parrish and the faculty of the Baylor Department of History for their support of him throughout the years.
'04
Matthew Robbins, BSEd '04, MSEd '06, of Dallas, is now vice president of Elevate Healthcare Consultants located in Plano, TX. They are a faith based, physician and allied healthcare recruitment company. Robbins has eight years of recruitment, marketing and leadership experience. At Baylor, Robbins was president of Pi Kappa Alpha, a strength and conditioning coach for Baylor Athletics, and a member of the National Champion Men's Baylor Rugby Club. Contact at matt.robbins@elevatehcc.com.
After more than 10 years with Accenture, Andy Wiltz, BBA '04, left as a senior manager to acquire Kansas City’s premier dog boarding, day care and grooming company, Woof's Play & Stay. He is also the owner of Blue River Holdings real estate investment company. He lives in Stilwell, KS, with his wife, Angie, and their two children, Sydney and Rhett.
'05
Joey Carona, BA '05, of Dallas, is now president of Associa, a role he is taking over from John Carona, his father and founder of the world's largest community association management firm. John, who recently retired from the Texas Senate, will continue to serve as chairman and CEO, while Joey will take on the title of president and COO. Joey Carona most recently served as the executive vice president. He serves as president of the company’s charitable organization, Associa Cares and is a board member to the Association of Professional Community Managers.
Joseph P. DeWoody, BBA '05, MBA ’06, president of Clear Fork Royalty, has been recognized by Maverick PAC as a Future 40 award winner. The Future 40 Award recognizes professionals deemed by their peers from across the country as current and future leaders in business and politics. Joseph and his wife, Kimberly (Kainer), BBA '05, MAcc '05, live in Fort Worth with their children William and Sarah Beth. Contact at jpd@clearforkrealty.com.
Neal King, BBA '05, of The Woodlands, TX, has joined The J. Beard Real Estate Company as an associate. King provides leasing, acquisition and disposition services across a variety of commercial property types in The Woodlands, Spring and Conroe areas. He has five years of experience in residential real estate. Prior to that, King managed the sales and operations for a multi-family construction services company in their Houston division.
Lt. Col. Les Maloney, PhD ’05, retired from the U.S. Army Reserve Chaplain Corps in December 2013 after 22 years of service. Maloney is now the education minister at the Kings Crossing Church of Christ in Corpus Christi, TX. He also works as a PRN chaplain for Christus Spohn Hospitals in Corpus Christi. Contact at 4957 High Meadow Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78413 or ldmmaloney@gmail.com.
Dr. Michael Soileau, BSEd '05, and Janiece Jung, BSEd '05, were married Sept. 6, 2014, in Spring Branch, TX. They reside in Belton, TX, where Michael is a neurologist with a specialty in movement disorders at Baylor Scott & White. Janiece will complete her masters in nursing in August 2015 in pursuit of being a pediatric nurse practitioner. They are expecting a baby boy to be born two days before their first anniversary.
'06
Dr. Walter Jackson, EdD '06, was named superintendent of schools in Brenham ISD, the first public school in Texas dating back to 1875. He is the first African- American to serve in this capacity. A native of Liberty, TX, Jackson was an area superintendent, high school principal and teacher over 21 years in Houston's Alief ISD. He is a recent graduate of the SUPES Academy of Chicago, a national executive training corps for urban superintendents.
Todd Pollock, BBA '06, MBA '14, oversees season ticket deposit sales for a prospective Las Vegas National Hockey League team owned by Bill Foley, who launched the ticket campaign in February to show NHL officials that Las Vegas is ready for big-league hockey. The NHL Board of Governors could vote on awarding a franchise to Foley in September. Pollock studied sports sponsorships and sales at Baylor, where an internship led to another with the NHL Kings, which eventually hired him for ticket sales before he worked for the San Francisco 49ers and IMG.
Tarra Thomas, BBA '06, married Evan Sharp on March 21 in Dallas. They are both management consultants and reside in Chicago.
'07
William T. McCunniff, BA '07, MD '12, MBA '12, was one of 12 U.S. family medicine resident physicians honored with the American Academy of Family Physicians Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education last fall in Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Kate (Bailey) McCunniff, BA '08, and their 2-year-old son, Wesley Thomas, reside in Waco where Bill will complete residency and begin work at the Baylor S&W Hillcrest Midway Clinic in August 2015.
Lindsey (Odem) Skinner, BBA '07, a CPA at Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP in Waco, recently passed the Certified Fraud Exam. Skinner joined the firm, where she is a manager in the Accounting and Business Consulting Division, in 2007.
'08
Richard A. Howell, JD '08, was named to the Super Lawyers-Rising Stars list by Thompson Reuters. He is a litigation associate at Jackson Walker, LLP in Houston.
Shelby (Twichell) Leonard, BA '08, married Sean Gregory Leonard on April 18 at the Lakeway Resort in Austin. Shelby is an event specialist for Gerson Lehrman Group, while Sean is art director for T3 in Austin.
'09
Brady O. Archambo, BBA '09, is a senior engineering manager of iOS at Slack Technologies Inc., has designed the company's app and developed it with the Apple for the Watch. He has worked on Glitch, the game, and previously he was a consultant with Pariveda Solutions. Archambo won the Venture Capital Award as a freshman at Baylor.
Laura Runkel, BBA '09, MTax '09, graduated on May 15 with her MBA from Rice University's Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business. She is currently an investment banking associate at Citigroup's Global Energy Group in Houston, but will be residing in New York City for work during the fall of 2015. She is also busy planning a January 2016 Houston wedding, Contact at laurarunkel@gmail.com.
'10
Dianna E. Anderson, MA '10, writer and manager of the blog, Faith and Feminism, has authored Damaged Goods: New Perspectives on Christian Purity (Jericho Books, 2015, 224 pages). She desires to help others reconcile their sexuality with their understanding of "what God wants," demonstrate how women are losing in the purity discussion, and offer a healing path for women to understand their sexuality.
Christian Brown, BBA '10, has joined Houston Ballet's senior management team as director of marketing and public relations. Brown will be responsible for coordinating all of Houston Ballet communications strategies and overseeing the company’s marketing, public relations and ticketing services departments.
Julián González, MDiv '10, who is finishing his PhD at the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, has accepted a joint appointment at Church Divinity School of the Pacific and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. A member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Colombia native earned a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cali, Colombia, in 2006 and worked as a software engineer for Shell Oil in Colombia.
Jenalee Schwab, BS '10, earned a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy in Omaha, NE, on May 9. "I am headed back to Texas to be a pharmacy manager with Target in Harker Heights, TX. I am looking forward to getting back to cheer on my Bears!" she writes. Contact at jenaleeschwab@gmail.com.
'11
Katie Jo Baumgardner, BA '11, and Justin Luningham, BA '09, were married Jan. 2 in Kansas City, MO. The wedding included several Baylor elements, including their Baylor Line jerseys and bear cake toppers. The Luninghams spent 2011-12 teaching English in the Baylor in Thailand program and attended graduate school at the University of Notre Dame. Justin is a PhD student in quantitative psychology, and Katie Jo completed her law degree in May. Katie Jo will begin work with the Kansas City office of Husch Blackwell in September. She also received the Burton Distinguished Legal Writing Award, one of the highest national awards for student legal writing, for her paper "Resisting Rulemaking: Challenging the Montana Settlement's Title IX Sexual Harassment Blueprint" that was published last year in the Notre Dame Law Review. At Baylor, Katie Jo was an undergraduate assistant to President and Chancellor Ken Starr.
Glenn Brann, BSEd '11, married Julie O’Connell on June 7. "We will be moving to Arizona where she will be working through a dental residency, and I will be teaching sixth-grade grade science," he writes.
Krissy LittleStar, BA '11, of Boerne, TX, married Nicholas Hearn, on March 7.
Valori Waggoner, BA '11, graduated this May as a doctor of optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry. She is excited to be returning to Central Texas as an associate at Belton Eye Care in Belton, TX.
Tiffany Wesley, BSEd '11, a former Baylor softball player, graduated from the LSUHSC School of Medicine in New Orleans. She will complete her residency in internal medicine at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge, LA.
Kari Whatley, BS '11, graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine on May 30 and started her residency in psychiatry at LSU-Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge, LA, in July. "I have my excellent premedical education at Baylor to thank for my success! Sic 'em!" she writes. Contact at kariyakichicken@gmail.com.
'12
Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro, PhD '12, assistant professor of English at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI, has authored his first book, Loving God's Wildness: The Christian Roots of Ecological Ethics in American Literature (The University of Alabama Press, 2015, 240 pages). The book fills a gap in literary criticism and environmental studies by offering an argument regarding how Christian theology has had a profound and enduring legacy in shaping the American ecological imagination. Bilbro is a regular contributor to Christ and University.
Angela (Gray) Oliver, BSI '12, received the Donald C. McCleary Gardere Leadership Scholarship from Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP. Oliver is a second-year student at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. A registered patent agent, Oliver is fluent in seven computer programming languages. She served as external vice president of the Baylor Student Body.
Baylor doctoral candidate Stephanie S. Wong, MS '12, received her third Farvolden Award for paper or poster presentations made at the 2015 National Ground Water Association. This year she received the award and $1,000 for her paper, "Insights into Karst Groundwater/Stream Interactions Using Dissolved Natural Radon Concentrations, Central Texas."
'14
Taylor (Townsend) Conerly, BBA '14, was featured on the season finale of TLC's "Bride by Design" in April. Conerly and her husband, Seth, garnered attention after a video of their Cinderella- themed wedding proposal received more than 56,000 views on YouTube. The Conerlys were married Feb. 14 in Jackson, MS. They reside in Hattiesburg, MS.
Benjamin Fetter, BBA '14, received his Regular Army commission as a second lieutenant. He also graduated from the Ordnance Basic Officer Leadership Course, (BOLC) at Ft. Lee, VA, as required for his initial duty training. His first duty assignment will be with the 1st Calvary Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Fort Hood, TX, as a Platoon Leader. Contact at 242 Marshall Ridge, Carlisle, PA 17013.
Maverick Moore's, MA '14, film "Shotgun" appeared at the Cannes Film Festival in France. "Shotgun" was not entered in the competition but appeared at the event's Short Film Corner, a market populated by global film buyers, studio representatives, producers and investors. The film took the Best Picture and Audience Choice prizes at Baylor University's Black Glasses Film Festival a year earlier. Moore built his 11-minute film from a screenplay draft written by fellow Baylor film graduate student Zach Korpi, BA '14, as a wedding gift. Korpi, recently named by Variety magazine as one of "110 Students To Watch," continued as "Shotgun's" producer.
Grace Riehl, BFA '14, of Astoria, NY, is now the programming intern at The American Theatre Wing in New York City. Contact at grace_riehl@alumni.baylor.edu.
Lauren Teel, JD '14, graduated from the Judge Advocate General's Officer Basic Course on May 7. She commissioned as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army on Jan. 11. Teel is serving in Germany. Contact at laurenmteel@gmail.com.
Dylan Washington, BA '14, and John David Beard, BBA '14, have opened Pinewood Roasters in McGregor, TX, with the goal of designing coffee shop- specific brands. Primarily, they sell their products wholesale and online, but their coffee is available in local coffee shops, such as Common Grounds, Bicycle World and Gourmet Gallery. Learn more at pinewoodroasters.com.
'15
Audrey Elledge, BSEd '15, of Frisco, TX, received the 2015 Education Deans of Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (EDICUT) Pre-Service Educator of the Year Award from the Baylor School of Education. She will continue with graduate studies at Vanderbilt University. Elledge completed her teaching internship at Midway Middle School in Waco. She served four semesters on the steering committee for Baylor's Steppin' Out and has traveled to South Africa for mission trips. Elledge won two awards for her poetry at the 20th annual Beall Poetry Festival.
Pam Tull, a grant and contract accounting associate at Baylor, and her children Brandon, BA '01, Toby, BBA '07, and Melanie Tull, BSW '09, MSW '13, established Home Grown Farm in 2011 on 100 acres in Gholson, TX, near Waco. The farm delivers custom online orders to pickup locations in Waco, Temple and Dallas and, unlike most Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, it allows unused credit to roll over each week. Learn more at thehgf.com.