1970s

Joel Allison, BA ’70, and Diane Allison, BA ’70, of Waco established the Aileen Allison and Bessie Bailey Endowed Scholarship in loving memory of their mothers Aileen Allison and Bessie Bailey. The scholarship supports ministerial or religion students who are first-generation college students with exceptional financial need.

Dr. Mia N. Moody-Ramirez, MSE ’98, MA ’01, Tom Belden, BA ’70, and Janice A. Miller of Waco established the Moody-Ramirez Belden Endowed Scholarship for Diversity in Journalism. The scholarship supports students who are pursuing a degree in the Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media, and who are members of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) or any other diversity-interest student journalism organizations.

Randy M. Wood, BA ’70, PhD ’78, and Edna H. Wood of Waco established the Michael Anderson Wood Endowed Scholarship in Finance and Accounting in memory of their son Michael. The scholarship supports finance and accounting students.

John F. Easterling, BA ’71, received the Buckles-Hanna Service Award for his 33 years of faculty service at the University of Northwestern (UNW) in St. Paul, MN, where he was professor of intercultural studies before retiring at the end of the 2020-21 academic year. Prior to his time at Northwestern, Easterling was a pastor and later a missionary-church planter for 10 years with World Venture in France. He led 30 trips with about 400 students serving with him in places like Ecuador, France, South Africa, India, China, Thailand and Japan during his time at UNW. As a professor, advisor and trip leader, Easterling has a reputation for detailed preparation and engaging his students with transformational experiences. Easterling exemplified the UNW mission to serve the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. Contact at jfeasterling@unwsp.edu

Slayden Yarbrough, PhD ’72, professor emeritus of religion at Oklahoma Baptist University, co-authored Southern Baptists: A History of a Confessional People [McFarland and Company, 2021] with Michael Kuykendall, PhD, professor of New Testament studies at Gateway Seminary in Ontario, CA. The book is an edited update of Yarbrough’s Southern Baptists: A Historical, Ecclesiological, and Theological Heritage of a Confessional People. The book examines the early history of Baptists and the rise and development of Southern Baptists, including extensive treatment of its boards, commissions and institutions. It includes a thorough history of the controversy and restructuring of the SBC in the last quarter of the 20th century and a major chapter on theology and the Baptist faith and message. It contains an extensive bibliography, including traditional histories and books and articles documenting the controversy and restructuring written by both parties engaged in the conflict. Yarbrough lives with his wife Janis in Vancouver, WA. He can be contacted at slaydena@gmail.com.

Dwight L. Hunt, BA ’73, was a church health consultant and an intentional interim pastor for Venture Church Network Southwest, helping more than 85 churches for the past 12 years. In addition to loving his role as a grandparent, Hunt now ministers as a part-time coach and consultant to pastors in the Austin metropolitan area through his Grace Consulting organization.

Marilea W. Lewis, BA ’75, was included in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of family law, family law mediation and mediation. This is the ninth year she has received Best Lawyer designation. Contact at marilea@d-elaw.com.

Scott McClain, MS ’75, and Judy McClain, MS ’75, both retired and moved to Fountain Hills, AZ, after living in Waco for 65 years.

Richard Alan Mooney, ABC ’20, and Joan Oyler Karel Mooney, BS ’76, of Spring, TX, established the Mooney Family Endowment, which supports chairs and faculty to enhance research across the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences.

Roy Sparkman, JD ’76, authored A Pastor’s Pit [Koehler Books, 2021]. The novel was a finalist in Christian fiction at the 2021 American Fiction Awards, a finalist in Christian literature at the 2021 Impact Awards and a finalist in mystery/suspense at the 2021 Maxy Awards.

Rosanne Fadal Fuller, BS ’77, MS ’83, and Leonard Hayes Fuller III, BA ’76, JD ’79, of Waco established the Fuller Family Baylor Built Endowed Fund, which supports programming for the Baylor Built program in the Student-Athlete Center for Excellence.

Henry R. Cox, BA ’78, authored Deceit of the Earth: Heavy Metal [BookBaby, 2021], which debuted in Amazon’s Top 100 New Release Conspiracy Thrillers list at No. 73 in the U.S. and at No. 23 in the United Kingdom. This is his second international thriller novel, following the highly rated Deceit of the Soul: Saving the World from COVID-19. His books always have a thread to Baylor and Baylor Track and Field in the plot for his gonzo style writing with a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns and his unique characters. Cox has received numerous professional awards and recognition in his 40 years as a distinguished trial attorney. He has worked at 30,000 feet in the air and a quarter mile underground throughout the U.S. and beyond in the non-fiction world, unraveling the drama and comedy of human events. “There is always a story behind the story; sometimes the truth can only be best told through fiction,” Cox says.

Tom L. Ramsey, BBA ’78, owner of Total Placement, has been recognized as a leader in the staffing industry every year since 1997. His company earned the Best of Staffing Talent and Best of Staffing Client awards in 2019 and 2020. Fewer than 2 percent of the nation’s agencies achieve this standing. Ramsey and his wife Becky have been married for 44 years; they live in Crawford, TX. He and his wife support Family Abuse Center, Christian Women’s Job Corp, Compassion Ministry, Salvation Army, House Where Jesus Shines and ARC of McLennan County in various capacities. They enjoy their family and five lovely grandchildren. While attempting to at least semi-retire this year, Tom says he is not certain what he will do when he retires fully. Becky believes he should buy a ranch. “That ought to keep him busy,” she says.