Wondering what your fellow class mates are up to? Who has gotten married or who has had a bouncing baby boy or girl?
Check out these listing of Class Notes. The College has received notes from alumni ranging from the 1930s through the 2000s. In this new feature of the Alumni E-newsletter, we will add updates monthly to the Class Notes, nuptial and birth announcements and the memorial section, where we remember those alumni who have passed away.
Dr. Morris Katz ’37 of Sarasota, FL, celebrated his 95th birthday on October 28, 2009. Dr. Katz is a retired physician.
40s
Anne Coriell Fee ’45 of Omaha, NE, writes, “Keep up the good work. I’m so proud of my Alma Mater.”
Jean-Marie “Jimmy” Mahon Barnes ’46 of Yarmouth Port, MA, shares the sad news that her husband, Norman, passed away in 2007. He had served for 35 years in the U.S. Foreign Service and then enjoyed 24 years of happy retirement on Cape Cod.
Morelle Swift Sweet ’46 of Basking Ridge, NJ, teaches two hours of fitness to seniors five days a week. One class is called “Fitter Sitters,” where her pupils sit. She also teaches aerobics, stretches, balance, weights and floor exercises.
50s
Constance Parker Sinkway ’52 of Glen Rock, NJ, is enjoying retirement, visiting the Adirondack Mountains and playing golf. She writes she has appreciates friends and the Class of 1952 and loves coming back to campus for Homecoming weekends.
Melvin Kinslow ’57 of Americus, GA, has retired after 50 years in education as a teacher, coach and administrator, all in Americus.
The Rev. Donald F. Garrett ’59 of Akron, NY, attended the Golden Pioneer 50th anniversary celebration of his class in May 2009, which included a luncheon and the opportunity for the class members to lead the procession of graduating students into the commencement ceremony. He and his wife, Sharon, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in August.
60s
Peggy Hayes Ottinger ’62 of Greeneville, TN, writes that she and her husband have spent much of the past year traveling to and from Nashville for treatment for her husband, Dallas. After Dallas’ cancer returned, he was referred to Vanderbilt University Hospital for stem cell replacement. After weeks of chemotherapy, Dallas had his own stem cells harvested in December and was in the hospital for nearly six weeks. Their children and in-laws helped take care of his needs. The couple stayed at a Hope Lodge during their stay in Nashville. Recently, the doctors told Dallas he could return to Greeneville for his next check-up. “What a blessing for all of us,” she writes.
Buddy Hawk ’65 of Greeneville, TN, was elected in June as an alderman for the Town of Greeneville. Hawk will serve a two-year term.
Henri Weems ’66 of McLean, VA, traveled in February with a team to New Orleans to assist Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) in the rehabilitation of houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina flooding. This year’s house, located in the lower Ninth Ward, belonged to a resident of New Orleans for the past 35 years. The team completed numerous tasks such as completing siding, installing kitchen cabinets, adding a new wall, and re-casing all the windows and front doors complete the siding. The team was able to accomplish all of these tasks and more. The team also learned that the PDA will be conclude its operations in the city in probably another year and half and move on to another location to help people rehabilitate homes. When its operations in New Orleans are complete, the PDA will have completed approximately 100 homes. For more details and photos of trip see Philadelphia Presbyterian Church: http://www.philadelphiachurch.org/philanola.cfm Henri can be reached by his classmates at hweems07@gmail.com.
James H. Cerven ’69 of Elberon, NJ, writes that he enjoyed Homecoming 2009 with his friends from the 1960s.
70s
Larry Brotherton ’70 of Easley, SC, has bee named the chairman of the board of CommunitySouth Financial Corp., the parent company of CommunitySouth Bank and Trust. Brotherton helped found the bank and has served on the board since 2004.
Jerry Giglio ’71 and his wife, Helen (Lokken) ’68, are saddened at the recent loss of their son. Captain Nick Giglio, an Air Force F16 pilot, was killed after his aircraft collided with another F16 during night exercises on October 15. Nick leaves a wife and one child. The family appreciates everyone’s thoughts and prayers, and anyone wishing to get in touch with the family can reach Jerry at train49man@aol.com.
Wayne Eichele ’73 of Ventura, CA, writes “It is hard to believe it has been 36 years since graduating from Tusculum College. They say your college years are some of the best years of your life. That certainly is true for me. The time spent living in Craig Hall and learning from all aspects of campus life prepared me for my overall life’s journey. I made many friends and have even many more fond memories of my college years at TC. I had the additional experience and honor of being a former Trustee which provided me with the opportunity to return to the campus several times a year for a few years. The many changes I witnessed were absolutely amazing and rewarding. Knowing that I participated in helping make a few of those changes was very gratifying. I have not been able to return to the campus since moving to California 11 years ago. I appreciate the many forms of communication which are available to the alumni to help keep us informed about the ongoing changes and events going on at TC. Current friends and hopefully new friends can contact me at: weichele@sbcglobal.net or 805- 653-2628 or 3143 Breaker Dr, Ventura, CA 93003.”
Laurie Gentinne ’77 of Dearborn, MI, would like to hear from everyone she knew while she was at Tusculum College and those who she met while teaching in Hawkins County. Her e-mail address is lgentinne@sbcglobal.net.
80s
Janet Sullivan Sabaka ’85 of St. George, GA, would love to hear from her old friends from Tusculum. Her e-mail is jsabaka@baker.k12.fl.us.
Reggie Bernard ’86 received a master’s of business administration degree in public administration from the University of Phoenix on June 30, 2009. Reggie earned his degree during a difficult time for his family as his ailing mother passed away on March 2, 2009, after fighting over 10 years with Parkison’s Disease.
Mike Fulkerson ’88 of Kingsport, TN, has been named principal of Roosevelt Elementary School in the Kingsport School System. He had been serving as an assistant principal at Dobyns-Bennett High School in the school system. Mike has more than 21 of experience education including 14 years as a teacher at Sevier Middle School and four years as assistant to the principal at the school.
90s
Diane McKeehan Mitchell ’90 of Athens, TN, has received the statewide Tennessee Technology Center Outstanding Administrative Staff Award. Mitchell is assistant director of the Tennessee Technology Center in Athens. She was nominated by her co-workers for the award, which is selected by a special committee appointed by the Tennessee Board of Regents. After teaching third grade in the Athens city school system for nine years, she jointed the center as a business systems technology instructor. She was then appointed student serves coordinator and became assistant director in 2002.
Dr. J. T. Vogt ’90, his wife Karen, and their children Samantha and James have moved from Leland, MS, to Fort Mill, SC. Dr. Vogt spent eight years as a research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Mississippi. He now serves in a more applied role as technical and quality control director for Black Pest Prevention, Inc., headquartered in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Vogt can be contacted at jvogt@blackpest.com.
Teresa Allgood Jones ’96 of Kingsport, TN, is the new principal at Joseph Roger Primary in the Hawkins County (TN) School System. Jones was Hawkins County Schools’ Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2008.
Jonathan Greene ’97 of Mohawk, TN, was appointed this summer as the Tennessee Region I International Trauma Life Support Coordinator. In this position, Greene is charged with improving patient care in eight Northeast Tennessee counties through the education of health care providers and instructors. He is a paramedic and training coordinator with the Greeneville-Greene County Emergency Medical Services.
Tim Parrott ’97 of Clinton, TN, has been named director of career and technical education for Anderson County (TN) Schools. Parrott began his career in the Anderson County school system as an instructor in machining in 1993, served as assistant principal at Clinton High School from 2002 to 2008 when he was named principal of the Anderson County Career and Technical Center. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Tusculum, Parrott earned his master’s degree and doctorate in instructional leadership from Tennessee Technological University.
00s
Michael Blakely, Sr., ’03 would love to hear from his classmates and learn what they have been doing since graduation. After earning his master’s degree, Blakeley has been very active and on the road frequently in a variety of geographic and diverse locales. He joined the Federal Disaster Team provided victim assistance following hurricanes, tornados, flooding, etc., in 2004. Blakely retired from the Tennessee Army National Guard (2/278th ACR) in 2005. He can be reached at MCBSR51@yahoo.com.
Josh Ealy ’07 has joined the Carson-Newman men’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach. Ealy has spent the last two seasons at Appalachian State University as a graduate assistant and then an assistant coach. During his tenure with the Mountaineers, Ealy served as the team’s academic liason, coordinated film exchange and video editing and oversaw the expansion and development of Appalacian State’s summer camp program in addition to his on-court duties.
Rachel Barnard ’09 is teaching sixth grade science and social studies at Carpenter’s Middle School in Maryville, TN.
Susan Starnes ’97 ’99 and Matt Brown ’97 were married March 21, 2009 in Hot Springs, NC.
Matt Riggs ’05 and Stephanie Blaylock were married on November 14, 2009. They are residing in their home town of Dayton, TN.
Michael James McClendon ’07 and Binta Naima Martin were married June 20, 2009. Following a wedding trip to Pigeon Forge and Atlanta, the couple is at home in Knoxville, TN. Michael is working for Whirlpool Corp.
Brandy Gilliam ’08 and Duane Randolph ’08 were married June 6, 2009 in a ceremony at the Doak House Museum on the Tusculum College campus. Brandy is working as a radiological control technician for the Safety and Ecology Corporation. Duane is an internal auditor at Security Finance Corporation.
Joe Case ’95 of Dandridge, TN, and his wife, Retha, celebrated the birth of a son, Noah Jefferson Case, on June 19. Noah weighed 9 lbs. and 1 ounce and was 20 and one-half inches long.
Brad Whitfield ’96 and Angela Massengill Whitfield ’97 of Toccoa, GA, celebrated the birth of a son, William “Baylor” Whitfield on June 8, 2009. Baylor weighed 4 pounds and 9 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. Brad and Angela also have two girls, Emma, 8, and Erin, 5.
Sasha Catron ’06 and Beth Bryant Catron ’07 announce the birth of a daughter, Brylee Elizabeth, on June 5, 2009.
Josh Edens ’08 and his wife Ashley welcomed a daughter, Leah Faith Edens, on June 6. She weighed 6 lbs. and 11 ounces and was over 19 inches long. Ashley began working in the Financial Aid Office at the College in July. Leah’s proud grandmother, Kelly Edens, works in the Graduate and Professional Studies Office on the Greeneville campus.
40s
Elsie Zepht Young ’42 of Cardinal Village, NJ, formerly of Linden, NJ, passed away October 6, 2008.
Dorothy McAmis Linebarger ’44 of Greeneville, TN, passed away August 4, 2009. Mrs. Linebarger was a retired teacher with the Head Start program and was a homemaker. She was an active member of Reformation Lutheran Church and a charter member of “The Bridge Club,” having been a member since 1950. Her survivors include Tusculum alumni sister Mary McAmis Smith ’53, sister and brother in-law Dick and Betty (McAmis) King ’51 ’50, and sister-in-law Phyllis Pierce McAmis ’50.
Sylvia Elizabeth Palmer ’44 of Greeneville, TN, passed away June 3, 2009. Miss Palmer was a cartographer, beginning her career with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga. She later moved to Washington, D.C., where she joined the U.S. Army Map Service from which she retired as head of the relief map division. After her retirement, she returned to Greeneville. She was active at Asbury United Methodist Church in Greeneville, serving for several years as a teacher of an adult class. Miss Palmer was an accomplished organist and served as organist at First Baptist Church during her college years.
Christian Seidorf ’47 of Peoria, AZ, passed away September 27, 2009. He was an engineer and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Jean Martenis Gilland ’48 of Fairless Hills, PA, passed away March 8, 2009. She was an Avon sales representative.
Elwood P. Hastie, USA (Ret.) ’49 of Talbott, TN, passed away April 16, 2008. Mr. Hastie was a retired environmentalist, who had worked at the University of Tennessee.
50s
Thomas M. Head ’51 of Amherst, NH, passed away April 18, 2009, after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Mr. Head had moved to Amherst with his family in 1963 when he joined the New Hampshire Insurance Company. As an officer of the company and director of research and development, he pioneered the programming of the newly introduced personal computer for automated issuance and servicing of insurance contracts. He later founded TMH Associates with his wife and son to continue programming the personal computer for insurance and other applications. Mr. Head was an active member of the community, serving on the Amherst Ways and Means Committee, as co-chairman of the Souhegan Budget Committee, and as a trustee of the Amherst Town Library. He was also a dedicated volunteer with the Amherst Emergency Medical Services, serving as an ambulance driver and then later as a certified emergency medical technician. Mr. Head pursued a lifelong interest in the theater, acting in and directing plays for the Concord (MA) Players and the Amherst PTA. He was chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Stage Festival when the theater group was founded. Mr. Head was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Milford where he served on the Church Council, as chairman of the Finance Committee, and as chairman of the Nominating Committee. Music was a very important part of his life, and he brought musical talent and energy to the church as a member of the choir and co-Chairman of the Music Committee. Mr. Head enjoyed spending time and was proud to be able to summit 4,500 foot Mt. Garfield in the White Mountains in his mid-70s.
Harry Leonard ’51 of Cookeville, TN, passed away September 3, 2009. A native of Greeneville, TN, Mr. Leonard was an U.S. Army veteran who served in post-World War II Japan. He worked a number of years as a plant engineer and area manager for Tennessee Gas Transmission Company. He later retired as area superintendent for East Tennessee Natural Gas Company. Mr. Leonard was a member of Cookeville First United Methodist Church where he served faithfully in many capacities for more than 40 years, including as church treasurer, chair of the Staff-Parish and Finance Committees and a member, teacher and president of the Backsliders Sunday School class. He was a founding member of the Tennessee Tech University College of Business Administration Foundation, board member for many years for the Cookeville Housing Authority and a charter member and past-president of Cookeville Noonday Lions Club. Mr. Leonard was known as a fine golfer, tennis player and a student of history and of landscaping and horticulture.
Thomas L. Rankin ’51 of North Miami, FL, passed away in June 2009. Mr. Rankin was active in the American Legion, Florida Post 67. He was the son of Lynn M. Rankin ’17 and grandson of Samuel Rankin, who was a professor at the College for 45 years and is for whom Rankin Hall is named. His survivors include cousins and Tusculum alumnae Anne Beeson Gouge ’41 and Betty Beeson Helms ’44.
Grace Fawver Ellis ’52 of Knoxville, TN, passed away July 21, 2009. Mrs. Ellis was a retired rural mail carrier. She was a trustee of Barbara Abernathy Memorial Park, member of Mascot United Methodist Church, member of the Dime Girls of Knoxville, member of Mascot Eastern Star and a member of the Blaine Red Hatters.
John J. Leitner ’52 of Barnegat, NJ, passed away November 27, 2009. Mr. Leitner was retired from ITT. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. Mr. Leitner was a member of the VFW Post 10092 and BPOE Lodge 2340.
Dr. Don T. Van Dam ’52 of Chatham Township, NJ, passed away September 4, 2008. Dr. Van Dam began his medical practice in Wayne, NJ. He served as medical director at Kate Mancy Ladd in Far Hills, NJ, from 1969-1982. In his later career, Dr. Van Dam worked as a consultant nursing home administrator in various facilities. He was an U.S. Army veteran, having served in the medical corp. Dr. Van Dam attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and was a member of the American Medical Association. He enjoyed skiing and was a member of the National Ski Patrol, serving as a regional medical advisor into the mid-1980s.
Phyllis Mary Farrell Wanger ’53 of Fairfield, OH, passed away February 16, 2009. Mrs. Wanger attended Tusculum College for her first three years of undergraduate study prior to marrying and moving with her new husband, Robert Wanger. She always valued her years at the College and the friendships she formed. Her funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Richard Waddle ’57.
Dr. Joe A. Campbell, Jr. ’56 of Clarksdale, MS, passed away April 6, 2009. A physician in Clarksdale, Dr. Campbell had earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee.
Mrs. Mary Ann Platt Pippin ’57 of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away on October 17, 2009, after batting lymphoma. At Tusculum, Mary Ann met and married her college sweetheart, Hal Pippin ’59. Their son, Craig, was named for the residence hall in which he lived. The couple raised their family in St. Petersburg, FL, where she spent 26 years with the Pinellas County School System. She is remembered for her beautiful smile, her positive outlook and her devotion to her students.
60s
Robert W. “Coach” Elco ’69 of Narrowsburg, NY, passed away on September 12, 2009. Mr. Elco was a retired athletic director, coach and drivers education instructor of the Narrowsburg Central School. He was also a member of the Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a Narrowsburg volunteer fireman, a former Town of Tusten constable, a Lion’s Club member and AARP driving instructor, a member and former president of the Western Sullivan League and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He received the New York State Athletic Administrator Association Award and the Western Sullivan League Athletic Director Service Award, both in 1996.
Karen Lee Soop ’69 of Hoschton, GA, passed away September 6, 2009. She was executive vice president of Dugco Supply Company. She was a member of New Canaan Baptist Church, where she touched many lives through her gifts of teaching, encouraging and her tireless endeavors with the W.M.U.
70s
Kathy Van Buskirk Meredith ’71 passed away on November 24, 2009. She had battled cancer for the past 17 years. Her husband, Woody Meredith ’71, shared the news of her death with this note, “It is with a profound sense of loss and yet a profound sense of victory that I inform you of the passing of my wife, Kathy Van Buskirk Meredith ’71 on November 24, 2009. After battling cancer for the past 17 years her body and her spirit had enough. She passed away at home and pain free. She is at peace, with her loved ones, and now can watch over both family and friends. So let us celebrate her life, her laughter and her unbelievable spirit. Thanks to our many friends for your love and support over the years.”
Katherine “Kay” Lamons Rhea ’71 of Greeneville, TN, passed away June 15, 2009. Mrs. Rhea had been the co-owner of the Rhea Floral Company and Comanche East Pottery with her late husband, David V. Rhea. She has also served on the staff of the Greene County Election Office. Mrs. Rhea served for a number of years as the organist for the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church as well as the children’s choir director, a chancel choir member and a Cumberland bell-ringer. She was a former president of the Greene County Republican Women and the Tuesday Book Club and was a member of the Andrew Johnson Club and the Andrew Johnson Club Chorus. She was also a member of the “Dashing Duets,” the Wednesday Breakfast club and a tap-dancing group. She also volunteered at the YMCA.
Ava Sue Solomon ’71 of Midway, TN, passed away June 19, 2009. Miss Solomon was a retired teacher. She taught 30 years as a first-grade teacher at McDonald Elementary School in Greene County. Miss Solomon was a member of Hartman’s Chapel United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Nancy Lay Gilmore ’76 of Fredericksburg, VA., passed away on September 30, 2009. A journalist, Mrs. Gilmore started her career as an editor with Aviation Daily in Washington, D.C. She was a freelance writer and photographer for several years as her family grew. From 1998 through 2009, she held several positions at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, including copyediting and travel-feature writing. She was a member of Virginia Press Women. She was an active member of the Unity Church in Fredericksburg. In recent years, she had discovered her talents as a watercolorist. In addition, she employed her artistic talents in creating popular handmade beaded jewelry in a home-based business, Gem Dandy.