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AUSTIN PEAY 

FALL 1999 

THE PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI 

AND FRIENDS OF 

AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY 

Features 

Sound Off! 

Hack Speaks 

Bouncing back even better! 

Justice is a Woman 

1999 Outstanding Service and 

Outstanding Alumni Awards 

APSU On-Line -- APSUNAA 

3X5 plan for success 

Accentuate the positive 

Homecoming '99 

Departments 

From the Director 

Making APSU Headlines 

Fundraising/Operation Green 

1998-99 Honor Roll 

Sports 

Lost Alums 

Class Notes 

Alumni News 

Austin Peay Reader's Guide 

Let Us Hear From You 

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Austin Peay State University 

Office of Public Relations/Publications 

Post Office Box 4567

Clarksville, Tenn 37044 

(931) 221-7459 

Maintained by: Laquita C Maxwell maxwelll@apsu.edu

Austin Peay -- Fall 1999 

The Publication for Alumni and Friends of Austin Peay State University 

Fall '99 "Austin Peay " Publications Public Relations APSU Home 

Sound Off! 

by Ken West 

Assistant Director -- Public Relations & Publications 

Speaking out meant TAPS for Col. David Hackworth’s 

military career -- HACK SPEAKS 

Col. (ret.) David Hackworth, right, is being 

interviewed on the front line in Vietnam by Gen. 

Slam Marshall after the Battle of Dak To in 1966. 

At the time, Hackworth was with the 101st 

Airborne Division. He also served tours of duty in 

Korea and at Cold War bases around the world. As 

American men continued to die in Vietnam, 

Hackworth spoke out against the way the war was 

being fought. He continues to speak out when he 

feels American servicemen are being endangered 

by bad policies or politics. 

After five tours of duty 

in Vietnam, the youngest 

colonel in the U.S. Army, 

who also was its most 

decorated officer, had seen 

enough. A reporter asked 

him about the war, and he 

sounded off. It cost him his 

military career. 

Now, as a best-selling 

author, nationally 

syndicated columnist, 

reporter and commentator, 

he is unconstrained in his 

opinion of the military and 

has become the Pentagon’s 

harshest critic. 

Col. (ret.) David Hackworth (’64) is a regular guest on national 

TV and radio shows. 

Throughout Spring and Summer 1999, as NATO bombed 

Yugoslavia, Hackworth was in high demand as a guest on national 

radio and TV. Five million people read his King Features column, 

"Defending America," which appears in 100 newspapers and 

magazines. His autobiography, "About Face," a 1989 international 

best seller, is in its 28th printing with more than one million copies 

sold. He also has written "Vietnam Primer," "Brave Men" and a 

recent best seller, "Hazardous Duty." His first fiction novel, "The 

Price of Honor," due out in September, is getting a major push from 

the publisher, Doubleday. His Web site (www.hackworth.com) has a 

weekly newsletter. 

"When there’s a war, I’m terrribly busy," Hackworth says during 

a telephone interview in early May from his home in Greenwich,

Conn. 

He comes across as a folksy, down-home, friendly man—he 

moves easily from subject to subject, talking about raising a family, 

about tracing his family tree back to County Durham, England, his 

days at Fort Campbell, Ky., Austin Peay and Clarksville. He listens 

to each question carefully, his answers are thoughtful, and he can 

disarm by laughing at himself. 

Knowing him via the media, people may draw different 

conclusions: On TV, his comments often enrage viewers due to his 

strong belief in the American soldier and concepts such as loyalty, 

honor and honesty, and his distaste for politicians who pad military 

budgets for pork barrel projects in their districts. 

Interviews on such cable shows as MSNBC’s "Hardball with 

Chris Matthews" showcase the depth and breadth of his knowledge, 

not only about the military and military history, but also about 

history in general. By reading his syndicated column, which has 

exposed military waste and fraud, and his frank, outspoken 

opinions, some think he’s a "loose cannon." He is a firebrand and 

proud of it. 

But it’s all motivated by his personal mission, which, according 

to his Web site, is to "ensure that American troops are never put in 

harm’s way without the right training, the right equipment, the right 

leadership and the right mission." 

"Some days I’m on 30 radio shows a day. I probably was on 14 

to 15 today," Hackworth says. "You get regulars...Every day I am 

providing updates on the war to several stations—they want to have 

the latest on what’s going on in Serbia." 

Despite this demand on his time, he spends nearly 90 minutes on 

this phone interview. 

"As a writer, I’m doing all the media, especially radio," 

Hackworth says. "It helps you get your thoughts together. For radio, 

you have to have a sharp, decisive way of talking. You are confined 

to explaining complicated subjects in a short time—you have to 

make it as simple as possible. You have to use metaphors. 

"For example, to explain the air war, I might say ‘NATO is like a 

12-foot giant with a hammer killing ants, and the ants can’t keep the 

sledgehammer from coming down.’ That tells you what awesome 

power NATO has." 

The use of the metaphor to reach the reader or viewer is 

something he learned covering Desert Storm, the war against Iraq,

for "Newsweek." 

"I’d be out in the field for five days gathering information. On 

the sixth day, ‘Newsweek’ would line up all these radio and TV 

programs for me to appear on, maybe 20 a day, and then I’d have to 

write my column the next day for ‘Newsweek.’ 

"I learned to squeeze those soundbites and polish those 

metaphors. It’s a result of all that good education at Austin Peay," he 

says. 

That "good education" came before Hackworth sounded off in 

Vietnam. He was stationed at Fort Campbell and continued his 

college education at APSC through the Bootstrap Program. 

"I went to Austin Peay with my Airborne haircut, and by the end 

of that year, I was looking like the other students with hair down my 

back," he says laughing. "I didn’t want to look like I didn’t belong. 

There was not a lot of love lost then as the Airborne troopers would 

come downtown and raise hell in Clarksville." 

By the time he arrived at Austin Peay, Hackworth had been in 

the service nearly 20 years and had been going to college part time 

for 11 of those years. "Every time I got close, I got transferred. I 

was close to graduating at the University of California and got 

transferred. I was close at the University of Maryland and got 

transferred. I had given up, but my boss at Fort Campbell, Col. Jim 

Apts, ordered me to go to Austin Peay. 

"And that made all the difference," he says. "I got the degree and 

was able to become a regular Army officer. That opened the doors 

to all the Army schools and let me move upward. Austin Peay had a 

profound influence on my life because it put me in the fast lane." 

In the fast lane—after receiving his history degree, Hackworth 

vaulted up the promotion lists. Five years later, in Vietnam, in 1971, 

he was the youngest colonel in the Army and its most decorated 

officer with 105 medals—with more than 27 for valor. 

"They had me on the fast track, I’m told, for two or three stars 

(as general)," he says. "But I was so opposed to the way we were 

fighting the war—I was tired of seeing American soldiers, 19 years 

old, being stuck in body bags and nobody cared." 

He was approached by a TV reporter, and his answer sent him 

down a new career path. 

"I stood up...in uniform and said, ‘This is a bad war..we can’t 

win it, the American people have been lied to, and we should get 

out now.’ That did not endear me to President Nixon or General

Westmoreland. It caused both of them a bit of heartburn. They were 

after me with a chainsaw and wanted to run it across my neck," he 

says, now able to laugh about it after all these years. 

According to Hackworth, the day after he sounded off, his 

helicopter "accidently" crashed into Viet Cong territory. A couple of 

days later, headed from the Mekong Delta to Saigon, his jeep was 

booby-trapped. Back in this country, he found his car brake linings 

cut. He documents this and other details in his best-selling 

autobiography, "About Face." 

He shrugs it off in a way only a veteran soldier can: 

"Somebody—I don’t know who it was—was seriously trying to rain 

on my parade." He now can joke about it, because, like most 

successful people, he worked past such obstacles. 

"I was 40 and had to find a job in a hurry and I became a military 

journalist. I can look in my mirror and say, ‘I did the right thing.’ I 

take great pride in that...You get accountable to yourself when you 

get to your senior years. I can say that (speaking out) was one of the 

best things I ever did in my life." 

Up to that fateful June day in 1971, Hackworth had been more 

than simply a good soldier—he had been an outstanding soldier 

since first donning a uniform at the astounding age of 14 at the tail 

end of World War II. 

Although he was born in Venice, Calif., and reared in nearby 

Santa Monica, the family roots ran deep through Tennessee and the 

South. Those roots and beliefs were a factor in his joining the 

service at an age unthinkable today. 

"Being from an old, Southern patriotic family, we’ve had family 

in every war," he says with a genealogist’s zeal. "There were 

Hackworths fighting in the Indian wars in the 1750s. In every war 

since, Hackworths have served." 

He said that feeling of patriotism made it impossible for him to 

wait until he was older to join the service. 

"You had to be 17, but the Merchant Marines were not too 

discerning—neither was the Army—and many people did not have 

birth certificates then. I paid a wino two dollars to say he was my 

father, and he signed me up." 

A year later, 1946, Hackworth was in the U.S. Army, and, 

although he really was 15, Uncle Sam thought he was older. 

There were tours of duty in Korea, Vietnam and at Cold War 

bases around the globe. During one stint, his oldest son David, now

34, was born at Fort Campbell about the time Hackworth was 

getting his degree from Austin Peay. There were two years spent at 

the Pentagon and a year at a training batallion at Fort Lewis, 

Washington. He spent five years in Vietnam, and it was at the end of 

his fifth year when he spoke out. Around this time, he and his wife 

divorced. In 1977, he remarried, and in 1978 his son Ben was born. 

Despite his love for the military, he encouraged his sons to try 

other fields. "I did not want them to get killed, plus their last name 

would have been a lightning rod. I would have loved the kids to 

have had the challenge, training and discipline of military life. But 

another part of me said I don’t want my sons to die." 

Most recently, Hackworth finished his first fiction novel, "The 

Price of Honor." 

"It’s printed by Doubleday and is their main book for 1999. 

They’re putting a lot of marketing and promotion into it. 

"It’s difficult writing fiction because you are living in an alternate 

universe. In chapter one, I give you red hair, and I forget, and in 

chapter 20 I give you brown hair. In nonfiction you don’t have that 

problem." 

As Col. (ret.) David Hackworth can tell you, sometimes 

nonfiction has its own problems, especially if you speak out when 

you see something you believe to be wrong. But, it also has its 

rewards. 





Post Office Box 4567 


(931) 221-7459 





Hack Speaks 

"Where I come from, we do the right thing. I think a lot of people 

feel like I do. I have a good soapbox to stand on, and when I do 

(stand on it), I take a pretty good shot." 

About the Vietnam War 

"I was very gung-ho to win the war. I was convinced we could 

win it if we didn’t fight World War II over again...There was the 

stupidity of the generals—the top was out of touch with the bottom. 

They were using the body count like it was World War II, but the 

Vietnam War was not a war of terrain. 

"We just misjudged everything because we had conventional 

generals. We began with two batallions of Marines to protect Da 

Nang up north. The marines were there to protect the base and push 

the Viet Cong out, then farther out. Then it built up and we had 

600,000 people there and 1,000 casualties a week. 

"And everyone was lying, saying we were winning. Really, there 

was no light at the end of the tunnel...." 

Kosovo, Serbia, ethnic cleansing and the nature of war 

"Peace is blowing in the wind," Hackworth said on May 11 as he 

predicted a negotiated settlement in "the next few weeks." 

"Milosevich has accomplished every one of his objectives—his 

mission was the destruction of the KLA (Kosovo Liberation 

Army)." 

Hackworth says the KLA has been termed a terrorist group while 

Yugoslavia is a sovereign nation. 

"Let’s say it’s 1861 and France came to the United States and 

said, ‘Leave the South alone, or we will bomb you.’ President 

Lincoln says, ‘No, these are my states.’" 

But what about the charge of ethnic cleansing? 

"Tell me what Sherman did in Georgia. He cut a 60-mile swath, 

burned, looted, raped and killed everything in his path. The whole

thing about a war criminal is the guy who wins determines who the 

war criminal is..." 

We may not be seen as the ‘good guys’ on the world scene 

"We are perceived overseas as arrogant cowboys. In Serbia, 

we’re not well-thought of at all. 

"Ethnic cleansing—we supply the Turks and they kill Kurds. We 

just look the other way...What we’ve been doing is jumping into 

every dog fight in the world. Our forces are in every direction 

—humanitarian, serving as meals on wheels, peacekeeping. They 

are doing everything except defending America." 

Future hot spots 

Hackworth says he sees North Korea as a potential trouble-spot 

due to the famine it is undergoing, and, not surprisingly, the Gulf. 

"The Gulf is very strategic because that’s where we get that good 

stuff we pump into our cars. It is vital to America and its interests to 

have a pipeline." 

That’s why the varied use of American military worries him: He 

believes Saddam Hussein could retake Kuwait before our forces 

could react. 

China and our future 

"I see very clearly, say around 2020, when China has a high-tech 

military with missiles and satellites...we probably will have to go at 

it with them. I won’t be concerned, though, because I probably 

won’t be around then." 

On politicians 

"I don’t think we have any good politicians. I belong to neither 

party. I think America needs a new party, not like Ross Perot’s, but a 

Patriot Party. Politicians have totally lost touch with how we think 

and feel." 

To read more about Col. Hackworth, check out his Web site at 

www.hackworth.com. 




Office of Public Relations/Publications



(931) 221-7459 





Bouncing back even better! 

by: Dennie B. Burke 

Director of Public Relations and Publications 

R...R...R. Flashback to French class: "Remember to r..o..l..l your 

Rs." 

R...R...Rebound. Recovery. 

Renaissance. Replant. Re-green. Rebirth. 

Reunite. Rejoice! 

Last spring and summer, the letter "R" 

was big at Austin Peay! 

A line from the old Joni Mitchell song, 

"Big Yellow Taxi (They Paved Paradise)," 

replays itself mentally : "Ya’ don’t know 

what you’ve got ’til it’s gone." A haunting 

refrain. 

Swept clean of debris-mountains left 

by the Jan. 22 tornado, the campus 

looked...looked... nude. Not sexy nude. 

Not artistic nude. Embarrassingly 

nude...like seeing your grandmother in the bathtub. A scene so 

emotionally raw it hurt, releasing a flood of mixed feelings. 

Sadness. Anger. Love. Defiance. 

So Operation Green was launched! Green. As in trees, grass, 

shrubs, flowers and greenbacks pledged to help relandscape and 

replant the once lush, park-like campus! 

Insurance covered damage to buildings at APSU. Most reopened 

this fall better than BT (before the tornado). But shrubs, flowers and 

the 130 trees—some more than 100 years old—leveled by the F4 

winds were not covered by insurance or disaster funds. If APSU 

were to be "re-greened," it had to occur through private gifts and 

volunteer labor. 

Operation Green became part of the first Renaissance 

Celebration— a week filled with activities celebrating the return of 

spring and the rebirth of Austin Peay. Giant banners draped across 

damaged buildings proclaimed: "Back Soon and Better Than Ever!"

Along College Street and at key spots on campus, bright Spring 

Renaissance banners colored the drab landscape and generated a 

spirit of expectation among the University family. 

Operation Green posters announced the campaign to relandscape 

and replant the campus. A landscape masterplan was drawn up by 

landscape architects, working in conjunction with faculty and 

administrators. 

At 8:30 a.m., 

Saturday, May 1, 

more than 400 

faculty, staff, 

students, alumni, 

friends, Boy 

Scouts, Girl Scouts 

and other children 

assembled in the 

McCord parking lot 

with one goal—to 

begin replanting the 

campus. 

In a brief ceremony kicking off Operation Green, Dr. Sal Rinella, 

president of Austin Peay, thanked Dr. Wayne Chester (’66), 

professor of biology, for his hard work in chairing the effort. He 

also thanked those who had turned out to work, and he announced 

that, as of May 1, more than $100,000 had been donated to 

Operation Green. Addressing the throng assembled in front of 

McCord, Rinella said, "When the tornado leveled all our beautiful 

trees, it ripped open the heart of Austin Peay." 

But a "heart transplant" was about to begin. Spirited volunteers 

were issued caps, gloves, hoes, shovels. To the beat of Sousa march 

music piped over loudspeakers, 400 workers fanned out across 

campus. 

Each was assigned to a team led by a master gardener. The teams 

were responsible for plant-ing various areas of campus. Dogwood 

trees were planted along the front walk of Browning Building, trees 

were planted in the bowl areas and around residence halls. Within 

two hours, bright flower beds filled the campus, and barren spots 

were seeded. Although there’s still much to do over the next few 

years, much was accomplished that sunny May morning. 

After work was complete, volunteers and their families joined in 

a May Day Picnic. Together, they rested, ate, chatted and—looking 

out across campus—enjoyed seeing the fruit of their labor.

Chester said, "Current students who help replant the campus can 

tell their own children someday—when they enroll here—‘I planted 

that tree’ or ‘I helped reseed that lawn.’ 

"In 10 years, Austin Peay will be more beautiful than ever 

because we are replanting with the use of a carefully prepared, 

professional landscape plan. Not only will campus be more 

beautiful, but students using it as a lab will have more species to 

study." 

Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Operation Green, 

University Advancement Office, Box 4417, Clarksville, TN 37044. 

Be a part: Help transplant the heart of Austin Peay! 

Alums answer the call 

Through pledges to Operation 

Green, APSU alumni showed how 

much they want their alma mater’s 

campus to be restored to its former 

beauty. 

Led by Kris Phillips (’91), 

development officer, a four-night 

Operation Green phonathon was held 

in April with a goal of $10,000. Along 

with costs of all long-distance calls, 

GTE Wireless of Clarksville donated a 

phone bank at Emerald Hill Alumni Center. 

Reached at her home April 19—the first night of the 

phonathon—Mary Matlock DePriest (’33), Nashville, pledged 

$1,000 to purchase a park bench in her name. As the first student to 

enroll at Austin Peay in September 1929, DePriest has a special 

desire to replant the campus she has loved for 70 years. 

The sentiment was shared by other alums. When the Operation 

Green phonathon concluded, student-callers had secured $15,000 in 

pledges—far exceeding the goal! 






Clarksville, Tenn 37044

(931) 221-7459 





Justice is a Woman 


Director of Public Relations and Publications 

Leading into Lexington, 

Ky., Newtown Pike reflects 

both the old and the new. 

Despite motels cropping up 

along the route, several horse 

farms remain, framed by 

white-board fences or 

stacked-rock fences, some 

dating to pre-Civil War days. 

Beyond the fences, green 

fields roll into the distance. 

Wobbly-legged foals and mares 

stand close together while, in 

an adjacent field, proud 

stallions prance about on 

strong, sun-dappled legs. 

Countless artists have tried to 

freeze this scene on canvas. 

The Bluegrass of Kentucky. 

Despite the love and reverence 

the locals have for their whitefenced 

farms and sleek race horses, something gut-deep says remember this view, 

memorize it like the face of a loved one whose end is near. 

No longer a sleepy Southern town, Lexington has become a booming metropolis. 

City planners try to regulate expansion and protect the grandeur of the farms 

encircling the city, but rampant growth is as difficult to contain as cancer. 

Fayette County’s old, stone courthouse stands four-stories high at 215 West 

Main. Because it no longer meets the needs of a growing populace, a new one is 

being built. 

Located on the top floor of the courthouse, the suite of offices for 

the Hon. Mary C. Noble (’71,’75), chief judge of Fayette County 

Circuit Court, is spacious and beautifully decorated, befitting her 

position—yet warm and welcoming, reflecting her personality. 

Elegant English hunt scenes bedeck walls throughout the suite. 

Across from the receptionist’s desk, two rose-colored wingback 

chairs and a navy satin-striped, camel-back loveseat welcome 

waiting visitors. 

In Noble’s private office, high windows front on Main Street. 

The massive desk is imposing; the walls, lined with built-in shelves,

create a legal library. But the pictures of family and friends scattered 

about, the soft leather sofa facing the desk and the walls, painted a 

rich blue, are evidence this is the office of a woman—albeit a 

powerful woman. 

Although Noble and her husband, Larry (’71,’75), grew up in 

Breathitt County in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and lived in 

different towns during the early years of their marriage, Lexington 

has been their home since 1979. 

When Noble was a child, her parents separated, and her mother 

and she went to live with her grandparents. Her grandfather, George 

Henson, was a shepherd at the University of Kentucky Robinson 

Substation—an agricultural education center located in Breathitt 

County. The family was provided on-site housing. Since the 

substation is a part of UK, Noble grew up among educated people 

who came and went daily. 

This environment set the stage, but it was Henson who stressed 

education. "My grandfather taught himself to read when he was 33," 

she says, proudly. "He had a desire to learn—and he nurtured it in 

me. He told me ‘Mary, I want you to go further than I did.’" 

After high school, she enrolled at Lees College in Jackson, Ky.; 

Larry received a basketball scholarship to attend APSU. Proving 

separation does make the heart grow fonder, they married after their 

freshman year. Noble joined her husband at APSU where she earned 

a bachelor’s degree in English and a master of psychology degree. 

What did she enjoy most about her years at Austin Peay? 

Without missing a beat, she says, "Watching Larry play basketball 

in the Little Red Barn." According to longtime friend, Dr. Carlette 

Hardin (’71, ’79), APSU professor of education, Noble was her 

husband’s biggest fan, and today he’s her staunchest supporter. 

Noble smiles as she recounts how Hardin and she became 

friends: "I met Carlette in P.E.—a softball class. We were both so 

klutzy neither was ever picked; we always ended up in the outfield, 

so we stood out there and talked." It was the beginning of a lasting 

friendship. 

After teaching at Montgomery Central High School, Clarksville, 

Noble became a guidance counselor at Columbia Military Academy 

(CMA) where her husband was lower school headmaster. Later, she 

taught psychology at Columbia State Community College and 

enjoyed it so much she considered pursuing a psychology doctorate. 

About this time, a teacher at CMA sued the academy for back 

pay. In financial straits, CMA had not paid its teachers regularly.

Since Noble’s husband was headmaster, she couldn’t become 

involved, but she listened intently and her interest in the law grew. 

She says, "That’s when I decided to study law, but my ambition 

was to become a judge. It’s important that people have a judge who 

is honest and fair—and bound by law." 

Noble was accepted to Vanderbilt University’s doctoral program 

in psychology and to the University of Kentucky Law School. Her 

husband had decided education administration wasn’t for him; he 

missed interacting with children in the classroom. 

She says, "Our 

goals shifted 

simultaneously. 

Larry was an 

incredible 

support for me." 

He nudged her 

toward law, 

kiddingly saying 

she "had the 

mouth for it." 

In 1979 at age 

30, she began her 

first year of law 

school. She says, 

"It was the first 

time I had been 

in a class where 

"Mary Nobele is a strong woman who is 

well-qualified and courageous enough to make 

the right decision in cases before her. Her fine 

character is what we need," said former 

Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky Steve Beshear, 

during Noble's first run for circuit judge. 

everyone had high ability and intellect, where everyone was as 

ambitious as I. It was very, very competitive. 

"I began to think I’d made a big mistake; I was discontent and let 

my grades slide. Larry straightened me out. His reminding me we 

had uprooted our lives to allow me to do this helped put things in 

perspective. I got focused and completed law school in two and a 

half years instead of the usual three." 

After law school, Noble worked in a couple of law firms and 

then launched her own firm in 1985, as a litigation attorney doing 

personal injury and criminal defense cases. In 1989, she was 

appointed domestic relations commissioner of the Third Division of 

Fayette County. With family law issues making up half the circuit 

court cases, her psychology background proved beneficial. The 

commissioner decides issues of child support, custody, visitation 

and property division—decisions requiring sensitivity, compassion 

and patience, along with strength to do the right thing within the

law. Noble has these traits in spades. 

Her work as commissioner set the stage for a successful run in 

1991 for circuit judge; she became one of eight circuit judges in 

Lexington, and one of only three women circuit judges in the state 

at the time. During her campaign, she had the backing of several 

powerbrokers, including former Attorney General and Lieutenant 

Governor of Kentucky Steve Beshear who, touting Noble’s 

credentials, said, "Mary Noble is a strong woman who is 

well-qualified and courageous enough to make the right decision in 

cases before her. Her fine character is what we need." 

Noble is completing her first eight-year term and was unopposed 

this year for a second term. In April 1998, she was elected by her 

peers as chief judge of the Fayette Circuit Court—the first woman 

to hold this position in the court’s 200-year history. In addition to 

her full trial schedule, as chief judge she has additional 

administrative duties, such as being the official spokesperson for the 

court and serving on statewide committees. 

Noble sometimes misses litigation. She says, "There’s a fire to 

litigation. Good litigators are gladiators—full of drama and 

histrionics. I loved that part of being a lawyer as much as I do being 

a judge. Experience as a litigator has helped me be a better trial 

judge." 

She recounts some memorable cases that have been brought 

before her bench. One was a divorce case. She says, "It involved 

spouse abuse and heated custody issues. The husband had stabbed 

his wife and been admitted to a psychiatric unit. 

"He was violent, so I suspended his visitation rights with his 

children. He went to their daycare center, grabbed his three-year-old 

away from the mother as she was dropping the child off and shot the 

mother. He drove away, stopped near a local radio station—and shot 

himself. Both died. 

"That may be my most painful case. I asked myself, if I’d 

allowed visitation, would that have appeased him? But as a judge, 

you can’t start second-guessing yourself." 

She has heard it all—medical malpractices, gruesome murders, 

sexual abuse, child molestation. She says, "For your own sanity, you 

have to adopt a mindset that enables you not to take these things 

home. It sounds cold—but you must distance yourself mentally, 

develop techniques to detach yourself from the human tragedies you 

see daily. A detached judge is an impartial judge. If you can’t detach 

yourself, you shouldn’t stay on the bench."

Such detachment exacts a high cost socially. She says, "When 

attorneys get together, they talk shop. They discuss their 

cases—cases I could end up hearing as judge, so my old attorney 

pals are restrained around me. Isolation comes with the job. That’s 

why judges socialize outside legal circles." 

To "detach" as well de-stress, the Nobles retreat as often as 

possible to their lakehouse on nearby Herrington Lake. No phones. 

No interruptions. Just boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, sleeping, 

reading—renewal of mind, body and spirit. 

Judges build other barriers simply because a good judge cannot 

avoid controversial cases or issues. "Sometimes you have to make 

unpopular decisions—ones based on the law, not public opinion," 

Noble says. "You have to be courageous." 

Unpopular decisions may evoke hostility or harassment. She’s 

received threatening letters; she’s been stalked; and recently, she’s 

received a series of phone calls—no voice, just a few lines of music. 

"Larry answered the last one," she says. "The lyrics were ‘your days 

go by too fast’—followed by ‘boom, boom, boom.’ The sound of 

gunfire." 

Such inherent danger is among the factors why serving as a 

judge is so demanding. Not many women have taken up this 

challenge. Only 19 percent of all Kentucky judgeships are held by 

women. Of Kentucky’s 103 circuit court judges, Noble is one of 

only 13 women on the bench today and the second most senior 

woman circuit judge. 

This male/female discrepancy was the topic of a March 30, 1999, 

meeting in Frankfort, sponsored by the Kentucky Commission on 

Women and the Governor’s Office of Child Abuse and Domestic 

Violence Services, which Noble attended. 

With the blessing of Gov. Paul Patton, these women outlined 

three specific actions to encourage female law students to seek 

judgeships. One is to ensure law schools offer internships and 

mentoring programs, not only to interest female law students in 

becoming judges, but also to acclimate male attorneys to working 

under women judges. 

Given Noble’s record of success as a judge, does she have higher 

aspirations? She says, "At the moment, no. I love trial work and 

would miss the people contact. Appellate work is so removed from 

the daily functioning of the law. I’m not ready to give that up yet. 

Someday I might want to teach law full time." Hers is the heart of a 

good teacher—she cares deeply for young people and has helped

steer many toward better lives. 

This concern for young people has deep roots. It grew from the 

inspiration of her own role model and mentor—Marie R. Turner, 

superintendent of Breathitt County Schools when Noble was a grade 

school student. Turner held power during a time and in a locale 

where female leaders were a rarity. Noble says, "Ms. Marie ran the 

county. Besides being superintendent, she was the first woman to 

chair the State Democratic Party. 

"She took a special interest in bright children and often visited 

them at school. Many times she pulled me out of class saying, 

"Mary Jo, let’s talk,’ and she would ask me what I planned to do 

with my life. At first I told her I wanted to be an actress. She’d 

smile and nod her head. She never denigrated anything I wanted to 

do." 

Because of Turner, Noble was encouraged to set goals at an early 

age, and through Turner’s example, Noble came to understand the 

importance of reaching children when they’re young and 

impressionable. She says, "Younger defendants are appearing in 

court for serious crimes like rape and murder. These children are 

being tried as adults, which fits their crimes but causes serious 

problems in the corrections system." 

Noble stresses prevention. She visits schools often to talk about 

drug abuse and related problems. Because of her concern for 

troubled youth, Gov. Patton appointed Noble to the Juvenile Justice 

Advisory Board, which oversees juvenile justice practices. 

For the adult-addicted population, Noble established a Drug 

Court Program that is nationally recognized for its innovation and 

success. In partnership with the local police department, it requires 

addicted defendants to obtain drug treatment and to be held 

accountable through a program of review and graduated sanctions. 

One of Noble’s proudest moments was receiving the Robert 

Strauss Award, presented by the State Justice Department’s Division 

of Substance Abuse in recognition of her work with drug-addicted 

defendants. She is the only judge ever to be given the award. 

At every opportunity Noble reminds the people before her bench 

that life offers choices. She tells them: "You may be tempted to take 

the path of least resistance. Don’t. Every action has a reaction. In a 

court of law or in life, you must choose your path. What you choose 

today determines what your tomorrow will be." 

A fitting philosophy for a judge who sees herself as both an 

enforcer of the law as well as a purveyor of justice.

A fitting philosophy for a woman who knows firsthand the 

importance of taking the helm to steer one’s own course in life. 







(931) 221-7459 





1999 Outstanding Service and Outstanding 

Alumni Awards 

During the annual Homecoming/ Reunion Champagne Brunch 

and Awards Ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 23, four people 

will receive the APSU National Alumni Association’s highest 

honors. 

Receiving the Outstanding Service Award for 1999 are Peggy 

Douglas Harvill (’48), Clarksville, and Dr. Harold S. Pryor (’46), 

Columbia. Recipients of this year’s Outstanding Young Alumnus/a 

Award are Dr. Monte A. Gates (’89), Boston, and Gina Binkley 

(’83), Nashville. 

The Outstanding Service Award recognizes those individuals 

who, through fundraising, recruiting, advocacy or faithful service, 

have brought honor and distinction to Austin Peay State University. 

The Outstanding Young Alumnus/a Award, given to an APSU 

graduate or former student, 42 years old or younger, recognizes 

outstanding accomplishments in one’s profession, business, 

community, state or nation that have brought a high level of honor 

and pride to the University. 

1999 Outstanding Service Award 

Peggy Douglas Harvill 

Peg Harvill is a Tennessee treasure, a 

Clarksville collectible. 

Widely known for her beautiful 

watercolors, other worthwhile endeavors 

also show the impression of her touch. 

Don’t be fooled by Harvill’s diminuitive 

stature. She has a will that would dwarf a 

tyrannosaurus rex. When the University began plans to demolish 

Harned Hall, she helped launch a protest against the action. 

Peggy Douglas Harvill 

Due to declining enrollment, the building had been closed for 

years. Because the University couldn’t justify a need for space at the 

time, money had been appropriated to raze Harned Hall, the oldest 

building on campus that once was a women’s dormitory.

The stately Georgian building with its impressive, white columns 

had a date with destiny: The wrecking ball was scheduled to swing 

in Summer 1988. 

Destroying such a magnificent, historically significant building 

was unthinkable to Harvill. Besides Harned Hall’s historic value, 

Harvill took its impending destruction personally, partially due to 

wonderful memories of when she lived there as a student. 

Along with her friend, Dr. Howard Winn, APSU professor of 

history, the duo fostered grassroots support to save Harned Hall, 

arguing there would be a need for it in the future. The arrival of a 

newly appointed APSU president brought an ally onto the scene. 

Under pressure from Harvill, as well as other alumni, faculty and 

friends, the legislature agreed the University could use the funds to 

"mothball" the building, rather than leveling it. Within a few years, 

the University’s enrollment doubled and, ultimately, Harned Hall 

became the high-tech home of the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Generally, Harvill prefers to wield a soft-bristled paintbrush 

rather than a prickly political club. She finds more fulfillment in the 

serenity of soft-hued palettes and an artist’s white paper than in the 

adrenaline rush of stumping for a just cause. She is a traditional 

watercolorist who paints that which interests her most. 

Harvill earned her bachelor’s degree from Peabody College, 

Vanderbilt University, in 1949. Throughout 1976-86, she did 

post-degree studies in art and art history at Austin Peay. 

Her acclaim as an artist crosses state lines. Since 1981, Harvill 

has participated in workshops with nationally known watercolor 

artists. She is an artist member of the Tennessee Watercolor Society, 

exhibiting member of the Kentucky Watercolor Society and a juried 

member of the Alabama Watercolor Society. 

Her art has been included in regional and national juried 

exhibitions, including the Alabama Watercolor National, New 

Orleans Art Association National, Rocky Mountain National in 

Golden, Colo., and Mid-America National Biennial, Owensboro, 

Ky. 

Her paintings can be found in corporate collections, including 

those of Clarksville’s First American and First Federal banks, 

Clarksville-Montgomery County Museum, "The Leaf-Chronicle" 

and Opryland Hotel, Nashville. 

Harvill was a founding director of the Clarksville-Montgomery 

County Museum and served on the Tennessee Humanities Council.

She is active in the Regional Historic Zoning Commission of 

Clarksville and Montgomery County, River District Commission, 

Farmer’s and Merchants Bank Advisory Board and Main Street 

Clarksville 

Many of Harvill’s original watercolors—proven to be collectible 

art—reflect two of her great loves—historic architecture and points 

of local interest. 

To enable the University to express appreciation to major 

financial supporters, she agreed to paint a series of four of Austin 

Peay’s most beloved and historic buildings—Emerald Hill, 

Browning Building, Memorial Health Building and Harned Hall. 

Signed prints of the limited edition series are presented annually to 

members of the Austin Peay Society, which recognizes the 

cumulative giving of the University’s most generous donors. 

Harvill and her husband, Evans, have a daughter, Kitty, Little 

Rock, Ark. 

Both of the Harvills have received the Outstanding Service 

Award, ensuring them another niche in Austin Peay’s history—as 

the first husband and wife selected to receive this coveted award. 

1999 Outstanding Service Award 

Dr. Harold S. Pryor 

He’s listed under "Who’s Who in 

America," "Who’s Who in the South and 

Southwest" and "Who’s Who in American 

Education." If there were such a publication, 

he definitely would be listed in "Who’s Who 

in Educational Leadership in Tennessee." 

Dr. Harold S. Pryor, Columbia, gave 38 

years of service to Tennessee higher 

education. Although retired, he continues his 

Dr. Harold S. Pryor 

support of education, in general, and of 

Austin Peay, specifically. The love of education and an unending 

pursuit of knowledge are part of his very being. 

Born in October 1920, Pryor is a veteran of World War II. He 

earned a bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay in 1946, a master’s 

degree in 1947 from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt 

University and a doctoral degree in higher education administration 

from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1951. Throughout 

the years, he has published numerous articles in professional

journals and written chapters in two scholarly books. 

Pryor’s knowledge wasn’t attained exclusively in a classroom as 

a student, a professor or even as a college administrator. The world 

is his classroom. His wisdom has been expanded and his life, 

enriched, by travels all over the globe. 

He was in Europe eight times between 1944-1985. He traveled to 

Canada four times and three times to Mexico. He visited the Soviet 

Union in 1958 and Nationalist China, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, 

Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands in 1973. He 

returned to Europe in 1975 to tour Italy, Switzerland and Germany. 

In 1977, he traveled to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, 

Argentina and Brazil in South America. In 1980, he went to 

Portugal, Spain and Africa. During 1983, he toured Germany, 

Hungary and Austria and, in 1985, visited England, Wales and 

Scotland. 

These trips abroad shaped Pryor as much as all the classes he’s 

taken or taught or all the books he’s read. His travels add a rich 

texture and intricate beauty to the fabric of his life—like multicolored 

threads woven into a priceless, ancient tapestry. Such 

cosmopolitan adventures created a modern-day, albeit modest, 

Renaissance man. 

After 16 years of service to Austin Peay as director of student 

teaching, head of the department of education and director of 

teacher education, Pryor became the founding president of 

Columbia State Community College. 

During his 17-year presidency of Columbia State—the first 

community college established in the state of Tennessee—Pryor’s 

leadership became the proving ground for future development and 

expansion of the community college system. 

His professional memberships include the National Education 

Association, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Delta Kappa, Comparative 

Education Society, American Council of Education and American 

Association of Higher Education. 

Throughout the years, he assumed key leadership roles in the 

community and state. He is past president of the Clarksville 

Kiwanis Club and the Clarksville and Montgomery County Mental 

Health Association, as well as being past chair of the Montgomery 

County Cancer Society and the Montgomery County Heart 

Association. 

At Columbia, he served on the board of the Columbia-Mount

Pleasant Chamber of Commerce and the United Giving Fund. He 

also was on the boards of First Farmers and Merchants National 

Bank and Farmers and Merchants Corporation. 

He is past president of the Columbia State Community College 

Foundation and the Tennessee College Association and past chair of 

the board of Columbia’s public utilities, as well as serving as a 

member of the board of the Frank G. Clement Foundation Inc. 

Pryor was selected as a member of the board of trustees of the 

APSU Foundation. He served as co-chair of the class of 1946’s 

50-year reunion. Under his leadership, the class of ’46 become the 

first 50-year class to establish a class gift for use by the University. 

In honor of his wife and reflective of his ongoing commitment to 

education, Pryor established the LaRue V. Pryor Music Scholarship 

at APSU in 1993 designated for a qualified student from Clarksville 

High School who plans to major in choral music and/or music 

education. 

Pryor and the former LaRue Vaughn of Buchanan, Tenn, have 

been married since June 26, 1946. 

1999 Outstanding Young Alumnus 

Dr. Monte A. Gates 

The brain is perhaps the most 

complex—and intriguing—of all the 

body’s organs. Although it seems much 

has been learned about the brain over the 

past few years, most scientists would agree 

we have just glimpsed this new frontier. 

When it comes to study of the brain and 

the inherent implications, one young 

pioneer is Dr. Monte A. Gates, a 

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the 

Division of Neuroscience, Harvard 

Medical School, Children’s Hospital in Boston. 

Dr. Monte A. Gates 

His two-year postdoctoral research is funded until the year 2000 

through the June Rockwell Levy Foundation. In 1995-97, he 

received a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of 

Lund in Sweden, funded by the Swedish Medical Research Council. 

In 1992, he was awarded a research fellowship at the University of 

Heidelberg, Germany. 

Gates began graduate studies at Austin Peay after earning two

achelor of arts degrees from APSU—in psychology and 

philosophy. 

He earned his doctorate in anatomy and neurobiology from the 

University of Tennessee, Memphis, where he received the Sigma Xi 

Award for his work in wound healing and transplantation to the 

brain. 

Gates’ research garnered the attention of Professor Anders 

Bjorklund, University of Lund. For two years, Gates worked with 

Bjorklund—recognized as the world’s expert in neural 

transplantation and considered the innovator of the use of neural 

transplantation in treating neurodegenerative diseases, such as 

Parkinson’s Disease. 

Gates has published numerous papers in scholarly journals, as 

well as writing chapters in two scientific books. 

Currently, he is studying how circuits in the brain’s cerebral 

cortex are formed and what factors are important to their 

development. In February 1999, he published a significant study in 

"Neuron," the most prestigious journal in the field of neuroscience. 

Was Gates always a genius with an inclination toward a career in 

academic neuroscience? Hardly. 

He was born at the Fort Campbell, Ky., hospital—the last of four 

children. When his parents separated, he moved with his mother and 

siblings to Clarksville. In his words, he was "from a relatively poor 

family," and he approached high school graduation with no idea of 

what he wanted to do with his life. 

He gave consideration to entering the military, but his strongminded 

Aunt Ida (Sisk) Deal (’70) had other ideas. As high school 

graduation approached, Deal went by Gates’ apartment and 

"announced that she and I were going to the registration department 

at APSU and register me for the summer quarter," which they did. 

His academic career got off to less than a stellar start. In fact, it 

almost fizzled after the first quarter when he left the University 

briefly. But he returned and began the process of trying to raise his 

GPA. 

As he progressed, he was drawn to the psychology department 

where the professors, especially Dr. Buddy Grah and Dr. Tony 

Golden, were "exceptionally good mentors," willing to answer 

questions from a young man searching for his niche in life. 

In a short time, he discovered philosophy was his second love, 

and Dr. Bert Randall, professor of philosophy, became his teacher

and friend who, Gates says, "was so passionate in his teaching and 

discussions that I found I truly enjoyed questioning, thinking and 

hypothesizing answers." 

Regardless of the international academic stars with whom Gates 

studied after graduating from APSU, he calls Grah, Golden and 

Randall, "the most significant mentors in my life. 

"The combination of learning how to conduct science 

(psychology) with how to think and reason (philosophy) has been an 

immeasurable advantage for me. Many times I wonder what I might 

do to show them just how important their influence has been." 

Although Gates studied at UT-Memphis, the University of 

Heidelberg, the University of Lund and Harvard University, he has 

positive memories of Austin Peay. 

In an e-mail, he wrote: "In my tours of many universities since 

(my days at APSU), I have yet to experience a place that compares." 

1999 Outstanding Young Alumna 

Gina R. Binkley 

In the high-pressure, competitive world of 

advertising and design, Gina R. Binkley, Nashville, 

is quietly, but steadily, making a name for herself 

and her work. 

When she left her hometown of Ashland City to 

enroll at Austin Peay, she had given little thought to 

what she wanted to study, what career she would pursue. 

In high school, she had enjoyed being involved in the dramatic 

arts and theatre, but an honest self-assessment showed it was 

unlikely she could make a living as an actress. Yet her heart 

remained in the arts, so she shifted the need to express herself from 

the stage of the performing arts to the classrooms and studios of the 

visual arts. 

In December 1983, she graduated from APSU with a BFA in 

advertising design with a strong focus on printmaking and 

photography. Although accepted to Northern Illinois University’s 

graduate program, she decided to gain some work experience 

instead. Her first job was in Vanderbilt University’s Office of Public 

Relations. 

Two years after graduating from APSU and after building a 

portfolio through several free-lance jobs, she accepted a position

with Eric Ericson and Associates, the beginning of five years of 

advertising experience in Nashville. During two of those years, she 

was the sole art director at The Bohan Agency. 

In 1990 she struck out on her own, launching Gina Binkley 

Design. It evolved into Altar Ego Design, which is located in a 

renovated warehouse in downtown Nashville. Among her staff are 

two APSU alums—Janice Booker (’82) and Clarence Jernigan 

(’83). 

Altar Ego Design’s primary emphasis is within the music 

business, including CD packaging, advertising and promotion, 

corporate identity and illustration. 

Among Binkley’s clients are Sixpence None the Richer, Deana 

Carter, the Dixie Chicks, Mandy Barnett, Country Music Television 

and The Ryman Auditorium. 

Sixpense None the Richer garnered Altar Ego Design a Dove 

Award in 1998. This year, Altar Ego was nominated for a Grammy 

for a CD package designed for RCA Nashville and featuring the 

group, Los Super Seven—members of Los Lobos as well as Freddy 

Fender, Flaco Jiminez and Joe Ely. The project, which showcases 

traditional Mexican-American music, is being submitted to various 

print competitions with a near certainty of gaining additional 

recognition for the piece and the music. 

Binkley has received numerous Nashville Advertising Federation 

Addy Awards, and her work has been shown at the 3-Dimensional 

Illustrators Show held at the New York Art Directors Club. There 

she received bronze and silver awards for her illustrations. 

Binkley has gotten into sync with the rapid pace of the 

advertising design business, and she has begun—through talent and 

tenacity—the sometimes spiraling, always exciting ascent into the 

stratosphere of this here-today-gone-tomorrow industry. 

Who knows what lies ahead? Whatever it may be, she enjoys and 

welcomes the challenge. 







(931) 221-7459





Just a Click Will Link you to APSUNAA 

Nine years ago, the APSU Alumni Association was organized 

into a national association. Since that time, the NAA has continued 

to grow and, along the way, has offered numerous services to Austin 

Peay alumni. 

Moving into a new millennium, our NAA is a true "pioneer" with 

the October debut of the APSUNAA On-Line Community 

—exclusive to Austin Peay alumni! 

As an alum, you and 30,000 fellow alums can chat, search for a 

job, find lost classmates or start a list-serv—all through your 

computer and the Internet. In addition, you will receive the latest 

campus news and be among the first to learn about alumni events 

planned in your area. 

By partnering with Harris Communications, the company that 

published our printed directory, we are giving alumni the 

opportunity to participate in one of the most exciting options on the 

Internet. 

It’s easy to do, and no fee is involved. Just boot up your 

computer and let the reunion begin: 

How to Log On: 

Access to the community is obtained by accessing the Austin 

Peay homepage (www.apsu.edu). Once there, select the Alumni and 

Friends link, which will take you to the On-Line Community link. 

To access the community: 

You will enter the community after supplying the information 

required at our security checkpoint (last four digits of social security 

number). This is needed to ensure validity of each person accessing 

the community. If problems occur entering the community, you will 

have the option of sending us e-mail, and you’ll receive a response 

by the next business day. 

Once you provide the correct security information, you will be 

prompted to choose a user id and password. You will then use your

user id and password anytime you want to access the community. 

Once inside the community you will have access to: 

The on-line version of our alumni directory is comprehensive 

and searchable. You can update your own personal data on-line, as 

well as linking to other alumni E-mail addresses and personal home 

pages. 

Alumni can post or search for job opportunities and resumes or 

share career advice and information, by identifying themselves as 

potential mentors for other alumni. 

Utilize on-line career counseling services, including career 

assessment and guidance from selected companies. 

Link to other Web sites that offer job listings and career advice 

or link to Austin Peay's Career Services Office Web Site. 

This feature allows alumni to have a permanent e-mail address 

by automatically forwarding e-mail sent to their Austin Peay 

forwarding address to the electronic mailbox they desire - even if 

they change e-mail providers. For example, when you select this 

feature, your e-mail address will be: 

user id@apalum.apsu.edu 

This space on the on-line community is for alumni to store their 

personal home pages or use the easy tools provided to create a new 

one. 

Several message boards will be available for alumni to 

communicate on common subjects such as Austin Peay sports. 

In addition to these specialized areas, several "hot links" to other 

communities will be available for you to visit. 

If you have any questions or suggestions about the on-line 

community, or want to be excluded from the on-line directory 

component, please contact the Alumni Relations and 

Development Office at 1-800-264-ALUM, 931-221-7979 or 

e-mail 

phillipsk@apsu.edu 







(931) 221-7459 





3X5 plan for success 


Director of Public Relations & Publications 

Meszaros’ 3 x 5 Plan 

for Leadership 

Three Philosophical Principles: 

(1) See the glass as half full, not 

half empty, (2) leave things better 

than you found them and (3) 

believe in people. 

Five Steps to Problem-Solving: 

(1) Assess your environment; (2) 

survey all available resources; (3) 

develop a plan; (4) establish 

targets; and (5) celebrate success. 

Scheduled to speak to several 


groups on March 25, Dr. Peggy 

Sisk Meszaros (’62), provost and 

senior vice president of Virginia 

Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, flew out of Richmond the 

evening of March 24. 

Her plane touched down in Nashville, but her suitcase took an extended trip to 

Kansas. On her drive to Clarksville, dark store fronts whispered "closed, closed." 

When she checked into her Clarksville hotel room, she had her purse and the 

pants suit she was wearing. 

Time to put her 3 X 5 Plan to the test. 

The next morning at breakfast with members of APSU’s 

President’s Emerging Leaders Program, Meszaros told the young 

leaders-in-training her "war story" from the previous night—perfect 

segueing into her 3 X 5 Plan for Leadership. 

She confided to the students that, when she learned her luggage 

was gone, she could have panicked. Instead, she remained positive 

and proactive. She assessed her situation and resources; then she 

began soliciting help. 

A woman she met in the hotel lobby volunteered to take her to a

nearby Kroger that’s open 24 hours a day. With an eye to 

innovation, Meszaros made a fast reconnaissance of the store. She 

determined what she could substitute for the clothing and other 

items in her Kansas-bound suitcase, purchased those and headed 

back to her room. 

Hot steam from the bathroom shower erased travel-wrinkles 

from her suit. Almost good as new. She climbed into bed and 

dropped into a worry-free sleep. 

As she related this adventure to the PELP students, they realized 

that the 3 x 5 plan is more than pretty words on paper. It’s a formula 

for success. 

Speaking to various groups throughout the day, Meszaros had no 

prepared speech, not even prompt-points on an index card. She says, 

"If you can’t speak from your heart, you shouldn’t speak. When a 

speaker reads his or her speech, I tune out. If the message doesn’t 

come from the heart, it’s probably not worth hearing." 

On Feb. 1, 1995, when she was named provost and senior vice 

president of Virginia Tech, Meszaros became the highest ranking 

female administrator in the school’s history. A longtime leader in 

higher education, Virginia Tech is a land-grant, research university 

with 28,000 students. 

As the chief academic officer, she supervises the university’s 

instructional, research and extension and outreach programs, 

graduate school, information technology and systems, student 

affairs and a number of academic support offices. 

She develops the academic budget and long-range plans. She 

plays a major role in the university’s governance, curriculum 

development and the selection, promotion and approval of faculty 

tenure. And she is Virginia Tech’s liaison with the State Council of 

Higher Education. 

In addition to 70-plus scholarly articles, she has written a book, 

titled "Developing Learning Centers: A Competency-Based 

Approach." She routinely makes scholarly presentations at national 

meetings, and she has been a leader in the American Association of 

Family and Consumer Sciences, Kappa Omicron Phi National 

Honor Society, National Higher Education Committee and National 

Extension Committee. 

In recognition of her accomplishments, Meszaros was named to 

the University of Kentucky’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 

April 1995.

Since few women of her generation were expected to attain such 

success, what was her impetus? Her family roots are in 

Hopkinsville, Ky., in Western Kentucky. When she was growing up, 

Hopkinsville was a farming town where tobacco was king and an 

emphasis on higher education was minimal, especially for women. 

Her road to success has been a long one with a few detours, but 

an inbred self-confidence and determination have been twin 

compasses, helping her stay the course. 

After earning a bachelor’s degree in home economics from 

APSU, Meszaros taught in Hopkinsville for three years. Like many 

young women living near Fort Campbell, she became a military 

bride and soon gave up her job to follow her husband, Alexander, as 

he climbed the career ladder in the U.S. Army. 

The couple moved 17 times in 20 years. During that time, they 

raised three children—Lisa, Elizabeth and Louis. Today their grown 

children, along with spouses and six grandchildren, are scattered 

from Maryland to Georgia. 

Meszaros enrolled in graduate studies at the University of 

Kentucky when her husband was deployed to Vietnam. After an 

honest assessment of her family’s situation, she began preparing to 

be the breadwinner in the event her husband should be killed in 

combat. In 1972, she completed her master’s degree in education. 

What began as "insurance," should she become a widow, turned into 

a passion for learning. Whatever the future brought, it would 

include a Ph.D. for her. 

When her husband returned from Vietnam, they moved to 

Nebraska and from there to Maryland. While raising three busy 

children and serving as department chair at Hood College in 

Frederick, Md., Meszaros drove to and from the University of 

Maryland in College Park where, in 1977, she earned a doctorate in 

higher education. 

In 1978, her husband retired from the military. She says, "Al told 

me, ‘You followed me around the first 20 years; I’ll follow you for 

the second 20.’" With his encouragement, she accepted a position as 

associate dean of home economics at Oklahoma State University. 

While there, her husband earned a law degree at the University of 

Oklahoma. 

After six years in Oklahoma, Meszaros began to consider two 

positions as dean at Auburn University and the University of 

Kentucky.

As she often had done in the past, she turned to her father, the 

late Gene Sisk of Hopkinsville, for advice. Throughout her life, he 

had encouraged her efforts and cheered her achievements, helping 

her reach further than many young women of that era. 

She says, "Daddy told me to list the pros and cons of each job. 

But I still couldn’t decide, so Daddy said, ‘If you take the UK job, 

the headlines in the paper will say ‘Local Girl Chosen Dean at 

UK.’" A hint that ultimately tipped the scales. 

Meszaros became dean of UK’s College of Human 

Environmental Sciences. She says, "I took a college on the decline 

with little endowment and, with the faculty, built a first-rate 

program in eight years." Her father lived to enjoy his daughter’s 

success at UK. In many ways, it was her gift to him—a final tribute 

to his never-ceasing belief in her. 

In 1993 Virginia Tech made an offer she couldn’t refuse. She was 

named dean of Virginia Tech’s College of Human Resources 

—recognized nationwide as the third best program in the country. 

"My goal was to make it No. 1," she says. 

In February 1995, after one year as dean, Meszaros was named 

senior vice president and provost. In addition to students on the 

Blacksburg campus, an additional 3,000 attend at extended sites. As 

a land-grant university, Virginia Tech has a mission to provide 

statewide programs. 

Since Virginia Tech’s president announced his retirement last 

year, Meszaros has shouldered more of the university’s 

management, including the $500 million budget. 

With her successful ascent up the career ladder, does she aspire 

to this presidency? Thoughtfully, she says, "Throughout my career, 

the next level always came after me, not vice versa. If something 

presents itself, I’ll consider it. But I love what I’m doing now." 

How does she maintain the stamina for such a schedule, which 

starts early and runs late, often seven days a week? She says, "I’m 

in my office by 7:30 a.m. 

"But I’ve learned it’s necessary to create time for myself, so I get 

up at 5 a.m. and exercise 45 minutes. Then I spend 30 minutes 

meditating and reading my Bible. I have to fill myself up or I have 

nothing to give others." 

And she gives a lot. Blacksburg is "the most wired city in the 

world," according to Meszaros, and Virginia Tech was a high-tech 

university long before most others. Since technology has been an

integral part of education at Virginia Tech for more than 10 years, it 

was one of the first universities in the nation to require all students 

to own computers. 

She says, "The computer is an important tool, especially for a 

research university that must look constantly for ways to leverage 

new programs through technology." As an example, Virtual Reality 

Institute of Troy, Mich., which is homebased in Sweden, formed a 

partnership with Virginia Tech. To finesse this international 

partnership, Meszaros worked with faculty to enlist the aid of 

Virginia’s U.S. Sen. John Warner and Folk Ekeus, Swedish 

Ambassador to the United States. Through their collaboration, 

Virtual Prototyping and Simulation Technologies Inc. (VPST) was 

born. 

Meszaros says, "AT VPST, we have a 3D CAVE (Computer- 

Assisted Virtual Environment) that allows you to walk through a 

building that’s not been built yet and see what it looks like—design 

a building in virtual reality. Click on a wand and move a wall here, a 

window there. The first time I went through it, we put the furniture 

on the ceiling for fun. It was so ‘real,’ I became queasy. 

"And just think what this means to our students. Those in 

biology can ‘walk’ into a human cell, see what it looks like to be 

inside a molecule. In other words, virtual reality enables us to ‘live’ 

various experiences in a safe environment." 

Another of Virginia Tech’s learning labs is the Math Emporium. 

Meszaros says, "We took over an old department store downtown, 

renovated and refurbished it with 500 computers in pods of eight." 

Open 24 hours a day, the Math Emporium is staffed around the 

clock by faculty and peer coaches who are there to assist students. 

In its second year, preliminary data on the Math Emporium 

indicate a 44 percent increase in success among students taught in 

this environment as opposed to traditional teaching. According to 

Meszaros, this unique approach to learning represents an excellent 

marriage of technology and service to students. 

As part of its mission as a land-grant university, Virginia Tech 

established the Corporate Research Center, considered one of the 

most successful corporate research projects in the nation. Located 

adjacent to campus, it provides an outlet for faculty to serve as 

consultants to private corporations. And students at the center 

observe and learn how corporations develop from an embryonic 

idea to a productive entity. "Our Corporate Research Center has 

spawned more than 40 companies," Meszaros says. "Not only does 

it facilitate faculty satisfaction, it’s a way to bring in new jobs."

Meszaros views things, not only as they are, but also as they 

could be. She requires herself—and others—to think outside the 

box. Many of her contemporaries are beginning to slow down, 

physically and mentally. Not her! She thrives on birthing creative 

ideas and relishes new opportunities. With Meszaros, innovative 

ideas—nourished by an inner wellspring of knowledge—bloom and 

grow as rapidly as spring flowers. 

She says, "I used to think, when I got my Ph.D., I would know 

everything. I’ve come to realize how much I don’t know. Now I’m a 

lifelong learner. Currently, I’m teaching myself Italian, and I keep 

five or six books going all the time." 

When Meszaros was dean at UK, she insisted on teaching the 

capstone course for all seniors in her college. Despite her hectic 

schedule at Virginia Tech, she takes time to interact with students. 

In addition to being a host family for international students, she 

invites students to lunch three times monthly. In this informal 

setting, students provide feedback on various issues. In return, she 

opens the door for mentoring relationships. 

Meszaros credits this desire, as well as much of her success, to 

Marjorie Stewart who was her major master’s degree professor at 

UK. She says, "We developed a strong relationship. Marge used to 

take me to lunch and talk about my career. She was a demanding 

teacher, but she also was my inspiration." 

When Meszaros completed her master’s degree, she asked 

Stewart how she could ever repay what Stewart had done for her. 

Meszaros says, "Marge told me, ‘Just do for your students what I’ve 

done for you. 

"That’s how you pass it on.’" 







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Accentuate the positivettee of 

1,000 

The words that changed 

a youngster from a street 

tough to a strong young 

woman don’t seem 

profound on the surface: 

"This is the last 50 cents 

that you will get from me," 

Vernon Winfrey told the 

seventh-grade dropout who 

was forever mooching 

money from whomever she 

could in the east Nashville 

neighborhood. 

That day in the mid-1960s, C. BeAird-Gaines (’98) — she’s 

shortened Cynthia to C. — got the message. 

"I took off running, but he shouted after me. He said, ‘Do you 

hear me? You get back in school and get yourself a job and you be 

somebody.’" 

And so she embarked on a career that would take her from the 

streets of east Nashville to the Pentagon, a career that was 

successful because she worked smart and stayed positive. Now she’s 

sharing these lessons on topics such as attitude, education, honesty, 

stress, teamwork and vacation in a self-published book, "Job 

Instruction for Survival and Serendipity." 

Winfrey, former Metro councilman and owner of Winfrey’s 

Barber Shop (and father of Oprah Winfrey), remembers well the day 

she called him after being out of touch for a decade. 

"She said, ‘I’m calling from the Pentagon’ and she went on to tell 

me what I had meant to her," Winfrey recalled. 

He had seen her hanging around the barber shop, acting tough, 

but he had seen something else, too.

BeAird-Gaines became motivated to return to school — she 

stayed out for two years before going back to the eighth grade. She 

worked hard and, after graduation, joined the military, where she 

remained for more than 22 years, earning several college degrees 

along the way and retiring with the rank of detachment first 

sergeant. 

Her husband, an officer and a pilot, flew spy planes. 

"We joke and say that he flew and got the information, gave it to 

me and I passed it out," she said. 

What she learned in that process, however, was that she had not 

left all her anger and her struggles behind in the Nashville of her 

girlhood. 

"I was not always a positive person," she said. "Working in the 

Pentagon is like being on a Ferris wheel from the time you go in the 

door until the time you leave — usually about eight hours. You ask 

the guy to stop somewhere along the way, and he says, ‘No, not yet.’ 

It keeps you in constant motion." 

Finally, she learned that when an officer gave her a task that 

seemed impossible, she could, in fact, accomplish it. She just had to 

believe that she could. 

As she carried out those tasks, she pondered their significance 

and came up with the series of instructions she offers in her book — 

instructions that show how outcomes can be changed by looking at 

how a task or attitude is negative, then how it is positive, and, 

finally, how it can be a survival strategy because of the surprising 

lessons that come from it. 

"Serendipity can be defined as making unexpected discoveries 

about life and spirit by accident," BeAird-Gaines said. "That’s what 

I found as I thought these things through." 

Here’s an example of the way she shows readers how to look at 

things differently for new — and better — outcomes: 

• "Negative. Oppostition and life’s storm seem to be raging all 

around you. Everything in your workplace seems to be falling 

apart, and the air is heavy with negative vibrations. You feel 

you are being targeted as the source of these troubles. ‘Why 

me?’ you ask." 

• "Positive. Opposition and turmoil are what make some 

people thrive. Trying to influence change in a person who is 

always instigating chaos and discord between fellow

co-workers is not an easy undertaking. However, a good way 

to start is to write by endorsement. This means formulating 

solutions for problems and giving the written suggestions to 

your supervisor, and then everybody wins. Your supervisor 

will take it from there. These matters will usually clear up 

within 48 hours." 

• "Survival and Serendipity. Opposition usually leads to 

conflict. Conflict usually leads to vindictiveness. 

Vindictiveness usually leads to trouble. If you know that you 

are not part of a negative situation, try and keep it that way. 

Moreover, if you cannot add something positive to the 

situation, then do not add anything." 

While BeAird-Gaines’ "instructions" are geared to the 

workplace, they are also applicable in many other areas of life. 

The older of her two daughters is now a pediatrician. "She knew 

me before I really learned this positive thing," Be-Aird-Gaines said. 

"I think it gave her an opportunity to see a change in her mom. Now 

she is not only a physician, but she is a mother, and she has a 

lifelong opportunity to use the lessons that I learned. 

"What happens is that when you start to look at things positively, 

you begin to do things that way, not just because society says it is a 

nice thing to do, but because it is in your soul," BeAird-Gaines said. 

And for her, it was planted there 35 years ago when a man in the 

neighborhood took enough notice to force her to take a look at what 

she was doing — and failing to do — with her life. 

"My first thought about Mr. Vernon Winfrey that day was, ‘Old 

man, you leave me alone.’ But he got me thinking. As a result of 

him nurturing me and cultivating me, I grew. I’m trying to do the 

same thing for others." 

(Reprinted with permission from The Tennessean, May 6, 1999 edition. Linda Quigley, author.) 







(931) 221-7459 





From the vice president of 1,000 

Like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," in the 

aftermath of the Clarksville 

tornado we find ourselves as a 

University in a very different 

place from where we were 

before, a place of renewed 

commitment and unique 

opportunities. Recovery efforts 

have generated an increased 

sense of unity as we move 

forward, building on a common 

purpose—the rebirth, renewal 

and restoration of Austin Peay. 

Communal willpower has 

propelled us forward, mindful of 

our purpose and sacred trust—educating and 

equipping the next generation of leadership. 

Our students, along with an outstanding faculty 

and committed staff, have exhibited uncommon 

strength in the face of adversity. Many people have 

worked together displaying the courage, the brains 

and the heart to rebuild our campus community. The 

winds couldn’t extinguish the light of learning at 

Austin Peay, and this University has continued to 

shine as a beacon of hope and a gateway to lifetime 

opportunities. 

Austin Peay alumni and friends have risen to the 

challenge as well. Thank you for your strong support 

of Operation Restoration and Operation Green. You 

have been key to our renewed strength and vigor. We 

hope that you will come to campus during the 

Homecoming activities described in this issue of the 

Austin Peay magazine. You can access information 

about those events on the APSU Web site for alumni

and development at www.apsu.edu or contact our 

offices by calling 1-800-844-APSU. 

We welcome your suggestions and ideas and look 

forward to your active participation in National Alumni 

Association activities, travel opportunities and 

regional events. 

As we face a new millennium and new 

opportunities for beginning again, your involvement 

and investments can help to provide the impetus for 

this campus community to achieve more than we ever 

dreamed. 

We’re on a journey together, collectively venturing 

"over the rainbow" toward a new century. There we 

may well find that "all the dreams we’ve dared to 

dream" really can come true for Austin Peay State 

University! 

Len Hofman 

Vice President for University Advancement 







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Making APSU headlines 

USDA official presents grant to APSU, Clarksville 

Anne Kennedy, deputy undersecretary for the United States 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) celebrated Earth Day at Austin 

Peay where she awarded a grant of $50,000 to APSU and the city of 

Clarksville to replant trees lost in the tornado. 

On April 22, Kennedy joined local officials in planting the 

"Renaissance Dogwood" on the APSU campus. She also presented a 

$25,000 grant to the city of Jackson, hit by an earlier tornado. 

The grants were obtained through a joint effort between the 

Tennessee Division of Forestry and the USDA’s Forest Service’s 

Urban and Community Forestry Program. 

Marie Anglin, president of the Five River RC&D, originated the 

grant with Frank Newberry, coordinator. 

Stars "rise" to the task 

A host of stars performed at APSU during the spring semester, 

seemingly drawn by the tornado’s tragedy. 

In Hollywood on the evening of May 12, the wildly popular 

group, Sawyer Brown, opened the prestigious Country Music 

Awards show with the hit single from their new CD, "Drive Me 

Wild." SB debuted the same song during the Feb. 26 benefit concert 

at APSU. The purpose of their concert was to give tornado victims a 

night of high-energy fun. Donations collected at the door went to 

help the local tornado victims. 

Austin Peay’s friend and supporter, Louise Mandrell, presented 

an award at the CMA show. Mandrell donated her time and talent 

for two consecutive years to help raise money for Austin Peay 

athletics. Following in Mandrell’s footsteps, Kenny Chesney — 

who had a successful summer performing on the nationwide George 

Strait Summer Tour — presented a concert June 29 at APSU with 

proceeds going to APSU athletics. At the CMA Show, as well as the 

APSU concert, Chesney sang "How Forever Feels," his single that

was No. 1 on the country charts for six consecutive weeks. 

As part of the APSU/Clarksville Community 

Concert Artist Series, world-renowned pianist, 

Misha Dichter, performed April 11 in the concert 

theatre of the music/mass communication building. 

Dichter performs solo recitals worldwide and plays 

regularly with the world’s greatest orchestras. 

On April 16 jazz-singer Nnenna 

Freelon headlined Austin Peay’s Mid-South Jazz 

Festival. Concert-goers heard cuts from her latest 

album, "Maiden Voyage," during her hot 

performance in the concert theatre, music/mass 

communication building. 

On the evening of April 23, a 

super-star concert featuring 

country/pop diva Deana Carter 

kicked off Renaissance Week. 

Carter introduced newcomer Chris 

Knight, who sang the opening 

45-minute set of the concert. 

Performing the second set was 

Allison Moorer, who sang her hit 

single "A Soft Place to Fall" (from 

the movie, "The Horse 

Whisperer") at both the Academy 

Awards Show on March 21 where 

it was an Oscar contender for Best Original Song and on the CMA 

show where Moorer was a nominee for Top New Female Vocalist. 

In tight black leather jeans with her blonde hair blowing and her 

trademark bare feet keeping beat on the Dunn Center stage, Carter 

rocked the house. She received numerous standing ovations, 

especially after responding to repeated audience cries for 

"Strawberry Wine," the single that propelled her career into 

fast-forward. 

Known for her down-home charm and audience interaction, she 

introduced friends and family in the audience—including her 

brother, Ronnie (’88), Nashville. Carter reminisced about visiting 

Austin Peay when her brother was a student here. 

While the tornado blew down electric lines and cut off energy to 

the campus for a short time, it also blew in a bevy of bright stars 

who poured new energy into tornado-weary fans and lit up the

campus and community in a never-to-be-forgotten way! 

As Hallmark says, they cared enough to give the very best. 

Human-rights activist, 

author Harry Wu speaks at 

graduation 

Austin Peay’s 1999 

graduates left commencement 

with the inspirational words of 

Harry Wu ringing in their ears 

and, perhaps, in their souls. 

A respected author and 

human-rights activist, Wu spent 19 years in a Chinese laogai, or 

government prison camp. Since earning his freedom, he has risked 

his life repeatedly returning to China and visiting prison camps to 

document atrocities on film. 

The founder and executive director of the Laogai Research 

Foundation, Wu’s work has brought him worldwide admiration of 

those who know the story of his sacrifice and survival. Wu has been 

recognized worldwide, receiving both the Martin Ennals Human 

Rights Award and the AFL-CIO award for outstanding public 

service in 1993. 

Upon his return to China in 1995, Wu was arrested for "stealing 

state secrets" and expelled from the country. Since his expulsion and 

return to the United States, he has vowed to continue the exposure 

of the Chinese government’s mistreatment of its citizens. 

Speaking at APSU’s May 14 commencement, Wu explained that, 

unlike the candidates for graduation sitting before him, he wasn’t 

able to attend his own graduation because the Chinese Communist 

Party had declared him a "counterrevolutionary rightist" and a 

political criminal. 

He said, "What did I do to deserve this fate? I spoke my mind. In 

the spring of 1957, at the invitation of the Chinese Communist 

Party, I like many other members of China’s so-called ‘intellectual 

class’ openly criticized the government. With this act I began 

learning—the hard way—that freedom is priceless." 

Today, Wu is an American citizen. This citizenship—backed by 

the strength of America and the U.S. State Department—secured his 

freedom in 1995 when the Chinese government arrested him for

trying to enter the country illegally. 

He said, "What I will continue to do is work to expose the human 

rights abuses of the Chinese government. I feel that, if the truth 

about the way (China) treats its people is fully known around the 

world, then it cannot remain. There must be democracy in China if 

the Chinese people are going to prosper as they deserve." 

Wu’s international bestsellers "Bitter Winds" and 

"Troublemaker: One Man’s Crusade Against China’s Cruelty" are 

stories of courage against the odds. Telling in vivid detail of Wu’s 

life in the laogai and his journey of survival, they plead for the 

betterment of the human condition. 

Hardin wins annual APSUNAA 

award 

Among the faculty awards 

presented at each spring 

commencement is the APSU National 

Alumni Association’s Distinguished 

Professor Award. 

This year’s recipient was Dr. Carlette Hardin (’71, ’79), 

professor of education. She earned her doctorate in educational 

leadership from Vanderbilt University in 1984. Both her bachelor’s 

and master’s degrees are from APSU. 

Since becoming part of the APSU faculty in 1981, she has served 

as director of the Freshmen Transition Program and been director of 

the Developmental Studies Program. In 1994, Hardin was president 

of the 2,000-member National Association for Developmental 

Education and is president of the APSU chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. 

In 1986, she wrote "A College Yearbook: Making It Through the 

First Year," published by Ginn Press. Her "Access to Higher 

Education: Who Belongs?" was the outstanding article for the 

1988-89 volume of the "Journal of Developmental Education." She 

is under contract to write a fastback for Phi Delta Kappa to be 

published in 2000 and an orientation text for adult students to be 

published in 1999 by Cambridge Press. 

In 1997, Hardin received the Outstanding Faculty Community 

Service Award for helping create the Crisis Call Line and for her 

outstanding service to United Way. 

Design for new UC unveiled 

In early May, APSU officials unveiled designs for a new

University Center, which has been in the works for years. 

According to Dr. Sal Rinella, president of APSU, the new 

building will be complete by Fall 2001 and should open shortley 

after the new science building. According to Rinella, both will be 

state-of-the-art facilities. 

Like the science building, the new UC will blend with the other 

Jeffersonian-style buildings on campus. The new building will be 

twice as large as the current UC, covering approximately 86,500 

gross square feet. The total cost is projected at $17.7 million. None 

of the funding will be supplied by the state. Instead, an increase in 

student fees, which was approved by student vote, will help defray 

the cost. 

Plans include a bigger food court with more dining options, 

student organization workspace, 24-hour lounge, coffeehouse, 

information desk, seven meeting rooms and a ballroom. Tentatively 

slated to have space in the new building are the offices of career 

services, student development and the student newspaper and 

student magazine. 

A large, bricked plaza connecting the new UC to other studentcentered 

buildings, such as the Memorial Health Building, will 

emphasize that, truly, students are at the heart of Austin Peay. 

"Austin Peay" magazine receives national, state acclaim 

In the Fourteenth Annual Admissions Advertising Awards 

competition, APSU’s Fall 1998 issue of "Austin Peay" won a 

Bronze Award in the area of External Publications for colleges and 

universities with 5,000-9,999 students. 

With more than 1,600 entries this year, the competition is 

sponsored by "Admissions Marketing Report," the national 

newspaper of admissions marketing. 

During the annual meeting of the statewide Tennessee College 

Public Relations Association (TCPRA) held in April at Vanderbilt 

University, Dennie B. Burke, editor of "Austin Peay," was honored 

as author of the top story in the state. 

Public relations officers from both public and private colleges 

and universities throughout Tennessee comprise TCPRA. Markham 

Howe of Mangan/Holcomb & Partners, Little Rock, Ark., judged 

the competition with its 24 categories ranging from newsletters to 

video ads. 

Burke won the Gold Award for her article, "Off the Wall,"

published in the Fall 1998 magazine and featuring author and humor 

columnist, Paula Wall (’76). 

Winner of alumni shopping spree announced 

Congratulations to Ann Gilliam (’95, ’98), Franklin, Tenn., who 

won the $50 shopping spree from the APSUNAA Logo 

Merchandise in last fall’s "Austin Peay" magazine. Her name was 

drawn from those who responded to the reader’s survey. 

The number of survey responses was low. Surveys returned 

show: 

* Most responses came from alumni of the 

1950s and 1990s. 

* 88 percent read some of each issue. 

* Half of the readers keep the publication. 

* 70 percent said publishing three times 

yearly was "about right." 

* The magazine rated highly on quality of 

content, attractiveness and photography. 

* Rated "most interesting" were class notes 

and feature articles. 

* Rated "least interesting" were Honor Roll of 

Donors and fund-raising articles. 

* 100 percent were "very satisfied" or 

"satisfied" with the magazine. 

The editorial staff thanks Mary Ann Erwin, Robert Breese, 

Jerome Jackson, Kimberly Letson and Shane Pendley who wrote the 

survey proposal, compiled the data and presented the final report. 

All were students in a marketing class taught by Dr. Steve 

Anderson, professor of marketing, who served as the project 

director. 






Clarksville, Tenn 37044

(931) 221-7459 





Fundraising/Operation Green Update 

Setting the scene 

It may be old news—but remaining behind are many reminders of 

the power of the Jan. 22 tornado, which cut an ugly path through 

Austin Peay State University. Thankfully, no one was killed, 

although several buildings suffered severe damage and, most 

noticeably, the campus was like a colorful slate, wiped clean. 

Much of the lush, parklike landscape, which 

took nature hundreds of years to create, was 

leveled in seconds. After the initial clean-up 

in January, what struck most people were 

not the roofless buildings. They were under 

repair, and most are back in use. 

What tugged at people’s hearts were the empty spaces once filled by 

green trees, bright flowers and rolling lawns. 

Facing the future 

Following the tornado and after the personal needs of students and 

faculty were met, it was time to survey what remained to be done. 

Federal and state insurance and disaster funds would restore 

damaged buildings but cannot be used to "re-green" campus. 

Accepting the challenge 

If the campus were to be replanted and relandscaped, it would be up 

to you and me. Hundreds stepped forward, making personal 

commitments to help with Operation Green, a two-pronged 

campaign to solicit volunteers to begin relandscaping Austin Peay 

with the guidance of master gardeners and to raise money to 

relandscape the campus. 

Through personal gifts, a four-day phonathon and a successful mail 

solicitation, Phase I of Operation Green culminated May 1 when 

APSU President Sal Rinella announced that more than $100,000 

already had been raised and when 400 volunteers turned out to 

begin replanting campus. 

What’s next?

There’s still much to be done. The cost to replace just the damaged 

trees is estimated to be $200,000, excluding flowers, grass, park 

benches and outdoor lights. 

We’re halfway there. Operation Green Phase II is underway—to 

continue to raise the needed funds to relandscape Austin Peay’s 

campus. 

Who’s at bat? 

You are. If you haven’t stepped up to the plate as yet to help 

"re-green" your alma mater’s campus, it’s not too late. Please return 

the following intent form or your gift in the postage-paid envelope 

included in this magazine. Any gift above $250 to Operation Green 

provides various naming opportunities and moves you into one of 

APSU’s prestigious giving societies. The various societies and 

donors are listed in the next section. 

Who wins? 

We all do. The rebirth of Austin Peay’s campus means a renewal of 

school spirit for alumni, friends and current students, as well as an 

improved and more beautiful arboretum for use and enjoyment by 

future generations. 

What can I do? 

You can help replant Austin Peay by clipping and returning the 

attached intent form and/or your gift in the envelope. And, 

remember, your gift is tax-deductible! 







(931) 221-7459 





1998-99 Honor Roll of Donors 

Dr. Sal Rinella 

APSU President 

There have been several times in 

AustinPeay’s history when we have been at a 

unique crossroads. This is certainly among 

the most significant. The campus opened the 

1998-99 academic year with a wonderful 

groundbreaking ceremony for our new $38 

million science building. Shortly thereafter 

we announced the successful completion of 

our Committee of 1000 Scholarship 

Campaign in which close to $1 million was donated to help fulfill 

the academic dreams of new and returning students. 

On January 22, 1999, we were visited by a major tornado. In its 

aftermath, our alumni, friends, business partners in the region, 

Chancellor Smith, his staff, the Tennessee Board of Regents, and 

our local legislative delegation rallied to ensure that the University 

had the material and moral support needed. As a result, a 

comprehensive restoration program is under way, which will return 

our grounds to their original beauty, restore all the damaged 

facilities and completely renovate two major buildings — the 

Clement Building and the beautiful and historic home known as 

Archwood. Austin Peay will rise from the tragic events of January 

22 as a stronger, more modern and even more beautiful campus. 

If all this were not enough, in Spring 1999, we received final 

state approval to begin constructing our new $18 million University 

Center. The groundbreaking will occur this fall. In Spring, 1999, 

with a capstone gift of $650,000 by alumni, Wayne and Bobbi Pace, 

we completed the $1 million campaign to restore our beloved 

Emerald Hill. As a result, the Alumni Center will undergo a 

much-needed renovation and restoration. 

So, it has been a remarkable year — a physical renaissance. The 

Fall 2001 occupancy dates of the science building and University 

Center will coincide with yet another crossroads in Austin Peay 

history: our 75th anniversary. We look forward to a year-long 

celebration that will honor the past as we create the future. 

Austin Peay is a special place. We are assisting our students

along the path of realizing dreams — intellectually, socially and 

spiritually; we are equipping students for the top jobs of the 21st 

century; we are bringing strength, through services and culture, to 

the region we serve; and you, alumni and friends, continue to 

distinguish Austin Peay by your many achievements. With your 

help, the next generation of students will also have the benefit of 

what I call the unique Austin Peay Experience. 

We hope you will invest in that future by continuing and 

enhancing your involvement in one of the Giving Clubs below. Your 

confidence and investment in Austin Peay will make a difference 

and help change lives, one person at a time. 







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Sportsittee of 1,000 

Virta receives NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Award and 

OVC award 

Honors just keep coming Julie Virta’s (’99) 

way. This year Virta was named an Ohio 

Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete 

third-team GTE Academic All-American, an 

NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient 

and the first recipient of the OVC’s Steve 

Hamilton Sportsmanship Award 

The Libertyville, Ill., native is one of just 16 women’s basketball 

players who have been awarded the $5,000 NCAA scholarship. She 

is the only recipient from a Tennessee college. 

The Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award is given annually to an 

OVC male or female student-athlete who best exemplifies the 

characteristics of the longtime Morehead State student-athlete, 

coach and administrator, Steve Hamilton. Criteria includes 

significant athletics performance along with good sportsmanship 

and citizenship. 

Earlier this spring, Virta received the Joy Award as Austin Peay’s 

most valuable senior athlete while earning her second straight 

APSU Women’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. 

Virta also excelled on the court. In 1998-99, she was one of the 

Lady Govs’ top offensive players and one of just three female 

athletes to earn the OVC Scholar-Athlete Award and is the Lady 

Govs basketball program’s first GTE Academic All-American. 

The mathematics major has received the OVC Medal of Honor for 

three straight years for having the highest GPA in her respective 

OVC sport. She has been a member of the OVC Commissioner’s 

Honor Roll for three years and has been a member of APSU’s 

Athletics Director’s Honor Roll all seven previous semesters. 

Fund established to create Dr. Leon Bibb Scholarship; OVC 

inducts Bibb into Hall of Fame

Family and friends of the late Dr. Leon Bibb, who served Austin 

Peay in various capacities for more than 40 years, have established a 

Hall of Fame Scholarship in his memory. 

The Ohio Valley Conference also inducted Bibb into the OVC Hall 

of Fame June 1, bringing the OVC Hall of Fame membership to 44. 

The Dr. Leon Bibb Hall of Fame Scholarship will assist a 

graduate-level student within the athletic department. 

"Daddy’s life was built on helping other people," said Jeff Bibb 

(’76). "Our goal is to raise $50,000 to $75,000. Hall of Fame goes 

with excellence, and we hope additional scholarships will be funded 

in other peoples’ names." 

The Bibb family made a $10,000 lead gift to the scholarship fund. 

Bibb joined the Austin Peay faculty as chair of the industrial arts 

department in 1952, and he served as faculty chair of athletics from 

1955-1979. He was instrumental in leading the University into the 

Ohio Valley Conference, elevating the athletic program to a higher 

level of NCAA competition in the early 1960s. 

Inducted into the APSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984, Bibb was 

inducted posthumously into the OVC Hall of Fame last June. 

Gifts to the Dr. Leon Bibb Hall of Fame Scholarship can be sent in 

care of the University Advancement Office, Austin Peay State 

University, Clarksville, TN 37044. For more information, telephone 

931-221-7127. 

Schmitz, Govs gear up for fall 

When Bill Schmitz took over the Govs’ program two years ago, he 

was saddled with a schedule that still included several scholarship 

1-AA programs. 

In addition to maintaining some of the Governors who elected to 

stay during the transition, Schmitz signed enough junior college 

players/transfers that enable Austin Peay to compete. 

A large majority of the scholarship players—15—played their final 

game last fall as Austin Peay moved closer to its total 

non-scholarship phase. 

The Govs will be attempting to rebuild their offensive and defensive 

lines. Ted Skipper is the only returning starter on the defensive front 

while junior guards Larry Washington (6-1, 360) and Mike Allen 

(6-2, 260) are the only offensive line starters back. Martels Carter

(6-2, 310, Sr.) will be moved to center. 

Six selected as outstanding athletes 

Six Austin Peay athletes were recognized with APSU’s most 

esteemed athletics honors for the 1998-99 school year at the annual 

athletics banquet. 

Scott Niewland (’99), an Ohio Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete 

Award recipient and a four-year starter for the Govs’ golf team, was 

named the men’s recipient of the Joy Award as the most valuable 

senior athlete. 

Julie Virta (’99), also an OVC Scholar-Athlete and APSU’s first 

women’s basketball GTE Academic All-American plus a starting 

forward for the Lady Govs, received the Joy Award as the most 

valuable women’s senior athlete. She also earned her second straight 

departmental Women’s Scholar-Athlete Award. 

Senior Vince Tweddell (’99), who set the Austin Peay record for 

receiving yards in his one Govs’ football season, was named 

"Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year," while sophomore Ayesha 

Maycock, the OVC indoor track champ in the long jump and a 

member of the double champion 4x400-meter relay team, was 

named "Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year." 

Also, tennis’ Robert Powell, a junior, was named the department’s 

recipient of the Men’s Scholar-Athlete Award. 

Basketball Govs bolster front-line with four signings 

The Govs have announced the signing of 6-9, 220-pound center Joe 

Williams, a junior college All-American from Champlain College 

(Burlington, Vt.); 6-8, 210-pound forward/center Curtis Harris, a 

transfer from Chipola (Fla.) Community College; 6-8, 205-pound 

center Josh Lewis, a prep standout from Lexington (Ky.) Lafayette 

who set the Kentucky State High School blocked shot record as a 

senior, and 6-7, 215-pound forward Igor Macura, a Slovenian 

forward via Zephyrhills (Fla.) High School. 

The quartet combines with the fall signing of Theanthony Haymon, 

a 6-7, 210-pound forward from Bossier Parish (La.) Community 

College who enjoyed an outstanding sophomore season preparing 

for his Austin Peay career. Austin Peay head man Dave Loos is 

hopeful the newcomers—all 6-7 or taller—can help alleviate the 

losses of seniors Jerome Jackson and Scott Combs (’98). 

Williams, a Clementon, N.J., native, averaged 16.4 points and 13.6 

rebounds per game as a sophomore after averaging 13.2 points and

12 rebounds per game a year ago at Champlain. He shot 59.2 

percent from the floor and 78.9 percent from the free-throw line. He 

also had 68 blocked shots. 

His 13.6-rebound average ranked second in the nation among 

Division I junior colleges and his total of 447 rebounds was first. 

As a sophomore, Harris averaged 8.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per 

game for Chipola Junior College (Marianna, Fla.). 

Lewis, meanwhile, is relatively new to the sport. He didn’t begin 

playing organized basketball until his sophomore year. Last season 

was his first as a varsity member at Lafayette High School, a team 

that ranked among the state’s top 15 most of the season. He made a 

huge impact. He averaged 11.9 ppg and 10.3 rpg while blocking 164 

shots (6.6 bpg). 

Macura came to the states last summer as an exchange student, 

playing for his host, Craig Milburn. He was not a disappointment on 

or off the floor. 

He averaged 19.4 points and 10.9 rebounds per game in his only 

season at Zephyrhills. He shot 45 percent from the floor and 69 

percent from the free-throw line, although he sank a school-record 

29 straight free-throws during the season. Macura led his team in 

steals (2.8) and was second in assists (3.2). 

APSU names assistant basketball coach 

Marty Gillespie, who has 17 years of college coaching experience 

as a Division I assistant and Division II and junior college head 

coach, has been named APSU’s assistant basketball coach. 

Gillespie replaces Bret Campbell, who resigned last spring to 

become head coach at Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee- 

Martin. 

Prior to working for Nike as a team sports representative, Gillespie 

served 10 years as a Division I assistant, four years as a Division II 

head coach and three as a junior college head man. He was head 

coach at Wisconsin-Parkside from 1992-96 and helped that program 

in its transition from NAIA to Division II status. He also had a 100 

percent graduation rate by NCAA standards. 

From 1986-91, Gillespie served as assistant coach at Bradley, 

working for Stan Albeck, former NBA head coach and current 

Atlanta Hawks assistant. Bradley won three Missouri Valley 

Conference titles with Gillespie there, and three teams were ranked 

nationally, including the 1987-88 team ranking as high as 10th.

Lady Govs softball adds five for 2000 season 

First-year head coach Tara Csernecky’s initial recruiting efforts have 

ended with five standout prep players: infield-outfielder Jenny 

Kelly, Jasper, Ala.; third baseman-second baseman Brooke Platt, 

Dyer, Ind.; Holly Ricketts, a pitcher-first baseman, Mount Juliet; 

Heather Skeels, a pitcher from Wasco, Calif.; Christina Garza, a 

catcher-infielder, Davie, Fla. 

Lady Govs go JUCO route during spring recruiting 

After signing three standout prep players during the fall, the Lady 

Govs basketball team went the junior college route with spring 

recruiting. 

All four spring signees come from the junior college ranks: Andrea 

Alvarez, a 5-6 point guard from Wabash Valley Community College 

(Mt. Carmel, Ill.); 5-10 forward Jocelyn Duke, also of Wabash 

Valley; 6-2 post player Felicia Dowell, of Shelby State Community 

College (Memphis), and her juco teammate, Zuri Jones, a 5-7 guard. 

Three Austin Peay athletes earn Arthur Ashe Junior Sports 

Scholars Awards 

Three Austin Peay athletes have received Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports 

Scholars Awards in their respective sports. 

Jules Hewitt (’98), earned first-team honors for the third straight 

year in football, while Melissa Olivo was a second-team choice for 

track and Luis Delfin was a second-team choice in men’s track and 

field. 

Hewitt, a defensive end for the Govs, graduated with a 3.75 GPA, 

majoring in public management and criminal justice. Olivo is a 

junior middle distance runner with a 3.51 GPA and is majoring in 

Spanish. Delfin, Austin Peay’s top cross country runner, has a 3.47 

GPA and is majoring in engineering technology. 

Gooch signs $4 million contract with Tampa Bay 

Buccaneers 

Jeff Gooch (’96) has signed a four-year deal, worth 

about $4 million, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of 

the NFL. The Bucs re-signed Gooch after he received 

an offer from the Cleveland Browns. A two-year 

starter at outside linebacker, Gooch has made 107 

tackles, forced six fumbles, recovered two and made 

one sack in his three-year career.

Wells sidelined due to injury 

Austin Peay’s all-time leading scorer on the basketball court, Bubba 

Wells (’97), went down with an Achilles tendon injury in July after 

playing this past season in the Continental Basketball Association 

for the La Crosse (Wis.) Bobcats. The injury could sideline Wells 

for six months. 

After being the 35th person chosen in the 1997 NBA draft by the 

Dallas Mavericks, Wells was traded after one season to the Chicago 

Bulls. The Bulls waived him after one exhibition game. 

Wells averaged 8.9 points per game and 2 rebounds per game in 13 

games for the CBA team. He made 44 out of 82 field goals, going 

five for 12 from three-point range. He hit 23 out of 27 free throws. 

He scored 15 points in one game in his best outing for the team. 

O’Sullivan drafted by Mets 

Austin Peay outfielder Pat O’Sullivan was 

drafted in the 34th round by the New York Mets in 

baseball’s June amateur draft. 

An Orland Park, Ill., native, O’Sullivan transferred 

to Austin Peay from Freed-Hardeman University 

for his senior season, hoping the exposure and 

step-up in experience would help his chances of 

playing professionally. It worked, as he hit .369 with 17 home runs 

and an OVC-leading 65 RBI. His home run and RBI numbers rank 

second only to Nate Manning (’96) in single-season totals. 

The scout who recommended O’Sullivan was Greg Tubbs (’84), 

who played infield and outfield for the Governors. 







(931) 221-7459 





Class of 1950 Lost Members 1,000 

If you have any information on these lost alumni who are members of the class of 

1950 celebrating a reunion in Spring 2000, please contact the Alumni Relations 

Office at 

1-800-264-ALUM 

or by e-mail at: alumni@apsu.edu. 

Mary B. Baggett 

Autheta G. Burke 

Robert R. Forrest 

Ida M. Foust 

Bettye L. Giles 

Joyce Hardman 

Mary Heldreth 

Weck Howse 

Maurice R. Meadows 

James E. Quarles 

Andrew E. Stitt 

Georgia M. Wimberley 







(931) 221-7459 





Class Notesittee of 1,000 

’50 

Daniel Francis Elliott (’50), Lincoln City, Ore., is semi-retired, working as a 

volunteer at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. He also chairs the Lincoln County 

Property Tax Appeals Board and the local sewer district. He and his wife have five 

children: Dan Jr., David, Mary, Stephen and Helen. 

’54 45th Class Reunion 

Oct. 21-23 

’55 

William B. Everett (’55), Brandon, Fla., retired from the 

United States Department of Justice, Immigration and 

Naturalization Service, as a special agent. He worked for 22 

years in Texas and then was promoted to special agent and 

worked in Florida for 11 years. 

’56 

Tom Hurt (’56) retired from James Madison University as professor of health 

science in 1996. He and his wife, Linda, live in Harrisonburg, Va. They have three 

children: Julie, David and Scott. 


Oct. 21-23 

’60 

Kathleen Weatherford York (’60), Louisville, Ky., teaches in the Jefferson County 

Public School System. She is involved in Senior Olympics and will represent 

Kentucky in the National Senior Games this October in Orlando, Fla. She will swim 

in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle and the 50-yard 

backstroke. She placed 10th in the 100-yard freestyle at the 1998 Nationals for

master’s swimming. 


Oct. 21-23 

’65 

Dr. George Murphy (’65), professor and chair of the department of biology at 

Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, was inducted into the APSU Phi 

Kappa Phi chapter’s Academic Hall of Fame in April. He has worked with the 

Tennessee Tech Aqua Biological Station, TVA, the Nature Conservancy, U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. 

Howard L. Yarbrough (’65, ’66) is department head of biology and environmental 

sciences at Chattanooga State Technical Community College. He and his wife, 

Nancy (Branson) (’67), have one child, Kevin, and they live in Ooltewah. 


Oct. 21-23 

Dr. William Ronald Mills (’69, ’73) was inducted into the APSU Phi Kappa Phi 

chapter’s Academic Hall of Fame in April. He has taught science at the high school 

level and has been a Visiting Scholar at the University of Cambridge in England. 

Mills is professor and chair of the Division of Natural Sciences, University of 

Houston-Clear Lake. 

Betty L. (Pressly) Pulford (’69) is chemistry and physics department secretary at 

Arkansas State University, Jonesboro. She lives in Paragould. 

Nancy (Cruise) (’69) and David Jordan (’71) live in Fairview, Tenn. He is 

principal of the high school there. 

’73 

Ted White (’73) has been reappointed by Gov. Don Sundquist to serve on the 

Mid-Cumberland Community Services Agency board. His term runs through Sept. 

30, 2002. A retired high school principal, White lives in Clarksville. 


Oct. 21-23 

James "Jim" David Cunningham (’74), Valrico, Fla., is a brigade commander, 9th 

Brigade, FL Division, Army of Tennessee, Sons of Confederate Veterans. He is 

former deputy adjutant for John T. Lesley Camp 1282. He was named a Kentucky 

Colonel by Gov. Paul E. Patton and a Tennessee Colonel by Gov. Don Sundquist. 

’75 

Leann M. (Swan) Collins (’75) is quality programs coordinator for Lifeguard 

Health Plan, San Jose, Calif. She and her husband have a daughter, Caitlin 

Elizabeth, and they live in Boulder Creek, Calif.

’76 

Larry Carroll (’76) was named one of the top 300 financial 

planners in the country in the September 1998 issue of Worth 

magazine. He has been selected for this distinction each of the 

four years that Worth has compiled the list. 

Titled, "If I Were a Man, I’d Marry Me," the second book by 

sydicated humor columnist and author Paula Wall (’76), 

Fairview, Tenn., was released Aug. 4 by Ballantine Books., New 

York City. As of press time, Wall was scheduled to be a guest on 

NBC’s "Today" show on Aug. 5—the first stop on a nationwide 

promotional tour for her new book. Wall was featured in the Fall 

1998 issue of "Austin Peay" magazine. 

Bruce W. Godwin (’76), a Navy lieutenant commander, was honored by the 

Honolulu fire department for rendering aid to two car accident victims. Godwin, 

who joined the Navy in October 1976, is assigned to the Naval Medical Clinic, 

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

’77 

Michael L. Davis (’77, ’81) works at the Pentagon as the deputy assistant secretary 

of the Army (civil works) and oversees the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Joe Ted Gray (’77) is director of training at Community Rehabilitation Agencies of 

Tennessee in Nashville. He and his wife, Laura, have one daughter, Molly. 


Oct. 21-23 

Janis Lea Maynard Graham (’79) is an account executive for the United Parcel 

Service in Clarksville. She serves as a Chamber of Commerce ambassador and 

affiliate member of the Board of Realtors. 

L. Marlene Jones Patillo (’79) is a chemist for the Maryland Department of 

Environment, where she inspects labs and wastewater facilities statewide. She and 

her husband, James, an electronics technician, live in Glen Burnie, Md., and have 

four grown children and six grandchildren. 

’80s 

Alan Hall (’80) is director of environmental and safety affairs for Mobile 

Aerospace Engineering Inc. His wife Beth (Atkins) (’79) teaches kindergarten in 

Fairhope, Ala., where the family lives. She has taken a leave of absence to stay 

home with their newly adopted daughter Jillian McGregor. Jillian was born in the 

People’s Republic of China, where the Halls traveled with their daughter, Mary 

Beth, to receive this new addition to their family.

Lt. Col. Peter "Joe" Uzelac (’80), an aviator and 19-year 

veteran of the U.S. Army, is professor and chair of Tennessee 

Technolog-ical University’s military science department and 

leads the Golden Eagle ROTC program. A Clarksville native, his 

awards include Expert Infantryman, Senior Aviator, Master 

Parachutist and Air Assault badges, as well as the coveted U.S. 

Army Ranger tab. He’s been awarded the Meritorious Service 

Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement 

Medal, in addition to second, third and fifth oak leaf clusters. 

Carol Ann Nesbitt (’80, ’86) is curriculum coordinator for the Shelby County 

School System in Germantown, Tenn. She and her husband, Major Richard Ott, live 

in Memphis. 

Tom Crozier (’81) received the Chairman Konishi Award, which is presented by 

TAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. to the top sales representative in each sales force. He also 

was named to the Excalibur Guild, representing the top third of the sales force and 

received the Big East Impact Award for the Managed Care Specialty Sales Force. 

The awards were presented at the company’s national sales meeting in Tokyo. He is 

a regional account executive for TAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. and lives in Nashville 

with his wife, Mary (’78), a pharmacist, and three children, Clair, 13, MaryTom, 

12, and Blake, 10. 

Barbara (Thweatt) Sampson (’81) is tax manager for the Tennessee Department 

of Revenue, Nashville. She and her husband, Rick, have two children: Natalie, 15, 

and Eric, 12. They live in Goodletsville. 

Mona M. Webb Vacca (’81) and her two children live in Fort Worth, Texas. After 

spending some time overseas in the early 80s, she has worked in social services, 

daycare and as a community volunteer. 

Joanne Tribue (’82, ’84) was one of four 1999 Walter Nipper Nashville Civitan 

Club Sportsmanship Award winners. A member of APSU’s Athletic Hall of Fame, 

she led the Hunters Lane High School (Nashville) girls’ basketball team to the 

sectional tournament. 

Kerry Lon Crowley (’84), Little Rock, is senior geologist with the Arkansas 

Department of Health, Division of Engineering, Source Protection Program. 

Mark D. Daniel (’84) is head football coach and athletics director for Screven 

County High School in Sylvania, Ga. He and his wife, Alisa, have three children, 

Amy, 19, and Warren and Willis, 15. Daniel played football for the Governors from 

1977-80. 

Terilyn C. Perry (’84) has been in private pediatric practice in Columbus, Ga., for 

the past six years. She earned her M.D. in 1989 from Meharry Medical College. She 

and her husband, Stanley Jackson, live in Columbus. 

Lt. Duane Egert, USN (’85), was named Graduate Student of the Year in the 

College of Human Ecology, University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He began an 

internship in occupational health at the UT Medical Center in Knoxville and is an 

environmental health officer with the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps. 

Mike Irby (’85) has coached the Houston (Germantown, Tenn.) High School boys 

and girls soccer teams to national prominence. In the June 1999 "USA TODAY" poll, 

his boys team was rated as the No. 1 team in the nation. His girls team finished in 

the No. 5 spot in the nation. Both teams won the Tennessee AAA soccer title for the 

past two years.

Ken Crews (’86) has been sworn in 

as a U.S. Secret Service special agent 

with his first assignment at the 

Chattanooga regional office. Crews 

is the son of Dr. Robert and 

Hester (’88) Crews, Clarksville. 

Charles Michael Creamer (’86), Cadiz, Ky., is a computer 

operator at the Jennie Stuart Medical Center, Hopkinsville, Ky. 

Bill Martinov (’87) is working toward a doctorate of education at St. John’s 

University in New York. He is head strength and conditioning coach at St. John’s 

University after working 11 seasons at the University of Notre Dame as assistant 

strength coach. He and his wife, Kathleen, have two children: Tyler, 3, and 

Mikhaila, 2. 

Cynthia Leanne (Miller) Jackson (’88), Goodletsville, received her master’s 

degree in public service management from Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn. 

Don Terry Wedley (’89) completed his master’s degree in supervision at Texas A 

& M University, Kingsville. He is employed by the San Antonio Independent 

School District in San Antonio, where he teaches and coaches. Wedley also is video 

coordinator for Trinity University, and he and his wife live in San Antonio. 

’90s 

Lori Haneline (’90) is employed by GTE-Wireless as a retail sales associate in 

Clarksville. She won a Caribbean cruise from GTE for achieving top three percent 

sales performance in the region. She and her three-year-old son, Nicholas, live in 

Clarksville. 

Bronwyn Celatka (’91) has joined T.W. Frierson Contractor Inc., Nashville, as 

human resource manager. She is responsible for benefits administration, including 

health, life and disability insurance, 401(k) profit sharing plan and workers’ 

compensation for more than 245 employees. She lives in Goodletsville. 

David Armstrong (’92), who previously worked as quarterback and fullback coach 

and recruiting coordinator at Austin Peay, is an assistant football coach at North 

Greenville College, Tigerville, S.C. He is the team’s new offensive coordinator and 

quarterback coach, coming from Greenville College in Greenville, Ill., where he 

was defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. 

Lori Angie (Damron) Beene (’92) has been promoted to director of strategic 

alliances marketing for Tandy and Radio Shack and is based in Fort Worth. She and 

her husband, Eric, live in Mansfield, Texas. 

Claudia J. Erickson (’92) is a a health education specialist for the San Bernardino 

County Department of Public Health in San Bernardino, Calif. 

Shannon Marie Salyer (’92, ’93) teaches biology and coaches girls’ soccer at 

Northeast High School in Clarksville. 

Christopher (Chris) J. Tucker (’92) and his wife, Kimberly (Goins) (’93), live in 

Sheffield, Ala., with their two children, Autumn, 6, and Kyndra, 2. He is assistant 

football coach and head track coach for Sheffield City Schools. He played football 

for the Governors. She is case manager for Northwest Alabama Family Options, 

Sheffield. 

Cynthia Jane Wallace (’92), Clarksville, received her master’s degree in public

service management on May 1 from Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn. 

Tracy (Provo) Knight (’93) is an adjunct instructor for Middle Tennessee State 

University College of Business. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Steve, a 

physician and radiologist, and two-year-old son, Phillip. 

Donna Fay Lovett Ryder (’93) is a reporter and assistant editor for The Daily 

Messenger, a newspaper in Union City, Tenn. Husband William Jay Ryder (’96) is 

a shift manager for Pizza Hut while continuing graduate work at Western Kentucky 

University, Bowling Green. They have one child, Jonathan Patrick, age 2. 

Robert (Rob) M. Wooten III (’93) is employed by Southern Trust Insurance 

Company. He and his wife, Megan, live in Antioch, Tenn. 

Kimberly Allison Bailey (’94) won the National 

Award for Best of Show for her design in the gift 

basket business category. Her business, "A 

Basket To Remember" is located on 242 W. Main 

St., Suite 343, Hendersonville. During her student 

days at APSU, she was a member of the Psychology 

Club. She and her husband, Keith, live in 

Hendersonville. 

Debbie Lynne (Redman) Baker (’94) is a registered nurse for the Little Company 

of Mary Hospital, Torrance, Calif. She has two sons, Brian Andrew, 11, and 

Brandon Alexander, 2. 

Captain Stephen Andrew Cole (’94) graduated from the University of Tennessee 

College of Medicine. He has been selected for a surgery internship in El Paso, 

Texas, and is employed by the U.S. Army. His wife, Veronica (Wilson) (’93, ’98), 

is a Spanish teacher in Lenior City, Tenn. 

Michelle (Boles) Madrid (’94), morning show anchor for WTVD, a top-30 market 

area television station in Raleigh, N.C., flew to London to cover the death of 

Princess Diana. Madrid was in Great Britain for a week providing live reports. 

Veronica Luton Hill (’95) is a customer relations representative for the General 

Motors Acceptance Corp. in Norcross, Ga., where she lives. 

Dana Marie (Smith) Leaman (’95) is an advanced biomolecular research scientist 

for the Naval Research Laboratory, Geo-Centers, Washington, D.C. She and her 

husband, Keith, have two children, Jessica and Zachary, and live in Prince 

Frederick, Md. 

Krista Fawn Laws (’95) is a manager at Hastings Entertainment in Richmond, Ind. 

She and her husband have one child, Matthew Sean Morrow, 2. 

Rebecca Elizabeth (McKee) Mooneyhan (’95) received her master of natural 

science degree from Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau. She is an 

adjunct faculty member at Shawnee Community College, Ullin, Ill., and lives in 

Vienna, Ill. 

Casey D. Norwood (’95) is senior district executive for the Boy Scouts of America 

in Johnson City, Tenn., and lives in Greeneville, Tenn. 

Laurie Rogers (’95) writes a weekly opinion column for The Leaf-Chronicle, 

Clarksville’s daily newspaper. Laurie, her husband, Warren, and daughter, Heather, 

live at Fort Campbell, Ky. 

Angel Childress (’96) has received her jurisdoctorate with

highest honors from the University of Tennessee. She works in the litigation section 

of the Harwell, Howard, Hyne, Gabbert, & Manner law firm in Nashville. She has a 

son, Daniel, and is married to Ryan Jones, a Vanderbilt University faculty member. 

Childress, known as Angel Smith when she was at APSU, was SGA president. 

John D. Freed (’96) is programmer and analyst for American General Life and 

Accident in Brentwood, Tenn. He was inducted into the 1998 edition of the 

"International Who’s Who of Information Technology." He and his wife, Janie, live 

in Clarksville. 

Michelle Denise (Bowman) Gardner (’96) works in the mortgage loan department 

of First Farmers and Merchants National Bank, Columbia, Tenn. She and her 

husband, Jason, live in Williamsport, Tenn., with their daughter, Isabella, 21 

months. 

Jeff Gooch (’96) has signed a four-year 

contract, worth about $4 million, with the 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. The 

Bucs re-signed Gooch after he received 

an offer from the Cleveland Browns. 

Michael Markus Hasselbrink (’96), Rockvale, Tenn., received his master’s degree 

in public service management on May 1 from Cumberland University, Lebanon, 

Tenn. 

Lorrie R. Austin (’97) is a financial services representative for American General 

Finance in Memphis, where she lives. 

Blake David Hardwick (’97), Nashville, is a software development coordinator for 

SyMed Development Inc., Brentwood. 

Robert Earl Isbell (’97) is pursuing his master’s degree in public administration at 

Tennessee State University. He is a managed health care specialist for the state. His 

wife, Melissa (’95) is a contract specialist with Magellan Behavioral Health. They 

have one child, Kelby Kyle, 6, and live in Kingston Springs. 

Jarold Thomas (Tom) Johnston Jr. (’97) is serving in the U.S. Army at the 

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany as a maternal child health nurse. 

He was involved in caring for patients from the Kenya embassy bombing. Johnston 

and his wife have three children: John Lawrence, 4, Jacob Matthew, 3, and Emily 

Elizabeth, 9 months. 

Donna L. Giroux (’97) and her husband, Tim (’97), now a student at the 

University of Texas-Tyler, live in Flint, Texas. She is going through the 

credentialing process to get a Texas teaching certificate. 

Diane M. Carr (’98), Cadiz, Ky., works in accounts receivable for Mid-Continent 

Spring Co. in Hopkinsville, Ky. 

Rachel Rebecca (Archer) Kolb (’98) is staff auditor at Tourville, Simpson & 

Henderson, CPA, Columbia, S.C., where she lives. 

Terri Nicole (Bullington) Lindsey (’98), Nashville, is a credit analyst for SunTrust. 

Anita May (Dyke) Richardson (’98) is assistant director for the United Service 

Organization (USO) in Baumholder, Germany. She and her husband, John, have 

three children, Mari Beth, 12, John, 10, and Courtney, 9.

Andrew Winner (’98) has been appointed as a full-time guitar instructor at the 

Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tenn. At Austin Peay, he studied under Stanley 

Yates, associate professor of music. The Renaissance Center promotes educational 

programs and initiatives. 

LaRae Davenport (’83, ’99), 

left, APSU assistant director 

of alumni relations, received 

her bachelor of science degree 

in communication arts during 

commencement exercises 

May 14. Her husband, 

Buddy (’81), is real estate 

manager for Best Buy. They 

live in Clarksville with 

their sons, Parker and Guy. 

Amy Spiceland (’99), Clarksville, is an 

intern with the National Park Foundation 

and works in Washington, D.C. 

Births 

Robin "Proctor" Wilson (’87) and her husband Bryan Wilson (’85), had a 

daughter, Peyton Michelle, born Dec. 11, 1998.The family, including Tyler, 8, and 

Josh, 5, lives in Clarksville. 

Kim Markus-Jones (’91) had a daughter, Kassidy, on May 3, 1999. Markus-Jones 

is a fourth-grade teacher at Stuart-Burns Elementary School in Dickson Co. 

Angela Christina (Lombardo) Wright (’96) and husband Joey (’96) have one 

child. She is a literature specialist for The Trane Company, Clarksville. 

Amanda Jean Ogg (’96) and her husband Bobby Jr. (’96), Adams, have a 

daughter, Abigail Alaine Ogg, born Feb. 1, 1999. Amanda is a first grade teacher for 

Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, and he is self-employed farmer. 

Bill Persinger (’91) and his wife, Lee (Watson) (’91), have a daughter, Lainey 

Katherine, born May 5, 1999. She weighed seven pounds, 15 ounces and was 20 

inches long. The Persingers live in Clarksville, where Bill is assistant director for 

graphic design in APSU’s Office of Public Relations and Publications. Lee works as 

a publishing manager for Jostens.

Deaths 

Mack Chandler (’51), 69, died May 8 of lung disease at Vanderbilt University 

Medical Center, Nashville. He was buried at his farm in Bath Springs, Tenn. He 

attended Austin Peay on a basketball scholarship and was a first-team member of 

the Ohio Valley Conference All Conference Team. 

After graduation, he became coach at his high school alma mater, Lobelville High 

School, before moving to other schools. Chandler spent the next 50 years as a coach 

and school administrator, working at Scotts Hill, Sardis, Riverside and other 

schools. As a varsity basketball coach for 31 years, he was courtside for 1,760 

consecutive games, without missing a game. 

In 1998, the Tennessee House of Representatives proclaimed April 25 as "Mack 

Chandler Day." 

He is survived by his wife, Irene Barham Chandler, five children, 11 grandchildren 

and seven great-grandchildren. 







(931) 221-7459 





Alumni Newsi00 

Discover Alaska! 

Last year, several 

APSU alumni enjoyed 

the spectacular and 

rugged beauty of 

Alaska durijng a trip 

sponsoreb by the 

APSUNAA. 

August 

September 

October 

14 The Tri-Cities Alumni Chapter enjoyed a an evening on Watauga 

Lake with Phil Roe, M.D. (’67) and his wife Pamela, Lee Ellen 

Ferguson-Fish, (’84) and her husband Scott. 

19 The Montgomery County Alumni Chapter held its annual 

"Pre-Drop Party" at Emerald Hill. To be a part of the Round-Up 

Committee, call LaRae Davenport. 

18 The Montgomery County Alumni Chapter Round-Up Party! 

Sponsored by and held at Ajax Distributing and Miller Lite, party 

proceeds benefit the Austin Peay National Alumni Association. 

18 Dayton, Ohio, alumni can catch the Governors playing football in 

their area at 6 p.m. 

20 -Oct. 21 University Phonathon! Answer the call! 

7 Nashville alumni can enjoy lunch at Merchants on Broadway. 

Special guest is nationally syndicated humor columnist and author, 

Paula Wall (’76). At press time, Wall was to be a guest Aug. 5 on 

NBC’s "Today" show, kicking off a promotional tour for her second 

book, "If I Were a Man, I’d Marry Me." Enjoy lunch, followed by a 

reading and book-signing by Wall. 

9 Legend of the Seas - 12-night Mediterranean Cruise. Travel to

November 

December 

February 

Barcelona, Spain, Marseilles, France, Livorno, Italy, Messina, Sicily 

and VilleFranche, France with Larry (’67) and Kay Martin (’62) as 

your travel hosts. 

14 Join alumni from Todd, Trigg and Christian counties as they host 

a reception for students preparing to attend college. Location tba. 

16 Charleston, S.C., alumni 

can catch the Governors 

playing football in their area 

at 12:30 p.m. 

21-24 Homecoming and 

Reunion activities. 

6 Wise, Va., alumni can 

catch the Governors playing 

football in their area at 

12:30 p.m. 

13 Davidson, N.C., alumni 

can catch the Governors 

playing football in their area at 12:30 p.m. 

Wayne Pace ('68) talks with Jerry, center, 

and Anne Clark following Founders Day 

ceremonies at which Pace was the 

keynote speaker. The Pases donated 

$650,000 to complete the Emerald Hill 

Center Campaign, bringing the total to 

$1 million, which will be used to renovate 

the center. 

18 The alumni in Tri-Cities will sponsor an Austin Peay Excellence 

of Choice in Kingsport. Location tba. 

9 A graduation reception, sponsored by the APSUNAA, will be held 

in the lobby of the Dunn Center prior to graduation rehearsal. 

15 Join the APSUNAA and Governors Club at a pregame reception 

as the Governors basketball team plays in Las Vegas. 

12 The University black-tie 

gala, the Candlelight Ball, 

will be held at Loews 

Vanderbilt Plaza, 

Nashville. It begins at 6:30 

p.m with a champage 

reception, dinner at 7:30 

p.m. and dancing will 

begin at 9:30 p.m. with 

sounds from the "The Big 

Thrill." 

Bet and Doug ('68), left, of Franklin, 

Tenn., pose with Dr. and Mrs. Sal Rinella 

during a summer alumni receptin hosted 

by the Wises at their beautiful home. 







(931) 221-7459 


Austin Peay -- Winter 1999 


Winter '99 "Austin Peay " Publications Public Relations APSU Home 

Reader's Guide 

"Austin Peay" is published three times yearly--fall, winter and 

spring--by the Office of Public Relations and Publications. Press 

run for this issue is 21,500. 

Dennie B. Burke, Editor 

Ken West, Assistant Editor 

Bill Persinger ('91), Design 

Tres Mullis, Director of Alumni and Development 

LaRae Davenport ('83), Alumni News 

Jean Holloway, Assistant 

Brad Kirtley, Sports Information 

How to change you address or receive the magazine 

Post us: 

E-Mail us: 

Alumni Relations and Development 

P O Box 4417 

Clarksville, TN 37044 

alumni@apsu.edu 

Update Information Form 

Phone us: 931-648-7979 

Fax us: 931-648-6292 

How to contact the magazine or submit letters to the editor 

Post us: 

E-Mail us: 

Public Relations/Publications 

P O Box 4567 

Clarksville, TN 37044 

alumni@apsu.edu 

Update Information Form 

Phone us: 931-648-7459 

Fax us: 931-648-5982 

Let us hear from you 

Your opinions and suggestions are encouraged and appreciated.

Austin Peay State University is one of 46 institutions in the 

Tennessee Board of Regents system, the seventh largest system 

of higher education in the nation. The Tennessee Board of 

Regents is the governing board for this system, which is 

composed of six universities, 14 two-year colleges and 26 

Tennessee technology centers. The TBR system enrolls more 

than 80 percent of all Tennessee students attending public 

institutions of higher education. 

Austin Peay State University is an equal opportunity employer 

committed to the education of a non-racially identifiable student 

body. AP-489/1-99/L-C/25M 







(931) 221-7459

Fall 99 Austin Peay - Austin Peay State University

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