Class Notes

Birmingham-based law firm of Carr Allison has added Erin Gomez as new associate to its Chattanooga office. Gomez, a graduate of Maryville College and Emory University School of Law, will focus her practice on commercial transportation, premises liability, professional liability and labor and employment litigation. At Emory, she served as an editor of the Emory International Law Review, a student member of the Emory International Humanitarian Law Clinic and president of Emory Immigration Law Practice Society. While in law school, Erin interned with the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Coca-Cola Company.

writes in to share greetings from the Mile High City, home for the last 24 years. His current status is happily retired and happily into grandfatherhood x3. An admiring salute with great pride to MC on it's Bicentennial.

April Gonzalez Selected as Director of Pathway Experiences at Southern Miss Friday, September 16th 2016, 6:30 am EDT HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) – The following is a news release from The University of Southern Mississippi As part of a concerted Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP),Eagles Engaged, The University of Southern Mississippi has selected April Gonzalez as Director of Pathway Experiences after completion of a national search. Gonzalez brings 16 years of experience to the role, which will focus on connecting more undergraduate students to internships and fieldwork linked to their post-graduation goals. “I am excited to be joining this new initiative as part of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan and leading the Center for Pathway Experiences toward increasing opportunities for Southern Miss students to pursue internship, fieldwork and other experiential learning experiences,” said Gonzalez. “Throughout my career in higher education, I have seen first-hand how experiential learning can be a meaningful, impactful experience for a student’s personal and professional growth, and I look forward to being a part of this effort at Southern Miss to impact the lives of our students.” Gonzalez has worked in higher education within both public and private universities with her most recent experience working with the College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee as its career consultant. Her previous background includes roles at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the associate director of the Employer Connection Programs, assistant director and business career advisor and at Philadelphia University as a career counselor. While at UNC Charlotte, she oversaw the Experiential Learning Program as a part of the University Career Center, which included both academic transcript notation internships and cooperative education experiences. Dr. Julie Howdeshell, Director of Quality Enhancement at Southern Miss, spearheaded the search committee that led to Gonzalez’ selection. “Nationally, employers and graduate schools are seeking students that have applied the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom in contexts outside of the classroom, and more students are seeking such experiences,” said Howdeshell. “The University of Southern Mississippi wants students to know that they have the resources and support to pursue participation in pathway experiences locally, nationally, and internationally. Ms. Gonzalez brings a foundation of expertise and experience to this position and we are excited about the impact that the emphasis on pathways will have on student learning, post-graduation opportunities, and recruitment of new students.” Development of pathway experiences is a component of the University Quality Enhancement Plan required for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Dr. Bill Powell, Associate Provost for Assessment and Accreditation, was a member of the search team along with representative faculty and staff from both the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses. “We are delighted that Southern Miss students can benefit from Ms. Gonzalez’ extensive background in developing pathway experiences,” said Powell. “We look forward to her contributions to our innovative Quality Enhancement Plan.” Gonzalez will work closely with faculty to develop new pathway experiences for undergraduate students and will collaborate with the Center for Undergraduate Research, Career Services, and other campus and community partners. Rusty Anderson, Director of Career Services, noted: “The addition of the pathways experience program on our campus will allow a much needed concentration on developing learning opportunities for our students. Employers and graduate school admissions officers often cite a preference for students with career related experiences or research backgrounds. The Pathways Experience opportunities will give Southern Miss students a competitive edge in career progression.” Gonzalez holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Maryville College located in Maryville, Tenn., and a Master of Education with a concentration in College Student Personnel from The Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Professional association involvement includes currently holding the office of Director of Finance for the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE), membership within the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), and previous memberships within the Tennessee Association of Colleges and Employers (TACE), the Oak Ridge Human Resources Association (ORHRA), the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Employers (NCACE), the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, and the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE). From 2012-2015, she served as Treasurer of TACE. To learn more about pathway experiences at Southern Miss, visit www.usm.edu/pathways.

have returned to the United States after spending 2 years as an administrator and volunteer working for HOPE worldwide at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Keith and Lisa are now living atop a mountain in Sylva, North Carolina. Keith will continue to work for the Health and Social Services Division of HOPE worldwide; Lisa will enjoy the peace and serenity of mountain living.

The Louisville Free Public Library Foundation has named Chandra Moore Gordon as its new executive director.

Gordon joined the Library Foundation staff in 2007 as director of annual giving and campaign planning. She has spent her career in nonprofit management, working for the Kentucky Humane Society, the Nature Conservancy and Maryville College.

The Library Foundation raises money to support projects and activities of the Louisville Free Public Library system.

Gordon has participated in Leadership Louisville's Ignite Louisville program and in the 2015 Bingham Fellows program, in which she helped establish "Café Louie," a series of community gatherings with local legislators.

Gordon has long been an advocate for libraries and believes that "the library is one of the cornerstones of democracy, providing free and unfettered access to information. That access enables an informed and educated society to construct successful futures for its people."

works full time at East TN Technology Access Center (ETTAC ) in Educational Technology Services in Knoxville and does contract interpreting for Knoxville Center of the Deaf.

Joe Gunter
Bellewood and Brooklawn
Director of Fundraising

Bellewood and Brooklawn proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Joe Gunter as their new Director of Fundraising. With an extensive background that traverses academia, development, ministerial work, and athletics, Dr. Gunter brings a unique blend of leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills to the role. Holding a Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Joe has dedicated much of his career to fostering community engagement, enhancing educational initiatives, and driving fundraising efforts. Joe looks forward to leveraging his broad experience to advance Bellewood and Brooklawn’s Brooklawn’s 175-year mission of healing the hearts and minds of Kentucky’s most vulnerable youth.

will also be starting a masters program at the University of Iowa for Music Therapy at the end of this month.

will also be starting a masters program at the University of Iowa for Music Therapy at the end of August 2013.

writes in to say that she graduated with her Master of Arts in Music Therapy from the University of Iowa in Aug 2016 and has accepted a new position working at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, OH.

was recently elected as a member of the Essex Conservation Commission for a 2-year term

After 12 years as an employee of a large firm, in April she opened her own financial advisory office in Montevallo, Alabama.

Kaylie Hall ’16 has accepted a full-fime therapist position at The Village Behavioral Health in Louisville, TN.

Jerica Johnson married DeMarcus Hall October 15, 2022

graduated from Pentecostal Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity with a concentration in the New Testament Studies. Derrick is currently working as an advisor at Pellissippi State.

is a national gospel recording artist and has been nominated for Four awards by the Prayzefest Gospel Network. She has been invited to perform at the Stellars Showcase in Nashville, TN in January 2014. Her single titled “I Know a Man” is available through all online retailers.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ry-tSCeZII

Funmilayo is an international Gospel recording artist with her debut album “Unconstrained.” Her music is available on iTunes and CD Baby. Check her website for tour info. www.funmilayongozi.com

writes in to say that he is currently employed by Consolidated Nuclear Services as a Radiological Control Technical Specialist in Oak Ridge, TN.

Mary Lee Harmon died on Saturday, May 21, 2016, in Tomball, Texas. She was a graduate of Maryville College, with a Bachelor in Christian Education. Mary Lee was the director of Christian Education at Preston Hills Presbyterian Church and Waverly Road Presbyterian Church. After retirement, Mary Lee became a Commissioned Lay Pastor and preached at many churches in the Holston Presbytery. Mary Lee and her husband, Paul, spent 35 years in Kingsport before moving to Tomball, TX, in July of 2015, to be close to family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cora May and Fred Zorb. Mary Lee is survived by her husband, Paul Harmon, Tomball, TX; sons, Jon Harmon and wife Amy, and their daughter, Kaylee, of Spring, TX, Todd Harmon and wife, Alexandria of Boston, MA; and sister, Susan Zorb, of Boston, MA. A Celebration of Life memorial service was held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church with The Rev. Dr. David A. Cagle and Rev. Sharon Amstutz officiated. The family received friends immediately following the memorial service, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Holston Presbytery Camp and Retreat Center Inc., P.O. Box 428, Banner Elk, NC 28604.

Writes in to share that in August of 2022, after 18 years as a part-time Sign Language Interpreter for the Academic Support Center, she was hired as the first full-time staff Sign Language Interpreter at Maryville College with responsibilities primarily in the Behavioral Sciences Division.

Sharon Walrond Harris ’64 has moved from Indiana to Mattawan, MI, after the passing of her husband Robert in April 2018. This is so she can live near her daughter’s (Stacy Robbins) family and Sharon’s only grandchild, eleven year old Gavin. Sharon published a children’s middle grade chapter book, “Ray’s Violet: The Tale of a Most Extraordinary Lightning Bug,” in 2016, which is available on Amazon.com and is dedicated to her grandson.

BTtoP Director Donald W. Harward to Retire in July 2018 Donald W. Harward, who has served as Bringing Theory to Practice’s only director since cofounding the project in 2002 with Sally Engelhard Pingree, has announced that he will retire from his official position as active director in July 2018. For the last fifteen years, as visionary leader of the project and in his previous work as a college president and philosopher, Harward has advocated for and advanced the greater purposes of higher education: engaged learning, well-being, civic development, and preparation for a meaningful life. Under his direction, the project has funded over five hundred grants at over three hundred unique campuses, published two major books and a five-volume monograph series, and held numerous gatherings ranging from small campus seminars to major national conferences. Find more info here: http://www.bttop.org/news-events/october-4-2017-bttop-director-donald-w-harward-retire-july-2018

Recently published his 1st book entitled “Special Forces Fitness Training”. Currently the book is on pre-salle awill be in Barnes and Noblesl on July 15, 2014. The link is at www.hathawayfitness.com.

was recently accepted on Season 7 of American Ninja Warrior. Taping took place in Pittsburgh, PA and is scheduled to air mid-June 2015 on NBC. DeJuan said, “This was an unbelievable opportunity – being selected out of over 50,000 applicants. I am very grateful and honored to have the opportunity to represent the city of Murfreesboro, Maryville College, and the great state of Tennessee on a national level.”

received a promotion at TeamHealth to Front End Operations Manager of the Base Pointe Anesthesia Billing Center in April 2015.