Monday Messages

January 07, 2013

The success of every student is the focus of everything we do.

The Talon

A grip on news in the Huntingdon College family   

Welcome back! 

 

• Monday, January 7:  BCS Championship Game, 7:00 p.m., Searcy Theater; women's and men's basketball games vs. Pensacola Christian in Roland Arena at 5:00 and 7:00 p.m., respectively
• Tuesday, January 8:  Movie Night, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, 8:00 p.m., Smith Recital Hall
• Wednesday, January 9:  Hawks Basketball vs. Birmingham Southern (The Wesley Rivalry), 7:00 p.m., Roland Arena
• Thursday, January 10:  Bonfire!, 8:00 p.m., 9259 Vaughn Road, Pike Road, 36064, featuring live music and s'mores
• Friday, January 11:  Throwdown for your Hometown Band Party, Az-Izz, 10:00 p.m., Alley Station 

 

Lend a hand for the MLK Day of Service

The Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Great Day of Service will place Huntingdon volunteers with HandsOn the River Region, Monday, January 21.  Huntingdon will participate specifically with MLK Day: The MANE Event, at the Montgomery Area Non-traditional Equestrian Center.  Students and other volunteers will meet at The Hut at 8:30 a.m. and return to campus at noon.  A reminder:  there will be no classes during MLK Day, Monday, January 21, but offices will remain open.  Throughout the day, Channel 6 (HAWK TV) will show the movie, Glory Road.   

College hosts ministry outreach forum

Seventy United Methodist ministers from the Alabama-West Florida Conference, staff, faculty, and others met Thursday, January 3, for "A Conversation on Ministerial Formation," in Houghton Library Atrium.  Lectures and discussions were presented by Bishop Ken Carter of the Florida Conference UMC (father of Abby Carter '12); Dr. Kim Cape, general secretary of the General Board for Higher Education and Ministry (UMC); Dr. Chad Eggleston, assistant professor of religion; Dr. Frank Buckner, professor of religion; and Chaplain Brian Smith '94.  The seminar was developed by President J. Cameron West and members of the Religion program faculty to initiate discussion about encouraging youth who are interested in entering religious vocations, and was co-hosted by Huntingdon trustee Bishop Paul Leeland of the AWF Conference, UMC. 
 

Teacher education conference meets on campus

Dr. Celia Smith Rudolph '80, state educators, members of the Teacher Education program faculty, and members of Huntingdon's student chapter of the Alabama Association of School Curriculum and Development will host more than 175 educators and prospective educators for "Yes!  You Can Teach!," a seminar to encourage those who are interested in entering the teaching profession, Tuesday, January 15.  Break-out sessions, presented by educators and Huntingdon teacher education students, will include the topics, "What is College Life Like as an Education Major?"; "What Do Teachers Do?"; and "Hot Content and Teacher Shortages." The day will begin and end with special presentations by Alabama State Board of Education superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice (9:30 a.m.) and Alabama Teacher of the Year Suzanne Culbreth (1:30 p.m.), respectively.  The day of seminars is presented at no cost to the prospective educators. 

Huntingdon is the Readers' Choice!

Huntingdon College was voted "Best College or University in Montgomery County" by readers of the Montgomery Advertiser during the annual Readers' Choice Awards in the fall. 

Huntingdon Magazine hits your mailbox

The 2013 edition of Huntingdon College Magazine was mailed to College friends, alumni and students' homes during the holiday break.  If you missed your issue, be sure your address is up-to-date with the Office College and Alumni Relations (we will send you a new copy—email alumni@huntingdon.edu), or pick up a copy in the Office of Communications, Flowers 103, or Flowers Hall first floor foyer.

Meet the 2013 CAB drivers

Congratulations to the students who have been selected for leadership roles in the 2013 Campus Activities Board.  They are:   

 

• Miss Huntingdon Pageant:  Skye Esry 
• CloverJam:  Josh Johnson 
• Welcome Back Week:  Kathryn Dismuke 
• Homecoming Week:  James Temple and Niki Kennedy 
• Family Weekend:  Blake Bosch 
• Countess of Huntingdon Ball:  Wesley Smithart 
• Special Events:  Victoria Luchner 
• Public Relations:  Hallie Grace Muncher and Georgianna Hunt    

Academic standings and grades posted

Fall 2012 Dean's List announcements and final grades were mailed December 13; probation and suspension letters were mailed December 17.  Students who are in good financial standing may view their grades and standings information on the unofficial transcript posted on Self-Service.  The Office of Communications will post news releases regarding dean's list awards later this week.  Congratulations to all who made dean's list honors! 

Green chemistry practiced here

The American Chemical Society has honored Huntingdon's Student ACS Chapter with the prestigious Green Chemistry Award in recognition of the chapter's outreach activities conducted during the 2011–2012 academic year.  The designation was given to only 56 chapters among the 362 chapter reports received. The College will be recognized in Chemical and Engineering News, in the student member magazine, inChemistry, and during the 245th ACS National Meeting in New Orleans in April. 
 

Briefly:   

• IMPORTANT ACADEMIC/ENROLLMENT DEADLINES: Friday, January 11, is the last day to drop a class with the permission of your adviser only and the last day to change your meal plan from the "default" 15 meals per week to another plan for the spring semester.  Wednesday, January 16, is the last day to add a course with the permission of your adviser, the instructor, and the provost.    
• Spring Roommate Round-up, which allows for roommate choices and swaps, is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 16, in Searcy Theater, and Thursday, January 17 in Blount 3rd floor lobby.  Spring Room Change and Consolidation will take place January 18–27.  More information on these events will be circulated by Sandra Betts Hall, director of residence life. 
• Students who would like to apply to work for MANE (Montgomery Area Non-traditional Equestrians) should see Chief of Security Mike Ward '76 as soon as possible (or call 334-833-4463).  Positions are open for students who are in good financial standing with the College and who have earned cumulative grade point averages higher than 2.0.  MANE provides therapeutic horseback riding for clients who have physical and cognitive disabilities.  
• Campus Ministries will join the students from 7 other campus ministries programs in the area (Troy, Auburn, West Florida, USA, Tuskegee, ASU, and UWA) for a retreat February 15–17.  Cost is TBD (estimated at $75–$80).  Let Brian Smith '94, chaplain and director of community service, know if you are interested in being part of this retreat. 
• A Spring Break community service trip to New Orleans will partner Huntingdon volunteers with Canal Street Church: A Mosaic Community, Saturday, March 23, through Tuesday, March 26.  The approximate cost for the trip will be $125.  Limited spaces are available (about 10 spots).  Volunteers will work on construction projects and on serving the area's homeless.  See Brian Smith right away if you are interested.  A $75 non-refundable deposit reserves your space. 
• The Office of Student Life will offer a "Mystery Trip" February 1–3, 2013.  The cost is $75.  Space is limited—sign up in the The Hut!  
• If you would like to run for an SGA office for the 2013–2014 academic year, you will file an Intent to Run form by Friday, January 11, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. in the SGA Office in The Hut.  The form is available in The Hut or on the Huntingdon Web site here: http://www.huntingdon.edu/sga.aspx  
• RA applications are available in The Hut.  See Sandra Betts Hall, director of residence life.  Applications are due Tuesday, January 22, 2013. 
• 2013 Orientation Leader applications will be available in The Hut Tuesday, January 8, and are due Tuesday, January 22. 
• 2013 Miss Huntingdon Pageant applications will be available in The Hut Monday, January 14, and are due Monday, January 28.  The pageant will be held February 16 in the NEW Drum Theater! 
• An organ concert scheduled for January 17 and master class scheduled for January 19 will be postponed until later in the semester.  Details are forthcoming.  

Huntingdon Headliners 

Five members of the Huntingdon band program have been nominated and accepted to perform with the Alabama Intercollegiate Band, Friday, January 11, 1:30 p.m. at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center. The AIB, comprised of students from participating college band programs, meets every other year as part of the annual meeting of the Alabama Music Educators Association’s In-Service Conference. Congratulations to: Mary Gasson, Caleb Hart, Hayden McDonald, Toni Profio, and Destini Tyus.

December 2012 graduate Wes Anderson has been hired to work as the youth minister at Spanish Fort United Methodist Church. 

Philip Bailey '09 married Molly Patterson December 8, 2012.

Brent Blackwell '09 has been admitted to the Physician's Assistant program at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. 

Zach Brothers '10 has announced his engagement to Karli Hanke.

The new face in the Office of Academic Affairs is Katharine Brown, who joins Huntingdon as executive assistant to the provost.  Katharine earned her undergraduate degree in English from Auburn University with dual degree credits from the University of Cambridge (England).  She also earned a master's degree in English at Auburn.  A former Huntingdon adjunct professor, Ms. Brown's area of scholarly interest is British women writers. 

Rhett Butler '13 and Daniel Davis '13 havereceived offers of admission to Duke Divinity School. 

Patty Clements '12, daughter of Houghton Library staff member Donna Clements '90, married Taylor Justin Everett, Saturday, January 5, 2012.

Dr. Erastus C. Dudley, Biology, is in Washington, D.C., this week to chair a review panel for the National Science Foundation.

Taber Ellis '07 has announced his engagement to Grace Smith.

Kristine Fontaine '11 has announced her engagement to Tyler Coots.

Deborah Garrett '11, a student at Jones School of Law, is completing an externship with the law offices at Maxwell Air Force Base. 

Lynley Godwin '11 and Shane Corley '10 were married in December 2012.

Ann Steiner Hamilton Gregory '01 gave birth to Magoo Price Hamilton, Sunday, December 30, 2012. 

Huntingdon history/teacher education graduate Bryant Hall '12 was named a WSFA Class Act in just his first semester of teaching at Prattville Junior High School.  Sadly, the segment is no longer available to view on the WSFA Web site, but we're proud of you, Bryant!

Serennah Harding '08 will complete medical school this May and is awaiting word of where she will serve her residency.  Her brother, Heath Harding '11, is completing his Master of Science degree.  Both Hardings were among the youngest students to ever enroll at Huntingdon.  Heath entered at age 11 and is now 17; Serennah graduated at age 16.

Evan Haulman '09 has completed his MBA at Samford University and has begun a job in Birmingham.

Thomas Hughes '13 and Ashley Angerman have announced their engagement.

Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth Hutcheon and Dr. Tom Perrin, both members of faculty in Language and Literature, who welcomed their second son, Linus Joseph, December 22.  Linus weighed 7 lbs., 13 oz. 

Congratulations to Dr. Doba Jackson, Chemistry, and his wife, Dr. Lisa Gary-Jackson, who welcomed their first child, Elisabeth Daisy Gary Jackson, born December 8, 2012, at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland.  Elisabeth weighed 5 lbs., 14 oz.

A paper co-written by Dr. Doba Jackson, Chemistry, Chelley Lawson '13 (December 2012 graduate), Dr. Lisa Gary-Jackson (UAB), and Robert Villafane (ASU), "Modeling the structure of Yeast MATα1: an HMG-box motif with a C-terminal helical extension," has been accepted for publication in the Open Journal of Biophysics.

Maeghan Jordan '12 has announced her engagement to Brandon McCardle.

Dr. Jeremy Lewis, Political Science, presented a paper, "The Impact of Information and Communications Technology on Outward Flows of Official Records: Towards Transparency and eGovernance," to  a panel on Technology in Policy Implementation, Influence, and Innovation of the Information Technology and Politics section during the annual conference of the Southern Political Science Association in Orlando, Florida, January 3–5.  Dr. Lewis has been invited to serve as a reviewer for Oxford University Press book proposals and to coordinate a global conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, in June. 

Heath LeVert '11 has announced his engagement to Christina Whatley.

Rebecca Masic (ADCP 2010) has moved from her former post as executive assistant to the provost to a new post with ADCP.  Her office is in Wilson Hall.

A paper written by Dr. Maureen Kendrick Murphy '78 and her daughter, Kelly Lauren Murphy (Class of 2013, Claude W. Pettit School of Law, Ohio Northern University), has been accepted for oral presentation at the Chemistry and the Law Symposium, "Where Chemistry Meets Law."  The symposium will be held at the 245th national American Chemical Society meeting April 7–11, 2013, in New Orleans.  The title of their presentation is, "Where Chemistry Meets Law: Teaching Critical Thinking in Chemistry using Patent Research, Development and Submission."

Alex Nishibun '09 and Jesi Dunaway '09 have announced their engagement.

Kylie Piercy '11 and Bobby Miller '09 have announced their engagement.

Ryan "Boomer" Payne '12 has announced his engagement to Michelle Tillman.

Dr. Tom Perrin, Language and Literature, has undertaken several critical endeavors of late:

• “Unconventional Baselines,” review of David Foster Wallace, Both Flesh and Not: Essays, The National (Nov. 17, 2012), 14–15, http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/channel-page/arts-culture/middle-article-list/book-review-essays-by-david-foster-wallace 
• Guest Coeditor, cluster of articles on Patricia Highsmith, Post•45, Peer-Reviewed (Dec. 2012), http://post45.research.yale.edu/archives/2773 
• “On Patricia Highsmith,” introduction to cluster of articles on Patricia Highsmith, Post•45 Peer-Reviewed (Dec. 2012), http://post45.research.yale.edu/archives/2773 

 

December 2012 graduate Dominik Platen, a digital art major, has been offered admission to the Master of Arts in Animation and Special Effects program at Sheffield Hallam University in Sheffield, England.  You can view his Huntingdon Senior Capstone animation project here:  http://vimeo.com/53906840

December graduate Eric Rodgers '13 has been hired to teach for Success Unlimited Academy.

A novel co-written by two New York Times bestselling authors, former Atlanta newscaster Wes Sarginson '66 and Diane Love, is available through your local bookseller or Amazon.com.  Justifiable is part of a series of novels based around the characters Riley Walker and Biddy Bidowski.  Wes is the brother of Tricia Grier, director of event planning and travel, and brother-in-law of Frank Grier, director of institutional technology. 

Research conducted by Blakely Sanders, Chelsea Swords, Chasity Ward, and Dr. Maureen Kendrick Murphy '78, "Using Computational Chemistry in Biochemistry: Why Did Nature Not Select Silicon for Biological Molecules?" has been accepted for presentation in the Biochemistry Division during the 245th National American Chemical Society meeting, to be held April 7–11, 2013, in New Orleans.

Dr. John Saunders and Dr. Lynn Disbrow, Communication Studies, served as community judges for the Alabama National Open speech and debate tournament sponsored by the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association, held at Auburn-Montgomery last week.  This was the organization's first national tournament.

Hank Sforzini '04 married Sarah Catherine White, December 8, 2012.

Sara Beth Terry, coordinator of student leadership, and 15 Huntingdon students attended the 2013 Passion Conference during the first week of January.  Attending this year's conference were:  Jack Allen, Anna Anderson, Melissa Baswell, Lyndi Bradley, Dexter Dean, Kathryn Dismuke, Josh Dunn, Josh Johnson, Louis Hines, Katie Jones, Jonathan Joseph, Heather Kelly, Taylor King, Wesley Smithart, and Elizabeth Thrower. 

Sarah Ward, a graduate student at UAB, will intern with the UAB/Children's Hospital International Adoption Clinic in the spring of 2013.  She is the daughter of Chief of Security Mike Ward '76 and his wife, Phyllis Killion Ward '74, and the brother of new freshman Mike Ward '17.

Lyndsey Weber '11 and Chad Baxley '13 have announced their engagement.

Dr. Barbara Sumrall White, Accounting, was featured in an article in the University of Mississippi alumni magazine this spring.  There is a link to the article from her directory profile page here:  http://www.huntingdon.edu/aboutProfile.aspx?id=2029.

Miss Montana Alexis Wineman, twin sister of Amanda Wineman '15, will compete in the Miss America pageant January 8 in Las Vegas.  Her platform is "Normal is just a Dryer Setting: Living with Autism."
 

CCV News

• Seniors who have not yet made an appointment with Ms. Fran Taylor in the Center for Career and Vocation (Office of College and Alumni Relations, second floor Flowers): please make it a priority to be in touch this week: ftaylor@huntingdon.edu or (334) 833-4556. 
• The beginning of the semester is a great time to update your resume.  The CCV will assist you by advising, providing samples, editing, etc.  Stop by Flowers 217. 
• Several internship opportunities are available this semester.  Drop by the CCV or see your faculty adviser for more information.    

Sports Page

More on Huntingdon Athletics:  http://www.huntingdonhawks.com/landing/index  

• D.J. Chappell '13 and Trevor Manuel '13 were selected to play in the FCS Senior Scout Bowl and in the D3 Senior Classic, both Division III All-Star games held in December.  Manuel earned MVP honors for both contests.  Meanwhile, Chappell was named to the D3football.com first team All-America and to the American Football Coaches Association's Division III All-America Team, the first Huntingdon player to earn such recognition.   

• Hawks baseball catcher Joseph Odom and pitchers Grant Lowman and Gavin Free have been invited to play for the Winchester Royals in the 2013 Valley League this summer.  According to head coach D.J. Conville '98, the Valley League, a 12-team wood-bat league, brings together some of the best players in NCAA Divisions I, II, and III annually.  This will be the second season for Odom to participate with Winchester and the second consecutive year for Huntingdon to be represented in the league.  

• Huntingdon Athletics hosted 14 women's basketball teams for the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic tournament during the holiday break.   

• The American Sports Builders Association has named Huntingdon's George S. Gibbs Tennis Center a Distinguished Outdoor Tennis Facility in recognition of excellence in design and construction.  The award was presented December 3, 2012, by Lower Brothers Construction.

In Our Thoughts

• We remember with gratitude the life of Colonel Robert Barmettler, who directed theatre productions and taught English for 18 years at Huntingdon during the 1970s and '80s.  Colonel Barmettler, a retired Army and Air Force veteran who earned Bronze and Silver Stars for valor, built the Dungeon Theatre in Massey Hall and was a keen supporter of Huntingdon and Montgomery community arts productions until his death, December 16, 2012, at age 88. He was preceded in death by his second wife, retired Huntingdon music professor Dr. Jeanne Shaffer.  Read the obituary.
• Brenda Kerwin, Houghton Library, requests prayers for her brother-in-law, Richard Brooks, following emergency open heart surgery January 1.   
• Our thoughts and prayers are with professor Christopher Payne, Art, upon the death of his brother, Mike, in December.
• Dr. John Saunders, Communication Studies, will undergo surgery January 16 to address an illness discovered early in the fall 2012 semester.  We wish him a quick recovery.

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Su Ofe
Associate Vice President for
Communications and Marketing
Office: (334) 833-4515
Cell: (334) 324-6591