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Class Notes, winter 2020

Accomplishments

Dr. Jerry McGee, Wingate University president from 1992 to 2015, has received an Award of Merit from the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association.

Kent Montgomery ’63 has been inducted into the Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame. Montgomery starred on the Wingate baseball team as a pitcher and went on to record what was at the time the lowest earned run average for a season, 0.94, in N.C. State baseball history.

Jay Bolder ’80 is a 2020 inductee into the North Carolina Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame. Bolder helmed the Fayetteville South View High School band for 24 years. Upon his retirement in 2010, he was awarded North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and was honored with “Jay Bolder Day” in Hope Mills, N.C.

Jim Huneycutt ’82 is the director of advanced placement government and politics for The College Board.

Bailey Alan Pennington ’82 is the manager of maintenance and operations for plant engineering at the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Margaret “Peggy” Beach ’84 celebrated her 30th anniversary as a member and district officer in Toastmasters International, an organization dedicated to helping its members become better communicators and leaders. Beach, who teaches interpersonal communications at Miller Motte College in Raleigh, also celebrated her 20th anniversary as a volunteer at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh.

Doug Jones ’84, ’86, ’10 (M.A.Ed.) retired as director of athletics for Union County Public Schools in April 2019. Jones, a former assistant coach for women’s basketball at Wingate, taught and coached at four high schools before being named athletics director for UCPS. During his tenure as UCPS AD, UCPS schools won 64 team state championships.

Jeff Branch ’85 was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor awarded by the state of North Carolina, in September of 2019. Branch retired from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked as a D.A.R.E. officer. Branch is the promoter of the Big Lick Bluegrass Festival and the Bluegrass in Troy festival and is a Mayberry tribute artist, impersonating Howard Sprague at events around the state.

Debbie Denson Campbell ’85 has retired and moved to the coast of North Carolina.

Quin Troxler Dionne ’85 has been inducted into the Concord (N.C.) High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Dionne, who attended Wingate on a tennis scholarship, has taught visual arts in the Cabarrus County Schools for 32 years, including 22 at her alma mater, Concord High School, where she coached tennis for 12 years. She was inducted into the Cabarrus County Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Tony Julian ’85 is director of Region B of the North Carolina Magistrates Association. Julian is a magistrate in Randolph County.  

Sylvia Lewis ’85 was named the Ambassador of the Year by the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce earlier this year. The award goes to a member of the community who has represented the Chamber the most during the previous year at ribbon cuttings, open houses and other events. It is the second year in a row that Lewis has won the award. Lewis is director for career technologies Stanly Community College.

Robert Welch ’85 has received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Williamsburg Academy in Kingstree, S.C. Since 2008, Welch has been the executive director of Vital Aging of Williamsburg County, where he raises awareness and funds to provide the elderly with meals and services.

Tammy Nelson ’86 was named High School Teacher of the Spring Semester at Hickory Grove Christian School. Nelson teaches AP literature and composition.

David Hill ’88 won the Republican primary for the Henderson County Board of Commissioners in District 5. There is no Democratic challenger in the race.

Keith Martin ’88 is executive director for Charlotte of FamilyWorks Ministries.

Sharon Jenkins Padgett ’89 is a member of the board of directors of the North Carolina Alliance of YMCAs. Padgett is CEO of the Gaston County YMCA and all of its constituent branches.

Cole Sigmon ’89 has retired after 30 years as a teacher, coach and athletic director in Lincoln County.

Karen Hall Byrd ’90 is the president and CEO of the Indiana Compensation Rating Bureau. Byrd is the first female president of one of the nation’s 10 independent workers-compensation ratings bureaus.

Tony Griffey ’90 was awarded the University’s highest honor for an alumnus, the Distinguished Alumnus Award, during a Griffey performance in the Batte Center in September 2019. Griffey, who has won four Grammy Awards during his distinguished opera career, was also the cover story in the September/October 2019 issue of Classical Singer magazine.

Brent Bass ’91 published his first book in January. BasSketball Lessons, 22 Winning Principles for Youth Who Play Sports! gives young players advice on how to be successful on and off the court. The book is available at Amazon.com.

Jeff Johnsen ’91 earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Liberty University in December of 2019. Johnsen is the senior pastor of Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church in Greensboro.

Lisa Helms Justice ’91 has earned a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction degree from the University of South Carolina. Justice also holds a Master of Education in Divergent Learning from Columbia College and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University.

Dr. Tracy Kirkland ’92 has received his Doctor of Ministry degree from the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University.

Chad Corriher ’93 passed the North Carolina State Certified General Appraiser Exam.

Dr. Kim Eagle ’93 is the county manager for Gaston County. Eagle is the first female manager in the county’s history. She began her new position in August 2019.

Gary Hamill ’94, ’08 (MASM) was elected mayor of the town of Wingate in the fall of 2019. Hamill is a member of the inaugural class of the Athletic Hall of Fame at First Baptist High School in Charleston, S.C. Hamill led First Baptist to boy’s soccer state titles in 1989 and 1990. Hamill, head coach of Wingate’s men’s soccer team since 1993, led the Bulldogs to an NCAA Division II national championship in 2016.

Patrick C. Brown ’95 received a Distinguished Alumni Award during the University’s Blue Carpet Gala in October 2019. Brown is president and CEO of Innovative Aftermarket Systems in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Reese Linnell ’95 has completed his Ph.D in history at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala.

Amee Odom ’95 was the Metrolina Librarians Association’s Member of the Month for July. She was also the chair of the Executive Committee of the NLC (NCICU Library Collaborative) for the 2019-2020 academic year. The NCICU (North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities) provides research and information to the state’s 36 private, nonprofit institutions of higher education.

Jennifer Sutton Smith ’95, communications director for Union Academy, a charter school in Monroe, accepted six North Carolina School Public Relations Association Blue Ribbon Awards for Excellence in Communications at an awards ceremony in February. UA received three gold, a silver and two bronze awards.

Amanda Wilson ’95 is the chief district court judge in Judicial District 16A, which includes Anson, Richmond and Scotland counties in North Carolina. In August 2019 she was appointed to the N.C. Family Courts Advisory Committee.

Chad Nichols ’97 is a hitting and fielding instructor at the Waxhaw Athletic Barn. Nichols is also an assistant coach for Parkwood High School’s baseball team.

Stephanie Johnson Cartwright ’98 received a Distinguished Alumni Award during the University’s Blue Carpet Gala in October 2019. Cartwright, who earned a doctor of optometry degree from Nova Southeastern in 2003, has a private optometry practice in Elkin, N.C.

Mindi Kamman Stokely ’98 is a teacher’s assistant at John Hay Elementary School in Morristown, Tennessee.

Robert Case ’99 represents District 5 on the Framingham (Mass.) City Council.

Jason English ’99 has published The Whole Thing: The Story of the Bible Through Six Images. English is a pastor at The Heart church in Boone.

Addie Holbrook Hightower ’99 is a member of the Iredell County Sports Hall of Fame’s 2021 class. Hightower, who played at Statesville High School, was a two-time all-conference basketball player at Wingate.

Kerrie Porter Unger ’99 has been inducted into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame. A 2004 Wingate Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Unger hit .406 in her Wingate softball career and is the league’s all-time leader in doubles and RBIs. Unger was all-SAC all four years of her career and was the league’s Player of the Year her senior season.

Chris Cartwright ’00 received a Distinguished Alumni Award during the University’s Blue Carpet Gala in October 2019. Cartwright is the founder and president of Prism Medical Products, a multimillion-dollar wound-care-supply business he started in 2006.

Matt Blair ’01, won $50,000 on the ABC game show The $100,000 Pyramid in July 2019. Blair is pastor at Limitless Church in Tampa, Florida.

Adrianne Nicholson ’01 is a chemistry teacher at Lake Norman High School.

Dr. Jonathan Tyson ’01, ’12 is director of research and accountability for Union County Public Schools. Tyson is a former UCPS Principal of the Year, while at Piedmont High School. 

John Welch ’01 is associate athletics director for internal operations at Appalachian State University. Welch, who has been on staff in the ASU athletic department since 2001, oversees event management, facilities operations and equipment operations for the Mountaineers.  

Anthony G. Daise ’02, ’05 (MBA) received a Champion of Diversity Award during the University’s Blue Carpet Gala in October 2019. After participating in Bulldogs Reaching Out as a member of the Wingate men’s basketball team, Daise spent several years volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He now serves on the board of directors for Sugar Creek Charter School. Daise works as a financial consultant for Wells Fargo.

Charles Stanton ’02 is the executive director of the New Hampshire Humane Society.

Katie Miles Stewart ’02, ’08 completed the University of North Carolina School of Government’s Certified Government Chief Information Officer Certification Program in June 2020. Stewart is director of technology at Union Academy Charter School in Monroe.

Jessica Blanchard ’03 is the principal of R. Brown McAllister STEM Elementary School in Concord.

Mike Hill ’03 (MBA) is the east Tennessee market president for CapStar Bank.

Randi Davis ’04 received two North Carolina School Public Relations Association Blue Ribbon Awards for Excellence in Communications, a gold and a bronze, at an awards ceremony in February.

Tim Singleton ’04 has been promoted to associate athletic director for athletic health and sports performance at Wingate University.

Chris Brewer ’05 is an education-solutions executive with CoLabs in Tampa, Fla.

Jason McGuire ’05, ’14 (M.A.Ed.), ’18 (Ed.S.) is the new principal at Jefferson (S.C.) Elementary School.

Jennifer Wall ’05 is co-owner of Movimiento Dance Academy, a Latin-dance school in Charlotte.

Hugh Patton ’06 has received the Grant Burger Media Award for NCAA Division II from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Patton, Wingate University’s director of athletic communications, has covered Wingate volleyball for 13 years.

Erie Williams ’06 is the football head coach at Riverside High School in Greer, S.C.

Seth Howell ’07 received an Outstanding Young Alumnus Award during the University’s Blue Carpet Gala in October 2019. Howell is a physician in the Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and serves as a medical officer in the South Carolina National Guard. Howell served in the U.S. Air Force from 2007 to 2014.

Dinika Johnson ’07 is the head athletic trainer at Georgia State University, in downtown Atlanta.

Shaughn Neal ’07 is the head baseball coach at Bethany Community School in Summerfield, N.C.

Shawn Barrett ’08 is head strength and conditioning coordinator and wide receivers coach for Johnson C. Smith University’s football team.

Christina Carroll ’08 is an assistant athletic trainer with U.S. Speedskating. Based in Salt Lake City, at the Utah Olympic Oval, Carroll works with both long- and short-track skaters.

Kenwin Cummings ’08 was inducted into the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame during the University’s Blue Carpet Gala in October 2019. Cummings was a two-time All-American defensive lineman who spent three seasons in the NFL. He is Wingate’s all-time leader in sacks and tackles for loss. Cummings is vice president of Revamped Home Security in Dallas, Texas.

Amber Funderburk El-Amin ’08 has been promoted to lieutenant colonel select with the U.S. Air Force. El-Amin is working toward her Ph.D in health policy and management at the University of Maryland.

Jennifer Ann Foster ’08 (M.A.Ed.) received an Alumni Excellence in Service Award during the University’s Blue Carpet Gala in October 2019. Foster is the founder and president of Stand Out Ministries, where she also works as a missionary.  

Briana Laskey ’08 has been inducted into the William Penn chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Matt Van Liew ’08 has earned a master’s degree in wellness and lifestyle management from Rowan University.   

Anna Atkinson Caparaso ’09 was inducted into the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame during the University’s Blue Carpet Gala in October 2019. Caparaso was a two-time SAC player of the year and two-time All-American who was also a two-time first-team Academic All-America honoree. She is first in conference history in steals and second in assists. Caparaso earned her doctor of dental surgery degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2014 and works as a dentist in Marion, N.C.

Maria Vlashchenko Crowder ’09, ’13 (MBA) was inducted into the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame during the University’s Blue Carpet Gala in October 2019. In 2008, Crowder became Wingate’s first female swimmer to win a national championship, taking the title in the 100-meter breaststroke. She was a 12-time All-American. Crowder works as an accounts payable specialist at US Fitness Holdings.

Amber Hines Jensch ’09 was inducted into the Wingate Sports Hall of Fame during the University’s Blue Carpet Gala in October 2019. Jensch was a four-time All-SAC runner and three-time Academic All-America honoree. In 2006 she was named SAC Runner of the Year after finishing second in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regionals. Jensch earned a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. She works with small animals as an associate veterinarian at Parkside Animal Care Center in Green Bay, Wisc.

Kevin Hennessy ’10 has been named associate head coach for men’s swimming and aquatics at Wingate University.

Steve Mims Jr. ’10 is the varsity boy’s basketball coach at Cape Fear Christian Academy in Erwin.

Kristin Teague ’10 received her Doctor of Health Science degree from A.T. Still University in Phoenix. She plans to teach medicine online.

Jeremiah Covington ’11 has been promoted to assistant athletic director for football operations at Ohio University.

Dr. Alison Schleede ’11 (Ed.D) is the new director of technology for the Watauga County Schools.

Jack Vundum ’11, ’14 (MASM) is the women’s soccer head coach at Wingate. As interim coach in 2019, Vundum led the Bulldogs to a special season. After being picked to finished seventh in the South Atlantic Conference, Wingate went 7-2-1, finishing second, and advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen.

Dr. Amy Blake-Lewis ’12 (Ed.D) is the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction with Stanly County Schools.

Steven Grandy ’12 is an assistant sports information director at Mars Hill University.

Dr. Scott Perkins ’12 (Pharm.D) is co-director of drug information in the Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Kyle Ward ’12 is a school success associate in Chicago with Albert, an education-technology company. Ward helps middle and high schools throughout the U.S. to use Albert’s digital platform, specializing in advanced-placement and core content.

Elizabeth Foster ’14 (M.Ed.) is an assistant principal at Rocky River Elementary School.

Dr. Rob Jackson ’14 (Ed.D) has been named the superintendent of Carteret County Schools.

Dr. Erik Johnson ’14 is the new principal at East Albemarle Elementary School. 

Emily Miles ’14 (Ed.D) was named the 2019 Principal of the Year for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Miles is principal of Sterling Elementary School in Pineville.  

Denise Watts ’14 (Ed.D) was inducted into the Starmount High School Hall of Fame in December of 2019. Watts, a former teacher and principal, led Project LIFT (Leadership and Investment for Transformation) in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for eight years.

Dr. Tonya Houpe ’15 (Ed.D) has been named principal at North Iredell Middle School.

Trina Potter ’15 (M.Ed.) is the principal at Shamrock Gardens Elementary in Charlotte.

Tom Spitz ’15 is an officer with the Cherry Hill (N.J.) Police Department. Spitz spent four years in the St. Louis Cardinals organization before becoming a police officer.

Najee Wise ’15 was recently named the National Society of Collegiate Scholars Founding Chapter Advisor of the Year. Wise is an academic advisor in University College at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. “To me, winning this award means that I have made a difference, and that I have made an impact on someone.”

Max Wolfe ’15 has been promoted to assistant athletic director of internal operations at Wingate University.

Alexis Burrell ’16 has opened three Workout Anytime fitness facilities in Chesapeake, Va.

Dr. Eisa Cox ’16 (Ed.D) has been named superintendent of Ashe County Schools.

Dr. Tracy Mancini ’16 (Ed.D) has been named president of Carteret Community College.

Celeste Stewart ’16 (MASM) is an assistant basketball coach at Augusta University. Stewart spent four years on the women’s basketball staff at Wingate.

Marcus Clyburn ’17, a school counselor at Rock Rest Elementary School in Monroe, recently completed his graduate certification in contemporary theory in mental health services from Capella University. Clyburn also recently published his first book, Worship is not a Song. The book is available on Amazon.com.

Mikaela Hadaway ’17 is a physician assistant at Cuyaga Orthopedics in Ithaca, N.Y.

Kristen Smith ’17 (MASM) is the head coach for women’s lacrosse at Piedmont College in Georgia.

Tyler Smith ’17 is an assistant volleyball coach at Anderson (S.C.) University. Smith helped lead Wingate to four conference titles and two NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearances in her four years on the volleyball team. 

Dr. Travis Steagall ’17 (Ed.D.) was named 2019 Principal of the Year for Anson County Schools. Steagall is principal of Peachland Polkton Elementary School.  

Dr. Jamane Watson ’17 (Ed.D) is the new principal at Marlboro County High School in Bennettsville, S.C.

Carey Fike Williams ’17 is the coordinator for equity and student conduct with the Fairfax County (Va.) Public Schools.

Tasha Wilson ’17 is the women’s golf coach at Watauga High School in Boone, N.C.

Trisha Yow ’17 is the new varsity cheerleading coach at Mooresville High School.

Dr. Angel Dalton ’18 (Ed.D) is the new principal at West Iredell Middle School in Statesville.

Hannah Givens ’19 is the interim head coach of the volleyball team at the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Va.

Phoebe Havenaar ’19 is an assistant coach for women’s volleyball at Davidson College.

Anna Holmquist ’19 was named one of 30 finalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. Holmquist was an All-American volleyball player at Wingate, as well as an Academic All-American. She is in a graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Andrew Llewellyn ’19 is a graduate assistant on the Randolph-Macon University baseball coaching staff. Llewellyn assists the team with catchers, hitters and camps. A catcher, Llewellyn was a four-year starter for the Wingate baseball team.

Treslyn Ortiz ’20 is an assistant coach for women’s volleyball at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

 

Bulldog Pups

Jeremy Walker ’03 and Melissa Walker, a boy, Edison Jakoby, Sept. 10, 2019.

Chris Brown ’04 and Debra Brown, a girl, Claire Elizabeth, May 28, 2020.

Rich LaCalamito ’06 and Ashley LaCalamito, twin boys, Nicholas Wright and Benjamin Alexander, Sept. 9, 2019.

Laura Van Leer Richardson ’07 and Jason Richardson, a girl, Kayden Gray, June 29, 2020.

Amber Funderburk El-Amin ’08 and Saj El-Amin, a girl, Zoe Skye, June 21, 2019.

Katie Paxton Kelsch ’10 and Andrew Kelsch, a boy, Charles Anthony Andrew, July 9, 2019.

Anna Rogers Murphy ’11 and Ben Murphy ’11, a boy, Parker Murphy, Dec. 3, 2018.

Emily Burns White ’11 and Jordan White ’11, a girl, Tinsley Marie, June 4, 2020.

Jack Taylor ’12 and Ivy Taylor, a boy, James Jack IV, June 3, 2019.

Amy Saunders Honeycutt ’12 and Taylor Honeycutt ’11, a girl, Merritt Reed.

Robbie Nallenweg ’13 and Chelsea Nallenweg, a girl, Emma Lynn, Aug. 31, 2019.

Kaitlyn Schultz McPherson ’14 and Dodson McPherson ’13, twin boys, Ret Jackson and Rhys JohnLee, March 12, 2019.

Cody Starnes ’14 and Brittany Starnes ’13, a boy, Jack Edward, March 18, 2020.

Abby Whitley Grainger ’15 and Eric Grainger, a boy, Nash William, July 14, 2019.

Kaitlyn Helms ’15 and Andrews Helms, a boy, Jackson Dillon, Dec. 17, 2019.

Steven Trombello ’15 and Veronica Trombello, a girl, Emma Sofia, March 18, 2018.

Susan Roets ’17, a daughter, Serafina Irene Marie, Jan. 28, 2017.

Keith Griffin ’18 and Brittany Griffin, a boy and a girl, Brooks Keith and Georgia Jean, July 5, 2019.

 

Weddings

Corey Iacofano ’04, ’08 (Bachelor of Science - Accounting) and Nicki Kremer, Aug. 31, 2019. Among the attendees were former Wingate golfers (from left to right) Garrett Dahms ’07, Jarett Stowe, Iacofano, Antoine LeSaux, Stuart Bryson ’11 and Lukas Richter ’19.

Sean Barnette ’08 and Andrea Carrigan, Aug. 3, 2019. Among the attendees were several of Barnette’s Wingate basketball teammates (from left to right): Jamie Vaughn ’17, Larry Staley ’10, David Johnson ’10, Barnette, Bryan Grier ’08, Fernando Powell ’06, Rosco Turner ’09 and Shaun Kirkland ’07.

Hope Gilley ’12 and Steve Bogaert, Sept. 28, 2019.

Avery Day ’13 and Jon Bandish, Sept. 28, 2019.

Sarah Hitch ’13 and Tivon Clark, Oct. 12, 2019.

Becky Mordas Wolfe ’13 and Max W. Wolfe III ’15, July 13, 2019.

Laura Hartsell ’14, ’19 (Pharm.D) and Justin Crump ’15 (Pharm.D), May 4, 2019.

Katlyn Batts ’18 and Zach Almond ’16, May 4, 2019.

Allison Hinson ’18 and Bricesen Burton ’18, July 11, 2020.

 

Engagements

Larry Staley ’10 and Anna Woody, March of 2020.

Montana Maurer ’16 and Jason Williams ’16

 

Those we’ll miss

Taylor Simmons Inman ’53, Aug. 12, 2019

Alton Coble ’54, Feb. 1, 2020

Robert Gregson ’59, Jan. 9, 2020

Dr. Gary Hartley ’59, March 19, 2020

John Paul Dowd ’61, July 29, 2020

Wayne Drye ’62, May 5, 2020

Wanda Presson Stone ’62, Feb. 2, 2020

Katherine Wimbish Paschal ’65, Aug. 15, 2020

Elizabeth Bundy ’66, Sept. 17, 2019

Joseph Swaim ’69, Feb. 22, 2020

Michael Gillis ’70, March 27, 2020

Tony Reid Koontz ’70, July 10, 2019

Summer Mann Nemir ’70, Sept. 24, 2019 

Dexter Burns ’75, Jan. 4, 2019

Gregory Heywood Hinson ’76, June 27, 2019

Toney Posey ’81, Oct. 20, 2019

Jeffrey Ellsworth “Jake” Sheaffer ’82, May 20, 2019

Kent Robert Curlee ’84, April 1, 2020

Edwina Lane Yow ’85, Jan. 5, 2020

Herman “Earl” Cain ’89, Oct. 16, 2019

Dr. Robert Threatt, accounting professor, Oct. 1, 2019

C.C. Dickson Jr., lifetime trustee and generous benefactor, July 22, 2020

Robert Neil Burris, longtime adjunct instructor and son of former University president C.C. Burris, July 26, 2020

Don Hill, trustee (2005-2012) and lifetime honorary trustee, Sept. 25, 2020