The Berea College Alumni Association enjoys hearing from Bereans from all over the U.S. and the world. The “Class Notes” section of Berea College Magazine (BCM) reports verifiable news that has been sent by alumni. BCM reports the news you wish to share. “Class Notes” reports careers, weddings, retirements, births, and other items of importance to our alumni. Please include your class year and name used while attending Berea. Notes may be edited for style and length. While we will make every effort to put your information into the next issue, due to printing schedules, some delays are typical. We appreciate your understanding. Submit class notes and photographs via e-mail: alumninews@berea.edu.
1939
Wilma Brandenburg Lachmann retired in 1985 as head librarian of Valley High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She celebrated her 96th birthday on May 12, 2014. She resides in the La Vida Llena Nursing Home and enjoys receiving cards.
1940
Kathleen Kincaid Shaw celebrated her 100th birthday on November 3, 2014, with family and friends. She is a retired nurse and resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.
1944
Bertha Seal wrote to reminisce about her time at Berea: “My term at Berea was 1940 to 1944;
pre- and during World War II. We were served meals, freshmen washed dishes, we had a dress code, and no smoking. There was segregation. By 1943, all but six boys were in service. The Navy V-12 (sailors completing a Navy training program) was there. We were required to take Bible, go to chapel and Sunday school. I grew physically, spiritually and learned poise when facing the public (as a Boone Tavern guide). The faculty was wonderful; I loved them. Berea, Berea, Beloved.”
1945
Class of 1945 will be celebrating their 70th reunion at Summer Reunion, June 12-14, 2015. If you are interested in being a reunion chairperson, please contact Lisa Colletti-Jones at collettijonesl@berea.edu or 859-985-3183.
1946
Mary K. Fielder Kauffman turned 91 on December 15, 2014, and celebrated her 90th birthday on December 15, 2013 at her home in Berea. She was born and reared in Berea. Mary lived on campus with her father, Benton Fielder, who was a horticulture professor and superintendent of the college gardens until his death in 1945. She transferred from Berea College to Columbia
University School of Nursing in New York City where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1947. Mary married Lt. John F. Kauffman in 1949. After her husband’s Army retirement in 1965, they lived in Hawaii. The couple moved to Berea in 1992 and Col. Kauffman passed away in 2002.
1950
Class of 1950 will be celebrating their 65th reunion at Summer Reunion, June 12-14, 2015. Herb and Jacky Shadowen are the reunion chairpersons.
Paul Stylos and his wife, Ramona Layne Stylos, ‘49, were married 65 years ago on graduation day. On June 6, 2014, they marked the occasion and celebrated with sons, daughters, and grandchildren. They reside in Northampton, Massachusetts.
1951
Gertrude Crites retired from nursing and is now an artist whose work is exhibited in numerous shows. She’s also had two books published.
1952
Mary E. Massey, who is a retired schoolteacher, celebrated her 86th birthday in April 2014.
May Nadene Wade, Fd ‘48, retired after 30 years at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, where she served as librarian and earned her master’s degree in education. Prior to becoming a librarian, she worked as a secretary to an elementary school principal.
1953
Wesley Wilson wed Clara Wilda Brown Wilson, ’53, in 1956 at Danforth Chapel. Wilda passed away in 2006. Four of their five children: Judge Wilson, ‘78, Melinda Wilson McDonald, ‘79, Mary Wilson Hollyfield, ‘83, and Nathan Wilson, ‘86, attended Berea College. Wesley gave up his law office in Jonesborough, Tennessee and on June 30, 2014, moved to Johnson City, Tennessee to offer legal services to elders. He makes house calls and does pro bono work.
1954
Edward L. Henderlite, a retired clergy with the United Church of Christ, and his wife, Nancy, moved to a continuing care retirement community.
Nancy Biddix McKinnis and her husband, William, traveled around the United States in their motor coach after retirement. They have enjoyed traveling the country. The couple sold their home in Charlotte, North Carolina and settled in Lakeland, Florida. They now live in a continuing care community, The Estates at Carpenters, which they enjoy very much.
Bill Napier has retired from teaching and is enjoying fishing, gardening, traveling, and participating in church. He resides in Chavies, Kentucky.
1955
Class of 1955 will be celebrating their 60th reunion at Summer Reunion, June 12-14, 2015. If you are interested in being a reunion chairperson, please contact Lisa Colletti-Jones at collettijonesl@berea.edu or 859-985-3183.
Jo Ella Nuckols Sink and her husband, Jack, have lived in Athens, Georgia for 41 years. She is a retired educator and Jack is a retired professor who taught at the University of Georgia. The couple has three sons and four grandchildren.
1956
Trylba Articia Gordon’s son, Glenn Gordon, hiked all of the Appalachian Trail from March 10, 2014 to August 7, 2014. Trylba said Glenn wanted to make the trek because she always talked about how much she loved to hike when she attended Berea.
Wendell Powers retired as a hospital/hospice chaplain after spending 15 years as a Southern Baptist foreign missionary in Taiwan (Republic of China). Wendell and his wife, Laquita, retired to Huntsville, Alabama where he stays active at First Baptist Church. The couple has four daughters, who now have their own families.
1959
John Wesley Turner and his wife Ella Faye Adams Turner, ‘60, retired in 1989 as educators with Jefferson County Public Schools. They have enjoyed traveling, as well as spending time with their four grandchildren and extended family. They reside in Louisville, Kentucky.
1960
Class of 1960 will be celebrating their 55th reunion at Summer Reunion, June 12-14, 2015. Evelyn Hance and Georgia Schermer are the reunion chairpersons.
Dr. Pauline Rose Clance received a Doctor of Science honorary degree on May 12, 2012 from Lynchburg College in Virginia.
Martha Moore Hawkins moved to Great Barrington, Massachusetts after living in Bedford, Massachusetts for more than 50 years. She is enjoying the hills of the Berkshires, and encourages classmates to come and visit.
1962
Judith Dove Heishman and her husband, Ralph, are both enjoying retirement, babysitting their granddaughters, doing some volunteer work, and gardening.
William Bruce White retired as an English professor and plays bluegrass music on banjo, Dobro, and guitar. In upstate New York, he performs with Old Dawg Bluegrass, as well as Matt Homan and the Bluegrass Disciples. In Florida, he performs with Pain in the Grass and Borrowed Time. His wife, Bonnie Bach White, ‘62, is a registered medium at the Lily Dale Assembly, a center for the science philosophy and religion of spiritualism. Bonnie specializes in spirit art.
1963
Dr. Jack Tate and Ellen Shelton Tate, ‘65, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married in Danforth Chapel.
1965
Class of 1965 will be celebrating their 50th reunion at Summer Reunion, June 12-14, 2015. Adrian Dotson is the reunion chairperson
Lynda Hines Swenson lives in Wilmington, Delaware. One of Lynda’s daughters and her family live nearby. She stays busy with grandchildren, bridge, and lots of travel.
Thelma “Sammie” Wilson Wakefield, Fd ‘61, ‘65, made her eighth trip to Peru in May 2014 to participate in wheelchair demonstration clinics with Eleanore’s Project, Inc. (www.eleanoresproject.org). She has almost fully retired from paid work, but still works with disabled children in Peru using her expertise as an occupational therapist.
1966
Alfred L. Cobbs retired as a professor of German studies from Wayne State University in August 2013 after a tenure of 34 years. During his career, he received two Summer Fulbright Awards to Germany and in 1984, he received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching from WSU. He previously taught at the universities of Cincinnati and Virginia. He also is the author of two books. In his retirement, Alfred plans to write, travel, and eventually return to his “southern roots” and settle in either Virginia or North Carolina. Friends and classmates who wish to contact him may reach him at a.cobbs@wayne.edu or acobbs3347@att.net.
Ron Golliday and his wife, Ann, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple were married while Ron was a student at Berea in 1964. Since he retired from the General Services Administration in 2003, the couple has traveled abroad extensively. They make their home on a portion of the family farm in Edinburg, Virginia.
1967
Anne Pearson Browning and her husband, Ben, moved to 2892 Saint Mary’s Rd., Lebanon, KY 40033-8220. Both retired educators, the couple stays active in their retired teacher associations and churches. Ben is a member of the Roman Catholic Church and Anne is a member of the Disciples of Christ Christian Church where her deceased husband, Milton H. Pearson, served. Milton was dean of men and Bible teacher at Berea Foundation School.
Sandra Hale Stewart, Jeanne Rae Moran Gourley, ‘67, Phyllis Pigmon Osbun, ‘67, Sandy Walker Kurtz, ‘67, and Rose Pennington Wilkes, ‘67, five women whose friendships were forged at Berea (1963-1967), met in Roanoke, Virginia for a “girlfriends’ getaway.” It was a wonderful time of remembering days gone by, sharing events in their current lives, and a promise to make a “girlfriends’ getaway” an annual event.
Dr. Janet Thompson Reagan retired June 2014. She served as graduate coordinator and program director of the health administration programs at California State University, Northridge. Janet previously served as faculty at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, University of Southern California, and Loyola University in New Orleans. She recently was awarded the Filerman Prize for Educational Leadership by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. Janet resides in North Hills, California.
1970
Class of 1970 will be celebrating their 45th reunion at Summer Reunion, June 12-14, 2015. If you are interested in being a reunion chairperson, please contact Lisa Colletti-Jones at collettijonesl@berea.edu or 859-985-3183.
Hannah Spurlock Kern Guinn retired after 38 years as an art teacher with Scott County Public Schools in Gate City, Virginia. She is now president and life member of the Scott County Retired Teachers Association as well as life member of the National Education Association/Virginia Education Association and Virginia Retired Teachers Association. After 38 years with CSX Railroad, her husband, Edwin, retired. They have a daughter, Stephanie, who works as an attorney in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, and a granddaughter, Lonijonli. The two were married August 8, 2008, and now reside at 301 Simmons Ave., Erwin, TN 37650.
1975
Class of 1975 will be celebrating their 40th reunion at Summer Reunion, June 12-14, 2015. Larry Woods is the reunion chairperson.
1978
Esther Teresa Rule Kearns retired in 2011, and got married to her husband, Arvis, in 2012. She and Arvis traveled to Alaska in 2013.
1979
Judy Rafson began volunteering in January 2013 as the assistant medical director of Hospice of Pamlico County, North Carolina. She continues to work as an occupational health nurse practitioner at Vidant Beaufort Hospital at PotashCorp in Aurora, North Carolina. Judy and her husband, Cliff, enjoyed Summer Reunion.
Thomas Smith was honored with the President’s Call to Service Award of Excellence, which is presented to those who demonstrate passionate devotion to the success of their communities through their commitment to volunteering. Those who receive the award must have provided more than 4,000 hours of volunteer service to improve their community. Thomas received a lapel pin, personalized certificate, and a congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama.
1980
Class of 1980 will be celebrating their 35th reunion at Summer Reunion, June 12-14, 2015. Jackie Collier and Diane Wallace are reunion chairpersons.
1981
Timothy Bruce Heilman was named director of development at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky in January 2014. He is enjoying being back in Kentucky and has spent some time catching up with friends in Berea.
1984
Rev. Jeffrey McDowell was appointed district superintendent of the Finger Lakes district of the Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church on July 1, 2014.
1985
Class of 1985 will be celebrating their 30th reunion at Summer Reunion, June 12-14, 2015. David Cook is the reunion chairperson.
1986
Samantha Earp was named executive director of HarvardX, Harvard University’s university-wide initiative in online learning and research. Samantha resides in Arlington, Massachusetts with her husband, David, and son Iain.
1993
Rhonda Anglin Carl, a lead nuclear medicine technologist and cardiovascular service line leader at KentuckyOne Health Heart Institute in Berea, has been working on opening up a new location in Richmond for outpatient cardiovascular diagnostic imaging. Some of her patients are members of the Berea College community. She enjoys reminiscing about her experiences at Berea College and making connections with her Berea College family and friends. Rhonda and her husband, Mark, have two children, Trevor and Trinity.
1996
Wendi Parker Howell and her husband, Daniel, finalized the adoption of their three children, Porsha, Alexis, and D.J., on July 29, 2013. They were the children’s foster parents for more than two years.
2000
Dr. Cawas Engineer was recently published in the international journal, “Nature,” for his scientific discoveries based on research he conducted at the University of California, San Diego. His research explored how plants sense and respond to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Cawas earned his doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Amy Harshbarger Thompson graduated from Boston University in May 2014 with a master’s degree in art education. She and her husband, David, reside in Chesapeake, Ohio with their two sons, Cameron and Caden.
2003
Birth: a son, Gavin Marshall Beam, was born to Miranda Gibson Beam and Brian Beam on March 11, 2014. They reside in Salisbury, North Carolina. Miranda is currently an assistant professor of chemistry at Pfeiffer University.
Birth: a son, Blair Robinson Sulfridge, was born to Luke Sulfridge and Katy Sulfridge, ’03, on March 20, 2014.
2005
Jamie Carlisle Jennings graduated with a Master of Science in nursing from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky. She is now a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) practicing in Tucson, Arizona. She is thankful for her nursing experience at Berea because it prepared her to tackle higher-level education.
2006
Katy McLean Gould was named director of the Small Business Center at Haywood Community College in Clyde, North Carolina on February 3, 2014. She earned her master’s degree in entrepreneurship at Western Carolina University. Katy served as the marketing and communication manager for the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce for five years before accepting the position at the Small Business Center. She resides in Waynesville, North Carolina.
2009
Terri Daugherty recently joined the Luther-Anderson law firm in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a law student, she was an executive member of the Public Interest Law Society. Prior to joining Luther-Anderson, Terri practiced at a firm specializing in criminal defense. She is a member of the Tennessee and Georgia bar associations.
Rachel Trost Medina and her husband, Jose, celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary by buying a new home in Nicholasville, Kentucky. She recently earned her master’s degree in teacher leadership and English as a second language from Georgetown College in Kentucky.
Birth: a son, Titus Frazier Miller, was born to Jayme Spaugh Miller and James A. Miller, ‘06, on April 17, 2014. Titus joins sister, Hannah, and brother, Micah.
2010
Married: Bethany Wilson Houchins to Joshua Houchins on September 13, 2014. They reside in Oak Hill, West Virginia. Bethany earned a master’s degree in education from the University of the Southwest on May 3, 2014 and began teaching at Head Start in Fayetteville, West Virginia on August 11, 2014.
Rachel Ann Secrist and her husband, James, built their own custom “dream home” in Ponte Vedra, Florida in 2013. Rachel just finished her first school year providing after-school tutoring to students at St. Johns County Public Schools in Florida.
Birth: a son, Levi Schlagel, was born to Daniel Schlagel and Lauren Schlagel in May 2013. They were recognized as missionaries to the Dominican Republic through Baptist Bible Fellowship International in May 2014.
2011
Sister Mary Florence Anyabuonwu is training to be a sister of the Holy Roman Catholic Church with the Congregation of Divine Providence in Melbourne, Kentucky. She met one of the sisters from this group in 2008 and visited them several times while a student at Berea.
Married: Kelsey Crim to John Hargis, ‘10, on June 7, 2014. They reside in Somerset, Kentucky.
2013
Danielle Hutchinson accepted a full-time position as a recovery coordinator and qualified mental health specialist with LifePoint Solutions in Amelia, Ohio.
