Peggy Joe (Holder) Keyes ’48

Peggy Joe (Holder) Keyes passed away on November 18, 2017 at the age of 91. She received a B.S. degree in Home Economics with an elementary education certification. Peggy taught one year in public school and 24 years in both private and religious kindergartens, the last 18 years being at Temple Baptist Church.

Cordelia Weir Seawright Bealor ’57

Cordelia Weir Seawright Bealor passed away on April 2, 2018. Cordelia was Student Body President and a member of B club.

Annie Lou Curtis ’60

Annie Lou Curtis passed away at her home on February 24, 2018. During her time at Belhaven College, she served as a class officer and was a member of Tri-B Club.

Tom C. Maynor ’61

Tom C. Maynor retired from banking after a 40-year career which began in 1977 at Deposit Guaranty National Bank in Meridian and ended in 2017 at First State Bank in Meridian. He often said not bad for an English major.

Dr. Robert L. Griffin, M.Min, Psy.D, ’63

Dr. Robert L. Griffin will celebrate 20 years with a heart transplant in August and is still active as a Supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education in Central Georgia. He is a Diplomate of CPE and Psychotherapy with the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP). Dr. Griffin retired as a U.S. Army Chaplain and served as the Director of Pastoral Care at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge, Georgia for 17 years. Furthermore, he has been ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for 50 years.

The Rev. Dr. James Robert Hardy, Jr. ’63

The Rev. Dr. James Robert Hardy, Jr. passed away at his home in Wiggins on February 4, 2018.

Verne and Marty Kennedy, ’63

Verne, the former president of Belhaven College (1978–1986) and current member on the Belhaven Board of Trustees (1996–present), and Marty Kennedy are celebrating 55 years of marriage.

Hoyt Tillman, ’66

Hoyt Tillman spent the 2017–18 academic year, i.e. his last sabbatical, at Academia Sinica's Institute of History & Philology. He will return for one final year at Arizona State University before retirement. His latest book is a Chinese translation of his co-authored book with Christian Soffel, Cultural Authority and Political Culture in China. The Chinese version is scheduled next month from Zhonghua Books in Beijing. He and his wife Cristina will celebrate their 47th anniversary on June 27. His grandson Langston will begin his double major in Chemical Engineering and Math at Arizona State University in August. Their daughter Margaret's first book, Raising Chinese Revolutionaries, will be published by Columbia University Press in August.

Barbara Cunningham Agent Jones ’68

Barbara Cunningham Agent Jones passed away on March 9, 2017 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Robert Stainton ’68

Robert Stainton passed away at his home in Jackson, Mississippi on February 25, 2018.

Mary Elizabeth Partridge ’70

Mary Elizabeth Partridge lost her battle with diabetes at her home on February 10, 2018.

Linda Barlow ’71

Linda Barlow retired in 2007 after owning and operating Vaughn Road Nursery and Landscape in Montgomery, Alabama for 30 years. Linda also founded and operated German Shepherd Rescue of Central Alabama, a 501c non-profit organization. She currently spends her time between her homes in Montgomery, AL and Highlands, NC. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Highlands Biological Foundation. She enjoys spending time reading, painting botanical watercolors, and gardening.

Susan Measells Shows ’72

Susan Measells Shows retired from 40 years of teaching. She has a daughter and son whom combined have blessed her with four handsome grandsons ranging from 19 months to 15 years old.

WILL YOU CONSIDER A GIFT TO BELHAVEN TODAY?

Blair Cash ’76

After 27 years in the field of college athletics publicity, Blair Cash, currently the sports information director at Multnomah University, is announcing his resignation from that position and his retirement from the full-time profession, effective on June 30, 2018. He began college sports information work while attending Belhaven.

Mike Khandjian ’80

Mike Khandjian published a book by White Blackbird Books entitled A Sometimes Stumbling Life. It is currently available on Amazon.

Mike and his wife Katherine live in the Greater Baltimore area in Maryland, where Mike pastors the Chapelgate Presbyterian Church. He is a native of Miami, FL, and Katherine grew up in Nashville, TN. They have three children and two grandchildren. Mike's 36-year ministry has been with three churches in Miami, Tallahassee, and now in Maryland.

Katherine ’82 and Mike met as students at Belhaven College in Jackson, MS. They married in 1982. They love the beach, reading, games, sports, and the outdoors in general. Mike is a former surfer and bad golfer. Katherine teaches Elementary Music and is a quilter.

Together they share the adventure and journey of following Jesus.

Rebecca Margaret Mosal Nielsen ’83

Rebecca Margaret Mosal Nielsen passed away unexpectedly in March 2017.

Al McCoy ’84

Al McCoy has joined the Salem Area Mass Transit District (Cherriots) as its new Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. He comes to Cherriots from the Memphis Area Transit Authority where he served as Director of Finance.

McCoy has more than 23 years of experience overseeing the finances of public transit agencies including Sound Transit, Washington State Ferries, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and Sacramento Regional Transit. He was Budget Director for Southern Oregon University for two years.

McCoy grew up on a farm in the central part of Mississippi. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Southern Mississippi, a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Belhaven University, and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Beth Savage, '90

Beth Savage was named Director of Brand Engagement for The Cirlot Agency. Beth holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities.

Elizabeth Weeks Crisler ’95

Advertising agency, Liquid Creative, opened in 1999 and owned by Elizabeth Weeks Crisler, was recently recognized by Worldwide Business Review as US Creative Agency Top 100. Also, Liquid Creative’s programming team was recognized by Mississippi Business Journal as Top Techs in Mississippi for 2018.

Mandy Bailey ’01

Mandy Bailey graduated from William Carey University with her doctorate in educational leadership. Mandy is the principal of Dixie Attendance Center in Hattiesburg, MS.

Kristopher Orr ’01 and Cheri Gossman Orr ’00

Kristopher Orr ’01 and Cheri Gossman Orr ’00 live in Colorado Springs with their four children Ethan, age 13, Noah, 10, Isaiah, 10, Aubrey, 8, and adventurous lab Kona. Kristopher is Art Director at Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group and does painting commissions through www.korrart.com. Cheri dances with Ormao Dance Company and teaches at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs as well as dance therapy for special populations in the community. Together they lead the Art & Faith ministry at International Anglican Church.

Sarah Link ’02

The Mississippi Vision Foundation (MVF), a 501c3 founded in 1960, has named Sarah Link, CAE, as its Executive Director.

The Mississippi Vision Foundation is committed to improving vision and eye care in Mississippi through a variety of eye care programs, engaging in vision and eye health research, and providing indigent eye care programs. For more information about the Foundation, visit its website (see below).

Kimberly Ragan, OD, president of the MVF said, “The Board is thrilled to have someone of Ms. Link’s experience and abilities to lead our Foundation.”

Link is a graduate of Belhaven University and a juried member of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi in the Metal-Jewelry category. She recently earned the Certified Association Executive designation. Additionally, she is a volunteer running coach for third—fifth grade girls with Girls on the Run of Central Mississippi. Ms. Link is also the Associate Executive Director for the Mississippi Optometric Association (MOA).

Taheti Watson ’03

Canopy Children’s Solutions (Canopy) proudly introduces Taheti Watson ’03, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, as Chief Engagement & Diversity Officer (CEDO). Prior to assuming this new position, Watson served as Director of Human Resources and has played an integral role in employee engagement initiatives.

She will be responsible for building and developing a strong, inclusive team that lives up to Canopy’s core values. Watson will help Canopy attract, develop, and retain exceptional, diverse team members that are committed to making a positive and sustained impact on the children, families, and communities Canopy serves.

“Diversity is a mix of differences. We all come from different backgrounds, and our experiences are all unique,” said Watson. “When working in a team environment, as many of us do, it is counter-productive to develop a workforce by only focusing on racial, ethnic, gender, age, socioeconomic, and a host of other differences, unless you work to be inclusive of those differences. An engaged and inclusive work environment brings broader perspectives and experiences to the table that drives collaboration and innovation. An inclusive culture is critical in increasing employee engagement, job satisfaction, and strong performances.”

Watson has over 15 years of experience in human resources, leadership development, and employee engagement. Watson holds a Bachelor in Management from Belhaven University and a Masters in Workforce Development from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources through the Human Capital Institute (SPHR) and through the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM–SCP). Watson is a native of Chicago, IL, was partially raised in Mississippi, and now resides in Clinton, MS with her family.

Cynthia Skinner ’05

Cynthia Skinner is part of the development of the SiliconSouth Project, an event focused on expanding and supporting a tech transfer revolutions that blends digital literacy, computational thinking with workforce innovation, and entrepreneurship. The second annual event will be held in November in Merdian, Miss.

Greg Hawkins ’05

Greg Hawkins completed his Ph.D. in Higher Education from Azusa Pacific University. He is working in his 13th year as a Belhaven employee and currently serves as Dean of Students.

Chris and Caurie Norris ’07

Chris and Caurie Norris welcomed their second child in October 2017. Chris is an attorney with Norris Law Firm, and Caurie is CEO of her marketing consulting company, Norris Consulting Group. They reside in Natchez, MS.

JoAnna Weaver ’08

JoAnna Weaver launched Glory Active, a Christian premium active wear company. Her company produces premium lifestyle apparel with Christian messaging, designs, and scripture. The company gives a portion of profits back to Christian causes and ensures ethical manufacturers, allowing God’s glory to be strikingly evident through the entire business process.

Milton Wilcox ’08

Milton Wilcox earned his doctorate in Philosophy at University of Southern Florida on December 9, 2017. He is pictured here with wife Kylie (Schafer) Wilcox ’08 and children Talitha, Conan, and Wynnifred.

Joseph Craven ’09

Joseph Craven was hired as the Technical Director of the Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center in September of 2017. The Performing Arts Center is a 30,000 square foot complex that includes an 800-seat performance hall, flexible "black box" theater, classrooms, dressing rooms, scene shop, and additional support spaces needed for large scale productions. Joseph is thrilled to be working at such a fine school and alongside fellow Belhaven alums James Kenyon ’17 (Associate Technical Director) and Kerri Courtney Sanders ’10 (Director of Theatre Arts).

Briana Banks ’10

Briana Banks graduated with her Masters in Organizational Leadership in Summer 2017 from Trevecca Nazarene University, and is now serving as the Manager for Fellowship School of Dance (FSD) in Nashville, TN with other Belhaven University dance graduates Olivia Rosselli and Grace Miller.

Elizabeth (Chesney) ’11

Elizabeth (Chesney) and Keith Grisham welcomed Oliver Lucas Grisham on March 8, 2018. He was 6 lbs, 15 oz, and 19 ¾ inches long.

Danielle (Davis) Knight ‘11

Danielle (Davis) Knight and her husband, Ben, recently celebrated the first birthday of their daughter, Grace Elizabeth Knight on May 26th. They will also be celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary on September 7, 2018. They reside in Marion, Ohio where Ben works at Nucor Steel, and Danielle both performs in and directs local high school and community theater productions.

Kimberly Allison ’12

Kimberly Allison is now the Dean of Students at Antonelli College in Jackson, MS.

Suzanne Livesay ’12

Suzanne Livesay graduated with her MEd in December 2012 from the Orlando campus and in 2015 was named Vice President of Education at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, FL. Her oversight includes Straz educational programs, the Patel Conservatory, and our pre-professional ballet program, Next Generation Ballet.

Shauna Harvey ’15

Shauna Harvey was named Grant Coordinator for the Lamar County Sherriff’s Department. In two years, she has written grants for and received awards in excess of $1,000,000. Shauna also maintains those grants by submitting monthly and quarterly reports as well as financial statements to the grantor and the Lamar County accounting department.

Ashley McLendon ’15

Ashley McLendon graduated from Belhaven in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science. She recently completed her Masters degree in Athletic Training and has been named a Seasonal Athletic Training Intern for the San Francisco 49ers for the 2018–2019 football season.

Shaqwana (Woodard) ’15

Shaqwana (Woodard) and Kendall Granderson welcomed Kylen Granderson on January 25, 2018.

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You can give online, by mail: Belhaven University, 1500 Peachtree Street, Campus Box 158, Jackson, MS 39202, or by phone (601) 968-8719.