News from alumni
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• Captain Jason Weir, Class of 1998, and his wife, Charlotte welcomed their third son Kade Ryker Weir born June 22. They have two other sons Bane and Bryson and live in Roby, Missouri. Jason assumed duties September 1 as the Chief Information Officer for General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. His duties include management of the Information Management Division of GLWACH. The IMD support mission includes: Automation, Telecommunications, Video Teleconference, Records Management, and Web Systems. Jason, a decorated Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Mississippi State. jason.rw.weir@gmail.com
• Nick Debnath, Class of 1992, is an Assistant Professor with Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He and his wife, Tiffany, welcomed daughter Sage on March 30, 2010. They also have a four-year old daughter, Sophia. They live in St. Louis. debnath@gmail.com
• Matt Walker, Class of 1995, is working with the Racquet Club of the South — USTA Regional Training Center in Atlanta as a high performance tennis coach. He works with highly ranked 14-18 year olds who are training for the professional tour and had three players (ages 14-17) accepted into the US Open Junior Tennis Championships in NYC, which is considered to be the largest junior tennis tournament in the world. One of his junior players has been accepted into the main draw of the women's doubles event at the US Open. Among the tennis coaching ranks, having four players competing at the US Open is one of the highest achievements in coaching in the sport of tennis. His players have also won three U.S. national championships during 2010.. Matt received a finance degree from MTSU and his MBA from the University of Memphis. He lives in Norcross, Georgia. mrwconsulting@gmail.com
• Elizabeth Tucker Trofi, Class of 1985, is an Employee Benefits Manager with Medquist in Tampa, Florida. Elizabeth received her bachelor of business administration degree from MSU. She and her husband Charlie have a son, Lucas. They live in Tampa. eliztrofi@yahoo.com
• Chelsea Dockins, Class of 2003, plans to marry Adam Reischl on October 9 in Omaha, Nebraska. Chelsea received her bachelor of science in clinical laboratory science from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2008 and an MBA with a Healthcare Concentration in 2010 from Bellevue University. She is the clinical laboratory manager of Westroads Medical Group in Omaha.
• Ashley Powell Hodges and her husband, Cole, both members of the Class of 1999, welcomed their second daughter, Mary Clark, on August 1. Her big sister, Meg, was born in November 2008. They live in Franklin, Tennessee, where Cole is an Assistant Vice President in Commercial Lending with BancorpSouth and Ashley teaches Biology at Centennial High School. (ashleyhodges04@hotmail.com)
• Amanda McCarrick Darby, Class of 1996, and her husband, Jason, have a new baby. Alexandria "Lexie" Cheyenne was born September 11, 2009. Lexie has a big brother, Jeremiah, who is 5. Amanda, who has a degree from Union University, is a stay-at-home mom, but plans to return to teaching elementary school at some point. The family has relocated to Spring Hill, Tennessee, from St. Louis, MO. (amandadarby@charter.net)
• Cal Bowen, Class of 2006, married Allison Younger on July 10 in Jackson. Cal received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Mississippi State University. He will begin working on his PhD in political science in Fall 2010 at Ole Miss. Michael is a campaign intern with the Kirkland for Congress campaign. The couple will live in Oxford, Mississippi.
• Josh Hayes, Class of 1997, and his wife Betsy, welcomed daughter, Ava James, on April 12, 2010. Josh has an international business degree from Mississippi State University and is a project manager with Hoyt Hayes Construction in Jackson.
• Jonathan Carroll, Class of 2001, married Whitney Bobbitt on July 17 in Nashville. Jonathan received an economics degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He is the property manager for H&R Properties and an affiliate broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial Wallace and Wallace.
• Amy Ferguson Dudek, Class of 1993, and her husband, Joey, welcomed their first child, John Charles "Charlie," on May 19, 2010. Charlie weighed seven pounds, three ounces and was twenty and one-half inches long. Amy is an attorney for Glankler Brown, PLLC, in Memphis. She earned her B.A. in political science and her J.D. degrees from UT Knoxville. adudek@glankler.com
• Sherry Fowler Morton, Class of 1987, has received a doctoral degree in educational leadership with a specialization in curriculum/instruction from the University of Phoenix. She is employed by Palestine Independent School District where she is the Math Department Chair/curriculum development. She and her husband, Jon, have an 11-year old, Davis and live in Kemp, Texas. smorton10@gmail.com
• Melanie Dement Fite, Class of 2002, is a dietitian and project coordinator for LeBonheur Community Health and Well-Being. She received her bachelor degree in family and consumer services from the University of Georgia. She and her husband, Matt, Class of 1999, live in Jackson.
• Dow Davidson, Class of 1996, and Jennifer Dudney Davdison, Class of 2001, are living in Charleston, SC while Jennifer completes her residency in ophthalmology at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dow, who received his undergraduate degree from Union, will be practicing law with Hood law firm. Jennifer, a graduate of Southern Methodist University, received her medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. They have a son, Jude, who was born in May 2009. dow.davidson@gmail.com; jldudney@hotmail.com
• Melissa McCann, Class of 1997, is a fifth and sixth grade reading teacher with Alamo City Schools. She received her elementary education degree from Union University and lives in Jackson. mccannm@alamoschool.org
• Sarah Stone Smith, Class of 1997, and her husband, Brock, are the parents of a new baby. Taylor May was born December 30, 2009. Sarah, who has a master’s in education, is a Realtor for Fridrich and Clark Realty in Nashville.
• Sarah Barnes Fratesi, Class of 1995, and her husband have a new baby. Caleb Walter was born April 28, 2010. His brother, Nate, was born September 2008. Sarah, who has a degree from Mississippi State University, is an optometrist at Crigler Family Vision Center. sbfratesi@yahoo.com
• Dana Volner Nicholas, Class of 1987, who is a registered nurse, certified case manager and a certified legal nurse consultant, has taken the position of manager of case management, Southeastern Operations Region for United Healthcare. Dana, her husband, Christopher, and daughter Shelby, who is in middle school at USJ, live in Lavinia, Tennessee, on Lonesome Dove Quarter Horse Ranch. danacnicholas@gmail.com
• Miles Diffee, Class of 2006, is the reunion class coordinator for Vanderbilt University. Miles graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in hospitality management. She lives in Nashville. milesdiffee@gmail.com
• Beth Sigler Haltom, Class of 2002, is a real estate agent with Century 21 in Jackson. Beth received a business degree from the University of Mississippi. She and her husband, Todd, live in Jackson. beth@toddhaltom.com
• Stephen Hammond, Class of 1994, is a physician with The Jackson Clinic. He and his wife, Cecilia, have a daughter Emi Claire who was born in 2008. Stephen earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Union University. drshammond@hotmail.com
• Mary Elizabeth Jaco Hopkins, Class of 2001, is an internal auditor with Lucite International in Memphis. She received a bachelor of arts and a master of science in accounting from Rhodes College. She and her husband, Jim, reside in Memphis. mary.e.jaco@gmail.com
• Elizabeth Shearin Davis, Class of 2003, will start the nurse practitioner program at Union University in the fall of 2010. She attended the University of Alabama and Union University where she obtained her bachelor of nursing degree. She is a registered nurse with TransSouth Healthcare. Liz and her husband, Ben, live in Jackson.edavis@eplus.net
• Todd Siroky, Class of 1998, an attorney for Rainey, Kizer, Reviere, and Bell PLC, is the 2009-2010 president of the Jackson-Madison County Bar Association and an associate member of American Inns of Court, Howell Edmunds Jackson Chapter. His wife, Lindsey Homra Siroky, Class of 1997, is a part-time provider relations specialist with Volunteer Home Care. Lindsey graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and new media. Todd has a degree in health administration from the University of Kentucky and his law degree from the University of Memphis. Lindsey and Todd have a son, George, born in December 2006, who is a student at USJ, and are expecting a daughter in August. They live in Jackson. Homra@hotmail.com; tsiroky@raineykizer.com
• Maggie Diffee Herndon, Class of 2001, and her husband, Chase, are new parents. Charles Franklin "Chase" Herndon Jr. was born May 19, 2010. Maggie has a degree in retail marketing from the University of Texas, Austin. She works at The Bank of Jackson. (maggiediffee@gmail.com)
• Deirdre Sallee, Class of 1996, is a senior counselor and department head at Jackson Central-Merry High School. She has a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University and a masters of science degree from the University of Memphis. Deirdre has two children: son Braden Murray is 7 years old and will be in second grade at USJ in August 2010 and daughter Ella Mavourneen is 8 months old. (desallee@jmcss.org)
• Natalie Edwards, Class of 2005, and Eric Carruth, Class of 2004, were married in Jackson on June 5, 2010. Natalie is a first-year dental student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She has a bachelor of science degree in biomedical science from Auburn University. Eric, a third-year medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, has a bachelor of science degree in microbiology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
• Brooke Baudo, Class of 2000, will marry Thomas Ott on July 24, 2010. Brooke is a Speech Language Pathologist for the Wakulla County School Board in Tallahassee, Florida. She has a bachelor of arts degree in communication disorders from the University of Mississippi and a master of arts in speech language pathology from the University of Memphis.
• Holly Osborne, Class of 2008, is Recruitment Chair for her sorority, Phi Mu, at the University of Memphis. Holly is working towards a degree in psychology degree with a concentration in children's studies and plans to graduate May of 2012. (holly_112089@hotmail.com)
• Mark Akin, Class of 2006, will marry Addie Campbell in June 2011. Mark graduated magna cum laude from Belmont University with a bachelor's degree in music in classical guitar performance and will be attending the University of Arizona to pursue a master's degree in music. (gibson610@yahoo.com)
• Lauren Gardner, Class of 2003, graduated in 2007 from UT Knoxville with a bachelor's degree in Nutrition/Adolescent Health and in 2010 with a degree in respiratory care technology from Jackson State Community College. She is a licensed Respiratory Therpaist at Vanderbilt Monroe-Carell Children's Hospital. (lgardne4@yahoo.com)
•Sara Beth Johnson, Class of 2005, is a missionary for Campus Crusade for Christ in Roanoke, Tennessee. Sara Beth has a degree in business finance and accounting from Radford University. (sjohnson171@radford.edu)
• Kristi Lawrence Price, Class of 2001, and her husband, Dr. Joshua M. Price, D.C., are new parents. Their first child, Logan Michael, was born March 30. Kristi and Josh own Hillcrest Chiropractic in Clarksville, Tennessee, and have been married since August 18, 2007. Kristi has an associates degree in physical therapy from Jackson State and a certification as a chiropractic assistant. (ksweetpea728@bellsouth.net)
Gary Blankenship, Class of 2005, is attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to obtain a B.S. in Exercise Science and then to earn a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Gary also has a B.A. in history from UT Chattanooga. (cgaryblankenship@gmail.com)
• Ben Jeter, Class of 2005, graduated from Mississippi State University in May with a bachelor of science degree in biological sciences. He plans to attend graduate school at Mississippi State. (btj39@msstate.edu)
• Ryan Barnett, Class of 2005, graduated from Mississippi State University in May with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Ryan is moving to Huntsville, Ala, for work. (slipknot@bellsouth.net)
• Gary Tisdale, Class of 1972, is the owner of Midtown Gallery in Nashville. The art gallery is celebrating 15 years at its current location, 1912 Broadway, just two blocks from the Vanderbilt University campus. Gary has a BBA in marketing from the University of Memphis. He invites members of the USJ family to visit the gallery when they are in Nashville. (gct1912@aol.com)
• Leah Hamilton, Class of 2004, is an accounting analyst with Lennox Hearth Products, a division of Lennox International, in the company’s Nashville corporate office. Leah has a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee. (leah.hamilton86@gmail.com)
• Katie Brush, Class of 2005, will marry Donnie Nickey on June 12, 2010 in Nashville. Katie received her bachelor degree in exercise science from Middle Tennessee State University in 2009. She is pursuing a career in physical therapy. The couple will live in Nashville.
• Dianne Towater Kelley, Class of 1981, has retired as CEO of Extendicare of West Tennessee after 25 years in healthcare. She received her nursing degree from Union University. She is married to Finis and has a daughter, Julie Faulder. They live in Jackson. (diannekelley@charter.net)
• Michael Hammond, Class of 2005, has earned a bachelor's degree from Princeton University. He is self-employed and lives in Brooklyn, NY. (mwhammond@gmail.com)
• Captain Jason R. Weir, Class of 1998, has been awarded a Bronze Star Metal. Jason is an Administrative Officer for Information Management, Madigan Army Medical Center, Ft. Lewis, Washington. The award citaion reads "This is to certify that the President of the United States of America ... has awarded the Bronze Star Metal to Captain Jason R. Weir, United States Army, Bravo Company, 47th Combat Support Hospital, Task Force 1st Medical Brigade for exceptionally meritorious service in a combat zone with exposure to risk of hostile action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His outstanding duty performance during combat operations in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming success of the Command's mission. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, an the United States Army, from: 21 February 2009 to 9 February 2010 given under my hand in the City of Washington Charles H. Jacoby, Jr. Lieutenant General, USA Commanding General." Jason served in 2004 with the 1st Stryker Brigade, in 2008 with the 1st Forward Surgical Team (Airborne) and in 2009 with the 47th Combat Support Hospital all in the Iraqi war theatre. Jason and his wife, Charlotte, have two boys, Bane and Bryson, and are expecting a third in June 2010. They live in DuPont, Washington, near Ft. Lewis.
• Kelly Priddy, Class of 2002, married Steven Breazeale Jr. on March 13, 2010, in Jackson. Kelly, who has a BA in elementary education from the University of Mississippi, teaches second grade in the Rankin County School District. (kapriddy@yahoo.com)
• Russ Deloach, Class of 2002, and his wife, Emily live in Asheville, North Carolina, where Russ teaches world history and psychology at East Henderson High School. He is also an assistant football and baseball coach at the school. Russ graduated from UT-Martin with a bachelor of arts degree in history. (rndeloach@gmail.com)
• Neelam Patel, Class of 2005, graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. She is working in the family’s hotel business and is a general manager/owner of a Comfort Inn in Raleigh, N.C. She is on the Choice Hotels Owners Council, which represents owners in North Carolina and South Carolina owners. (neelampatel08@gmail.com)
• Holly Osborne, Class of 2008, is a sophomore at the University of Memphis. She competed nationally last year as a member of the All-Girl cheering team. She is on the executive board of her sorority, Phi Mu. (holly_112089@hotmail.com)
• Amy Page, Class of 2005, graduated with honors from UT Knoxville in 2008 with a bachelor of science degree in microbiology. While at UT, Amy was on her sorority’s Leadership Council, was a student recruiter, a campus tour guide for the Orange Pride organization and worked as an undergraduate lab assistant in a microbiology lab. Amy will enter dental school in August 2010 at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.
• Sara Kirkland, Class of 2005, has a degree in finance from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She works for ACA Beacon Verification Services in Chattanooga. (sarajanekirkland@gmail.com
• Charles Evans, Class of 2008, is a sophomore at Lambuth University pursuing a degree in history. He is a student assistant coach for Lambuth’s basketball team and a Young Life leader at Liberty High School. (charlesevans4310@hotmail.com)
• William Hudson, Class of 2006, who attends the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, plans to graduate in May, 2010, with a bachelor of science degree in business administration/finance with a minor in economics. He plans to marry Cassie Brooks in July. William will pursue a master’s degree in public administration in the fall. (whudson09@gmail.com)
• Alex Treneff, Class of 2006, graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship and management. He lives in Jackson. (alex.treneff@treneffrc.com)
• Annie England, Class of 2000, who has a bachelor’s degree from Samford University, is project coordinator for Command Alkon. She and her husband, Ken, have two children, Alexis Jade, who was born in August 2003, and Addison Salee, born in May 2009, and expect their third child in May. They live in Hoover, Alabama. (annies.england@yahoo.com)
• Abigail Boren Pearson, Class of 1997, received a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University. She and her husband Giles, welcome the birth of their daughter, Charlotte Carol, who was born on February 2, 2010. They live in Crown Point, Indiana. (abpearson@comcast.net)
• Ray Courtney, Class of 1997, graduated from Harvard and is an Engineering Manager with Slide. He and his wife, Katy, live in San Francisco. (raycourtney@post.harvard.edu)
• Audrey Dedmon Green, Class of 1996, received a bachelor of science degree from Abilene Christian University. She also holds a master’s degree in counseling and plans to one day return to work in the mental health field. She is currently a stay at home mom to her daughters, Allie and Chloe. She is married to Sam and they live in Richmond, Virginia. (tn426@aol.com)
• Tiffany Fuller Brooks, Class of 1994, obtained a bachelor of journalism and TV production degree from Oral Robert University. She and her husband, William, have two children, Monica, who is three, and Morgan, who is one. They live in Oviedo, Florida. (tiffbrooks@bellsouth.net)
• Christian Allan, Class of 1992, received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee. He is a cardiologist in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is married to Sonia Craft Allan, Class of 1993. Sonia has a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from UT. They have three children, Isabella, who was born in March 2002, Bowen, born in April 2004, and Ava Greer, born in May 2006. (christianallan@bellsouth.net)
• Don Gilliam, Class of 1992, received a bachelor’s degree from Lambuth University. He is a Branch Manager for Professional Financial Services in Birmingham, Alabama. (digilliam10@aol.com)
• Leigh Ann King Espy, Class of 1989, who has a bachelor’s degree from Union University, is an administrative assistant with ING Financial Partners. She is married to Bill Espy and they have two children, Hannah, born in March 1996, and Clay, born in November 2000. They live in Medina, Tennessee. (laespy@bellsouth.net)
• Debbie Engle, Class of 1975, who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennesse, is a teacher with Memphis City Schools and lives in Cordova. (scuba1deb@aol.com
• Belinda Mills Jordan, Class of 1975, received a bachelor of arts in interior design from Lambuth University. She has three boys, Jacob, who was born in March 1982, Frank, born in July 1983, and Daniel, born in February 1988. She works for Hospital Corporation of America and lives in Brentwood, Tennessee. (jordan0530@yahoo.com)
• Christa Kiger, Class of 1988, attended Episcopal Day School and then graduated from a high school in North Caroline. She has a degree in computing from Oxford University in Oxford, England, and works as a consultant in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (crewswhicker@hotmail.com)
• The USJ community extends its sympathy to the family of Thomas Paul Anton, Class of 2008, who died in January 2010 after a brief illness. Thomas was a sophomore at the University of Alabama. He is survived by his parents, Michael and Debra Anton, and a brother, Michael, a member of USJ's Class of 2005.
• Julie Comfort Raynor, Class of 1990, and husband Scott, welcome the birth of their son, Garrett Michael, who was born on June 12, 2009. Their daughter Amelia was 5 years old on November 14, 2009. Julie is a Business Research/Public Computing Supervisor at the High Point Public Library in High Point, N.C. She has a B.A.in psychology and a masters in library science. jcraynor@myway.com
• Leah Holmes, Class of 2004, received a bachelor of arts in music from Brigham Young University in Idaho. She is serving a mission for her church until July 1010 in Baton Rouge Louisiana.
• John David Sikes, Class of 2002, a sales wholesaler with MetLife Investors Group, has been promoted to Regional Vice President and acquired the sales territory of South Carolina and certain parts of North Carolina. He has relocated from Newport Beach, California, to Charleston, South Carolina. johndavid.sikes@gmail.com
• Yancey Cowen, Class of 1990, and his wife, Emily, live in Arlington, Virginia. Yancey is a speechwriter for the Pentagon. yanceycowen@yahoo.com
• Jason Hutchison, Class of 1990, and his wife, Melissa, have a new son. Sawyer Andrew was born October 30, 2009. Jason is an orthopedic surgeon at West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic in Jackson. After graduating from Rhodes with a B.S. degree, Jason obtained his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis. Jason and Melissa have two other children, Ryan Alexander, who was born in April 2005 and Lauren Ansley, who was born in October 2007. jasonhutch@hotmail.com
• Wesley Ford, Class of 1997, and his wife, Allison, announce the October 19 birth of their first child, a son, named Shepard Brock. The family lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where Wesley is employed as an attorney for Farah & Farah, P.A., and Allison is a C.P.A. for Regency Centers Corp. Wesley has a B.A. from University of Tennessee, Knoxville. wesleyford45@yahoo.com
• Brad Morgan, Class of 2003, is a modeling and simulation engineer for Procter and Gamble. Brad lives in Loveland, Ohio. He has a masters degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
• Brent Morgan, Class of 2001, works for State Farm Insurance and lives in Loveland, Ohio. He has a B.S. degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
• Chelsea Young, Class of 2002, married Clayton Ryden on October 16 in San Antonio. Chelsea received her Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design from Auburn University and is the Art Director for the American Red Cross blood services division in Dallas, Texas. The couple lives in Dallas.
• Christie Kizer Burbank, Class of 1990, and her husband, Brice, have a new daughter. Beatrix Dudley Burbank (Bea) was born on June 29. cburbank@millermartin.com
• Aaron Glover, Class of 2004, recently relocated to the Atlanta metropolitan area from Hartford, Connecticut, and began work on his MBA at Georgia Institute of Technology. Aaron has also accepted a full-time position with Home Depot (Corporate), a Fortune 25 company, as an Operations Business Analyst. Aaron will use his background in statistics, mathematics, and information technology to help Home Depot manage store operations for North America in an efficient, analytical, and lean manner. Aaron also plans to complete his Six Sigma Black Belt Certification within the coming months. Aaron has a B.S. in statistics from the University of Tennessee. aaron.glover@gmail.com
• Doug Haltom, Class of 1994, joined West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic, P.C., in Jackson in the practice of orthopedics and sports medicine. Doug had a fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine at the Indiana University/Methodist Sports Medicine Center where he worked with the Indianapolis Colts. He completed his orthopedic residency at University of Missouri-Columbia. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee-Memphis College of Medicine and had his general surgery internship at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Doug and his wife, Beth, have two children: daughter Haynes, who was born in September 2006, and Miller, who was born May 14, 2009. doughaltom@gmail.com
• Whitney Edwards Sikes, Class of 1996, and her husband, Dan, have a new baby. Reese Dianne (named after her two grandmothers) was born September 5. The baby has a brother, Cooper.
• Jill Appleton Wimer, Class of 1994, and her husband, Chad, live in Columbia, Mo. They have a son, Chase Jared, who was born in April 2007. chadwimer@centurytel.net
