2010s
Dr. Alicia Fuhrman, BA ’10, recently completed her residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Washington. She graduated from the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School in Houston in 2014 and is a practicing physiatrist at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute in Spokane, WA.
Dr. Whitney J. Rochelle, BSEd ’10, joined the Wisdom Tooth Center in Moore, OK, after completing her residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center earlier this year. Her research and outreach work with the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry focused on increasing patient access to care, educating the community and influencing city policies regarding water fluoridation.
Melanie Crowson Russell, BA ’10, is a digital content producer at WATE-6 On Your Side news station in Knoxville, TN. She has experience as a print reporter, editor and photographer.
Brandon Baker, BS ’11, completed residency training in podiatric surgery in Salt Lake City and joined Indiana Podiatry Group, where he practices with his wife Cassey Crowell. They were married Sept. 29, 2018, in Indianapolis. Contact at brandonbakerdpm@gmail.com.
Jennifer Harris Chapman, BA ’11, earned a PhD in Human Development & Family Studies from Texas Tech University in May. She is assistant professor of human development at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. Contact at chapmaj@eckerd.edu.
Kristin E. Lechowicz, BA ’11, JD ’14, joined the Chicago office of the Kelley Kronenberg law firm, where she assists in matters related to construction, retail and commercial litigation, general liability and workers’ compensation. Previously, she was as an associate attorney at an insurance defense firm in Chicago.
Mary Alice Birdwhistell, MDiv ’13, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, is the focus of the first documentary in a series produced by Baptist Women in Ministry and EthicsDaily.com. It was screened Nov. 16 at an event sponsored by Truett Seminary and the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. In the short film, Birdwhistell reflects on her ministry journey and talks honestly about the absence of female ministry role models.
Austin Green, BS ’13, graduated from dental residency at Yale Hospital in New Haven, CT. He returned to Waco to join Creekwood Dental Arts.
Sarah Rodriquez, BM ’13, graduated from University of Texas Cizik School of Nursing. She works at CHI St. Luke’s Health—Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston as an intensive care registered nurse (RN). In March 2018, she presented a research study about blood pressure monitoring for hypertension care at the Southern Nursing Research Society Conference in Atlanta. She has a research article currently under review by the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR). Contact at 1430 Bodart Dr., Houston, TX 77090 or sarah.danielle.rodriguez@gmail.com.
Jolene Damoiseaux, BS ’14, started Mothers on the Move, an organization in Kenya that provides transportation for expectant mothers who otherwise would have no way to get to health centers. Her project won the Albert Schweitzer Prize Audience Award from the Netherlands Albert Schweitzer Fund, which provides money for local health projects in Africa. Damoiseaux is studying midwifery at the Academy of Midwifery in Maastricht, Netherlands, after which she plans to open a midwifery practice.
Arthur Torres, BMEd ’14, assistant band director/mariachi band director at University High School in Waco, was featured on KWKT-TV in September. In his mariachi class of a dozen students, Torres passes down the culture of Mexican folk songs dating as far back as the 16th century.
Andrew Valverde, BS ’14, and Elizabeth Martinez married Feb. 10, 2018, in Spring Branch, TX. Andrew is a lead research coordinator for the University of Michigan. Elizabeth is a registered nurse at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. They met while working at Waco’s Hillcrest Hospital and reside in Corpus Christi, TX.
Stephanie Onyechi, BSEd ’15, took part in a white coat ceremony as she begins her first year of medical school at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Onyechi’s previous exposure to the area through missionary trips as a Baylor undergraduate encouraged her to apply at the UTRGV School of Medicine.
Elena S. Hall, BA ’16, of Richardson, TX, released Through Adopted Eyes: A Collection of Memoirs from Adoptees. The book explores adoption from the viewpoint of more than 40 adoptees.
Stephanie Madrid, MBA ’17, was selected as chair of the Local Leadership Board of Directors for the Houston office of the American Lung Association, leading lung disease prevention and lung health initiatives in the state. Madrid is division vice president for Kindred Hospitals of Houston and is the Integrated Market Leader, supporting collaboration and strategic partnership between Kindred and its local partners. She began her career as a speech-language pathologist at Kindred Hospital Houston Medical Center.
Sheridan Stokes, BSEd ’17, was inducted into the Stephenville [TX] High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Stokes competed at Baylor for two years as a heptathlete, earning Big 12 Academic All-Conference track and field honors. She also served as a missionary with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Brazil. Stokes is working on a doctor of nurse anesthesia degree.
Bryce Jurss, BS ’18, created an easy way to equally split the cost of a pizza delivery among friends. RoyChat is an AI chatbot which corresponds via SMS to order and deliver users’ food, split checks and in the future help save money, invest, correspond with medical personnel and more, without having to download an App. The new concept is developed by The Odyssey Project Inc.
Drew Mackenzie, BA ’18, is among this year’s class of Karsh-Dillard Scholars at the University of Virginia School of Law. The prestigious awards offer full tuition and honor students with the highest qualities of leadership.
Nicole Manley, JD ’18, joined Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr’s Dallas office as an associate practicing commercial litigation. Manley graduated from Baylor Law magna cum laude and was senior executive editor for the Baylor Law Review.
Diane and Clark Grotberg of Fergus Falls, MN, established The David Grotberg Golden Wave Band Endowed Scholarship Fund in loving memory of their son, David, who was passionate about Baylor and a member of the Golden Wave Band.