1970s

Martha J. Bradshaw, BSN ’70, of Dallas, published the eighth edition of Innovative Teaching Strategies in Nursing and Related Health Professions. She is senior editor and was assisted by co-editors Beth Hultquist and Debra Hagler. Contact at Martha_Bradshaw@baylor.edu.

John Strybos, BM ’71, says he has “failed at retirement.” He retired in 2017 as organist/choirmaster at The Church of St. Joseph in Bronxville, NY. Five months later, he became organist/director of music at First Congregational Church in Norwalk, CT. He has lived in Stamford, CT, since 1984. Contact at JPStrybos@aol.com or 50 Glenbrook Road, #15-C, Stamford, CT 06902.

Phil, BBA ’72, and Sherill Duren, BA ’70, Duren of Goldthwaite, TX, created the Phil and Sherill Baker Duren Endowed Scholarship Fund in Education. They previously created a scholarship in the Hankamer School of Business. They have four daughters: Tamra Halladay Gilley, BBA ’97, Amanda Halladay Horvath, BA ’98, Ramona Duren and Sabrina Duren.

Dr. Beth H. Sutton, BA ’72, was elected chair of the American College of Surgeons Board of Regents. Sutton is a general surgeon in private practice in Wichita Falls, TX. He has been an American College of Surgeons Fellow since 1984.

Gary and Paula Dorsey, ’73, of Waco enjoyed their trip to New Orleans to watch the Bears play in the Sugar Bowl.

David W. Stewart, MA ’73, PhD ’74, of Playa Vista, CA, received the Ingolstadt Legacy Award for Business and Economics in Service of Humanity bestowed by the City of Ingolstadt and the Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt on an influential, international researcher and scholar who has significantly impacted policy and society with their body of work. Catholic University is the largest private university in Germany and the largest Catholic university in the German speaking world. Contact at drdavidstewart@mac.com.

The Honorable Curtis, BA ’74, JD ’77, and Melody Seidlits, BSED ’77, of Austin created the Curtis L. and Melody Seidlits Endowed Scholarship Fund in Law to provide scholarships for students attending Baylor Law School. They have three children: Stephanie, Sarah, BA ’06, and Lee.

Ace Collins, BA ’75, of Arkadelphia, AR, authored The Trojan Horse: In the President’s Service (Elk Lake Publishing, 2020), a complex World War II mystery. The book is the 16th in a 17-book series, capped by The Wolf Pack, which is scheduled for release in March.

In the January edition of Texas Border Business, Mayor Jim Darling, BA ’75, JD ’77, discusses the challenges and opportunities leading McAllen, a Texas city at the center of international commerce and trade. See more at https://texasborderbusiness.com/being-mayor-in-todays-world-is-facing-complex-challenges/.

Terry Mattingly, BA ’76, MA ’84, known for his 31 years of work as a national religion columnist, was named a senior fellow at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics at the University of Mississippi. His appointment, effective Jan. 1, was announced by Charles Overby, chairman of the center. Mattingly writes a daily blog, GetReligion.org, which for 17 years has offered a daily critique of mainstream media coverage of religion news and trends. Mattingly also continues to write his weekly On Religion column for the Universal syndicate, which distributes the column to about 300 newsrooms in North America.

Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals Justice Lana Myers, BFA ’76, JD ’81, was among the Dallas County female judges featured in a Nov. 26, 2019, The Dallas Morning News article about Mattel releasing Judge Barbie with the message that all girls can be judges (photo by DMN’s Brian Elledge).

The Mississippi Humanities Council recently presented David Davis, MA’78, an associate professor of history at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, with its annual Humanities Teacher Award.

Molly Francis, BA ’78, JD ’81, of Dallas was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2025. Francis is a retired senior judge with 28 years of judicial service, most recently on the Fifth Court of Appeals.

Rev. Jeff Hoppe, BA ’78, and his wife Kathy, recently published a book, Discovery Teaching Like Jesus: Engaging Adult Learners. It focuses on adult learning theory (andragogy) and transformative learning while applying the Discovery teaching methodology in adult spiritual formation classes, Sunday school and community groups.

Les Leskoven, BBA ’78, of Corsicana, TX, was elected to the National Bank and Trust of Texas Board of Directors. Serving as CNBT’s executive vice president and chief investment/trust officer, Leskoven has been at the bank for 21 years and has more than 40 years in the banking industry. He has managed CNBT’s trust and investment department since 2002. Leskoven is an active member of the community and has served on numerous boards, including the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, First United Methodist Church of Corsicana and United Way of Navarro [TX] County.