1983

The U.S. Army Cadet Command inducted COL. (RET.) LONNIE DALE VONA ’83 into the Class of 2021 Hall of Fame in October at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting and exposition.

1984

PAOLO DEMARIA ’84 retired as the state superintendent of public instruction after serving five years, concluding 30 years of service to the state of Ohio. He was named president and CEO of the National Association of State Boards of Education effective Jan. 3, 2022.

BENJAMIN MOORE ’84 retired in May 2021 from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he founded the Center for Bosnian Studies. His book, “The Names of John Gergen,” was released in March 2021 by the University of Missouri Press.

1986

DON POLASKI ’86 was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of religious studies at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia.

1988

ANNE CHERRY STONE ’88 earned the Certified Career Counselor credential through the National Career Development Association. This certification indicates a demonstrated commitment to career counseling through specialization in career development theory and practice. She works as a college and career navigator at Florence (South Carolina) County Adult Education.

1989

BRAD SWILLINGER ’98 was appointed to be a magistrate for Butler County Ohio Probate Court.

1993

TRACEY TUBERVILLE ’93 received the Animal Welfare Institute’s Christine Stevens Wildlife Award. Tuberville, a senior research scientist at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, evaluates the suitability of returning to the wild confiscated and rehabilitated Eastern box turtles that were recovered from the illegal wildlife trade. Established in 2006, the award provides individual grants of up to $15,000 to develop less intrusive wildlife study techniques and more humane methods of resolving conflicts between wild animals and humans.

1994

DOUG CAMPBELL ’94 published his third book, “The 200 Communication Commandments: Practical Tips for Personal and Professional Situations.”

1999

SARAH BLOSSER BLACKWELL ’99 earned a master’s of divinity with a concentration in Christian education from the GardnerWebb University School of Divinity in December 2020.

2000

STEPHANIE GASTON POLEY ’00 was featured in the Best Lawyers in America 2022.

2001

WHITNEY GOODWIN BOUKNIGHT ’01 was named general counsel of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry in Charlotte, North Carolina.

2003

YENDELELA NEELY HOLSTON ’03, a member of Furman’s Board of Trustees and chief diversity and inclusion officer and partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, has been named a Top Diversity & Inclusion Officer honoree in Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2021 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards.

2004

SEAN ATKINSON ’04 was appointed director of the Texas Christian University School of Music. Atkinson has been a faculty member at TCU since 2014.

2009

Saul Rivera ’13 published “Are You Our PawPaw?”in November 2020.

WHY I GIVE

HALEY COTTINGHAM ’17

“When I was at Furman, my professors went above and beyond to provide exposure to the world of women in tech. My department-sponsored attendance at conferences for women in computer science resulted in an incredible early career and adventures all over the world. I give to Furman to ensure today’s students have the kind of life-changing opportunities I had.”

 

2016

Erin Van Meter ’15 earned a master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of South Carolina in August 2020 and accepted a position with Prisma Health Children’s Hospital –Upstate, Kidnetics.

OUR HIGHEST IDEALS

Pearlie Harris M’83 H’22 receives an  honorary Doctor of Humanities.

During Furman’s Joseph Vaughn Day celebration on January 28, Furman conferred an honorary Doctor of Humanities upon Pearlie Harris M’83 H’22. Harris, a transformational educator, lifted up generations of students over a decades-long career in public education and embodies the highest ideals of an inclusive, educated society. A graduate of Barber-Scotia College, she earned a master’s degree in education from Furman in 1983.

She was instrumental in bringing excellence to South Carolina’s public schools, beginning her teaching career in the segregated elementary schools of Beaufort, South Carolina. Despite many painful experiences with racism throughout her early life and career, she became known for her deep commitment to love, compassion and unity across racial divisions.

After retiring in 1994, she continued to contribute to her community, volunteering with the Greenville Symphony, Centre Stage, Carolina Youth Symphony and Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, among others. In 2009, she became the first Black person and first woman to chair the St. Francis Board of Directors.

In 2011, The Pearlie Harris Center for Breast Health at St. Francis was named in her honor. In 2020, her image became the focal point of a mural across Canvas Tower in downtown Greenville, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of Greenville schools’ desegregation.

Harris was recognized in 2021 by Pope Francis and awarded The Benemerenti Medal, “awarded by the Pope to those members of the clergy and laity for their service to the Catholic Church.”

  • SARAH ’11 and John Catmur, Amelia Rose, Aug. 20, 2020
  • JON ’03 and Katie Dumitru, Jane Margaret, Sept. 4, 2020
  • REBEKAH ’03 and Scott Crenshaw, Taylor Garrett, Sept. 26, 2020
  • JEREMY ’06 and JESSICA SPENCER ’06, Beckham Wells, Oct. 6, 2020
  • CRAIG ’02 and ABBY CALDWELL ’02,  Jack Augustus, Oct. 26, 2020
  • JOSEPH ’05 and MOLLY WATERS ’07, Albert Joseph Archibald, Oct. 28, 2020
  • BETSY ’07 and John Mark Capers, John “Jack” Verdier, Nov. 30, 2020
  • WALKER ’14 and SARAH ZIMMERMAN ’15, Tucker,  June 22, 2021
  • KATY ’07 and Bartley Sides, Carlson “Carly” Ruth,  Sept. 7, 2021
  • KYLIE ’09 and Justin Felker, Aiden, Oct. 11, 2021
  • BROOKE STALLINGS ’11 and Joseph Humphrey, June 27, 2020
  • TRENT SILFIES ’18 and Samantha Silfies, Dec. 12, 2020
  • HANNAH WHEELER ’16 and CHRISTOPHER SEARLES ’16, June 5, 2021
  • MARY CRISP ’09 and MARION MARTIN ’00,  Aug. 14, 2021
  • CATHERINE ADAMS ’13 and CONOR DUGGAN ’09,  Aug. 25, 2021
  • KAYLA CARTEE ’17 and WILLIAM BISHOP ’17,  Sept. 18, 2021
  • JOCELYN BOULWARE ’17 and NICHOLAS BRUCE ’18,  Sept. 25, 2021
  • KATHERINE ROBERTS ’11 and JACOB OGLE ’10, Oct. 5, 2021

EDWARD B. JONES

1928 – 2021

EDWARD B. JONES, professor of Chinese studies and history emeritus, died May 29, 2021, in Greenville, South Carolina.

He joined Furman’s faculty in 1956 after completing a master’s degree at the University of North Carolina. Jones was the founder and inaugural chair of Furman’s Department of Asian Studies, an area of study he became interested in while stationed in China with the U.S. Marine Corps. He also helped establish Furman’s study away program.

As a mentor of Furman’s first generation of Asian specialists among Furman’s faculty, Jones promoted the careers of younger scholars and countless students before retiring in 1996. Jones’ influence on the growth of Asian studies extended well beyond Furman. In the early 1970s, he was a founding member of the South Atlantic States Association for Asian & African Studies, which played a major role in the promotion of Asian and African studies throughout the Southeast.

  • LAURINE VARN CUMMINGS ’38, Aug. 23, 2021, Hampton, S.C.
  • LYRLENE CAIN CLEVELAND ’42, May 21, 2021, Simpsonville, S.C.
  • HARRIETT SMOAK KESSLER ’43, June 11, 2021, Piney Flats, Tenn.
  • BETSY JORDAN TRIPLETT ’46, Sept. 28, 2021, Florence, S.C.
  • JONES BLAKELY ’47, Oct. 2, 2021, Burlington, N.C.
  • HELEN LANCASTER ROACH ’47, Aug. 27, 2021,  Winston Salem, N.C.
  • GERALDINE DAYTON ROGERS ’47, July 26, 2021, Blowing Rock, N.C.
  • RAY BELL ’48, Sept. 24, 2021, Atlanta, Ga.
  • BETTY MIDDLETON JONES ’48, April 25, 2021,  Mount Pleasant, S.C.
  • FRANKIE BARNETT WELCH ’48, Sept. 2, 2021, Charlottesville, Va.
  • WINIFRED COMPTON BROWNE ’49, Aug. 24, 2021, Greenwood, S.C.
  • CHESLEY CREWS ’49,  Aug. 20, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • JEANNE BURDINE GRIFFIN ’49, April 14, 2021,  North Augusta, S.C.
  • DAVID SMALL ’49, June 26, 2021, Culpeper, Va.
  • NORMAN SMITH ’49,  Sept. 24, 2021, Belton, S.C.
  • NANCY BALLENTINE BAKER ’50, Sept. 28, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • OTHA GRAY ’50, Sept. 4, 2021, Augusta, Ga.
  • SARAH JOHNSTON ALLEN ’51, Aug. 5, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • LOIS DILL ’51, May 3, 2021,  Saint George, S.C.
  • DONALD GREGORY ’51,  Aug. 19, 2021, LaGrange, Ga.
  • JEAN DIXON TEMPLE ’51, July 19, 2021, Groton, Mass.
  • JOHNNIE SMITH WITT ’51, April 11, 2021, Buffalo Grove, Ill.
  • MILDRED FREELAND FINCH ’51, Nov. 5, 2021, Seguin, Texas
  • LILLA DAVIS KUPER ’52,  Sept. 5, 2021, Virginia Beach, Va.
  • MARGARET HOLMES NOEL ’53, June 6, 2021, Johnston, S.C.
  • BETTY COURSEY WARNER ’53, July 27, 2021, Greenwood, S.C.
  • ROBERT DENDY ’54,  July 31, 2021, Laurinburg, N.C.
  • EDWARD JONES ’54,  May 29, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • MARY WILLIS SHERER ’54,  May 8, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • MARY DE SAUSSURE FLANAGAN ’55, July 28, 2021, Greenacres, Fla.
  • JEAN ASH KIRKPATRICK ’55, Sept. 23, 2021, Greenwood, S.C.
  • CAROLINE HARTSELL MCCAULEY ’55, June 23, 2021, Saint Helena Island, S.C.
  • JACK COCHRAN ’56,  June 18, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • PEGGY SMALL HORTON ’56,  Sept. 19, 2021, Owasso, Okla.
  • DONALD MAULDIN ’56,  June 20, 2021, Nashville, Tenn.
  • JAMES BASS ’57, Sept. 30, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • WILLIAM HUNEYCUTT ’57,  June 20, 2021, Hartsville, S.C.
  • HARLEY DIXON ’58, April 6, 2021, Paducah, Ky.
  • ALBERT HARTSELL ’58,  May 5, 2021, Townville, S.C.
  • JOHN LYNCH ’58, Sept. 16, 2021, Spartanburg, S.C.
  • FRED MORRIS ’58, June 7, 2021, Asheville, N.C.
  • CLAIRE FRANKLIN RASOR ’58, May 6, 2021, Midlothian, Va.
  • ROBERT BAGWELL ’59,  June 15, 2021,  Mount Pleasant, S.C.
  • EARL BEHR ’59, July 1, 2021, Holly Hill, S.C.
  • LESLIE FISHER ’59,  April 24, 2021,  Hendersonville, N.C.
  • JACK KIRBY ’59,  Aug. 15, 2021, Barnwell, S.C.
  • WILLIAM BAKER ’60,  Sept. 25, 2021, Aiken, S.C.
  • FRANCES CORN BARNETTE ’60, Aug. 20, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • LOIS TURNER BLACKWELL ’60, May 29, 2021, Birmingham, Ala.
  • KAY SYMS LEITNER ’60,  June 26, 2021, Columbia, S.C.
  • DONALD WARD ’60, June 4, 2021, Irmo, S.C.
  • FLETCHER BARKER ’61,  June 11, 2021, Easley, S.C.
  • RICHARD LOWE ’61,  Sept. 10, 2021, Aiken, S.C.
  • FLOYD PARKER ’61,  July 22, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • WINTON CAMPBELL ’62,  April 18, 2021, Raleigh, N.C.
  • MARTIN HARRIS ’62, June 8, 2021,  Manhattan Beach, Calif.
  • CAROL MUTIMER LANNING ’62, June 21, 2021, Augusta, Ga.
  • ZELDA GAMBRELL OATES ’62, Aug. 28, 2021, Due West, S.C.
  • WILLIE PATTERSON ’62,  Aug. 30, 2021, Laurens, S.C.
  • SANFORD PERRY ’63,  July 16, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • CHARLES AVERY ’63, Sept. 2, 2021, Diamond Head, Miss.
  • WILLARD MERRITT ’65,  June 25, 2021, Columbus, Ga.
  • ROBERT MILLER ’65,  Sept. 12, 2021, Greenwood, S.C.
  • HOWARD FLOYD ’66, Aug. 24, 2021, Lexington, S.C.
  • JOHN JOHNSON ’67,  Aug. 20, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • PHYLLIS MILLER MAYES ’67, April 27, 2021, Easley, S.C.
  • MARTHA ROGERS ’68,  July 31, 2021, Boiling Springs, S.C.
  • CHRISTOPHER TURNER ’68, Sept. 23, 2021, Seneca, S.C.
  • ALFRED MCGAHA ’69,  June 21, 2021, Gaffney, S.C.
  • JAMES WINDHAM ’69,  April 19, 2021, Gastonia, N.C.
  • MARTHA JUNE AIKEN WISE ’69, Aug. 30, 2021, Johnston, S.C.
  • JUDITH BURNETT KLINCK ’70, June 26, 2021, Fayetteville, N.C.
  • SUZAN HOLOBAUGH BERGLAND ’72, May 19, 2021, Naples, Fla.
  • MARY VAUGHAN MORRIS ’72, Sept. 25, 2021, Weddington, N.C.
  • STEPHEN DOUGHERTY ’73,  Sept. 27, 2021, Dunmore, Pa.
  • BAYLESS BILES ’74, May 19, 2021, Loxley, Ala.
  • ROSEMARY HILL BYERLY ’74, May 8, 2021, Inman, S.C.
  • JOE CLARY ’74, Sept. 24, 2021, Mauldin, S.C.
  • JOHN “JACK” MORRIS ’74,  Nov. 19, 2020, Kingsport, Tenn.
  • EVERETT GODFREY ’75,  May 14, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • WILLIAM HAMILTON ’75,  July 26, 2021, Atlanta, Ga.
  • JOHN HUMPHRIES ’77,  June 21, 2021, Marietta, Ga.
  • KIRBY PACK ’77, July 25, 2021, Simpsonville, S.C.
  • MICAL EMBLER ’78, May 22, 2021, Greenville, S.C. 2022
  • JOHNNIE DODENHOFF FULTON ’78, June 9, 2021, Tryon, N.C.
  • THOMAS JORDAN ’78,  May 2, 2021, Florence, S.C.
  • CHET WILLIAMSON ’78,  May 31, 2021, Conway, S.C.
  • JEFFERY GATTER ’79,  June 19, 2021, Unionville, Pa.
  • DAVID BROWN ’81,  Sept. 21, 2021, Greer, S.C.
  • VICKI TRUETT JOHNSON ’82, June 7, 2021, Simpsonville, S.C.
  • JOAN MACFARLAN JOST ’82,  May 7, 2021, Lewisburg, W. Va.
  • PATRICIA WEBSTER STEWART ’82, July 23, 2021, Taylors, S.C.
  • JENNIFER BEAVER ’83, Sept. 7, 2021, Taylors, S.C.
  • ELIZABETH CUDD DUNLAP ’84, Sept. 10, 2021, Charlotte, N.C.
  • CYNTHIA WILLIMON FRICKS ’84, June 4, 2021, Greenville, S.C.
  • KELVIN KERSTETTER ’85, July 12, 2021, Manhattan, Kan.
  • GARY HEATON ’91, Sept. 28, 2021, Charleston, S.C.
  • DAVID WEEKS ’91, May 8, 2021, Lyman, S.C
  • LORELEI LERMAN GOILA ’97, Sept. 15, 2021, Delray Beach, Fla.
  • JOHN BURROUGHS ’06, April 17, 2021, Gainesville, Ga.
  • CHRISTOPHER TRUSS ’10, Sept. 19, 2021, Cumming, Ga.
  • ELLEN GILLIS ’11, June 23, 2021, Graniteville, S.C.
  • ANSLEY HOLDBROOKS ’11, July 7, 2021, Cumming, Ga.
  • LINDSAY CUNNINGHAM ’14,  June 4, 2021, Chapel Hill, N.C.

About Class Notes

We welcome your submissions to Class Notes. Due to the amount of material Furman receives for this section – and the time needed to edit that material – items are often not published until six months after they are submitted. However, please be advised that we rarely publish items more than 18 months old and no announcements of things that have not yet occurred. When sending news of births, please include the parent name(s), child’s name, birthdate, and city of birth; for marriages, include the city and date of the event, the new spouse’s name, and his/her year of graduation if from Furman. News about couples who graduated from Furman in different years is listed under the earliest graduation date. It is not listed with both classes. Incomplete information for any of the above may result in the submission remaining unpublished. The magazine reserves the right to edit submissions.

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