ECHOES THE MAGAZINE OF YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE
Pandemic PERSPECTIVES
What’s college life like during a pandemic? A few YHC students show us through words and artwork.
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ACADEMIC UPDATES ALUMNI ATHLETICS IMPACT REPORT
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WINTER/SPRING 2022
ECHOES VOLUME 22, ISSUE 1 WINTER/SPRING 2022 EDITORS
Jaime Levins Holly Burcham Caroline Watkins, 2021 ART DIRECTOR
Melissa Mitchell CONTRIBUTORS
Kelley Bryson, 2018 Holly Burcham Hannah Cooper Dr. Keith DeFoor Ciera DeFrench Mark Dotson, 1988 Dana Ensley, 1997 Catarina Marcko Ferreira Abigail Hill Zharia Johnson Teresa Kelley Jaime Levins Michael MacEachern Debra March Johnathan McGinty Kurt Mueller, 2021 Tonya Nix Julie Payne, 2012 Dr. Jason Pierce Paul Summer Joe VanHoose Dr. Drew Van Horn Dr. John Van Vliet Caroline Watkins, 2021 Ted Whisenhunt Dr. Laura Whitaker-Lea
O N T H E C O V E R Anna Faith Adair graduated with honors at the May 2021 Commencement Ceremony, where Young Harris College celebrated its 2021 graduates.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Courtney Chastain Sammy Ensley, 1996 Jerry Mucklow Brooke Swanson, 2009 Caroline Watkins, 2021 Baylie Whitten, 2018
CONTACT US
Web
yhc.edu/echoes
Mail Office of Communications & Marketing P.O. Box 275 Young Harris, GA 30582 Phone
(706) 379-5338
CONTENTS
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
22 ALUMNI EVENTS
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IN THE KNOW
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ATHLETICS
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ACADEMIC UPDATES
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2021 DONOR IMPACT REPORT
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PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES
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HONOR ROLL OF DONORS
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CLASS NOTES
19 STUDENTS
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Echoes is published by the Office of Communications & Marketing at Young Harris College. The views and opinions presented in this publication are not necessarily those of the editors or the official policies of the College. © 2022 Young Harris College
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear friends, Hello from Young Harris College! Thank you for taking the time to read this edition of Echoes. We have a lot of wonderful information to share with you, from new Board of Trustee members and recaps of our Commencement Ceremonies to the latest from our Mountain Lion athletic teams and alumni events. For this issue of Echoes, we asked some of our students to submit an original essay or piece of art that expresses their perspective on college life during a pandemic. This feature captures YHC history in real time, and I hope you’ll be moved by the creativity and authenticity of our talented students. Additionally, this publication includes an Impact Report. We believe it’s important to show you how the gifts you give to YHC are stewarded. Every dollar you contribute goes to advance the mission of Young Harris College—a mission that is now 136 years strong. I’d like to say a special “thank you” to our 1886 Young Harris Society members who are listed on pages 41-43. With annual gifts of $1,000+, you are ensuring the continued success of YHC students and graduates, and I can’t thank you enough. On page 6, you’ll see a feature on one of our most prominent alumni who passed away this past year, Rev. Dr. Don Harp, Jr., 1961. This coming April, YHC will dedicate the Recreation & Fitness Center in his memory and rename it the Harp Recreation & Commencement Center. If you’re interested in being part of this initiative to honor Rev. Harp’s amazing life and legacy, we invite you to contribute at yhc.edu/giving/online-giving. In the “Designate fund” drop-down box, select “Harp Recreation and Commencement Center.” If it’s been a while since you’ve been to campus, I hope you’ll make time to visit us soon. There are many exciting alumni events in the works. To learn more, please visit yhc.edu/alumni/events-rsvp. Additionally, we have many opportunities for prospective students to visit our beautiful campus and learn about YHC’s outstanding programs. If you know of high school students who are touring college Sincerely, campuses, please encourage them to arrange a visit with YHC’s Office of Admissions. The team can be reached at admissions@yhc.edu. Drew L. Van Horn, Ph.D. As always, your support means the world to us as we President strive to educate, inspire, and empower our students! Young Harris College
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YHC Welcomes New Trustees Derek B. Goshay Goshay is a business professional with more than 25 years of leadership experience. He is the Vice President of Safety and Sustainability at Genuine Parts Company. He has worked with Genuine Parts for 18 years, and prior to that, he worked with Synovus Financial Cooperation and Shaw Industries. Goshay grew up in Columbus, Georgia, and he graduated from Brookstone High School. He began his college career at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1993. He was a member of Georgia Tech’s 1990 National Championship football team. From there, he went on to graduate with a Master of Science in Management from Troy State University in 2000. His college career continued years later at Ball State University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration in 2009. He has extensive professional training, including Emory Executive Leadership Development, and he is a Certified E.L.E. Civil Treatment Trainer. He spends much of his time volunteering for a plethora of organizations, including the Board of Directors for the United Way of Metro Atlanta; the American Cancer Society; Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, Cobb County; and East Cobb YMCA. Goshay and his wife Kay have three children: Karmen, a high school senior at Lassiter High School; Kevin, a sophomore at Harvard University; and Derek, a senior at Yale University.
Rev. D. Thad Haygood, 1992 Haygood serves the congregation of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Columbus, Georgia, as senior pastor. This is his sixth appointment since graduating from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1998. In 1990, Haygood graduated from Thomasville High School and went on to earn his associate degree at Young Harris College. He continued on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Georgia. He used this degree as a music director at Providence United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. While directing music, he earned his Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He is a recipient of the Margaret A. Pitts Award (2000) and participated in Leadership Georgia (2016) and Leadership Albany (2018). Haygood has a longstanding connection to Young Harris College. He is the son of YHC Emeritus Trustee Rev. David T. Haygood, Sr., 1960. After graduating in 1992, Haygood was a member of the YHC Alumni Association Board and served as a YHC Class Coordinator. Aside from YHC but aligned with the Wesleyan tradition, he is also on the Board of Trustees for Epworth By The Sea, a United Methodist retreat center on St. Simons Island. Haygood’s wife, Laura Douglas Haygood, is from Columbus, Georgia, and together, they have two daughters: Gentry, a freshman at Auburn University, and Ruth, a high school junior.
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William B. “Bill” Jones Jones is the Chief Executive Officer of Jones Petroleum Company in Butts County, Georgia. What began as a small retail market has grown into a national group of companies in various lines of work. Jones’ primary business is petroleum, but he and his family have ventures in many other industries, including retail, convenience store and fast food operations, grocery stores, construction, and insurance. He is a former Butts County teacher and superintendent, and he was once the youngest superintendent in Georgia. Jones was elected to a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1976, and he served eight years in the Georgia General Assembly. He opened his own law office the year he was elected to the House while continuing to expand his petroleum business. Jones grew up in Butts County, Georgia, with Paul Beckham, 1963, who was a long-time trustee of Young Harris College. Jones graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1966, a master’s degree in school administration in 1970, and a juris doctor degree from Atlanta Law School in 1973. He was admitted to the bar in 1974. Jones is married to Martha Jones, and the two of them reside in Jackson, Georgia. Bill Jones paved the way for his family in Georgia politics, as Burt Jones, Bill and Martha’s youngest son, now serves as a Georgia State Senator, in addition to having started and expanded Jones Petroleum’s insurance firm. Bryan Jones, Bill and Martha’s eldest son, oversees construction, maintenance, and transportation for Jones Petroleum Company. Daughter Natalie Jones oversees the company’s retail, fast food, and convenience operations. While Jones Petroleum has grown immensely over the years, Bill Jones takes pride in the fact that it remains a family business.
Dr. Barbara M. Williford, 1987 Williford resides in Marietta, Georgia, and is a dentist at Smyrna Family Dentistry. By attending YHC, she followed in the footsteps of her brothers, Kurt Marshall, who graduated in 1977, and Scott Marshall, who graduated in 1981. After graduating from YHC herself, Williford went on to graduate from the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia. In 1993, she completed her degree in dental medicine and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. As a dentist, Williford focuses on comprehensive dental care with an emphasis on family, restorative, and cosmetic care. She truly cherishes the opportunity to maintain the dental health of her patients. Williford attends Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church and enjoys spending time with her family and playing golf. She and her husband Mike have three children: Sarah Williford, who attended YHC from 2015-2017; Mark Williford, who graduated from YHC in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in art; and Ben Williford, who attends Kennesaw State University and is majoring in engineering. At YHC, Williford was part of Alpha Iota sorority, YHC Choir, and Inter-Greek Council. Additionally, she served as a former YHC Alumni Board member.
IN THE KNOW
YHC Welcomes New Alumni Board President Jane Roberts, 1970, is well known at YHC for her consistent alumna participation. She started as a Class Coordinator for her graduating class approximately 15 years ago. She has served on the YHC Alumni Board since 2015, working closely with Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Outreach Dana Ensley, 1997. Roberts’s work earned her positions on the College’s Alumni Board, including Vice President (2018), President Pro Tempore (2019-2020), and now Alumni Board President. Roberts grew up in Bainbridge, Georgia. She graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1968 and graduated from Young Harris College with an Associate of Science degree in 1970. She continued her higher education at the University of Georgia and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, specializing in secondary math education. She soon went on to earn her master’s degree in education at the same institution. Roberts began teaching high school mathematics in Dekalb County in 1972. She was a member of the math and curriculum board for Dekalb County. She was also a member of the Home and School Boards and Board of Education for Catholic Schools while belonging to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. She is married to Paul Roberts, who works in international corporate finance. The two of them reside in Brookhaven, Georgia. They have three sons and four grandchildren.
Thank you to our Trustee Advisory Committee Young Harris College has appointed a new Trustee Advisory Committee, which includes young alumni and children of current trustees who are being trained for potential trusteeship. We appreciate the following Trustee Advisory Committee members who’ve taken on this responsibility: Leland T. Bagwell, 2019 Heather Momand Brunone, 2008 Clayton D. Franklin, 2008 Alexander “Alex” J. Ginn, 2009 Captain McKenzie Hudgins Matthew F. Kammerer, 2011 Eric C. McConnell, 2001 Gerardo F. Ojeda Rojas, 2013 John Henry Rollins, 2017 Linwood H. “Thad” Thompson, IV, 2011
Congrats, YHC Retirees! Karen Williams | 29 years Assistant to Academic Affairs
“Executive assistants have one of the most difficult jobs on a college campus, but Karen made it look easy. She kept all the plates spinning without breaking a sweat, and she did it with a kindness and generosity of spirit that made everyone feel welcome. I was exceptionally fortunate when I arrived at YHC to have Karen here to show me the ropes, stop me from stepping in potholes, and keep me in line. I am delighted that we were able to recognize her years of service to YHC by naming the Williams Conference Room in Pruitt-Barrett in her honor.” – Dr. Jason Pierce, Provost Dr. Lee March | 28 years Professor of Political Science
“Professor Lee March brought the ‘Young Harris Spirit’ to all of his service here at YHC. His focus on helping students succeed, even in the face of his notorious term papers, was legendary. His many contributions to YHC include playing a major role in transforming YHC into a four-year institution and creating the Department of Business and Public Policy. We will miss his dependable friendship and his warm collegiality, and we wish him joy in his retirement.” –D r. John H. Van Vliet, Professor of Business & Public Policy March was awarded Emeritus Faculty Member status, making him Professor Emeritus of Political Science. Karen Calloway | 15 years Assistant Professor of Music
“Karen Calloway is a marvelous musician and fantastic teacher whose dedication to students is infused with an infectious enthusiasm and joy of life. Ms. Calloway is inspiring to us all, and Young Harris College and our students are better because of her.” –D r. Keith DeFoor, Dean of the Division of Fine Arts Calloway continues to teach at YHC as an adjunct instructor.
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Generous Beyond Measure: Remembering Rev. Dr. Don A. Harp, Jr., 1961 SEPTEMBER 13, 1938 – APRIL 20, 2021 An esteemed pastor, an astute thinker, an accomplished author, and a compassionate, caring servant-leader, Rev. Dr. Don A. Harp, Jr., left a lasting impact on everyone he met and everywhere he served. Few leaders are as intertwined with the success and growth of Young Harris College as Harp. Passionate about supporting the College, he served as a trustee for more than 32 years. He served as Chair of the Trusteeship, was on the Governance and Compensation Committee for 13 years, and was a member of the Development, Executive, Finance, Planned Giving, and 2017 Presidential Search committees. He also was a generous donor to YHC for many years and led the way in various funding endeavors. In 2014, Harp was inducted into the Young Harris College Athletics Hall of Fame for baseball, and in 2019, Harp received the Young Harris College Medallion, the highest honor bestowed by the College, for his extraordinary contributions to the YHC community. After graduating from YHC in 1961, Harp attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, where he received
his bachelor’s degree in history. Harp went on to earn his master’s degree in divinity from Emory University, as well as his doctorate from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. Harp served in the North Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for nearly 50 years, the majority of them at the helm of Peachtree Road United
Methodist Church in Atlanta. During his tenure, the congregation grew substantially. He also was a respected writer, contributing to several newspapers and penning one book, “Children’s Prayers.” He was an active member of the Buckhead Club Board of Governors, the Buckhead Coalition, Atlanta Rotary, Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Board, Cartersville Chamber of Commerce Board, Atlanta Olympic Advisory Board, Council on Ministries (Finance Committee Chair), Mayor Bill Campbell’s Atlanta Advisory Committee, and the President’s Advisory Council of Oglethorpe University. Harp’s obituary notes that “his greatest legacy was his gift for connecting with people. He was at home with rural folks and Buckhead CEOs. He was smart, funny, and generous beyond measure, a trait he learned from his parents. He came to the assistance of those in need without reservation. His cooking was legendary, and he was the life of every party and family gathering. He was an accomplished fisherman and golfer and a beloved child of God, friend, minister, husband, father, and grandfather.”
This April, YHC will dedicate the Recreation & Fitness Center in memory of Don Harp and rename it the Harp Recreation & Commencement Center. Join us to honor Dr. Harp’s amazing life and legacy by contributing to this meaningful initiative at yhc.edu/giving/online-giving. In the “Designate fund” drop-down box, select “Harp Recreation and Commencement Center.” More information can be found on the back cover of this edition of Echoes.
YHC THANKS
Henderson for 38 Years of Service For nearly four decades, Young Harris College has been protected under the leadership and service of Kenneth “Ode” Henderson. In January 2021, Henderson began serving as Sheriff of Towns County. “Leaving Young Harris College is bittersweet,” said Henderson. “I’ve forged lifelong relationships and have a deep love for the institution. I intend to continue working closely with the Young Harris College Police Department and collaborating with students, faculty, and staff on campus.” Henderson began working at the College as Director of Residence Life and a security officer in 1979. He then became a certified officer and Chief of Police while helping to establish the Young Harris College Police Department in April 1984. “Over 38 years, Ken ‘Ode’ Henderson has been part of our students’ educational experience,” said Dr. Drew L. Van Horn, president of YHC. “He always stepped up to take on what his presidents and supervisors requested. Our alumni view Ken as a fixture in their YHC experience, and the presidents he served under count their blessings that he was here.”
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IN THE KNOW
Eustace “Mac” McCannon, 1960 After serving on YHC’s Board of Trustees since November 2015, McCannon became an Emeritus Trustee at the November 2021 Board meeting. The College appreciates his service on several committees within the Board, including committees for Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Athletics, and Endowment. A native of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, McCannon served as a certified public accountant in Georgia and South Carolina for 28 years before retiring in 1995. His hobbies include cycling, tennis, and golf. He now resides in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. While attending YHC, McCannon was a member of the men’s basketball team from 1958-1960.
Remembering the Life of Henry “Hank” Huckaby, 1962 DECEMBER 13, 1941 – APRIL 14, 2021 Henry “Hank” Huckaby, 1962, earned an associate degree from Young Harris College, a bachelor’s degree in political science from Georgia State University, and an M.B.A. in international business from Georgia State University. He pursued additional graduate studies at the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs. Huckaby went on to work in higher education as a professor at Georgia Perimeter College, formerly known as DeKalb College, and Emory University. He worked in admissions and directed the Fiscal Research Program at Georgia State University. He then directed the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia and was Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and then Special Assistant to the President from 2000-2009. Huckaby served on the YHC Board of Trustees from 2005 until his passing. He chaired the Academic Affairs and Endowment committees for six years and served on the Development, Executive, and 2017 Presidential Search committees. In 2010, Huckaby was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives for District 113. He was presented the Iuventus Award by the YHC Alumni Association in 2011 for his significant contributions to education.
A native of Hapeville, Georgia, Huckaby studied under Zell Miller, 1951, while at YHC and later worked with him at the state capitol to create the HOPE Scholarship, which has been invaluable to the more than 1.8 million students who have received it to date. In 2011, Huckaby was named chancellor of the University System of Georgia, a position responsible for overseeing the state’s 26 public colleges and universities. He was named the 2015 Georgian of
the Year and was awarded the 2015 J.W. Fanning Award by Leadership Georgia. He retired in December 2016. Huckaby’s wife, Amy, also graduated from YHC in 1962. She has been deeply involved with the YHC Alumni Association over the years. She has been a Class Coordinator for her graduating class and served on its 50th Reunion Committee. She joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2017. Throughout the years, the Huckabys have been huge supporters of YHC and its students. Together, they have made numerous gifts in support of the Zell and Shirley Miller Library, Class of 1962 Endowed Scholarship, and the College’s athletics and fine arts programs. Additionally, they have volunteered in their community, and they have been long-time members of Athens First United Methodist Church. At the Commencement Ceremonies for the Class of 2021, YHC honored Hank Huckaby with an honorary doctorate, and honored both Hank and Amy Huckaby with the YHC Medallion, which is the highest honor bestowed by YHC to alumni and friends who have made extraordinary contributions to the College.
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M OUNTAIN LIONS DON’T RETREAT
A LOOK BACK AT COMMENCEMENT FOR THE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021
YHC students, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators celebrated the newest classes of Mountain Lion graduates and honored the Huckabys and Bones (pictured left) for their outstanding support of the College.
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Staring down the headwinds driven by a year
of uncertainty, disruption, and concern stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Young Harris College President Dr. Drew Van Horn urged the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 to keep moving forward. This charge to the 381 graduates who were honored at the College’s Commencement Ceremonies this past May served as a fitting close to celebrations that focused on the future and extolled themes of hope.
“I charge you to keep moving forward,” President Van Horn reminded the graduates. “In your moment of truth, if you worry that you may not be able to live up to what is expected of you or what you expect of yourself, I hope you remember that you are a Young Harris Mountain Lion. And Mountain Lions don’t retreat.” With COVID-19 restrictions resulting in five smaller ceremonies spanning two days, the College awarded 172 degrees to the class of 2020 and 209 degrees to the class of 2021. These ceremonies also offered opportunities to present the Young Harris College Medallion, the highest honor bestowed by YHC to alumni and friends who have made extraordinary contributions to the College, to distinguished, deserving supporters. President Van Horn honored Rev. Bob Bone, 1957, and his wife Barbara for their commitment to the College for more than six decades. The Bones are passionate advocates for YHC, and they influenced countless family members and friends to attend the College throughout his 45 years of ministry. They also established and endowed numerous scholarship funds, paving the way for generations of students to enjoy a prosperous future at YHC. President Van Horn also honored the late Henry “Hank” Huckaby, 1962, and his wife Amy, 1962, with the Young Harris College Medallion. The Huckabys have long supported the College, with both serving in a variety of volunteer and leadership capacities. They also have made numerous donations to YHC, including gifts to the Zell and Shirley Miller Library and the Class of 1962 Endowed Scholarship. Hank Huckaby also was awarded an honorary doctorate during the ceremonies, commemorating his service to both the College and the State of Georgia. A student of former Georgia Governor Zell Miller, 1951, Huckaby worked at the state capitol as part of the team tasked with creating the HOPE Scholarship, which has provided tuition support to more than 1.8 million students. Hank Huckaby served on the YHC Board of Trustees for more than 15 years.
Honoring
THE CLASS OF 2020 Students led portions of both ceremonies with Erin Buehring, 2020, delivering the morning service’s address, and Cindy Mosqueda, 2020, opening the afternoon portion by leading the graduates, their families, faculty, and staff in the invocation. The afternoon ceremony’s Commencement address was delivered by Sam Gaston, 2020. Special music was performed by Joshua Wood, 2022, on French horn, accompanied by Suzanne West, 1985, on piano. YHC Provost Dr. Jason Pierce announced the seniors who received special awards: •H annah Walker, 2020, of Cumming, Georgia, received the Dr. Charles R. Clegg Outstanding Scholar Award, which was named in memory of a beloved past president of the College and recognizes graduating seniors with the overall highest grade point average. •A ustin Watson, 2020, of Hayesville, North Carolina, was honored with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, and Laura Grace Holton, 2020, of Marietta, Georgia, received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award. YHC is among an elite group of colleges and universities that bestow these honors on a male and female graduating senior. Created in 1890 to honor the servant leadership of their namesakes, the awards are given annually by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to individuals whose nobility of character and dedication to service sets them apart as examples for others. •S am Gaston, 2020, of Young Harris, Georgia, was presented with the Zell B. Miller Leadership Award for significant contributions to campus life at YHC as an outstanding leader and role model. aige Rayburn, 2020, of Commerce, Georgia, •P received the Young Harris Spirit Award, which recognizes students who best demonstrate outstanding levels of personal integrity, friendliness, and engagement with the campus community. RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM 2020 senior award winners Hannah Walker, Austin Watson, Laura Grace Holton, Sam Gaston, and Paige Rayburn.
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Celebrating
THE CLASS OF 2021 Once again, students took the lead across three different ceremonies, with Anna Faith Adair, 2021, delivering the morning installment’s invocation, followed by the Commencement address delivered by Victoria Beck, 2021. The midday ceremony opened with an invocation from Cathleen Chance, 2021, and the Commencement address was delivered by Page Davis, 2021. The day’s festivities wrapped up with an afternoon ceremony featuring an invocation led by Oliver Whiten, 2021, and Zach Burns, 2021, delivering the Commencement address. The morning ceremony had special music by soprano Kanani Crandall, 2021, and soprano Tori Payne, 2021, accompanied by Anita Guss on piano. The midday and afternoon ceremonies had special music by Rex DiPietro, 2023, on trumpet, accompanied by Suzanne West, 1985, on piano. YHC Provost Dr. Jason Pierce announced the seniors who received special awards: risten Brown, 2021, of Sugar Hill, Georgia, Makenna •K Mellott, 2021, of Hoschton, Georgia, and Erin Tozier, 2021, of Cumming, Georgia, received the Dr. Charles R. Clegg Outstanding Scholar Award, which was named in memory of a beloved past president of the College and recognizes graduating seniors with the overall highest grade point average. • Kurt Mueller, 2021, of Woodstock, Georgia, was honored with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, and Erin Tozier, 2021, of Cumming, Georgia, received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award. YHC is among an elite group of colleges and universities that bestow these honors on a male and female graduating senior. Created in 1890 to honor the servant leadership of their namesakes, the awards are given annually by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to individuals whose nobility of character and dedication to service sets them apart as examples for others. •V ictoria Beck, 2021, of Hayesville, North Carolina, received the Zell B. Miller Leadership Award for significant contributions to campus life at YHC as an outstanding leader and role model. arah Faneuff, 2021, of Blairsville, Georgia, received the •S Young Harris Spirit Award, which recognizes students who best demonstrate outstanding levels of personal integrity, friendliness, and engagement with the campus community. LEFT, TOP TO BOTTOM 2021 senior award winners Kristen Brown, Makenna Mellott, Erin Tozier, Kurt Mueller, Victoria Beck, and Sarah Faneuff.
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Hats Off
TO THE MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021 YHC also held its inaugural Master of Arts in Teaching Commencement and Hooding Ceremony for the classes of 2020 and 2021 and awarded 30 graduate degrees. Sam Darby, MAT 2021, welcomed the graduates, their families and friends, and YHC faculty and staff before Caitlyn Sloan, MAT 2021, offered a description of the Master of Arts in Teaching program, the first graduate course of study offered at the College. Imani Crosby, MAT 2021, delivered a message to the graduates, and John Trainor, MAT 2020, closed the ceremony with a benediction. “The Young Harris College Master of Arts in Teaching 2020 and 2021 cohorts project a vision of graduate education as a complement to who we are as a College: A diverse group of talented, caring individuals who excel individually as emerging teacher-leaders in schools, as well as collectively as a powerful support network for one another,” noted MAT Program Coordinator Dr. George Boggs. The Master of Arts in Teaching at YHC is an affordable opportunity for students to learn and implement best practices in secondary education. Upon graduation, students receive teaching certification in either history, mathematics, English, or biology, along with their master’s degree in teaching. The program takes a year to complete, and the first two cohorts already have an impressively high employment rate.
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ACADEMIC UPDATES Faculty Focus: DAVIS, TOWNS EARN VULCAN TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARDS Known for their passion for serving students and advancing research in their fields, Young Harris College’s Dr. Johnathan Davis and Anne Towns were honored as the recipients of the 2020 and 2021 Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award, respectively. Established in 1991 to honor outstanding professors on select member campuses of the Georgia Independent College Association, this $1,000 award recognizes faculty members who assist their institutions in nurturing an academic climate that fosters teaching excellence and who provide leadership to enhance the campus community. Davis is well-known for his steadfast commitment to protecting the environment, focusing extensively on the conservation and management of aquatic biodiversity of local rivers, streams, and lakes. He Dr. Johnathan Davis, Associate Professor Anne Towns, and Dr. Drew Van Horn teaches various organismal biology courses at the celebrate Davis and Towns receiving the 2020 and 2021 Vulcan Teaching Excellence College, with recent research covering the study Award. This award is sponsored by Vulcan Materials Company. of local crayfishes and fishes. Through ongoing partnerships with the Georgia Department of Natural Towns, who earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and Resources, Davis also has been able to study the native sicklefin redhorse in Brasstown Creek and spotted bass growth Master of Fine Arts in Directing at Florida State University, has been a member of the College’s faculty since 2013. She’s an rates in Chatuge, Nottely, and Lanier reservoirs. associate professor, co-coordinator of musical theatre, and “It is an honor to receive this award among such a president of the YHC Faculty Senate, and she has served as passionate, dedicated, and talented faculty,” said Davis. “I the Chair of the Department of Theatre. At YHC, she teaches have been fortunate to have supportive mentors within the acting, directing, dramatic literature, theatre history, and voice Department of Biology to guide me and impart valuable and diction courses. wisdom to me. Many talented students have conducted “I was overwhelmed to receive this award,” said Towns. “I research with me over the years, and this accomplishment work so much with majors in my department as opposed to reflects their hard work and dedication. I must also meeting a wide variety of students that I never expected to acknowledge my amazing wife, Malissa, a trained biologist, be considered. It is the greatest compliment I think I’ve ever who works alongside me in research and supports me in received, and I am truly grateful.” so many ways.” Towns has been involved with YHC theatre, musical theatre, A member of the College’s faculty for more than 10 years, theatrical design and production, and dance. She was also Davis serves as an associate professor of biology and coordinator the advisor of Delta Gamma, YHC’s former national theatre of the environmental studies program. He earned his bachelor’s honor society. Additionally, Towns has participated in the degree at Mississippi State University in wildlife and fisheries International Michael Chekhov Association, the Southeastern science, his master’s degree at Nicholls State University in marine Theatre Conference, the Georgia Theatre Conference, and environmental biology, and his doctorate at Tennessee Tech Thescon, and the Belgrade International Workshop. University in environmental science.
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Staff Spotlight:
MYRA O’CONNOR, 1981 YHC staff member Myra O’Connor is from Atlanta, Georgia, and now resides in Hayesville, North Carolina. She graduated from Young Harris College in 1981, and she felt drawn to return to work at YHC in the fall of 2015. Myra began as Campus Visit Coordinator for the Office of Admissions and is now Assistant Director of Admissions Operations. She schedules both personalized private visits and larger prospective student events such as Purple & White Days. She works with local schools to arrange tours and informational sessions, and she oversees Student Representatives for the Office of Admissions. Myra loves getting to know prospective students and their families. She also enjoys strong partnerships with faculty members, as they are always willing to inform new students about their disciplines and programs. In addition to all of her responsibilities for the Office of Admissions, she serves as the advisor for the sorority Gamma Psi and is the president of YHC’s Staff Council. “Sweet Myra O’Connor is such a treasure at YHC. She loves the students and her colleagues well,” said Kelley Bryson, who serves as Assistant Director of Admissions for Recruitment. “Myra works hard, often behind the scenes, and is always willing to go out of her way to help a current student or to make a prospective family feel welcome. She goes above and beyond to perfect the campus tour experience and in planning and executing Purple & White Days, our larger open-house event. Myra is a true friend to so many—she is always willing to lend a listening ear or a sound piece of advice. Myra is empathetic, compassionate, and loyal. She is a positive influence, and she speaks kind words over others. Myra’s heart is the very best shade of Mountain Lion purple!” Tonya Nix, Director of Advancement Services, echoes Bryson’s sentiments: “Myra O’Connor pours her heart and soul into serving students and serving them well. It’s been said that she loves her Atlanta Braves more than anything, but knowing she gave up opening night this past year to make sure the final touches were completed for Accepted Students Day tells me her heart bleeds Mountain Lion purple. She’s a YHC alum who sees the importance in connections and community—a rare find—and I cannot imagine YHC without her.” Away from campus, Myra enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, reading, biking, and gardening. She attends Hayesville First United Methodist Church and has served on the Board for United Way.
TOP Myra O'Connor, 1981, serves as Assistant Director of Admissions Operations in the Office of Admissions. BOTTOM Myra Rhinehardt and her now husband Mark O’Connor, 1981, pose for a picture while they were YHC students in 1980. Mark and Myra O'Connor are all smiles at a YHC Family Weekend.
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Pandemic
PERSPECTIVES Untitled Charcoal Fall 2020
About the Artist: Ciera DeFrench, Class of 2022 Graphic Design and Art major
This work was created during the first semester back on campus after COVID-19 hit. The woman sitting in the chair was a model YHC hired for the students to practice still life.
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No one knew as Young Harris College kicked off its Spring semester in early 2020 that a pandemic would bring life on campus to a halt. In March, just as students should have been celebrating spring break, many were heading back to their homes as America quarantined due to the threat of COVID-19. Yet the weight of the pandemic didn’t break the spirit of Young Harris College or our students, faculty, and staff. Within days, classes were being held online, video hangouts were keeping friends together in a time of social distancing, and we all began finding our way in our new normal. Our students, confronted with an obstacle not seen in more than 100 years, persevered as pandemic life continued to evolve. Here are a few of their inspiring stories and pieces of art.
Kurt
MUELLER, 2021
While at Young Harris College, I was fortunate enough to experience pre-pandemic life. But like practically all other schools, the college experience was changed by COVID-19, and the entire playbook was thrown out and rewritten from the ground up. The new rules and regulations that we all had to abide by were changing by the day and became increasingly hard to keep up with and challenging to handle psychologically at times. However, I do not wish to speak on how I was negatively impacted by COVID, as we all have an endless list of individual afflictions and experiences. Instead, I focus on what I’ve learned from the experience and how I have a new appreciation and awareness for a multitude of things I may not have completely recognized prior to the pandemic. At one moment, I was a full-time student at YHC in my junior year living with my closest friends, and the next, I was just a 20-year-old guy living back with my parents in what felt like solitary confinement taking my classes online. During the heaviest part of the lockdown, I interacted with one person other than my nuclear family for nearly a month. It was during this time I began to feel my mental health slipping. I was going outside less, barely socializing with anyone, exercising much less frequently, and sleeping much longer hours than I needed just to help fill the time. Candidly, it was an increasingly toxic cycle. It was then when I decided I needed to change something. But the thing that I needed to change wasn’t just how often I went for a walk or got out of the house, but rather my perspective of the situation. I decided to imagine what I would reflect on in the future. I had a realization that this time with my family was invaluable, and one day I would miss the days where I was sitting on the couch with my parents watching a movie or show. Prior to this, I found I was going through
life always looking ahead at what was next. It felt like I never appreciated the time I was experiencing right in the moment. So, I decided to wage a metaphorical war on this mindset. Every meal I sat down at the table with my family, I cherished the time and aimed to remember all the mannerisms, the conversations, and even the arguments that occurred. When I spent time with friends or family, I let them know how much they meant to me and that I was thankful for them. I followed the ideology that “social distancing” really just meant “physical distancing” in practice. I began doing things as simple as writing more “thank you” letters to reflect on the fortunate moments and people who were placed in my life. And, just as importantly if not more so, I began to seek opportunities to help people around me. Ultimately, what this pandemic has taught me is not to lose faith in humanity because someone does or does not want to wear a mask, get the vaccine, or isolate. Instead, I’ve learned to appreciate how much humans can and have come together when things get hard. We may not have a perfect world, and we can easily see the faults in our society, but we can also see beauty and love if we are willing to look for it. It is much easier to complain about the things that are wrong with this world rather than acknowledge the things that are right. If we only see and acknowledge our faults, our deficiencies turn into downfalls. The way individuals chose to wear masks and isolate, the way companies halted production of their products to make hand sanitizer, ventilators, and masks, and the way medical research companies were able to achieve emergency approval (and eventually, full approval) for multiple vaccines is truly a spectacular feat. We may not have world peace by any means, but the entire world came to a halt to work on the same issue together, and this should not be overlooked.
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Abigail
HILL
The COVID-19 pandemic struck America during my second semester as a freshman at Young Harris College. The biggest struggle for me was having to remain at home when I had just gotten accustomed to life at college. I had terrific grades and I was forming new friendships. All of a sudden, my new life was put on hold because the world was no longer a safe place. Online schooling was especially challenging for me. It was difficult to engage in class and complete assignments due to occasional technical issues or distractions at home. Assisted by my professors and my parents, I learned how to operate online learning and how to wisely manage my time at home, balancing schoolwork and family time. Another obstacle I had to overcome was learning to navigate the COVID-19 policies YHC put in place for the 2020-2021 academic year. The most difficult one for me was social distancing because I am a people person, and I could not stand being far apart, unable to embrace my friends. I was a Resident Assistant at the time, and one of our duties was to enforce the COVID-19 policies. There were times when my fellow RAs and I were disrespected for reminding students to uphold the rules.
Fulfilling the responsibilities of a Resident Assistant during the pandemic taught me how to best handle the occasional impolite student and to be respectful toward faculty and students alike by obeying the policies set in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Overall, the most important lesson I received from experiencing a pandemic was to always count my blessings. Life is unpredictable, and I must prepare myself to handle whatever life throws at me. One thing that all of YHC learned from the pandemic that will make us stronger going forward is that we must understand and respect every student and every faculty and staff member. Everyone had a different experience with COVID-19. Each student struggled in some way because of the pandemic—academically, financially, mentally, etc. One of the goals of Young Harris College is to facilitate community and help it flourish. Every staff member made an effort to improve the lives of students however they could. Those kind, devoted actions benefited the lives of hundreds of students. If YHC continues in this way of kindness, our small, intimate community will not only prevail over this pandemic, but our campus will thrive in the years to come.
The Story of 2020 48” x 48” Surgical Masks and Cotton Fabric Spring 2021 This piece, entitled “The Story of 2020,” is a reflective piece created in regard to the lessons learned through the pandemic. In a time of racial unrest, isolation, political division, sickness, and death, this was created to show allyship, the importance of coming together, empathy, and the difficulties that are woven throughout our lives that make up our story. About the Artist: Hannah Cooper, Class of 2022 Graphic Design and Art major Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor
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Drawing a Pandemic 24” x 18” Charcoal Self Portrait November 2020 Catarina Marcko Ferreira created this drawing the semester the students came back to Young Harris College after learning fully remotely due to COVID-19 protocol. So many things were different from what she knew at YHC, and everyone had to do adapt to wearing masks. In one of her classes, Catarina was asked to create a self-portrait. She decided that including her mask in her portrait would give the work different meaning About the Artist: Catarina Marcko Ferreira, Class of 2023 Graphic Design and Art major
Z haria
JOHNSON
March 13, 2020 is when the world we once knew would change forever. Spring Break had sprung and most of the students on the Young Harris College campus had left thinking they would return the following weekend to finish up the semester. Days turned into months as the pandemic embedded itself into our communities and sense of living. The upcoming semesters proved challenging in many ways for me and for the College. On campus, most classes either shifted fully online or became a hybrid. Class sizes were smaller, and our phones adapted to apps and software such as Webex and Microsoft Teams. Throughout the semester, between doing schoolwork, submitting assignments electronically, and making sure I kept my mask on, the thought process that flowed through my mind was “this is temporary.” We would get to a point when we would be able to have max capacity classes, refrain from social distancing, and be able to hang out with friends without the impending fear of catching a virus sweeping the globe. Within and outside of course curriculum, YHC was going through several changes. Class sizes were halved, mask mandates were implemented, social distancing was
enforced, school activities were either cut entirely or had various safety measures, and much more. Throughout these changes, faculty and staff members persevered. The Office of Student Involvement continued to be enthusiastic and do its best to put on events that were both fun and safe. Faculty and staff used the word “flexibility” in many class syllabi and conversations as the days went by. Along with flexibility, there was an emphasis on hope and that all of these things would be temporary—that we would go back to a sense of normalcy on campus. I contracted COVID in January 2021. I was terrified. I had a virus that was killing people by the day—both the symptoms and my thoughts weighed heavily on my chest. I felt the more optimistic mindset I had carried through most of the pandemic fade and become dim with worry. There was a light though. The encouraging words of my parents and some of the staff members on campus helped me realize the symptoms would fade, and I would continue to get better as time progressed. The symptoms and how I was feeling emotionally were temporary, and I grew better and stronger.
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The lessons learned during the pandemic are imprinted on all of us who have lived through it. But even as it scattered the Young Harris College community, we have come back together stronger than ever. Just as we say in our mission statement, in this world of continual change, our students and graduates are empowered by their experiences to create and define service, successes, and meaning throughout their lives.
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Isolation Mixed media (acrylic paint, tissue paper, hot glue, and a digital print) Fall 2020 I created this when I was in quarantine along with having COVID-19. My professor asked us to create a piece that represented how COVID-19 made us feel during that time. I chose to use dark blues to represent the sad/ depressed state that I felt being isolated from everyone, which is also shown in the windows by using brighter colors to represent the happiness being outside. Ciera DeFrench, Class of 2022
STUDENTS Meet T he Office of Career and Professional Development
Director of Career and Professional Development John Beck and Coordinator of Student Work and Internships Dilyn Cox are committed to the professional success of YHC students and alumni. They help Mountain Lions develop essential skills and discover their career identities through major and career exploration, employer interaction, student work, and internship and job opportunities. As students interview for internships and jobs, they can now take advantage of YHC’s “Career Closet.” This past fall, the Office of Career and Professional Development received donations of new and gently used professional clothing from employees, as well as from the Rotary Club of Union County, to help students dress for success. Another initiative the Office took on is the compilation of Success Cards. Students can share their successes—large and small—with the campus community by writing them down on purple index cards. The cards are displayed on a YHC white board in the Rollins Campus Center's common areas. Perhaps the largest undertaking of The Office of Career and Professional Development is the launch of Handshake, an online career management system that exists to help students and alumni find internships and jobs, as well as to help employers find qualified employees. To explore this platform, visit yhc.edu/career/handshake.
A FRIENDLY
Welcome
Last August, approximately 1,000 students poured into the Enchanted Valley eager to get started on a new year with new opportunities. Led by Mark Jestel, the College’s Director of Residence Life, YHC team members helped ease the transition for new and returning students with a staggered check-in process, helpful information and guidance, and a series of events that announced a new year. Once again, YHC’s Mountain Lion Movers helped students unload their belongings and get settled in their assigned rooms. Representatives from the College were available to answer questions throughout the process, providing a seamless and enjoyable welcome back to campus.
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KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY
Healthy
Doing its part to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Young Harris College partnered with the Towns County Health Department to hold vaccination clinics this past August and September. At the first clinic, 66 students received the first dose of the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine. At the second clinic, 51 students received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 12 students received the first dose. Additionally, the second clinic offered an opportunity for individuals to get their annual flu vaccine, as well as health information on preventative vaccinations, medications, and other wellness tips. Thirty YHC students used this opportunity to become vaccinated against the flu. The YHC Leadership Team is committed to the safety, health, and wellness of our students and employees. In addition to the College offering and encouraging vaccinations, YHC also provides students with telehealth services. These services include free virtual doctor and counselor visits. A special thanks goes to Lisa Burks at the Towns County Health Department, as she has been instrumental in making these vaccine clinics a reality on YHC’s campus. The Health Department’s hard work is bringing Young Harris College one step closer to being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu.
FAMILY
Weekend 2021 This past September, Young Harris College welcomed families to campus for Family Weekend. After postponing Family Weekend 2020, it was so exciting to finally have everyone back. Students and their families enjoyed athletic events, painting, a planetarium show, an art exhibit, a children’s play, a special Chapel service, and more!
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Celebrating Homecoming 2021 The pandemic led Homecoming 2021 to look different from past years. Though there was no Homecoming basketball game and no all-alumni lunch, the College made sure to create a way for those on Homecoming Court to feel special. The Homecoming ceremony was held on the Plaza. Students on Homecoming Court walked out of Sharp Hall to stand just before the Seal, where they were celebrated by their classmates and professors. This time around, not only were five male and five female seniors recognized, but one male and one female from the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes were as well. Kaleigh Foster and Holden Baisden were crowned 2021 Homecoming Queen and King!
STUDENTS THE 2021 HOMECOMING COURT INCLUDED:
Freshmen: Kentisha Shine Micah Bettis Sophomores: Jahlaynia Winters Matthew George Juniors: Janerra Copeland Henrique Sobrinho
Seniors: Katie Phenix Caroline Watkins Erin Tozier Kaleigh Foster Victoria Beck Holden Baisden Caleb Raines Oliver Whiten Alan Lanxton Jacob Howington
T he REAL WORK of Student Development
LAURA WHITAKER-LEA, PH.D. | VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND TITLE IX COORDINATOR
It’s Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. After opening ceremonies, the business begins. A student is recognized by the presiding officer. The student makes a motion that another student quickly seconds. A lively discussion ensues. Student Government Association (SGA) senators ask questions about budget and logistics, and discussion turns to the senate’s responsibilities in the matter. A senator calls for the vote, and the motion passes. As elected representatives, students have voiced the concerns of their constituents, debated positions, and worked through some of the messiness of the democratic process. Students have practiced representative government. When asked what he has learned from his time in SGA, Guerin Brown, the SGA President, says, “[We must learn] to approach difficult problems and to address difficult conversations; one must show a level of logic, discipline, and confidence. Otherwise, forward progress cannot be made. If one desires to better their community, they must be willing to approach arduous tasks with a positive outlook.” This type of learning occurs across the Young Harris College campus as students engage in activities outside of the classroom. Whether learning career readiness skills through student employment, event planning through the Campus Activities Board, the importance of serving others through work with community partners, or healthy living through Campus Recreation, the Student Development staff in every office teaches students skills that contribute to student learning and success both in college and afterward. Students leave the Enchanted Valley not only with good memories, but also having increased their knowledge and honed their skills to contribute to the Common Good.
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ABOVE Students and alumni alike enjoy the festivities and fellowship of A Greek Weekend in the Enchanted Valley.
YHC Greek Life Shines
AT A GREEK WEEKEND IN THE ENCHANTED VALLEY On a lovely October Saturday, the Young Harris College Alumni Association hosted an on-campus event celebrating YHC Greek Life over the years. Current Greeks set up tables on the Plaza, where they visited with alumni from their sororities and fraternities. Everyone enjoyed spending time together while snacking on hot chili bowls and watching college football on outdoor TVs. During the weekend, a new Alumni Greek Council met for the first time. This council will work directly with current Greek organizations and assist the Office of Alumni Engagement in gathering participants for YHC events. If you are interested in being part of the Alumni Greek Council, please email Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Outreach Dana Ensley at ddensley@yhc.edu.
Many T hanks TO OUR ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS & CLASS COORDINATORS
These Alumni Association leaders met this past September to receive a College update and discuss alumni engagement. Alumni Board President Jane Roberts, 1970, led a very productive meeting. The Board welcomed new members, including Jan Keith, 1969, Candler Ginn, 1977, Beth Bernard, 1981, Eric McConnell, 2001, and Linwood Thompson, 2011.
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A LU MN I B O O K WORMS
Dive into Three Novels
Mikala Jones, 2017
CHEERS,
Mountain Lions!
Over the summer, YHC alumni and friends from all over the country gathered at Creature Comforts Brewery in Athens, Georgia, and Wild Heaven Brewery in Avondale Estates, Georgia. The brewery events were hosted by the YHC Alumni Association. Everyone enjoyed relaxing in a casual space with dear friends, and many made it known that they look forward to future alumni brewery events. Some alumni have even been making brewery recommendations to Dana Ensley, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Outreach, for future gatherings!
Dr. Jennifer Schroeder
During the past year, YHC alumni had the chance to participate in three different installments of the YHC Alumni Book Club. A discussion of A Gentleman in Moscow, a piece of historical fiction written by Amor Towles, was led by Dean of the Division of Humanities and Associate Professor of English Dr. Eloise Whisenhunt. A discussion of Sing, Unburied, Sing, a suspenseful piece of literary fiction by Jesmyn Ward, was led by Instructor of English Mikala Jones, 2017. A two-part discussion of The Code Breaker, a scientific biography about CRISPR genome editing written by Walter Isaacson, was led by Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Jennifer Schroeder. In all, 40 alumni participated in the YHC Alumni Book Club. They enjoyed getting to discuss literature and scientific discoveries, and they loved getting to reconnect with old friends and professors.
Dr. Eloise Whisenhunt
ALUMNI EVENTS
Happy Birthday, REV. WHITLEY, 1966!
On Sunday, October 3, 2021, alumni and friends gathered at the Church Without Walls in Suches, Georgia, to hear a special sermon delivered by beloved former Campus Chaplain Rev. Fred Whitley, 1966, who served YHC from 1980 – 2009. A special reception was held afterward to celebrate Rev. Whitley’s birthday. The turnout was proof of just how loved Rev. Whitley is by the YHC family. Great food, heart-warming fellowship, and a sweet sermon made for a wonderful afternoon honoring Rev. Whitley. 23
RECAP P ING YHC
Alumni Weekend 2 021
After Alumni Weekend was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, nearly 800 YHC alumni, family, and friends were excited to gather at Alumni Weekend 2021 in June. Alumni Award recipients were honored at the Alumni Awards Dinner on Friday night. Dorcas and Spat members gathered for a Student-Alumni Breakfast on Saturday morning. Everyone was invited to fellowship over a good meal at the All-Alumni Luncheon on Saturday afternoon. YHC alums Kenneth Boykin, Jr., 2018, and Leslie Ballew, 2019, led a beautiful Service of Remembrance in the Chapel. There were several milestone reunions celebrated throughout the weekend, including the Class of 1971’s 50th reunion. Members of the Class of 1971 pledged to make a meaningful gift to YHC in honor of their 50th reunion, and they were pleasantly surprised when classmate Rev. David Johnson, 1971, gave $50,000 toward their class gift. Alumni Weekend concluded at Crane Creek Vineyards, where alumni had a few more moments to reminisce during an Alumni Social. We hope to see our Mountain Lion alumni again at Alumni Weekend, June 3 and 4, 2022!
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ALUMNI EVENTS
Dates! SAVE THESE
2021
Alumni Awards
Emalyn Cork, 2013
Saturday, February 19, 2022, All Day Event
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Young Alumni Achievement Award Recognizes an alumnus or alumna of Young Harris College who has graduated within the past 15 years and has excelled in his or her career
Young Harris College
YHC GIVING DAY Thursday, February 24, 2022, All Day Event A Virtual and On-Campus Event
THE BIG DANCE
Michele Turner, 1995
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 7 p.m.
ATHENS, GEORGIA
Young Harris College
Spirit of Young Harris Award Recognizes an alumnus or alumna of Young Harris College who is a shining example of faithful service to the College and dedication to his or her community and family
1886 SOCIETY AT THE FOX THEATRE Saturday, March 12, 2 p.m. The Life and Times of the Temptations Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. Helen Richardson, 1959
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON
SKY VALLEY, GEORGIA
Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime Career Achievement Recognizes an alumnus or alumna of Young Harris College who has worked diligently to create a successful career following a successful foundation laid by Young Harris College
Friday, April 8, 2022, 11:30 a.m. Young Harris College
CLAY DOTSON OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, May 16, 2022, All Day Event Helen’s classmate Peggy Thrasher, 1959, accepted the award on Helen’s behalf.
Dr. Ray Farley
Friday, June 3 – Saturday, June 4, 2022
Nancy Louise Haynes Stephens Sanderson Robertson Outstanding Friend Award Recognizes a friend of Young Harris College who has dedicated his or her time, resources, and energy to ensure a successful future for our alma mater
Young Harris College
ALL ALUMNI BREWERY EVENT Saturday, June 25, 2022, 4 p.m. Sweetwater Brewery Atlanta, Georgia Dr. Farley's daughter, Susan, accepted the award on his behalf.
YOUNG HARRIS, GEORGIA
YHC Family of the Year Award Recognizes a family that has a long-standing relationship with the College See more about the Foster-Adams family on page 36.
Brasstown Valley Resort Young Harris, Georgia
ALUMNI WEEKEND
BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, FLORIDA
The Foster-Adams Family
YHC HOMECOMING
Visit yhc.edu/alumni to update your contact information, view the latest event schedule, submit a class note, and more! If you are interested in participating in YHC’s Alumni Leadership Family as a Class Coordinator, Young Professional, Alumni Association Board member, or regional representative, contact Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Outreach Dana Ensley, 1997, at ddensley@yhc.edu or (706) 379-5336.
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FRANK ADAMS
ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
INDUCTS FIVE NEW MEMBERS On November 20, 2021, Young Harris College hosted a special ceremony and luncheon to honor the 2021 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees. The YHC Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 2013 by the College’s Board of Trustees to recognize individuals for their outstanding athletic achievements and distinguished service to YHC and the greater community. The inductees are nominated by alumni and friends for being an integral part of the College’s celebrated history of athletics. The 2021 inductees included:
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MEN’S BASKETBALL Frank Adams is originally from Atlanta, Georgia. Growing up, playing college basketball was always in his plans, and he worked extremely hard throughout high school to achieve this goal. Adams decided to enroll at YHC because he believed he would have the most opportunity to become the player he envisioned himself becoming. Adams helped YHC restart its men's basketball program in 2010, and he played for the Mountain Lions from 2010-2013. The ability to start and build something from the ground up with a group of guys with the same intent and passion for the game stood out to him. In three seasons with the Mountain Lions, Adams scored 1,573 points, grabbed 522 rebounds, and had 183 assists and 124 steals in 78 games. He is ranked first in YHC record books in scoring average; second in scoring, field goals, and free throws; third in minutes played; fourth in rebounding; and sixth in assists and steals. Adams was named Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week and named to the All-PBC Third Team in 2013. He played his final season at Florida Southern College, where he scored 323 points and grabbed 139 rebounds in 31 games as the Mocs advanced to the NCAA Division II South Regional. During his three years at YHC, Adams studied biology and took courses from what was set to become the kinesiology program. He transferred to Florida Southern to earn a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. Adams continued to graduate school, where he practiced as an athletic trainer while serving as a graduate assistant for Abilene Christian University. There, he earned a Master of Education in Kinesiology. Adams now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where he works as an assistant athletic trainer for the NBA's Phoenix Suns. Since his early days of studying to become an athletic trainer, it was his goal to work in the NBA, and he enjoys every second of it.
ZACH BRICKNELL, 2013 BASEBALL YHC’s baseball program is what attracted Zach Bricknell to the Enchanted Valley from Woodstock, Georgia. While playing for the Mountain Lions from 2009-2013, Bricknell garnered many accolades. In 171 games played, Bricknell batted .336, scored 137 runs, 38 doubles, 13 triples, 41 home runs, and 165 RBI. He also was 21-of-22 in stolen bases. Bricknell is currently ranked No. 1 in the YHC NCAA-era record books in home runs, RBI, hits, triples, and runs scored, and he is ranked third in doubles. Bricknell was a Peach Belt Player of the Week, a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II National Hitter of the Week, and he was named to the All-PBC first team in 2013. That same year, Bricknell was named to the Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association NCAA Division II AllAmerica first team, becoming the College's first first-team All-American in any sport since going to NCAA Division II. He was also named to the NCBWA Division II All-America second team in 2013. Bricknell says the best part of being at YHC—besides baseball—was being able to live in the mountains surrounded by good people. He thoroughly enjoyed the four years he spent at YHC with all of his teammates, classmates, and teachers. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Business & Public Policy, Bricknell played one year of professional baseball for the Lake Erie Crushers. After that year, he stayed involved with baseball by coaching 9-18 year olds at East Cobb for two years. Bricknell lives in Marietta, Georgia, where he works as a sales specialist for a valve company.
ATHLETICS
DAVE BRISTOL
LAUREN SMITH, 2014
FRIEND OF THE COLLEGE
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
A native and current resident of Andrews, North Carolina, Dave Bristol played professional baseball and attended Western Carolina University in the quarters when he wasn’t on the field. He graduated from WCU in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in history. Bristol went on to become a manager for the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants. He also coached third base for the Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos. All told, Bristol coached 44 years of professional baseball. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2018. After retiring, YHC’s baseball program and former Governor Zell Miller, 1951, attracted Bristol to YHC, where he’s been helping with the Mountain Lion baseball team for 17 years. He serves as an on-field mentor to YHC’s baseball players and coaches. Unfortunately, his wife Betty and children John David and Michael are deceased. He has two living children, Laura Kathryn and Lance. Bristol is a generous supporter of YHC Athletics, and for this reason, he has been inducted into the YHC Athletics Hall of Fame as a Friend of the College.
A native of Madison County, Georgia, Lauren Smith helped restart the YHC women's basketball program in 2010, and she played for the Mountain Lions for four years. For Smith, arriving in the Enchanted Valley was an opportunity to grow the basketball team from the ground up while working toward two degrees. She was a starter and captain on the women’s basketball team all four seasons of her college career. After 100 career games, she is No. 1 for the Mountain Lions in assists, steals, and free throws made. She ranks second in the YHC record books with 1,004 points and in field goals made. Smith helped the Mountain Lions to 66 wins in four seasons, including a program-best 23 victories in the 2011-2012 season. She also led YHC to a third-place finish in the PBC West Division and fourth overall in the conference in 2013-2014. That same year, Smith was named to the All-Peach Belt third team. While at YHC, Smith studied psychology and allied health. After graduating from YHC, she went on to Pfeiffer University to earn her master’s degree in special education. While there, she was on a graduate assistantship and helped coach the women's basketball team. She also coached a rec league team and took them to the first round of state for their age group. She’s returned to her high school and helped assist the junior varsity team. She’s also coached a travel league team and worked with Nike Elite Basketball camps. On the side, she trains ages six and up. Smith now resides in Gainesville, Georgia, and serves as a program coordinator for the nonprofit organization TRiO-Upward Bound, which is based at the University of Georgia. She works with high school students who are interested in going to college but don’t know the route to get there.
KATHY BROWN WOMEN'S SOCCER Kathy Brown began the women's soccer program at YHC in 1997 and stayed on as head coach until 2015. She led the Mountain Lions to the 2006 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I National Championship, which is the only national title won by a YHC athletic team. Brown was named NJCAA Region 17 Coach of the Year eight times and was named the 2006 National Coach of the Year by both the NJCAA and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Her teams won eight state championships and six district titles, and they advanced to the national tournament six times. The Mountain Lions reached the national semifinals in 2000 and 2002, and they played in the championship game in 2004 and 2006. She led 11 players to All-American honors. In addition to her duties as head coach, Brown served as an assistant director of athletics for community engagement, the senior woman administrator, and an advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. After leaving YHC, she was the head women’s soccer coach at Lock Haven University for three seasons. In 2020, Brown returned to her alma mater, Berry College, where she is the head women’s soccer coach for the Vikings. Entering the 2021 season, Brown has recorded a .700 winning percentage as a head coach, including a .732 winning percentage in the Enchanted Valley. Kathy and her husband Barry have four children: Jensen, Brayden, Leyton, and Breckyn.
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THE LEADING LIONS ERIC QUINN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GOLF Quinn, who was named the Director of Golf for the Mountain Lions in July 2020, led the men’s team to their fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship in 2021. The Mountain Lions, who finished the season ranked No. 9 in the Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll, captured their firstever Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Championship title, while Peter Chung became the first YHC golfer to earn medalist honors at the PBC Championship. YHC finished the season 13th at the NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional, while Chung recorded the best-ever finish—third place—by a YHC golfer at the regional. The women’s golf team finished in fifth place at the PBC Championship. Quinn came to the Enchanted Valley after serving as an assistant golf coach at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, for the past six seasons, primarily working with the women’s program. Quinn saw Oglethorpe’s first All-American under his watch in 2020 as freshman Sarah Hsu earned the honor as an honorable mention. He also led the team to Top 25 appearances in four consecutive seasons, including the program’s high-water mark of 16th in 2020. Over his stay at Oglethorpe, nine golfers earned all-conference laurels, and 12 were recognized as All-American Scholars by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association. With the men’s program, the Oglethorpe University Stormy Petrels won Southern Athletic Association (SAA) titles in 2016 and 2019, while being ranked inside the top 25 each season. Quinn played four seasons collegiately for the Stormy Petrel men’s golf program. He was named an All-American in 2013 and was a part of Oglethorpe’s 2012 NCAA Division III National Championship team at the Mission Inn and Resort Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. While part of this team, Quinn accrued four individual wins, including a win at the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Championship in 2012 at Tunica National Golf Club, where he was named the conference player of the year. Quinn was named to the all-conference team all four seasons, including three times in the SCAC and once in the SAA. He graduated from Oglethorpe in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
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MEET FOUR NEW HEAD COACHES FOR THE YHC MOUNTAIN LIONS
MICHAEL HERRING MEN’S LACROSSE Herring, who was hired in October 2020 to lead the Mountain Lions, begins his first season with the 2022 men’s lacrosse season. Herring comes to the Enchanted Valley after spending the past three seasons as head coach of the boys’ lacrosse team at the Blue Ridge School in St. George, Virginia. Herring returned the Barons to prominence during his time at the Blue Ridge School with a 33-10 record. In his first season in 2018, the Barons won the Virginia Independent Conference (VIC) regular season and tournament championships and qualified for the state tournament for the first time in many years. The next season, the team won its second consecutive conference and tournament championships, posted a 15-7 record, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the state tournament. Herring was selected as the VIC Coach of the Year twice. Prior to the Blue Ridge School, Herring served as head coach of the boys’ lacrosse team at Noble and Greenough School, which is located in Dedham, Massachusetts, for 16 seasons. There, he led the team to 187 wins and to its first Independent School League (ISL) championship in school history. He was named U.S. Lacrosse ISL Coach of the Year in 2005. He was a recipient of the Thomas S. Resor Award for Coaching Excellence. During his time at the Blue Ridge School and Noble and Greenough School, he coached numerous U.S. Lacrosse All-Americans—two of them were named to national academic teams, and he had dozens of all-conference players. Herring was a two-year letter winner in men’s lacrosse at Dartmouth, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1991.
Homesley, who took over the reins of the softball program on an interim basis in November 2020 and on a permanent status in April 2021, begins her second season as head coach for the Mountain Lions, after spending one year as an assistant coach. Homesley led the Mountain Lions to a 34-12 record last season as YHC advanced to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional for the fifth consecutive time. The Mountain Lions, who finished in second place in the PBC, were ranked as high as No. 5 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA Division II Coaches Poll before finishing the season 16th. YHC had seven players named to the All-PBC team, while four were selected to the NFCA All-Southeast Region team. Homesley came to the Enchanted Valley after spending two seasons as head coach at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to Christian Brothers, Homesley spent five seasons at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia. Homesley brings extensive experience competing at the highest levels of the NCAA Division II. Her four years as an assistant coach at Shorter saw the program amass an 87-37 record, while winning the 2014 Gulf South Conference (GSC) regular season, 2015 GSC tournament, 2015 NCAA Division II South Region, and the 2014 National Christian College Athletic Association national championships. The 2015 squad finished 43-17 and placed third at the NCAA Division II Softball National Championship. She coached 11 All-Americans, 12 NFCA scholar-athletes, a GSC Freshman of the Year, and a GSC Player of the Year. Homesley is a graduate of Furman University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and played infield for the NCAA Division I Paladins. She earned all-conference honors as a shortstop her junior year and as a third baseman her senior year. She received a master’s degree in leadership from Shorter.
ATHLETICS
JESSIE HOMESLEY SOFTBALL
CHRISTINE HATTON WOMEN’S LACROSSE
Hatton, who was hired in July 2021, begins her first year in charge of the women's lacrosse program. Hatton comes to YHC after serving the past five seasons as head coach at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), where she built the program from the ground up. Hatton led the UCCS Mountain Lions to 28 wins, including a program best 8-4 record during the 2021 campaign. UCCS finished third in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and advanced to the RMAC Tournament semifinals in 2021. During her five seasons with the UCCS Mountain Lions, she coached 17 All-RMAC performers and had 33 players earn RMAC All-Academic accolades. Natalie Church was named the league's Freshman of the Year in 2018. Prior to her starting at UCCS, Hatton led Reinhardt University in Waleska, Georgia, to a pair of National Women's Lacrosse League (NWLL) tournament appearances. She was the NWLL South Region Coach of the Year in 2014 after a runner-up finish in the region. The Eagles finished second in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) in 2015 and were the runner-up in the AAC tournament twice. Hatton was the first women's lacrosse coach at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. She led the team's development and led the Warriors to a winning season by the second year. Hatton was also on the Board of Directors for the first youth lacrosse program in Nebraska. Hatton played for Tennessee Wesleyan College (TWC) while earning her bachelor's degree in exercise and sports sciences. As a three-year letter winner at TWC, Hatton was part of a squad that reached the NWLL championship game in 2011.
PROUD TO BE AN
AMERICAN
YHC held a program on Constitution Day to celebrate Men's Soccer Coaches Mark McKeever and Dean Grey and their journey to U.S. citizenship. In recognition of McKeever’s and Grey’s accomplishment, Chair of the Department of History Dr. Matthew Byron presented them with American flags that were flown over the U.S. Capitol. 29
MOUNTAIN LIONS ROUND UP >M en’s soccer Head Coach Mark McKeever won his 200th career match with a 2-1 win over YHC’s Blood Mountain rivals, the University of North Georgia, on February 8, 2021. > The softball, men’s golf, and men’s soccer teams were all nationally ranked during the 2020-2021 season. The softball team was ranked as high as No. 5 by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, the men’s golf team finished ninth in the Bushnell Golfweek poll, and the men’s soccer team was ranked as high as 14th by the United Soccer Coaches. > The softball and men’s golf teams earned berths to their respective NCAA Division II National Tournaments. Both teams made their fifth consecutive trips as the No. 3 seeds out of the Southeast region. > The men’s golf team won its first-ever Peach Belt Conference Championship title in program history as golfer Peter Chung earned medalist honors with a PBC record score of 200. The medalist honor by Chung was the first in program history. Chung also became the first YHC men’s golfer named to the PING Division II All-America first team, while Tobias Jonsson was named to the honorable mention team. >B aseball player Tucker Greer was named the Peach Belt’s Player of the Year. It was the first time in program history that a baseball player had earned one of the major PBC awards. Greer was a unanimous NCAA Division II All-American first team selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America, and the Division II Conference Commissioner Association. Additionally, Greer was named the NCBWA NCAA Division II National Hitter of the Week.
CHUNG
>W omen’s lacrosse player Ella Hancock was named the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year. >A ubrie Valvo became the first-ever YHC women’s lacrosse player named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-South Region second team.
GREER
> Alphonso Willis was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II AllSouth District second team. > Softball’s Elizabeth “Biz” Walters was named to the NFCA NCAA Division II All-Southeast region first team, while Natalie Corbin, Jill Dixon, and Jill Torres were named to the second team. >M en’s soccer player Saad Maziane was named the United Soccer Coaches Division II National Player of the Week. >W omen’s tennis player Jing Dong was named the NCAA Division II Southeast region’s winner of Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Arthur Ashe, Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award.
VALVO
> The men’s and women’s tennis teams earned the NCAA Division II Southeast region’s ITA Community Service Award Honorable Mention. > The men’s and women’s tennis teams were recognized as an All-Academic Team by the ITA. > The volleyball team earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award and the Peach Belt’s Team Sportsmanship Award. WILLIS
41
student-athletes were recognized by either the Peach Belt or Gulf South to their respective All-Academic teams.
10 30
men’s and women’s tennis players were named ITA Scholar-Athletes.
22
YHC players were named a Player of the Week by either the Peach Belt or the Gulf South.
19
Mountain Lions were named to their all-conference team by either the Peach Belt or the Gulf South.
202 1
YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE
Donor Impact Report JULY 1, 2020 -JUNE 30, 2021
31
Dear Friends of YHC, There are many roles one can choose to work Guerin Brown, 2022 Student Government toward. The destination and the way in which Association President one arrives are determined by ambition and previous experience, but they are guided by supporters and mentors. I am a senior biology major focusing on the areas of conservation, evolution, and entomology. The journey to where I can clearly state my intended subdiscipline is based on several research experiences and countless hours of coursework and extracurricular activities. I have completed research experiences under the National Science Foundation at both the University of New Mexico and the University of Iowa. These experiences have provided the necessary training and insight to enter graduate programs when paired with the rigor of my coursework. I intend to enter a graduate school program to pursue either a master’s degree or doctorate degree in the area of conservation entomology. This decision has not been influenced by research or classes alone. Currently, I serve as the president of the Student Government Association, the president of the Student Inquiry Group for Humanist Thought, the vice president for the Upsilon Delta Sigma fraternity, and a gentleman for the the Sigma Beta Sigma sorority. Furthermore, I work both as a Residential Assistant for Hillgrove Hall and as the manager for the Young Harris Predatory Beetle Rearing Laboratory. These experiences have been filled with debate, discourse, critical thinking, and applied theory. Without these roles, I would fail to be who I am today. Without Young Harris College, I would fail to be the academic I have always wanted to become. Without donors, I would have failed to continue my education. It is the spirit and community of Young Harris College that has provided the resources and support needed for my success in seeking an undergraduate education. This success would have never begun if not for the contributions of those supporting the students of this institution. Thank you for your generosity! Sincerely,
Guerin Brown, 2022
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WAYS TO GIVE &
Giving Opportunities WAYS TO GIVE
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
•M ail a check to Young Harris College Office of Advancement P.O. Box 275 Young Harris, GA 30582
•Y oung Harris Fund: This fund provides unrestricted support to the areas of greatest need at Young Harris College. When you make a gift each year to the Young Harris Fund, you are supporting great faculty, providing student scholarships, and underwriting new academic programs. The Young Harris Fund gives the president and academic administrators critical flexibility to address needs and opportunities as they arise.
• Use the online form found at yhc.edu/givenow • Call the Office of Advancement at (706) 379-5173. • Donate appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds. This is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to Young Harris College. In some cases, you may avoid capital gains taxes and increase your support for our mission.
CAMPAIGNS •C lass Scholarship Challenge: The Class Scholarship Challenge directly supports the next generation of up-and-coming students who are choosing YHC as their next step in life. Like our alumni, our students are passionate about YHC and the impact they will make after their time here. Check out classscholarshipchallenge.org, and help your class rise to the top! • 1886 Young Harris Society: The 1886 Young Harris Society recognizes those who give at leadership levels to Young Harris College. Its members are alumni and friends who believe strongly in the mission of YHC and annually contribute $1,000 or more to any fund. Members of the 1886 Young Harris Society receive regular College updates and invitations to exclusive events. • Bob and Carol Head Local Scholarship Campaign: By working with community members from areas surrounding YHC, this program grows scholarship support for students from Fannin, Gilmer, Rabun, Towns, and Union counties in Georgia and Cherokee and Clay counties in North Carolina.
•M ountain Lion Club: The Young Harris College Mountain Lion Club provides funds that promote our athletic programs’ needs; upgrade athletic facilities; recruit and retain top-level coaches; and promote deserving student-athletes, athletic staff, and coaches. By becoming a Mountain Lion Club member, your support will go toward achieving these goals. •E ndowed Gifts: An endowment is a college’s financial cornerstone—its core ability to fuel progress and provide support for students, faculty, academic programs, and extracurricular opportunities. • Planned Gifts: Your act of generosity helps our longevity. With planned giving, you can provide long-lasting support for Young Harris College while enjoying financial benefits for yourself. • Friends of the Arts: Your support enables Young Harris College’s Division of Fine Arts to continue offering quality programming that benefits student development and enhances the local cultural landscape. • Engrave a Brick: Honor friends, loved ones, your graduating class, or favorite organizations by engraving their names on a brick paver, or buy a piece of history for yourself.
Learn More: yhc.edu/giving
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GOLFING FOR A GIVING
Day
YHC’s Giving Day is a 24-hour online fundraising event that brings the YHC community together from across the country to focus on students and their immediate needs in the Enchanted Valley. Giving Day 2021 raised more than $57,000! Join us for Giving Day 2022 on Thursday, February 24. Beginning February 19, you can visit yhcgivingday.org to learn more!
Good Cause
In August 2020 and May 2021, the 16th and 17th annual Clay Dotson Open golf tournaments were held at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, Georgia. While things were a bit different than in past years due to COVID-19 restrictions, there was still a great turnout for both events. We are especially grateful to our Diamond Sponsors, including Brasstown Valley Resort, Sodexo, and United Community Bank. “Many thanks to everyone who sponsored, participated in, and supported the 2020 and 2021 Clay Dotson Open tournaments,” said Vice President for Advancement Mark Dotson, 1988. “Because of your generosity, deserving students will receive scholarships and the opportunity to pursue an education at YHC.” Together, more than $110, 000 was raised for YHC student scholarships. Make plans to join us for the 18th annual Clay Dotson Open on May 16, 2022. Visit yhc.edu/cdo for more details!
YHC ESTABLISHES THE
Ja’lessa Morris Memorial SCHOL ARSHIP FUND
To honor the memory of Young Harris College graduate Ja’lessa Morris, 2011, YHC has established an endowed scholarship that bears her name and recognizes students like her. After graduating from YHC, Morris earned a master’s degree at the University of West Georgia before moving to Guilford College in North Carolina. At Guilford, Morris served as a residential education and housing community director, and more recently, as a career guide. She passed away on October 24, 2020. “Ja’lessa was a proud Mountain Lion who sought to make a meaningful difference in the lives of all she encountered,” said Vice President for Advancement Mark Dotson, 1988. “She was a vibrant, highly engaged student who shared the first-ever Young Harris Spirit Award with her twin sister Janelle.” Based on the input and support of the Morris family, YHC decided to honor Ja’lessa’s life by setting up the Ja’lessa Morris Memorial Scholarship Fund. Recipients of the endowed scholarship will be rising sophomore, junior or senior students of color who exemplify the spirit of the College.
Ja’lessa and Janelle Morris
If you would like to give in memory of Morris, you may do so at yhc.edu/givenow. From there, select “Ja’lessa Morris Memorial Scholarship Fund” from the drop-down menu next to “Designate fund.” 34
A CONNECTION THAT GOES BEYOND THE ENCHANTED VALLEY
Chastity Duffey, 2020, and O.V. Lewis When Chastity Duffey, 2020, sat down with a public finance company in Florida. at her assigned table for Young Harris Lewis, who said Duffey feels like a daughter College’s annual Scholarship Luncheon to him, noted she’s always kept him up to in 2019, she probably didn’t expect date on what’s going on in her life, whether it’s to make a lifelong friend and gain a moving to a new home or starting a new job trusted mentor. She also probably didn’t opportunity. anticipate that new friend to be the “I’m a better person for having met her,” he namesake of the O.V. Lewis Scholarship, said. which she received. Lewis honored Duffey by purchasing a brick Yet, after an afternoon filled with on the Plaza with her name on it and covered laughter and wisdom, Duffey had laid the the cost of her graduation fee. He also invited foundation for a lasting relationship with her entire family to his home in the Enchanted O.V. Lewis, a longtime faculty and staff Valley to tour his lush gardens. member at the College. Lewis recently celebrated his 90th birthday, Chastity Duffey, 2020, and O.V. Lewis pose for a Lewis, who taught accounting at YHC with the College putting together a surprise picture at YHC’s Scholarship Luncheon in 2019. and served as its Registrar, is a strong party to celebrate his life and all he has done supporter of the College, and his scholarship is available to to give back to YHC and make the lives of its students better. students pursuing a degree in business. “I am grateful that the College has such a nice relationship with After that initial conversation, the two would make an effort its donors,” said Duffey. “This gave me the opportunity to get to to stay in touch, even after she graduated and accepted a job know him.”
YHC celebrated O.V. Lewis’s 90th birthday with a surprise party in Suber Banquet Hall. Many YHC employees and friends of the College came out to honor Lewis and thank him for all he has done to give back to YHC and make the lives of its students better.
GIVING BACK Pictured with her son, Michael, Edna Pace Huey, 1943, and her late husband Johnnie Huey set up an endowed scholarship for students studying education at Young Harris College. Edna advanced her education at West Georgia University and retired from the Carroll County Board of Education. As a surprise birthday gift, Jerry Mitchell, 1966, honored his wife Nita Burdett Mitchell, 1966, by starting a YHC scholarship in her name. The Mitchells met while studying at Young Harris College together.
35
Forever Linked THE HISTORY OF YHC AND THE FOSTER-ADAMS FAMILY ARE INEXTRICABLY INTERTWINED
Shown here is the YHC women’s basketball team from 1934-1935. Marjorie Adams was the captain, and she is shown in the middle holding the basketball.
different times spanning three separate decades. After 10 years at YHC, he moved to Hayesville, North Carolina, to serve as the school principal for nine years. He then returned to YHC to complete another 32 years before retiring. In 1904, E.L. Adams and May Sanderson married. They had nine children, and all attended YHC. One of their children,
TIMELINE
Around 1885, Nancy Louise Haynes Stephens Sanderson Robertson was approached by Rev. Artemas Lester, who was looking for a location to start a school in the community. In 1886, she donated approximately 10 acres of land—the exact area where the main campus of Young Harris College stands today. Nancy had four stepsons and a daughter still at home, and she believed this would be an excellent place for them to be educated. Her daughter was May Sanderson, who attended YHC and studied art. In 1899, E.L. Adams arrived at YHC with his brother Clarence from Danielsville, Georgia. They found lodging with Nancy for the first quarter. E.L. graduated from YHC in 1903 and spent the summer working for his older brothers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at their Coca-Cola bottling company. E.L. earned enough money to pay off his school debt, and he received a letter from Dr. J.A. Sharp offering him a teaching position at YHC. He returned to the Enchanted Valley, and in addition to teaching at YHC, he served as pastor at Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church and as a circuit rider for the many small churches in the area. During his career, E.L. served in the state legislature three
1886 Nancy Louise Haynes Stephens Sanderson Robertson donates 10 acres for campus.
36
Daughter May Sanderson attends YHC.
E.L. Adams teaches at YHC. This picture shows YHC faculty, staff, and students in front of the old auditorium. Professor Adams is the seventh person from the right in the front row.
Members of the Foster-Adams family are shown at the 2021 Alumni Awards Dinner.
Marjorie Adams, graduated from YHC in 1935. Marjorie married Paul Foster, Jr., who attended YHC and taught in the Towns County School System. Paul later joined the U.S. Army before World War II and had a long career. He retired as a chief warrant officer. Marjorie and Paul had a son, Tom Foster. Tom continued the family tradition by enrolling at YHC. He completed a year in 1966, then married Andrea Nichols, and after spending time in Southeast Asia, he returned to YHC to
1904 E.L. Adams and May Sanderson marry.
Professor E.L. Adams and May Adams are shown with family. All nine children attended YHC.
earn his associate degree in 1972. He moved on to Georgia State University to complete his bachelor’s degree. He worked for Sears for 20 years and then worked in the computer industry for the remainder of his career. His wife, Andrea, attended YHC in 1966 before attending DeKalb College and Clayton State. By attending YHC, Andrea was continuing a family tradition of her own, as her parents had attended the College, and she grew up in the county. Andrea’s
1935 Daughter Marjorie
Adams graduates from YHC.
Marjorie marries Paul Foster, Jr., who also attended YHC. Together, they have a son, Tom Foster.
37
mother, Annie Berrong Nichols Johnson, and his wife, Tracy, live in Marietta, attended YHC one year before leaving to Georgia, where he is a builder. They work at Lockheed during WWII. Annie have four children. later worked for the IRS and ATF before Tom Sr. and Andrea’s retiring and beginning a new career granddaughter, Payton Morrow, with the Towns County School System attends YHC and is a member of the and working on the Hiawassee City basketball team. She is majoring in Council. Andrea’s father, Doyle Nichols, mathematics and minoring in sports attended YHC on the GI Bill after serving studies. When Payton graduates in in WWII. After YHC, he attended the 2023, it will be 120 years from the University of Georgia and John Marshall time her great-great-grandfather, Law School. After law school, Doyle E.L. Adams, graduated. She is a fifth earned his real estate license and opened generation Mountain Lion on Tom an office in DeKalb County, Georgia. He Sr.’s side of the family and a fourth was elected as the State Representative generation Mountain Lion on Andrea’s for Towns County in 1956 and served side of the family. until his death in 1958. In retirement, Tom Sr. and Andrea Andrea retired from Kysar Warren. She moved back to Young Harris. They This family photo was taken in 2019. Shown on the back row is an active member of Sharp Memorial are active in many of the College’s are Tom Sr., Payton Morrow, Jacob Foster, and Tom Jr. Shown on the middle row are Kendall Sandlin, Amelia Foster, and UMC and the Towns County Historical alumni activities, and they enjoy Andrea Foster. Shown on the first row sitting are Tracy Foster, Society. She and Tom have two children, supporting Mountain Lion athletics. Michelle Sandlin, Grayson Morrow, and Lisa Foster-Morrow. Tom Foster, Jr., and Lisa Foster-Morrow, The Foster-Adams family continues to as well as six grandchildren. contribute to the E.L. and May Adams Tom Jr. attended YHC, where he played on the soccer and Scholarship Fund so that deserving students can benefit from an ultimate Frisbee teams, was a member of the Upsilon Delta Sigma education at YHC. fraternity, which was the Young Harris Debating Society, and was In honor of their support of Young Harris College, the Fostera Big Brother for the Phi Delta sorority. He earned his associate Adams Family was named the YHC Family of the Year in 2021. degree at YHC in 1991 and his bachelor’s degree at UGA. He
Tom Foster marries Andrea Nichols, and together, they have two children, Tom Foster, Jr., and Lisa Foster-Morrow.
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Shown here are Andrea Nichols’s parents, Annie Berrong Nichols Johnson and Doyle Nichols.
2019
Tom Foster, Jr. is pictured with his wife, Tracy, and their children, Jacob, Amelia, Michelle, and Kendall.
Dr. Van Horn and Payton Morrow hold Payton’s great-great grandfather E.L. Adams’s 1903 diploma from Young L.G. Harris College.
giving
students
AT A GLANCE
BY THE NUMBERS
FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021
2,367
Residential: 789 Commuter: 134 Early College: 473 MAT: 21
100%
TOTAL NUMBER OF DONORS
STUDENTS ON SCHOLARSHIP
303 31.73%
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
50
INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS AWA R D E D T O
3,548
GIFTS
International Students: 62 Number of Countries Represented: 32
FIRST TIME DONORS
906
STUDENTS
FALL 2020
4,603,839
$
T O TA L C O N T R I B U T I O N S
57,056.50 887
$
YHC GIVING DAY 2021
Auxiliary Services 12.9%
revenues
Endowment & Investment 41.4%
ALUMNI DONORS ACROSS 30 STATES
expenditures
Scholarships & Grants 40.7%
Student Services 13.4%
Academic Support 5.9%
Tuition & Fees 37.9% Other Revenue .2%
Government Grants Private Gifts & 2.3% Grants 5.3%
Institutional Support 6.5%
Instructional 17.5% Auxiliary Services 16%
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2021
39
“
“I want to thank you for giving me the Elizabeth Garrard Hall and Cheston A. Hall Endowed Scholarship. I would not be here at YHC without it. I am a senior early childhood education major, and for the four years I have attended YHC, I have loved it. I have made many lifelong friends, and each year, I meet more incredible people. I have learned so much and got to get away from the city. My favorite part of being here is being able to get up in the morning and take a jog through the mountains. My journey isn’t over—I have one more year to complete before I move back home and work in the Atlanta public school system. I want to thank you again for making this all possible, and I will keep moving forward with getting my degree.” QUINTAVUS WILLIAMS | ATLANTA, GEORGIA
“I am honored to be the recipient of the Broadrick and Moffitt Scholarship. Thanks to your generous support, I am the first in my family to attend college. I am a public policy major, and I hope to manage a nonprofit organization or start a business after pursuing a graduate degree. Thanks to you, I am one step closer to that goal. I am so thankful for YHC and everything it offers to help me succeed. The professors challenge me to work harder, and everyone here is so friendly. I enjoy spending my time outdoors and exploring the surrounding areas here in the Enchanted Valley. You have made it possible for me to be here, and you have lightened my financial burden, which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school: learning. Your generosity has inspired me to help and give back to others. Thank you again for your generosity and support.” HANNAH ELLIOT | LEESBURG, GEORGIA
“One of the incredible aspects of Young Harris College is the opportunity we students are given to learn about the specific people who have donated to make it possible for us to develop as students here. There is a legacy that runs through YHC that is upheld, thanks to giving hearts like yours. Through my years, I have been involved in my sorority and Religious Life. I was able to study abroad in England and attend the Summit opening of The Peace and Justice Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. I would not have been able to experience all of these opportunities outside of Young Harris College and would not have received them without your generosity in helping me attend this institution. I could try all day long and still never find words apt enough to express my gratitude for being a scholarship recipient. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” MACKENZIE TEAL | GRANTVILLE, GEORGIA
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Honor Roll
OF
DONORS
J U LY 1 , 2 0 2 0 - J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 2 1
Alumni and friends of the College listed below are members of the 1886 Young Harris Society, which recognizes those who give at leadership levels to Young Harris College. Members of the 1886 Young Harris Society believe strongly in the mission of YHC and annually contribute $1,000 or more for various projects and programs. They are committed to helping YHC succeed, and they give generously to ensure that it does. The 1886 Young Harris Society is the College’s premier annual giving recognition circle. To join for 2021-2022, please contact the Office of Advancement at (706) 379-5173 or advancement@yhc.edu.
ARTEMAS LESTER CLUB
PRESIDENT’S CLUB
DEAN’S CLUB
($500,000 or more)
($20,000–$49,999)
($5,000–$19,999)
Clay and Betty Dotson
O. Wayne Rollins Foundation
Alfred Seals Scholarship Fund
Anonymous
Mary R. Dougherty
Leland T. Bagwell
Apple Realty, Inc.
R. Al Duke, Jr.
Tommy and Chantal Bagwell, The Chantal and Tommy Bagwell Foundation, Inc.
Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund
Gary and Linda Dye
Bill and Pat Barrett
Buddy and Amy Carter
Dave Bristol
Elizabeth Lobello Edwards and Adam Edwards
Estate of Christine Collins
Richard and Nancy Burrell
Epic Amusement
Estate of J. J. Jackson
James and Catherine Castle
Estate of L.W. Allison
Estate of Grace Roy
Mary Ann S. Chambers
Nathan and Meaghan Fine
Bob and Barbara Bone
Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, Inc.
Carol A. Chastain
Follett Higher Education Group
Georgia United Methodist Commission
Alvin and Cheryl Gibson
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Hilton M. Fuller
City of Young Harris
Mary Broadrick and John Moffitt, Sr.
Don* and Mary Ellen Harp
Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia
Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. Educational Matching Gifts
The PAMM Foundation
Ron and Lisa Hinson
Clayton and Julia Davis
Pam Rollins
Hank* and Amy Huckaby
W.I.H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation
John and Mary Franklin Foundation, Inc.
DR. T. J. LANCE CLUB ($250,000–$499,999) Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc.
DR. J. A. SHARP CLUB ($100,000–$249,999)
Greene-Sawtell Foundation
Philip DeMore
Bill and Tish Easterlin
Gibson Dental Designs The Gutenstein Family Foundation
Ray and Mary Lynn Lambert
CHAIRMAN’S CLUB ($50,000–$99,999) Appleby Foundation
Jerry and Cheryl Nix North Carolina Community Foundation, Inc.
Anonymous
North Georgia Community Foundation
Brantley and Sharon Barrow
Wade and Debbie Patterson
Chuck and Margaret Buker
Frank and Loulie Reese
Estate of Lillie Mae Green
Trebor Properties, Inc.
Johnnie* and Edna Huey
United Methodist Higher Education Foundation
J. William and Elizabeth S. Robinson Foundation, Inc.
Charles and Dancy Wynne
Jerry and Nita Mitchell Solitude, Ltd. Jones Webb YHC students are so grateful for our donors. Thank you!
*Deceased within the last year
41
Barbara Hale
Raymond James Charitable
Harriet Hargrove Hill
Paul and Jane Roberts
Gerald and Jo Hudgins
Sodexo, Inc. and Affiliates
Sylvia M. Hutchinson
Roy A. Stowe
Johnny J. Jones Foundation
Jimmy and Jeanne Tallent
Jim and Joan Johnston
TIAA Charitable
Bill and Kim Johnston
Tri-State Utility Products, Inc.
David and Barbara Lance
Truist
Janet J. Love
Ty Cobb Educational Foundation
Lumpkin Coalition, Inc.
United Community Bank
Jim and Charlotte McCloskey
Drew and Camille Van Horn
Celeste McCollough
Jerry E. Vaughan
Jeanette Mellinger
Marthagem Whitlock
Sally AsKew
Marilyn Brown
Shirley Miller, Zell Miller Foundation
Kirk and Jackie Wimberly
Dean and Terry Ayers
Paul and Betty Butler
Kurt T. Momand
WESLEY CLUB
Batchelor and Kimball, Inc.
Charlie and Debbie Butler
Janelle Morris National Christian Foundation Jason Norton David and Paige Pattillo The Pattillo Family Foundation, Inc. Phi Delta Sorority Terry and Libba Pickren Elizabeth C. Poppleton
1886 Young Harris Society Luncheon
42
YHC employees celebrate the Bob and Carol Head Local Scholarship Campaign during an event at Crane Creek Vineyards.
Ron and Becky Beal
Elizabeth Butler
($1,000 - $4,999)
Wade and Vickie Benson
Bobby and Teresa Caldwell
Dick and Sue Ackert
John and Marianne Beverstein
Matthew and Lori Caldwell
Ed and Janet Adams
Blue Ridge Mountain EMC
Richard and Susan Chewning
Bud and Mary Carol Akins
Ginny Boyd
Thomas and Mary Clayton
Allen Waters Charitable Fund
Sally Boyd
Chuck Clowdis
American Endowment Foundation
Ann R. Brady
CMA Agency, Inc.
Jon and Paulette Anderson
Richard L. Bray
Bryant and Evelyn Coats
Matt and Rachael Anderson
Jeff and Janie Breor
Anonymous
Carolyn Briscoe
Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia
Jim* and Cleta Cook
Bonny Herman
Bob and Gayle Nichols
The Arnold Foundation, Inc.
Cathy Cox and Mark Dehler
Carol A. Holbrook
Max and Yuko Nielsen
The New York Community Trust
Chris and Michelle Crawford
David and Susan House
Joe and Susan Niolon
Mikel Thomas
Bob and Betty Dale
David and Pat Huckaby
Gerardo F. Ojeda Rojas
Lewis and Ruth Ann Thompson
Rick Davenport, RKD Properties, Inc.
Pat and Jane Hudgins
O’Reilly Auto Parts
Peggy Thrasher
Howard and Judy Hughes
Panel-Built, Inc.
Ron and Gail Day
Jim and Nancy Humphrey
Dan Paris, Jr.
Art and Tammy Deas
Thomas and Victoria Hunt
Joseph and Jenny Pate
C. Kirk Underwood, Kennesaw Mountain Veterinary Services
Keith and Cindy DeFoor
James and Jane Jackson
Jason and Joanna Pierce
Jan and Bonnie Devereaux
Jackson Automotive Group, Inc.
Lynda B. Prewitt
Rene and Barbarella Diaz, Diaz Foods
Tommy and Vicki Jenkins
Ruby Price
Sigmund Van Raan and Susan Dickler
Linda Jenkins
Charles and Beverly Ragsdale
John and Jo Ray Van Vliet
Jane Jerry
Henry and Brenda Rogers
Timothy and Mellanie Vinyard
Steve C. Jones and Lillian Kincey
Bobby and Charlotte Rogers
Thomas and Jacqueline Volk
Julian and Annette Jones
Keith and Holly Royston
Chris and Andrea Wadle
Linda Jones
Todd Rymer
Gwen Walker
Ed and Shelley Jordan
Randy and Julie Salisbury
Frank* and Harriett Ward
Todd Joyce
Bobby and Vineta Sanders
Warren Averett Companies, LLC
Matthew and Stephanie Kammerer
James and Ruth Sapp
Watson-Brown Foundation
Windell and Jan Keith
Save Georgia’s Hemlocks, Inc.
Sandra Webb
Charles and Helen Ketteman
Schwab Charitable Fund
Allen and Pamela Wedel
Wyck and Shell Knox
Steve and Elaine Sharp
Mary V. Weil
Lamin-X Protective Films
James and Nancy Shelby
David Westcott
Joe and Tish Lashley
John and Sandra Sillay
Gary and Kaye White
John and Linda Leslie
Brock and Debra Smith
Sue White
O.V. Lewis
Jacqueline Smith
Martha Logan
Benjamin and Judy Smith
Fred Whitley and Meg Gring Whitley
Walter and Martha Garrett
Lois and Lucy Lampkin Foundation
Stephen Soulen and Melanie Stanley-Soulen
Mary Beth Wiles and Leslie Davis
Georgia Independent College Association, Inc.
Lula H. Adams Trust
South Georgia Cabinet Co., Inc.
Ethel Winters
Georgia Power Company
Betty Jean Gee and Douglas E. Magruder Family Gift Fund
Ray and Laura Stooksbury
Jim and Aurelia Wood
Georgia United Methodist Foundation, Inc.
Stan and Elizabeth Storey
Maxair, Inc.
Harold W. Wyatt
Michael and Arlynne Striplin
Bruce and Dot Yandle
Mark and Kathy Dotson Lacy Eaves Carol Anne Edwards Lillie Ellington Jim and Beth Ellison Frank and Clara Erwin Estate of John E. Rymer ExxonMobil Foundation Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund William and Sue Beth* Finch Lenny and Laurie Flohr Tom and Andrea Foster Chip and Leslie Frierson Marti Fullerton Lamar and Kathy Gailey Ronald and Linda Garrett
Candler and Susan Ginn Larry H. Goddard David and Kay Green Jeffrey Greenlaw Gerry and Diana Gutenstein James and Vicki Hall Andy Hall Edwin and Jean Hancock Ray and Roberta Hardman Marvin and Mackenzie Harkins Rudy and Becca* Harrell David and Harriette Haygood John and Susan Heinze
Marvin and Rebecca McArthur
Union General Hospital United Community Bank
Barbara and Michael Williford
Jerry and Maryanne McCurdy Richard and Shirley McGinnis Anthony McNair-Seigler John and Nadine Medlin Ginger Meeks Men on the Move C. Dean Milford* Murphy Miller Montag & Caldwell, LLC Kristie Morris Nell Wise Babb Trust Elizabeth F. Nevil Clay Dotson Open *Deceased within the last year
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CLASS NOTES
As provided to the College from June 2020 - early January 2022
1960s
1970s
Ed Nichols, 1960, published two books of prose poems. He first released “I Wish I Could Laugh” and then “Perfect Land.” Both books are available on Amazon and at bookstores in the Clarkesville, Georgia area.
Sally Boyd, 1960, threw emeritus professor O.V. Lewis a 90th birthday party in in her home in June 2021.
Share your news with other Young Harris College alumni and friends. Send achievements, announcements, and photos to alumni@yhc.edu or submit them online at yhc.edu/alumni under “Share Your News.” All Class Notes photos are provided courtesy of featured alumni and friends of the College.
1990s Perry Fuller, 1979, wrote a children’s book titled “Runt, Buck, & Coco and the Goatman,” which will be the first of a series. The book is available now on Amazon and at BooksA-Million and Barnes & Noble, and there is a “Runt, Buck, & Coco” Facebook page.
Dr. Steven Flynt, 1990, was appointed Superintendent of the Columbia County School District in January 2021. Carla Collins MacDonald, 1995, was accepted into a doctoral program at Baylor University. Her academic emphasis is educational learning and organizational change.
1980s John L. Stephens, 1981, is the manager at Old Navy at Pier Park in Panama City Beach, Florida. He invites his Mountain Lion friends to come stop by!
Jim McGraw, 1966, wrote a fictional book trilogy that includes Young Harris College in the storyline. The names of the books are “Sky Diamonds,” “Eagles Flight,” and “Eagles Landing.” McGraw plans to donate copies of all three books to the Zell & Shirley Miller Library. Ruth Woolley Sapp, 1967, and Jimmy Sapp celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on July 4, 2021.
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Nancy Winter Fitzgerald, 1982, was named 20192020 Teacher of the Year at Jackson Elementary School in Gwinnett County. She retired from education in June 2020 after 30 years in the classroom.
Nick Markakis, 2003, retired from Major League Baseball. The outfielder completed a 15-year career with the Orioles and Braves, spending his final six seasons with Atlanta.
Dr. Thomas Washburn, 1987, was named Executive Director of the Law and Public Safety Education Network, a national nonprofit organization.
Rev. David “Roy” Henry, 1999, was elected president of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan in November 2020. He has been serving as the senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan, for six years, and was executive pastor for just over two years. He has also served as a trustee of the North American Mission Board of the Convention for the past four years.
MLB player Charlie Blackmon, 2006, became a father in January 2021. In November 2020, Tyler Gregory, 2006, was elected to the Monroe, Georgia City Council.
2000s Andrew Turnage, M.Ed., 1995, was appointed as the first executive director for the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission in May 2020.
Joseph B. DeLoach, 2003, married Faye Black DeLoach in 2015. In 2020, the couple welcomed a future Mountain Lion, Anthony Joseph DeLoach. Joseph is a personal financial representative with Allstate Financial Services and is licensed in Georgia and Florida.
In April 2020, Kelsey Meiring Wells, 2007, married Chris Wells in a small backyard ceremony. The couple enjoyed a reception with friends
Lance Ledbetter, 1996, founded Dust-to-Digital in 1999. He and his wife, April, create access to difficult-to-find music by producing high-quality books, box sets, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records. The company has evolved along with music and technology, and Dust-toDigital continues to entertain and educate new audiences today. The Ledbetters have won three GRAMMYs and have been nominated for many more.
Leah Cheshier, 2016, works as a public affairs officer and live mission commentator at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
and family the following October. They now reside in Atlanta, Georgia with their cat and three dogs.
Brittney Sizemore, 2017, graduated magna cum laude from Mercer Law School in August 2020.
2010s
Chelsea Collins, 2018, was promoted from Customer Support Specialist to Customer Success Onboarding Specialist at Fleetio, a fleet maintenance technology company that helps organizations track, analyze, and improve their fleet operations. She enjoys empowering customers through technology.
Johnny Payne, 2010, wrote an article about disabilities and faith communities, which was published in Exceptional Parent magazine and the Journal of Religion and Society.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation promoted Emily Bagwell, 2010, to Technical Leader of Crime Lab Firearms at the GBI Headquarters. Bryan Miller, 2011, is running for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.
Austin Freeman, 2012, is an actor and voice-over artist in popular films and shows such as “Loki.”
Nathan Hughes, 2013, graduated from the South Carolina Bankers School and finished first in the school’s banking simulation program. In November 2021, First Presbyterian Church of Griffin, Georgia, welcomed its new pastor, the Rev. Austin Thomas, 2013. Previously, Thomas served at Marietta Community Church, where he was the student director and the assistant pastor. Prior to that, he was the NextGen coordinator of Mars Hill Presbyterian Church in Acworth, Georgia, where he directed and facilitated the ministries for the next generation: children, youths, and young adults. He also served as the intern to the college and community pastor at Reynolda Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, while he received his Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University. William Leatherwood, 2015, graduated from medical school at UNC Chapel Hill and is doing a residency in orthopedic surgery at Stony Brook University.
Megan Rachele Stowers DiNatalie, 2015, graduated from the University of Florida’s Law School in May 2019 and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November 2019. She is employed as an associate attorney at the Hunt & Taylor Law Group in Gainesville, Georgia. She married Tyler DiNatalie in November 2020, and the couple bought a home in Cleveland, Georgia. Caden Boullon, 2016, and wife Haley will begin their journey sailing around the world in November 2022. Caden, a diver, and Haley, a marine ecologist and diver, said that they don’t want to wait until the end of their lives to pursue this dream of theirs.
Elli Flaig, 2018, was promoted to Manager of Corporate Development at Rollins. In this role, she manages the process of acquiring new pest control companies. Together with her boss, she keeps everything organized and makes sure all parties are informed of the acquisition. She is the go-between for Rollins’s departments like legal, HR, fleet and real estate, and the sellers. Within 4 months of being in this role, she has been a part of closing 10 transactions.
Mackenzie Melton Gaston, 2019, and Sam Gaston, 2020, were married in Blairsville, Georgia, on June 5, 2021. Sam is a brokerage sales assistant with United Community Bank and United Community Advisory Services. Mackenzie is a treasury operations analyst with United Community Bank. The Gastons are now living on Lake Nottely.
Savannah Hardin, 2019, worked during the peak of the pandemic as a COVID-19 contact tracer and case investigator at the Georgia Department of Public Health.
In September 2021, Laura Gregory, 2018, began a new journey teaching with Up International Education in Madrid, Spain. She is teaching English as a second language to 3rd – 5th graders.
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2020s
Harris College for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, becoming a hero for kids with cancer.
Erin Buehring, 2020, got engaged to Jared Reid on July 23, 2021. Childhood cancer survivor Cathleen Chance, 2021, organized the “Rock the Bald” event at Young
Kaleigh Foster, 2021, is attending Mercer University’s School of Medicine on the full-ride Nathan Deal Scholarship.
Kurt Mueller, 2021, attended Harlaxton College in Grantham, England, in the summer of 2021 as part of Young Harris College’s Study Abroad program. He represented YHC as a member of the Honors Program and as the 2020-2021 Woodward Scholar. The Beverly Barrow Woodward Scholarship, established by Len and Beverly (1953) Woodward of Rome, Georgia, provides financial support for one student to study abroad in England each year. Kurt also received the prestigious Harlaxton College Principal’s Award.
Obituaries Carol Rinehart Rabun Carol Rinehart Rabun moved to Young Harris, Georgia, in 1957 when her husband, Harold, was asked to be the pastor at Old Union Baptist Church. In 1958, she began work in the Young Harris College Business Office. In her time at YHC, she worked as Assistant Business Manager and as Business Manager. She operated the bookstore, prepared payrolls, managed student loan collections, and purchased all supplies for maintenance, faculty, and staff members. She remained at YHC for three decades and retired in 1989. Rabun had other workplaces—both before and after YHC—and she enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside different people over the years. She said she was especially fond of her interactions with YHC students. She served as the advisor of the YHC Baptist Student Union, and she went the extra mile in this role to invite the students into her and her husband’s home. She also said that there was a spirit of cooperation and respect among the YHC faculty. Rabun passed away February 6, 2021, at the age of 95. Young Harris College will forever honor her memory.
Ruth Heinrich Page Ruth Heinrich Page moved to the North Georgia mountains in 1963. Young Harris College was a large part of her life and the life of her husband, Rev. Cecil W. Page. She was the campus infirmary nurse from 1968 until her retirement in 1992, and he taught religion courses at the College. In her time working as the nurse and also serving at Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church, she formed lifelong relationships with many students, faculty, colleagues, and members of the Young Harris community. Page was still residing in Young Harris when she passed away September 29, 2021, at the age of 88. The College is thankful for the life she lived and will remember her for the way she cared for the students.
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IN MEMORIAM STUD E N TS & ALU MN I
As reported to the College from May 4, 2020 through November 11, 2021
F RI EN D S OF TH E C O LLEG E
Danny Crowder, 1959
J. Dan Lee, 1959
Wanda G. Roberts, 1971
Juanita “Jimmie” Aldredge, 1960
William Gibson Cutts, Jr., 1958
James A. Long, 1952
Susan G. Rogers, 1968
Alma Mainor, 1945
Thomas Jefferson Rogers
Jerry M. Aldridge, 1958
John A. Dooley, Jr., 1978
G. Darwin Martin, 1976
Dorsey C. Savage, Jr., 1962
Gary T. Atkinson, 1971
Lois Drawdy, 1958
W. Wayne Martin, 1955
Fred G. Shelnutt, Sr., 1946
Glenn A. Barnett, 1971
G. Melvin Earley, Jr., 1976
Irma McClure, 1953
Marcus B. Shipman, 1960
Ollie Sue Bauerly, 1960
Sue Beth Finch, 1957
Amy N. McConnell, 2006
Dinah G. Shirley, 1962
Paul D. Beckham, 1963
Sarah C. Flanagan, 1976
Mary Elizabeth Sims, 1960
Terry Ron Bell, 1964
John C. Garrard, 1981
Nancy L. McCormick, 1980
Charles Russ Bell, 1989
Carol L. Gilman, 1974
Patricia Bellamy, 1966
Melanie I. Grier, 1974
Sara Gail McCullough, 1957
David-akem Harville Smith, 2021
Dolores “Dusty” J. Bennett, 1945
Donald “Don” A. Harp, Jr., 1961
Marcelle Cochran McDonald, 1946
John Scott Taylor, 1993
Robert Bernard Berryman, 1946
William H. Harris, 1957
Erin L. McElhannon, 1999
Tracie Elaine Hart
C. Dean Milford, 1957
J. Warren Blackmon, 1968
Catherine Werner Hicks, 1937
Hugh Milton Mills, 1967
Nick A. Boutwell, 2014
Shelby Hicks, 1960
Ja’lessa O. Morris, 2011
Kelsey E. Bowles, 2014
Phil Murray Hope, 1964
Sarah Nix, 1942
Martha F. Bray, 1962
Dale R. Hoylman, 1975
Dorothy Oscher, 1953
Paul “Buddy” J. Vaught, Jr., 1957
Hilda Brown, 1957
Eliza Nell Hubbard, 1958
Ruth Page
Joseph Eugene Brown, Sr., 1957
Robert “Bob” V. Ozment, 1946
Tommy Walker, 1962
James C. Huckaby, 1941
Scott S. Walker, 1983
Carol R. Rabun
Henry “Hank” M. Huckaby, 1962
Eleanor H. Walton, 1958
R. Randall Rollins
J. Pat Broxton, Sr., 1964
Carolyn JoAnn Pearson, 1960
B. Ann Warth, 1959
Virginia C. Burel, 1936
Thomas A. Penland, 1964
Charlie Routh
Richard E. Humston, 1962
Thomas R. Pickren, 1965
Grace M. Roy
Mark A. Ivester, 1983
Patsy Waters, 1954
Robert B. Butler, 1964 Bryant E. Byrd, 1956
Wilda L. Quarantino, 1958
Gene Caldwell, 1968
Evelyn A. Jones, 1945
Wilma Caphton, 1947
Brayden Cole Williams, 2025
Susan Hudgins Schoewe
Berry A. Jones, Sr., 1941
David Michael “Mike” Ray, 1968
George Tappan White, 1962
John E. Rymer
Betty Jenkins, 1949
Pamela J. Cole, 1972
Bobby E. Kelley, 1969
Jim F. Cook, Jr., 1960
James D. Ledford, 1958
Jimmie L. Bird, 1934
Doris Mobley, 1943
Brooke Nicole Rees, 2012
Michael Dennis Sink, 1997
James A. Teal, Jr., 1951 Arlene G. Thomas, 1945 Orita R. Tonkens, 1964 Mary Tremelling, 1958 John C. Twiggs, Jr., 1958 Ed W. Underwood, 1971
J. Levi “J.L.” Rhinehardt, Jr., 1943
Hank Aaron William O. Brazil Robert “Bob” N. Clarke Carlton Colwell Barbara Jones Crumbley Richard E. Dubois Constance “Conni” Ellington Peggy Fuller Mary D. Gellerstedt Becca Harrell Tim Holcomb Charles Edison Ivey Charles F. Jenkins Virgil L. Kirkham Milton Martin Jameson Marshall McGill
Joanne C. Sassaman Albert A. Thrasher, Jr. Frank Ward
David-akem Harville Smith, 2021 David-akem Harville Smith, 2021, was a gifted and passionate individual whose heart was unmatched. He attended Tri-Cities High School, where his love for music began to mature and grow. He went on to pursue his passion, particularly for jazz and gospel music, at Young Harris College, where he studied instrumental performance. Smith will be remembered as a talented multi-instrumentalist with a kind and inspirational spirit. He played alongside many musicians from YHC and beyond, and he touched each of those lives in a beautiful way. Smith passed away April 6, 2021, and he was awarded his degree posthumously the following month. He will remain deeply respected and missed by many.
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Office of Communications & Marketing P.O. Box 275 Young Harris, GA 30582
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 8316 ATLANTA GA
The Harp ANNOUNCING
RECREATION AND COMMENCEMENT CENTER
To honor Rev. Dr. Don Harp, Jr., 1961, for the love and tireless support he gave YHC from his time as a student through his days beyond the pulpit, the College is excited to announce the naming of the campus Recreation and Fitness Center as The Harp Recreation and Commencement Center. This facility brings people together from all walks of life, encourages sport and fitness, honors individual and collective athletic successes, and holds many of the College’s important ceremonies. Join us to celebrate the life of Dr. Harp and the naming of the Harp Recreation and Commencement Center by making a gift at yhc.edu/giving/online-giving. In the “Designate fund” drop-down box, select “Harp Recreation and Commencement Center.” Your contribution will help us realize the vision of this facility reaching all students, faculty, staff, and community members who walk through its doors.