’40s
Barbara Goss Kefauver ’46 of Atlanta, GA, was unable to attend Homecoming 2011 and celebrate her 65th reunion, but would like to share about her life after leaving Tusculum. During college, she was class president during her junior and senior year. She was also a member of The Pioneer Players and played a variety of leading roles in plays and operettas. She also played violin in the school orchestra, directed a class in ballroom dancing and was a varsity cheerleader. Barbara continued her involvement in the arts following graduation and was very active in musical circles in Knoxville. She also did some modeling and channeled some of her creativity through her drawings. In 1948 she married Floyd Scott Kefauver and they moved to Jacksonville, FL, where she had her own radio show called “Breakfast with Barbara.” She was also featured in a national musical magazine, “Down Beat.” Returning to Knoxville in 1950, she was involved in producing and appearing in several television commercials in the area. She was an active member of the choir at Second Presbyterian Church. Barbara spent time over the years writing Christian music with her aunt Jean Bond and also has collaborated with Pat Boone and Tennessee Ernie Ford. She also had her own television show in the early 1960s that featured music. Barbara also worked with the University of Tennessee from 1966 to 1968 as the assistant coordinator for international students. She later worked with the RCA Corporation in Hollywood, CA, from 1974 through 1980 and worked directly with the president of the company. She was able to relocated to the RCA office in Atlanta in 1980 and later retired there in 1984. After retiring she sang for 5 years with the Robert Shaw Symphony Orchestra Chorus in the Atlanta area. Barbara was also a creative writer and had her own newspaper called, “Neighbor to Neighbor” in a retirement community she moved to in the late 1980’s. She still resides in Atlanta since her retirement, where her two children, Richard and Karen, live.
’60s
Irene Park ’62 of Thousand Oaks, CA, a retired El Camino Real High School teacher, was awarded a 2010 “Walk of Hearts,” a distinguished honor given to teachers in recognition of their dedication and continued record of excellence in education. A unique heart-shaped bronze plaque with her name is embedded on a sidewalk at Topanga Canyon Boulevard in downtown Canoga Park. This is not the first time that Irene has been recognized for her excellence, commitment and innovation in teaching. In 2003, she received the R.O.L.E. Model (Rewarding Outstanding Leaders in Education) award, and in 2002 she was presented with the Crystal Apple award by a local television station for outstanding teaching methodology. She had been nominated for these awards by students, colleagues and community leaders. At El Camino Real High, Irene taught all levels of English and English as a Second Language (ESL). Her energy level made the classroom come alive and she inspired even the most recalcitrant student succeed. Irene was not afraid to take on any slackers, their parents or the administration on behalf of her students. She demanded the best from her students outside of the classroom as well. As a sponsor of Interact, a Rotary-supported student club, she taught students life skills and encouraged them to discover and maximize their potential. She followed with her students even after they had graduated, assisting them with university, law school and scholarship applications. She keeps in touch with many of them. Irene’s more than 20 years of teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District also included English as a Second Language at the West Valley Occupational Center. Previous multilingual and multicultural experiences included teaching in Korea and China. She taught several years in the American Language Center at UCLA Extension. She originated, developed and directed the American Culture and Language Program (ACLP) at California State University, Los Angeles.
’70s
Dr. Carolyn Howard Ham ’70 of Camden, SC, was selected the South Carolina Adult Education Director 2010-2011. Carolyn and her husband, E. J. ’70, retired on June 30, 2011, after serving 40 years in education in the Kershaw County School District in Camden, SC.
Rick and Jean (Ryan) Francis ’76 ’75 of Raleigh, NC, have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. Rick now has more than 35 years of service with AT&T. Their youngest daughter, Molly, is dancing in the Cirque du Soleil production of The Beatles “LOVE” in Las Vegas.
’80s
Debbie Smith ’86 of Greeneville, TN, was among the graduates of the Greene County Partnership Leadership Class of 2011. The program is designed to increase leadership resources in the community, and participants are educated on the different aspects of the community. Smith is the town environmentalist for the Town of Greeneville. She is a member of Reformation Lutheran Church, the Nolichuckey Watershed Alliance and the Greeneville Junior Woman’s Club.
’90s
Scott Cupp ’97 of Louisville, TN, has been named assistant principal at William Blount High School in Blount County. Since 1999, he has served as a math teacher at the high school. He previously worked in the Roane County School System.
Tommy Hopson ’97 of Afton, TN, was among the graduates of the Greene County Partnership Leadership Class of 2011. The program is designed to increase leadership resources in the community, and participants are educated on the different aspects of the community. Hopson is agency manager for Greene County Farm Bureau Insurance. He has served as former president of the Greeneville Kiwanis Club and local chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He is a teacher and missions team director at Tri-Cities Baptist Church. He has also served as a former coach in the Upward sports program.
’00s
The Rev. Blake S. Montgomery ’05 of Rogersville, TN, graduated from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary on August 30 with a master’s degree in religious education. He earned a master’s degree in Christian leadership from Liberty in 2008. He is pastor of Big Creek Baptist Church.
Roverta Reliford Russaw ’06 of Talbott, TN, has been awarded the East Tennessee Historical Society’s Community History Award for the advancement of African-American genealogical research in Jefferson County. She was also recognized for her serve to the African-American Heritage Alliance and to the Community Economic Development Network of East Tennessee. Roverta, who works with Legal Aid as a paralegal and advocate, has spent much of her spare time working tirelessly gathering ancestral information that enriches her family and other African-American families in the community. She has uncovered family history that leads to a former slave from Barbados who became a freeman after coming to the United States and a leading citizen of his community. Her family southern ties began after her grandmother came to Morristown, TN, to go to college. She married a local man and the couple became proponents for social justice in Jefferson County.
Shawna Voigt ’07 of has been named “Teacher of the Year’ at Rebecca Minor Elementary School in Lilburn, GA. She has taught at the school for four years – third grade during her first two years and kindergarten for the past two years. Shawna earned a master’s degree in elementary mathematics last year from Walden University and plans to pursue a specialist degree in the future. She started the Girls on the Run program at the elementary school. The Girls on the Run program trains young girls to run and aims to guide them away from drug use, eating disorders, sexual activity, inactive lifestyles, depression and low self-esteem. The program also provides shoes and training at no cost to students in low-income communities, which allows children to participate regardless their financial situation.
Valerie Mullins ’08 of Limestone, TN, has joined Takoma Medical Associates in Greeneville, TN, as a physician’s assistant. After graduating from Tusculum, she earned a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from South College.
Janita Clausell ’09 of Knoxville, TN, has named president and chief operating officer of CU Community LLC, a subsidiary of ORNL Federal Credit Union. She has previously served as the executive vice president of the credit union and will continue to serve as vice president of mortgage lending. Janita serves on the board for the Appalachian Chapter of the American Red Cross and has worked with several local charities.
Lindsay S. Shepherd ’10 and Kenton Brotherton were married on July 9, 2011. Following a honeymoon to Nassau in the Bahamas, the couple is living in Greeneville, TN. Lindsay is a Pre-K teacher at Mosheim Elementary School and an assistant volleyball coach at North Greene High School.
Ryan Keith Bush and Jennifer Szamier Bush ’99 and ’00 announce the birth of their second child, Tanner Ryan, who was born on August 16, 2010. Their four-year-old daughter, Taylor, is excited to have a little brother.
’30s
Kathleen Mildred Myers Evans ’36 of Mosheim, TN, passed away September 11, 2011. Mrs. Evans taught for several years in the Greeneville City School System before starting a second career as a bank officer at Greene County Bank. She was actively involved in her church, Pine Grove United Methodist Church, and served as a Sunday school teacher for 37 years. Mrs. Evans was a member of the Orebank Ruritan Club, the United Methodist Women, West Side Garden Club, the Eugenia Bewley Study Group and the Tuesday Book Club. After the early death of her sister, she graciously assumed the role of “mother” to her nephews and “grandmother” to her great-nieces and great-nephews and families.
’40s
Philip A. Wright, Sr., ’42 of Wallingford, CT, passed away September 4, 2011. Mr. Wright was employed at American Cyanamid Company as an industrial manager for 42 years until his retirement. He was a member of the Church of the Resurrection and the Knights of Columbus, Pinta Council No. 5. Mr. Wright served on the Wallingford Planning and Zoning Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Meriden – Wallingford Hospital Board and had participated in fund-raising drives for the YMCA and other civic organizations. He was a past president of the Wallingford Visiting Nurses Association. Mr. Wright was also a member of numerous conservation and nature preservation groups. He was dedicated to attending local governmental meetings. Mr. Wright enjoyed gardening, canning tomatoes, fishing in the Adirondacks and following the New York Yankees and the University of Connecticut men’s and women’s basketball teams. His survivors include daughter and Tusculum alumna Kathleen Wright Kirschmann ’73.
’50s
John Donald Rader ’50 of Johnson City, TN, passed away September 22, 2011, after an extended illness. Mr. Rader was retired from the Belk Company, where he spent most of his career in management. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, where he served in the European theater of operations.
John B. Adcock ’59 of Winchester, TN, passed away July 29, 2011. Mr. Adcock was a department manager for Wyle Laboratories.
’80s
Mark Austin Carter ’81 of Greeneville, TN, passed away September 3, 2011. Mr. Carter worked for Newman Heating and Air. He was a member of Romeo United Methodist Church. Mr. Carter was an avid golfer and loved flying. He had a private pilot license and had owned his own plane. Mr. Carter also raised and sold ostriches for many years. Survivors include his sister and Tusculum alumna Claire Carter ’70.
Gary Vastine Constant ’86 of Cleveland, TN, passed away August 2, 2011. Mr. Constant had recently retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was a Vietnam veteran and was active in the Cleveland city youth recreation program, serving as an umpire and refree. Mr. Constant was a faithful member of St. James Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America and oversaw church transportation and property management. He also served on the church’s finance committee.