C O N T E N T S

2 From the President

4 The Converse Powerhouse in Banking

8 A Walk Through the Converse Website

10 Memories in the Making

12 An Update on the Campaign forConverse

16 A Fond Farewell to Retiring Faculty

18 Converse News

20 Faculty & Student AccomplishmentsHonor & Memorial Gifts

22 Alumnae NewsAlumnae Award Winners2002 Alumnae Board Slate

28 Club Events

30 Life Events

32 Class Notes

49 Upcoming Events

10Memories in the Making

18Converse News

2

from the presidentDear Alumnae and Friends:

As you read this issue of the ConverseBulletin, you will feel the energy,growth, and change we areexperiencing on this campus becauseof your extraordinary response to ourCampaign for Converse. There is muchgood news and progress to share!

Our 14,000 square-foot expansion ofMilliken Fine Arts Building is complete(pictured below) and will be dedicatedin honor of Justine V.R. “Nita” Millikenon April 18 in conjunction with the

annual Founder’s Day Celebration.Roger and Nita Milliken have had atremendous impact on Converse overthe past 40 years, and we are mostgrateful for their continuedcommittment to Converse’s success.

I am also pleased to share with you ourprogress on The Campaign forConverse: Building for the Future.With fourteen months left to reach ourgoal of $75 million, we have raised $70million. A special campaign update isincluded on pages 12-15. Even with ourgreat progress, I urge you to continue

The newly expanded Milliken Fine ArtsBuilding will be dedicated in honor of Nita

Milliken on April 18 in conjunction withFounder’s Day.

3

to support this effort. The last leg isoften the most difficult!

Now is a time of change on manyfronts at Converse. This spring wehave special plans to honor, recognize,and thank Joe Ann Lever, Dean of Artsand Sciences, and Marty Lovett, Deanof Graduate Studies, for their years ofservice to Converse. Both will retire atthe end of this academic year. Reflectwith us on their many contributions tothe College in our tribute to retiringfaculty on pages 16-17. A nationalsearch is underway for Dean Lever’s

successor. The search for Dr. Lovett’sreplacement will begin later in the year.

In other search news, finalists arecurrently being identified for the Deanof the Petrie School of Music. I amhopeful that we will have good newsto share with you on this position inthe next issue of the Bulletin.

In closing, I ask you to remember onemore important way that Converseneeds your help: REFER CAPABLEYOUNG WOMEN TO CONVERSE!We are encouraged by increased

inquiries for the entering classes of2003, 2004, and 2005. It is yourinfluence that makes the greatestdifference in our recruiting success, soplease continue to spread the word!

Converse strives to be the college of choicefor women in the South. Our top priorityof preparing young women for success isexemplified by the three alumnae you willread about in our lead article on pages 4 -7. May their stories, and those of countlessother Converse alumnae, serve as areminder of the invaluable role Converseplays in our world.

“We strive to be thecollege of choice for

women in the South.”

In Charlotte, NC, three young alumnaehave risen to the top to become apowerhouse in the banking industry.While at Converse, Candy Moore ’93majored in Business Administrationand Marketing, Carissa MostellerBurns ’88 majored in Politics andBusiness Administration with aconcentration in finance, and LindaLayman Redding ’88 majored in Mathand Economics. Today, their educationhas paid off and they are making theirmark on the world.

5

Linda - I agree. I never walk into a room andthink “Gee, I’m the only woman here” -although I often am. I never feel awkwardbecause of it and am never treateddifferently.

Carissa - The first time I actually worriedabout it was with my first pregnancy, but itwasn’t a problem. I actually went onto a 4-day work schedule for about a year-and-a-half after the baby was born. I was stilltraveling and working more than 40 hoursa week but did it all in 4 days. There arecompromises you have to make, but you cancome pretty close to having it all.

Linda - It was largely because of Carissa’ssuccess with her 4-day week that Iapproached the management in my divisionabout a flex time schedule to spend more timewith my child. The diversity issue is alsoabout acknowledging that at certain pointsin your life different things are going to haveto take precedence. I work more than a 40-hour week and carry a cell phone on Friday.

Other sacrifices include missing out on a lotof the comraderie. No more going out forbeer after work. I don’t have time for idlechit-chat and I don’t search it out anymore.

Candy - The diversity issue is a little bitdifferent for me. After graduating fromConverse, I was asked my first diversityquestion during a newspaper interview.They wanted to know how it felt to attenda college with so few minorities. I repliedthat I didn’t see myself as an African-American student, I’m a Converse Collegegraduate. It had never crossed my mindduring my four years as a student that Ishould be judged as an African-American.While in the workforce, I attended a three-day diversity leadership class that was aneye-opener because everyone haddifferent perspectives. I want to be judgedby what I can bring to the table and formy accomplishments, and I am atWachovia.

I don’t really consider that I’ve had tocompromise a lot for my career. I’ve alwayshad a plan for my professional life and haveknown what I wanted to do, and I have a“go get ‘em” mentality. I remember myfriends went to Florida for college springbreak while I worked on my resumé. Iwanted to be prepared.

Carissa - It also takes family compromise.

4

Please explain your roles at Wachovia.

Candy - I am Vice-President of Marketing/Employee Financial Services (EFS)Marketing Director. My role consists ofcreating and providing financial services tothe employees of Wachovia Corporation(about 95,000 employees) with theassistance of corporate bank partners. EFSprovides products and services formortgages, auto and home insurance,educational seminars, consumer loans, anddeposit products, to name a few. I begansupporting EFS in October 2000, but havebeen with the bank since July 1993.

Carissa - I am the Global Sales Manager forthe Currency Risk Management Desk. Mygroup works with the bank’s corporatecustomers to hedge their foreign currencyexposure and also to buy and sell thecurrency itself. Twenty-five employees inCharlotte and London report to me. We arein the process of integrating the LegacyWachovia and Legacy FirstUnion desks asa result of the recent merger. I have beenwith FirstUnion for 11 years; I started outon the credit side of the bank and moved tothe trading floor in 1993.

Linda - I run the loan market research group,which falls under the umbrella of LoanSyndications (part of our InvestmentBanking Division). Wachovia is the #6player in the domestic loan syndicationsmarket, which is a trillion-dollar market onan annual basis. We structure, or originate,large syndicated loans for our clients thatcan run in the billions of dollars. My groupconducts technical research on theunderlying fundamentals of the loanmarket. We watch trends to figure out whatthe hot markets are and help determine suchthings as the best time to bring a deal tomarket and the types of deals investors arelooking for.

Can you provide a brief explanation of howthe loan market works - in layman’s terms?

Carissa - In the large corporate market oneinstitution does not take on an entire multi-

billion dollar line for a company. That loanis made up of a group of banks and othertypes of institutional investors. The realmoney in that market is not found in takingon one of those small pieces; it is in actuallybeing the arranging institution who bringsall those investors to the table.

Linda, you said that part of your job wasto identify the hot markets. What are someof the tools that you use to do that?

Linda - Well, the really interesting aspectabout our job is that we are developing thosetools now. Not many of our competitorseven have a loan market research function.My philosophy is that when you are tryingto understand the market, you need to havean understanding of each individualtransaction that makes up the market at agiven time. There are companion marketsto the loan market, and you can drawconclusions and make inferences from whatthe companion markets are doing. Also,some of it is just common sense: the defensesectors are doing really well right nowbecause of the war on terrorism, for instance.

How does it feel to be in uppermanagement as women in a male-dominated field and what compromiseshave you had to make to get here?

Carissa - If there is a glass ceiling, I haven’thit it yet. I actually serve on the diversitycouncil, which is studying the metrics ofhow an individual - whether they be a male,female, or person of color - moves throughthe bank in terms of promotions,terminations, or choosing to leave. We wantto know if we are creating the rightenvironment for all people to be successful.Now, more than ever, the opportunities arethere for women. My first interview out ofcollege with an investment banking firmwas with all men, and one of the firstquestions I asked them was “where are thewomen?” If you had asked me this questionten to twelve years ago, I would have toldyou I was very concerned. I fear running intothe “I don’t have an MBA ceiling” more thanthe traditional glass ceiling.

THE CONVERSE POWERHOUSE IN BANKING

An Interview with Three Young Alumnae

76

Without support, real support, from myhusband, it would be impossible to juggleboth child and career.

Linda - And by support we mean not just“rah, rah you are doing a great job,” butthe willingness to pitch in and share whatneeds to be done. Quality childcare is alsocritical.

You say that there are great opportunitiesfor women. How would you advise collegestudents today to prepare themselves to takeadvantage of those opportunities?

Carissa - I think women undervalue mathand science skills. Women are often quitegood at math but think that they have tobe a math teacher or computerprogrammer, which is what I thought untilmy eyes were opened to the opportunitiesfor anyone who has those kinds ofquantitative skills. Part of the reason wedon’t have more women in my area of thefinance world is because women still shyaway from math and science.

Linda - A lot of what we do involvesworking on teams, reaching out to othergroups within the firm, and just generallybeing organized. Women are naturally verygood at working with clients and deliveringthe solutions. I need someone who can domore than add the numbers; I need for themto be able to tell me “why.” You can bebrilliant with numbers but if you can’t sit in

front of the CFO and explain to them whythey need to do something, then thenumbers don’t mean anything. Criticalthinking skills are important.

Carissa and I come to Converse about twicea year - once to talk to prospective studentsabout opportunities in our field and onceto interview a handful of selected Conversestudents for various positions. We arelooking for highly motivated girls who arebright, analytical, have strong academicrecords, demonstrated leadership, etc. Theones who are selected go through a highlycompetitive process to actually get an offer.Last year, Angie Brookhart ’01 was hiredby the Legacy FirstUnion Fixed Incomegroup as an associate in the DerivativesGroup. Students have a great opportunityin the investment banking field todaybecause you don’t have to go to New Yorkanymore. You can come to Charlotte andhave a Wall Street job.

How did your Converse experienceprepare you for your current roles?

Carissa - I think that young women gain agreat deal from single gender education.All the leadership roles around you areheld by women at an extremely importanttime in your life to have that type ofexposure. Much of that goes into oursuccess, as well as the experiences from thesmall classroom environment. I didn’t havea class with more than a few people in it.

And you had better be there, be prepared,and participate! I think that these twofactors together create a great incubator forsuccessful women.

Linda - I agree. You can’t hide behindanother person at a women’s college. I wentinto the training program after graduationat a commercial bank and when the teacherasked questions, the women just sat therewith their hands folded. I thought, “youknow the answer to that question becausewe went over it last night. Stick your handup and answer,” but the behavior was whatthey were accustomed to. Maybe women’scollege graduates don’t see gender when wewalk into a room because we weren’tprogrammed that way.

You should ask me how I got my job, it is agreat example of the “good ‘ole girls”network! My husband and I were living inDenver, and he had gotten a job in Charlotte.I knew that Carissa worked here, so I calledher. She forwarded my resume to someonewho was looking for a new employee, and I

received a call within 24 hours and had ajob offer within 48 hours.

Candy - I was interviewed by a Conversealumna as well. I signed up for theFirstUnion interview day on campus. Afterseveral rounds of interviews, I reached thefinal stages of interviews and ended upgetting a job offer. But it all began at

Converse. I am a big advocate of CareerServices and for internships. I think thatpractical experience does a wealth of good.

Do you see women playing more of a rolein the market? Are women more aggressivewith their finances?

Linda- I think so. My group is mostlywomen. Women will continue to be moreand more involved.

Candy - I think it’s a struggle. EFS andother corporate partners rolled out acorporate-wide seminar in October 2000called “Smart Women Finish Rich.”Almost 400 female teammates requested

700 workbooks. Our female teammateswanted to know basic financial planninginformation. The testimonials have beenoverwhelming. Women are becomingmore aware that we often survive ourhusbands, and many women are waitinglater in life to get married and havechildren. We would like to offer theprogram again and possibly take it toemployees all over the country.

Tell us briefly how you are involved inthe community and what that means to you.

Candy - I am a member of the Junior Leaguein Charlotte. My placement is called“Connecting Links,” in conjunction with theUrban League, and I tutor clients who aretrying to obtain basic life skills. Wachoviaprovides the job flexibility that I am able todedicate two hours each week to tutor.

I chose to become a member of a feworganizations where I can have a realimpact. Serving on Converse’s AlumnaeBoard has provided an insight, which isimmeasurable, into the operations of ourcollege.

Linda - Community involvement is actually

something I haven’t given up. I do the thingsat Converse that mean a lot to me. Recruitingis very important because I want otherwomen to have the opportunities I have had.I am in the Junior League as well, and that iswhere the majority of my community serviceis concentrated. My placement last year wastutoring at-risk kids through a communitycenter. The corporate environment is verysterile and doesn’t really get your hands dirty,but when you go sit with a seven-year-oldgirl who tells you she heard gunshots outsideof her window the night before and is prettynonchalant about the whole thing, it kind ofjolts you into the real world. It’s importantto be an active participant in any communityin which you live.

Carissa - Community involvement for merevolves around activities with my church.In fact, we specifically moved fromCharlotte to Belmont, a small suburb ofCharlotte, for a more active church/community life. We are also significantdonors to a number of charitableorganizations in Mecklenburg County: theUnited Way, the Arts & Science Council,Habitat for Humanity, and WFAE, our localpublic radio station. My husband issecretary for the athletic scholarshiporganization at his alma mater, AppalachianState University. Most of my personal time,however, goes to my two-year-old!

You have all achieved significant successat an early age. What are your future plans?

Linda - I think eventually that I would liketo get to a point where I can be a little moreinvolved in the community than I am rightnow; to play a more significant role there.Also to be a great mother and have a greathome life - that is far and away the mostimportant thing. I want to see mydaughter grow up to be a very successfulyoung woman. And professionally - thereis always something around the cornerthat you never imagined would be there

so it’s a little hard to say.

Candy - In my freshman philosophy class, Iwas asked where I wanted to be in twentyyears and I said in marketing for a bank. I’vealways had a long-range plan and wantedto do something that would be a challenge.Professionally, I want to see what is at theend of the road for our company. I thinkWachovia is a good company that will geteven better, and I really want to hang aroundto see what that looks like. I’m energizedby our new leadership.

Carissa - At some point in the future, I wouldlove to have a second career in either publicradio or education. Those are two things

that I have as much passion for as mycurrent career, but not enough hours in theday to do.

How do you define success in your lives?

Candy - For me it’s being happy, beingcontent, and spending time with my familyand friends. It’s the happiness within my soulof knowing that I am doing what I want todo with my life. I’ve had good people alongthe way who have coached me. I haven’ttraveled this road alone. I have a great family,great friends, and great mentors.

Carissa - Success is beyond careerachievement. It’s about personalsatisfaction, believing that you are doing thebest job that you can do at work, at home,and for the community.

Linda - My answer is similar. I think havingthe kind of home life that I have alwayswanted is extremely important. I didn’tknow exactly what I wanted to do when Igot out of school but I knew that I wantedto have a family and to be in the businessworld and be successful with that. Justhaving the life I want is success for me, andhaving done it on my terms.

CANDY MOORE ’93

CARISSA MOSTELLER BURNS ’88

LINDA LAYMAN REDDING ’88

A few of the Converse Website attractions include:

JOIN THE CONVERSE WEB COMMUNITYSign up to receive updates in your E-mail inbox from the Converse

website! You can customizeyour Web Community Profile,selecting the frequency ofupdates and topics you wish toreceive. Select your preferredcombination of news stories,sports scores, Connections, theConverse Bulletin, and more. Tosign up, click on this optionfrom the homepage. Joining the

web community is a great way to keep current on Converse!

ABOUT CONVERSEIn this section, learn why Converse is a great choice for womenof all ages; read about benefitsof attending a women’scollege; get a snapshotoverview of the College in“Converse at a Glance;” findmaps, directions, andaccommodations informationfor visitors; and getacquainted with the city ofSpartanburg.

ADMISSIONSProspective students can complete the online application to

a walk through theCONVERSE WEBSITE

www.converse.edu

The Converse Website has undergone adramatic transformation in the last year!If you have not yet seen the new look andgreatly expanded content, be sure to visit

www.converse.edu soon. The site hasbecome an interactive medium through

the additions of E-commerce, flashtechnology, and numerous online forms.

Additionally, plans for the near futurewill expand the interactivity and content

even more. The first goal, which is nearingcompletion, is to focus on all sections

that serve prospective students. Thesecond goal is to complete sections that

serve the Converse community, alumnae,and other constituencies.

8

Address: http://www.converse.edu/

Converse, submit theinformation request form formore information onprograms and other aspects ofthe College, find tuition andfees and financial aidinformation, view theschedule for upcomingcampus preview days andregister online to attend, meet

members of the admissions team and find the counselor fortheir area, and read a profile of the current freshman class.

UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMICSAn overview of Converse degrees, majors, and careerprograms can be found here,along with information aboutthe Nisbet Honors Program,Converse II, study/travelopportunities, internships,honor organizations, and theHonor Code. Resources suchas academic catalogs andcalendars, course schedules,Mickel Library, and theRegistrar are also found here.

PETRIE SCHOOL OF MUSICThe Petrie section is the most recent addition to the Converse

Website. Entry to the sectionbegins with an interactive flashpage that is guaranteed toprovide entertainment. Listento musical selections performedby Petrie students and facultyas you sweep your mouseacross the page to uncoverhidden images. Explore deeperinto the section to learn aboutthe undergraduate andgraduate programs, faculty,

performance opportunities, facilities, camps and clinics, and more.

STUDENT LIFE AND ATHLETICSMeet the All-Stars and check out game schedules and scores,view images of the new SallyAbney Rose Physical ActivityComplex, read the latest sportsstories, and join the All-StarsClub. The student life sectioncontains information aboutstudent activities, residentiallife, leadership and serviceprograms, and campus safety.

GIVING TO CONVERSEGive to Converse Collegeonline through our new,secure E-commerce system!The Giving to Conversesection has everything youneed to know about theCampaign for Converse, thenumerous ways to give, theConverse Fund, endowmentopportunities, and plannedgiving.

ALUMNAEThis site is for YOU, the Converse alumna! Register online forReunion 2002, view the schedule of reunion events, and evensearch to see which of your classmates have registered. Also inthe alumnae section, learn more about the alumnae studentrecruitment effort, visit the alumnae events calendar to view

upcoming events and picturesfrom recent events, sign up tooffer an internship at yourworkplace for a Conversestudent, update Conversewith your personalinformation changes andnews, meet the latest alumnaeaward winners and alumnaeboard members, and visit thecampus bookstore site to stockup on great Conversemerchandise.

NEWS & PUBLICATIONSRead current Converse news stories and explore the searchablenews archives. Did you know that the Converse Bulletin wasonline? Browse through current and past issues in this section.Connections , the onlinecampus newsletter, is a greatway to stay connected toConverse. Connections isposted every two weeks andcontains interesting andinformative stories on faculty,staff, and students, as well asa “closer look” profile of amember of the Conversecommunity, candid picturesfrom recent campus events,education and women’s issues in the news, career tips, and atrivia challenge. Also found in the News & Publications sectionis the Speakers Bureau, the perfect resource to find Conversefaculty who are available to speak to clubs and organizationsin the community.

> go

11

continue, the attention span and actual art quality of the patientclearly improve.”

Through the program, the patients achieve much more thanputting brush to canvas. “The patients are challenged to think,work on their physical concentration, and focus their energywithin safe boundaries,” said Merilyn. “They also receive a senseof achievement, and experience working within groups.”

The fact that the attention span and art quality improves isproof that the patient is very capable of in-depth expression.“Through their artistic works,” says Merilyn, “the patientsshow an amazing amount of information and eloquentexpression. Art is a very personal expression, and many of theMemories in the Making artists choose subjects that recallhappy memories of their lives, families, and friends. Theirartwork proves that there is a creative reserve that remainsdeep into the degenerative process.”

During March, the Converse Art Therapy Department and theUpstate Chapter of the S.C. Alzheimer’s Association showcasedsome of the patients’ works in an art exhibit and silent auctionon the Converse campus. More than forty pieces of art wereshown, and all proceeds from the auction were given to theS.C. Alzheimer’s Association.

“...many of the Memories in the Making artistschoose subjects that recall happy memories oftheir lives, families, and friends. Their artworkproves that there is a creative reserve thatremains deep into the degenerative process.”

Merilyn Field

10

Most people have different appetites when it comes to art.Some choose contemporary while others stay with the classics.Some are drawn by the fantasy of abstract, and some marvel atthe detail of rolling meadow scenes. Whatever the preference,art seems to be one of those rare ingredients that spark thewonder and fascination of people, regardless of age, gender, orsocial status. It is also one of the most widely used forms ofsimple communication.

In January 2001, the Converse College Art Therapy departmentinitiated a program to work with Alzheimer ’s patientsthroughout the Upstate in an effort to tap into the expressiveportion of their minds. “For many of these patients, paintingis one of the few ways to truly share their frustrations, theirmemories, their thoughts, and their dreams,” said MerilynField, Director of the Art Therapy program. “With each stageof Alzheimer’s, it becomes increasingly difficult for the patientto communicate.”

The program, called Memories in the Making, is the only one of itskind in South Carolina and is modeled after a California programbegun in 1986. Merilyn contacted Joyce Finkle of the Upstate chapterof the S.C. Alzheimer’s Association in late 2000 to gauge her interestin bringing the program to South Carolina. “The more we talkedabout it,” reflects Joyce, “the more we felt it would be a very

beneficial partnership.” Merilyn then conducted five trainingsessions for the facility activity therapists and Converse art therapystudents. “The training sessions were vital in that the activitytherapists were given a crash course in art therapy and the Conversestudents were given a general idea of what to expect when workingwith Alzheimer’s patients,” said Merilyn.

During weekly two-hour sessions, the Converse students workwith five to ten Alzheimer’s patients. “The patients are not toldwhat to paint, we just want them to express their emotions andthoughts,” said Carol Tait, a Converse II student. “We begin bygiving them colored pieces of paper and playing music fromtheir generation...basically just trying to stimulate the creativepart of the brain. The patients then move on to drawings andpaintings. Some works are completed in one session while othersare completed over the course of several sessions. As the sessions

MemoriesIN THE Making

MemoriesIN THE Making

Clockwise: Converse II student Laura Jutzi works with a Memories artist;Merilyn Field, Director of Art Therapy, and Converse II student Carol Tait

stand before the Memories in the Making exhibit; “The Colonel,” anAlzheimer’s patient and World War II pilot, concentrates on his artwork; NicoleVaughn, a staff member at an area Alzheimer’s facility, encourages a Memories

artist; and a Converse student enjoys the exhibit.

For every institution, there is a definingmoment. These moments offertremendous opportunities for progressionand can set the course of an institution forgenerations to come. For ConverseCollege, the $75 million Campaign forConverse is that opportunity.

The effects of the Campaign can alreadybe seen across the campus. Classes arenow being held in the Justine V.R. “Nita”Milliken Addition of the Milliken FineArts Building, the Converse All-Stars areenjoying their new home courts in theWeisiger Center at The Sally Abney RosePhysical Activity Complex, and finalarchitectural plans for the Phifer Scienceand Technology Building have beencompleted.

Yet the focus of the campaign is not onbuildings but on students. At theacademic level, Converse has establishedthe Nisbet Honors Program, moreConverse students are participating instudy/travel opportunities, and fifty newendowed scholarships have been created.Converse is involved in intensecompetition with other schoolsthroughout the country for giftedstudents and outstanding faculty, and thiscompetition will only intensify as theneed for higher education becomes moreimportant with each passing year. More

endowed scholarships, modernequipment, study/travel opportunities,and endowed professorships will enableConverse to achieve the level of academicexcellence expected by her students,alumnae, and friends.

The campaign has clearly caught theattention of foundations at both theregional and national level with recentgifts from:

• The Abney Foundation; Anderson, SC($250,000)

• The Broyhill Foundation; Lenoir, NC($200,000)

• The William Randolph HearstFoundation; New York, NY ($100,000 )

Converse is very proud to receive thesegifts and, with them, the “stamps ofapproval” and endorsements from theseprestigious organizations. With theirgenerosity, they signal their commitmentand belief in the Converse mission.

While it may be easy to think that onlylarge dollar gifts are important in thiscampaign, exactly the opposite is true. Asshown in the following pages, both largeand small gifts are essential to theCollege’s future. Private financial supportis critical if the College is to reach andfulfill her mission.

The momentum generated by theCampaign must be maintained in order toreach the goal of $75 million by June 2003.There has never been a more exciting timein the history of the College. The Conversefamily must seize this defining momentto ensure the College’s position ofleadership by participating in this effort.

WHAT’S INSIDE?Lecture studios

Darkrooms for photography classesFaculty loft studios

Computer-aided Design (CAD) labKiln and firing yardsAdditional art gallery

Historic preservation room

THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONVERSE... ONLY 16 MONTHS TO GO!

Update on the Campaign

A highlight of reunion weekend will be an art exhibition showcasing works byConverse alumnae. The exhibit will be held in the Milliken Art Gallery April 11-May 3, and will feature a diverse collection of disciplines, including a variety ofpainting styles, and two- and three-dimensional works. Among those participatingin the exhibit are Randolph New Armstrong ’62, Berry Bate ’75, Betty Jane Bramlett’47, Vivianne Lee Carey ’81, Nikki Caulk ’00, Donna Lowery Duren ’95, Claire PatrickEvans ’51, Gladys Going Faris ’53, Harriet Marshall Goode ’59, Ann Lanier Jackson’86, Elizabeth Lide ’69, Lisa Harris Meriweather ’68, Marilu Bloodworth Poole ’99, JamieLynn Robertson ’98, Sylvia Taylor ’93, and Genie Marshall Wilder ’56. The exhibitors willbe on campus during reunion weekend.

For more information, call Nancy O’Dell-Keim, Milliken Gallery Director, at (864) 596-9181.

Alumnae Art Exhibition

From the day she moved to Spartanburgin 1954, Nita Milliken has been a tirelessadvocate for Converse College. In 1986,the Southampton, N.Y. native wasnamed an honorary Converse alumna inrecognition of her long years of serviceand her loyalty to the College, whichincluded a term as vice-chairman of theBoard. She has also served on theBuildings and Grounds, MeritScholarships, Educational Affairs,Twichell, and Executive Committees ofthe Board. The Justine V.R. MillikenScholar Awards, which benefit fortyConverse students each year, are thehighest academic awards presented atthe College.

Nita has also been an advisor to theNational Trust for Historic Preservation,a Palmetto Lady, and a recipient of theMary Mildred Sullivan Award for selflesscommunity service.

Justine V.R. “Nita”Milliken

The Campaign for Converse is divided intothree primary goals:

$27 million for the endowment. A strongendowment reduces the College’sdependency on annual fundraising foroperating expenses. Endowment funds arenecessary for scholarships, faculty and staffsupport, and academic programs. To date,$19,600,000 has been given to in supportof the endowment.

$27 million for campus enhancementprojects. Within the past year, constructionhas been completed for the Sally AbneyRose Physical Activity Complex andWeisiger Center, and the Justine V.R. “Nita”Milliken Wing of the Milliken Fine ArtsBuilding. Projects that remain includeconstruction of Phifer Science andTechnology Building, and renovations ofresidence halls and Montgomery StudentActivities Building. To date, $23,856,770 hasbeen given in support of campusenhancement projects.

$21 million for theConverse Fund. Theseunrestricted gifts are thefinancial lifeblood of theCollege. Among otherthings, these funds canbe used for computerupgrades, librarybooks, and facultytravels to professionalconferences. The needs ofthe College require that aminimum of $3 millionbe raised this year.

Campaign Capsule

CAPITAL PROJECTS

$27,210,000

ENDOWMENT

$27,010,000

OPERATINGSUPPORT

$20,780,000

THE EXPANSION OF THE MILLIKEN FINE ARTS BUILDING

Nita Milliken

“Red Hot Blues”Randolph New Armstrong ’62

The Converse family mustseize this defining moment toensure the College’s position ofleadership by participating inthis effort.

“Venetian Gondolier”Lisa Harris Meriweather ’68

$75 million __

$70 million _

Progress to Date:$70 million

Randolph Macon Woman’s CollegeDavidson College

Furman UniversitySweet Briar College

Salem CollegeHollins University

Agnes Scott CollegeWofford College

Wesleyan CollegeMary Baldwin College

Presbyterian CollegeColumbia CollegeMeredith College

Converse College 24%

25%

30%30%

33%36%39%

43%46%

48%

49%

49%

53%55%

By building a strong endowment...Converse will be able to provide an excellent academic atmosphere while making new capital investments in programs and facilities.Strengthening the endowment will not only make Converse a healthy college that is financially prepared for the future, it will alsoenable her to keep pace with her peer institutions, many of whom have significantly higher endowments. There are numerous waysto actively contribute to the strengthening of the endowment:

• $25,000 for a named endowed scholarship which will become fully endowed when the fund reaches $350,000• $25,000 for a program endowment in an area that matches your interest, such as supporting the Writing Center, a Petrie

School ensemble, or a guest artist in residence• $25,000 that will endow a faculty/staff professional development fund• $100,000 for faculty excellence awards• $1.5 million for a Named Distinguished Professorship which will attract top scholars to Converse

Bee Maybank ’66 and her husband Tom wereattending the 2001 Thousand Thanks dinnerwhen they decided to take an active role in theCampaign for Converse. “I remember sittingwith all these wonderfully talented people whoare so committed to providing a soundeducation for young women,” says Bee.

The experience planted the seeds for whatwould become known as the Beatrice andThomas Maybank Endowed Scholarship, afull scholarship for Converse students in needof financial aid. In establishing thescholarship, the Maybanks hope to offset the

ever-increasing financial burdens for private college students. “Students who attendprivate colleges in South Carolina are increasingly in need of financial assistance becauseof less and less funding from the state government,” said Bee.

During their days as Converse students,Elizabeth Davis ’30 and Janie DavisGriffin ’30 were known throughout thecampus simply as the Davis Sisters. “Welived in Pell Hall and were as close as twosisters could be,” reflects Janie.

Elizabeth, who was diagnosed with polioat the age of nine, had a natural love forbooks and libraries. This interest led herto provide funding for the constructionand inventory of a library in Farmville,N.C. in 1954. Two years later, she lost herbattle with the disease that had grippedher for most of her life.

In 2001, Janie established the VirginiaElizabeth Davis Book Fund at Conversein honor of her beloved sister. The bookfund allows Mickel Library to purchasebooks and periodical subscriptions.

Ladson H. Beach understood the financial sacrifices parents must often make in providingtheir child with a private college education. Owner of a CPA firm in Orangeburg, SC, Mr.Beach was willing to make those sacrifices so that his daughter, Martha Beach Howard’80, could earn her elementary education degree from Converse College. “With threechildren in college at the same time, Iknow it was a challenge for Dad to sendme to Converse,” says Martha. “But hecontinued to do all he could to ensurethat I had the opportunity to earn mydegree in a setting where womenflourish.”

To honor the memory of her father,Martha and her husband Ken haveestablished the Ladson H. BeachEndowed Scholarship for Conversestudents in need of financial assistance.

The Beatrice Smith and Thomas H. MaybankEndowed Scholarship

The Ladson H. Beach Endowed Scholarship

The Virginia ElizabethDavis Book Fund

correlates directly to a healthyeducational environment for students,and addresses the College’s most urgentneeds that are at the very core of aquality liberal arts education. Tuitionand fees have never covered the entirecost of a Converse education, so theremainder of the College’s budget comesin large part from the generous annualsupport of Converse alumnae, parents,and friends.

“$12 million of the $17 million annualbudget comes from tuition and fees,”said Josh Newton, Executive Director ofDevelopment at Converse. “$2 millioncomes from interest earned byinvestments. That means that the $3million annual fund is needed to bridgethe gap so that we can address areas suchas student scholarships, computerupgrades, building renovations, librarybooks, and faculty travel to professionalconferences.”

Financial support from alumnae hasalways been a clear signal of theirconfidence in the mission of a college.And while year-ending numbers from

Janie Davis Griffin and Elizabeth Davis

THE GOAL: 40% Converse Alumnae ParticipationHOW CONVERSE RATES AGAINST PEER INSTITUTIONS TODAY

THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONVERSE... ONLY 16 MONTHS TO GO!

ENDOWMENT GIFTS AT WORK YOUR PARTICIPATION, NO MATTER THE LEVEL, IS KEY

For more information on endowment opportunities, contact Scott Rawles, Vice President forInstitutional Advancement, at (864) 596-9217 or via e-mail at scott.rawles@converse.edu.

Financial support fromalumnae has always been aclear signal of their confidencein the mission of a college.

2001 show that Converse had one of thehighest annual funds when compared toher peer women’s colleges, she rankedamong the lowest in alumnaeparticipation. “Last year,” says Newton,“our level of alumnae participation inthe annual fund was at 27%. Our goalfor this year is 40%.”

To date, $1.9 million has been givento the annual fund. $1.1 mil l ionremains to be raised in order to reachthe $3 mil l ion goal . Your gift ,regardless of size, is significant infulfilling the needs of the College, butnothing is as important as yourparticipation. To contribute to theannual fund, contact Josh Newton at(864) 577-2088 or via e-mail atjosh.newton@converse.edu, or giveonline at www.converse.edu.

A strong annual fund at Converse...

Give online atwww.converse.edu!

Click the“Giving to Converse”

link on the homepage.

Naming opportunities are availablefor many of the rooms in our new

buildings. Opportunities begin with a$25,000 gift spread over five years.For more information, contact Josh

Newton, Executive Director ofDevelopment, at (864) 577-2088 or viae-mail at josh.newton@converse.edu.

Put Your Name On It!

NOW

AVAILABLE!!

Data collected from U.S. News & World Report

Martha and Ken Howard

Tommy and Bee Maybank

”

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1716

joe ann levermartha t. lovett

I do not see how Joe Ann Lever can possibly retire: she has onlybeen at Converse for 40 years. In that time, she has served onvirtually every committee of the college, proved herself a mostable professor of biology, and taken on a variety of administrativepositions with confidence and competence. She has been Presidentof the Faculty Senate, Chairwoman of Academic Advisors, Co-chair of the Converse College Centennial Celebration, Director ofthe Office of Career Services, Associate Dean of the College ofArts and Sciences, and (finally) Dean of the College of Arts andSciences. I have worked with her as a colleague and friend in theseendeavors and consider myself especially wise to have asked herto be my Associate Dean in 1990. Joe Ann inspires students andfaculty alike with her commitment to women’s education, theliberal arts, and Converse College. When she told me of herdecision to retire, I said, “say it ain’t so Joe (Ann)” but, alas, in hertypical decisive way it was so.

Over the years, I have come to have great admiration for herenergy, commitment, common sense, and dedication to thecollege. Every provost should be so fortunate as to have a JoeAnn Lever to deal with the myriad issues and problems of collegelife. What I have admired most of all in the long list of Joe Ann’sprofessional abilities is her penchant for action. If there is a task,she gets it done; if there is a problem, she solves it; if there is aproject to initiate, she puts the wheels in motion. Here issomething else to commend: few of us in academicadministration know how to deliver bad news gracefully. JoeAnn has some innate talent for letting a student know that herwork is not good enough or letting a faculty member know thata request has been denied or telling a fellow administrator thatan idea just won’t fly-with such candor, compassion, andgoodwill that the recipient almost ends up thanking her.

Not long ago, the college arranged a surprise “Joe Ann LeverDay.” I recall that one of the signs put up in Sneakers declared“Dean Lever Forever!” For the many faculty and students whohave come to appreciate Dean Lever the administrator andDean Lever the person, she always will be “Dean LeverIndeed.” She has left her mark on Converse, largely by dintof hard work and exemplary leadership. All of us will missher enthusiasm, energy, and her ability to get things done. Aswe turn to new leadership for the academic program, a smallvoice will no doubt be heard echoing softly somewhere oncampus: “Dean Lever Forever!”

It is hard to believe that Dean Martha Lovett will be leaving her full-time position in August. A mere 16 years ago I brought her from theCollege of Mount St. Joseph in Ohio to be Associate Director of theGraduate Education Program and Director of Teacher Education. I knewright away that she would be the kind of dynamic and student-friendlyadministrator for which I was looking. During her time at Converse,she has served us in challenging roles, giving excellent leadership toour growing Graduate Education Program, Converse II, and ContinuingEducation. As Dean of this important unit, she has demonstratedoutstanding ability to develop creative academic programs, includingfour different graduate programs. Her leadership has resulted inremarkable growth in our graduate enrollments as evidenced by arecord number of 237 graduate degrees awarded last year.

Martha Lovett has received many professional recognitions duringher tenure at Converse. Her awards from Bowling Green StateUniversity and the South Carolina Association of Marriage and FamilyTherapy, along with the Phi Delta Kappa Service to Education Awardand the Kathryne Amelia Brown Teaching Award, are but a few. Herleadership in state organizations underscore the breadth and qualityof her service. Dean Lovett’s most important recognitions come from

grateful graduate students who have benefited from her kindness,generosity, optimism, and passion for learning and teaching.

While Marty will step down from her dean’s position, we plan to keepher working on some special projects on a part-time basis. I have beenprivileged to call her my colleague and my friend. We wish her well asshe takes on new challenges and adjusts to her new role at Converse.

“Marty Lovett has had a tremendous influence on my career. I amconstantly amazed at how often I listen to a presentation about aninnovative approach to teaching and think, ‘Dr. Lovett taught us that.’She is one of the most knowledgeable educators in South Carolina.“

-Ron Bagwell, Principal, Sanders Middle School, Laurens SC

“Dr. Martha Lovett has literally changed thousands of lives in SouthCarolina. Our education system is better because of her. Marty hasplanted seeds of success in school administrators throughout ourstate. There is no greater reward for an educator than to ‘pass it on!’”

- Angela H. Bain, Director of Personnel, Lexington Schools

“I cannot begin to express the good fortune that brought Dr. Lovett intomy professional life. She is a heroine upon whose shoulders I stand. Iam compelled to pass on to others the lessons of pedagogy, love of myprofession, and novel thinking that she helped to develop in me.”

- Gary Burgess, Principal, Pendleton High School

“Marty Lovett has made me a better teacher and in the process amore aware and compassionate person. Her insight and analysis ofeducation and life issues are a cornerstone of my beliefs on education.She may retire but she will always be a presence in my life.”- Charles Willis, Science Teacher, Carver Junior High School and Lt. Col. USAF (Retired)

Dr. James G. Harrison, Jr. came to Converse in1970 and brought with him impressive academiccredentials: an AB from the University of NorthCarolina at Chapel Hill, an MA from HarvardUniversity, an MSLS from Simmons College. Healso soon completed a Ph.D. in classics from theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Over his 32-year tenure, Jim has served thecollege in a variety of important ways. He hasbeen an exemplary professor of classics whilealso serving, from 1974 to 1992, as head librarian.While his students express admiration for hislove of the Latin language, his contributions tothe library have also been significant.

In recent years, Jim has continued his teachingwhile also taking on new responsibilities as first archivist at Converse.Both as head librarian and now as archivist, he has been involved invirtually all aspects of the growth of what is now called the MickelLibrary. We applaud and celebrate Jim Harrison for his manycontributions to the college, not the least of which has been the loveand care he has given to our gardens. He will continue as our archiviston a part-time basis in retirement, and all of us wish for him manymore opportunities to stop and smell the roses.

George M. Speed, the unretiring retiree,came to Converse in the fall of 1964 asChairman of the Department ofMathematics and Physics. During that time,he taught hundreds of students, and manywill remember the joys (and pain!) of hisadvanced mathematics courses. During the1970’s, as the country was discovering theimportance of computers for the collegecurriculum, George developed an expertisevia course work and self-education. Thisdevelopment led to the creation of computerscience courses and eventually a major incomputer science.

We soon found George’s expertise couldbenefit us beyond the classroom. In recent years he has servedexceedingly well as Director of the Computer Center. I have cometo appreciate George’s commitment to the college, his vastknowledge of computers, his wry sense of humor, and his helpfuland friendly nature. George has retired from classroom teachingand last year was granted the title of “Emeritus.” So in one sensehe has retired, but he keeps on serving the college as he movestoward a much-deserved full retirement.

“

”

“Dean Lever was the major reason I was able to attend Converse. WhileI was visiting for Milliken Scholars Weekend, my dad ate lunch inSneakers. Dean Lever joined him and my dad was so impressed withher knowledge and commitment to education that the reservations hehad about sending me 15 hours from home to college were erased.Dean Lever always knew when to push me academically or just giveme a hug if I had a bad day. The example she set as an educator and asa woman contributed greatly to the person I am today.”

- Kirsten Kerr ’94, M.D.

“Joe Ann Lever demonstrated leadership and earned our respect.Her lectures were business - if you snooze you lose; her tests werehard, but you knew that if you studied you could manage. Shelistened to all that was said before she made decisions. Sheunderstood the ridiculousness of/in life but she had the best laughand more energy and wonder than all of us put together. I havetried to follow her example...I still am.”

- Jan Hartley ’68, Captain, US Coast Guard

“Dean Lever has made an incredible impact on my Converseexperience. I have had the privilege of having her as my academicadvisor during my years here. She has offered her assistance onmy behalf countless times and has always provided a listening ear.Her advice and friendship have truly been a blessing.”

- Amanda Harmon ’02, biology major

“Joe Ann has been a mentor to me since my days as a student atConverse and will always be special to me. To this day, if I amconsidering an important career change, I contact Joe Ann. I rememberwhen I interned my junior year and came away disillusioned aboutwhat I had planned to do in the future. I commented to her that it wasmy worse Short Term at Converse, to which she responded, ‘No, itwas your best, because it let you know now, rather than several yearsfrom now, what you DON’T want to do the rest of your life.’ DeanLever also threw in lighthearted questions just to loosen things up abit on difficult exams. I remember an extra credit question in her killerzoology lab: she had a dissected frog wearing a bridal veil, and theanswer was ‘Froggie went a Courting,’ if I remember correctly.”

- Palmer Ball ’84, Business Manager, Spartanburg Day School

“It has been said that a teacher can shape a student, and a student canshape the world. The world is a better place for the countless numberof women Joe Ann Lever has shaped — among them mothers, nurses,doctors, teachers, scientists, and community leaders.”

- Bonnie Bailey Webster ’94, Adjunct Professor of Biology, Converse College

“This is the 20th year of my career in Occupational Therapy. Lookingback now, I know that I owe a great deal to Dean Lever for helpingto develop my abilities. During my years at Converse, I had theprivilege of being instructed by “Miz” Lever, who provided me asuperb education in biology. She also nurtured my self-confidenceand taught me that I was limited only by my motivation to learnand to do. She gave me a voice, and she urged me to pursue a careerthat would be both satisfying and rewarding.”

- Ann Lorenz ’80, O.T.R.

james g. harrison george speed

A FOND FAREWELL TORETIRING FACULTY...written by Dr. Tom McDaniel, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

converseNEWS

18 19

On February 5th, the Converse campuspopulation swelled noticeably asapproximately 950 theatre students froma ten-state region arrived to take part inthe Kennedy Center/American CollegeTheater Festival (KC/ACTF). KC/ACTFselected the Department of Theatre andDance at Converse to serve as host for thefive-day regional event.

For the theatre aficionados, there was a littlesomething for everyone: performances,competition for the Irene Ryan ActingScholarship, theatrical readings, plays in thetrendy 10-minute format, and a wide range

of workshopsand seminars onsuch topics asauditioning fortelevision and

Poet and fiction writer PeterMeinke served as the Sara LuraMathews Self DistinguishedWriter-in-Residence for January2002. He gave a reading onJanuary 15 and taught anadvanced poetry workshop forConverse students in the creativewriting program.

Meinke is author of twelvebooks of poems including “ZincFingers” (2000), which receivedthe SEBA Award for the bestpoetry of the year. His collection of short stories, The Piano Tuner, won the 1986 FlanneryO’Connor Award. His work has appeared in such magazines as The New Yorker, TheNew Republic, The Atlantic, The Nation, Poetry, and The Georgia Review.

Throughout the month of March, ConverseCollege joined the country in celebrating thecountless contributions women have madeto society. The Converse chapter of MortarBoard organized events throughout themonth designed to raise awareness ofdomestic violence. These events were part oftheir biannual PROBE symposium. The Rev.Dr. Marie Fortune gave the keynote addressfor the symposium. Well known throughoutthe country, Rev. Dr. Fortune founded theCenter for the Prevention of Sexual andDomestic Violence headquartered in Seattleand has written numerous books that includeViolence Against Women and Children: AChristian Theological Sourcebook (1996, withCarol Adams) and Love Does No Harm: SexualEthics for The Rest of Us (1995).

Other event highlights included appearancesby Photographer Lloyd Wolf, who gave aPhoto Documentary and Oral History ofJewish mothers; Dr. Jeanne Moskal, Professorof English at the University of North Carolina,who spoke of women and travel writing; andDaryle Ryce’s 10thanniversary concertat Converse.

film, physical training for the performer, thehistory of costume design, preparingdesigns, and improvisation.

“The regional competitions are normally heldin a larger university setting,” said John M.Bald, Associate Professor and Chair ofTheatre and Dance. “But the fact thatConverse was selected is recognition of thestrong commitment to KC/ACTF put forthby this department over the last seven years.”

Milliken Fine Arts Buildingofficially opens April 18.

The collection is internationalin nature, featuring art fromEngland, Spain, Mexico,Brazil, Holland, Germany,Belgium, Switzerland,Ukraine, Hungary, theUnited States and elsewhere.

Mac Boggs, chair of theDepartment of Art &Design, was instrumental insecuring the collection forConverse. “Milliken Galleryexhibited part of thiscollection in 1971.

Amazingly, I received a call from Dr. Tomsthirty years later in which he indicated hisintention to give it to Conversepermanently,” said Boggs.

Frank Toms selected pieces for his collectionbased on personal taste, and as a result theartists, styles, mediums, and themes arevaried. There are several works by Surrealistartists, including Dali, Miro, Paul Delvaux,Giacometti, and Rufino Tamayo (a Mexicanartist loosely affiliated with the Surrealists).Pop art is another area represented and

An art collection donated to the ConverseCollege Department of Art and Design willenable students and community membersto view works by some of the most famousartists of the twentieth-century withouthaving to travel to a larger city. Thecollection of fifty-two prints, given byformer Converse professor and Spartanburgresident J. Frank Toms, includes works byJoan Miro, Salvador Dali, Alexander Calder,and Helmut Newton. The prints will beavailable for public viewing when theJustine V.R. “Nita” Milliken Addition of the

includes works by Andy Warhol, Jim Dine,Allen Jones, Roy, and Mel Ramos. There aretwo works by Amsterdam artist Karel Appel,a significant member of the Cobra groupwhich was comprised of artists fromCopenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam.Other well-known artists include theAmerican Social Realist Raphael Soyer, andthe sculptor, printmaker Leonard Baskin.

Although he never studied art in college, itis clear that Dr. Toms has a natural eye forfine art. He grew up outside of Manhattanand often visited the Museum of ModernArt as a child. This, along with a book ofetchings he was given, encouraged his earlyinterest in modern art. Dr. Toms moved toSpartanburg in 1963 as a Spanish professorat Converse, where he taught for 21 years.He also taught photography, an interest hedeveloped while completing his Ph.D. atTulane University in 1954.

A Spartanburg native and former studentof the Alia Lawson Pre-College Programof Music and Dance, Ed Mitchell wasawarded Best Musical Album forChildren at the 2002 Grammy Awards.Ed was producer of “Elmo and theOrchestra” for Sesame Street.

Martin Aigner, Adjunct Professor ofMusic Media in the Petrie School ofMusic, also played a role in a GrammyAward-winning project. The 37-year-old

Austrian native servedas a sound engineer onthe “Johann SebastianBach: St. MatthewPassion” CD, which wasnamed Best ChoralPerformance in theclassical category.

Women’s HistoryMonth Celebratedat Converse

Converse Hosts Regional Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival

Women’s HistoryMonth Celebratedat Converse

Converse students Tiffany Thornton ’02, Anna Browning’05, and Nina Asbury ’05 competed for the Irene RyanActing Scholarship. Tiffany (L) and Anna (R) are shown

during their performance of The Memory of Water.

Workshops wereoffered during theKC/ACT Festival.These students arelearning the finerpoints of fencing.

Panelists from throughout the state participate inthe PROBE symposium. The red silhouettes in the

background were placed around campus to representS.C. women who were battered during 2001.

Stephanie Roach ’02reads during a

domestic violenceexhibition.

Peter Meinke: Self Distinguished Writerin Residence

Author Peter Meinke (back row center) is pictured with Conversestudents and faculty.

Department of Art & Design Receives Collection ofPrints by 20th Century Greats

J. Frank Toms sits in his living room, surrounded by some of theclassic pieces he donated to the Converse Art Department.

Converse Connections at 2002Grammy Awards

Top right: American Trotting Horses No. 2 by SalvadorDali. Above: J. Frank Toms meets with reporters as hiscollection is hung in the Justine V.R. “Nita” Milliken

Wing of the Milliken Fine Arts Building. Below: LeLezard aux Plumes d’Or by Joan Miro.

Top: Ed MitchellBottom: Martin Aigner

HONOR AND MEMORIAL GI FTSHONOR GIFTSGifts were made to Converse College inhonor of the following individuals(October 1, 2001 to January 31, 2002):

POLLY BUTLER CORNELIUS ’91Mr. and Mrs. Leonard C. Butler, Sr.

JANIS I. DENGLERMs. Josephine C. Cole ’84Mrs. Angela Wilkes Gage ’92Mr. and Mrs. Luther Lee LownMrs. Vera Lynn Kellum Sheets ’79

PRESIDENT NANCY O. GRAYMrs. Brenda Garner Lancaster ’02

MRS. ROBAH G. HEGGIE, JR.Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Ellsworth

(Gelene Duncan ’63)

MARJORIE L. HEGGIE ’83Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Ellsworth

(Gelene Duncan ’63)

GEORGE DEAN JOHNSON, JR.Allen & Company (Mr. Herbert Allen)

SUSU PHIFER JOHNSON ’65Mrs. Adair Phifer ArmfieldMr. Corry W. Oaks III

E. CLIFTON LANCASTERA. Angela Lancaster and

C. F. Muckenfuss IIIAndy and Jeff LuemMr. Carl LuemMr. and Mrs. Jason C.W. StevensBrooke E. Stevens and

Richard J. WilliganMr. and Mrs. Jason M. Stevens

ALIA LAWSONMrs. Byah Thomason Doxey ’48Mrs. Rebecca Ramsaur Pennell ’53Mrs. Richard Webb Thomson

(Lou Bomar ’39)

FAMILY MEMBERS OF DOROTHYFOSTER LAW ’40

Mrs. Dorothy Foster Law ’40

GAYLE G. MAGRUDERMrs. Elizabeth Blanton Lewis ’72Mrs. Catherine Hawkins Thompson ’88

ELIZABETH LUCAS MARCHANT ’36Ms. Elisabeth Lucas Marchant ’68

CARLOS D. MOSELEYDr. and Mrs. Eugene N. Crabb

JOSHUA R. NEWTONMrs. Brenda Garner Lancaster ’02

FRAZER S. M. PAJAKBob and Betsy Campbell

NANCY WELCOME PHIFER ’72Mrs. Adair Phifer Armfield

W. SCOTT RAWLESMrs. Brenda Garner Lancaster ’02

TARPON SHARKS ’72Mrs. Elizabeth Blanton Lewis ’72

MEMORIAL GIFTSGifts were made to Converse College inmemory of the following individuals(October 1, 2001 to January 31, 2002):

BLANCHE WINGO CHAPMANANDERSON ’36

Wellford Lyman Blue FlowerLiterary Club

Dr. and Mrs. W. Chapman Smith

RANGELEY TURNER BRUNSON ’48Mrs. Sarah Sherrill McGimsey ’48

JOHN STANLEY CARLYLEMr. and Mrs. Walter M. Brice III

FRANCES COLE CARLYLEMr. and Mrs. Walter M. Brice III

JIM AND TOOTSIE CLARKEMs. Mary Karen Clarke ’70

ALICE BURNETT CLEVELAND 1905Mr. E. George McCoin, Jr.

PATRICIA PECHE’ CORNELIUS ’62Mr. William F. Cornelius, Jr.

CONNIE DASHER ’65Mrs. Palmer Davison Ball ’84Mrs. Cornelia W. Pruett

KATHRYN LEMMON DIBBLE ’38Cynthia and Samuel Clarke, Jr.Mrs. Margaret Westmoreland Clarkson ’40Mr. and Mrs. A. Crawford Clarkson, Jr.Mr. O. Wayne CorleyMr. and Mrs. J. P. Moore IIIMr. Bob A. RymerBetty and Mike Waddell

SUSAN FARLEY ’66Jack and Melinda Kimes

GENEVIEVE MILLS GALLIVAN ’44Mr. Harold F. Gallivan, Jr.

DR. LEVERT G. GRAVLEEDean Joe Ann LeverDr. Carolyn Green Satterfield ’64Dr. and Mrs. Alfred O. SchmitzDr. Malinda Maxfield Tulloh

To make a memorial or tribute, please send the following information toThe Converse Fund, 580 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302

or give online at www.converse.edu

Please inform (Name): _________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ______________

That a gift has been made to Converse College

In memory of: ________________________________________________________

In honor of: __________________________________________________________

Occasion: ____________________________________________________________

By (Contributor’s Name): ______________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________ State: ___________ Zip: _____________

Phone Number: _______________________ Enclosed is my gift of $ __________

Make checks payable to Converse College.

Make Your Gift to Converse in Honor or Memory of Someone Special

20

faculty and studentACCOMPLISHMENTS ELIZABETH HUBBARD HARRIS ’22

Mrs. Nancy Harris Roberts ’48

ROBAH G. HEGGIE, JR.Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Ellsworth

(Gelene Duncan ’63)

IRVINE KEITH HEYWARD IVMrs. Jane Powell Crowder ’57Mrs. Mary Lib Spillers Hamilton ’57

CATHRYN VANN HOLMAN ’39Mr. and Mrs. Brown W. Johnson

(Elizabeth Thomas ’78)

SIDNEY HOLMES ’28Miss Mary Frances Morgan ’43

NANCY HARPER JAMES ’33Mrs. Lesesne Smith Dickson ’67

DALTON MARSH KINGMr. and Mrs. Walter Scott Montgomery, Jr.

(Betty James ’72)Mrs. Menelle Head Weiss ’75

J. B. KITTRELL, JR.Mrs. Susan Kittrell Higgins ’71

LUNETTE EPPS LAFITTE ’53Mrs. Ida Marcia Middleton Ragan ’53

JOHN S. LAMBERTDr. Malinda Maxfield Tulloh

THOMAS MOOD MARCHANT, JR.Ms. Elisabeth Lucas Marchant ’68

WILLIAM C. MAYFARTHMiss Alice Todd Alderson ’36

GERTRUDE CLEVELAND MCCOIN ’34Mr. E. George McCoin, Jr.

MALCOM P. MCLEANMrs. Barry Mitchiner Caldwell ’64

MARTHA HAMILTON MORGANMrs. Peggy Bradford Long ’49Dr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Weeks

CARRIE CATHCART OWINGS ’33Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Heriot Guess

(Julia Easterling ’39)Mr. and Mrs. Jim Johnson

(Adelaide Capers ’69)

DOROTHY ANN JONES POWELL ’56Mrs. Tolly Gilmer Shelton ’56

JOSEPHINE PRALLMs. Margaret C. Peach ’84

NANNIE MAY RAWLESMrs. Brenda Garner Lancaster ’02

WILBUR HAZEL REAMESDr. Malinda Maxfield Tulloh

LOUISA FARMER REAVES ’65Mrs. Mary Emily Jackson Vallarino ’65

ANNIE LOUISE SHULER ’35Elizabeth S. Pentecost and Family

WILLIAM HAMLET SMITHMrs. Roberta Thomas Smith ’59Miss Sarah Hemingway SmithMr. Michael Prentice Thomas Smith

LUCILLE COOPER SPEARS ’38Mrs. Ann Spears Wilburn Roddey ’62

LOUISE COOPER TINSLEY ’38Mrs. Ann Spears Wilburn Roddey ’62

FACULTY ACCOMPLISHMENTSThe Converse College Board of Trustees approved tenure and/or promotion for the following facultymembers beginning September 1, 2002:

James Harrison for Associate Professor EmeritusSteven Hunt for promotion to Associate Professor of TheatreEdna Steele, Assistant Professor of Biology, for tenureMelissa Walker for tenure and promotion to Associate Professor of History and PoliticsDouglas Whittle for promotion to Associate Professor of Art.

Mayo “Mac” Boggs, Professor and Chair of Art and Design, was selected to participate in thePixxelpoint International Computer Art Festival in Nova Gorica. 109 artists from 30 countries wereselected to participate in the festival, which was held in November-December 2001.

Melissa Daves Jolly ’69, Director of Alumnae, has been named Secretary of the South CarolinaAssociation of Alumni Directors. She will serve a two-year term.

The South Carolina Association of Teacher Education presented Dr. Martha T. Lovett, Dean of GraduateStudies and Special Programs, with the South Carolina Outstanding Educator in Higher Education award.

Richard Mulkey, Associate Professor and Chair of the English Department, recently completed amonth-long residence at Hawthornden Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland as part of his HawthorndenFellowship. Five writers from across the world were invited to work on the completion of new workwhile living in the castle. In addition, his poem, “Theoretically Speaking,” appeared in Frank: AnInternational Journal of Writing and Art, which is published in Paris, France.

Teresa Prater, Associate Professor of Studio Art, exhibited three of her handmade books at The SouthernUniversity Educators Book Arts Invitational at the American Museum of Papermaking in Atlanta, Georgia.

Cathy West, Associate Professor of French and Italian, received a grant from the South CarolinaConsortium for International Studies to fund continued research on women of the Maghreb, to presenther latest research findings at a conference in Tunisia, and to work toward developing an exchangeprogram with the University of Tunis.

Madelyn Young, Associate Professor of Economics, has been named Chair of the Department ofEconomics and Business.

STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTSSharon Atherton (graduate student), Lena Belcher ’02, Melanie Brown ’03, Yolanda Gregg ’04,Kristina Monroe ’05, and Leah Stokes ’05 were named to the South Carolina Collegiate Honor Band,and performed with the band at the South Carolina Music Educators Convention in February. Nowin its fourth year, the SCCHB originated at Converse College in 1998.

Renee Coffman ’02 has received a full scholarship from Princeton University. Renee plans topursue her Masters in Divinity degree.

Amber Dillard ’03 has been nominated to receive the USAA All-American Collegiate Scholar Awardand the National Collegiate Student Government Award.

Melissa Redding ’05 was the recipient of the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship. Only onerecipient was chosen from each independent college in South Carolina. The scholarship carries avalue of $5,000, and was awarded to Melissa because of her outstanding grades during fall term andher academic history throughout high school. One of the main requirements for the scholarship isthat Melissa is the first member of her family to attend college.

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AALUMNI COLLEGE IN SPAINJuly 1-9, 2002(Jointly sponsored by the Wofford College Alumni Office)

Southern Spain’s storied treasures will easily be accessiblefrom the lovely village of Úbeda, your campus abroadsite where accommodations include seven nights at thefirst class Hotel Ciudad de Ubeda. This trip includes threefull meals each day, informative educational programs,excursions to Córdoba, Czorla, Baeza, and Granada, andthe services of an Alumni Campus Abroad CampusDirector throughout your trip. To add an extra element ofexcitement, the Converse College Alumnae Office hasteamed up with the Wofford College Alumni Office to planthis travel opportunity. Cost: approximately $2,095 perperson, from Atlanta, based on double occupancy.

For more information, call Melissa Jolly, Director of Alumnae, at (864) 596-9055.

CANADIAN ROCKIES TRAIN TOURJourney through forests and mountains with waterfallsand breathtaking lakes in areas home to bear, elk, andother magnificent creatures. This adventure of a lifetimewill take you to Vancouver, Kamploops, Jasper, LakeLouise, Banff, and Calgary for nine days in late June andearly July 2003.

ITALIAN VISTASSample the good life on one of the most popular escorted tours of Italy. Travel throughRome, Capri, Sorrento, Florence, Venice, Verona, Milan, Stresa, Lugano, and Pisa forthirteen days in October 2003.

Look for more information on thetrips to Canada and Italy in future issues

of the Bulletin!

All classes are invited to...

April 26-28To register, call the Alumnae Office at (864) 596-9011

or register online at www.converse.edu by April 19.

Dear Alumnae,

I had planned to challenge each of you toincrease our level of alumnae giving bypledging to walk from my home inBirmingham to the Converse campus, withmy mileage based on each percentage pointof increased giving. Given that our currentlevel of participation in the 2001-2002 annualfund is only 24%, I would have worn outseveral pairs of tennis shoes had each of youresponded! Rather than issue anotherchallenge, let me issue a plea: EVERYALUMNA needs to help in the effort toimprove alumnae giving participation! Itrepresents the lifeblood of the College andthe one way that everyone can participatein the future success of Converse.

Not only does your gift help financially, butyour participation alone is critical inshowing foundations, donors, and peerinstitutions that alumnae stand behindConverse. Additionally, US News & WorldReport and other respected publicationsconsider alumnae participation in theircollege rankings. Even a $10 gift adds onemore person to the percentage of alumnaewho are reported as supporting Converse.Participation currently stands at 24%.Imagine what message that sends, asopposed to 80%, 90% or 100%!

I encourage you to take a look at the charton page 15. It is a sobering reality of howwe, as alumnae, support our alma mater incomparison to other colleges.

Spring is a time of new beginnings and isthe perfect opportunity to renew yourcommitment to Converse. Best wishes forhealth, happiness, and success this spring -in each of your lives and in the life of ourown Converse College!

Travel with the Converse CollegeAlumnae Association

Special Keepsakes for Converse Alumnae

A Pictorial History of Converse

Dr. Jeffrey Willis, Andrew Helmus DistinguishedProfessor of History, has compiled a pictorial historythat portrays how Converse has evolved over thepast 112 years. Dr. Willis draws from his 35-yearcareer at Converse in combining informative textwith many previously unseen photographs.Proceeds from A Pictorial History of Conversebenefit the Converse Alumnae Association.

A Gift that Benefits Converse Students:“Nothing Like an Old Friend”

Enjoy the heartwarming stories and toe-tapping songs of Converse alumna andrecording artist Daryle Ryce ’75. “NothingLike an Old Friend” was recorded atDaryle’s live performance at Converse inspring 2001 and includes her own renditionof the Converse Alma Mater. Proceedsbenefit the Hayward Ellis TheatreScholarship Fund at Converse.

Order forms can be downloaded from the Converse Website or submittedonline at www.converse.edu (visit the Specialty Converse Gifts page in

the Alumnae section). Orders will be shipped upon receipt.Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

The winter board meeting of the ConverseCollege Alumnae Association was heldFebruary 2-3 at Converse. The day was filledwith reports on strategic planning byPresident Gray, and presentations by Boardof Trustees Chair, Mary Rainey Belser ’69;VP for Institutional Advancement, ScottRawles; VP of Enrollment Management,Susan Ikerd; SGA President Mary DeGrawand VP Maria Perry. In the afternoon,Webmaster Julie Clarkson presentedadvances that have been made to theConverse Website (see article on pages 8-9).A report was made by Executive Directorof Development, Josh Newton, after whichboard members were asked to participatein a fund-raising “Thank-A-Thon” toexpress appreciation to donors who havealready been made to the Converse Fund.

After committees met, the boardreconvened and addressed the decision ofhow to utilize the money that would beraised that evening at the silent auction/dinner. The board voted unanimously toestablish a Converse Alumnae AssociationBoard Scholarship with funds raised. Asa result of the auction that evening,approximately $1,400 was raised toestablish the fund. At the April meetingof the Alumnae Association Board, theallocation process will be determined.

A big THANK YOU to all Spartanburg alumnae who helpedmake calls during the Admissions Phone-A-Thon in March!Alumnae called prospective students to encourage them tochoose Converse, which was very valuable in helping theadmissions office close the gap with high school seniors whowere still making their final college decisions. Talking witha Converse alumna helps to tip the scale because it providesan insider viewpoint of a Converse education and reinforcesthe College’s commitment to personalized attention.Alumnae who participated in this event made an importantdifference for Converse!

Local Alumnae Volunteerfor Converse

Converse Alumnae AssociationWinter Board MeetingAlumnae AssociationEstablishesScholarship

AlumnaeNEWS

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2002 ALUMNAE AWARD WINNERS

The Alumnae Association’s MaeElizabeth Kilgo Spirit Award ispresented to a graduate who haskept the spirit of ConverseCollege visible to other alumnaeand her community through herloyal service to Converse. Whileat Converse, Ann Davidsonparticipated in various sports,earned a Block C, and was activein the Student GovernmentAssociation as treasurer. She alsotook an active role in the collegemagazine, Concept, was elected toWild Thyme, served as co-editorof the College’s newspaper ParleyVoo, and was a charter memberof Crescent.

Ann’s current interest centers ongenealogy and family history. Aspart of her community service, shehas served as president of theChester County Historical Society,the Confederation of South CarolinaLocal Historical Societies, theChester Main Street AdvisoryBoard, and the Catawba RegionalHistorical Preservation. Ann hasalso served as a trustee for theChester County Library, and servedthe Chester Chamber of Commercein several capacities. She has servedas president of the Wofford CollegeParents Association, vice-presidentof the Converse College AlumnaeAssociation, and class representativefor the class of 1947 for many years.

Ann married Malcolm L. Marion,Jr., M.D. in 1948. They have fourchildren. Her granddaughter,Jane, is a sophomore at Converse.

The Distinguished AlumnaAward is given each year to aConverse alumna in recognitionof outstanding achievement inher field, service to hercommunity or society, andloyalty to Converse. Withoutdoubt, Grace Beacham Freemanis deserving of this award.

Grace’s career has beencharacterized by her passion forthe written and spoken word.Her early poems appeared invarious journals, including theSaturday Evening Post. In 1951, anumber of her poems werecollected in a small “envelopebook” entitled Children Are Poetry.From 1954-1964, her feature, AtOur House, was distributed byKing Features Syndicatethroughout the US and Canadathree times a week. In 1976, herNo Costumes or Masks won BestBook by a South Carolina Poet.In 1985, Governor Richard Rileyappointed Grace to serve as PoetLaureate for the state. Grace waspresented with an honorarydegree from St. AndrewsPresbyterian College in NorthCarolina, and in 1992, she wasgiven the Fortner Writers ForumAward. Grace has madeappearances at The KennedyCenter for Arts in Education, TheMaastricht Arts Center (TheNetherlands), and Chumley’s (NY).

Grace and her husband, John A.Freeman, Ph.D., live in NorthCarolina. They have four children.

Phot

o tak

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Jim

Cald

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The Career Achievement in MusicAward is presented to CarlisleFloyd. One of the foremostcomposers and librettists of operain the United States today, Carlislefirst achieved national prominencewith the New York premiere of hisopera, Susannah, by the New YorkCity Opera in 1956 after its worldpremiere in 1955. Floyd’s operasare regularly performed in thiscountry and in Europe; at least twoof them have entered thepermanent operatic repertoire.

Recently, the composer has gainedincreasing attention for his non-operatic works. 1993 saw the NewYork premiere of Floyd’sorchestral song cycle, Citizen ofParadise, based on poems andletters of Emily Dickinson. Floyd’slatest opera, Cold Sassy Tree,premiered at Houston GrandOpera in April 2000.

Floyd has been the recipient of anumber of honors and awards: aGuggenheim Fellowship (1956);Citation of Merit from theNational Association of AmericanConductors and Composers(1957); and the Ten OutstandingYoung Men of the Nation Awardfrom the U.S. Junior Chamber ofCommerce (1959). He served onthe Music Panel of the NationalEndowment for the Arts from1974-80 and was the firstchairman of the Opera/MusicalTheater Panel when thatprogram was created by theEndowment in 1976.

Mae Kilgo Spirit AwardAnn Davidson Marion ’47Mae Kilgo Spirit AwardAnn Davidson Marion ’47

Distinguished Alumna AwardDr. Grace Beacham FreemanDistinguished Alumna AwardDr. Grace Beacham Freeman

Career in MusicAchievement Award

Carlisle Floyd ’47

Career in MusicAchievement Award

Carlisle Floyd ’47The Community Service Award ispresented to a Converse alumnawho displays qualities of a vibrantcitizen, evidenced throughinvolvement in her community,church, and state. Lydia WillardKellett ’62 is most deserving of theaward. Throughout her life, shehas been devoted to improvingthe lives of those not only in hercommunity, but also throughoutthe world. Children, education,and poverty stricken families havealways been important missionareas for Lydia.

Shortly after graduating fromConverse with a B.A. in education,Lydia served on the Board of theJunior League in Greenville. Lydiaand her husband, Dr. William (Bill)W. Kellett, have formed an effectivemission team, serving as fosterparents. Together they have helpedto stabilize infants born withaddictions, performed crisisintervention, and provided short-term care for children.

As a ruling elder of WestminsterPresbyterian Church in Greenville,she has been involved with localand international church missionsfor 15 years. Each year, she and Billtravel to a developing country formedical mission work. This workhas taken them to Africa, SouthAmerica, and Central America. Forthe past several years, Lydia has ledcommunity groups in developinga center for education and healthcare in an impoverishedneighborhood in Greenville.

Community Service AwardLydia Kellett ’62

Community Service AwardLydia Kellett ’62

An alumna who has actively andadmirably served Converse inthe area of recruitment is giventhe Converse Star Award. Thisyear’s recipient is Sandra SherardBethea. Sandra received her B.S.degree in psychology fromConverse, and continued herpostgraduate studies at VirginiaCommonwealth University.

While actively involved in hercommunity, Sandra has been atireless champion for Converse.She has written numerousletters to prospective studentsin the Midlands area of SouthCarolina encouraging them toconsider Converse. In 1987, sheestablished the Sandra SherardBethea Endowed Scholarship inan effort to provide financialassistance to Converse students.Sandra has also served on theConverse Alumnae Board, andis a former class of ’67representative.

Her efforts of communityinvolvement include serving onthe Baptist Hospital MedicalFoundation, the Baptist Women’sBoard, and Hammond SchoolParents Association. Sandra hasserved as deacon, elder, and 1stvice-moderator for EastminsterPresbyterian Church. She has alsocompleted mission work in Brazil.

Sandra and her husband, Robert P.Bethea, live in Columbia, S.C. Theyhave two sons, two daughters-in-law, and one grandson.

First presented during theCollege’s Centennial, theConverse 100 Award is given toalumnae who clearly representthe qualities of character andachievement that Conversealumnae hold as their ideal.With her selfless giving tocommunity service projects,Kay Wyatt Cheves is mostdeserving of this award.

Since graduating fromConverse, Kay has beenheavily involved in her localcommunity of Greenville, S.C.Kay is a member of JuniorLeague of Greenville, and hasserved as chairman of severalcommittees for the group since1969. She has also served aspresident of the Christ ChurchEpiscopal School Parents’Organization, and is currentlyserving as a member of theUndershepard Program atFirst Presbyterian Church inGreenville.

Kay has also been true to her almamater by serving as a member ofthe Alumnae Board, Board ofVisitors, and as class agent for theannual fund. She served aschairman of the Parents AdvisoryCouncil and Ex-Officio Memberof the Board of Trustees.

Kay and her husband,Langdon Cheves, Jr., live inGreenville. They have threechildren: Langdon, Kathryn,and Caroline.

Converse 100 AwardKay Wyatt Cheves ’67Converse 100 AwardKay Wyatt Cheves ’67

Star AwardSandra Sherard Bethea ’67

Star AwardSandra Sherard Bethea ’67

Each year, Converse salutes analumna who has dedicatedherself to excellence in herprofession and has distinguishedherself by notable achievementover a continual period of time.Phyllis Perrin Harris ’82 earneda B.A. in politics from ConverseCollege and a Juris Doctor degreefrom the University of FloridaCollege of Law in 1985.

In 1986, Phyllis accepted a positionwith the Department of Health andHuman Services in Atlanta. Later thatyear, she served as a staff attorney forthe US Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA), Region 4 in Atlanta,handling matters involving theComprehensive EnvironmentalResponse, Compensation, andLiability Act (CERCLA).

In 1994, she was named RegionalCounsel and Director for the USEPA’s Region 4, a post she maintainstoday. Her responsibilities includeserving as chief legal counsel toregional program managers on allaspects of EPA’s environmental,employment, labor, and grantsprograms. She was presentedwith the 2001 Presidential RankMeritorious Executive Award byPresident George W. Bush inrecognition for “long-termresults, consistency, integrity,strength, and commitment toexcellence in public service.”

Phyllis and her husband,Raymond Todd Harris, live inAtlanta with their three children.

Career Achievement AwardPhyllis Perrin Harris ’82

Career Achievement AwardPhyllis Perrin Harris ’82

For her embodiment of the qualitiesof character and achievement,Evelyn “Patti” Moore McGee ’57has been chosen to receive theConverse 100 Award. Sincegraduating from Converse with aB.A. in history, Patti has lived inCharleston, SC, where she has beenactive in historic preservation andhorticultural activities.

She is a past president of the JuniorLeague of Charleston and theWomen’s Council of the CarolinaArt Association. She served aschairman of the Charleston Artsand History Commission and thecity’s Tourist ManagementCommission. Patti was influentialin the early stages of the SpoletoFestival and served on thefestival’s Board of Directors. Sherepresented SC on the NationalTrust for Historic PreservationBoard of Advisors and waschairman of the host committeewhen the Trust held its annualmeeting in Charleston in 1990.

Since the late ’80s, gardening andgarden-related activities have beenher principal interest. She sits on theboard of the Garden Conservancy,a national organization committedto the preservation of privategardens. More recently, Patti hasbeen active as a founding memberof the Charleston HorticulturalSociety and serves on its board.

Patti and her husband, Joseph H.“Peter” McGee, have two childrenand three grandchildren.

Converse 100 AwardEvelyn “Patti” Moore

McGee ’57

Converse 100 AwardEvelyn “Patti” Moore

McGee ’57

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ALUMNAE BOARD SLATE2002President-Elect

Carroll Sibley Clancy ’71, Raleigh, NC● Raleigh Converse Club Chair and

Converse Class Fund Chair● 1970’s Decade Representative on the

Alumnae Association Board● Board member, North Carolina Museum

of Natural History

1st Vice-President andNominations Committee ChairJane Manning Hyatt ’93, Spartanburg, SC● District Sales Manager for Prentice Hall● Member, Junior League of Spartanburg● M.Ed. from Converse in 1998

2nd Vice-President andNational Club ChairSandra Sherard Bethea ’67, Columbia, SC● Office Manager and Receptionist in the

office of her husband, Dr. Robert Bethea● Deacon and Elder, Eastminster

Presbyterian Church● Former Class Representative and 1960’s

Decade Representative on the AlumnaeAssociation Board

CARE ChairLibby Ann Kepley Inabinet ’86, Columbia, SC● Reading Specialist, Meadowfield

Elementary School● Vice President for Community, Junior

League of Columbia● 1980’s Decade Representative, Alumnae

Association Board

SecretaryCandy Moore ’93, Fort Mill, SC● Vice President of Marketing, Wachovia

in Charlotte, NC● Employee Financial Services Marketing

Director● Member, Junior League of Charlotte

1940’s Decade RepresentativeChristie Zimmerman Fant ’41, Columbia, SC● Retired from the South Carolina

Department of Archives and History asassistant director for historical programs

● Active member, Trinity EpiscopalCathedral

● Board member, Archives and HistoryFoundation

1950’s Decade RepresentativeBette Hubbard Wakefield ’50, Spartanburg, SC● Sustainer and former president, Junior

League of Spartanburg● Master gardener● Avid traveler

1960’s Decade RepresentativeHarriet Messer Goldsmith ’69, Greenville, SC● Christ Church Episcopal , Junior Warden

of the Vestry● Board member, Peace Center for the

Performing Arts● Volunteer, Metropolitan Arts Council

1970’s Decade RepresentativeKaren Clarke ’70, Tampa, FL● Retired owner and Vice-President,

Peninsular Paper Company● Sustaining member, Junior League of Tampa● Supporter of nature and the environment,

outdoor enthusiast

1970’s Decade RepresentativeGrazier Connors Rhea ’74, Rock Hill, SC● Community Development Director,

Catawba Regional Council of Governments● Past President, South Carolina

Community Development Association● Founding member, Past President and

current Board member of Historic Rock Hill

1980’s Decade RepresentativePalmer Davison Ball ’84, Spartanburg, SC● Business Manager, Spartanburg Day

School● Board member, Stop the Violence and

Converse Heights NeighborhoodAssociation

● Former President and Treasurer, EllenHines Smith Girls’ Home

1980’s Decade RepresentativeClaudia Barton Coleman ’82, Greenville, SC● Converse Class Representative● Active member, Christ Episcopal Church

and Vice President of the Altar Guild● Board member, Beck Middle School and

J. L. Mann High School

1980’s Decade RepresentativeAnn Lanier Jackson ’86, Jacksonville, FL● Quilt artist, Past President Honeybee

Quilt Guild, Jacksonville, FL● Former Class Representative, Current

Class Fund Chair● Adult Education Facilitator, All Saints

Episcopal Church

1990’s Decade RepresentativeErin Rich ’98, Spartanburg, SC● Senior Audit and Tax Accountant, Swaim

Brown & Elliott PA● Member, Junior League of Spartanburg● Treasurer, Artist Guild of Spartanburg

1990’s Decade RepresentativeHeather Eldridge ’97, Columbia, SC● 8th Grade Reading/Language Arts

Teacher, Hand Middle School● Provisional Member, Junior League of

Columbia● Current Converse Class Representative

1990’s Decade RepresentativeCharlotte Page ’91, Brevard, NC● Director, Rockbrook Camp for Girls,

Brevard, NC● Graduate, National Outdoor Leadership

School● Owner/Designer of C-Saw Productions,

specializing in creative garden art andfurniture

Golden Club RepresentativeMarianne Ellison Bartram ’49, Spartanburg, SC● Former math teacher, Columbia,

Pendleton, and Lancaster● Retired math teacher, Greenville

Technical College● Former Deacon, First Baptist Church of

Greenville, SC

Converse IIPam Whiteside ’01, Tryon, NC● Psychology major● Planning to go to graduate school

At-Large MemberMary Helen Richbourg Earle ’85, Greenville, SC● Immediate Past 2nd Vice-President and

National Club Chair, AlumnaeAssociation Board

● Airplane pilot with commercial multi-engine license

● Member, St. Mary’s Catholic Church choir

At-Large MemberLydia Wood ’92, Atlanta, GA● Atlanta Converse Club Chair● Recruiting and Management Staffing

Coach, BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.● BellSouth Pioneer volunteer and Hands

On Atlanta Volunteer

At-Large MemberBet Kenan Hamilton ’83, Spartanburg, SC● Board member, Spartanburg Day School● Immediate past chairman, Converse

Alumnae Recruitment Effort (CARE)● Former Converse Class Fund Chair

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C L U B E V E N T S

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C L U B E V E N T SRefer a Student to Converse

Name of Student____________________________________________Address________________________________________________________________________________________Telephone _______________________________Name of High School____________________________________________Year of High School Graduation _____________Areas of Interest ______________________________________________________________________Any Relationship to Converse________________________________________________________________________________________

Join the Converse NetworkPlease check areas in which you are interested.

___ Alumnae Board___ Development/Fundraising___ Class Representative___ Converse Clubs___ Serve on an Alumnae Telephone

Committee___ Assist Admissions with Student

Recruitment___ Provide an Internship Opportunity for

Current Students___ Host Reception for Prospective Students___ Attend a College Fair___ Call Prospective Students___ Provide Contacts with Hiring Personnel

Alumnae Information UpdatePlease include relevant dates and information inorder for your life event to be published. Please

type or print all information.

Name (first, maiden, last)____________________________________________Class year ________________________________Street address ____________________________City ______________________________________State ________________ Zip code ____________Home phone _____________________________Work phone _____________________________Email ____________________________________

Vacation address

Street address ____________________________City ______________________________________State ________________ Zip code ____________

ANDERSON, SCMelissa Henderson Pickens ’95, club chair in Anderson,planned an alumnae luncheon on Thursday, February7 at the Anderson Country Club. Dr. Jeff Willis gave aprogram on “Converse in Pictures” from his new book,Converse College: A Pictorial History.

Photo #15: Pictured from l to r: Amelia TownsendAlexander ’53, Melissa Daves Jolly ’69, Josh Newton,Melissa Henderson Pickens ’95, Nell Taylor, Amy PrevostBrickle ’84, Velma Hood Mayer ’24, Jane Gray WilliamsSuggs ’55, and Dr. Jeff Willis.

ROCK HILL, SCSusan Amos Herron ’88, club chair in Rock Hill,planned a luncheon at the City Club of Rock Hill onWednesday, February 13, 2002. The program featuredRock Hill native, Jane McCollum Marion, Conversesophomore, as speaker.

Photo #16: Pictured from l to r: Ann Davidson Marion ’47,Dr. Malcolm and Jeannie Marion, Sarah Whitfield Marion,Harriet Marshall Goode ’59, Totty Brooks Wilkerson ’64,Nancy Steed Powell ’58, Joyce Adams Spencer ’57, FeenyDunlap Galloway ’51, Wesley Smith Poe ’58, MildredRobards ’54, Jane Beasley Moore ’54, Betsy ShepherdAncrum ’54, Rose Marie Platt Ellison ’50, Ann RatterreeHerlong ’51, Lucy Robinson Hemphill ’56, Mary Jo TurnerStone ’49, Margaret Jackson Bundy ’54, Dicksie Mims Ward’56, Grazier Connors Rhea ’74, Sally Herlong ’81, SusanSecord Marion ’80, Lorie Secord, Sherry Anne Blumer Gettys’78, her mother, Katie Blumer and daughter, Charlotte Gettys,Laura O’Neal Mauldin ’35, Susan Amos Herron ’88, JaneMarion ’04, Josh Newton, and Melissa Daves Jolly ’69.

ADAPT MEETINGConverse hosted the ADAPT (Alumnae Directors andAssociation Presidents Together) meeting this year onNovember 9-11, 2001. Colleges represented: CedarCrest College, Chatham College, Converse College,Hollins University, Hood College, Mary BaldwinCollege, Meredith College, Randolph-Macon Woman’sCollege, Salem College, Sweet Briar College, WellsCollege, Wesleyan College, and Wilson College.Member colleges that were not present: Agnes ScottCollege and Newcomb College.

ASHEVILLE, NCPresident Nancy Gray and Melissa Daves Jolly ’69 hadlunch with alumnae at the Deerfield RetirementCommunity in Asheville, NC on November 7, 2001.

Photo # 17: Pictured from l to r: Eleanor Gibson Smith’37, President Nancy Gray, Volina Cline Valentine ’32,(hostess) Carolyn Byrd Tipton ’51, and Ruth Paddison ’47.

ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETINGThe Converse College Alumnae Association Board meton campus for the winter meeting on February 2-3, 2002.

Photo #18: Pictured from l to r: Front row, Berry Bate ’75,Betty Arthur Hardaway ’71, Jane Manning Hyatt ’93, ErinRich ’98, Karen Clarke ’70, Catherine Cranford ’96, MiriamCreech Brice ’86, Carroll Sibley Clancy ’71, ElizabethSimons. 2nd row: Gelene Duncan Ellsworth ’63, MaryHelen Richbourg Earle ’85, Polly Hill Woodham ’51, MaryAlice Ingram Busch ’50, Chesnut Clarke Allen ’94, LydiaWood ’92, Bet Kenan Hamilton ’83, Libby Anne KepleyInabinet ’86, Elise Warren ’75. Back row: Mary FrancesMorgan ’43, Melissa Daves Jolly ’69, Sandra SherrardBethea ’67, Candy Moore ’93, Bobbie Daniel ’71, and MindyThompson Orman ’71.

ROANOKE, VAAlumnae in Roanoke met for lunch withPresident Nancy Gray at the HotelRoanoke on Tuesday, October 26, 2001.

Photo #1: Pictured from l to r: Judy CogginsDeyerle ’61, Sara Stonesifer Airheart ’49, AnneRoberts Hooe ’75, Meesie Morrett Hutcheson’38, Eula Ligon Rosenberger ’63, Lib HarrisHobbie ’42, Margaret Jarrett Morris ’45, LauraTerry Norris ’53, Margaret McGowanRobertson ’52, Peggy Robertson Robinson ’48,Bettie Jenkins Senter ’42, Cathy Roy Stone ’66,Kay Van Allen ’70, Alice King Whitescarver’43, and Harriette Purdy Williams ’42.

WINSTON-SALEM, NCGlenn and Ruthlee Phillips Orr ’62hosted the Campaign Kick-off event intheir home on Tuesday, October 16, 2001.

Photo #2: Pictured from l to r: Josh Newton,Ann Fulton Walker ’76, Melissa Daves Jolly’69, Ruthlee Phillips Orr ’62, Glenn Orr,President Nancy Gray, Jenny Kimbrel Bunn’67, and Jim Bunn.

RICHMOND, VAConner and Brenda Burke McGehee ’64hosted the Campaign Kick-off event intheir home on Thursday, October 18, 2001.

Photo #3: Pictured from l to r: Dr. ByronMcCane, Associate Professor of Religion andPhilosophy at Converse; Conner and BrendaMcGehee; and President Nancy Gray.

CHARLESTON, SCWayland and Marion Rivers Cato ’65hosted the Campaign Kick-off event intheir home on Tuesday, October 23, 2001.

Photo #4: Pictured from l to r: Wayland andMarion Cato; Scott Rawles, V-P forInstitutional Advancement; and Josh Newton,Executive Director of Development.

BIRMINGHAM, ALMike and Gillian White Goodrich ’68hosted the Campaign Kick-off event intheir home on Monday, October 29, 2001.

Photo #5: President Nancy Gray and GillianWhite Goodrich at the event in Birmingham.

MONTGOMERY, ALDabney Hunter McKenzie ’76 hosted aConverse luncheon in her home onTuesday, October 3, 2001.

Photo #6: Pictured from l to r: Lucy FinleyJackson ’49, Menelle Head Weiss ’75,President Nancy Gray, Martha BeasleyCassels ’53, Dabney Hunter McKenzie ’76,Mary Ward Wisnewski ’78, Elise Warren’75, Jane Murray Massey ’79, and LeeHolmes ’94.

MOBILE, ALAlumnae in Mobile met for a receptionat the home of David and Kay Watt Clark’78 on Tuesday, October 30, 2001.

Photo #7: Pictured from l to r: Winkie Giddens Greer ’62,Julie Phifer Murry ’57, and Kay Watt Clark ’78.

COLUMBIA, SCThe Columbia Campaign Kick-off event was held onTuesday, November 13, 2001 at The Palmetto Club.

Photo #8: President Nancy Gray addressed alumnae inColumbia at the Palmetto Club.

CHARLOTTE, NCPatty O’Hearon Norman ’69 hosted the CharlotteCampaign Kick-off event in her home on Thursday,November 15, 2001.

Photo #9: Pictured are: President Nancy Gray and AlumnaeAssociation Board member, Candy Moore ’93 and her guest.

GOLDEN CLUB LUNCHEONThe Spartanburg Golden Club met for lunch onSunday, November 18, 2001. Golden Club membersenjoyed the buffet and speaker Bill Barnet, Chairmanof the Campaign for Converse, Building for theFuture. Members of the Converse GranddaughtersClub attended and helped with the luncheon.

Photo #10: Bill Barnet, speaker

SPARTANBURG, SCPresident Nancy Gray and Mary Rainey Belser ’69,Chairman of the Board of Trustees, hosted a ChristmasCheer event in Main Hall before the Festival of Lessonsand Carols in Twichell on Monday, December 3, 2001. TheAlumnae Office also hosted a wine and cheese and book-signing event on Monday, December 10, 2001. Dr. Jeff Willissigned his latest book: Converse College: A Pictorial History.

Photo #11: Dr. Charles Ashmore, Dean Emeritus; Dr. JeffWillis, Andrew Helmus Distinguished Professor; and Dr.John Stevenson, Charles A. Dana Professor Emeritus ofEnglish at the book-signing event in December.

TAMPA, FLConverse Alumnae Board member, Lib HarperHopkins ’49 and her husband, Bill, hosted a Converseget-together in their home on Monday, January 21, 2002.

Photo #12: Pictured from l to r: Lib Harper Hopkins ’49,Beth Woods Sessums ’87, Emily Gilges Watson ’83, LisaBurks Clark ’90, Gordon McLeod and Jean Wall fromTampa Prep, Josh Newton, Karen Clarke ’70, MaryMargaret Smith Dolcimascolo ’72, Jan Rorebeck Dees ’70,Cathy Booth Chambers ’68, Dr. Bill Hopkins, JessicaEggimann ’00, and seated, President Nancy Gray.

JACKSONVILLE, FLMary Jane and Jack Uible hosted a reception in theirhome for Converse alumnae on Tuesday, January 22,2002. Billy and Beth Uible Morris ’81 co-hosted the event.

Photo #13: Pictured from l to r: Billy and Beth Uible Morris’81, Mary Jane Uible, Melissa Daves Jolly ’69, President NancyGray, Jack Uible, Gay Simmons Colyer ’73, and Josh Newton.

AUGUSTA, GAAlumnae met at the Pinnacle Club for lunch onThursday, January 31, 2002.

Photo #14: Pictured from l to r: Liz Griffin, guest of OctaviaGarlington, Kristi Goodwin Connell ’95, Octavia Garlington’49, Nancy Harlan Gooding ’83, Alice Haskell Sanders ’61,and Melissa Daves Jolly ’69.

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L I F E E V E N T SIN MEMORIAMDorothy Grace ALLEN Heyward ’24,

October 17, 2001.Margaret HOWARD McEachin ’24,

October 16, 2001.Virginia ARIAIL Rouse ’27, October 8, 2001.Margaret WEST Whisenhunt ’27, December

6, 2001.Sidney HOLMES ’28, August 15, 2001.Mary STRINGFIELD Allen ’31, August 7, 2001.Amelia BRUNS Medford ’32, September 24, 2001.Mary LIVINGSTON Haden ’33, October 3, 2001.Leola BURNETT Bradham ’39, November

26, 2001.Lois TULLUCK Jeffords ’62, December 1, 2001.Elizabeth Swofford COFER ’64 MAT,

January 4, 2002.Lewis PHILLIPS ’72 MAT, December 19, 2001.Ellen GREEAR Hurst ’74, October 22, 2001.Carolyn Pope CUMMINS ’79 MED,

November 23, 2001.Kinsey BLACK Jones ’94, November 9, 2001.

SYMPATHYTo Elizabeth BURNETT Christopher ’36 on

the death of her husband, The Rev. MaxH. Christopher, November 11, 2001.

To Becky GWATHMEY Swann ’37 onthe death of her brother, Judge RobertR. Gwathmey III, August 25, 2001.

To Alice “Bootsie” TIMANUS Martin ’41on the death of her husband, Dr. RichardG. Martin, Sr., October 14, 2001.

To Mary Helen GARRISON Dalton ’46 onthe death of her grandson, Dalton King,December 3, 2001.

To Blanche GAMBLE McCullough ’47 on thedeath of her husband, Alton HaleMcCullough, Sr., November 7, 2001.

To Sydnor CAIN West ’49 on the death ofher husband, Frank Tyson West, January16, 2002.

To Alice HENDERSON Jervey ’49 on thedeath of her husband, Arthur Jervey,January 5, 2002.

To Maria MANDANIS Trakas ’49 on thedeath of her husband, George Trakas,October 7, 2001.

To Sally FLANARY McClellan ’52 on thedeath of her husband, Dr. Robert E.McClellan, November 1, 1999.

To Virginia Gail ROUSE ’55, ’65 MATon the death of her mother, VirginiaARIAIL Rouse ’27, October 8, 2001.

To Jerre GREEVER Heyward ’57 on thedeath of her husband, Irvine KeithHeyward IV, January 6, 2002.

To Mary Ann MEDFORD Claud ’59, ’61MMUS on the death of her mother,Amelia BRUNS Medford ’32, September24, 2001.

To Mary “Bunnie” HADEN Keenan ’62 onthe death of her mother, MaryLIVINGSTON Haden ’33, October 3, 2001.

To Clara IRWIN Traver ’67 on the death ofher brother, Robert Beverly Irwin, Jr.,September 22, 2001.

To Aubrie ABERNETHY ’69 on the death ofher mother, Frances Abernethy McKee,December 25, 2001.

To Nana EUBANKS Tally ’70 on the deathof her mother, Nan Graves Eubanks,June 20, 2001.

To Anne ALFORD Flippin ’72 on the deathof her father, Charles D. Alford, MD,October 31, 2001.

To Sarah Bowman COOPER ’73 MAT onthe death of her husband, Henry PearsonCooper, Sr., December 5, 2001.

To Vivian GREEAR Jones ’73 on the deathof her sister, Ellen GREEAR Hurst ’74,October 22, 2001.

To Mary GWATHMEY Michaux ’73 on thedeath of her father, Judge Robert R.Gwathmey III, August 25, 2001.

To Paula SIGLER Morgan ’73, ’75 MMUSon the death of her father, Lloyd W. Sigler,December 12, 2001.

To Edward DICKERSON, Jr. ’74 MATon the death of his mother, Ruby FowlerDickerson, November 2, 2001.

To Mary Gossett DALTON King ’75 onthe death of her son, Dalton King,December 3, 2001.

To Julie FORBES Lybrand ’75 on the deathof her father, Major Brown C. Forbes USAF(Ret.), July 3, 2001.

To Menelle HEAD Weiss ’75 on the death ofher father-in-law, Robert Paul Weiss, Jr.,September 29, 2001.

To Susan FULLER Hinrichs ’77 on the deathof her father, Ralsa M. Fuller, MD,December 18, 2001.

To Susan HULL Dickerson ’77 on the deathof her father, James Frank Hull, Jr., October29, 2001.

To Jan REAMES LeFrancois ’77 on thedeath of her mother, Margaret C. Reames,January 2, 2002.

To Ann Reed WEST Springs ’77 on thedeath of her father, Frank Tyson West,January 16, 2002.

To Lynn CHAMBERS ’79 on the death ofher mother, Roxie Mayberry Chambers,November 27, 2001.

To Tracy MOORE Pharo ’80 on the death ofher father, B.C. Moore, May 7, 2001.

To Caroline P. WEISS ’81 on the death of herfather, Robert Paul Weiss, Jr., September29, 2001.

To Mary WEISS Poole ’84 on the death ofher father, Robert Paul Weiss, Jr.,September 29, 2001.

To Pam PAGE Bean ’89 on the death ofher grandmother, Ethel Page, December4, 2001.

To Leigh Anne WARD ’97 on the death ofher grandfather, Wallace V. Gooch,October 2, 2001.

To Molly Morgan FISHER ’99 on the deathof her grandfather, Lloyd W. Sigler,December 12, 2001.

To Jami FRICK Stacy ’01 on the death of hermother, Gay Frick, December 10, 2001.

MARRIAGESMinnie Ellen DURRAH Smith ’80 to

William T. Smith, August 11, 2001.Ashley BENKWITH ’91 to Elliott Britton

Monroe, June 16, 2001.Carolyn Paige Waddell to Trent Ashley

JESSUP ’92 MED, October 13, 2001.Catherine Adams WILLIAMS ’92 to Brian

Christopher Frerichs, October 27, 2001.Helen MCCLAIN ’93 to Bryan Edwards

Earney, October 13, 2001.Mary Beth CONNELL ‘94 to Jeffrey David

Klinar, October 27, 2001.Angela Allison STEWART ’94 to Capt.

Carl Allard Young, October 26, 2001.Tara Emily SMITH ’95 to Benji E. Morris,

September 1, 2001.Claire Marie BENEDICT ’96 to William

Cooke Huff, Jr., September 29, 2001.Amy Foster EBERHARDT ’97 to Henry

Woodbury Moore III, October 6, 2001.Kay Elizabeth LINER ’98 to Larry Spence

Little, Jr., December 1, 2001.Dorothy Gibson LOVE ’98 to Scott William

Farfone, September 29, 2001.Christina Dawn PARKER ’98 to Joel Timothy

Puntigam, July 14, 2001.Rebecca Caroline WHITLEY ’98 to Scott

Haworth Cole Ainsworth, October 20, 2001.Angela Marie FLOWE ’00 to Daniel Ray

Sprouse, November 17, 2001.Heather Lee HEMBREE ’00 to Christopher

Byron Chestnut, October 13, 2001.Teresa McMillan HAYES ’01 to Mallory

James Edwards, September 22, 2001.Andrea Jean HINES ’01 MED to Harris

Cameron Robinson, September 29, 2001.Heather Selene RIVERS ’01 to Marc

Christopher Higgins, September 15, 2001.

BIRTHSJames Marshall Streett and Davis Hall Streett,

October 30, 2001, twin sons of James andPatricia MURRAY Streett ’82.

Parker McKinley Towles, January 12, 2002,son of Doyle and Joan DAILEY Towles ’85.

Riley Howell Smith, October 8, 2001, son ofJon and Monica ROGERS Smith ’85.

Elizabeth Meade Kerfoot, September 3, 2001,daughter of Hank and Mary BOOKEKerfoot ’86.

Bentley Owen Mitchell, October 11, 2001,son of Randy and Dawn COLE Mitchell ’86.

Davis Myers Newman, September 20,2001, son of Mitch and Lisa TUITENewman ’86.

Tyler David Gentry, September 2, 2000, sonof Timothy and Lynn BAKER Gentry ’87.

Paul Alexander Cunningham III, March 5,2001, son of Andy and Karen DAVISCunningham ’87.

Sally Margaret Jolly, February 17, 2001,daughter of Eddie and Jill COLLINSJolly ’89.

Ann Preston Campbell, June 28, 2001, daughterof Jeff and Lisa FAIN Campbell ’89.

Ross McDaniel Wilhelm, September 30, 2001,

son of Madison and Beverly ROSSWilhelm ’89.

Madeleine Stephens Kelly, September 15,2001, daughter of John and RawlesTERRELL Kelly ’89.

Samuel Richard Ellis, February 19, 2001, sonof Rick and Susan WEXLER Ellis ’90.

Charles Thomas Meek, December 30, 2001,son of Derrick and Elizabeth FOSTERMeek ’91.

Neeley Sherrill Wilson, November 12, 2001,daughter of Stephen and Mary MacROBINSON Wilson ’91.

Rachael Stephanie Allen, November 28, 2001,daughter of Roger and Maria SOLER Allen’91.

Bailey Erin Ferro and Emma Brooks Ferro,October 25, 2001, twin daughters of Kyleand Nicole BAILEY Ferro ’92.

Hunter Douglas Morgan, January 4, 2002, sonof Doug and Beth COWARD Morgan ’92.

Elizabeth Anne Stevens, January 10, 2002,daughter of Benji and Denise HOWARDStevens ’92.

Alyssa Hollis Maggs, January 4, 2001,daughter of Rob and Regina LANNOMMaggs ’92.

Albert Jefferson Deibel, September 12, 2001,son of Steve and Lisa RAMSEY Deibel ’92.

Andrew Gibson McCullough, October 14,2001, son of Tim and Sharon STYLESMcCullough ’92.

Adam Trent Ackerman, July 10, 2001, son ofJeff and Kim ZIEMKE Ackerman ’92.

Presley Elizabeth Smith, September 18, 2001,son of Clifford James and Mitzi GIBBONSSmith ’93.

Margaret Ella Adams, May 30, 2001,daughter of Eric and Mary HunterBROWN Adams ’94.

Meredith Ashby Covert, June 13, 2001, daughterof John and Tami FRICK Covert ’94.

Austin Lee Dunn and Katherine SydneyDunn, March 19, 2001, twin son anddaughter of Chip and Winnie SWANNDunn ’94.

Ray Hampton Fairbank, October 30, 2001,son of Steve and Amy THOMPSONFairbank ’94.

Caroline Abigail Getz, September 12, 2001,daughter of Keith and Laura BENNETTGetz ’95.

Murray McCuen Thompson, July 16, 2001,daughter of Robert and Murray CHEVESThompson ’95.

Hayes Faulkner Warlick, November 7, 2001,son of Joseph Faulkner and WhitneyDRINKARD Warlick ’95.

Caroline Ann Garner, June 2, 2001, daughter ofJonathan David and Joy GRIGG Garner ’95.

Kathleen Grayson Glenn, June 10, 2001,daughter of Brandon and AmieANDERSON Glenn ’96.

William Lacon Almers, March 12, 2001, sonof Kevin and Shelley RODGERS Almers ’96.

Gabriel Paul Stephens, February 14, 2001,son of Paul Matthew and Kimberly

SHIRAH Stephens ’96.Madeleine Elizabeth Berry, November 27,

2001, daughter of Garrett and RachelCHARTRAND Berry ’97.

Emily Anna Hutto, August 26, 2001,daughter of Jeff and Jessica KONOPAHutto ’98.

Anna Kate Berry, April 5, 2001, daughter ofByron and Shannon Martin BERRY ’99MED.

ADVANCED DEGREESCarey USHER Mitchell ’97, PhD in Medical

Sociology, University of Alabama atBirmingham, October 22, 2001.

Margaret MCCLARY Moss ’98, Master ofArts, Christian Education, UnionTheological Seminary and PresbyterianSchool of Christian Education, May 2001.

Christina PARKER Puntigam ’98, Master ofDivinity, Austin Presbyterian TheologicalSeminary, December 2001.

CAREER CHANGESWynne E. SMITH ’83, Assistant Product

Manager, Catalyst Telecom/Scan Source,Greenville, SC.

Alicia ORTIZ-VELEZ Minnich ’84, SVP,Director of Regulatory Compliance,HomeGold, Inc.

Marlyn CANERO Cieslo, MD ’89, StaffPathologist and Medical Director ofMicrobiology, Elk Grove Lab Physicians,Alexian Brothers Medical Center, ElkGrove Village, IL.

Deirdre PARK ’90, Insurance Examiner,Florida Department of Insurance,Tallahassee, FL.

Helen MCCLAIN Earney ’93, Pastry Chef,Ronnie Grisanti & Sons, Memphis, TN.

Mary Beth CONNELL Klinar ’94, Director ofInterior Design, The R.L. Bryan Co.,Columbia, SC.

Claire Marie BENEDICT Huff ’96, Eighthgrade science teacher, The Lovett School,Atlanta, GA.

Catherine CRANFORD ’96, Director ofDevelopment, Charleston RegionalDevelopment Alliance Partnership,Charleston, SC.

Carrie HILL ’96, Membership Consultant,Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce,Spartanburg, SC.

Carla MALONE ’96, SQL DatabaseAdministrator, Extended Stay America,Inc., Spartanburg, SC.

Ginger CRAWFORD ’97, Director of theConverse Fund, Converse College,Spartanburg, SC.

Amanda TAYLOR ’97, Marketing and SalesCoordinator, Center of Medical Genetics,Houston, TX.

Jenny ORR ’98, Youth Minister, St. FrancisEpiscopal Church, Greensboro, NC.

Kari KILLEN ’00, Teacher, Episcopal Churchof the Advent Children’s Center,Spartanburg, SC.

Marriage Announcement(no engagements, please)

Name (first, maiden, last)_________________________________________Class year _______________________________Spouse’s full name__________________________________________Date of marriage__________________________________________

Birth/Adoption Announcement(please circle)

Mother’s name (first, maiden, last)__________________________________________Class year _______________________________Father’s name__________________________________________Daughter’s/Son’s name (first, middle, last)__________________________________________Birth date ________________________________

Career Change

Title _____________________________________Company ________________________________Street address ____________________________City ____________________ State ____________Zip code ________ Work phone _____________

Advanced Degree

Degree earned ___________________________Date awarded ____________________________College/University ________________________

Death Announcement(attach additional sheet if necessary)

Name of deceased (first, maiden, last)__________________________________________Class year _________ Date of death __________Place of death ____________________________Surviving relative _________________________Address of surviving relative___________________________________________________________________________________

Mail or fax this form to:Converse College Alumnae Office

580 East Main StreetSpartanburg, SC 29302

Fax: 864-596-9735

You can recommend a student bysending an email to info@converse.edu.

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C L A S S N O T E SCLASS OF 1930Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representative:Mrs. Effie Leland Wilder

CMR97 Presbyterian Home201 W. 9th North StreetSummerville, SC 29483, 843-873-0657

We received information in the AlumnaeOffice that Effie Leland Wilder wasrecognized by Gov. Jim Hodges when heproclaimed August 28, 2001 as Effie LelandWilder Day in South Carolina in her honor.Effie also celebrated her 92nd birthday on thatday. She has authored five novels, the firstone at age 85. Her most recent book, Oh, MyGoodness!, was released in September. Herother books are now available in paperback.

CLASS OF 1933Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representative:Mrs. Blanche Dennis Cantey

420 Joseph Walker DriveWest Columbia, SC 29169

Another of my poems from the book “BeFay” which is dedicated to my friend MaeElizabeth Kilgo.

Twas the day after ChristmasAnd all through the houseEvery creature was stirringEven that mouse.

The stockings were empty and slung to thefloorThe presents were scattered from chimneyto door.

My wife in her nightie and I in the nudeWere trying to clean the junk left by that dude.

The children pretendedThey got the right toysBut we knew itDidn’t bring any Christmas joys.

So next year this timeWe’ll hide under coverAnd not mind the factThat Christmas is over!

CLASS OF 1944Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representative:Mrs. Bessie Rice Ball

404 Summit Lake DriveSpartanburg, SC 29307, 864-948-0807

Clara “Sister” Buchan Creighton’sgranddaughter, Kelly Creighton, will graduate

from Converse in May 2002. She serves as co-chair of the Granddaughters Club. Kellycompleted an internship related to her majorat the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC duringwinter term. Can you believe “Sister” has fourgreat-grandchildren? They all live in Tampa,FL near Dr. Clara Creighton, their grandmotherwho has a medical practice in Tampa. Pleasecircle the weekend of April 26-28 as ConverseReunion Weekend. The Golden Club luncheonon Friday, April 26th, will be a happy occasion.Sister and I are hoping that some of our classcan get together that weekend in honor of KellyCreighton’s graduation. Be in touch with Sisteror myself if you can join us at a nearbyrestaurant for dinner on Friday or Saturdaynight that weekend. Mary Dyches Kenneyfrom Aiken wrote a Christmas note about howmuch she enjoyed the Converse magazine. InNovember Celeste Humphreys Morrisonenjoyed a tour of Italy with a group from herchurch. Celeste serves as organist at MemorialUnited Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC.She recently began a new part time businessventure as fashion coordinator for a line ofladies clothing. My favorite gift from Santa thisyear was a pictorial history of Converse by Dr.Jeffrey Willis. The pictures and comments arearranged by decades. In October I flew toNashville to see my oldest granddaughter playand sing her role as “Annie” in Annie, Get YourGun. The theatre departments of Harpeth Halland Montgomery Bell Academy produced thisand Audrey’s parents and I enjoyed twoperformances. Audrey also sings harmony onDavid Ball’s new CD, “Amigo”. David’s bighit on this CD is “Riding with Private Malone”.I’m very partial but the CD makes for goodlistening. Wait until you see the magnificentfacilities of The Weisiger Center, which is partof The Sally Abney Rose Physical ActivityComplex. We also thank Mary Helen GarrisonDalton ‘46 for the beautiful renovation ofWilson Hall.

CLASS OF 1945Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representatives:Mrs. Margaret Fulton Walker

208 Crest DriveMt. Olive, NC 28365, 919-658-2167

Mrs. Dee Jennings Tindal10 Summit PlaceColumbia, SC 29204, 803-256-2916

Mrs. Mary Fabisinski Roberts1506 NW 36th WayGainesville, FL 32605, 352-376-7175

Margaret Jarrett Morris sent the cutestpictures of her grandchildren (three girls) atChristmas when they were “almost five,almost three, and almost one.” The youngest,

son Wistar’s baby girl Taylor, was born 1/1/1- wasn’t that clever of her? Margaret andBarton spend much of each summer at theirplace in Linville, NC enjoying mountains,friends, and golf. Betty ChreitzbergCrenshaw writes that her husband, Bryan,retired from the Methodist ministry in 1987,remaining active for several years beforedeveloping Alzheimers in the mid 90’s. Theyare in Greenville, SC but spend summermonths at Lake Junaluska. Betty says, “I thinkwe are doing amazingly well.” Mary Fabenjoyed a phone visit with Helen MyattFerguson who, after one year at Converse,received her bachelor ’s in speech atNorthwestern, her master’s at Idaho State, andher PhD at the University of Maryland. Herhusband, Herbert, a lawyer, died in 1997. Shelives in Sterling, VA where she enjoys reading,writing book reviews, and teaching Englishto the primarily Hispanic staff at theretirement home. She is blessed with threedaughters and three grandsons and hasenjoyed lots of overseas travel, including a tripto India with the oldest grandson. It’s good tolearn of your whereabouts and doings afterall these years, Helen. “I love hearing aboutall of you,” says Barbara Lee Gurley, thoughseveral difficult years in her life haveprevented her coming to reunions. She has adaughter in Spartanburg, three sons, and fivegrandsons, one of whom graduated fromGeorgia Tech, one at Clemson, and one in hisfirst year at Presbyterian. Her onlygranddaughter is at Georgia Tech (Paul’s almamater). Barbara has a beach house at HiltonHead and spends a few weeks there in Mayand June. Dorothy Foster Powell reports fromHouston: “When Gordon died eighteen yearsago, my life changed completely. But I havebeen blessed with four wonderful daughtersand their families. All eleven grandchildrenand two great-grandchildren live in Texas.”Dot has had some memorable trips includinga revisitation last year of Austria andGermany, 20 years after her first trip to Europe.Margaret McLeod Hunter signs in briefly:“With four children (one Converse graduate)and ten grandchildren in our fold, Sam and Iare happy to celebrate 55 years together.” SueRobbins Murray was in charge of planningher 60th high school reunion in Chester, SClast fall. But then, as Sue puts it, “I’ve alwaysbeen in charge of the reunion there.”

CLASS OF 1946Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representative:Mrs. Mary Helen Garrison Dalton

3064 Ridgewood Road, NWAtlanta, GA 30327, 404-355-0434E-mail: mhdalton7@aol.com

The Alumnae Office sent all of you a letterabout the devastating loss of our preciousgrandson, Dalton Marsh King. He hadbipolar disorder (manic-depressive) andADD and he could not accept the half lifeand depression that went with it. Bobbie saidI could use this space to thank those of you,and there have been so many, who haveshowered us with loving concern andcomforting words. It seems the whole worldgrieves with us. I try to take comfort that hewas a beautiful gift for 20 years. Thanks toeach of you for your thoughtfulness; ithas been truly remarkable. I have beenoverwhelmed by your response. Thank youagain and again. Love, Mary Helen PS: I havevarious news items that I am holding untilour summer magazine.

CLASS OF 194755th ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representatives:Mrs. Malcolm L. (Ann Davidson) Marion, Jr.

138 West EndChester, SC 29706, 803-385-3762E-mail: annmarion@chestertel.com

Mrs. Martha Thompson Vermont121 Eastwood CircleSpartanburg, SC 29302, 864-583-2211

For our 55th reunion, the Converse CollegeClass of 1947 will gather on April 26th and27th. Hopefully your reservations are madeand you will be joining us for the festivities!Elizabeth (Speedy) Browning Davis isplanning to be with us. She writes that hergrandson, Ty, who joined the Navy earlierand is aboard the carrier, USS Kitty Hawk,got an unexpected leave over Christmas. Heflew home from Japan, so it was a real treatfor all of the family to be together. SarahParker Lumpkin and Bob went toMississippi to see their son, Parker, receivehis Navy Captain’s rank. Loris DeanBurnett Clifford sent a marvelousChristmas picture with her good-lookingchildren and grandchildren. They are still inManchester, MO. Sara Ann SammonsHawkins who lives in Huntington, WV wasso thoughtful to welcome our nephew andhis family to that town. She made browniesand took the new family out to dinner. Howabout that for a Converse connection! HalliePark Foster retired from teaching 20 yearsago and has since been busy with her church,music, and travels. She and husband Edwinattended his 52nd Wofford reunion last year.It was great to hear from Eunice RiceHorton, Jane Woodcock Williams, MaryAnn Graves Barnes, Betty Jane Bramlett,Bob Ragsdale Wylie, Ruth Paddison, MaryYoung Cousar, and Adelaide Sox Nichols.

Many of them are making plans to join us.We’ll look for you all!

CLASS OF 1950Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representatives:Mrs. Jeanne Pritchett Blake

2220 Gulf Shore Boulevard N, Apt. Q-2Naples, FL 34102, 941-649-6097Summer: 101 44th StreetVirginia Beach, VA 23451, 757-425-6891E-mail: Eblake6891@aol.com

Mrs. Shirley Maddox Taylor1642 Shady Grove CourtCharlottesville, VA 22902, 434-971-1836E-mail: gdtaylorjr@mindspring.com

Mrs. Bette Hubbard Wakefield1425 Thornwood DriveSpartanburg, SC 29302, 864-583-8251E-mail: hubdub99@aol.com

As winter gives way to spring blossoms, wetrust this year is going well for each of you.And we expect all are hopeful for the end toterrorism worldwide and pray it will never beexperienced again. It is time once more to sharenews of our classmates and we alwayswelcome some for each newsletter. ReavisGray Davis and Bette Hubbard Wakefieldalong with Reavis’ grandson took a trip toGermany, Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia.They really had some great experiences in thosegreat historical areas of Europe. Reavis’grandson has since become a student atSavannah College of Art and Design. Bettewent to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon,Zion Canyon, Las Vegas, and Phoenix inOctober. The weather was magnificient. Shehad two other trips cancelled but was able tomake these in spite of the NY fiasco. DotOrmond Grier and Tom took a fabulous cruiselast fall. They did not go down the east coastof Africa as planned but went through theMediterranean. They ended up in Cape Townand then up the African west coast to their finaldestination of Lisbon. They loved the trip, butafter 51 days home looked mighty good! Afunny story from Carolyn Duer Pennell: “Ihave no news other than the entire firedepartment came to my house duringChristmas dinner. When I extinguished someCHEAP candles because they were drippingon my table, such smoke arose and set off thealarm. Being a Converse girl, I didn’t know thatmy entry code was what I needed to cut offthe alarm. Now I know. I had seven fire trucksin my yard and about fifteen policemen. Thefive year old ran outside, the eleven and nineyear olds never stopped eating. The adultsacted like idiots.” Let us hear about your trips,grandkids, accomplishments and other goodhappenings in your lives.

CLASS OF 1951Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representatives:Mrs. Dot Wyatt Adams

Two Country Club DriveDanville, VA 24541, 434-799-1724

Mrs. Pat Riley Lanier3230 Marne Drive NWAtlanta, GA 30305, 404-233-5640E-mail: PRLHSL@aol.com

Mrs. Eunice Sullivan Pracht1180 Haywood Road #232Greenville, SC 29615, 864-627-0318

Adrienne Davant Crawford lives inColumbia and her daughters outnumberthe boys three to two. Her youngestdaughter, Davant, named her youngestdaughter Adrian which makes the fifthgeneration Adrian. Her son Lindseybought a new house - an exciting year forthe family. Ann McCaskill Leonard andDr. Ray Leonard spend time at HiltonHead. Their daughter, Leslie, works withtheir dentist son, Walt. Patricia RileyLanier had a lovely luncheon at her homein Atlanta entertaining four Conversefriends. Claire Patrick Evans of Boulder,CO visited relatives last summer atLitchfield Beach. Mary Jane Beers Cooperis enjoying living in Sarasota, FL. AnnRatteree Herlong attended the wedding ofa former pupil in Chicago. Jo ChenaultMattes and Ray spent fourteen days inItaly, traveling all over and loving it morethan the time before, and for the past fouryears have spent three weeks in St. Martin.With six children grown and families oftheir own, there is time for travel.Josephine “Feeny” Dunlap Galloway andJimmy spent time in London, England andother favorite places in Europe. CarolynByrd Tipton and Johnny’s son, Ned, gavean organ concert at Central MethodistChurch in Asheville, NC. Attending theconcert were Polly Hill Woodham, AnnGwathmey Badgett and Jane TaylorMilne. Ned is organist and choirmaster ofthe American Cathedral in Paris, France.Dr. Malcolm Brown of Bloomington, INwrote that he taught musicology for 31years at Indiana University and is nowenjoying retirement. Most of his time isspent continuing to do research andpublication on Russian music. YvonneGilliland Gibson and husband, Henry,spent two wonderful weeks in France.Henry has celebrated his 50th anniversaryin the practice of medicine and continuesto practice. Priscilla Beard Blosser-Raineyperformed in a number of musical concertsduring the Christmas season.

55thREUNION

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C L A S S N O T E SCLASS OF 195250th ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representative:Mrs. Lou Warren Fuller

1351 Robinwood Road, Apt. A-107Gastonia, NC 28054, 704-864-2780

With our 50th class reunion coming up, I wantto thank you who are making it happen.Everyone in the class was contacted byGladys Lamb Barber, Nancy Barr Carson,Margaret Burks Fishkin, Anne JaggerJohnston, Ann Colhoun Martin, DelDellinger Poovey, Peggy McArthurRobertson, Anne Stevens Clay, Ann HallHines, Susie Earnhardt Smith, Polly DayJudy, or Alice Smith Bell. Martha DennyJeter has been busy working on the interiordesign of the old Jeter plantation, which isnine miles out of Union. Called WoodlandHome, it is listed in the National Trust ofHistoric Homes. Martha does a lot ofneedlepoint design and work, makes pillows,does a lot of garden work, and still sings inthe church choir. Sally Flanary McClellan hasa busy schedule with 12 grandchildren, ages2 to 19. All are in Nashville along with Sally’sfour children and their spouses. Sally’shobbies are grandmothering, gardening, andgolf. We look forward to seeing you April 26-28 as we celebrate our 50th reunion! What anexciting time!

CLASS OF 1953Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2003Representative:Mrs. Marilyn Mateer Sherrill

114 Briarwood CourtSpartanburg, SC 29302, 864-583-8066

Polly Morris Harper had the big birthday inNovember and her children hosted a fabulousbarn dance and bar-b-q at the Gramling Barn.Polly, Becky Ramsaur Pennell, and I are inthe same garden club, so I see Polly at leastonce a month. Her daughter, BlancheGramling Weathers ’78, Polly, and I attendeda mother/daughter luncheon in Octoberminus my daughter, Mindy, who was unableto attend. Martha Grier Bomar ’42 and herdaughter, Betsy, were also there. Lil LindsaySachs was honored by her husband, Bill, andtheir children with a beautiful seated dinnerat the Palmetto Club in Columbia for her bigbirthday! Becky and I were disappointed wewere unable to attend but Laura McLeanTaylor and Roy were there to represent herConverse buddies. All of my grandchildrenand children gathered at my daughterJeannie’s house in Greenville in September formy birthday celebration. They gave me a

wonderful trip to the Grove Park Inn Spa. Itwas the best birthday I’ve ever had! Wishingeach of you a happy and healthy 2002! AfterSept. 11, if not before, we all know howfortunate we are and must count our blessingsevery day.

CLASS OF 1954Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2004Representative:Mrs. Bet Shepherd Ancrum

35 Honeysuckle WoodsLake Wylie, SC 29710, 803-831-0205E-mail: bancrum@bellsouth.net

“The bells are ringin’. . .” and this time they’reringing for Ann Douglass Gibson and JohnThomas Nichols, who were married early lastsummer. John, speaking on behalf of the Classof 1954, you’ve picked a real winner, and wewish the very best for both of you. TheChristmas mail brought news from thefaithful, none of whom seem to stay still.Marjory Poulnot Mac Lean was a delegateto the DAR congress in Washington, DC lastspring. Tunk and I ran into them, MildredRoberts Robards and Frank, and RhettaMorrison Lowndes and Bill at the 50threunion of The Citadel Class of 1951. Jo TaylorBomar had emergency gall bladder surgeryearly in 2001 but it didn’t seem to slow herdown much. She and Lee were hiking againby April, then her roommate Nancy SibleyDunn visited them in Tucson, and Jo and Leecame east in June. Becky Beam Chamberlainhad health problems early in the year, but thenrecovered and got herself down to a size 4 forher son’s August wedding. The cyber age iscoming on fast - Jeanne Foster Clark’sChristmas letter came via E-mail this year. Shesays Shelby is gradually retiring, and they doa great deal of volunteer work. In November,he spent an unforgettable week in NYC as amember of a mission team that went fromSpartanburg’s Episcopal Church of theAdvent to St. Paul’s Chapel near GroundZero. Shelby, our hats are off to you. Newsfrom Ann Boney indicates that she sang 2nd

Lady in The Magic Flute in December. Thatmakes 51 years singing opera for her! FrancesOwen McDaniel continues her work with theColonial Williamsburg Foundation. She is alsogiving private lessons in voice and piano andsings with the Williamsburg Choral Guild.

CLASS OF 1956Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2006Representatives:Rev. Carolyn Byers Brockwell

2108 Coley Forest PlaceRaleigh, NC 27607, 919-787-5963

E-mail: cbdb78@nc.rr.comMrs. Ida Rose Bruton Dillon

4751 Blair CourtWinston-Salem, NC 27104, 336-765-9037

Thanks to Bettie Jane Woodward Grant andespecially, her daughter, “B.K.”, we have amost distinctive accomplishment toannounce. Bettie Jane’s daughter is one of thelongtime South Pole workers who has madea major contribution to the U.S. AntarcticProgram. Now she has had a geographicalfeature named after her! The location is inGrant Valley, between CommunicationHeights and Mount Ash in the DarwinMountains. A lobe of ice from HathertonGlacier occupies the mouth of the valley andis named after Bettie Kathryn “B.K.” Grant,Information Systems Supervisor at South PoleStation. She made 11 deployments toAntarctica, 1990-2001, the last 10 to South PoleStation where she wintered, 1993. MargaretCombs Holland has moved from Franklin,NC to Signal Mountain, a suburb ofChattanooga, TN. She reports that all five oftheir families are fine, and she is alreadyteaching piano and substituting as organistin churches. A note also came my way fromMary Oeland Alexander saying that she andTommy are fine. He’s in his 11th year as mayorin Bishopville. They love the “small townstuff”. She also wrote about Shirley McMillanKopituk and husband Richard’s store in Latta,SC. The building was Shirley’s father’s movietheater, but now it’s called RJK Frames &Things. It seems that Shirley is covering acoffee counter for customers. There’s a pianoin case a pianist enters and at times there canbe singing. The upstairs holds consignmentbooths and antiques. Richard regrets havingnot retired sooner from corporate business.Now he is enjoying the relaxing life of theframing shop and serving as a communityvolunteer, his latest project being a Veteran’sPark which opened Nov. 11. And our ‘roundthe world gal, Sunshine Connor Norwood,reports having had a wonderful trip toBotswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa thisfall. She says watching the animals in that vast,wild landscape is magical and she’s gratefulher family didn’t try to talk her out of going!

CLASS OF 195745th ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representative:Mrs. Harriet Mahaffey Wilson

2607 Marston RoadTallahassee, FL 32308, 850-385-6000E-mail: harrietwilson35@aol.com

This is OUR year! April 26-28 will be our 45threunion at Converse! I hope your hotel

reservations are made. Mary Lib SpillersHamilton will host our class cocktail party ather house and we will go down the street fordinner at Cabel Carrington Mitchell’s house.What a fun night that will be! Gigi (Elizabeth)Williams Crain sounded wonderful on thetelephone. Last year was a year of muchchange for her. She sold her house and movedinto two town homes she had combined andremodeled. She is now with Harry NormanRealty after many years with another agency.She is working hard, but enjoys getting awayto her mountain house a night or two everyfew weeks. Nancy Barron Smith and Watt aregreat. She continues to work at her church andfor Watt in the afternoons. Debbie, son Watt’swife, participated in a 50-mile walk for MS,thanks to the help of the family. They werepresented with an award as the MS family ofthe year! What an accomplishment! This willbe my last reporting to you, as we will elect anew representative at our reunion. Thanks toall of you who kept in touch. May God blessyou and keep His hand upon you. I’m lookingforward to our reunion weekend.

CLASS OF 1958Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2003Representative:Mrs. Jack (Elaine Finklea) Folline

740 Kilbourne RoadColumbia, SC 29205, 803-254-9503

Nancy Hayes Wilkerson visited in Columbiaand lunched with a number of her Conversebuddies that Betty Anne Nelson Richardsonand I got together, all of whom had seen partof the group quite often and some of the girlsnot once in the last 45 years. Those attendingincluded Molly Ariail DeLoache, MollySheorn Evans, Daisy Barron Leland, AnneFerguson Caughman, Madeleine CaughmanRitchie,Mary Elizabeth Belser Arnot, Frances“Shinger” Hasell Laborde, Searle Rowland,and Katherine Ryan Stribling. As a retiredteacher Molly Evans tutors reading, so she wasthe perfect one to suggest books forgrandchildren. She and Nancy enjoyedcatching up on news from Shiela Shore Lester,who lives inMagalia, CA. Shiela and Lou spentChristmas with their daughter, Nancy, and herhusband in Sacramento. Their son, John, andhis wife are now living in Paris. Anne FergusonCaughman moved last fall to CallawassieIsland near Beaufort, SC where she and Jackenjoy their island home surrounded by rivers.Ferg said Jack took Navy retirement years agoand three or four more retirements since then.Madeleine Caughman Ritchie is an educationconsultant since retiring as teacher andprincipal in 1985. Madeleine enjoys her workbecause she can travel when it suits and feels

schools have great results from her ideas. Sheand her brother, Jack, (also Ferg’s husband)spent that afternoon with their mother, LibbaJennings Caughman ‘30. Mary Elizabeth BelserArnot enjoyed the vichyssoise and shared therecipe for her New Year’s soup with peas andcollards. Frances “Shinger” Hasell LaBordewas thanked for having eight of us to lunch ather house just after our last Converse reunion.She and Searle Rowland said Gretchen EskewHendrix has retired from the South CarolinaSchool for the Deaf and Blind in Spartanburg.Her position has not yet been filled, so Gretchenis assisting with lesson plans. Molly Evans readin the Episcopal diocesan bulletin a wonderfulwrite-up about Evelyn Chandler Brailsford’shusband, Lucien, who works as Spartanburghospital chaplain.

CLASS OF 1959Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2004Representatives:Mrs. Anne Argo Sanders

1045 Woodburn RoadSpartanburg, SC 29302, 864-585-2968E-mail: argo@argoco.com

Mrs. Jane Torkington White4607 177th Avenue SEBellevue, WA 98006, 425-562-0787

Jayne Callaham Burton wrote that they flewto London and northern Ireland this pastsummer. News from Jeanne Poole Ross ofHouston, TX indicates she is taking an artcourse at Rice University and a writing courseat the C.J. Jung Center. She is enjoying herretirement from teaching and has traveled toGermany to see her grandchildren. As for me,Buddy and I hiked in Morocco with ourSeattle group in May. This fall we flew toFrance and cycled Burgundy and Beaujolaiswith the Vermont Bike Touring Co.—beautiful countryside, delicious food, andgreat wines!

CLASS OF 1960Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2005Representative:Mrs. Donna Culbertson Fritz

105 Sunline PlaceSpartanburg, SC 29307, 864-579-3986E-mail: maximum1983@cs.com

I had a nice long letter from Martha AnnKlugh Bull, known to us as “Mak” but nowknown as Ann. She lives in Los Gatos, CA withher husband, Chuck, of 40 years. Ann retiredfrom 32 years of teaching and is very involvedwith the community of Los Gatos. When sheisn’t volunteering, she enjoys bridge, exercise,golf, and the theatre. Ann has two children,

Margaret Jackson Bundy ’54 has been achampion of public library service formore than twenty years. In February, theSouth Carolina State Library and theSouth Carolina State Library Foundationshowed their appreciation for Margaretby announcing a scholarship in her honorat the University of South Carolina thatwill assist students who are interested ina career in public library service.

Margaret’s service with the S.C. StateLibrary began in 1992. “Governor CarrollCampbell asked me to serve on theLibrary’s Board,” she says. She went onto serve two terms as chairman from1994-98.

Under her leadership, the Library gaineda $1.5 million appropriation from theGeneral Assembly in funding for theDISCUS program (Digital Informationfor South Carolina Users). “DISCUS, inessence, is South Carolina’s virtuallibrary,” says Margaret. “Through thisprogram, all South Carolinians haveequitable access to a vast electroniclibrary by using the Internet atparticipating libraries throughout thestate.” According to documents releasedby the State Library, over 3.8 milliondocuments were obtained throughDISCUS during the 2000-01 fiscal year.

To this day, Margaret continues herservice to the State Library. In March2001, Governor Jim Hodges reappointedher to the State Library Board,representing the Fifth CongressionalDistrict through June 2006.

45thREUNION

50thREUNION

Margaret JacksonBundy ’54

C L A S S N O T E S

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C L A S S N O T E SSally, a nurse in San Raphael, CA and Charles,Jr., a career Navy Lt., who lives in WashingtonState and has three children. Jane McCutchenBrown continues to live in Charleston and isstill working as Curator of the WaringHistorical Library at the Medical Universityof South Carolina. She has been there since1987 and plans to stay there for a few moreyears. Jane is busy at work with publicationpreparation of Dr. Rawling Pratt-Thomas’memoirs. She also stays busy with family—three daughters, one son, and fivegrandchildren, and her mother who is inColumbia. Gail Key Leonard lives in HighPoint, NC with her husband, Bob, who is withWood-Armfield, a furniture store in HighPoint. Gail had a nice visit with BillieEdmondson Hand who now lives in Orlando,FL and was visiting in Asheboro, NC lastsummer for a month while attending herniece’s wedding. Billie and Gail were able tovisit several times and had lots of fun “goingback in time”. Gail asked if any of us rememberour “big sister” from Converse. Gail’s was FranFloyd Butler ’58 and theyhave stayed in touch.Suzanne Butts Ferguson sent news that shewas the Distinguished Visiting HonorsProfessor at the University of Central Floridain the fall of 2001. I have had several visits withmy dear friend, Jackie Hackler Hayes. It hasbeen great renewing our friendship. We wereat Wofford’s 2001 Homecoming, took a trip toOcean Drive, SC, and spent some time togetherwith friends and family at Thanksgiving.Jackie is head of Tel-Communications forRichland County School District One and livesin Irmo, SC as do her two sons, John andDavid. I have seen Carole Jones several timesin Columbia and Ocean Drive, SC. She is busyat Hampton Automotive in Columbia andhaving fun with her three teen-agedgrandchildren. I, too, stay busy with my job atWakefield Buick-Pontiac-GMC, Inc. inSpartanburg, news editor of Sertoma Club andpresident of my neighborhood association. Myhusband, Max, is a private contractor for theUS Postal Service. My stepdaughter and herhusband live here with our granddaughter,Amanda (9), and our grandson, Matthew (3).My stepson is a computer programmer andlives in Phoenix, AZ.

CLASS OF 1961Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2006Representative:Mrs. Betsy Blythe Frazer

324 Nottingham DriveChapel Hill, NC 27517, 919-402-0409E-mail: elizbf95@aol.com

Penny South Kosztolnyik writes from Texasthat both her daughters live in NYC. Karen is

a senior editor at Time Warner, and Elizabethis an actress. Penny and Zoltan visited NYC inOctober and saw her star in an off-offBroadway production of Sidney Kingsley’s“Dead End.” Penny, who is dealing with skincancer, asks that you all remember to have anyrough patches or non-healing lesions inspectedregularly and treated if need be. Please keepher in your prayers. Sylvia Harley Arant writesthat she toured Italy last spring and is thegrandmother of a little boy. Betty Lake Orr andDick traveled from Winston-Salem to Sicily lastsummer with a group of friends from Montreat,NC where Betty’s family has long had asummer house. Betty’s children live inCharlotte. Both daughters are Conversegraduates, and son, Charles, is with BB&Tinsurance. She has five grandchildren. BooBargamin Kral was sorry to miss our reunion,but she was helping her daughter, Emilie, whohad a baby girl. Boo and Ted took a wonderfulElderhostel trip to the Czech Republic andAustria in October. Boo heard from NancyMcCullough Humphrey, who lives on the gulfcoast in Perdido, FL and from Toni JacksonMyers, who has published an inspirationalbook. Toni lives in Mobile, AL and her husbandis a state representative. Lucy GramlingCrowley and Jim live in Hilton Head whereshe is head of the Lower School at Hilton HeadPrep. Daughter Carlton is a consultant withAccenture and lives with her husband inAtlanta. Jeanie McMillin and her husband,Barry VanWinkle, are building a mountaintopretirement home in Townsend, TN. Jeanie isstill busy consulting with the NIH and ispresident of the Graduate School Faculty ofBiomedical Sciences at the University of TexasMedical School at Houston. Her son is a Fellowin Cardiology at MUSC in Charleston, SC.Marietta Williams Gordon teaches in Dalzellnear Camden. Catherine, her youngerdaughter, works in the PCUSA office inWashington. Jo Sibley Shippen writes that Benis retired and the nest is empty and they havebeen travelling and enjoying their twograndchildren, ages three and two. FranklynNoll Skidmore has moved to Sarasota, FL toover an acre of jungle on Siesta Key. Sherecently presented a concert as a benefit for theSarasota Opera Guild and an all-Frenchprogram for the Alliance Francaise. She teachesprivately and at the Suzuki School of Music;Rodger is retired. Daughter Chambliss teachesFrench in Atlanta, and son Andrew is marriedand lives in Wilmington, NC. Mary Ada RuffPoole has retired from public school teachingbut teaches in the Converse Music School. Shestill plays violin and viola in five regionalorchestras. She is Dean of Students at theBrevard Music Center in the summer and playsin that orchestra also. Husband Gary is theauthor of several books; the latest is Radio

Comedy Diary. His comedy group, TheMerriment Players, is on the radio in theSpartanburg area, and he continues to writeand do artwork. Both sons, Jeff and Nick, aremarried, and Jeff has two daughters. LauraSimpkins Stock welcomed a newgranddaughter on Dec. 29, her fourthgrandchild. Betsy Blythe Frazer and Donwelcome visitors to Chapel Hill, where theylive in semi-retirement. Last October they hada wonderful trip to Ireland, where son Bill livesand works as an archaeologist. Their other son,Donald, was married just before Christmas.Daughter Anna has a new job at MIT as anassistant dean in the undergraduate schoolresponsible for implementing thecommunication requirement. Those youthfulattendees in our class reunion picture areMarietta Williams Gordon, Cherie LewisLinko, Alice Haskell Sanders, Laura SimpkinsStock, Martha Brockington Roberts, Jo CarrUssery, Noni Miller Lurding, Mary BeirneKerr Nutt, Betsy Blythe Frazer, Mitzi SchomoEmory, Elsie Whetsell Stevens, and PennySouth Kosztolnyik. We had a grand time andmissed the rest of you. Many thanks to thosethat responded to my E-mail plea. Now Iexpect to hear from the others. No excuses!

CLASS OF 196240th ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representative:Mrs. Dixie Crum Stone

9419 Owl Trace DriveChesterfield, VA 23838, 804-748-4755E-mail: dixiestone@comcast.net

I recently had a wonderful phone conversationwith one of our “lost” classmates. BarbaraChivers Wittschen and her husband, David,have moved often. He first worked with NavalIntelligence and later went to work with theFBI. They lived in Ohio at the time of hisretirement in 1989 and then moved to MurrellsInlet, SC where they lived for eight years.Although they loved being at the beach andnear Barbara’s mother in Marion, they decidedto move back to North Ridgeville, OH to benear their children and grandchildren. David,Jr. and wife, Mandy, have a daughter Lauren(3) and a son Cameron (9 mos). Lisa andhusband, Bill DiCapua, have three children -Kyle (7), McKenna (3), and Kaitlyn (1).Barbara’s mother moved to Ohio in Septemberto be near them. David continues to do contractinvestigations for the FBI and Barbara enjoysbeing a grandmother, singing in her churchchoir and traveling with David. ComerVarnedoe Meadows continues to live in theArdsley Park section of Savannah, GA. She ispleased that her son, Linton, has recentlymoved back to Savannah. Comer is quite

involved with her church, enjoys spendingtime at her house at Tybee Island and does alot of traveling. Doris Ridgeway Hotalingretired this past fall after 32 years of teachingelementary school music in Maitland, FL aswell as teaching at the University of CentralFlorida for 15 years. Her husband, Ed, will alsoretire from UCF at the end of this semester after35 years there. Doris and Bob’s son, Michael,and his wife, Kelly, live nearby as do son, John,and his wife, Charlene, and their children, John(4) and Alexis (18 mos). Doris continues toenjoy playing her cello and also likes to findtime for cooking, reading, gardening, sailingand traveling. After having worked with theRitz-Carlton Hotel company for many years,Cathy Harris Wochner is “loving retirement.”She continues to live in Tempe, AZ and is activein the Tempe Garden Club. Cathy is thechairperson for the club’s spring “GardenLovers Tour.” She has four granddaughters.The three older girls are studying the Yamahamusic method, therefore, Cathy hopes she’llhave a musician to follow her footsteps toConverse! Georgianna Hayes Ballenger isvery pleased that both of her children havemoved back to Spartanburg. Michael, who hadlived in Chicago for three years, is workingwith Contec, a contamination control companybased in Spartanburg. Jennifer has lived inNorth Carolina, and is now working withExtended Stay America, which is moving theirheadquarters to Spartanburg. Sarah AddertonRedd and Carter continue to live in Columbia,where they are very active volunteers,especially for Meals on Wheels. Their daughter,Catherine, was married to Andy Chandler inJune and one of Catherine’s bridesmaids wasEdith Beattie, daughter of Jane Cole Beattie.Our love and best wishes go to Jane, who inMay became Mrs. Austin Scott, Jr. Austin is anative of Waco, TX, graduated from RiceUniversity and is a Rear Admiral (ret.) whocommanded nuclear submarines. Thewedding was attended by classmates Joe AnneSmith Cole and husband Bob, Deas BrunsonPenman, Martha Harley (Dada) Verner, andSarah Adderton Redd. Don’t forget our 40th

reunion April 26-28. Hope to see you then.

CLASS OF 1964Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2004Representatives:Mrs. Anne Mayo Elliott

192 Westminster DriveSpartanburg, SC 29302, 864-583-7982E-mail: ellam@charter.net

Mrs. Henrietta Hughes Ouzts805 13th Avenue NWHickory, NC 28601, 828-324-2893E-mail: peterouzts@hotmail.com

Babs Humphries Chung has moved from FortWorth, TX to the Spartanburg area. She isteaching a few piano students and enjoys beingclose to the Converse events once again. Babs,Joan Foster McKeown, Judy BrownChristopher, and Lucia Moir Williams ’62 gottogether for dinner this fall when Judy wasvisiting from Albuquerque, NM. Babs and Judyspent an afternoon on the Converse campus andenjoyed seeing the new buildings. I heard fromSusan Craig Murphy that she and Johnattended a play in which Joan was singing andthe class of ’64 was well represented by PaulaBlack Baker, Ellen Holmes Gramling, andBabs. Anne Mayo Elliott saw Brenda CaseyAnthony recently. Brenda’s son, Dean, is anengineer and pianist and daughter, Charlotte,is married to Peter Cooper, entertainment editorof The Tennessean in Nashville. Her second sonlives in Rome, GA and is the father of Brenda’stwo grandchildren. Anne also reports seeing apicture in the Spartanburg paper of JackieFowler George singing at the Shepard’s Center,a seniors’ program sponsored by thePresbyterian Church. Gary Friar Stuckey livesin Charleston where husband Jimmy practiceslaw. One of her daughters lives in Charlestonand one in Charlotte. Please note that Anne nowhas a new E-mail address as given above. Keepthe notes coming!

CLASS OF 1965Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2005Representative:Mrs. Marjorie Martin Pierce

210 Ramblewood DriveMount Olive, NC 28365, 919-658-1254E-mail: mpierce@moc.edu

Greetings from Mount Olive! Earl and MissyKeller Hatt designed a colorful Christmas carddepicting the charm, history and culture ofOaxaca, Mexico, where they celebratedChristmas.Linda Frank Johnson’s son, Bryant,has been traveling in Asia, and son Ross wasgraduated from Gettysburg College in Mayand is working for Met Life. Toler YatesEdwards wrote that her daughter, Catherine,was married in September to Wallace BruceSanders. The wedding was held in The HistoricFalls Church, Episcopal, in Falls Church, VA.A Wake Forest University graduate, Catherineis a writer and a recipient of the 2001 PhillipsFoundation Journalism Fellowship.Celebrating the wedding with the Edwardsfamily were Betty Rose Townsend Sexton andAnne Gordon Dickerson Harrison. VirginiaSimpson Whedon writes that she and Parkerare continually working on environmentalissues. An animal rights activist, Virginia writesto government officials to protect both wildand domestic animals. Parker serves on the

board of the Catawba-Wateree RelicensingCoalition to help ensure that the real runningrivers, the wildlife that live in them, and thecanoers and kayakers are not left out whenDuke Power renews its license for the first timein 50 years. After two years of retirement, TrisGowen Graybeal decided that she neededmore “cerebral” activity so she joinedInternational Shipholding Corp. of NewOrleans in a part-time capacity involving themarketing of the corporation’s new steamshipservice between the U.S. and Mexico.

CLASS OF 1966Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2006Representatives:Mrs. Millie Gold Moore

2402 Forest DriveWinston-Salem, NC 27104, 336-722-9620Summer: 2296 Sunderland Hill RoadArlington, VT 05250, 802-375-2604E-mail: moremillie@hotmail.com

Mrs. Barbara Nelson YergensP.O. Box 10804127 Serenity MountainWaynesville, NC 28786, 828-454-5054E-mail: byergens@aol.com

Bea Cochran Schomp wrote to say that shehad lived in Dorset Hollow, Dorset, VT forfour lovely years. She is now in Wilmington,NC and retired from her work as clinical socialworker and director of Crisis InterventionServices. At her daughter’s wedding last yearshe enjoyed visiting with Pat ChandleeLowry and Bonnie Davis Bennett. Newsfrom Dianne Kennedy McLees indicates herdaughter, Margaret, is in her residency atUniv. of Colorado Health Sciences Hospitalafter her graduation from MUSC in May. Weare including a portion of Dr. Stevenson’sletter sent to Katharine Stephens Slemendaafter our 35th reunion this past April: “Howdo I thank you? Let me count the ways! And Ido thank you and all those excellent membersof the Class of ‘66 for inviting me to yourdinner and for all the extras—like a JackDaniel on the rocks! It’s strange how you gothrough the days and years and be busy aboutyour daily affairs, and then happen on a daywhere all the old faces and smiles (old as inmemories) suddenly appear. It’s a very happytime, and instead of a reunion, it’s a reuniting.What impresses me is how much everyonelooks like those days in the early 60’s; you allhold the years so well. Last Saturday eveningwas a wonderful and lovely time for me, andI do thank all of you for including me. I canonly hope there will be more days like thatone to come.” Barbara, currently doing designwork in northern Florida, and I want to hearfrom you before our May 10 deadline.

40thREUNION

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C L A S S N O T E S C L A S S N O T E S

In early March, Elisabeth Marchant ’68was named President and CEO ofLeadership Publishing Group, Inc.(LPGI), a virtual publishing empire inAtlanta. LPGI is a company with 23 full-time workers and 40 subcontractors whoserve as writers, and artists andphotographers.

“We have three publications,” saysElisabeth. “Business to Business has acirculation of 50,000 and is gearedtowards Atlanta’s Fortune 1000executives; Catalyst is written forAtlanta’s small-medium business ownersand has a circulation of 30,000; andAtlanta Jewish Life, which is printed forthe Jewish community in Atlanta (thefastest growing Jewish community in thecountry), has a circulation of 15,000.”

In April, LPGI will launch their fourthpublication, Atlanta Woman. “This is amagazine about professional women inthe large corporations, entrepreneurs, thearts, education, politics, the healthcommunity, and the philanthropic arena.Atlanta Woman is a substantive magazine,and does not feature articles on where toget your nails done or where to find thebest hairdresser.” Atlanta Woman wasalready over 65% sold when the first issuerolled out in early April, 2002.

If Elisabeth comes across as being veryconfident in herself, there is goodreason for it. “Since an early age, Iworked with my father in hisbusinesses. He always inspired me togo out on a limb and take chances.”

CLASS OF 196735th ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representatives:Mrs. Bryan Daley Adair

3 Foxridge RoadChapel Hill, NC 27514, 919-967-3900E-mail: MBADAIR@aol.com

Mrs. Dicke Tredway Sloop500 N. Steele StreetSanford, NC 27330, 919-774-4484E-mail: nsloop@co.wake.nc.us

Elvy Talley Bryan wrote a short note to sayhow much she is looking forward to our 35threunion in April. Her son, Talley, was marriedin September in Hunt, TX and is now living inAustin, TX. Elvy is still living in Morganton,NC. In a surprise E-mail from MildredCampbell Price it was great to be able toconnect after so many years. She is retired andstates that she is in a travel mode. Hopefully,she will come to the reunion. She keeps upwith the class through the bulletin and saysshe would love to hear from old classmatesagain. After leaving her job in interior designwith an architectural firm in Pensacola Beach,FL, she and husband, Gene, sailed their boatto the Keys. Lynn Kimball Edwards is workingon plans for our reunion. She has been niceenough to be our local arrangements personin spite of gaining two daughters-in-law, threegrandchildren, and three grand dogs in recentmonths! Sandra Sherard Bethea sent awonderful and informative Christmas note.She is busy with activities related to family andchurch and is working to improve her golfgame. Son, Hardin, graduated from USC witha Master’s in International Business and he andhis wife, Dowell, are living in Orlando, FL. Son,Rob, and his wife, Joy, are enjoying theadventures of raising their two year old son,Ridge. Bob sold his dental practice in Octoberbut is still working. The new arrangement giveshim more time for going to the beach, travel,golf, church activities, and field trips withRidge! Barbara Trent Kimbrell is busy withher family and work. Her older son, Gregory,is a sophomore at the College of Charlestonand her younger son, Joseph, is busy in highschool. Catherine “Kaki” Williams Swannwrites that she is still enjoying her ministry atSt. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk, VAand husband, Bobby, continues to go to workat the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Daughter, MaryPeyton, and husband, John, live in Richmondwhere Mary Peyton is an engineer for theRichmond Public Utilities and John is a Virginiastate trooper. Daughter, Winnie (Converse ’94),and husband, Chip, have twins (see Births)!Interestingly, the great-grandmothers of thetwins are also Converse alumnae—BeckyGwathmey Swann ’37 and Billie Goodwin

Williams ’43. I received an E-mail from CandiLowe Long a few months ago in which sheincluded an interesting press releaseconcerning the world premiere of her originalmusical, A Time To Dance, which she describesas “the biggest venture of my life”. Candi firstwrote the script for this musical in 1986 andhas re-worked the play in response tonumerous life experiences of her own. Themusical was presented at Ferst Center for theArts at Georgia Tech in September. Candi hasserved as president of Women in Film/Atlantaand currently is vice chairman of Women inFilm and Television International. On a moresomber note, all of our focus at work has beenon bio-terrorism since Sept. 11th. I was alreadyinvolved with the Wake County Bio-TerrorismTask Force and never realized how muchimportance my biology and chemistry fromConverse would play in my last few yearsbefore retirement. I feel very fortunate to havebeen able to assist in these past few monthsand am truly thankful for the foundation thatConverse gave me in being able to deal withissues that I never imagined I would have toface in my lifetime! This will be my last attemptat a newsletter prior to electing newrepresentatives at the reunion in April. I haveenjoyed being in touch and know that Bryanjoins with me to thank each of you that havetaken your time to give us news and help withthis effort. Please mark your calendar and planto be with us in April. I look forward to seeingyou! Dicke

CLASS OF 1968Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2003Representative:Ms. Robbie L. Taylor

409 Rocky LaneCayce, SC 29033, 803-796-1530E-mail: rltofsandscape@webtv.net

Dear Classmates, I need your E-mailaddresses. It’s only a year until we return tothe campus for our (dare I say) 35 year reunion.Let’s plan this thing together - electronically.Tell me what you’d enjoy doing, and we’ll doit together. As I’m winding down as your ClassRep., I’m winding up the “theatre thing.” I’mcurrently teaching acting at Columbia Collegefor a couple months while the current adjunctprofessor recovers from surgery, producingplays at both Workshop Theatre and TownTheatre in Columbia and juggling the realestate business! News from Justina Lasleyindicates she is enjoying living on LakeHartwell after her move from Atlanta. She isworking in the field of dreams both nationallyand internationally. She works withindividuals and groups to help them reach theirfull potential through insight provided by their

dreams. She was recently elected to the Boardof Directors of the International Association forthe Study of Dreams. Daughter Lasley is at theMetropolitan Museum in NYC, daughter Rivesis teaching in Atlanta and daughter Abigail isstudying in Costa Rica. Leigh Horney Gilesand Betty Sue Flippin Brown participated ina gala fund-raiser sponsored by theAntiquarian Society, of which both aremembers, for the reconstruction of theAcademy of Music in Lynchburg, VA. Leighwas chairman of the event and Betty Sue wasin charge of registration. Nina Campbell, notedinterior designer from London, was thefeatured speaker.

CLASS OF 1969Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2004Representatives:Mrs. Harriet Messer Goldsmith

121 Rockingham RoadGreenville, SC 29607, 864-277-4893E-mail: MAGHMG@aol.com

Ms. Ashley Fine Nagle301 Kirk LaneMedia, PA 19063, 610-565-4483E-mail: avfnagle@quixnet.net

Mrs. Charlotte Smith Purrington2723 Riddick DriveRaleigh, NC 27609, 919-781-3142E-mail: cspurring@aol.com

Thanks to so many of you who responded tomy pleas for news. Gene Clarkson Brabhamwas terrific to send news from Columbia.Gene’s daughter, Margaret, works at EpworthChildren Home’s Early Intervention Programwith infant handicapped children. Son, Gus, aWofford graduate and his wife Heather(Converse class of ’92) are parents of two boysand live in Columbia where Gus works in theinsurance business. Son, Heyward, a Clemsongraduate is in commercial real estate inColumbia, and son, Will, a graduate of UVA,is a first year medical student in Charleston.Gene keeps busy with her two grandsons, hertreadmill, and community activities. HusbandMickey is still practicing medicine in Columbia.We are all so pleased and proud to have MaryRainey Belser chairing the Converse Board ofTrustees! Mary is also active in TrinityCathedral and other community activities.Daughter, Callie, is a junior at UVA; son,Duncan, after graduating from Johns Hopkinsand working for several years, is in his first yearat the Vanderbilt Business School and son,Freeman, a Davidson alumnus, is in his firstyear at USC Law School. Julia SeabrookMoore is busy as the Admissions Director ofHammond School. Her husband, Woodie, is aprincipal at Keenan-Colliers Real Estate inColumbia. Daughter, Katie, graduated from

W&L and is working in Jackson Hole, WY. Son,Brook, a Clemson graduate, is a banker inColumbia and son, Henry, also a Clemsongraduate, married Amy Eberhardt (Converse‘97) in Atlanta in October and is working inColumbia. Patti Fuller Glenn works for thestate Board of Psychology, and husband, Jack,owns an insurance business in Columbia.Daughter, Kathryn, is a junior at W&L and son,John, a Citadel graduate, is working in Atlanta.Mary McAngus Getty works in administrationat Hammond School. Daughter, Harriet,graduated from Sewanee and works in Atlanta;son, Will, graduated from USC and recentlymoved to Hawaii where he and wife, Becky,will be working and going to graduate school.Son, Jim, a Wofford and MUSC graduate, andwife, Ashley, and new baby son live inGreenville where he is a family practiceresident. Ginny Craver Good is the Directorof Development at Trident Academy inCharleston, a k-12 school for bright studentswith learning differences. Husband, Joe, is theGeneral Counsel at the Medical University ofSouth Carolina. Daughter, Katharine, andhusband, Dean Burton, live half the year inJackson Hole, WY and half the year in KeyWest, FL. Dean is a captain and fly fishing guideand Katharine is an interior designer,specializing in tile design. Son, Joe, is living inCharleston and is the sales manager forQuickFarm.com. Ginny had back surgery inJanuary and is out of commission for fivemonths. We wish her the best. Bambi DobbinsMartin and husband, Jack, are living inGreenville. Bambi has retired from the Dept.of Social Services and now works part time attwo different jobs, a consignment shop and amortgage company. They also stay busy withchildren and grandchildren. Nancy FowlerWillis writes that she is still working as acytotechnologist at a large reference medicalfacility in the DC area. She spends a lot of timeon customer relations and integrating newtechnology into her section of the lab. In herspare time she is heavily involved with the GirlScouts, as troop leader as well as a trainer forother Scout leaders and is also in charge ofapproximately 48 troops in her area. She wasrecognized as one of the outstandingvolunteers for the Nation’s Capital Girl ScoutCouncil and was also recognized by her churchand the Scouts for the work that she has donein the God and Church program that is run forGirl and Boy Scouts in her church. Herdaughter is a senior in high school and is onthe college search. Beverly White Spicer isliving in Austin, TX and is working on a bookto be published by University Press of America.The book is about Islam, the Ka’bah (the HolyShrine in Mecca that Muslims pray toward fivetimes a day), and potential neurophysiologicaleffects of behavior practices focused on it.

Beverly returned to Converse in October as theAileen West Lecture Series speaker for theIdeas and Culture Seminar. Jackie Noyes waselected to chair the National AdvisoryCommission on Childhood Vaccines which isadvisory to the Secretary of the Department ofHealth and Human Services. She is lookingforward to the challenge! Ann Barrow Weilerand her husband, Dale, live in Fairview, NC.Ann plans to commute to Spartanburg to workon her art therapy degree and is lookingforward to being back at Converse. She hasbeen doing lots of art show related travel withher sculptor husband. Elizabeth Lide andhusband, Paul Kayhart, and their daughter,Emma Ming Kayhart (6), live in Atlanta.Elizabeth is a visual artist and graphic designer.Her work is part of the art exhibit at Conversecelebrating the opening of the newly renovatedMilliken Art Center. Paul is a broadcastengineer for CNN Headline News. SallyEvans Winkler writes, “Carried by prayersand love and tender care of family, friends, andhealth care professionals, I’m recovering fromsurgery and chemotherapy following thediscovery in March 2001 of the recurrence ofcolon cancer in the liver. By August, the portionof the liver left from surgery had doubled.Praise God for the liver’s regenerative ability!”Husband, Jim, helped her recover, whilecontinuing to build a law practice. Jim’s son,Mike, continues to travel the world (Jim wasable to join him in New Zealand for a monthlast summer) and his daughter, Amanda, andher husband, Rick, are living in Marietta, nearAtlanta. Sally’s son, Chip, is at Yale and son,Jay, will begin Wake Forest this fall. EvelynOsteen Norman and husband, Bill, are livingin Pensacola, FL, where Evelyn is extremelyinvolved with the State Arthritis Foundation,serving as chairman and Bill has a computerservices consulting firm. Daughter, MargaretElaine, is living in Pensacola and daughter,Caroline, is at the Boston Conservatorystudying musical theater. Adelaide CapersJohnson and husband, Jim, had a busy year in2001, as Edward graduated from Wake Forestand Jennie from Furman and Adelaide’sparents celebrated their 60th weddinganniversary in Darlington. Edward and Jennieare both in Nashville,TN where Jennie worksin the Vanderbilt Media Services office andEdward is an auditor. Patty O’Herron Normanand husband, Tommy, are in Charlotte. Pattyis grandmother of 18 months old, Alex Dewey.Patty continues working on volunteeractivities, NC Blumenthal Performing ArtsCenter, Mint Museum of Art, NC Museum ofArt, the Public Library and the local PBS board.Winkie Rhea is in New York and is now in theservice sector of the new Times Square Toys“R” Us—the center of the toys’ universe! Shesays she gets to play, have fun, and smile all

35thREUNION

ElisabethMarchant ’68

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C L A S S N O T E Sday! Also in New York is Gail Wofford whocontinues to oversee the New York City basedGilbert and Sullivan Players which received awonderful review in the January issue of NewYork Magazine. A full schedule of performancescan be viewed at www.nygasp.org. Gailappreciated the outpouring of concern fromclassmates after the events of September 11.Andy and I (Harriet Messer Goldsmith)continue to enjoy life in Greenville. I stay busyin the community working with the PeaceCenter for the Performing Arts, theMetropolitan Arts Council, and other funthings. I am beginning my second year asJunior Warden of the Vestry of our church,Christ Church Episcopal. Andy remains activein his law practice. The boys are now 24, 28,and 31! Andy and Jeannette live in Greenvillewhere he practices law and Jeannette workswith an economic development firm. Walterand wife, Cindy, are living in Charlotte wherehe works for PaineWebber and Cindy worksfor A. Hoke. Elliott is single, living inJacksonville, FL, working for NewSouthCommunications. Write, call or E-mail!

CLASS OF 1970Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2005Representative:Miss Janice “Smack” Mack

6 Indigo CoveGreensboro, NC 27455, 336-282-0520

Last summer, Ann Joyner Cross, Sue FanSmith Ferguson, Lynda “Smitty” SmithSwann, and I got together in Winston-Salemfor an evening of fun, food, and fond memories.In November, Ann and I had our traditionalholiday kick off in Greensboro and were joinedby Howard Brown Millican and PamHolderness Hassenfelt. We toured themanufacturing and retail headquarters ofMack and Mack Clothing Company (mysister’s enterprise) followed by another roundof fun, food, and fond memories. Ann’sdaughter graduated from Davidson and worksin DC while son, Oliver, is a senior at Davidson.Sue Fan’s three sons are grown and by herholiday card all love golf. Smitty’s daughter,Lanier, is press secretary for NC CongressmanWalter Jones in Washington, and Parker is ahigh school senior whose recent claim to fameis singing for the Queen of England in London.Smitty’s life has always been hectic as awhirlwind, and now she has the hurricane toprove it. Smitty and husband, Mike, finallytook a trip alone, only to pick up HurricaneKaren going and returning from Bermuda; notexactly the trip they had planned. Howard wasin Greenville, SC for a stepson’s wedding andran into Converse’s own Adelaide CapersJohnson ‘69 at the wedding. Nancy Jane

Stedman Calloway tried, but could not makeeither gathering. She is busy guiding twodaughters and helping her parents move intoa retirement community in Winston-Salem.Lynnie Hicks Mitchell couldn’t make it either.She has spent the year dealing with theaftermath of a second fire in their house andregrouping from the decision to stay inMartinsville rather than move to Texas.Daughter, Mary Lyons, attends Ole Miss andLaurie attends NC State. I received a letter fromSherri Bowers Dobbs who now lives south ofAtlanta and works for the Atlanta-FultonCounty Public Library. She is married to theDirector Emeritus of Zoo Atlanta, which isgood since they share a home with a parrot,two poodles, and an eastern diamondback. Shecontinues to play the piano and has returnedto school at Georgia State studying music.Marion Brooke Philpott and husband, Bob,have three grown sons: Cy (28) is in his firstyear in the UNC MBA program, Brooke (25)works for a Charlotte computer company, andStephen (23) works in the film industry inWilmington. Karen Clarke has returned toTampa after a year in the NC mountains. Sheconfesses that there is nothing like Florida sandin your shoes when that is a part of your past.Thayer Cheatham Willis is enjoying wintersports with her children as Julianne and Clayare on ski race teams. Somehow Thayer hasfound the time to start writing a book! PattyDownes Johnson is enjoying retirement fromteaching, but she says she is just as busy andlikes trying new things. She, Caroline RoperRoberts, and Ann Owens got together for amini-reunion. Susan Dukes Webber reportsthat life is good and busy in Orangeburg. Son,Chris, is teaching at Limestone College,working on his PhD, and living in Spartanburg;son, Billy, is finishing a fellowship inneuroradiology at Duke. Claire Hailey Hall’sChristmas photo had almost as many dogs aspeople. She has two and each daughter andhusband has one. Both of Claire’s daughtersare married, but the nest was full again for theholidays. Perry Hicks Jordan sent me articleson the banner soccer season her daughters arehaving. Perry is very active with the sportsparents organization and the parent teacherorganization at her daughters’ school. Pleasedrop me a card and let me include some otherclassmates in the next issue. We have achallenge in our national and world situation;keeping in touch just seems to help us surviveour changing world. Along with sending mesome news about yourself, don’t forget toremember Converse in your charitable giving.

CLASS OF 1973Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2003Representative:

Mrs. Susan Marrash-Minnerly1313 Upper Dartmouth AvenueCharleston, WV 25302, 304-345-3286E-mail: minnerly@mail.wvsc.edu

Greetings from your prodigal classrepresentative! I had a deliciously long andinformative letter from Mary GwathmeyMichaux. We send comforting thoughts andprayers to Mary in the passing of herprecious dad. I can still see him at everyConverse function — always with a greatbig smile, a warm comforting look in hiseyes, and his impish laugh! Mary’sdaughter, Megan, is at the University ofNorth Carolina at Greensboro. Mary andSue Sheehy Cole have been playing tennisand are even taking lessons. “What adifference 19 years makes on the tenniscourt.” Mary had quite a 50th birthdayweekend — parties, dinners, toasts, a newtennis racket, black balloons in her officeand a wheelchair to ride around in for theday. She sums up my own feelings exactly:“Even though I have thinning hair, nomemory, menopause, bigger hips, failingeyesight and hearing, I still feel veryblessed.” I also had a great E-mail fromLouise Bush Watkins. Her son, Rob (18), isplanning to go to Texas Tech in Lubbock.Daughter, Clare (11), is in the fifth grade.Louise is still teaching preschool to 4 yearolds and has amazed herself by staying withit for seven years and continuing to enjoyit. She turned 50 on July 4th and “really hada great birthday. Neighborhood friends sanga song to the tune of Yankee Doodle Dandy!I definitely am feeling the creaking of agingbones and ligaments”. I hit the 50 mark inNovember. Truly the grossest age anyonecan be. I whined so much about it for nearlya year, that my sweet husband took pity onme (or did it in self-defense to stop thewhining!) and soothed the awful event bysurprising me with a new car. I came homefrom work one day, and there it was in thegarage with a Happy Birthday balloon tiedto the antenna. And, of course, it’s red anda convertible. A friend calls it my mid-lifeChrysler! Susan Embry Naylor is anassociate professor of music at ReinhardtCollege in Waleska, GA. She is currentlyserving as president of the Georgia MusicTeachers Association. I appreciate all of thekind notes and comments I get from youguys about my “work” as class rep.Unfortunately, I have to pass the title on tosomeone else. I accepted a full-time teachingposition at WV State College in the fall, butof more concern and of more timeconsumption, is a diagnosis our preciousNathan received a few months ago. It is notlife threatening, but it is lifelong. Doug and

I are spending a lot of time learning aboutthe condition, traveling to take him tospecialists, and learning how we can besthelp Nathan. So, someone step up, take thisglorious job! The salary isn’t too hot, but itis such a wonderful opportunity to stayconnected with our class. I have truly lovedevery minute of it and plan to see all of youat our 30th reunion —which is sooner thanwe think!

CLASS OF 1974Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2004Representative:Mrs. Libba Elmore Rhoad

308 Laurel DriveLexington, SC 29072, 803-957-5809E-mail: Zqueen123@aol.com

I apologize for the lack of news over the pastyear. I had a major computer crash lastChristmas and lost all of my addresses andquite a few “letters” that I had saved forupcoming bulletins. If you sent informationbut haven’t seen it in print, please try again.Some of what follows may be old news, butit’s all I could reconstruct. This is all the morereason for a renewed effort on all of our partsto communicate! Elizabeth Crenshaw Crumshared photos of daughter, Betsy, at theUniversity of Alabama and daughter, Barton,in first grade. Janie Timmons Levinson senta photo of her extended family: husbandGary, three stepsons, two daughters-in-lawand two granddaughters, all in Charlotte.She has started a garden design business andalso volunteers at Wing Haven, a garden andbird sanctuary in Charlotte. Sally BatesMcWilliams wrote last winter that son Reeceis at Wofford, son Phillips is playing footballhis senior year in high school, and sonAndrew is getting his Eagle Scout. She hasbeen married 21 years to husband Bill,volunteers for several community groupsincluding Children’s Chance, and kayaks.Grazier Connors Rhea wrote last winter thathusband, Toy, had left banking after 20 yearsand opened a party rental business in RockHill. Both children, Evelyn and Copeland,are in college. Grazier still works withCatawba Regional Council of Governments.Beth Guess Moody joined some of myfamily and friends at Nags Head thissummer. Several of you have bemoanedrecent or upcoming 50th birthday events; atleast we are all in the same boat.

CLASS OF 1975Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2005Representative:Mrs. Bert (Ruthie McCutchen) Knight

132 Burnett DriveSpartanburg, SC 29302, 864-542-0676E-mail: ruthknight333@charter.net

I received beautiful Christmas cardphotographs from Joy Joyner Poe, MenelleHead Weiss,Martha Zachry Lever,Avan YatesMoore, and Polly Ann Maxwell Cleveland.Avan says “country life is grand” and enjoysher new life in Tifton, GA. Polly Ann’s boysare at Clemson and Washington and Lee anddaughter, Melonye, is in the 9th grade. BetsyWiggington wrote that she met Louise SegarsSmith in Highlands in June for a few days offun and relaxation and Carolyn CatheyBrinson joined them for a day. MimiRichardson Shaughnessy sent news that son,James, is a flight instructor at Florida Instituteof Technology and son, Joe, is a sophomore atOxford College of Emory. Mimi is a busycommunity volunteer. Alert! Robin ColyerNew has a ’75 (BA) class ring that was probablylost at her home at our reunion years ago. Theinitials appear to be EJD. She would be happyto send it to the owner if you give her a call.Anne Monsen Daniell sends news fromCharleston that she is a CPA currently workingfor her husband, also a CPA. The moving vanis on the way to our house as I write this! Pleasenote our new mailing address as well as newE-mail address given above.

CLASS OF 1976Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2006Representative:Mrs. Leah Colley Welty

24 Briarwood TerraceFairmont, WV 26554, 304-367-0344E-mail: workoutleah@aol.com

Bonnie Boineau Crawford’s Christmas cardwas a real classic. None other than the trueTom Selleck appeared on the card with hertwo daughters, Beverley and Mary. I wouldlove to have seen Bonnie chasing him downthe streets of Boston for this picture. BeforeChristmas they went to New York City. Asshe put it, “Ground Zero is very emotionallymoving and the Memorial Wall will tear yourheart out.” How great to talk to MayDowling Peach. She, Tom, and their twoboys, ages 12 and 16, stay busy. Doug playsbaseball and Daniel is in the magnet programMay coordinates at “The LearningCollaborative” at Dent Middle School,Richland School District 2. What a nicesurprise to hear from Susan Morris Arial.She has been in York, PA for 17 years andloves it. Will (18) swims and is on the collegehunt, Casey (16) plays basketball, and Molly(14) also swims. Hubby Bill is in the steelbusiness. She keeps up with Sally Smith

Cleveland who lives in Knoxville. After fouryears in Florida Mackey Tarrant is movingback to her beloved South Carolina. After 9/ll she wants to be closer home. She enjoysworking for Christy Holliday Douglas’husband, David. I got a nice E-mail fromCaroline Atkins Forster. Her husband, Hans,opened a plant in Guadalajara for a companyin North Carolina that makes plastic bags.He lived in Guadalajara for a year and thenmoved the plant to Juarez, Mexico (right overthe border from El Paso, TX). Caroline is stillin Rock Hill teaching 1st grade (her 15th year)but hopes to join Hans in Texas next fall. Heroldest son is a senior at The Citadel, themiddle son is a junior at The Citadel, andthe youngest is a senior in high school. Shetalked to Betsy Mahoney Sheorn whose sonis a freshman at The Citadel. Because ofsecurity I no longer get to see MargaretNewton Waterstradt at the Atlanta airport.She always met me during my three-hourlayovers on my way to Alabama. Her son,Will, is a KA at Western Carolina University.Daughter, Lake, is a senior in high school andruns on the varsity cross country team. Billand Margaret are in their 11th year at FirstPresbyterian Church. Jeannie Nissen Kingsent a nice Christmas card of her son and twoBedlington terriers. Husband, Wayne,continues to have a thriving pediatricdentistry practice. Davis, a fourth grader,plays the piano and enjoys horseback riding.Jeannie teaches Kindermusik classes and firstgrade music classes at Porter-Gaud School.She is also the Director of Education for theCharleston Concert Association. My familyhad a wonderful Christmas in Alabama. Ipicked up my share of pecans in Mama’syard. Best crop ever. We went on toSnowshoe Ski Resort in West Virginia forNew Years. Had a blast! Keep in touch andget info to me by May 1 for the summer classnotes. Love, Leah

CLASS OF 1978Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2003Representative:Mrs. Lucy Carter Ault

5 Ottaway DriveGreenville, SC 29605, 864-233-0365E-mail: aultlc@pickens.k12.sc.us

Thanks to everyone who sent holidaygreetings. Julia Webb Davis reported manyactivities and family adventures with herthree children, Kathleen (14), Alex (12), andPiper (10). Suzanne Hughes Sullivan senther artistic card with art by Suzanne andverse by her sister, Liz Hughes ’80. Whattalent they have and a great looking familyphoto as well. Laura Dew Smith of

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C L A S S N O T E SSpartanburg included a picture of herchildren, Sarah (17), Mills (15), and Parrish(12) and a report of their many activities. LynFarmer Smeak is busy with her skin carework for a plastic surgery practice and herchildren, Jack (13) and Elizabeth (12). Ialways enjoy hearing from my oldroommate, Regina Graham Love, and seeingtheir family photo, Regina, Shawn, and verylarge dog! News from Kim Todd Schefflerstates that she is an instructor of class pianoat Interlochen Arts Academy and is the musicand dance departments buyer for theInterlochen Center for the Arts campus storein Interlochen, MI.

CLASS OF 1979Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2004Representatives:Mrs. Hunter McClintock Bell

115 Runnymeade CourtGreenwood, SC 29649, 864-223-0006E-mail: bell@emeraldis.com

Mrs. Cecilia Lowry Stevenson123 Union StreetCamden, SC 29020, 803-432-1889E-mail: camtire@camden.net

Happy New Year as I write this—HappySpring as you read it! Let us all hope forpeace in 2002. I heard from many of you atChristmas with great pictures of yourfamilies, but with little news. AnnaSimmons Jones wrote from the DC area. Herdaughter, Jessica, will finish high school inJune and is busy applying to lots of Virginiaschools. Son, Scott, is a high school freshmanand loves his freedom! Anna continues herwork at a private college and husband, Steve,is a systems engineer. Kim ShytleMcFarland’s oldest daughter, Kate, is afreshman at Converse and loves it! I alsoheard from Ms. Dengler who recently retiredfrom Converse and feels she made exactlythe right decision in doing so. However, Iknow Ms. D. dons her leotard and tightsdaily and surely skips around her house withher drum, tapping out rhythms all thewhile—what great memories! I hope you allwill stay happy and healthy in 2002. Thanksfor keeping in touch. Much love, Hunter

CLASS OF 1980Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2005Representatives:Mrs. Sarah Holloway Moore

1761 Sandy Ridge WayBirmingham, AL 35244, 205-428-0289E-mail: moorehousehold@aol.com

Mrs. Lee Anne Davidson Williams100 Parkdale Drive

Spartanburg, SC 29302, 864-585-1009E-mail: lawchopper41@hotmail.com

Before the holidays I was so happy to hearfrom long lost Tapp Hancock! She sent anewsy E-mail of her busy life in California.She had just returned from living overseasas a Fulbright Scholar, teaching inSouthampton, England. She spent theprevious two years traveling the world toplaces like Europe, Morocco, Egypt, Greece,Indonesia, and Malaysia. She also has apatent from the US government for ateaching system of mathematics. I alsoenjoyed catching up with Betsy GantWittenmyer via E-mail. She sent a greatpicture of her three children: John (13), withhis arms protectively around little sistersMargaret (10) and Anna (7). Betsy says sheis keeping busy with life’s simple pleasuresof soccer, football, wrestling, basketball,piano, guitar, and trombone. At the annualConverse party in Birmingham, it was funto run into Tracy Moore Pharo. They have adarling baby girl, Katie, 20 months old. Tracywas in charge of the Junior League’s annualFestival of Trees. She enjoys her work at theChildren’s Hospital here in Birmingham.Janie Fickling Skinner reports her family isdoing well. Her son, Andrew (6) is enjoyingthe first grade. Allie Patterson Walker senta cute picture of her twin daughters, Allieand Jane, who turned 16 last year, peekingaround the wall at little brother Lawson (11).Allie reports “They have been keeping upwith the usual stuff that makes lifeinteresting!” She said her entire family wasinvolved in a serious auto accident but, thankgoodness, no one was hurt badly. She saidthey feel truly blessed and now look at lifefrom a different perspective. I talked to LeeAnne Davidson Williams one snowy day inJanuary. She sent me a wonderful pictorialhistory book on Converse from the CollegeHistory Series written by Dr. Jeffrey R. Willis.It is very interesting and has some fascinatingpictures. If you want to get one, contact theAlumnae Office. Robin Donner Dillard senta wonderful picture of her family. She isteaching school in Fountain Inn, SC.Elizabeth Watkins Garcia and husband,Kenny, have lived in South Bend, IN for overfive years. They have five children ages 2 –12 and are home schooling them. Elizabethteaches private flute lessons and indicatesthat music is a big part of their family life.Florence Covington Fitzgerald is inPiscataway, NJ with her husband and twochildren, Eddie (14) and Kelsey (10). Myfamily and I caught up with my collegeroomie, Vicki Harman Armor, while visitingin Chattanooga, TN. Our daughters, Carolineand Alex, are only two days apart at age 4.

Vicki is home schooling her older child,Hicks (11). She enjoys it and says both arebenefiting from the experience. Bill, Maddie(9), Caroline (4), and I had a great year also.The girls are both involved in dance andCaroline takes gymnastics as well. Maddieplays the handbells in our church choir, is inBrownies, and a member of the chess club. Ioften wondered why the class of 1980 wassometimes not in the class notes. Now Iknow. We can’t write about you if you don’twrite us, so drop me a line before the nextdeadline of May 10th. Love, Sarah

CLASS OF 198220th ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representative:Mrs. Claudia Barton Coleman

341 Pimlico RoadGreenville, SC 29607, 864-458-7797E-mail: rcol341@aol.com

Happy Spring to all! I hope that by now youhave all made plans to attend our 20th

reunion on April 26 – 28! Dena StoneBenedict, Mimi Ginter Hallman, NancySmith Gage, and I have been busy makingplans for a fun weekend. Leigh SheltonCassady writes that she is alive and well inEnterprise, AL with husband, Joe, andchildren, Calvin (14), playing junior highfootball and basketball, and Georgia (10),dancing and competing in gymnastics. Leighreports that they traveled with her parents,Barrett and Tolly Gilmer Shelton ’56, andsiblings to the Half Moon Club, Montego Bay,Jamaica to celebrate her dad’s 70th birthday.Leigh also went with husband Joe to Omaha,NE to visit Edith Peebles Crotty andhusband, Richard. Edith is an attorney on theGreat Plains, and according to Leigh, hasmade a name for herself as well as a publicspeaker. Leigh said that one of the highlightsof her summer was being a “surprise guest”at the 40th birthday celebration of BitsyCaproni Dedwyler that was put on by herhusband, John, in Columbus, GA. Anothersurprise guest was Bitsy’s Converseroommate, Susan Jamison Herrington andhusband, Steve, of Tuscaloosa, AL. Leighnotes that you will remember that Bitsy andSusan were consistently rewarded with theirdorm’s “Good Housekeeping Award” whilematriculating in Spartanburg. Helping toorganize Bitsy’s passage into her 40’s wasacross-the-street-neighbor Finnnn HoltFountain. Julie Adams Burrus was also onhand to toast (and roast) the birthday girl.Leigh also shared that whenever she is inMobile, AL, she never hesitates to drop inon another great housekeeper, DollyCrawford Demeranville. Dolly and

husband, Hardy, have a son, Hardy IV (2).Leigh reported that not too long ago shemade an unannounced visit to Dolly’santebellum home in Mobile’s historic districtto find Julie Martin Hanes ’81 and ElizabethHood Turner ’81 sipping mint juleps inDolly’s parlor. Julie was in Mobile visitingher Selma, AL classmates while on vacationfrom her home in Brazil, South America.Leigh also sent an old news footnote: In 1998when Edith and Richard were married, theychose to exchange vows in the Monroeville(Monroe County), AL courthouse. Thecourtroom was used in the movie version of“To Kill A Mockingbird” written by HarperLee, who still lives in Monroeville. It was asmall wedding and the pre-nuptials partiestook place in Mobile. As matron of honor,Leigh was assigned the task to get the brideto a “beauty parlor” on the big day. Afterfinding a hairdresser that would take her, shethen had to find a way to transport her there.Dolly agreed to do the honors and Leigh saysshe wishes you could have seen Edith’s facewhen they saw one another! I received abeautiful Christmas card from Robin WicksRobinson with black and white photos of hertwo precious children. Robin reports that sheenjoyed a mini-reunion last spring atPawleys Island with Jan Faggart Ashley, LibBobo Fields, Missy Claytor Parris, andTricia Murray Streett and all of theirchildren. Ruth Ballard Suddreth sent aChristmas card and said that she, husbandBob, and family were heading to Atlanta forthe Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve to seeUNC play Auburn. I also heard from AnneRichardson Seabrook. She recently went toa Converse function and was once againimpressed with President Nancy Gray. Ireceived holiday greetings from BethCunningham Gault, Becky Nutter Cassidy,and Kathy Brakmann Daniel and they areplanning to attend the reunion. Lamurl TurkMorris also sent greetings and an update ofher family’s goings-on. She is continuing toteach and also has piano students on the sideas well. She says that John is moving moreinto administration/management andcutting back on as much actual labor himself.Hope to see you Reunion Weekend!

CLASS OF 1983Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2003Representatives:Mrs. Kimberly Gilstrap Bell

10141 Thomas Payne CircleCharlotte, NC 28277, 704-844-9423E-mail: Rkmbell@aol.com

Mrs. Elizabeth McDonald Dunn906 Sheridan PlaceBirmingham, AL 35213, 205-871-5419

E-mail: JNDUNNJR@aol.com

Janet Patterson Matthews gets the award fornotes from the farthest distance. She wrotefrom Fort Lewis, WA where she lives withher husband and three children, Diana (17)who is entering the University of Florida inthe fall, Tim, Jr. (14), and Katie (6). Janet is anelementary school librarian and her husbandis a Quartermaster Officer in the army. Shecelebrated her 40th birthday with a 6.8magnitude earthquake. That should get theprize for most unusual! Luckily, there wereno injuries despite some damage. They hopeto remain stationed in Fort Lewis for at leasttwo more years. Our next deadline is May10th, so send news. Until then, all my red devillove, Kim

CLASS OF 1985Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2005Representatives:Mrs. Vandy Major McFaddin

52 Orchard CircleColumbia, SC 29206, 803-782-0204E-mail: vandymc@aol.com

Mrs. Krisila Newman Foster225 Mountain Range RoadBoiling Springs, SC 29316, 864-814-4476E-mail: bpfoster@bellsouth.net

Krisila Newman Foster’s Christmas pictureis of Krisila and her daughter Parker inmatching mother/daughter Christmassweaters. In October Krisila broke her armin three places and was supposed to be outof school for at least a month, but she couldonly stay away for a week. I also heard fromKim Durham Kennell. Her husband, Matt,has accepted a position as the newDowntown Director of Columbia, SC. Sheand the children plan to stay in Roanokeuntil their house sells. I received an E-mailfrom Monica Rogers Smith. (See Births)They are trying to sell their house as theyhave now outgrown it. Monica is stillteaching first grade. We can call MarsheCubbage Somheil Mr. Kotter. Not only isshe teaching at Wilson Hall, which is whereshe went to school, but she is also coachingthe JV girls’ basketball team. The funniestcard of my Christmas season was JeanneO’Neall Robinson, her husband Alan, andsons Neal and Walt posing with Strom inhis office. It had all of their ages exceptStrom who is “priceless.” Tem and I tookmy mother and a friend of hers to Tampafor the Outback Bowl. It was wild goingfrom the balmy temperatures from the gameto less than 24 hours later needing a heavycoat. Write or E-mail Krisila or me. Nextdeadline is May 10.

CLASS OF 1986Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2006Representatives:Mrs. Katie Gibson Fritze

4536 Nandina DriveColumbia, SC 29206, 803-787-7189E-mail: DJFritze@aol.com

Mrs. Jennie Player Lambe1882 Parrish DriveColumbia, SC 29206, 803-782-1795E-mail: JPLambe@bellsouth.net

Mrs. Monica Rowland Loving3124 Grace Hill RoadColumbia, SC 29204, 803-787-8198E-mail: mlmurmur@aol.com

I have had some computer problems (thanksto my 2 year old) so, if you sent me an E-mail and your news is not included, pleasesend again. Laura Green Hollowell andhusband, Gervais, are living in Spartanburgwith their daughters, Leland and Kathleen.Mary Avera Fritche and husband, John, livein Alexandria, VA with their two boys, John,Jr. (7) and Robert (4). Mary is working part-time for the judiciary. Charlotte Gantt Olsonand husband, Todd, live in Nashville, TNwith their two children, Jonas (3) and Corrina(1). Katie Whitfield White and her husband,Dave, live in Atlanta with their threechildren, Bennett, Peyton, and Caroline. LisaHolcombe Shellhaas sent a handsomepicture of her son, Gates (5). They live in Mt.Pleasant, SC. Ramona Bowman Grant andhusband, Tommy, live in Greenville, SC withtheir three children—Henry, Hannah, andRebecca. Sarah Shealy Smith gave us lots ofscoop from her recent trip to Pensacola, FLfor a long girls’ weekend with KathrynDonald Shook, Brenda Barron Geier,Tamara Gleason Hanning, and CatherinePittman. Kathryn is living in Birmingham,AL and has two children – Sellers and Henry.Brenda and her husband live outside NewOrleans with their two children, Sarah Baileyand Marshall. Tamara lives in Selma, AL withher husband, John, and son, Bain (13). Shehas a calling card and note card business thatis doing very well. Catherine is pursuingblack and white portraiture photography.Sarah is living in Columbia, SC with herhusband, Andy, and their two girls, Eliza (8)and Marie (3). She is working on her thirddegree, an EdS in counseling. Sarah said theyall had a great weekend and Tamara sent allof them home with the gift of semi-permanent tattoos they received at thepopular nightspot, Florabama. Ann LanierJackson E-mailed with lots of news also. Sheand her husband, Brian, are doing well inFlorida. She is still making art quilts andpainting fabric. Ann talked with several

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C L A S S N O T E Sclassmates as she is now our class fund chair.She reported that Kathy Webster Davis isliving in Fort Lauderdale and has threechildren. Mary Catherine Corlew Sevier andher husband, David, have a little girl Mamie(1). Dawn Cole Mitchell and her husbandlive in Benton, AR with their three children.Ann and LeNora Chase Styres reminiscedabout Dr. Newell’s French class. She alsospoke with Josie Norwood Cox. They talkedabout the reunion past and how they werelooking forward to the party for our 20th. Sheheard from Dawn Brendle Jackson who isin Arkansas. Ann also spoke with PattiCheney who lives in Baltimore and isteaching hearing impaired children andcoaching field hockey. She received aChristmas card from Lisa Tuite Newmanwho is living in Columbia, SC with husband,Mitch, and their three children—Quinn,Braxton, and Davis. Jennie and I saw DinyaFloyd at the Clemson-Carolina game. She isliving and working in Atlanta. I also sawRebecca Glenn Long. She and her family areliving in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Allyson ArcherMcGaha is living in Fayetteville, NC whereshe is a self-employed musician. Husband,Joel, is a Lt. Col. in the Army, stationed at Ft.Bragg and they have three children—Josh(12), Jessica (10), and Jacquelyn (2). Please E-mail us or write us with all your news. Takecare and God Bless.

CLASS OF 198715th ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representatives:Mrs. Catherine Frick Eldridge

202 Elm StreetProsperity, SC 29127, 803-364-2241E-mail: celdridge@backroads.net

Mrs. Adele Penland Boyce104 Emory RoadSpartanburg, SC 29307, 864-583-8512E-mail: teboycejr@worldnet.att.net

From Adele: Thank you for all the newsyChristmas cards. Mary Kay Seckinger senta newsletter telling of their move into a newhouse in Denver this winter. Madeline isgoing to preschool, while Baxter has learnedto walk. MK is involved with the localMOPS chapter where she’s in charge ofhospitality—so “if the other moms don’t feelwelcome, it’s her fault!” says her husband,Jon. Susi Harrington Potter was inspired towrite me on-line recently. She and herhusband, Jeff, have lived in the small townof Shelburne Falls, MA since 1996. She wasworking with her husband in a graphicdesign business until this winter when shebranched out on her own as a jewelry maker.She likes to work with vintage glass, semi-

precious stones and precious metals. Susi hasgone back to acting and is part of a localcommunity theatre group. She always listensintently to find any Southerners in the area.Jerry Ann Conner checked in from Newnan,GA where she practices law. To relieve stress,she likes to travel and recently has gone toGraceland, Disney World, and Las Vegas. Igot a chance to visit Janet Bean and her sister,Judy Bean Slack ’89 when they came to NorthCarolina for a family reunion. Judy and Mattbrought the triplets who were the talk of thetown of Valdese. From Catherine: AndreaLyles Hueble writes from Greenville, SC thatshe is helping at the Crisis Center andvolunteering in her oldest daughter ’sclassroom. Camilla Palmer writes from Mt.Pleasant, SC that she has been taking divinglessons. She has also discovered that divingis an expensive hobby! Anne Longley writesfrom Auburn, ME about her summer in “Labelle Provence” cooking up a storm with allthe fresh ingredients from the open-airmarket in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Both Anne andhusband are teaching. We look forward toseeing you in Spartanburg at our 15th classreunion. Take a break from your routine andcome share some fun with a bunch of girlswho knew you when.‘Til then, Adele & Catherine

CLASS OF 1988Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2003Representatives:Mrs. Becky DuBard Grantland

4811 Devereaux RoadColumbia, SC 29205, 803-782-6795E-mail: RDGrantland@mindspring.com

Mrs. Ashlin Blanchard Potterfield2617 Heyward StreetColumbia, SC 29205, 803-779-4716E-mail: ashlinp@aol.com

Mrs. Linda Layman Redding141 Cabell WayCharlotte, NC 28211, 704-362-2402E-mail: thereds@carolina.rr.com

The following headline was recently notedin the National Enquirer: “Converse CollegeClass of 1988 Abducted by Aliens!” OK, notreally. But we must all have been abductedby someone or something recently, becauseBecky, Ashlin, and I have received almost nonews from our classmates. Therefore, wepropose the following resolution (albeitsomewhat late to qualify for the newyear’s variety, but what the heck!): bettercommunication with your classrepresentatives so that we can write witty,insightful columns for the alumnaenewsletters! To aid in this resolution, pleaseforward your E-mail addresses to Linda

Layman Redding at thereds@carolina.rr.comand I will keep you all informed of deadlinesso that any news you have about you orothers can be included. Several other classesare doing this and it seems to work reallywell. Sydney Jordan Warren and husband,Randy, along with their son, Harry (3), havemoved to Charlotte from Atlanta. CarissaMosteller Burns has been promoted toGlobal Sales Manager for the ForeignExchange sales team at Wachovia, whichkeeps her days full and allows her to earnfrequent flyer points when she travels toLondon to visit some of her team members.Carissa and husband, Brian, are alsorenovating a beautiful old home in Belmont,NC. Patti Maxwell Snow writes that she isstill living in Raleigh, NC with childrenEmily (10) and Mattox (6). Patti still has herhome decorating business and is enjoying it.She also has a glass beaded bracelet businesscalled Bella Bangles, where she makescustom bracelets with your children’s names(or not), watches, necklaces, etc. An updatefrom Anne Johnson Paynter states she,husband Stephen and children Sarah (7) andAndrew (4) are now living in Fort Lee, NJafter selling the full line music store theyoperated for eight years in Stroudsburg, PA.Anne says she will continue her studio workon the weekends which includes demos formusic publishing companies and maybe alittle free-lance music editing. Stephen worksfull time as a chorister with the MetropolitanOpera at Lincoln Center. A reminder toeveryone: please consider forwarding Lindayour E-mail address so that we can all stayin better touch.

CLASS OF 1989Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2004Representatives:Mrs. Kathryn Chapman McAlpin

130 Pine Knoll DriveTrussville, AL 35173, 205-467-0299E-mail: mcalpink@aol.com

Mrs. Angie Williams Cash4024 Glenlake Trace NWKennesaw, GA 30144, 678-355-1111E-mail: cashco1000@mindspring.com

I got an E-mail from Jan Ulmer Bazzle wholives in Ruffin, SC. She is working inBarnwell County at their Career Center asa guidance counselor. She E-mailed thebasketball coach at Converse to inquireabout an alumnae game before we get tooold and out of shape to play. If any oldplayers are interested, E-mail Jan attigerlady91@yahoo.com so we can get a listtogether. Margaret Gordon was namedMember of the Year for the Spartanburg

Chapter of the South Carolina MedicalManagement Association. She sawCammie Truesdale over the holidays.Cammie is working at Wofford as acontroller. Sonya Fry Graham writes thatshe had a white Christmas in Littleton, CO.Her parents and her sister have moved toLittleton as well. She works for herhusband’s company part time. EmergencyAlert Network (www.ean247.com) is theonly central system that families can useto track down their loved ones in the eventof an emergency and to help police andmedical emergency staff contact familiesdirectly. Parker Derrick Knapp andhusband, Ken, celebrated their 10thwedding anniversary in September with atrip to New York City. The trip wasbittersweet due to the recent tragedies.Rawles Terrell Kelley was statesiderecently and E-mailed a picture from her“meet Madeleine” party held in Columbia(see Births). Attendees included ParkerDerrick Knapp, Marty Team Garrison,Suzanne Ness Wilson, and Amy DudleyEdwards ’88. An E-mail was received fromJill Collins Jolly who lives in Chesnee, SCwith husband, Eddie, and daughter, SallyMargaret (see Births). Jill’s mother, ClaudiaCollins, was also in our class. They areboth teachers. Claudia is in her 12th yearof teaching at Byrnes High School inDuncan, SC and Jill is in her 11th year atGable Middle School in Roebuck, SC.Susan Williams Lynch and husband, Jay,are in Charlotte. She is teaching a few pianolessons, playing for her children’s choir,and raising her children—daughterMargaret, and sons Jim and Will. InSeptember Lisa Wimberly Allen andhusband, Dean, began serving as co-pastors of First Baptist Church in Weston,MA which is eight miles west of Boston.Susan Nickles Moore and husband, Mike,are at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA whereshe is working as a speech-languagepathologist for a company that provideshome-based therapy services for earlyintervention children from birth through 3years of age. We received an E-mail fromAshley Macfie Goodlett. She, Robert, Liza,and Field are enjoying their farm inSpartanburg and welcome any red devilreunion at the picnic facilities on theirproperty. My roommate, Beverly RossWilhelm, and Madison are the proudparents of Ross! (See Births) She says all iswell in Denver, CO. Judy Bean Slack,husband Matt and their 18 month oldtriplets (2 girls, 1 boy) drove 15 hours fromIllnois to North Carolina for a familyreunion in December. She said the childrentraveled very well. While in North

Carolina, she saw Adele Penland Boyce ’87,her mother, and daughter, Meredith. Judyand family returned to Illinois forChristmas and her sister, Janet Bean ’87,was there to enjoy the triplets tearing opentheir presents. I, Angie Williams Cash, hada huge Christmas season on Ebay. Justbefore Thanksgiving, I was interviewed foran article on Ebay for Fortune Magazine andthe article and picture appear in theJanuary 21, 2002 issue. It is so great to hearfrom so many of you. Please keep in touch.Kathryn and Angie

CLASS OF 1990Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2005Representatives:Mrs. Stephanie Train Harwell

2768 Smithsonia WayTucker, GA 30084, 770-934-9452E-mail: harwellfamily@mindspring.com

Mrs. Melissa Sanders Burns524 N. Fairview AvenueSpartanburg, SC 29303, 864-577-0409E-mail: melbarburns@yahoo.com

Mrs. Mary McDaniel Ridgeway2629 Longview AvenueRoanoke, VA 24014, 540-581-0506E-mail: ridgewaymary@hotmail.com

Julie Hennecy “survived” her trip to theOutback. Her note sounded like it wasstraight out of National Geographic. Inaddition to snorkling at the Great BarrierReef, she also managed to meet a couple oflocal Aussie naval boys. During a trip to SanFrancisco, I met Rebecca Lesto Shunk andher baby, Amelia, for high tea at the PalaceHotel. Amelia was a huge flirt and had all ofthe waiters’ attention. Rebecca is an AssistantClinical Professor of Medicine at theUniversity of California San Francisco Schoolof Medicine. She and husband, Rick, aretaking advantage of living on the West Coastand visited China and went skiing in Banff,Canada. Always the road warrior, LesaUnderwood has been doing her job to boostthe economy. She braved the airways andflew to Boston the week after the September11th attack. Along with Julie Staggs ’86, shealso visited the Big Apple where they had abig time brunching at the Waldorf-Astoria,having tea at Takashimaya, a Japanesedepartment store on 5th Avenue, andcatching a Broadway show with HarryConnick, Jr. Other notes of interest fromLesa—her mom carried the Olympic torchas it passed through Charleston, SC. Hermother’s support person was Amy DudleyEdwards ’88. Claire Bramlett has finishedher MBA at Georgia State University. In her“spare time”, she works for Marsh USA Inc.

Since graduating from Converse, MaryRedmond Hutson ’87 has been at theforefront of heart development research.A biology major at Converse, Dr. Hutsonwent on to earn her Ph.D. in cell biologyand anatomy from the Medical Collegeof Georgia (MCG). She became a keymember of the Kirby Lab, a group ofrenowned heart researchers led by Dr.Margaret Kirby, then based at MCG.Duke University later recruited thegroup, and in April 2001, the grouprelocated to the Durham, N.C. school.“Our team concentrates on heart defectswhich are among the most common ofbirth defects,” says Dr. Hutson.

The group has made significantcontributions towards understandingand finding treatment for persistenttruncus arteriosus (PTA). “Normally,there are two blood vessels leaving theheart. The pulmonary artery takesblood to the lungs to be oxygenated andthe aorta takes the oxygenated blood tothe body. In PTA, there is a single bloodvessel that leaves the heart. Childrenborn with this defect are ‘blue’ becausetheir blood is not properlyoxygenated.”

Understanding normal heartdevelopment may give children theedge needed for a normal life. “Theheart,” says Dr. Hutson, “is the firstorgan to actually function in a fetus.Because growth depends upon bloodflow, a healthy heart is absolutely criticalfor development.”

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C L A S S N O T E Sas an Employee Benefits Consultant andtravels a lot. After several years of living inVirginia and Pennsylvania, Pam MorenConner and family have returned to thePalmetto State. Rick has completed hisMasters of Laws in tax at VillanovaUniversity in Philadelphia. My little familyis also on the move. After several years inVirginia, we have returned to Greenville, SC.We enjoyed our time in the Old Dominion,but it is nice to be back! Following themoving trend, Deidre Park hopes to findsome fellow classmates in Tallahassee. Shehas just started a job as a financial examinerwith the Florida Department of Insurance.This past fall Winnie Brown King hosted analumnae luncheon that was a great success.She said the highlight was a 1924 graduatewho, at 94 years old, was delightful. Other“Hostesses with Mostest” are Lisa BurksClark, Lisa Lyle Fields, and Mary KenyonRobards Jones who held a lovely luncheonin Columbia for Lawson Edwards Hough(see Births). Mary McDaniel Ridgeway,Claire Bramlett, Caroline West McDowell,Laura Lochen Kirkley, Sheri StarnesBalcerzak, and Meredith Moorhead were inattendance. Sorely missed at the luncheonwas Lynn Pettus Finkelstein who ismanaging a project in Florida for Ernst andYoung. Caroline is Director of the Infant DayCare Center at her church in Clemson. It isone of two daycare centers that take care ofinfants in the Clemson area. Mary Kenyon isworking part time for the State Departmentof Education. Beth Benston Elmore reportsthat she is still working for Elmore andElmore with her husband, Gay. Lawsonreports that she saw a picture of Beth andGay in the sports section of the West VirginiaGazette as they have been participating in ahusband/wife tennis team. After many yearsin the Admissions Office at Converse,Melissa Sanders Burns has decided to trysomething new. She is the Regional SalesManager for Emily Ray, Inc., a line of jewelrysold in women’s boutiques and gift shops.And news from some long lost classmates:Nancy Welch Stead and husband, Durk, areliving in Richmond. Nancy is working parttime for a local author while Durk is workingon his Ph.D. at Union Theological Seminaryand working full-time as chaplain of themiddle school at St. Christopher’s EpiscopalSchool for Boys. Libby Fletcher Duffy isliving in Tallahassee and says she is“practicing law by day and doing horseystuff in her off hours.”

CLASS OF 1991Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2006Representative:

Mrs. Dorsey Daugette DeLong932 Glenbrook Drive NWAtlanta, GA 30318, 404-351-3377E-mail: GDELONG3@aol.com

I heard from Heidi Knedlik Straughn thatshe began private practice in OB/GYN inAugust in Birmingham, AL. She is in practicewith five physicians, one of whom is herfather-in-law. Melissa Hunt’s Christmascard pictured her in front of RockefellerCenter in NYC in December. She reported abusy fall, but all going well in Tallahassee.Beverly Moore Sessoms reported that at twomonths old, her son made his theatricaldebut in the Columbia City Ballet’sproduction of Dracula in October. He was onstage for two minutes and was almost bitten,before he was whisked away! She was theproud stage mom! Elizabeth Foster Meek,Beth McCrary Smith, Catherine WarlickCharles and myself gathered our then eightchildren (see Births) together for a Christmascard photo in December. We had several callsfrom folks who would have preferred apicture of the moms who were standing infront of the children oohing and clapping andmaking faces and yelling the children’snames. We even took them out to lunch inpublic and were complimented by a strangeron their good behavior! Please keep MariaMacaulay Sellars in your prayers as herhusband was called to active duty inDecember and will not return for a year. Shecan always be found with the most positiveattitude and is getting along well. Greatreviews came from my father-in-law and hiswife, to whom I had sent some homemadebiscotti and granola from Jenny Howard’sRed Dog Provisions. She ships anywhere —give her a call. I had a hilarious call fromCatherine Ward Gregory in January. Shewon two tickets to the Super Bowl with allaccommodations paid from an Atlanta radiostation. The station had her on the air andthey were chatting about Converse,Spartanburg, and that her husband, Scott,attended Wofford. It seems the DJ’s wife isfrom Spartanburg. What a fun plug forConverse over the Atlanta airways! Blessedspring to you all!

CLASS OF 199210th ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representatives:Mrs. Ashley Burnside Brantley

434 Hampton Trace LaneColumbia, SC 29206, 803-776-6216

Mrs. Andrea Rigg Clarke4756 Lockewood LaneColumbia, SC 29206, 803-776-7980

Ms. Lydia Wood

2015 Huntingdon ChaseAtlanta, GA 30350, 770-350-0153E-mail: lydia.wood@bellsouth.com

It’s reunion time and we are excited aboutseeing everyone back at Converse April 26-28! Over the holidays I received my yearlyBourassa family update from Jo-ne ClaxtonBourassa. She and husband, Scott, are doingwell. Jo-ne presented a session at theNational Association of Biology TeachersConference in Montreal, Ontario, Canada.Catherine Taylor Marstellar, her husband,Steven, and their girls are also doing well.Catherine is teaching kindergarten forautistic children in Gwinnett County andreally enjoys her work. Mary Taylor is in firstgrade at Catherine’s school and Lauren is 20months old. Catherine indicated Stacy Storyis the Reading Specialist at her school.Shannon Stewart-Hill and her husband,Rob, moved into their new home in Winston-Salem last spring. She will have 10 years withShaner Hotel Group in May. In December Ispent a long weekend in Safety Harbour, FLwith Nancy Rowe Bennett, her husband,Brett, and their daughter, Maggie Ferris. Brettwas a trooper with us giggling and talkingat all hours. Please make special plans to joinus at Converse for reunion weekend!

CLASS OF 1994Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2004Representatives:Mrs. Katie Abbott Kluttz

22 Broomsedge CourtHilton Head Island, SC 29926, 843-681-7478E-mail: katiekluttz@yahoo.com

Mrs. Angel Stewart YoungPost Office Box 6638Spartanburg, SC 29304, 864-342-1819E-mail: angel_s_young@yahoo.com

We find ourselves especially grateful formany blessings; our class has alsoexperienced sorrow in this most recent yearwith the passing of Kinsey Black Jones. Shefinished her undergraduate studies at USCand via a mutual friend, Kathy ParrishNelson, I learned that Kinsey had breastcancer that spread to the liver, taking her lifein mid-November. Our classmate, Angie CoxBowers, sang at Kinsey’s service and hasrecorded a CD that she’s dedicated to Kinsey.The proceeds from the sale of the CD willbenefit a breast cancer charity. We do notcurrently have information on how to get acopy of the CD and support this cause, butfor those who are interested or who mayknow, please e-mail Angel atangel_s_young@yahoo.com. We’ll serve as aconverging point and put the right folks in

touch with one another. We are sad to loseour friend Kinsey but grateful that we canpartner with Angie in commemoratingKinsey as well as assist in the fight againstthis dreadful disease. We heard from TamiFrick Covert that she’s now teaching at theelementary school that she attended. AshleyGross Millinor has turned her most recentprofessional move into textbook sales intoanother success; she was recently named“Top Performer” in one of her product areas.Congratulations! Danielle Tanguis is inWater Valley, MS where she is technicalsupport specialist for Green DragonCreations/Water Valley Interchange. Dropus news with the tales of your goings on. Wewant to stay “plugged in” with our Converseclassmates.

CLASS OF 1996Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2006Representatives:Ms. Catherine Cranford

888 Rutledge AvenueCharleston, SC 29403, 843-722-5861E-mail: crcranford74@yahoo.com

Mrs. Pam Hughes Foster245 Chancellors Park CourtSimpsonville, SC 29681, 864-963-9582E-mail: pam@usmedals.com

Ms. Jenny Williams542 Palmetto Street #3Spartanburg, SC 29302, 864-573-6018E-mail: jennywilliams_99@yahoo.com

Claire Marie Benedict Huff and husband,William, are living in Atlanta after theirSeptember wedding. Converse bridesmaidswere Jill Rogers McDonald and KristinJohnson, who is living in Raleigh, NC whereshe is taking pre-nursing courses at MeredithCollege. Other ’96 classmates in attendancewere Katie Depascale Williams and CaryPerkins. Sonja Coyle Akers, Amy Quinn-Amey, Beth Farmer, Carla Malone, andRyan Revis Stewart met for dinner inSpartanburg before attending Lessons andCarols in December. Camri KlingerMonaghan and husband, Patrick, vacationedin California last summer. They drove Hwy.1 to Monterey, Carmel and Pebble Beach, hada great time and saw the most breathtakingsunset on their trip. Catherine Cranford,Jenny Williams, and I attended the firstannual Team Converse LeadershipConference in September. Many thanks tothose who volunteer and work for Converse.The conference was a success because of allof you. Amy Hawkins Truitt is working onher master’s degree in elementary educationat Converse. Heather Stead and AlisonStafford are teaching at Social Circle

Elementary School in Social Circle, GA. Alivisits Heather’s kindergarten class once aday to work with small groups of herstudents. Elizabeth Skinner is the Directorof Marketing for Nationtax Online, Inc., aweb based ASP that allows businesses toprepare, file and pay Sales and Use taxesonline. Jennifer Jones Medlock has “retired”from Milliken and she and husband, Bert, areremodeling their house. Andrea Wyrosdick,Beth Farmer, Carrie Hill, and Lathrop HartMosley represented our class well in a skitthey performed for 1889 week. Andreasported that “dorky Pink Panther jumper”she used to wear, Carrie was a good studentwho “discovered” Wofford, Beth portrayeda Dr. Joe Dunn groupie, and Lathrop actedas a Converse student. Andrea says thestudents loved it and they had a GREATtime! Heidi Ruehl has finally moved into herhouse after more than a year of renovatingand painting! A new company has beenlaunched from the existing home fragrancecompanies by her employer, GraceManagement, called Shades of Light, a newconcept in home decor combining lamps andcandles to create what Heidi calls lampcandles. They hit the market nationwide inJanuary. Starr Lockhart is living inCharleston, SC and is enjoying her job as aspeech pathologist at MUSC, where she seesinpatient and outpatient pediatric patients.Beth DeLoache Townsend enjoys her job asan Early Interventionist for the FlorenceCounty Disabilities and Special Needs Board.She provides service coordination and visitsparents whose children have special needsto instruct them how to teach their children.Jennifer George Cook and husband,Nathan, report they have moved closer toOxford College, where Jennifer is enjoyingher work. Nathan expects to graduate witha Masters of Mechanical Engineering in May.Jinny Meyers Burford and husband, Ken,are living in CA. He graduates fromseminary school in May. Heather May Stollis working part-time as the Tape MinistryCoordinator for Westside Baptist Church inJacksonville, FL and is tutoring a localstudent. Husband, Jeff, was ordained thispast July and continues working as Ministerof Media at the same church. DebbieGardner Guilfoyle is working for AssociatedMarine Institutes at Camp White Pines inJonesville with adjudicated 12-16 year oldboys. Suzy Wells Jones and husband Scottare enjoying life in Greer, SC. Suzy playsviola for a string quartet. Kathryn FishTinsley, Alethea DeWeese Cooper, HannahRoberts, Liz Hudnall, Sarah Strait, andHeather Deifell met in Black Mountain fora mini-reunion in November. Sarah was withus for two years and currently works in

Louisiana as a social worker. Don’t forget toread the Life Events section for info onmarriages, births, career changes, etc.

CLASS OF 19975th ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2002Representatives:Mrs. Shannon Gosnell Bishop

331 Gramercy BoulevardSpartanburg, SC 29301, 864-576-1069E-mail: BishopSO@spart5.k12.sc.us

Ms. Heather Eldridge1520 Senate Street #71Columbia, SC 29201, 803-254-2291E-mail: hkeldridge@aol.com

Ms. Amanda Taylor3040 FM-518, Apt. 1873Pearland, TX 77584, 713-474-2138E-mail: amandat77777@yahoo.com

I hope that this newsletter finds you ingood spirits and looking forward toreturning to Converse for our 5-yearreunion! The weekend of April 26-28 isgoing to be tons of fun and we can’t waitto get back together with everyone! Pleasemake arrangements to attend thisfabulous weekend! Sarah George Corleyis teaching Spanish in Charleston andimplementing a foreign languageprogram that is sponsored by thegovernment. Ginger Crawford hasrecently relocated to Spartanburg and isnow the Director of the Converse Fund.Let’s all make certain we give to theConverse Fund this year since we are wellrepresented in the Development Office! Itwill also help us win the “It’s A Class Act”competition at reunion. Kim VarnadoeBearden is now the VP for GovernmentRelations and General Counsel with theSouth Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.She is enjoying being a lobbyist and alawyer. Dawne Copeland Bendig ,Jennifer Buchanan Kurecka, AndreaSparks, and Merri Christy Harmon gottogether over Christmas for a mini-reunion. Jennifer is enjoying life as a stayat home mom. Merri Christy is theChildren’s Minister at Summerville FirstBaptist Church. Andrea is back inColumbia working on a Ph.D. Dawne isan itinerant teacher in Pickens County andis also teaching an undergraduate ASL IIclass at Southern Wesleyan University. InDawne’s summer wedding, Merri ChristyHarmon was maid of honor, AndreaSparks was a bridesmaid, Leigh AnneWard was a greeter, and Melissa RobertsKirby was the guest book attendant.Jennifer Buchanan Kurecka, ShannonLancaster Bullard ’99, and Lavonda

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C L A S S N O T E SFrierson were in attendance. Lavonda iscurrently interning as a physical therapistin an Army hospital in Washington, DC.Catherine Alexander is a supervisor forMonarch Foods in Greenville. She andDawne are active in the Greenville GrrowlBooster Club. Meredith Nock Partridgeis teaching third grade in the mountainsof Grundy, VA. Allison Partridge isteaching in Newberry. Please make surethat you mark your calendars for thereunion weekend and send in a pledge tothe Converse Fund! Heather, Amanda,and I are looking forward to seeingeveryone!

CLASS OF 1998Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2003Representatives:Ms. Ann Gerber

100 E. Main Street #20Spartanburg, SC 29306, 864-582-2512E-mail: adg76_100@yahoo.com

Ms. Erin Rich142 Mills AvenueSpartanburg, SC 29302, 864-582-7473E-mail: erich@mysbe.com

Kristi Hines Hagood writes from Augustawhere she moved with her husband, Allen,in September. She is working as ag o v e r n m e n t c o n t r a c t o r i n t h eenvironmental department at Fort Gordon.Over Christmas she got together withseveral Connies: Laura Matthews Pappas,Fran Jordan Sullivan, Emily Smith, BetsyPringle, Angela Mills, Ginger Benton, andMichelle Harris. They had a wonderfultime at Emily’s house in Columbia. Michelleis in Aiken, Ginger in Winston-Salem, Franis in Columbia, and Laura and her husband,Mike, are living in Glen Burnie, MD. InCharleston you can still find Betsy Pringlealong with Alex Gavalas who has justreturned to the Harbour Club as MemberRelations Director. Surprise, surprise, guesswho else has landed in Charleston—KatieMesservy who is teaching with MartiGlenn at Sea Island Academy. Marti wroteof Kay Liner Little’s December wedding inColumbia. Natalie Spigner, OliviaThornton, Pagent Presley, Betsy Frank, andMarti were in the wedding. AttendingRebecca Whitley’s October wedding inAsheboro, NC were Jennifer Farrar Turner(matron of honor), Shelby Bishop, ErinRich, Nikki Maples ‘99, and HadleyRowland ‘97. Becca is the Director of theCarlton Art Gallery in Foscoe, NC near theirhome in Boone. She is also working ondeveloping a private client base with whichto do expressive arts and ecotherapy.

Congratulations to Christy Baldwin whohas graduated from nursing school and isworking in the neonatal unit at a Florencehospital. Erinn Cox writes from Manhattanwhere she is working for HammerAssociates selling fine arts supplies in thecity and the southeast. Katy Sheppard ismoving to San Francisco to pursue a mastersin counseling with a specialization int r a n s p e r s o n a l p s y c h o l o g y, w h i c hincorporates yoga, meditation, tai chi, etc.into the healing process. Jennifer ReeseBoyd, Alex Gavalas, Brooke ChampionFarmer, Shannon Campbell, Erin Rich,Helen Walker, and Ann Gerber met at thebeach before the holidays. Helen made thetrek from DC where she recently landed aposition with Congressman Jeff Miller fromFlorida’s 1st district. Brooke and Ken aresettling into their new life in Tennessee, andShannon is teaching in Columbia. Jenniferand her husband, John, are still enjoyingAtlanta. Ann is now a reading specialistteaching dyslexic students in severaldifferent private schools in the Greenville/Spartanburg area. We have fun bringing youthe news but after four years we feel it istime to graduate from this position. Let usknow if you are interested in taking over.Happy Spring to you all!

CLASS OF 2000Next ReunionAlumnae Weekend, 2005Representatives:Ms. Kari Killen,

707 Hollywood StreetSpartanburg, SC 29302, 864-577-9633E-mail: killenkari@hotmail.com

Ms. Susanna Knight2723 Keswick Village CourtConyers, GA 30013, 770-860-1576E-mail: susannaknight@hotmail.com

Ms. Kiley Rikard2723 Keswick Village CourtConyers, GA 30013, 770-860-1576E-mail: kileyrikard@hotmail.com

We enjoyed our mini-reunion in Novemberduring 1889 week where we spotted JessicaEggimann, Angie Ackermann, DawnTaylor, Junel Doxie, Dana Luttrell Garner,Jessica Condit, Kelly Moore, AngelaAbrams, and Amanda Crane. Our littlesisters made us proud! Victoria FradyAdams is living in New York City where shehas recently begun working in the shows“The Merry Widow” and “The Mikado”.Stephanie Elizondo is living in Greenville,working at Wachovia on Pelham Road. ErinPatterson is finishing her master’s degreeat Belmont University, while touring withthe group Watermark. Dareth Alexander isteaching 3rd grade at GreenviewElementary School in Greenville. Jane AnneDeaton is a preschool teacher at GraceWeekday School in Charleston. ElizabethAnne Joyner works as the ProgramCoordinator for the Deaf and Hard ofHearing Center at the Central FloridaSpeech and Hard of Hearing Center.Elizabeth Moore and Caroline Brice werespotted at the Florida vs. South Carolinagame and are doing well. Kiley and Susannaare still teaching in Conyers, GA and Karicontinues to live in Spartanburg. We wouldlove to hear from you! Keep us posted onall of your news.

LARGE-PRINT CLASS NOTESThe Alumnae Office will provide large-print class notes upon request.

Please complete this form and return it to:Converse CollegeAlumnae Office

580 East Main StreetSpartanburg, SC 29302

or E-mail bobbie.daniel@converse.edu

or call (864) 596-9011

Name: _________________________________________ Year: ___________Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________