“Someone who desires knowledge should always listen to the messenger and keep his eye on the Hawk.” - T E R R Y G I L B R E T H ’ 6 8 , Sculptor of Sacred Wind

the M c M u r ry u n i v e r s i t y magazine for alumni & friends

for our students, alumni and athletes

A new school year is underway and the Class of 2016

has joined the McMurry Family, thus beginning its journey toward graduation on May 14, 2016. For a new freshman student sitting in the Mabee Room, being introduced to members of his/her flock and to the series of activities that will integrate them into the campus, May 14, 2016 seems like a long way into the future. But it’s not! During preparation for my welcoming remarks to a new class, I am repeatedly

reminded that this is a different experience for each of these students. Each of them has come to McMurry with expectations…of themselves, of their classmates and of the McMurry Experience itself. Those expectations are every bit as different as are the individual students in which they reside. To these new students, I ask that they manage their expectations in two ways: First, they should recall their reasons for choosing McMurry

and the variety of opportunities that arise from the McMurry Experience. And second, as students address the inevitable ‘speed bumps’ that will occur, I make the claim that among the reasons they came to McMurry, the students are likely to find some that will help them through the rough patches they’ll encounter – a faith-based educational experience; small classes that won’t allow them to get lost in a crowd; and a faculty, staff and student body who care. The current issue of The Messenger highlights a variety of opportunities that are arrayed before students attending McMurry University. But you’ll find more than just a summary of interesting things to do and places to visit. We also gain some insight into how these different opportunities have impacted our participating students and graduates. And it will not take much imagination to envision how some of these opportunities will play out in the lives of students and graduates for many years to come. I commend this edition of The Messenger for your reading. It addresses so much of what happens within the McMurry Family. It speaks with equal effectiveness as to how opportunities—when recognized and grasped—can impact our world. I hope you will enjoy this issue. I know you will find inspiration within it.

F r O M t H e P r e s i D e n t

Dear McMurry Alumni and Friends:

Kind Regards,

John H. Russell, Ph.D.President

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McMurry President and Officers

Dr. John H. russell President

Dr. Paul FabrizioVice President for Academic Affairs

Lisa WilliamsVice President for Financial Affairs

Debra HulseVice President for Institutional Advancement

Brad PoormanVice President for Information & Support Services

vanessa robertsDean of Students

ron HolmesAthletic Director

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PublisherMcMurry University Relations1 McM Station Box 938Abilene, Texas 79697

Editor-in-ChiefGary Ellison

EditorLori Thornton

Alumni EditorJosh Poorman ‘09

Art DirectorSheila Kitts ’01

PhotographersGerald EwingSheila Kitts

Contributing WritersLe’Ann ArdoynoDave BeyerGary EllisonTim PalmerJosh PoormanNancy Smith

©2012

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2A student’s reflection . . . . . . . 4

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Cultivating an environment of Humble service

Where is social Media taking us?

The tina Melendez story

McMurry needs you!Athletics update . . . . . . . . . . .18new Opportunities to Brag About Being a War Hawk . . . .20Class notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Friends We’ll Miss . . . . . . . . . .27McMurry Accepted for

nCCAA Membership

ON T H E C OV E RLindsey Lowry is pictured in Blachard, Haiti where the McMurry team was helping to build the foundation of a house. In the photo she is reunited with two young men she met the year before on her Haiti trip. She says that even after a year, the boys remembered her and her name!

Kind Regards,

John H. Russell, Ph.D.President

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I can remember being a child and being fascinated by my

grandfather’s garden. Occasionally, I would be present when, after the soil had been tilled and rows had been plowed, he would take each tiny little seed, sink it deep into the cool earth and pat the sun-warmed soil in which his potential garden would grow. Eventually, what had only been a possibility would blossom into a full, lush garden, the fruit of which would satiate the hunger of our family. When I think about the role of McMurry in the lives of the students who find themselves planted here for a season, I often refer back to my grandfather’s garden. What kind of environment are we cultivating here? What kind of growth are we hoping to observe in the lives of our students? Are we, through diligent care and wise stewardship, helping students mature from the potential for leadership, excellence and virtue that is inherent in all

people toward a life in which the fruits of those characteristics are bountiful? And, how are we preparing our students for lives of humble service and faithful leadership that will meet the needs of a world continually being shaped and reshaped by the forces of technology and globalization? McMurry in Motion, a program of the Religious Life Department on campus, is one area in which the seeds of faith, service, leadership and stewardship are blossoming

O P P O r t u n i t i e st H A t C H A n G e L i v e s

Cultivating an environment of Humble serviceB Y T I M P A L M E R , A S S I S T A N T C H A P L A I N

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in the lives of McMurry students from all walks of life. By developing opportunities for intentional engagement by students in national and international missions, we are providing transformational experiences for those serving and those being served by McMurry students, faculty and staff. Since 2010, members of the McMurry community have traveled to China, the US-Mexico border, Haiti, and most recently, India to learn, serve, and investigate their faith in some of the most vibrant cultures on earth.

Whether they are investing time building homes for families displaced by the 2010 earthquake in Blanchard, Haiti, teaching English classes and spending time with orphans in Aurangabad, India, or developing organizational strategies with the staff of the Houchen Community Center in Segundo Barrio, students are growing in their understanding of their personal vocation, or what Frederick Buechner describes as “that place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” In other words, the fruits of the McMurry garden, expressed in the lives of

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students, are satiating the needs of our world! As I stand back and observe the fruits of the McMurry in Motion project thus far, I’m amazed at what I see. Families in Haiti have a safe, dry place to call home. Children at New Beginnings Children’s Home in India have a renewed hope in life and their own capacity to lead India into the future. And, McMurry students are becoming the change they wish to see in the world. But

I’m not just amazed; I’m excited about the fruits to come because, just like those seeds my grandfather planted, each student on our campus is packed full of potential. The question is for us. Will we continue to cultivate environments that unlock that potential and produce the fruits of leadership, excellence, virtue, and service that our world is so desperately hungry for?

“L’amore es belle.” Love is beautiful. A child from the first time I went to Haiti exchanged bracelets with Bethany, a friend of mine who also went on this mission trip, and L’amore es belle was written on the bracelet. Prior to Haiti, love was something I thought I had my mind wrapped around—boys, myself, friends, family and Christ, right? Wrong. It didn’t take but a day of working with the people of Haiti, to realize love was bigger than anything I could ever imagine. I had gone to Haiti with the intention of having my eyes opened to the world and to things of the world that I was not aware of. Sure, the trip definitely opened my eyes to this, but on a grander scale, at least for me, it opened my eyes to the world I live in, not the one that surrounds me. Because, truth is, the world that I thought surrounded me IS the world that I live in. Going to Haiti was a phenomenal experience, and the sheer velocity of the culture shock struck me the moment we walked off the

plane. The air felt different, and as we scurried on, it was extremely evident that the people were different too. We could look them in the eye, barely smiling because we were tired from traveling, and they would give us a huge, white smile in return—something that is pretty

A student’s reflectionB Y M A R T H A C H A S E

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uncommon on the streets in America. After a quick ride in a tap-tap, Haiti’s primary mode of transportation, we arrived at the Partners in Development site, where everyone warmly greeted us, even if they couldn’t speak English! We spent one day at the beach (which was beautiful like the beach backgrounds you can set on your phones), and then we split off into our respective assignments.During my first Haiti experience, I went to a site called Canaan—spelled like “Canaan” in the Bible, but pronounced “Cana Ahn.” Canaan is a town that had been around prior to the earthquake but suffered greatly because of it. The people there have so much hope, and it was through the children that I learned this. We originally went to Canaan to help stucco a house that had been built for a family who had earned it. However, we worked right next to the town center where all the children played—it soon became evident we were not going to do much stuccoing. . . I met three little girls named Eliza,

RoseMarta, and Estelle. These little girls loved me from the moment they met me. The first thing I learned in Haiti from these girls was that I still can’t dance! There’s something

about movement of the hips that I just can’t get! But the girls and other children I played with didn’t care; they wanted to show me their dances. And

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despite how badly I did these crazy dances, they wanted me to dance too. So I danced. But dancing is simply symbolic of what these children taught me to do and continue to teach me to do every day: to love, not with my mind and not with my heart, but with both, in conjunction with my soul. During school, I teach a guitar class to younger children. It has always been hard for me to engage with children at their level in order to understand who they are and what they are feeling. But with these three little girls, Eliza, RoseMarta, and Estelle, I learned that it’s okay to go to a child’s level to understand them. These girls helped me put on a new pair of glasses, and I can almost guarantee they have no idea how much they have impacted me. They taught me their words and I taught them mine. Words like watch, “montre,” and arm, “bra,” and love, “amour.” They taught me “Frère Jacques” in creole, and Katie Walper and I showed them

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” and we danced and danced and danced. At the end of the week, on the very last day, I couldn’t make it out to Canaan because I was working on another project. But those three little girls had gotten Winnie the Pooh coloring book sheets and colored Winnie, Tigger, and Piglet for me in the only colors they had—orange and blue. They put their names on the top of the sheet and asked Shelby, another friend on the trip, to “please give it to

Marta.” I put the sheets in my Bible and every time I open it, I always turn to the page and am reminded of the love those little girls showed me. They showed me that love doesn’t know a language, it doesn’t see a skin color, and it doesn’t care where you come from. Now, every day I try to love like Eliza, RoseMarta, and Estelle taught me to love. I went back to Haiti about two months ago with a team of returning and new Haiti travelers, and I saw all of the people I met last summer

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again. Haiti wasn’t different the second time, it was the same Haiti. But this time I went with eyes accustomed to the country and I was able to drink in more of it because I was not caught up in its newness. During our week, I delved even deeper into my friendships in Haiti—we worked side by side building a house, we played together at the beach, and we worshiped together in the evenings. My second trip to Haiti left me with different feelings than the first time. Before, Haiti was the place to go and help, to go and make a difference; but now, more than ever, I

am aware of the needed changes in my own back yard. Yes, I still want to go to Haiti as often as I can to help, but I also want to stay involved here in Abilene or wherever I end up after college. I want to spread the love that is so freely given in Haiti. Maybe I’ll even teach some people to dance. There’s nothing more I could ask of God than the moments when I look into dark brown glistening eyes, see God, and feel God reflected back at me. I treasure those moments. McMurry, thank you for letting me go. I could never thank you enough. Your love is beautiful. ❖

“They showed me that love doesn’t know a language, it doesn’t see a skin color, and it doesn’t care where you come from.”

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Universities all over the United States are active in social media, but there are only a handful of universities

who have truly done great things via social media. This year McMurry has set a goal to make sure we are one of those universities interacting, informing and recruiting through our social media channels. We are raising the bar and setting up our social media platforms so students, alumni, potential students and friends of the University can interact with professors, athletics, financial aid and admissions on our social media outlets, specifically Facebook. “The University recognizes social media as an

effective and interactive way to communicate with our students: future, present and past. We are committed to making sure our social media presence continues to grow,” said Steve Crisman, Vice President of Marketing Services. McMurry has expanded our presence beyond just one “official” University Facebook page. On Facebook alone, we now have pages for athletics, alumni, admissions, financial aid, the Schools of Arts and Letters, Education, Social Sciences and Religion, and Natural and Computational Sciences. We have expanded beyond just one page so that prospective/current students and alumni can receive a more personal and targeted

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Where is social Media taking us?

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interaction. Alicia Wyatt, Dean of the School of Natural and Computational Sciences stated, “We use WordPress and our Facebook pages to keep alumni and friends of the sciences updated on our activities. Social media makes it easy to stay on top of the latest activities and achievements of students and faculty.” While Facebook is McMurry’s most popular form of social networking, we have also expanded our presence on Twitter, WordPress, YouTube, Instagram and Flickr. Twitter, the most popular social media outlet outside of Facebook, is being used as a broadcasting channel rather than a medium for conversations. As a university, we use both Twitter and WordPress primarily to post university updates and official announcements. Although there is not as much conversation on these social media platforms, they still allow followers to be in the “know” about what is going on at McMurry. McMurry uses YouTube, Flickr and Instagram as a way to share video and pictures with our audience. We use our YouTube channel to get the word out about McMurry through video. Our goal is to give potential students a view into what life on campus is like, to show alumni what is going on at their alma mater and to feature and document important happenings related to the University. We have all heard the phrase: A picture is worth a thousand words. That pretty much sums up our reason for engaging in Flickr and Instagram. Photos of real-life students enjoying their time on campus can really influence the opinion of prospective students and make alumni feel reconnected with their alma mater. By sharing these photos on Flickr and Instagram we have a unique opportunity to create an “experience” for our audience through photos.

Flickr and Instagram are our newest social media outlets at McMurry and we are excited about the potential of growing these two platforms over the next year.

We feel that social media is important to the success of the University. “Social Media allows us to communicate and interact with people who we might not ever get the opportunity to communicate with otherwise. Instead of only getting to talk to our alumni a few times a year, we are able to interact and converse with them on a daily basis via Facebook and Twitter,” said Associate Director of Marketing, Le’ann Ardoyno. Our goal is to make it easy and accessible for our audiences. “We want them to get connected to the University and each other and to stay connected. Social media has made this possible,” said Ardoyno. ❖

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Official Facebook Pageswww.facebook.com/mcmurryuniversitywww.facebook.com/mcmurrysportswww.facebook.com/McMurryAlumniwww.facebook.com/McMurrySNCS

Official twitter Pages@mcmuniv@mcmsports

Also find us on:

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Tina Melendez’s journey from a disadvantaged childhood growing up in Sweetwater, Texas, to her recent

selection as Sweetwater’s High School and Secondary Teacher of the Year is a story filled with determination and courage in the face

of overwhelming obstacles. A 2004 McMurry graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mult idisc ipl inar y Studies, Tina taught Spanish and English her first two years at Wylie Junior High and now teaches beginning and intermediate Spanish at Sweetwater High School. She received the award in June and is currently in the running for

Secondary and High School Teacher of the Year for Region 14 Education Service Center, which serves and supports approximately 50,000 students in 42 school districts located in the thirteen counties which make up the region. “It’s really exciting. I told myself if I became ‘Teacher of the Year’ I would like to do it in ten years and I’ve been teaching eight years,” Tina said. Before winning the award, Tina knew it would be difficult to obtain. “I told my husband that there are a lot of teachers who teach for a long time and never see this award. I knew I would be fine with that, too, as long as I know that I do my job to the best of my ability and teach my students, not just Spanish, but the

skills they need to make it in the real world.” “I try to be a good role model to all my students, as well as to my sons, nieces, nephews, and others in my family. Someone’s always watching and listening, and if I show them that I can accomplish these things then they can, too,” said Tina. “I have students who walk into my classroom who don’t have that encouragement at home and I tell them they can do this. I tell them, ‘You don’t have to like Spanish but I want you learn the life skills that you need to go out there in the world and succeed.’ Hopefully, I can light a spark in them.” Tina’s journey to a McMurry degree began in the second grade, when she decided she would be the first in her family to get both a high school diploma and a college degree. However, her family’s custom was to drop out of high school to work or get married, or both. “I knew from a very young age that I wanted an education, even though at the time I didn’t know a lot about college because it wasn’t mentioned in our home. My dad wasn’t very supportive of it. He kept telling the family, ‘You really don’t need to go to college. You just do what everybody else does,’” Tina said. “Of course my parents were dropouts, and I think if they had had the mentors and support of other family members saying, ‘Let’s try to do better,’ I think they would have accomplished great things. They were just repeating the cycle they had fallen into.” Tina’s father wanted her to drop out and go to work at sixteen, but with encouragement from her mom, she said, “‘No, Dad, I want to do this’ and of course he let me continue. As the oldest in a family of five, I watched my family struggle so much that I knew I wanted something more.” High school graduation came and Tina was planning to go to Angelo State, which had offered

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The tina Melendez story

Tina with award for Teacher of the Year

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her a Pell grant. “My father found out about it and said, ‘You’re not going. I let you finish high school and now it’s time to get busy and go to work.’ I had been working every summer—from working with my mother to even harvesting cotton from the fields. That was no fun at all!” Tina decided to go with plan B. “I’m one of those people who always plans ahead, so I told my mom to take me to the recruiting station.” Tina joined the U.S. Army and served in Desert Storm before returning to Sweetwater to work and begin her journey toward a college degree. “My military background helped me. I told myself that if I could handle the military where I did pretty well, I can handle this, too. I also had the support of my husband, my kids and other family members. When my second child came, I decided to take a time out, and when he was a little older I started again. My goal was to finish by the time I was 35 and I graduated at 33, so I beat my goal,” said Tina. Tina began her quest for a college degree by taking classes at Texas State Technical College and then at Cisco Junior College. She was

working as an administrative assistant when she finally decided to go back to school. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to go into education, but I decided I would just take my basics first and figure that out later. I think it was meant to be because I was working with a lot of people in that department who encouraged me along the way.” Tina recalls, “It took me about eight years. I started out with one class at a time. I was very scared at first. I thought, ‘I’ve been out of school for too long, I don’t know if I can make it. I’m not smart enough to do this.’ Having my family and working full-time seemed like an insurmountable obstacle.” But she took one class at a time and eventually saw the light at the end of the tunnel. “I know God had a hand in my accomplishments. He always put people in my path to help me get where I’m I am now,” she said. One of them was her boss at West Central Texas Council of Governments, Bobby Campbell. She recalls, “I went to Cisco College to find out the costs, and when I came back Bobby asked me if I had registered at Cisco. I told him

Tina serving in Operation Desert Storm

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no, and he asked why. I said I didn’t have the money right now and I that had to be registered in order to get my VA benefits. He took out his checkbook and said, ‘How much money do you need?’ I look back on it now and think if he hadn’t signed that check, I don’t know where I would be.” After completing the basics at Cisco, Tina considered traveling to Angelo State to finish her bachelor’s degree, but the distance and having to work while attending school made the commute too difficult for her husband and children. In stepped Bobby Campbell and Dr. Louis Lemmond, who encouraged her to explore McMurry’s education program. She did, and “they were able to find me more financial aid. With that and the rest of my GI money, I decided I would go to McMurry.” She remembers it fondly. “I enjoyed being at McMurry. It was a wonderful time for me. Even though I was a non-traditional student, I made a lot of good friends. They thought I was one of them. But I had to say, ‘No, actually I have a family, so I can’t go out,” she recalls laughing. “My goal was to finish school and I did. I’m so glad that I did cross that stage and get my

degree. Afterward, I sat down and looked at that diploma and I got tears in my eyes realizing I had done it!” When circumstances were the toughest, Tina said her professors helped her make it through. As a wife, a mom and full-time worker, her days in Abilene started early in the morning and ended late at night. Her professors encouraged her to keep going and not give up. One in particular was her languages professor the late Dr. Bill Short. “He encouraged me to hang in there and to not give up.” Tina credits much of her teaching skills to her professors at McMurry and to her mentor teachers. “I was blessed to have wonderful professors in the education department, and I feel like I share this award with them because they helped me become an effective teacher in the classroom,” Tina said. “To watch them work as hard as they do to make sure they produce highly effective teachers is what helped me along the way. My mentor teachers were also very instrumental in my success.” Now that Tina has reached many of her goals, she is especially proud of one accomplishment— earning her father’s pride in what she achieved.

Tina with two of her McMurry mentors,

Dr. Perry Kay Haley-Brown and the late Dr. Bill Short

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“Looking back now, he’s very happy and very proud of what I’ve done. And my mother is just as proud,” Tina said. “When I came home after serving in Desert Storm he said to me, ‘I remember what you wanted me to tell you the day you were getting ready to leave. You wanted me to say that I was proud of you.’ I told my dad that was all I wanted. I did everything he asked when I was at home, but after I graduated, I wanted to do this for me. I wanted to make him proud and to show him that we are all capable of doing more with our lives. We had a crying moment.” Tina recalls her graduation day. “When I graduated from McMurry, he wasn’t with me because he doesn’t like to be in crowds. But he asked me to come see him before my graduation

party, and he told me how proud he was of me. When I got my award for Teacher of the Year, I showed him my plaque and my clock and he said, ‘That’s awesome.’ It was special to also have my husband, our sons, my mother, and my mother-in-law see me receive my award before the school district.” Tina’s family and her mother attended her graduation ceremony. “It was encouraging for my kids to see me finally graduate and to know that ‘if my mom can do that, I can, too,’” Tina said. “We’ve always talked about college in our home. My oldest son has one more year in high school. Right now he’s talking about attending WTC (Western Texas College) or going into the military. Either way he goes, we’ll support what he chooses.” ❖

Top: Tina pictured with her mother-in-law, Mary Palma, and her mother, Rose GaunaLeft: With her two sons, Gabriel and AndrewAbove: With her husband, Randy

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McMurry University will soon be celebrating our 100-year anniversary, and we have thousands of alumni, faculty,

staff, and benefactors whose footprints on this campus have shaped its identity and made it unique among our sister universities. Our success in the future will not be dependent on buildings, academic programs, and extracurricular offerings—it will be dependent on our people. McMurry needs its alumni and friend’s collective talents, gifts and expertise. If we haven’t asked for your involvement before, please accept our sincerest apologies. You are valuable to this university, and McMurry needs you! McMurry needs those of you who have an interest in the enhancement of our academic programs to be involved on advisory committees for our schools, and to offer internships for our students. The Schools of Business, Education,

Natural and Computational Sciences, Social Sciences and Religion, and Arts and Letters want the expertise and experiential wisdom you can give our students and faculty. Your involvement is vital to ensuring excellence and relevance of our academic offerings. If you’re interested in serving on an advisory committee or offering an internship, contact Steve Crisman at crismans@mcm.edu or call (325) 793-4601. Do you recall a cherished mentor when you were at McMurry? Someone who genuinely cared about you, who provided guidance in your career path, and who nurtured you through your collegiate experience? You can give the same gift to an incoming student through involvement with the McMurry Family Legacy Network. Through the Legacy Network, interested alumni are paired with new McMurry students. The program is flexible, and the type and frequency of interaction is up to you. You have an opportunity to affect the

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McMurry needs you!B Y N A N C Y S M I T H , D I R E C T O R O F U N I V E R S I T Y A N D D O N O R R E L A T I O N S

Do you remember the World War I posters depicting a red, white, and blue clad Uncle Sam with piercing eyes and his index finger pointing straight ahead? The rendering sent a clear message that our country needed every able-bodied patriot to volunteer to ensure victory.

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success of a young person’s college experience and make a life-changing impact! How can we better connect our alumni with each other and with McMurry? How do we involve our alumni in the University in more substantive ways? In what ways can we increase the marketability of a McMurry degree through alumni career networks? These are just some of the questions that our Office of Alumni Relations strives to address with the invaluable assistance from the Alumni Association Board of Directors. You can play an instrumental role in ensuring a vibrant alumni network that will excite and attract alumni of all ages to pave the way for future alumni, and enjoy personal relationships with their alma mater that will last a lifetime. To get involved with the Alumni Board or to become a mentor for the McMurry Family Legacy Network, contact Josh Poorman in the Office of Alumni Relations at poorman.joshua@mcm.edu or (325) 793-4608. The Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Relations needs you! As important as your commitment of time and experience is to McMurry, your financial support is imperative. Like every university, we must have support from sources other than tuition income. The level of support we receive from alumni and friends will make the difference between whether McMurry flourishes…or whether it simply survives. Every dollar counts. Imagine what can be accomplished if every alumna and alumnus committed to sending a gift of $10 more each year than what they currently send! What about $25 more?! There is impact in numbers, and every gift is important. McMurry needs all of us to commit to making a McMurry education possible for our students. The reality is there are only a few large donors who are being called on to support a number of causes, but there are thousands of donors like you and me, whose collective giving can affect the future of our University and the students who need McMurry. To support an academic program, to give scholarship

funds, to honor or memorialize a family member, or to set up an endowment, contact the Office of Development at (325) 793-4602 or by e-mail to hulse.debra@mcm.edu. McMurry University is bustling with activity these days. It is a university in motion—get caught up in the excitement! Come to Homecoming in October, attend a class reunion or an alumni event in your area, attend a sporting event, a choir concert, or a theatre production. The list of opportunities for you to see McMurry’s progress and interact with students is endless. We need your presence!

Valued alumni of McMurry preserve our heritage and expand our reach, and in so doing, you provide opportunity for future students, and your involvement adds depth and richness to the each student’s personal McMurry experience. Albert Schweitzer once said that “The true worth of a man is not to be found in man himself, but in the colors and textures that come alive in others…Wherever a man turns, he can find someone who needs him.” You add color to the fabric of McMurry University, and we need you! ❖

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1616w w w . m c m u r r y s p o r t s . c o m Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mcmsports

McMurry University has been accepted for membership in the National Christian College Athletic Association

(NCCAA) beginning with the 2012-13 school year. The War Hawks' athletics programs—which also begin provisional status for NCAA Division II this fall—will hold dual affiliation in the two national collegiate organizations. “McMurry University is delighted to have received notification of our acceptance into the prestigious National Christian College Athletic Association (which began on July 1st),” McMurry Acting President Dr. Paul Fabrizio said. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to join with

Christian colleges throughout the nation in competing for athletic championships.” “The NCCAA speaks of the importance of winning 'the game of life' in focusing on both the athletic and spiritual needs of student athletes. The mission and core values of McMurry align nicely with the NCCAA as we view 'Christian faith as the foundation of life'. We look forward to this shared connection with other Christian colleges as we compete on the athletic field.”

McMurry will be immediately eligible to compete in NCCAA championship events in 2012-13, as well as for post-season academic and athletic awards from the organization. This is especially important to the McMurry programs because, as a provisional member of NCAA Division II, the War Hawks are not eligible for those championships and/or post-season honors until the University reaches full NCAA Division II membership status. McMurry will compete on the NCCAA's Division I level. The NCCAA offers post-season competition in all of the sports which McMurry sponsors, with the exception of men's and women's swimming. The NCCAA permits its dual-affiliated members to opt out of NCCAA post-season play when qualifying for the NCAA championships. There are 110 NCCAA-affiliated colleges and universities for 2012-13—67 Division I and 43 Division II. All are either strictly NCCAA members or have dual affiliations in NCAA II, NCAA III or the NAIA.  There are currently 17 NCAA Division II institutions (either full-member or provisional) which also hold NCCAA memberships.  Among those are Azusa Pacific University—winners of eight-straight NACDA Learfield Cups (for all-around athletics superiority) in the NAIA from 2005-12—and California Baptist University, which earned the NCCAA's “President's Cup” as the organization's top athletics program in 2011-12. The War Hawks cross country head coach David Chandler believes the affiliation offers McMurry student-athletes a unique opportunity. “Our student-athletes love to compete and honor God with their ability, which is a natural fit with the NCCAA,” Chandler said. “Being members will give us an even better opportunity to develop the

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McMurry Accepted for nCCAA Membership in 2012-13

1717Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcmurrysports

Meet the new neighborsWhen McMurry University’s athletics teams take to the fields of competition beginning in the fall of 2012, you may see quite a few new faces. We’re not just talking about new War Hawk athletes, but rather those on the opposite side of the fields and courts. Officially in its first full year competing as an NCAA Division II school, McMurry also is one of the newest members of the Heartland Conference and has left familiar foes of the NCAA Division III American Southwest Conference behind as league mates. McMurry is located very close to the geographic center of the 10-member

Heartland Conference map. The Conference’s northernmost member is Newman University in Wichita, Kansas, and ranges 782 miles south to Texas A&M-International in Laredo. UT-Permian Basin in Odessa is the Heartland’s most western location, while the University of Arkansas-Ft. Smith has the Heartland Conference’s eastern outpost. Just as diverse is the make-up of the Heartland Conference’s members. The Heartland is comprised of six private and four public institutions. Below is a snapshot look at each member:

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS-FORT SMITHLocation: Fort Smith, ArkansasEnrollment: 7,587Nickname: LionsType: Public DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITYLocation: Dallas, TexasEnrollment: 5,545Nickname: PatriotsType: Private (Baptist) NEWMAN UNIVERSITYLocation: Wichita, KansasEnrollment: 2,746Nickname: JetsType: Private (Catholic) 

OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITYLocation: Edmond, OklahomaEnrollment: 2,000Nickname: EaglesType: Private (Church of Christ) OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE UNIVERSITYLocation: Goodwell, OklahomaEnrollment: 1,242Nickname: AggiesType: Public ST. EDWARD’S UNIVERSITYLocation: Austin, TexasEnrollment: 3,395Nickname: HilltoppersType: Private (Catholic) 

ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITYLocation: San Antonio, TexasEnrollment: 4,000Nickname: RattlersType: Private (Catholic) TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-INTERNATIONALLocation: Laredo, TexasEnrollment: 7,000Nickname: DustdevilsType: Public UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PERMIAN BASINLocation: Odessa, TexasEnrollment: 4,000Nickname: FalconsType: Public

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Emind, body, and spirit of our student-athletes.” All NCCAA championship events require competitors to participate in a community service/outreach project. These are designed to have the student-athletes from opposing schools working together on a common goal, prior to competing in the venues of athletics events, putting proper perspective on sports in relation to “real life.”

“The NCCAA is excited to welcome McMurry into its membership,” NCCAA Executive Director Dan Wood said. “We look forward in partnering to impact our culture through the use of intercollegiate athletics as we assist our student-athletes in developing their own personal 'Game Plan 4 LIFE'.”

The Ides of August had a new feel in 2012 when the McMurry University fall sports athletes reported to campus in preparation to get their feet wet as NCAA Division II competitors. For the first time since 1977, the War Hawks will be trotting out teams that now include student-athletes receiving athletic-based scholarships. 

F O O T B A L LHead coach Hal Mumme—entering his fourth

season—will not only be introducing what looks to be a promising class of recruits in 2012, but also taking the wraps off of a $2.2 million renovated Wilford Moore Stadium. Mumme’s War Hawks return nine starters—five offense and four defense—including national honors candidate Jake Mullin off of its 9-3 NCAA III playoff team last year. Mullin was an NCAA Division III All-American in 2011, and the transition to Division II apparently hasn’t diminished what others think of his potential. The senior quarterback has been honored on no less than three pre-season All-America teams entering the 2012 campaign. Mullin enters 2012 with 8,979 yards and 89 touchdowns in his McMurry career, approaching the lofty 10,000-yard/100 touchdown club. He already owns virtually every War Hawk passing and total offense rec ord—game, season and career—and is already looking to add to those totals in guiding the team again this year. 

V O L L E Y B A L L Volleyball has high expectations, as well, after a

28-5 campaign in 2011. Head coach Cammie Petree lost just two seniors to graduation and welcomes back a strong foundation that includes NCAA III All-American M.J. Vickers. Vickers, a senior right-side hitter, averaged 3.78 kills per set and had a .278 attack percentage. She also averaged 3.20 set assists and .61 blocks per game. Junior middle blocker Kasi Conners (1.92 kps

& 1.53 bps) and sophomore outside hitter Stephanie Henry (2.69 kps) both return, as well. Conners was first team all-conference, while Henry was an honorable mention choice. The War Hawks volleyball squad welcomes eight freshmen and two junior college transfers in 2012.

M E N ’ S S O C C E RMcMurry’s men’s soccer team will have an

international flavor along with some big roster numbers heading into 2012. McMurry head coach Paul Tate will have 30 new faces on a roster that is expected to be at 42 players. The team will have 20 freshmen and 10 transfers. Additionally, Tate’s team will field representatives from Mexico, Venezuela, Nigeria, Brazil and the United Kingdom. Three players come to the War Hawks fresh off of a Junior College National Championship run at Cloud Community College. Senior co-captains Tyler Tarango and Ryan Prince will spearhead the veteran players, along with Cody Gentry in the center midfield. 

W O M E N ’ S S O C C E R Women’s soccer head coach Alan Riches has

worked to lay a strong foundation for the War Hawks women’s soccer program during his first two seasons and now, entering season three at McMurry, is ready to start building on those efforts. Riches looks to do so with a handful of key returning talent, surrounded by 11 newcomers on his 19-player roster. The War Hawks will have eight college transfers on the pitch, providing some proven skilled players to go along with five freshmen. Riches returns a trio of former all-conference players—junior Rachel Moore, along with sophomores Kristen Grant and Paige Harwell—to facilitate the integration of the newcomers towards the team’s 2012 success. 

C R O S S C O U N T R YCross country head coach David Chandler will

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w w w . m c m u r r y s p o r t s . c o m Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mcmsports

19Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcmurrysports

lead his programs’ run into NCAA Division II with a solid mix of the old and new. The War Hawk women’s harriers return six runners—including second team all-conference finisher sophomore Alyssa Fields and senior Brittany McGuire (29th in conference)—to the fold. Those numbers will be bolstered by the addition of one transfer and two freshmen in 2012.

McMurry’s men’s cross country team will have many more new faces—seven freshmen and one transfer—among its players. However, on a roster which has no seniors and no returning juniors, the second team all-conference duo of Michael Dowd (11th place) and Naoshi Okamoto (14th place) will lead the War Hawks.

McMurry University’s final athletics event as an NCAA Division III institution—the Outdoor Track and Field National Championships at Claremont, California, on May 24-26, 2012—provided quite a sendoff for the War Hawks! McMurry crowned three individual and one team national champion en route to the title, two alone from senior Kevin Cunningham.  Cunningham defended his championship in the 400 meter hurdles (51.13), coming from behind at the finish. He also won the open 400 meters (46.98) for the

12th All-America award of his career, the second-most in McMurry school history. Sophomore shot putter Paul Davis won his first NCAA title in a tough competition. In the 4x100 relay, McMurry's group of Josh Zu-Bolton, Trevon Odom, Gavan Bass and Kenneth Turner closed out the field in a time of 40.62 to claim the championship. In all, the War Hawks earned five other All-American honors besides its collection of national titles and head coach Barbara Crousen was named the men’s national “Coach of the Year.”

ringing Out the Old...

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Model United Nations at McMurry has received a coveted assignment for the upcoming National Model UN conference on the Galapagos Islands January 11-20, 2013. Only 26 slots were available, and McMurry University’s Model UN program has been selected to represent Argentina at the conference. The conference—the first of its kind—will be held at the Galapagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (GAIAS) on San Cristóbal

Island, directly adjacent to Galapagos National Park. During the 9-day conference, students will focus on environmental issues that impact fragile ecosystems, engage in cultural visits in Ecuador and on the Galapagos Islands, as well as work on a community service project on San Cristóbal. Of the 26 schools selected for the conference, nine (35%) are from non-US universities. ❖

McMurry alumnus and former head football coach Grant Teaff, now executive director of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), was voted the recipient of this year’s Selig Mentoring Award by the McLendon Scholarship Steering Committee, composed of 18 minority athletics directors. The award was established in 2007 and named in honor of Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig and is presented biennially to a person in athletics administration who has been at the forefront in creating equal opportunities for minorities in the field of athletics. Selig has placed diversity and equal employment opportunity among his top priorities throughout the years to great effect in Major League Baseball. Today, 31 percent of all on-field coaching positions in baseball are held by minority group members, and female front office representation throughout the league is 30 percent. During Selig’s tenure as Commissioner, minority representation among front office positions has grown from two to 24 percent. “Grant Teaff ’s name is synonymous with

not only college football, but intercollegiate athletics as a whole,” said Warde Manuel, Chair of the McLendon Scholarship Steering Committee and Director of Athletics at the University of Connecticut. “His dedication and service to our industry are unparalleled and right in line with the core values of the McLendon Foundation.” Coach Teaff, a native West Texan reared in Snyder, attended San Angelo Junior College (now Angelo State University) and earned his undergraduate degree in physical education at McMurry College in 1956. One year later, he earned a master of science degree in Administrative Education. He received a Doctor of Humanities degree from McMurry in 1975. Teaff played center and was a captain for the McMurry football team. In 1960, he was named the head football coach at McMurry, one of the youngest head football coaches in the country at the time. Teaff had an outstanding coaching career with head coaching stints at McMurry, Angelo State and Baylor, placing him in eight halls of fame. ❖

new Opportunities to BragAbout Being a War Hawk!

McMurry Alumnus and Former Head Football Coach Grant teaff receives national Award

Model un to Attend unique Conference in Galapagos islands

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Texas Chiropractic College (TCC) and McMurry University are excited to announce the signing of an articulation agreement between TCC’s doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree and the McMurry University Department of Biology’s bachelor of science degree. The agreement was formally signed on July 26 and goes into effect for the Fall 2012 academic term. “The articulation agreement through McMurry’s Department of Biology would allow students to complete their prerequisites in three years and have early admission to the Texas Chiropractic College Doctor of Chiropractic program,” said Dr. Larry Sharp, associate professor of biology at McMurry, who negotiated the agreement with TCC. “As the students finish their first year at TCC, they would send McMurry the transcripts and we would award them a degree in biology, essentially saving them a year’s worth of undergraduate expense.” Texas Chiropractic College is located

in Pasadena, part of the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area, and is the fourth oldest chiropractic college in the United States. In addition to the doctor of chiropractic degree program, TCC students have the opportunity to earn their master of science degree in fitness and human performance from the University of Houston–Clear Lake as part of the organizations’ dual-degree program. “We were very excited to be approached by McMurry University’s Dr. Larry Sharp about forming a partnership between our institutions,” said Dr. Clay McDonald, TCC Provost. “This is a great opportunity for students interested in health care to more quickly and economically earn a bachelor’s from McMurry and a doctor of chiropractic degree from TCC, making this a win-win for everyone. It is always a pleasure for us to partner with quality educational institutions such as McMurry University, and together create valuable learning opportunities.”

McMurry University is one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The results, released in The Chronicle’s fifth annual report on The Academic Workplace, are based on a survey of more than 46,000 employees at 294 colleges and universities. In all, only 103 of the 294 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with McMurry included among the small universities. McMurry University won honors in two categories this year: • Supervisor/Department Chair Relationship• Work-Life Balance

“This is a very satisfying affirmation of McMurry, but our real goal is not recognition— it’s being a community that values the needs and contributions of every individual. In that sense everyone at McMurry helps to make this a great place to work,” said McMurry University President Dr. John Russell. The Chronicle is the nation’s most important source of news about colleges and universities. “The institutions that the Great Colleges program recognizes provide innovative educational experiences—while also offering their employees outstanding workplace experiences—and we are eager to help readers learn more about them,” said Liz McMillen, editor of The Chronicle. ❖

texas Chiropractic College and McMurry university sign Articulation Agreement

McMurry named One of the Best Colleges to Work For

if every alumnus gave $50, we could raise $500,000.

That’s full tuition for 21 students,or books for 416 students,

a life-changing mission trip to India for 178 students,or a Model UN trip to the Galápagos Islands for 125 students.

small changes can make a big difference

for our students!By making one small change—foregoing fast food lunches for one week, skipping your daily soda or making other small spending changes—you

could contribute $50 to the McMurry Annual Fund.

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Texas has a special place in the barbeque world. It is well known that for authentic barbeque, Texas is the place to be. From

Austin to Dallas to Houston and all points in between there are multitudes of restaurants, shacks, roadside stands, and even convenience stores that will serve up a tasty barbeque meal. And Abilene itself is well known for the quality of its barbeque

restaurants. McMurry has also contributed to the barbeque tradition. A group of McMurry alumni has been teaming together since their days on campus to cook barbeque, rehash stories, and continue the camaraderie they developed playing football for Spud Aldridge in the early eighties. Known as the Pigskin Smokers, they have entered cook-offs

(they’ve qualified for the national cook-off four years running and have won numerous awards), catered events such as corporate appreciation

events, tailgate parties, and celebrations such as weddings and anniversaries, church and school picnics. They take any opportunity to feed and spread good cheer. “We just pass on blessings from Christ.” Brian Mirau ’83, master chef, spearheads the group. Brian draws a crowd when he pulls up with his thirty foot trailer that holds a rotisserie grill capable of cooking over a thousand pounds of meat in a day, a second smoker, a flame burner for burgers, dogs, and sausage, as well as a bean cooker and fish fryer. Brian’s pulled pork sandwiches are a regular staple on Friday nights at Grapevine Faith Christian football games, as well as numerous other school and church events. David Davee ’81 serves as an additional barbeque chef. He was instrumental in putting the team together with Brian and is responsible our team name and logo. David was legendary during his days in Abilene for cookouts in the backyard that attracted friends and neighbors. Additional “teammates” include Brad Woods ’82, Mark “Red” Behrens ’82, Richard Spencer ’82, David Spencer ’83, Mark Cox ’81, Cliff Odenwald ’78, Marvin “Big M” Williams ’83, and Ron King ’84. They welcome any of their fellow McMurry teammates to the “team.” It seems that the “ties that bind” extend beyond the years for these McMurry alumni. ❖

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class n O t e s

1954In recognition of his contributions to the community and in honor of his 82nd birthday, the Tulia City Council proclaimed Tuesday, July 17, as Kenneth Wyatt Day. The city proclamation notes that “Dr. Kenneth Wyatt is known as one of the nation’s premier Western

artists, while also excelling as a Christian artist, sculptor, author, poet and illustrator, having created more than 9,000 works of art which are featured in more than 91 countries throughout the world, including paintings owned by President George W. Bush, Queen Elizabeth II of England and the king of Dubai.”

1958Bishop Dan Solomon ’58 was named as one of the interim bishops for the Northwest Texas/New Mexico Conference. Bishop Solomon is a retired bishop currently serving as bishop-in-residence at McMurry University, which is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Bishop William Hutchinson, who has served as bishop of the Louisiana Conference since 2000, retired this year and was named as the other interim bishop for Northwest Texas/New Mexico. Hutchinson has roots in New Mexico and holds an honorary doctor of divinity degree from McMurry.

1989Jeff Matsler ’89 I was recently promoted and is now attending Advanced Schooling (C4) with the Army in Columbia, SC. In January he is moving to San Antonio where he will be the Deputy of Ministry and Pastoral Care at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston.

2001Sheila Breeden Kitts ’01 and her husband, Carey, are proud to announce the arrival of their third son, Wilson Lawrence, on August 1.

2001Sonja Cathey Williams ’94 and Bobby Williams ’01 are moving from Sweetwater to Llano. Bobby will be coaching offensive line (plus other things) and teaching P.E. Sonja will be teaching high school English. They have three kids: Claire (15), Luke (11), and Madison (4).

2002Coach Henry “Hank” Willis ’02 is excited to begin his walk as the leader of the Fighting Poteet Aggies. Hank has ten years experience under his belt as a football coach. He began his career at Arlington Sam Houston where he served as the offensive coordinator for six years. He says we have to change the mentality of the students to a winners attitude and to be good students before anything else. He graduated from McMurry with a bachelor of science in multidisciplinary studies in 2002.

After 10 years as an athletic trainer, Suzanne Paylor ’02 has moved back to Abilene and has taken a position as the West Texas Sales Representative for Mid South Orthopedics. She will marry Jason Tucker from Rochester, on December 1, 2012.

2007In June, Frances Arias ’07 was awarded the Alumni University Service Award by American Military University (AMU). The award recognizes an alumnus that has shown service to the university. She also currently serves on the Alumni Advisory Board for AMU.

2008Emily Carpenter Mitchell ’08 and husband, Justin, welcomed a new baby boy, Jozef Paul, on February 14th of this year.

Jonathan Sharp ’08 is the Abilene zoo's first horticulturist, a person

whose job is focused on growing plants. And with thirteen acres, the zoo has plenty of plants. Sharp said he could envision all kinds of landscaping projects that will continue to beautify the zoo.

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Zane Wilson ’08 and Amy McDonald ’09 were married March 10, 2012 in Hurst, Texas.

2012Dr. and Mrs. Lars Stangebye of Montrose have announced the

marriage of their daughter, Sarah Grace Stangebye ’12, to Timothy John Hibler of Abilene, Texas. The bride is a 2012 graduate of McMurry University with a bachelor of arts degree, and the groom is a 2011 graduate of Dallas Baptist University where he majored in biology. He is currently deployed to Afghanistan where he serves as a combat medic. The couple was married July 9, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Hibler plan to make their home in Bedford, Texas, upon his return from Afghanistan.

McMurry University senior men’s track standout Kevin Cunningham ’12 (Brownwood, Texas) has been named as the American Southwest Conference Male “Athlete of the Year.” In 2012, Cunningham led McMurry to the NCAA Division III national championship in men’s outdoor track and field. Cunningham was also recently awarded the “Outstanding Performer Award” from the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, as well. He earned the USTFCCA’s South/South Region “Athlete of the Year” award for a second-consecutive time in 2012. ❖

Homecoming MusicalOctober 25, 26, 27, 2012

Return to the Forbidden Planet is a light-hearted “jukebox”

musical by British playwright Bob Carlton loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest and the 1950s science fiction film

Forbidden Planet. It features musical hits from the 1960s including “Wipe Out,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Good Vibrations,” “A Teenager in Love,” “All Shook Up,” “Gloria,” “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “Only the Lonely,” “Born to Be Wild,” “Mr. Spaceman,” “Monster Mash,” “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)”

and many others. Many spectacular effects along with the rock and roll music should make this a delight for the entire

family. Performances are scheduled for Oct. 18-20 (the week before homecoming) and Oct. 25-27 with curtain at 7:30 p.m. in Ryan Little Theatre. General admission will be $15

for Friday and Saturday performances and $12 for Thursday performances. Tickets for McMurry students, faculty and

staff are $10 for all performances.

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Congratulationsto our

alumni awardsrecipients!

Dr. K.O. Long

Lon OutlandJoLisa Hoover

Freida Harrington LaneN e w M e x i c o c o N f e R e N c e

Richard PetreeN o R t h w e s t t e x a s c o N f e R e N c e

Jack Wilburnat L a R g e

Send us pictures of your favorite McMurry Memories for the

Homecoming Reunion Social Hour honoring the classes of 2002,

1992, 1982. Submit your photos electronically to Gary Ellison

ellisong@mcmurryadm.mcm.edu or by mail to #1 McMurry University

Box 938 Abilene TX 79697

Classes of 2002, 1992, 1982—we need your help!

Join us as we re-dedicateWILFORD MO ORE STADIUM

S E P T E M B E R 2 2 , 2 0 1 2 • 4 : 0 0 P M

Artist’s Rendering

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Jay M. Abernathy ’93 of Petersburg, VA died April 4, 2012.Ivan Eugene Allen of Lake Jackson, Texas, died May 21, 2012. Russell Altman died June 26, 2012. James Ballard of Abilene, Texas, died July 6, 2012. Clark Wayne Beasley of Abilene, Texas, died June 24, 2012. Bob Boswell of Brownfield, Texas, died June 12, 2012. Artha Blair Carleton of Amarillo, Texas, died February 20, 2012. LaMoine Criswell Carpenter ’37 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died March 25, 2012. Janice Marie Jakulewicz Cash ’67 of Frisco, Texas, died April 24, 2012. Thomas “Rudy” Casey of Rule, Texas, died May 1, 2012. Hal D. Caskey ’56 of Bulverde, Texas, died February 9, 2012. Bettye Kathryne Smith Conley of Merkel, Texas, died April 7, 2012. Joe Crousen of Abilene, Texas, died July 27, 2012. Donald Ray Cruse of Los Angeles, California, died January 13, 2012. Wesley Newton Daniel ’50 of Spearman, Texas, died June 22, 2012. Billie Soules Day ’51 of Star, Texas, died February 2, 2012. Anna Kilpatrick Hamilton Doak of Lubbock, Texas, died May 26, 2012. Kathlyn Dunagan of Monahans, Texas, died March 2, 2012. Colleen Henderson Durrington ’73 of Abilene, Texas, died April 9, 2012. Robert Allen “Wookie” Edmondson ’94 of Abilene, Texas, died February 19, 2012. Leilan Mayes Gooch of Abilene, Texas, died May 6, 2012. Anna Kilpatrick Hamilton Doak ’37 of Lubbock, Texas, died May 28, 2012. Darrell Hanks ’64 of Mountain Home, Arkansas, died May 5, 2012. Harold Harriger of Lubbock, Texas, died June 5, 2012. Gabie Smallwood Hawkins ’42 of Abilene, Texas, died February 9, 2012. Frances Hermann ’61 of Abilene, Texas, died February 25, 2012. Goldie Palmer Hermsmeyer of Amarillo, Texas, died May 31, 2012. Stan Hicks of Trent, Texas, died May 12, 2012. Linda Whistl Holt of Abilene, Texas, died June 3, 2012. Jean Edna Hines Hunt ’37 of Plano, Texas, died May 11, 2012. W. T. Johnson of Sweetwater, Texas, died June 5, 2012. Willis Johnston of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, died March 19, 2012. Thomas K. Kim of Abilene, Texas, died March 12, 2012. Tina May ’95 of Abilene, Texas, died May 28, 2012. June Hale McGlaun ’49 of Snyder, Texas, died February 6, 2012.Ricky Miller of Allen, Texas, died July 3, 2012. John Minott of Sugar Land, Texas, died May 20, 2012. Marjorie Aaron Mitchell ’44 of Bridgeport, Texas, died April 1, 2012.Perry Mullis died July 19, 2012. Wilma Carver Parchman of Scottsdale, Arizona, died February 12, 2012. Louise Parris of Abilene, Texas, died February 18, 2012. Randy Perkins of Abilene, Texas, died April 6, 2012. Kenneth Purtell of Boone, Iowa, died March 2, 2012. David Thomas Scott ’81 of Perryton, Texas, died July 2, 2012.

receive your alumni magazine

by email!

friends W e ’ L L M i s s

McMurry has mailed printed copies of the alumni magazine to our alumni for many years. However, the cost of printing has skyrocketed in recent years. We will continue to print the

alumni magazine for those who wish to have one, but we are offering the

option for alumni to request the online version only. This will help the

University save money on printing and we will “kill fewer trees,” thus

doing our part to be environmentally-friendly. This new option began

with the Spring 2012 issue. If you’re interested in participating in our new online The Messenger opt-in program, please go to www.mcm.edu/magonline and complete the brief form. That’s all there is to it!

Anna Church Shaver ’38 of Rochester, Texas, died February 1, 2012. James Gibson Shelton of Abilene, Texas, died May 6, 2012. George Shoup of Carlsbad, New Mexico, died May 4, 2012.R. L. Stoker of Benbrook, Texas, died May 3, 2012. William Terry ’82 of Pampa, Texas, died February 15, 2012. Carolyn Robertson Lutz Wood of Abilene, Texas, died July 19, 2012. Nancy Smith Stevens of Silver City, New Mexico, died July 7, 2012. John Valentine of Abilene, Texas, died on July 31, 2012.

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Clark BeasleyClark Wayne Beasley was born June 6, 1942 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Laura Mae and Keith Paul Beasley. He died on June 24, 2012

at a hospital in Abilene, Texas. He earned his B.S. in Biology from Kansas State College of Pittsburg and his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma. He taught at McMurry University from August 1969 to May 2010. Clark was a member of the Episcopal Church of Heavenly Rest. He was also a member of the Big Country Master Naturalists. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Allman Beasley. He is survived by his sister Ann Cooper and her husband Trey of St. Louis, Missouri; his brother Ron and his wife Carol Beasley of Mountain Home, Arkansas. He is survived by his son, Dr. Craig Beasley and his wife Della of Throckmorton, Texas, and by his daughter Stacy Kuenn and her husband Kevin of Plano, Texas. He has two grandchildren, Brianna Beasley of Throckmorton and Brady Kuenn of Plano. He is also survived by three step-grandchildren, Jim Lee of Baird, Willie Lee of Abilene, and Cara Lee of Lubbock. He has six step-great-grandchildren, James Tuffs of Baird, Alyssa, Jason, and Jonah Lee of Baird, and Haley and Parker Lee of Abilene. Dr. Clark Beasley received an Outstanding Professor Award at McMurry University. He advised numerous nurses, doctors, and dentists. He researched and studied tardigrades and has published articles on this subject.

Harold O. HarrigerHarold O. Harriger was born in 1928 near Brookville, Pennsylvania, to Buff and Katie Harriger, and died on June 5, 2012. He was one of 13 children and grew up on a farm where the family raised their own food while his dad worked in the coal mines nearby.

He served in the U.S. Air Force for three years and then received his B.S. from Midwestern University and J.D. from UT Law School. In 1950 he married a young school teacher, Rebecca Craig, who was the daughter of a Methodist minister. They moved to Lubbock in 1955 when he joined the law firm of Nelson and McCleskey, now McCleskey, Harriger, Brazill and Graf, where he practiced law for more than 50 years. The Harriger’s front door was always open and they often had a niece or nephew or a foreign exchange student living with them, as well as their four children. Harold believed in serving the community in which he lived. He served on the Boards of Plains Capital Bank, the United Way, the YMCA, the Lubbock ISD School Board, was a Director of First State Bank Shallowater, and Trustee and Chairman of the Board of Methodist Hospital. He was active in the Downtown Rotary Club and visited Rotary clubs all over the world when he traveled. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school, served on the Finance Commission, served as church lay leader, chairman of the Administrative Board, sang in the choir, and was past chair of the Texas Tech Wesley Foundation. Harold served as Trustee and Chairman of the Board of McMurry University, served eight years on the Board of the San Antonio Methodist Mission Home, 29 years on the Texas Methodist Foundation Board, and 30 years as Chancellor of the Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Harold had a marvelous knack for practical problem solving and for mediating between parties to get to a reasonable solution. He used that skill at work and on every board he served. Rebecca died in 2000 and Harold married Jane Kniseley in 2001. They divided their time between Lubbock, Georgia and Pennsylvania until Harold became ill and they moved to Georgia in

friends W e ’ L L M i s s

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August 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, and four brothers. He is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Melissa and Dennis Reeves, William and Ailie Harriger, Susan and Kelly Cook, and Joe Harriger; stepchildren, Cindy and Ron Pruitt; grandchildren, Emily and Robert Graves, Sarah and Justin Connell, Clare Reeves, Taylor Thompson, Olivia and Ian Harriger and Seth Cook; step-grandchildren, Casey and T.J. Large and Emily, Will and Rebecca Pruitt; and great-grandchildren Will Graves, Kynzie Large and Jarred and Hannah Bobo. He is also survived by sisters Betty Brosius, Phyllis Reinard, and Donna Brush; brother, Roy Harriger and many nieces and nephews. Harold will be greatly missed by all those who loved him in Texas, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

Joe CrousenJoe Winn Crousen Jr., ’71, passed away Friday, July 27, 2012 in Abilene. His funeral service was on Monday, July 30 in Abilene, followed by a

graveside service in the Woodson Cemetery. Joe was born in Quantico, Virginia, the son of Joe Winn Crousen, Sr. and Ruby Earl Camp Crousen. He grew up in Breckenridge where he graduated from high school in 1959. He was forever proud to be a Breckenridge Buckaroo. Joe’s passion for the sport of football began at a young age. His high school football career was decorated with all-state honors when he played guard and linebacker on the 1958 state championship team that was coached by the legendary Emory Bellard. After high school, Joe attended San Angelo Jr. College on a football scholarship, and then spent a semester at McMurry University before going to Alpine to play football for Sul Ross State University, where he finished his B.S. degree and started

his coaching career as an assistant in charge of defensive backs. Coach Crousen touched the lives of many young men in all the years and all the places he coached football. His successful career saw stops at R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton, Big Spring High School where he coached under Spike Dykes, Athens High School, Deer Park High School, Mississippi State University where he coached for his mentor Emory Bellard, Ranger Jr. College, Clack Middle School, Cooper High School where helped lead the team to play for the State Championship in 1996, and McMurry University. During his career, he also coached in the Green Belt Bowl and the 1997 Texas High School All-Star Football Game. Joe was a lifetime member of the Texas High School Coaches Association, the Texas State Teacher’s Association, and the American Football Coaches Association. In May of this year, Joe was extremely proud and excited to be inducted into the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame. Joe enjoyed hunting, driving his bulldozer and ranching. He was an active member of the River of Life Church where he enjoyed serving as a host home for Anchor Groups. Survivors include his wife Barbara Crousen of Abilene; his children, Kevin Crousen and wife Emily of Abilene, Kerri Morris and husband Greg of Plano, and Tamra Hilborn and husband Charles of LaPorte; seven grandchildren, Stealey and Ruby Crousen, Cooper, Claire and Carson Morris, Foster and Levi Hilborn; and one brother, Guinn Dale Crousen and wife Betsy of Highland Park. ❖

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Office of University Relations1 McMurry Station Box 938 Abilene, Texas 79697

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PAID Lubbock, TX

Permit No. 49

M C M U R R Y H O M E C O M I N G 2 0 1 2OctOber 25-28, 2012

What can we say? With our new War Hawks mascot, a move to NCCAA

Division II, a major stadium renovation, a new partnership with Texas Chiropractic College—not

to mention being acknowleged as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for according to

a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education, McMurry University is...

Don’t miss these events!THURSDAY5:30 p.m. Wah Wahtaysee ParkSunset Ceremony & Tipi Raising

FRIDAYClass Reunion Dinners

9:00 p.m. Radford AuditoriumMcMurry Honors: Alumni Awards & Coronation / Bonfire & Pep Rally

SATURDAY6:45 - 7:30 a.m. Wilford Moore Stadium35th Annual McMurry 5000 Road Race

11:30 a.m. Bobby Lee Carter Throws Complex, west of football stadium War Hawk Warm-Up: PREGAME BBQ

Plus... EACH NIGHTHomecoming Musical Return to the Forbidden Planet