Class Notes

Writes in to report that she retired in 2014. Her husband, a detective with the the Sarasota Sheriffs department, passed away suddenly in 2012. She has five grown children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. She is enjoying performing in two concert bands in Florida on the French horn. She is an avid swimmer, bicyclist, tennis player, and a fan of the performing arts.

earned his PhD in East-West Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies in 2014.

My husband Ron Elly died from Multiple Myeloma in June of 2016. I moved to a 4 room rental house in an apartment complex in Lafayette in November of 2018, then spent the next seven months finishing clearing out my home of 47 years, making needed repairs and painting it, finally selling it in June of 2019. Now I’m finally settled in my new home. I’m now the medical rep for my older sister, whom we are working on moving to an assisted living facility. Whew! And I thought retirement meant “enjoying my golden years!” I’m also trying to find time to write about my memories of growing up etc. I’m on church session. Still singing in the church choir ( not during Covid), and lead the Neighboring Team of my church, which reaches out to serve and assist the church’s neighborhood and community. My 3 daughters are all in service professions….teacher. social worker and pastor. Have 6 grandchildren: 3 boys and 3 girls. I continue to enjoy special time with each daughter and her family as often as I can.

Recently deployed onboard the USS Essex (LHD-2), flying the MH-60S Seahawk. Currently assigned to NAS Whiting Field in Milton, FL as an instructor pilot.

Dr. Josh Ennen has joined ES&H, Inc. as an Environmental Scientist to work with the company’s environmental consulting and construction services. Josh has been a visiting professor of Biology at Maryville College and a Wildlife Biologist for U. S. Geological Survey. He is an Adjunct Scientist with the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, where he conducts research on endangered species. Josh has published over 40 articles pertaining to wildlife ecology and conservation, and in 2010, he described a new freshwater turtle species, Pearl River Map Turtle (Graptemys pearlensis), from Mississippi and Louisiana. Josh is currently co-editing a book on the impacts of energy production and development on wildlife. Josh holds a B.A. in Biology from Maryville College, a M.S. in Biology from Austin Peay State University, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi. Josh and his wife, Brittany Fulmer Ennen, grew up in Maryville, and currently reside in Chattanooga with their son. Josh was recently named the Outstanding Young Alumni Recipient by the Maryville City Schools Foundation.

is the author of the Kim Claypoole mystery series which is largely set in the Great Smoky Mountains. Her protagonist is a Maryville College graduate and frequently wears her MC Scottie Dog t-shirt. The first book in the series, Small Town Trouble was released in paperback and eBook in 2013. Book two, Deep Trouble is scheduled for release was released in May 2014and is now available everywhere in ebook (all formats) and paperback!

Jenny was recently named as the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient by the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE). NAPE is a consortium of state and local agencies, corporations, and national organizations. Through its four lines of business-professional development, technical assistance, research and evaluation, and advocacy-NAPE strives to achieve its mission of building educators’ capacity to implement effective solutions for increasing student access, educational equity, and workforce diversity. She will receive the award in April 2017. Jenny Erwin was trained as an elementary school teacher, but her career path led her out of the classroom and into the role of advocate for education and employment equality for girls and women. The transition was necessary because she unexpectedly became a single parent when her son was an infant. She quickly learned first-hand the value of education as a means to avoid a life of low-wage jobs and poverty. She realized that many other displaced homemakers required education and marketable skills to move forward. This time also instilled in her a commitment to ensuring that young women have access to training for nontraditional, high-wage jobs so that they can maximize their potential. As Gender Equity Administrator for the Arizona Department of Education, Jenny was well positioned to both educate and advocate. For 17 years, she developed creative gender equity programs including the Equity Intern Program, Connection’s Newsletter, Equity Pioneer Poster project, and a data collection tracking system for Arizona’s displaced homemaker programs. In 1993, she developed Expanding Options, Gender Equity Resource Guide, which was adapted for the Mississippi, Arizona, Iowa, and Nevada vocational education systems. In 1999, Jenny expanded her advocacy/education work by joining the USDOL Women’s Bureau as the Regional Administrator in San Francisco. For the 13 years she worked on programs focused on workplace flexibility, financial literacy, green jobs, the Native American Cultural Trail, and homeless women veterans issues. After retiring, she joined a tiger team to expand and institutionalize employment services for women veterans. As a result, the first Women Veteran Employment Program Manager was hired within the USDOL Veteran Employment and Training Services in 2013. Today, Jenny supports equity efforts in several ways. She established the Women of Courage Scholarship Fund at her alma mater, Maryville College, which helps nontraditional female students start or complete their degree. With the International Women’s Forum of Northern California, she created the Early Leader Series, which documents the career stories of early women leaders in San Francisco.

Beth has retired from the old DuPont and started her own business, Beth’s Homemade Goods, LLC. After 30 years of baking and canning for friends, it’s time to make a life long dream come true (and the tax deductions will be nice too). With both kids grown and starting their own lives, she will get to begin a new chapter of her own. Wish her luck!.

retired in 2012 from the USAF/ANG following 28 years of service. Post retirement he has joined Professional Project Services (Pro2Serve) and serves as Vice President of National Security Programs.

is the database administrator at Maryville College as well as an alumnae. She received the Sharon Murphy Crane Distinguished Service Award during 2015 commencement exercises.The endowed award, donated in 1986 in memory of Sharon Murphy Crane, is awarded to a member of the staff who has demonstrated the spirit of service and commitment to the general good of the College that characterized Sharon’s eight years as a College employee. This award is for the person who goes the extra mile to get the job done.

Liz Evans, database administrator at Maryville College, received the Sharon Murphy Crane Distinguished Service Award during 2015 commencement exercises.The endowed award, donated in 1986 in memory of Sharon Murphy Crane, is awarded to a member of the staff who has demonstrated the spirit of service and commitment to the general good of the College that characterized Sharon’s eight years as a College employee. This award is for the person who goes the extra mile to get the job done.

has started law school at Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law, Class of 2018, in Knoxville, TN. She hopes to practice criminal or immigration law.

enrolled at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond to further her education and gain her masters degree in Christian Education

Maryville College Alums working on MDivs together. Zach Plant (class of 2021) and Crystal Fallesen (class of 2007) are both students at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. They discovered they were both Scots while taking “The Work of the Minister” together in Spring 2022. Crystal is on schedule to graduate from Candler in 2023 and Zach in 2024.

MC alumna Penny Ferguson '69 is among ten women who have been nominated for the sixth annual Blount County Athena Award, which will be presented on Jan. 24, 2019 at the Clayton Center for the Arts. The Athena Award recognizes women for using strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment to make outstanding contributions to the community. Ferguson has taught English at Maryville High School for more than 45 years.

During the 34th Annual Daily Times Academic Awards on May 6, 2019, Penny Blackwood Ferguson ’69 and Adriel McCord ’00 were inducted into the Daily Times Wall of Fame, which recognizes professional achievement and community involvement. Ferguson is a nationally recognized teacher at Maryville High School, and McCord is vice president of First Tennessee Bank.

Maryville High School’s Dr. Penny Ferguson travels to Mount Vernon to study George Washington The Daily Times – July 2, 2017 Maryville High School teacher Dr. Penny Ferguson traveled to George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, for a residential professional development program June 13-17. The George Washington Teacher Institute program included collaborating with Mount Vernon historians, curators and educators. In addition to studying Washington’s role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, participants explored the broader context of these conflicts on 18th century. This seminar totally changed my perspective about the American Revolution, said Ferguson, who teaches Advanced Placement English. In addition to seminars from experts, we had an after-hours mansion tour, a field trip to the American History Museum and complete access to the grounds. We had our morning coffee on the piazza of Mount Vernon watching the sun rise over the Potomac. George and Martha Washington came to life as the week progressed.

Lakewood Police Identify Injured Agent: On Monday, December 27th, the Lakewood and Denver communities faced an unimaginable tragedy when a gunman opened fire in both cities, killing five and injuring others. Among those injured was a Lakewood Police Agent.  After shooting and killing 38-year-old Danny Scofield at the Lucky 13 tattoo shop, the 47-year old male suspect traveled to the Belmar shopping area where he gunned down 28-year-old Sarah Steck as she worked at the Hyatt House. At several points during this situation, the suspect exchanged gunfire with Lakewood and Denver Police. From there, the shooter headed to the area of Alaska and Vance when he encountered Lakewood Police Agent Ashley Ferris. Agent Ferris ordered him to drop his weapon as he approached her. The suspect ignored her commands and shot Agent Ferris, striking her in the abdomen. Agent Ferris, shot and wounded on the ground, was able to return fire on the suspect. The suspect was shot by Agent Ferris and died on scene. If not for the heroic efforts of Agent Ferris and other law enforcement, this incredibly violent tragedy could have been even worse. Two photos of Agent Ferris are included in this release. Agent Ferris remains in a local hospital with her family by her side. Her family is asking for privacy during this time of healing.  “All of us at the Lakewood Police Department are incredibly proud of Agent Ferris and the bravery shown by her and her fellow law enforcement officers during this active shooter situation. The entire Lakewood Police family will be here to support Agent Ferris and her family as she embarks on this recovery process.” says Lakewood Police Chief Dan McCasky, “Our hearts are incredibly heavy with the loss of life and injuries suffered by others during this rampage. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cardenas, Gunn-Maldonado, Scofield, Steck and Swinyard families, as well as the families of those injured.” Donations to help support the victims, families & survivors of Monday’s mass shooting incident in Lakewood & Denver can be made through the Colorado Healing Fund at https://www.coloradohealingfund.org/.  More about Ashley:  https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/academics/learn-by-experience/research/search/ashley-ferris-15/

was named Outstanding Graduate Student in Experimental Psychology for 2013-2014

Bob published his memoir: Be A Good Boy; My Journey from Self-Loathing to Self-Love in October, 2018. Available on Amazon or Kindle.

Good News, Robert W. Finertie ’57 turned 90 the day his book was published. This book is the story of hope. help and being spared.  Grace In Time: A Memoir, tells the story of being spared from stage two melanoma (1976), from colon cancer which required a sigmoid resection of his bowel and removal of a fist-sized tumor and 14 inches of his sigmoid colon (1992) and, spared from a stroke which threatened his life, in 2022.

This is his second book. Both are available on Amazon.com, as a paperback and an ebook, just in time for Christmas.

Bonnie Finn recently completed her two Master’s degrees (Musicology, ’16 and Information Science, ’17) and accepted her first professional position (July 2019) at the College of Saint Benedict / Saint John’s University in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Bonnie is the Fine Arts Librarian (music, theater, art) for the joint Benedictine institutions, which have three libraries – the Music Library located in the arts building, Clemens Library @ St. Benedict’s, and Alcuin Library @ St. John’s. She is liaison and teaches information literacy for the Fine Arts, History, and Military Science departments.

writes in to share that she is retiring March 1, 2019 as Manager of Reference and Nonfiction at the Nashville Public Library Main Library after 47 years.

and Colber Prosper ’08 presented at AOCC (Alumni of Color Conference) February 27-28, 2015. AOCC is a conference created and held by the Harvard Graduate School of Education every year. Their workshop was about black males with learning disabilities and best practices for this population. In the workshop they frame the discussion around their experiences and then using critical race and critical disability theory, to analyze the narratives. They collectively represent Prosper & Partners International Consulting Firm, LLC.

Joe Fitzgerald, III was recently awarded the #OutOfTheBox Award from Metro Nashville school system. The award, given by Dr. Shawn Joseph, Director of Schools for the school system, is inspired by the book Leadership & Self Deception and recognizes employees that have these eight traits: -Enthusiastically Focuses on Results -Takes Responsibility -Focuses on Solutions -Takes Correction Easily -Is Accountable -Actively Learns And Teaches -Enthusiastically Helps Others -Inspires Trust