Chronicles – Spring 10
1960s
Dahlia Allen (’63) received her Doctor of Education degree from the University of Georgia last August. She is dean of Adult Education at Heart of Georgia Technical College in Dublin, where she has been employed since 1995.
Bob Green (’64) of Register, Ga., has authored a book, Do Adult Children Still Need Parenting?: Keeping Families Healthy After the Empty Nest. The book examines strained or poor relationships between parents and their adult children. More information about the book, published by PublishAmerica, can be found at www.publishamerica.com.
Gary K. Steele (’66) has retired from Uniroyal and The Gates Corporation after 36 years in manufacturing as the human resources manager in Moncks Corner, S.C. Prior to joining Uniroyal and Gates, he taught school before and after a tour in the Navy. He is looking forward to more time for golf, gardening, woodwork, volunteering, and some traveling. Gary and his wife, Sarah, have a daughter, Amanda, who is a junior at Columbia College. He has two older children, Barry and Pamela, and three grandchildren.
1970s
Tim Wallis (’74), president of Wallis Printing Company in Rome, has been named to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 board of directors. Wallis is a board member of United Community Bank in Rome and of the bank’s Holding Company in Blairsville. He has previously been a member of the board for the YMCA and United Way of Rome.
Gary Mikell (’76) wants friends and classmates to know that his e-mail address has changed to bcjudge@bullochcounty.net.
Mary McBride (’79) has been named as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regional director for the four states in HUD’s Northwest Region including Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska. As the regional director, McBride will serve as HUD’s liaison to mayors, city managers, elected representatives, state and local officials, congressional delegations, stakeholders and customers and will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of programs and services to communities and evaluating their efficiency and effectiveness.
1980s
Nick Wiley (’83) has been named executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Wiley had served as assistant executive director since 2008.
Alucia Deloris Walton (’84) received a Doctor of Ministry degree in ministry from Jacksonville Theological seminary in 2008. She was ordained international minister of music of Disciples of Christ Ministries International in Hardeville, S.C. and pastor of Spiritual Oasis Revival Center in Savannah.
Duke University School of Nursing Clinics Director and Clinical Associate William Michael Scott (’85) has been elected vice chair of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Scott has more than 20 years of experience working in primary care settings and nurse practitioner managed clinics. Scott is completing his requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Georgia Southern. For his dedication and excellence in clinical practice in North Carolina, he has also been selected to receive the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners State Award for Excellence in June.
Ross Norton (’87) is public information director for Clemson University. His wife, Heather, directs a business, “The Lollypop Lady,” creating personalized gift baskets.
1990s
Terry Harvin (’91) has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer for Georgia Eagle Media, Inc. Terry is responsible for overseeing the marketing, sales and operations for the various media properties: Internet, newspaper, radio and television. The company has a presence in the Middle Georgia area as well as well as radio properties in Statesboro and surrounding counties. Georgia Eagle operates the Georgia Southern Radio Network with broadcast rights to Georgia Southern. This year the company will add television to its mix in the Warner Robins area.
Lori Durden (’92) has been named as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s “40 under 40” young high-achieving Georgians who are making their marks in business, government, education, the arts and the world of nonprofits. Lori is director of Georgia Southern’s Small Business Development Center and is co-owner of Tim Durden Construction and Building Design.
Cathy Powell (’93), a social studies teacher at Southeast Bulloch High School, received the Outstanding Social Studies Educator of the Year Award from the Georgia Council for the Social Studies. Powell was honored during the National Council for Social Studies Conference in Atlanta. She was also a featured conference speaker during the event. “It was truly a privilege and honor to accept this award as an educator from Southeast Bulloch and the Bulloch County Schools,” said Powell.
Joseph Surber (’95) has been named as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s “40 under 40” young high-achieving Georgians who are making their marks in business, government, education, the arts and the world of nonprofits. A physician, he is chief medical officer of Southeast Regional Research Group, a four-location clinic and multidisciplinary research facility.
Amy Laircey Altman (’97), media specialist at Statesboro High School, was named the 2009 Georgia School Library Media Specialist of the Year by the Georgia Library Media Association and the Georgia Association of Instructional Technology. She was selected from six district-level finalists. The award recognizes K-12 library media specialists in the state whose services have resulted in exemplary library media programs. She is also a national board certified teacher.
André B. Mountain (’98) of Augusta, Ga., is on special assignment in the Department of Curriculum with the Richmond County School System. He was appointed as a Georgia TAPP Ambassador and was a Richmond County Public School Teacher of the Year finalist. Andre previously taught reading and language arts at Monte Sano Elementary School. He and his wife, Tanesha, have one child.
Curt Ricker (’98) and wife Brandy Childress Ricker welcomed their second child, Gavin, in October. The couple resides in Kennesaw and can be contacted at falcons1fan@gmail.com
2000s
Chad Cannon (’00) and his wife, Shannon Todd Cannon (’99), are expecting their first child, a baby boy, in April. The couple celebrated their six-year wedding anniversary on October 4, 2009. They are living in McDonough, Ga.
Joe (’01) and Beth Hildebrand Matherne (’01) welcomed their third child, Mariner Jacob “Jake” Matherne, on July 23, 2009. Jake joins siblings Maitland, 7, and Madeline, 3. Beth is an active member of the Florida Bar and recently published an article titled “Lactating Angel or Activist? Public Breastfeeding as Symbolic Speech” in the Michigan Journal of Gender and Law. The Mathernes now live in Atlanta, where Joe is a tax manager with Deloitte and Beth is preparing for the Georgia Bar Exam. They can be contacted at ehmatherne.esq@gmail.com.
Tanita Peak (’02), a fourth-grade teacher at Brooklet Elementary School, is the 2010 Bulloch County School System’s Teacher of the Year. The nominees were judged by a group of community leaders from the Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee.
April Knepp (’03) recently accepted a librarian position with the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington, D.C. She may be reached at april.knepp@gmail.com.
Adam Brady (’04) was married on May 17, 2009 to Ginna Kelly (’07). He joined the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau in July of 2009.
Javana Lovett (’05) has been named Palmetto Health Foundation Children’s Hospital event coordinator for Pediatric Cancer Services. Prior to joining Palmetto Health Foundation, Lovett worked for the South Carolina Department of Public Safety as a public information specialist. Lovett is active in the community as a member of Community Improvement Cooperative Council, Edgewood Floral Community Club and Richland One Community Coalition. At Palmetto Health Foundation, Lovett will coordinate fundraising initiatives for Camp Kemo and other Pediatric Cancer Services fundraising efforts.
Joseph K. Henry (’07) is living in Miami, Fla., and is attending the University of Miami School of Law. He will graduate in 2012.
Josh Mikulecky (’07) and Heidi Hammack Mikulecky (’07) were married at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island, Ga., in October of 2008. Josh is a transportation engineer for UPS in Alpharetta. Heidi teaches 8th grade ESOL for Gwinnett County Public Schools. The couple resides in Lawrenceville and may be reached at heidimikulecky@gmail.com.
Jennifer Lauren Thompson (’07) is engaged to Justin Avery Banks (’08). Jennifer and Justin are planning a spring or summer 2011 wedding in Atlanta. Jennifer recently accepted a transfer position with her company, Scientific Research Corporation, from Atlanta to Charleston, S.C. Justin works with the Georgia Department of Transportation as a bridge design engineer. Jennifer can be reached at jthompson47@gmail.com. Justin can be reached at jbengr2b@yahoo.com.
Coast Guard Seaman Dustin T. Absher (’09) recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J. During the eight-week training program, Absher completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness.
Kenneth W. Odermatt, III (’09) recently received the designation as certified public accountant. He is employed by Cordasco & Company, P.C. He earned a master of accounting degree from Georgia Southern. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of CPAs.
In Memoriam
Judson Clements Ward, 1912-2009
Dr. Judson C. “Jake” Ward, fifth president of Georgia Southern, passed away in Atlanta on November 1, 2009 after a lengthy illness. He was 97.
Dr. Ward succeeded Marvin S. Pittman as president of Georgia Teachers College in 1947 and served but one year before being promoted to assistant chancellor of the University System of Georgia.
In late 1948, Dr. Ward returned to his alma mater, Emory University, as dean of the undergraduate liberal arts college and a professor of Georgia history. In 1957, he was promoted to vice president and dean of faculties, a position in which he remained until his retirement in 1979.
“Jake was a first-rate administrator at Emory,” said University Professor Emeritus Delma Presley. “I knew him when I studied there and he was academic dean and vice president. Jake Ward helped Emory reach a high level of service and excellence, and that is one reason that university has risen to greatness among America’s universities. I cherish his friendship. He continues to influence me.”
In retirement, Dr. Ward briefly served as the director of the Atlanta Historical Society before resigning to teach history in the Oglethorpe Evening Courses for Credit program. In 1984, he returned to Emory in a volunteer capacity, overseeing the Emory Alumni Association’s alumni travel program. The following year, Dr. Ward became Emory’s dean of alumni, a post in which he remained for the rest of his life.
Prior to becoming president of Georgia Teachers College, Dr. Ward taught political science at GTC from 1939-40. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, then returned to GTC to serve as president after earning his Ph.D.
Dr. Ward held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Emory and a Ph.D. in history from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
He is survived by his wife, Susan-Jane Weyant Ward, four children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Kirbylene Stephens, 1932-2009
Retired presidential secretary and longtime devoted University advocate Kirbylene Stephens (’55) passed away November 15, 2009 at East Georgia Regional Medical Center.
The Wilkinson County native moved to Waycross, Ga., as a child and graduated from Waycross High School in 1949 and from Georgia Teachers College in 1955, with a B.S. in business education.
Ms. Stephens joined the Georgia Southern staff in the fall of 1955 as secretary to President Zach Henderson. She subsequently served in that capacity to Presidents John Eidson, Pope Duncan and Dale Lick, leaving the position after 32 years to become coordinator of special projects for the president and associate director of Alumni Relations for five years until her retirement in 1992.
She served on a number of committees at the University and was an ardent supporter of University academics, athletics, the Henderson Library and the Alumni Association. She was an active member and officer of several civic clubs.
Survivors include her sister, Nan Stephens of Brunswick, Ga., and cousins Sara Baird of Richmond, Va., Steve Allen and Ben Allen of Tampa, Fla., Matt Allen of Sarasota, Fla., and Rusty and Elinor Cullens of Atlanta.
Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery in Waycross.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the K.N. and Leamon Stephens endowment with the Georgia Southern Foundation.
Dr. Macelyn V. Anders, 1915-2010
Macelyn V. Anders, M.D., 94, died at Ogeechee Area Hospice in January.
Dr. Anders served as the Georgia Southern physician from 1972-82.
He was born in Marietta, Ohio, and earned his undergraduate degree from Marietta College in 1940 and a Master of Science Degree from Brown University in 1942. During World War II, he served as a research pathologist on the Manhattan Project. He earned his M.D. degree from Case Western Medical School, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1949.
Dr. Anders practiced general medicine in Parkersburg, W.V., from 1950-53. He served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps from 1953-55, then practiced general medicine in Warner Robins, Ga., from 1955-72 before becoming the University physician.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elinor Imogene; his son, Roger M. Anders, and daughter-in-law, Karoline, of Germantown, Md; and granddaughters Anna and Ginger Baker.
Student
Jeremy Michael Grant, Stapleton, Ga.
Alumni
Jenny Mitchell Howsare, ’58, Metter, Ga.
R. Andrew Poole, ’76, Round Hill, Va.
Joseph M. Murray, Sr., ’63, ’88, Ludowici, Ga.
Jean Strange, ’66, Oak Park, Ga.
Robert H. Warren, ’75, Norwood, Ga.