News from alumni
Keep us updated on the important events in your life, including a change in your address or e-mail. Please fill out our alumni update form.
• Sarah Ayers, Class of 2008, graduated summa cum laude from Belmont University on December 16, 2011. Sarah received the 2011 Outstanding Student in Biology Award from Belmont, and she also tied for first place in the Entomology Session of the 2011 Tennessee Academy of Science Collegiate Meeting for her presentation on Repellent Properties of Common Herbs of the Family Lamiaceae Against the American Dog Tick, Dermacentor Variabilis. Sarah will be attending the Belmont University School of Pharmacy later this year to begin work on a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
• Elizabeth Shearin Davis, Class of 2003, graduated from Union University's Nurse Practitioner Program with a Masters of Science in Nursing. Liz works for TransSouth Healthcare in Jackson with a dual focus in gastroenterology and family practice. Liz and her husband, Ben, live in Jackson. (edavis@eplus.net)
• Emily Ellis Carr, Class of 2002, received her graduate degree from Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia on December 1, 2011. She and her husband, Beau, live in Nashville where she will work for Anesthesia Medical Group.
• Chaz Daugherty, Class of 1993, works as a Project Manager for Jones Lang Lasalle. He is currently in the Project Development Services division that works on Multi-Sites for a Retail Customer. This division manages the entire construction process for renovations of their entire stores nationwide. Chaz received his degree from Mississippi State. He and his wife, Jessica Todd Daugherty, Class of 1989, live in Jackson and have two children: Haley, 15, and Hayde, 12. (chaz.daugherty@am.jll.com)
• Trell Shivley, Class of 2002, married Anna Laura Barnes on January 14, 2012. Trell received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Trell is employed as regional sales representative for Shaw Floor Covering. Anna is a 2002 graduate of Union City High School and received her degree in marketing from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Anna works at Oden Marketing in Memphis and is currently pursuing her Masters of Education degree at the University of Memphis.
• Hillary Pipkin, Class of 2003, married Jason Tubb on January 7, 2012, in Jackson. Hillary graduated from Union University with a degree in Nursing, magna cum laude. Hillary is a registed nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Jason is a 2000 graduate of Hatley High School in Mississippi and received his degrees in landscape architecture and landscape contracting and management from Mississippi State University. Jason is a landscape designer with Summit Landscapes in Memphis.
• Britnee Price, Class of 2008, married Will Dement, Class of 2006, on October 8, 2011, in North Carolina. Britnee will receive her degree in Psychology from Union University in January 2012. Will received his degree in Business Administration from Union University in 2010 and works at Dement Construction Company. The couple lives in Jackson.
• Constance Jones, Class of 2008, is majoring in health and human performance at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Constance is also one of the supervisors of campus recreation and is being featured on the UT Martin website.
• Rhonda Bennett Hampton, Class of 1976, and her husband, Donnie, celebrated the first birthday of their sixth grandchild, Carter Anthony Toth, on November 5. Rhonda is a stay-at-home grandma, and they live in Beech Bluff, Tennessee. (See a picture of Carter) (rhampton76@hotmail.com)
• Our sympathies go out to the family of Hudson Atkins, Class of 1977, who died September 21, 2011, following a lengthy illness. Hudson attended the University of Mississippi at Oxford. At the time of his death, he was owner and Chief Operating Officer of EnviroRem, Inc., of Memphis; Tampa, Florida; and Orange Beach, Alabama. Survivors include his wife, Jane Evans Atkins; his son, Robert Hudson Atkins, Jr.; his daughter, Carrie Horn Atkins; all of Memphis; and his son, Lawrence King Holcomb, of Birmingham. He is also survived by his parents, Jane Hudson Atkins and Robert Dale Atkins of Humboldt; his grandmother, Mary Ruth Atkins (James) of Gibson, Tennessee; sisters Anne Atkins Short (Doug) of Humboldt, and Mary Atkins McCarroll (John) of Memphis, and several nieces and nephews.
• Frances Kirkland Lawhead, MD, Class of 1998, has joined the medical staff of the Jackson Clinic. Frances, a dermatologist, completed her fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery.
• Stephanie Dunivan Barber, Class of 2003, obtained a master of science degree in accounting with a specialization in taxation in August 2011 from the University of Memphis. She is an accountant for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Stephanie married Michael Brandon Barber, an attorney in Memphis, in December 2009. (snd1263@gmail.com)
• Catherine Caldwell, Class of 2005, married Jacob McNeill on November 2, 2011, in Jackson. Catherine, who majored in biology at Union University, is a 2011 graduate of the Jackson Regional Practical Nursing Program. She is employed as a charge nurse at Pine Meadows Healthcare Facility. Jacob is a conductor for Canadian National Railroad in Fulton, Kentucky. The couple lives in Jackson.
• Gary Blankenship, Class of 2000, married Christi Jennings on October 23, 2011, on Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga. Gary has a B.A. in history and is seeking a master's degree in criminal justice at UT Chattanooga. Gary is also joining the Chattanooga Police Deptment. Christi is a paramedic graduate and seeking a degree in nursing at Chattanooga State. Gary and Christi live in Chattanooga.
(cgaryblankenship@gmail.com)
• Matthew Reed, Class of 2001, has moved from New York City to San Francisco where he is a senior account manager for Fluid, Inc., an interactive ad agency. Matt graduated from Washington University in 2005 with a bachelor of arts degree. (mtreed@gmail.com)
• Haley King, Class of 2007, married Clay Goodrich in May 2010. Haley, who works for King Tire Company, has a B.S. in Elementary Education PreK-3 from the University of Tennessee. She graduated magna cum laude. Clay is a realtor with Town and Country Realtors. They live in Jackson. (haley@kingtire.com)
• Maggie Diffee Herndon, Class of 2001, and Lindsey Homra Siroky, Class of 1997, have opened a children's shop and art studio in Jackson, called Mags and Lulu. Both artists, they create custom artwork, ceramics and gifts. In addition, Mags and Lulu has clothing, baby gear, and toys. Both Maggie and Lindsey say that Carolyn Eldridge and Libby Lynch inspired them early in life to persue their passion for art! (magsandlulu@gmail.com)
• Will Ayers, Class of 2005, married Jennifer Brelsford in Franklin, Tennessee, on September 3. Will graduated magna cum laude from Belmont University in 2009 with a bachelor of arts in music theory and vocal music performance, classical. He is pursuing his master’s degree in music theory at the University of Cincinnati College of Conservatory of Music. The couple lives in Cincinnati.
• Nick Latimer, Class of 2004, married Kelly Jo Patterson on June 18 in Fulton, Kentucky. Nick is a 2008 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin where he earned a bachelor degree's in business administration; he also received his MBA in 2010 from UTM. He is completing his third year of law school at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in Memphis.
• Zainab Suara, Class of 2008, is pursuing her masters of science in public health at Meharry Medical College in Nashville. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Howard University in just three years.
• Rebecca Smith, Class of 2003, married Edward Nenon, Jr. in July in Jackson. Rebecca received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rhodes College in 2007 and her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Union University in 2008. She is a registered nurse in the ER at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. Edward is an associate in the Investment Banking division of Morgan Keegan & Co. in Memphis.
• Frances Kirkland Lawhead, Class of 1998, and her husband, Jake, live in Gainesville, Florida, where Frances is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Dermatology and Mohs Micrographic Surgery at the University of Florida. Jake is a Tennis Teaching Professional and the Tennis Manager/Buyer at a local golf and tennis retail store. Their daughter, Sadie Glasgow Lawhead, arrived on July 25, 2011. (See a picture of Sadie)
• Sara Barnes, Class of 2010, a sophomore at Parsons The New School For Design in New York, has had her work showcased in two fashion shows, one in Nashville and one in Jackson. The Jackson show was the featured segment of a fundraiser for the HandsUp School.
• Roy Erb, Class of 1981, is enjoying living in Colorado, skiing, cycling, and flying when not working. Roy attended Vanderbilt where he obtained his MD. Roy works for WCRA as a Radiologist. Roy and his wife, Susan, have three children, Lindsey, born in June 1995, Sarah Megan, born in May 1998, and Watts, born in December 2001. Rerb324182@aol.com
• Tashua Curtis Cecil, Class of 1985, attended Memphis State where she obtained a degree in social work. Tashua is the director at First Source. Tashua and her husband, Lynn, have two children, Dallas and Tori. tashua.curtis@yahoo.com
• Lisa Ann Blankinship, Class of 1997, published an article, “Teaching Bacterial Arrangements and Morphologies with Candy,” in the Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education (American Society for Microbiology) in May 2011. Lisa Ann received a BS from University of Tennessee at Martin in 1999 and a MS and Ph.D. at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She works at the University of North Alabama as an Assistant Professor of Biology. lblankinship@una.edu
• Charles Byrd, Class of 1982, resigned from his position on the Madison County Commission to become Madison County Attorney. Charles has served on the Commission for 13 years; eight of which he served as chairmen.
• Kimbrough Dunlap, Class of 1981, attended the University of Tennessee for four years and graduated with a BS in Accounting. Kimbrough is now the President of American Cellular, in Brentwood, Tenn. He and his wife, Paula, have a son, Brody, who was born in August 1991. kimbrough@americancellular.net
• Gianna Salvucci, Class of 2008, a senior at Rhodes College, was selected from numerous candidates for a summer internship with Loreal Cosmetics. (gianna9225@hotmail.com)
• Ashequl Hoque, Class of 1998, and his wife Farhana, welcomed their first child, Ibrahim, on February 14, 2011. Ashequl is a graduate of the University of Memphis and the University of Virginia School of Law. He is the Chief Legal Officer at a large IT company and currently resides with his family in the Washington, D.C. area. (hoque.ashequl@gmail.com)
• Sandy Winston, Class of 1977, has been a family physician in Helena, Arkansas, for the past 18 years. He is president of the Phillips County Medical Society, medical director of the Phillips County Health Unit, and medical director of the local V.A. clinic. He also sits on the board of directors for his family-owned, specialty chemical buisness — Win Solutions — located in Lexa, Arkansas. He and his wife, Susan, live in Helena, Arkansas. (doctorwins@yahoo.com)
• Mary Beth Haltom, Class of 1998, was selected as a 2011 honoree for Nashville's Top 30 Under 30 by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Mary Beth works for Lewis, Kig, Krieg, and Waldrop, PC.
• Kirk Young, Class of 2003, was selected as a 2011 honoree for Nashville's Top 30 Under 30 by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Kirk owns his own marketing firm, Geisler Young, and lives in Nashville.
• Haley Anderson, Class of 2007, is teaching second grade at Lincoln Magnet School for Mathematics and Science. Haley has a B.S. in Arts and Humanities, Elementary Education K-6 from Freed-Hardeman University and plans to return to Freed-Hardeman next spring to earn her mastrs in school counseling.
• Jonathan Mays, Class of 1996, and his wife, Yellen, are proud to announce the birth of their second child. Emma Grace was born July 7. Jonathan received a master of divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theology Seminary in Cordova on May 20, 2011. He received his bachelor's degree from UT-Knoxville. The family lives in Cordova. Emma has an older brother, Brennan, who is four years old.
• Kristen Hatcher Keith, Class of 2000, and her husband, Jonathan, welcomed their first son, Hatcher, on January 20, 2011. He weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz. He joins big sister, Brooke.
• Elizabeth Breeden, Class of 2011, enjoyed an internship with Gary Pickens and the meteorology team at WBBJ Channel 7 in Jackson. As a part of her experience, Elizabeth worked with the National Weather Service in Memphis and did mock trial runs in front of the camera. Elizabeth is attending Mississippi State University to pursue a broadcast meterology degree.
• Bryan Byrd, Class of 2001, and his wife, Laura, welcomed their first child, Lillian Madison "Lily" Byrd, on April 19, 2011. Bryan is with BancorpSouth Bank in Franklin and Laura is with First Citizens Bank in Franklin. They make their home in Spring Hill, Tennessee. (See a picture of Lily.)
• Kathleen Smith, Class of 1981, has lived in Nashville since 2000. She is employed with Hudson Yards Nashville (pre-media) as an Image Editor/Digital Retouching for Victoria Secret. Kathleen received her degree from the Art Center of Dallas. She and her partner, Rachel Valentine, have a two year old son, Jac Valentine. katmandutn@mac.com
• May Martin, Class of 2001, is a graduate student working towards a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign. May had two papers published in international journals and made presentations at two national conferences. Last summer she traveled to Fukuoka, Japan, for two months to work with collaborators. May plans to finish and defend her doctorial thesis by the end of 2011. May obtained a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University.
• Joel Wasmundt, Class of 1998, and his wife, Kyra, welcomed their daughter, Ella Maree Wasmundt, who born June 9th, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA. Joel is currently a television editor in LA. and pursuing musical ventures. joelandkyra@me.com (See a picture of Ella.)
• Katie Wilson, Class of 2005, married Dr. Todd Seabrook in Jackson on June 11. Katie received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi College and will graduate from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygene in May 2011. She is a Board Certified Dental Hygienist and a member of the American Dental Hygiene Association. Todd is a Board Certified Anesthesiologist with Professional Anesthesia Associates in Jackson.
• Amanda Thompson, Class of 2006, married Casey Brooks May 21 in Jackson. Amanda graduated in 2010 from the University of Tennessee Martin with a bachelors degree in business administration in management. She is employed as the Business Office Coordinator for Elmcroft Assisted Living and Memory Care. Casey is a customer service representative with Jackson Energy Authority.
• Linsey Stone, Class of 2000, married Jody Pickens on June 18 in Jackson. Linsey received her bacherlor of arts in education from the University of Mississippi and a masters in educational leadership from Christian Brothers University. Linsey is a teacher at Thelma Barker Elementary School in Jackson. Jody is an Assistant District Attorney General of the 26th Judicial District of the State of Tennessee. The couple lives in Jackson.
• Celia Ridley, Class of 2002, earned her medical degree from James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. Her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology was at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine/Greenville Hospital System in Greenville this summer. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the Univeristy of Mississippi. cjridley@gmail.com
• Leslie Wenzler Garrett, Class of 2001, has her Master's of Science in Education degree from Walden University. She is a teacher at East Elementary School in Jackson. She and her husband, Matthew, are expecting their first child. They live in Jackson. L121782@yahoo.com
• Katie Mansfield, Class of 2009, has been accepted into The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the nation's only interdisciplinary honors organization for first and second-year college students. She also has been been selected for memberhsup in Sigma Alpha Lambda, National Leadership and Honors Organization at the University of Tennessee at Koxville.
• Holly Osborne, Class of 2008, is moving to Charleston, South Carolina. She will continue to pursue a degree in Psychology through the University of Memphis online degree program with plans to graduate in December. She plans to marry Brandon Hart. holly_112089@hotmail.com
• Arthur Kirkland, Class of 1990, married Shauna Lonas on April 30 in Knoxville. Arthur received his bachelor of science degree from the Univeristy of Tennessee at Martin. He is a department manager for Sears in Maryville. The couple lives in Knoxville.
• Tripp Tucker, married Brittney Jaynes on July 2 in Jackson. Tripp is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and is a financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments. The couple lives in Jackson.
• Guy VanDell, Class of 1988, and his wife, Lora are the proud parents of a daughter, Hailey Grace, born December 29, 2010. Guy, who received his medical degree from Texas Tech, is the owner of Flower Mound Womens Care. The family lives in Coppell, Texas.
• Rob Byrd, Class of 1999, and his wife, Clair, welcomed their first child, William Franklin “Will” on December 3, 2010. Rob is an accountant with Crowe Horwarth in Brentwood, Tennessee. Clair is a stay-at-home mom. See a picture of Will.
• Thad Williams, Class of 2002, and his wife Lauren are the proud parents of Presley Kate, born June 8, 2010. Thad and Lauren live in Seattle, Washington with Presley and Hayden, their firstborn, who is 3 years old. Thad is a Spanish teacher at Kentridge High School. He plans to graduate from the University of Washington with a Masters of Arts in Language Literacy and Cultural Studies in May 2011. He plans to continue his post-graduate work on his Ph.D. in Literacy and Cultural Studies with an emphasis in Immigrant Student Education. See a picture of Presley Kate.
• Rebecca Williams Holliday, Class of 2004, received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Union University in December 2010. She works as a Registered Nurse in Labor and Delivery at The Med in Memphis Tennessee where she and her husband, Chip, reside.
• Franklin Payne, Class of 2002, graduated from the University of Illinois in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology while playing football for the Fighting Illini. Franklin received a second Bachelor of Science degree in Life Science while obtaining his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, Missouri in 2010. He lives in Jackson and practices at White Chiropractic Clinic.
• Kristen Currie, Class of 2006, married Jeremy Hunt in April in Jackson. Kristen graduated cum laude from Samford University with a bachelor of science degree in Nursing. She has been working on a Cardiovascular Stepdown Unit at Trinity Medical Center in Birmingham. Jeremy is the Creative Arts Director at Fellowship Bible Church. The couple will live in Jackson.
• Kathryn Glover Miller, Class of 2002, and her husband, Parke, moved to southern California. Their daughter, Eloise Christine, was born February 27, 2009. Kathryn, a stay-at-home mom, graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in interior design. kathryn.eliz.miller@gmail.com
• Andrew Long, Class of 2005, is in the management training program at BancorpSouth in Jackson. Andrew has a degree in business finance from Middle Tennessee State University.andrew.long@bxs.com
• Benjamin Epps, Class of 1996, has directed his first full-length feature film. Called "Family Weekend," it is a comedy-drama about a female teenager who is fed up with her dysfunctional family and kidnaps them. After graduating with a master's degree in directing from American Film Institute in 2008, Benjamin and a friend started a film production company, Footprint Features. They bought and developed a screenplay that caught the interest of noteworthy actors and attracted the established production company of Ed Zwick's ("Legends of the Falls") Bedford Falls. Benjamin started the month-long shoot on January 18 in Detroit. "Family Weekend" includes several stars, including Kristin Chenoweth of "Glee" and "Promises, Promises;" Mathew Modine from "Full Metal Jacket;" Shirley Jones of "Partridge Family" fame; Olesya Rulin from the "High School Musical" sequels; and Joey King from "Ramona and Beeza." By his side as the movie's costume designer was his sister, Leslie Ann Epps Loughlin, Class of 1998. Leslie Ann worked as an editorial stylist and a celebrity stylist for six years before having her first child, Charlie, in October 2009. She has styled the costumes for Benjamin's other short films.
• Emily Page Steele, Class of 2001, and her husband, David, are the proud parents of their first child, Eileen Patricia, who was born November 22, 2010. Emily and David are attorneys practicing with Steele, Steele, and Steele in Monroeville, Ala. (emilypsteele@gmail.com). See a picture of Eileen.
• Michael Reed, Class of 1996, and his wife, Clarissa, are the proud parents of their first child. Max, their son, was born November 17. The family lives in Charlotte where Michael works for the public relations firm, Crown Communications. (reed.michaelj@gmail.com) Michael also has a blog about parenting. (http://parkrd.tumblr.com/). See a picture of Max.
• Our sympathies go out to the family of Lee Thompson, Class of 1988, who died January 15, 2011, following a lengthy battle with diabetes. Lee was employed with the State of Tennessee Division of Intellectual Disabilities in the Jackson office. He was a graduate of Lambuth University and completed his post graduate studies at Middle Tennessee University.
• 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)
