Carson-Newman honors alumni during awards ceremony

During homecoming week, Carson-Newman University celebrated alumni who represent their alma mater with distinction during its annual Alumni Awards Ceremony on Oct. 29.

Alumni recognized demonstrate the traits of those in Scripture who, often with no fanfare, serve, lead, support and love in a manner indicative of the calling of Christian educators to help C-N students reach their full potential as educated citizens and worldwide servant-leaders.

TRIUMPH AWARDS

David Brewer: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Described as an innovative and dynamic sports marketing professional 1975, graduate David Brewer has extensive experience in nearly every area of sport management.

Now a consultant to the U.S. Open Tennis Championships in New York, David joined the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in 1997 with the opening of Arthur Ashe Stadium. From 2012-2019 he held the title of chief professional Tennis Officer & US Open Tournament director. Reporting directly to the USTA’s CEO he served on the senior management team and worked closely with the USTA’s Board of Directors.

As U.S. Open tournament director, David oversaw all competitive aspects of the USTA’s professional tennis operations, including the U.S. Open, Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic Games, Emirates Airline U.S. Open Series, U.S. Open National Playoffs, USTA Pro Circuit and USTA officials.

Throughout his time with the USTA, he spearheaded key innovations for the organization, including the establishment electronic line calling and video review. As a member of the US Open Construction Oversight Committee, Brewer was deeply involved in the five-year, $600 million reconstruction of the USTA’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. In addition, he was instrumental in the introduction of Wheelchair Tennis to the U.S. Open.

Throughout his time as tournament director, the U.S. Open’s annual gross revenue grew from $231M to $377M, and player prize money increased from $25 million to $57 million. Brewer’s responsibility for officiating initiatives ranged from grass roots programs to the professional level and for 13 years he was the USTAs liaison with the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Robert “Bob” Cochran: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

1973 Carson-Newman alum Bob Cochran knew there were probably more jokes about lawyers than any other profession in the world – and few of them favorable. He was not deterred. Three years after graduating Carson-Newman, Bob earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and practiced in Charlottesville for five years. But the study of law was important and Bob moved to the classroom, teaching at the Pepperdine School of Law in California for 40 years. He now serves as a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia.

He has lectured on law, religion and human rights in China, Rwanda, Uganda, South Korea, Sudan and Vietnam. But it is not just the law that motivates Bob Cochran, it is the combination of law and Christian faith; not just how to balance the two, but how to incorporate one into the other. This is evidenced by the titles of the plethora of books he has authored: Agape, Justice and Law; Law and the Bible; Christian Perspectives on Legal Thought; Lawyers, Clients and Moral Responsibility and, released just this past spring The Servant Lawyer: Facing the Challenges of Christian Faith in Everyday Law Practice.

In the very first paragraphs of his new book, Bob goes straight to the root. Those taking Legal Ethics, when defining a client, may look for a “legal” definition. Bob harkens back to a former law professor and mentor who defined the client as “this person God has brought into my life.”

And that has shaped his view for decades.

Dr. R. Raymond Lloyd, Jr.: Biblical and Theological Studies

A life of ministry may not have seemed to be in the cards for Dr. Ray Lloyd when as a student at Carson-Newman, an ill-timed practical joke disrupted chapel. But a life of service in the ministry is certainly what followed.

A member of the C-N class of 1950, Dr. Lloyd was co-head cheerleader, the President of A Capella Choir and the president of the SGA. Although he “retired” almost 30 years ago, Dr. Lloyd has continued to preach, extolling the Gospel of Jesus Christ when the opportunity presents itself.

His experience as a pastor began prior to even graduating from Mossy Creek, serving at Caney Ford Baptist Church in Roane County for nearly four years. From there, he was called to Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Illinois, where he spent six years before returning as pastor of First Baptist Church of Rockwood, Tennessee.

The pastorate at Rockwood was followed by 10 years at Ridgedale Baptist Church in Chattanooga before heading to Mississippi where he served 22 years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Starkville.

In denominational life, he has served on the executive Committee of the SBC, the Christian Life Commission, the TBC Children’s Home and president of the Convention Board of the Mississippi Baptist Convention and as a founding Trustee of the Baptist Center for Ethics. 

Upon “retiring” almost 30 years ago, Dr. Lloyd and his wife Gretta, moved home to East Tennessee. Here he served as interim pastor at First Baptist Church Jefferson City and as adjunct professor at Carson-Newman teaching Old Testament and Life and Work of the Minister.  In fact, since retirement he has served as interim pastor at nearly 30 different churches. 

Other teaching duties are: visiting professor at the Nigerian Theological Seminary, the Hong Kong Baptist Seminary, the Evangelical Theological Seminary in St. Petersburg, Russia, the American Baptist Theological Seminary, Field Supervisor and Doctor of Ministry Programs at both Southwestern and Southern Seminaries, holding a BD and the ThD from the latter. He also served as adjust professor and doctor of Ministry Programs at San Francisco Theological Seminary and Professor at the Ministerial Institute in West Point, Mississippi.

In addition to the choir at Carson-Newman, he plays piano but says Gretta is the musician in the family.  He and Gretta, both 95, will celebrate their 71st wedding anniversary in December. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Jeff and Steve Hooper: Business

With their graduation from Carson-Newman separated by two years, brothers Jeff ’86 and Steve ’88 Hooper left Mossy Creek on different paths. Both had studied business, but separate aspects.

Jeff headed into the financial field, eventually becoming executive vice president and area president for SunTrust Bank. Steve developed and ran his own apparel company.

The years passed. The calendar turned. And in 2016, the different aspects, the different paths, merged.

Two Brothers, One Mission. That’s what the header on the Sunday Cool website states. It was 2016 when Steve and Jeff Hooper ignited the spark of a family legacy. Drawing from Steve’s venture in the ’90s and Jeff’s extensive banking career, they embarked on a mission to create something lasting for future generations. They started Sunday Cool in Tavares, Florida.

Almost out of the box a hurricane hit. Undeterred, the brothers “borrowed” their neighbor’s Wi-Fi to keep up with orders. Four years later, Inc. 5000 named Sunday Cool 98th on the “Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America” list. As their website says — 98th place out of 5000, not bad at all.

But at Sunday Cool, it is so much more than t-shirts. They are on a mission to glorify God by serving those who serve. And they seem to have a great deal of fun doing it! They go to work every day to create a remarkable experience through custom apparel and hilarious and relevant content for their customers.

Their CORE Values are as follows:

Christ Defines Our Perspective

Operate with Efficiency in All That We Do

Respect Others In All Things

Exceed The Request

Dr. Sally Fortenberry: Family and Consumer Sciences

A 1980 graduate in Family and Consumer Sciences, Dr. Sally Fortenberry’s career has been spent giving back to that industry.

After leaving Mossy Creek, she earned both her master’s and PhD She spent much of her career in higher education, but prior to entering academia, Dr. Fortenberry worked in the textiles and apparel industry. Working primarily with independently-owned specialty stores, it sparked her strong interest in entrepreneurship. She served as a buyer with a 16-store retail chain division of a major manufacturing company. Prior to her buying experiences, she managed textile research related to quality assurance and control as well as direct sales.

Switching to the classroom, Dr. Fortenberry taught at Texas Tech and Northwood Universities before moving to Texas Christian University. Her research interest coincided with her teaching areas specifically as it related to career development within the business of fashion and mentoring of students. During her tenure at TCU, she developed four new course offerings, incorporating research initiatives into these classes.

She not only taught classes, she coordinated and supervised all required internships for Fashion Merchandising majors. She had a passion to help her students understand the many issues surrounding the global supply chain of the industry.

Now emerita professor of Fashion Merchandising at TCU, Fortenberry has served as the collegiate chapter advisor for the TCU Beta Zeta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron, national honor society in Family and Consumer Sciences, since 1991. In demand as a speaker, she is a winner of numerous awards including in 2003 when she was earned Family and Consumer Sciences leaders awards not only in Texas, but nationally as well.

Dr. Derek Voiles: Education and Counseling

Many folks are just finding their career stride in their mid-30s. However, two-time Carson-Newman alum Derek Voiles is already being referred to as accomplished in the field of education because of … well … what he has accomplished.

A holder of four education degrees, Dr. Voiles has made an incredible impact in the field of education.

His teaching style has inspired his students and fellow teachers as well. Dr. Voiles goal as an instructor, or one of them, was to equip classroom teachers to use engaging, research-based instruction to increase students’ ability to become complex thinkers, accomplished readers and sophisticated writers.

His efforts were noticed and in 2017, Derek was named Teacher of the Year in the state of Tennessee.

Moving into the administration side of education, Dr. Voiles did not abandon the passion and drive that earned him honors in the classroom.

He has served on a statewide Teacher Advisory Council for former Commissioner of Education Candice McQueen; as a Teacher Fellow for the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) and as a Regional Content Coach for the Tennessee Department of Education.

His innovative administration style was noticed as well when in 2022 he was named a National Outstanding Assistant Principal for Tennessee by the Tennessee Principals Association.

He currently serves on the Carson-Newman Alumni Board and in June was named as principal of Lakeway Christian Academy in White Pine, Tennessee.

“My vision is to cultivate a Christ-centered education environment where students thrive academically, grow spiritually and develop strong character.”

Married to Victoria, they are parents of Eleanor Kate and Mary Grace.

Christy Cooper: Health Sciences

1997 Nursing graduate Christy Cooper has some Ds on her record – not on her transcript, but in her career: dedication, determination and drive are just a few.

With half the alphabet after her name: RN, MSN, CENP (Certified in Executive Nursing Practice) CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse), CPEN (Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse), EMT-P (Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic) Christy serves as the director of Emergency Services at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.

She started serving weekends at Children’s while still a student at Carson-Newman. That led to more hours, more contact, and a position following graduation. After two-and-a-half years, Christy was named a nursing supervisor of the night shift. But the drive and determination kept at her. She wanted to be a flight nurse.

So, while still working and serving, she went back to school to earn her EMT-Paramedic certification, which led to a position with LifeStar at UT Medical Center. She later returned to Children’s with an entirely new load of responsibilities.

In her role, Christy oversees the Emergency Department, Transfer Center, Radiology and Sedation Nursing, House Supervision, Emergency Medical Services for Children Program, and Emergency Preparedness.   She is an integral part of pediatric disaster planning at both the local and state level and serves as an appointed member to Tennessee’s Committee on Pediatric Emergency Care which helps establish standards for Pediatric Care in Emergency Departments and EMS Services throughout the State of Tennessee.

Dr. Jay Phipps: Natural and Applied Sciences

With a speech impediment and undiagnosed dyslexia as a child, Dr. Jay Phipps, a 1994 C-N alumnus, was told he was going to have to work harder or be moved out of the class with his friends. He overcame.

Throughout high school, attending class and playing sports, Jay worked part-time jobs on a farm and in construction while also taking pre-college courses. His first two years of college, he worked night shifts at a factory to earn additional money. He persevered.

Graduating from Carson-Newman, Dr. Phipps began working as a “pharmacist assistant.” His goal? Pharmacy school. However, an assistant dean told him his qualifications would never get him into their institution. Still he compiled everything he needed – except for the required entrance exam. The PCAT. He did not have it and all spots were filled.

He could be an alternate. First-come, first-served if someone did not show. He arrived at 3 a.m. and he waited. He was selected, nailed the test, and was accepted into one of the top-10 pharmacy programs in the country.

Elected national president of the American Pharmacist Association-Academy of Students of Pharmacy (APhA-ASP), he served as the youngest voting member of the APhA Board of Trustees. He succeeded.

In 2014, however, while working out, he felt a tingling sensation then lost control of all four extremities. Use was slowly regained but the tingling remained. A neurosurgeon detected more than 40% of Jay’s spinal canal was full of abnormal bone growth and the spinal cord was damaged. He faced paralysis from the neck down. Give up or be relentless. He chose to be relentless.

Four surgeries and an uprooted life later, he has grown his business from 15 to 50 employees.

BEACON AWARD

Dr. Jesse Doty

Jesse Doty was not even planning on attending Carson-Newman. He basically only agreed to visit campus to please his mom. Ah, but the visit made the difference. The lure of Mossy Creek took hold.

Dr. Doty excelled in the classroom, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a biology degree in 2003 and like many students at Carson-Newman, met his spouse at C-N, Cristin, also a biology major.

Four years of medical school followed at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis where in 2007 Dr. Doty graduated with honors and election into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. The next five years were occupied with an internship and orthopedic surgery residency at the UT College of Medicine in Chattanooga.

But Dr. Doty believed there was more to learn so in 2013 he completed a one-year foot and ankle surgical fellowship under the direction of renowned surgeon Dr. Michael Coughlin in Boise, Idaho. He headed to Los Angeles, to gain additional insight into foot and ankle sports injuries and small joint arthroscopy from Dr. Richard Ferkel, who has worked with the U.S. Olympic teams, the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA.

With his focus on complex lower extremity deformities, sports injuries, foot and ankle arthroscopy, lower extremity fractures and ankle replacement, Dr. Doty has become one of the leading orthopedic surgeons in his field in the entire Southeastern United States.

He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and chapters, served as associate professor at the UT Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Director of Foot and Ankle Surgery at Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga. He is in-demand a speaker, presenting at medical conferences from India to the UK, France to Australia.

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Sylvia Hatchell

Inductee to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (2013). Inductee to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2004). National Coach of the Year three times (1994, 2006, 2008). Atlantic Coast Conference coach of the Year three times (1997, 2006, 2008).

Any of these accolades would be quite the career for a coach. 1974 Carson-Newman graduate Sylvia Hatchell claims them all on her resume.

Only eight coaches in the history of Division I college basketball – men’s or women’s – have earned more than 1,000 wins. Sylvia is one of those eight.

With a career winning percentage of 72, her teams at the University of North Carolina won the ACC tournament eight times, made 23 NCAA tournament appearances, three trips to the Final Four and won the national title in 1994. During her storied career, Coach Hatchell’s teams earned at least 20 wins 31 times.

She is the only coach to lead her teams to national titles on three levels – the AIAW crown at Francis Marion in 1982, the NAIA championship in ’86, also at Francis Marion and 1994 NCAA title in Chapel Hill. She also has coached at multiple levels of international play.

She has handled challenges both on and off the court. In October 2014, only weeks removed from induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Hatchell was diagnosed with leukemia.

By May 2014, Hatchell’s doctor announced that she had completed all treatments and would be back on the bench for the next season. In typical fashion, the Tar Heels had another outstanding season, posting a 26-9 record and a No. 9 final ranking.

In June 2016, her book Fight! Fight!: Discover Your Inner Strength When Blindsided by Life was released to rave reviews. Within days it became the No. 1 Amazon new release in the “cancer books” category.

LEGACY AWARD

Chapman/Sprunger

At least three generations of a family must attend Carson-Newman to qualify for the Legacy Award.

This year’s recipients represent multiple families in a tree that is as wide as it is tall, covering at least four generations and branches that stretch from here to Texas and points in between.

1975 alum Dr. John Chapman grew up at Mossy Creek where his father, Dr. Joe Chapman was chair of the Biology Department for more than 30 years.

Lauren Sprunger, class of 1974, studied in Carson-Newman’s prestigious music department and later taught piano to scores of students of her own.

They serve missions, both domestically and internationally, from their home area of Tri-Cities Tennessee to South America.

But that is where the trunk of this tree came together, two fellow classmates, meeting at marrying. Each brought multiple branches of the family tree to the union.

Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, mothers, fathers, grandparents. The Williams family in this direction. The Purcell family in that one.

In all, more than 30 family members from four generations. Branches coming together.

SERVANT-LEADERSHIP AWARD

Ricke Hester

There are leaders and there are those who serve. Each is important, but having the skill to manage both is a true gift.

Even if you do not know Ricke Hester, students today are blessed by his service.

A Carson-Newman alum – class of 1975 – Ricke graduated magna cum laude and earned the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The following year, he joined the staff at Mossy Creek and served for the next 42 years.

During his time Ricke wore many hats: coordinator of chapel, director of the Baptist Student Union, director of intramurals – at one point managing them all at the same time.

He expanded intramurals into Recreational Services. From the opening of the Maddox Student Activities Center more than 20 years ago until his 2018 retirement, Rick served as director of Recreational Services and the MSAC.

He built a robust intramural program in which more than 60% of the student body participated. He developed and executed an average of 50 events a year for students and he oversaw the activities within this facility.

A former co-worker of Ricke’s put it this way: “One of his most lasting legacies is the number of alums now serving in various capacities within the recreation field, who received their start, initial training and professional development under Ricke. In fact, when he announced his retirement, a pool of possible candidates was collected. It contained the names of no fewer than 10 qualified alumni.

Ricke has remained active serving on the C-N Alumni Board, the advisory board for the C-N retired faculty and staff group. He still takes pictures of anything, anytime C-N calls, including the annual group shot of the 50^th anniversary class. That is going to be tricky next year when it is his 50^th anniversary.

VISION AWARD

Mark Isom

1985 alum Mark Isom wanted to play football. In college and then, hopefully, in the NFL. From Carter High School, Carson-Newman was the closest option.

While Isom’s time on the field at Carson-Newman was impactful playing a key role in the tremendous success of the Eagle football, he did not make it to the NFL. Injuries took care of that.

Adversity teaches us things. We may not be able to control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. In the summer of 1984, Mark started working with a local janitorial service company. Today, he is the owner of his own company, Premiere Building Maintenance in Knoxville.

“My staff doesn’t like to hear me say this, but I am a janitor,” Isom said. He has been one for 40 years and has owned his own company providing “premier” service for nearly 39 of those. He has built his company to more than 500 employees with clients in at least five states from Tennessee to Georgia to Texas.

In 2004, Mark was named the Tennessee Small Business Person of the Year. In 2018, Premiere earned a national award for businesses its size from the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

Mark was a leader on the Eagle football team. Now, each fall, he hosts reunions of those teammates, classmates and lifelong friends. Eagle Athletics, and Carson-Newman, have a teammate in Mark Isom.

It is the same with the team at Premiere.

“I am the head of the company, so I get the accolades,” he said. “But whatever we accomplish, we accomplish as a team. All of the folks around me and all of the opportunities God has given us, that is the whole part. I am just a piece.”

R.R. TURNER SPIRIT OF CARSON-NEWMAN AWARD

ROBBIE MASSENGILL

Established by the Carson-Newman Alumni Association to honor current faculty and staff whose commitment and service personify the spirit of Carson-Newman University. Recipients exemplify the highest ideals of service and leadership on campus and are committed to excellence in the performance in their roles at Carson-Newman.

Recipients must be current faculty or a staff member with at least five years of service to the University.

For more than 15 years, the deserving recipients have included deans and chairs of departments. We have honored staff members who oversee multiple areas of operation on campus.

This year, the recipient is not a department chair or head of a program. This year’s recipient, however, does exemplify a full commitment and service in the spirit that is Carson-Newman.

In his various roles, this year’s recipient is all over campus, day, night and weekends serving this institution. For that and his 40 years of service, this year’s R.R. Turner Spirit of Carson-Newman Award goes to Robbie Massengill.