1970s
David M. Holley, BA ’70, PhD, authored Changing Your Mind Without Losing Your Faith [Cascade Books, 2022]. Completed during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the book is for people who find themselves no longer able to accept the version of Christian faith they have learned but have difficulty imagining other options. Using autobiographical reflection on his own journey from fundamentalist beginnings, Holley models a process of letting go of what has become unbelievable and replacing it with a faith that is more believable and ultimately more satisfying. Holley taught philosophy for more than 40 years at universities in Kansas, Arizona and Texas. He retired from full-time teaching in June 2018. He now lives with his wife Joyce, 10 miles west of Salado, TX, near Stillhouse-Hollow Lake.
Sarah Jean Williams, BS ’70, PhD, of San Antonio established the Dr. Sarah Jean Williams Endowed Scholarship Fund in Nursing, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, which supports students in Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing.
David McCullar, BME ’71, MM ’77, and his wife Caia Kent McCullar, BME ’72, PhD, live in Denton, TX. David retired in 2017 after 17 years as fine arts director at Denton ISD, completing 43 years as a university professor, public school music educator and fine arts administrator. He continued adjunct teaching for the Dallas Baptist University College of Fine Arts until 2021. Caia retired in 2021 as music education program director and professor of voice and music history at Dallas Baptist University, completing 47 years in public school, private school and higher education. They would love to hear from Baylor friends. Contact at macs50@verizon.net.
Janie Markham, BS ’73, is a retired educator and lives in northern Michigan.
Lenora F. Stewart and David W. Stewart, MA ’73, PhD ’74, of Spring Hill, TN, established the Lenora F. And David W. Stewart Marketing Endowment, which supports the marketing program in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business.
Randy Patterson, BA ’74, JD ’75, and Phyllis Patterson, BA ’74, of San Antonio established the Les and Vicki Hollon Endowed Scholarship, which supports students at the San Antonio campus of Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Les Hollon, BA ’76, retired in April after 13 years as senior pastor at San Antonio’s Trinity Baptist Church.
Melody Brown Bahr, BM ’75, authored Who Am I?: My Journey of Identity [Covenant Books, 2020]. She recently finished writing Wisdom for the Young, which is yet to be published and accessible to all ages. Visit melodybahr.blogspot.com for more information.
Neal Jeffrey, BBA ’75, of Highland Village, TX, and Jay Jeffrey, BBA ’82, of Lorena, TX, established the James N. “Jeff” Jeffrey Endowed Scholarship in Truett Seminary in honor of their father James N. Jeffrey, BBA ’51. The scholarship supports students in the sports ministry program at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary.
Rhonda Stephens, BA ’75, and Joe Stephens of Fort Worth established the following endowments: the Rhonda Bowen Stephens and Gwendolyn Lane Stephens, BA ’06, Endowed Scholarship, which supports Baylor students from Woodville County, TX; the Rhonda Bowen Stephens and Gwendolyn Lane Stephens Endowed Scholarship, which supports Baylor students from Haskell County, TX; the Rhonda Bowen Stephens and Gwendolyn Lane Stephens Endowed Scholarship in Museum Studies, which supports Baylor students majoring in museum studies; the Rhonda Bowen Stephens and Gwendolyn Lane Stephens Endowed Scholarship in History, which supports Baylor students majoring in history; and the Rhonda Bowen Stephens and Gwendolyn Lane Stephens Equestrian Endowed Fund, which supports Baylor’s equestrian program.
Dan Wilhite, BBA ’75, of Birmingham, AL, established the Dan Wilhite and Family Endowed Scholarship, which supports students in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business.
Gary Kennedy, BBA ’76, retired Aug. 31, 2021, after 45 years with State Farm Insurance. He and his wife Debbie live in Gruene, TX.
Joy Cobb, BSN ’77, and Steve Cobb of Midland, TX, established the Joy and Steve Cobb Endowed Scholarship in Nursing, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, in memory of Mary Helm Marek, BA ’65. The scholarship supports students enrolled in Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing.
William Rod Compton, BSEd ’77, authored Because God Is Love: A Daily Walk In God’s Love [Westbow Press, 2022], his first book. It is available at Amazon and other booksellers.
Barry Pound, BA ’78, was promoted to director of public relations at Androvett Legal Media & Marketing in Dallas. With more than 40 years of experience in public relations, Pound has spent 16 years at Androvett as a legal and crisis communications expert. He is adept at handling high-profile matters involving contentious litigation, public policy and crisis communications as well as state and federal investigations.
Courtenay L. Bass, BA ’79, JD ’82, of Dallas received the 2021 Justice Frank Evans Award from the State Bar of Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section. It is the highest award given by the section, recognizing contributions and excellence in the ADR field.
Paul Darr, BBA ’79, is a member of the San Antonio Quarterback Club. The club hosts Baylor programs most years. Visit www.saqbclub.com for more information.