The Memories Collection

A Living History Project at/about Mars Hill University

Mars Hill, North Carolina

The Memories Collection is a living history project that came about after Mars Hill University’s Sesquicentennial in 2006-7. Since many activities, events and projects of that celebration had relied heavily on the University’s own archives containing its history, President Dan Lunsford led a discussion shortly afterwards with Sesquicentennial participants to assess the best ways to ensure that the history of the University might be preserved in an even more consistent and orderly manner, now and in the years to come.  As a part of those deliberations, the idea for The Memories Collection came from C. Robert Jones, Professor Emeritus of Theatre Arts. It is an on-going series of video interviews of people—past and present—associated with Mars Hill University. The interviews, while providing the historical elements, also open the doors to a rich and personal tapestry of life at the University and in western North Carolina.

Beginning in 2008, there have been 100 interviews to date.  They’ve included 119 interviewees conducted by 20 interviewers averaging one hour each.  All were planned and coordinated by Professor Jones.  Kristie Hollifield, Director of Media Services, has been videographer, editor, and preparer of the DVDs for the entire series.

The Memories Collection is housed in the Renfro Library and may be viewed in the Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies located on the lower level of the Library—entrance from Bailey Street parking lot. Contact: Director Dr. Karen Paar (kpaar@mhu.edu, 828 689-1262.  Following is a list of interviews conducted 2008-2020.

The Memories Collection Interviews

NOTES: The interviews are listed in the order in which they were done. The name in parentheses is the interviewer, and the later parentheses denote the time length of the interview. Mars Hill College became Mars Hill University in August 2013. An alphabetical list follows.

*deceased

Live links in red allow you to watch video samples on YouTube.                                                 

1. Douglas Gordon (Julie Fortney) – Department of Music, “Establishing the Music Technology Components for Music Theory Classes at MHC” (39:23), July 8, 2008

2. Robert Chapman*, Darryl Norton, Walter Smith*, and Rachel Chapman* and Pat Smith (C. Robert Jones) – “Creating and Producing the Book: Through the Long Years: Photographic Reminiscences of Mars Hill College, Sesquicentennial Edition 1856-2006” (55:36) July 17, 2008

3/4.  Pauline Binkley Cheek* and Richard Dillingham (Richard Dillingham and Pauline Cheek*) – “The Evolution of the Appalachian Room and the Liston B. Ramsey Center at Mars Hill College” (1:52) July 22 and 29, 2008

5. Donald Anderson* (Richard Dillingham) – “The Beginnings of Appalachian Emphasis and the Formation of the Southern Appalachian Center at Mars Hill College” (38:05) August 8, 2008

6. Edith Swann* (Robert Melvin*) – “The Office of the Bursar during the Moore, Blackwell, and Bentley Administrations” (40:18) August 11, 2008

7. Harley Jolley* (C. Robert Jones) – Professor Emeritus, History Department, author The Blue Ridge Parkway, and “That Magnificent Army of Youth and Peace” – The Civilian Conservation Corps in North Carolina 1933-l942, Recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine-2008 (53:20) August 14, 2008

8. Emmett Sams* (Susan Kiser) – “Mars Hill College Math Professor with links to all the MHC Presidents, 1897-2008” (33:18) September 9, 2008

9. Ruth Anderson* (Richard Dillingham) – “A Conversation with the Granddaughter of Mars Hill College President John Robert Sams (1871-1872)” (38:00) September 11, 2008

10. Edwin Cheek* and Donald Anderson* (Pauline Cheek*) – “The Origins and Development of Appalachian Studies at Mars Hill College.” (1:20) September 30, 2008

11. John M. Hough Part 1 and Part 2 (C. Robert Jones) – “The Department of Education at Mars Hill College” (1:44) October 23, 2008

12. Everett (Buddy) Gill (C. Robert Jones) – MHC Alumnus, 1951; Chairman, Sesquicentennial Committee, “Celebrating the Sesquicentennial of Mars Hill College 1856-2006” (1:18) October 30, 2008

13. Mark Cabaniss (C. Robert Jones) – MHC Graduate, 1982, MHC Alumnus of the Year, 2007, “A Life in the World of Music Publishing” (59:11) December 12, 2008

14. James Malon Fish* (Richard Dillingham) – MHC Alumnus, 1943; Director, Physical Plant at Mars Hill College 1971-1986 (1:35) March 3, 2009

15. Margaret Merchant Verhulst (Gregory Lisenbee) – “English Professor, Mars Hill College; Author” (1:06) March 5, 2009

16. Sue Fitzgerald (C. Robert Jones) – “Director of the Center for Christian Ministries, 1975-1996” (55:51) March 12, 2009

17. The SART Pioneers: James W. Thomas, C. Robert Jones, Bill Gregg, Earl Leininger, (C. Robert Jones) – “The Story of the Founding of the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (SART) in 1975” (1:18) March 12, 2009

18. David Knisley* (L. James Lenburg) – “History Professor and Administrator, Mars Hill College” (1:13) April 9, 2009

19. Page Lee*, Earl Leininger, Robert Melvin*, Thomas Sawyer (C. Robert Jones) – The Department of Religion at Mars Hill College During the Last Half of the 20th Century” (1:22) April 16, 2009

20. Doris Phillips Bentley (C. Robert Jones) Graduate of MHC 1956, First Lady of Mars Hill College, 1966-1996 (1:09) May 12, 2009

21. C. Earl Leininger (L. James Lenburg) VP for Academic and Student Affairs, and Provost (1988-1999) (1:14) May 19, 2009

22. Sylvia M. Murphey (C. Robert Jones) “The Right Arm” to Dr. John Hough and Ray Rapp; Forty-plus years in Education; Career Opportunities Program (COP); Continuing Education Program (CEP); and Accelerated Credit Continuing Education, and Summer Sessions (ACCESS) 1967 – (50:00) June 4, 2009

23. Nancy Fosson (C. Robert Jones) Assistant Registrar (Serving MHC in Housing, CEP, Conferences, Elderhostel and Registrar’s Office 1977- ) (1:08) June 16, 2009

24. Noel Kinnamon* (Carol Boggess) Professor, Department of English, 1966 – ; Renaissance and Medieval Scholar, focusing on the works of Sir Philip Sidney, Mary Sidney Herbert, and Dorothy Percy Sidney (1:28) June 18, 2009

25. Charity Ray* (Gregory Lisenbee) Librarian in Renfro Library, Artist and Musician (52:00) June 18, 2009

26. David Riggins (John Hough) Head Men’s Basketball Coach (1986-1999), Coach, Interim Athletic Director (1999-2000), Athletic Director 2000 – (1:07) July 14, 2009

27. Nina Pollard (Phyllis Smith) Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs 2005-2009(1:07) July 16, 2009

28. Robert E. Knott (L. James Lenburg) Professor, 1969-1975; 1980-82; 1999-2002 Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chancellor (1:55) July 22, 2009

29. Robert Roy Kramer* (C. Robert Jones) Professor Modern Foreign Languages, 1965-2009, Football Coach; Long-time Chair, Visiting Artists and Lecturers Committee (1:32) July 27, 2009

30. Julie Fortney (C. Robert Jones) Professor of Music 1972 – (1:04) July 28, 2009

31. Donald Schmeltekopf (L. James Lenburg) Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost 1985-1990 (1:06) July 29, 2009

32. Oralene Graves Simmons (Teresa Buckner) First African American Student Admitted to Mars Hill College, 1961 (46:52) August 6, 2009

33. John Rogers (C. Robert Jones) Architect for Eight Buildings on Mars Hill College Campus (57:00) August 20, 2009

34. JoAnne Alexander (C. Robert Jones) Graduate of MHC 1957; MHC Alumna of the Year, 1993; Board of Trustees Beginning January 1, 1977; First Female Chair, Trustees, 1980 (1:06) August 25, 2009

35. Virginia Hart (JoAnne Alexander) Graduate of MHC 1943; Coach and Professor of Physical Education for 40 years; Founder of most MHC Women’s Sports Teams; Inducted MHC Sports Hall of Fame, 1987; “Omelet Lady” (43:00) August 25, 2009

36. A. Max Lennon* and Ruth Lennon (Robert Melvin*) President and First Lady of MHC, 1996-2002 (1:47) October 5, 2009

37. Beverly Lunsford (C. Robert Jones) First Lady, Mars Hill College, 2002 – (1:02) October 26, 2009

38. Don Anderson*, Julie Nooe, Ken Sanchagrin, Gail Sawyer, Larry Stern, Walter Stroud (George Peery) Social and Behavioral Sciences Faculty, 1971-2009 (1:32) November 9, 2009

39. Betty Smith, (C. Robert Jones) “A Minstrel of Appalachia”; Singer, Educator, Author, Historian; Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters 2008, Mars Hill College (1:17) November 16, 2009

40. George Peery (C. Robert Jones) Professor of Political Science, Political Activist, Author Actor, Singer (1:29) December 10, 2009

41. Charles Tomlinson (C. Robert Jones) Graduate of MHC 1951, Internationally-known Set and Costume Designer, Theatre, Opera, Ballet, Film (1:26) January 5, 2010

42. Winona Bierbaum* (C. Robert Jones) Mars Hill College Faculty, 1966-2001; Chair, Department of Home Economics; Professor of Education (1:02) February 16, 2010

43. Susan Kiser (Gregory Lisenbee) Professor, Department of Mathematics 1970-73, 1976-1983, 1984-2003 (1:20) February 18, 2010

44. L. James Lenburg (C. Robert Jones) Professor, Department of History, 1973-2006 (1:16) March 9, 2010

45. JoAnn Croom (C. Robert Jones) Professor of Biology, 1976-2010 (59:44) May 6, 2010

46. Arthur Everett Wood*, Professor, Department of Science, 1949-1991 and Nancy Medford Wood, Professor, Department of Math 1956-1994 (John M. Hough) (1:22) May 19, 2010

47. Katharine Meacham (C. Robert Jones) Professor of Religion and Philosophy and Chair of General Studies (1:49) May 21, 2010

48. Jay Ledford (Richard Dillingham) Graduate MHC 1998, Director of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers, 1998-2005. (1:05) June 16, 2010

49. John Wilson Wells, (Katharine Meacham) Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, 2009 – (:47) July 12, 2010

50. Donna Nagey Robertson (Julie Fortney) Professor, Department of Music, College Organist, Composer 1958-2001, (:50) July 18, 2010.

51. Joel Reed (Julie Fortney) Graduate MHC 1968 Professor and Chair, Department of Music 1985- (1:35) July 19, 2010

52. Dan Lunsford (C. Robert Jones) Graduate MHC 1969, President of Mars Hill College 2002- (2:50) July 27 and August 18, 2010

53. Jeanne Threatt Hoffman (C. Robert Jones) Graduate MHC–AA 1960, BS 1970, Widow of Richard Lee Hoffman, Professor of Political Science, Dean / Vice President for Academic Affairs and Assistant to the President, 1959-1994 (1:37) August 3, 2010

54. Ellen Coomer (C. Robert Jones) Director of Health Services 1973-1995; Director of Medical Services 1995-1999, (1:00) October 28, 2010

55. Robert R. Chapman* and Rachel M. Chapman* Part 1 and Part 2 (C. Robert Jones) Robert R. Chapman, Registrar and Professor of Business Administration, On Staff and Faculty, 1947-1991, MHC alumnus, 1945; Rachel M. Chapman, Professor of Business Administration, 1946-1991, MHC alumna, 1945, (Disc l, 57:02; Disc 2, 49:35) November 18, 2010

56. Gerald Ball, (C. Robert Jones) Director, Information Technology Services 1977- (1:01) December 2, 2010

57. Thomas S. Plaut, (L. James Lenburg) Professor of Sociology, 1977-1995 – (1:06), December 8, 2010

58. The Imperials [The MHC 1960’s Band, including Carroll Aldridge, Bill Brown, David Buddin, Bob Drake, Jay Flippin*, Bill McNeil, Don Peach, Bob Suttenfield, Carlton Wilkes] (C. Robert Jones) (1:25) January 21, 2011

59. Walter P. Smith* and Pat J. Smith (C. Robert Jones) Walter: Vice President of Publications, 1954-1996; Pat:  Admissions/Registrar’s Office, 1955-1956, 1958-1959, 1969-1996.  (1:50) May 24, 2011

60. Evelyn Anderson (C. Robert Jones) Assistant Director, Computer Center, Payroll, Serving at Mars Hill College 1953-1997 (46:43) May 24, 2012

61. Ophelia (Fifi) Hildreth DeGroot (C. Robert Jones) Mars Hill College Alumna, 1958; Special Assistant to President Dan Lunsford; Director of Alumni Relations 2001 – (48:41) May 29, 2012

62. Karen Hedrick (C. Robert Jones) Gift Services Associate, Office of Institutional Advancement, Serving Mars Hill College 1978 – (51:46) June 5, 2012

63. Frank Quick and William Hutt (C. Robert Jones) Frank: Professor/Chair Department of Biology, 1971-2005. William:  Professor, Department of Biology, 1974-2002 (1:28) June 7, 2012

64. Paula Clayton Dempsey (C. Robert Jones) Mars Hill College Chaplain, 1991-2002 (1:50) June 19, 2012

65. Robert Merrill* (John Hough) Mars Hill College Alumnus, 1947-1948, Honorary Doctorate 1991, Lifetime Trustee (46:28) July 10, 2012

66. Donald Russell (L. James Lenburg) Professor & Former Chair, Department of Mathematics 1973 – (1:03) July 12, 2012

67. Ray Rapp (C. Robert Jones) Former Dean of Continuing Education and Summer Programs, Serving Mars Hill University, 1978-2010 (1:02)  July 13, 2012

68. Lura Edsall (Greg Lisenbee) Assistant Professor, Dance, Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation 1979-2013 (55:00) July 22, 2014

69. Lora Coomer (C. Robert Jones) Manager Paw Prints Copy Center, 2006 – (31:00) July 23, 2014

70. Gregory Lisenbee (C. Robert Jones) MHC Alumnus-1984; Adjunct Professor, Department of Education, 1995-2003 (1:07) July 29, 2014

71. Rebecca “Becky” Cody (aka Becky Kruk) MHU Faculty 1981 – Professor and Chair, Department of Apparel and Interior Merchandising; and Brenda Russell, Professor Emerita, Department of Fashion and Interior Merchandising, 1981-2007 (C. Robert Jones) (1:06) July 16, 2015

72. Neil St. Clair (C. Robert Jones) MHC, Music Education 1974, MHC, Theatre Arts 1975;  MHU Faculty 2000-2014, Chair Department of Theatre Arts, Production Manager SART (1:05) July 23, 2015

73. Richard Dillingham (C. Robert Jones) Consultant-Historian, “Remembering the Blackwell Years and Afterwards,” (2:00) August 11, 2015

74. Scott Pearson (C. Robert Jones) MHC Alumnus – 1984; MHU Faculty 1994 –   Professor and Dean of the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (Biology) (1:10) November 13, 2015

75. Gregory Clemons (C. Robert Jones) MHU Faculty 1996 – Professor of Spanish and General Studies, (54:00) December 11, 2015

76. Higgins, Wayne (C. Robert Jones) MHC Alumnus – 1975, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mars Hill University (1:32) May 28, 2017

77. Eric and Janis Blackwell (Richard Dillingham, John Hough, and C. Robert Jones) Son and Daughter-in-law of Dr. Hoyt Blackwell, President of Mars Hill College, 1938-1966, “A View of the Blackwell Years from the Blackwell Family Perspective.” (2:00) August 11, 2017

78. Dan Lunsford (C. Robert Jones –) MHC Alumnus – 1969, President of Mars Hill University, 2002 “Question & Answer Session.  Questions submitted by Administrators, Alumni, Board of Trustees, Faculty, Staff, and Students,” (1:55) December 6, 2017

79. Bud Christman (C. Robert Jones) Vice-President for Advancement, at Mars Hill University since 1995, first as Director of Planned Giving in the Office of Development (later Advancement) “An Overview of the Ways of Giving and Gifts Management at the University” (1:22) February 27, 2018

80. Susan King (C. Robert Jones) Mars Hill College Alumna, 1976, Founding Member, Licklog Players, Hayesville, NC; Founding Member and Artistic Director, Tapestry, Wilmington, NC; Star of the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (SART) Production of The Belle of Amherst, 1978 and continuing (1:47) March 20, 2018

81. C. Robert Jones (Neil St. Clair, Susan King, Julie Fortney) Author, Playwright, and Professor Emeritus, Department of Theatre Arts (2:01) March 21, 2018

82. Tim Clifton (Donald Russell and C. Robert Jones) – Head Coach – Football, Celebrating 25 years at Mars Hill University “Coach Clifton: His Sport and His Career” (1:34) May 29, 2018

83. Mike Owens (Donald Russell and C. Robert Jones) Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Teams, Celebrating 30 years at Mars Hill University “The Story of Cross Country and its Winning Coach at MHU” (1:16) June 5, 2018

84. Kevin Barnette (Greg Lisenbee) Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach – Football; Celebrating 30 years at Mars Hill University “A MHU Sports Star Comes Back Home to Share His Talents with the Next Generation” (49:00) June 12, 2018

85. Tommy Justus (C. Robert Jones) Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church 1995 – “The Long, Intertwined Relationship of Mars Hill University and Mars Hill Baptist Church and How the Church Remans Relevant in an Ever-changing Society” (2:00) July 19, 2018

86. Barbara Cary and Rick Cary (Greg Lisenbee) Barbara Cary – Professor of Education and Director of Academic Success, Richard Cary – Dean of Fine Arts and Professor of Art “Celebrating 30 Years Together at Mars Hill University  (1:23) July 26, 2018

87. John Chandler, Darhyl Boone, Tim Metcalf (John Hough and C. Robert Jones) TOWN AND GOWN, Mayor John L. Chandler, Town Manager Darhyl Boone, and Barber Shop Owner, Tim Metcalf, “The Relationship over the years of the Town of Mars Hill and Mars Hill University.” (1:31)  July 30, 2018

88. Tony Floyd (C. Robert Jones) President of Mars Hill University (2:00) August 1, 2018

89. James W. Thomas (C. Robert Jones) Founder and Chair, Department of Theatre Arts, Founder and Artistic Director, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre “The Theatre Arts Program at Mars Hill University, 1962-2000” (2:15) August 2, 2018

90. Grainger Caudle (C. Earl Leininger)  Executive Director of Planning and Auxiliary Services, Professor of Business, Department of Business Administration “The World of Business at Mars Hill University and Origins of Master of Management Degree” (1:06)     August 7, 2018

91. Carol Boggess (Katharine Meacham) Professor Emerita, English and Retired Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs (42:00) December 4, 2018.

92. John Omachonu (C. Robert Jones) Provost of Mars Hill University (1:22) December 8, 2018

93. John Legerton (C. Robert Jones) Architect of Day Hall, Ammons Field House, Renovations to Owen Theatre, Rural Heritage Museum, and Huffman Dormitory at MHU (1:54)  December 13, 2018

94. Betty Jean Farthing Hughes* (Wayne King) Professor Emerita, English, (1965-1993) (1:34), March 26, 2019

95. Marc Mullinax (Julie Fortney) Professor of Religion & Philosophy; Departments: Religion & Philosophy, International Studies, Appalachian Studies; Faculty Chair;   MHC Alumnus 1977; MHU 2001 – (56:00), May 14, 2019

96. Beverly Lunsford (C. Robert Jones) First Lady, MHC/MHU (2002-2018) Reviewing her years as First Lady in the “new” Dependency Cottage, a part of the Carter-Humphrey Guest House (57:18), May 21, 2019

97. Dan Lunsford (C. Robert Jones) MHC Alumnus – 1969,  President of Mars Hill University, 2002-2018 Reviewing and Assessing his Presidency and Legacy—an In-depth Retrospective; (         ), June 14, 2019

98. Guy Sayles (Earl Leininger) Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy, 2015-2019, Former Pastor, Asheville First Baptist Church, 2001-2015, Commencement Speaker, MHU, May 2019. (50:00) July 25, 2019

99. Evelyn Anderson (C. Robert Jones) Assistant Director, Computer Center, Payroll, Serving at Mars Hill College 1953-1997; A “Close-up” of  Mars Hill College in the 1950s and 1960s:  How Things “Worked” (1:00), July 30, 2019

100. Mike Robinson (Julie Fortney)  MHC Alumnus, 1977; Mars Hill University Director of Bands (Mountain Lion Marching Band and the Mars Hill Wind Symphony), Professor and Coordinator of Music Education (2017 –  ) August 13, 2019 and September 24, 2019.

An Alphabetical List of Those Interviewed

The numbers following the names are the ordinal numbers of the interviews and are found on the spines of the DVDs for easy referencing. * indicates people who are now deceased.

The Interviewers

  • JoAnne Alexander – 35
  • Carol Boggess – 24
  • Teresa Buckner – 32
  • Pauline Cheek* – 3/4, 10
  • Richard Dillgham – 3/4, 5, 9, 14, 48, 77
  • Julie Fortney – 1, 31, 50, 81, 95
  • John Hough – 26, 46, 65, 77, 87
  • C. Robert Jones – multiple
  • Susan King – 81
  • Wayne King – 94
  • Susan Kiser – 8
  • L. James Lenberg – 18, 21, 28, 31, 57, 66
  • Earl Leininger – 90, 98
  • Gregory Lisenbee – 15, 25, 68, 84, 86
  • Katharine Meacham – 49, 91
  • Robert Melvin* – 6, 36
  • George Peery – 38
  • Don Russell – 82, 83
  • Neil St. Clair – 82
  • Phyllis Smith – 27

Historical

Context

Those Interviewed J – M

  • Harley Jolley* – 7
  • C. Robert Jones – 81
  • Tommy Justus – 85

 

  • Susan King – 80
  • Noel Kinnamon* – 24
  • Susan Kiser – 43
  • David Knisley* – 18
  • Robert E. Knott – 28
  • Robert Kramer* – 29

 

  • Jay Ledford – 48
  • Page Lee* – 19
  • John Legerton – 93
  • C. Earl Leininger – 17, 19, 21
  • L. James Lenburg – 44
  • A. Max Lennon* – 36
  • Ruth Lennon – 36
  • Gregory Lisenbee – 70
  • Beverly Lunsford – 37, 96
  • Dan Lunsford – 52, 78, 97

 

  • Bill MacNeil – 58
  • Katharine Meachum – 47, 91
  • Robert Melvin* – 19
  • Robert Merrill – 65
    • Tim Metcalf – 87
    • Marc Mullinax – 95
    • Sylvia Murphey – 22

    Timeless

    Insight

    Those Interviewed A – C

    • Donald Anderson* – 5, 10, 38
    • Evelyn Anderson – 60, 99
    • Ruth Anderson* – 9
    • Carroll Aldridge – 58
    • JoAnne Alexander – 34

     

    • Gerald Ball – 56
    • Kevin Barnette – 84
    • Doris Phillips Bentley – 20
    • Winona Bierbaum* – 42
    • Eric Blackwell – 77
    • Janis Blackwell – 77
    • Carol Boggess – 91
    • Darhyl Boone – 87
    • Bill Brown – 58
    • David Buddin – 58

     

    • Mark Cabaniss – 13
    • Barbara Cary – 86
    • Rick Cary – 86
    • Grainger Caudle – 90
    • John L. Chandler – 87
    • Rachel Chapman* – 2, 55
    • Robert Chapman* – 2, 55
    • Edwin Cheek* – 10
    • Pauline Cheek* – 3, 4
    • Bud Christman – 79
    • Gregory Clemons – 75
    • Tim Clifton – 82
    • Rebecca Cody – 71
    • Ellen Coomer – 54
    • Lora Coomer – 69
    • JoAnn Croom – 45

      Personal

      Stories

      Those Interviewed N – R

      • Julie Nooe – 38
      • Darryl Norton – 2

       

      • John Omachonu – 92
      • Mike Owens – 83

       

      • Don Peach – 58
      • Scott Pearson- 74
      • George Peery – 40
      • Thomas Plaut – 57
      • Nina Pollard – 27

       

      • Frank Quick – 63

       

      • Ray Rapp – 67
      • Charity Ray* – 25
      • Joel Reed – 31
      • David Riggins – 26
      • Donna Nagey Robertson – 50
      • Mike Robinson – 100
      • John Rogers – 33
      • Donald Russell – 66
      • Brenda Russell – 71

       

      Unexpected

      Memories

      Those Interviewed D – H

      • Ophelia (Fifi) DeGroot – 61
      • Paula Clayton Dempsey – 64
      • Richard Dillingham – 3/4, 73
      • Bob Drake – 58

       

      • Lura Edsall – 68

       

      • James Malon Fish* – 14
      • Sue Fitzgerald – 16
      • Jay Flippin* – 58
      • Tony Floyd – 88
      • Julie Fortney – 30
      • Nancy Fosson – 23

       

      • Everett (Buddy) Gill – 12
      • Douglas Gordon – 1
      • Bill Gregg – 17

       

      • Virginia Hart – 35
      • Karen Hedrick – 62
      • Wayne Higgins – 76
      • Jeanne Threatt Hoffman – 53
      • John Hough – 11
      • Betty Hughes* – 94
      • William Hutt – 63

      Delightfully

      Revealing

      Those Interviewed S – Z

      • Neil St. Clair – 72
      • Emmett Sams* – 8
      • Ken Sanchagrin – 38
      • Gail Sawyer – 19
      • Guy Sayles – 98
      • Donald Schmeltekopf – 31
      • Oralene Graves Simmons – 32
      • Betty Smith – 39
      • Pat Smith – 2, 59
      • Walter Smith* – 2, 59
      • Larry Stern – 38
      • Walter Stroud – 38
      • Bob Suttenfield – 58
      • Edith Swann* – 6

       

      • James W. Thomas – 17, 89
      • Charles Tomlinson – 41

       

      • Margaret (Pat) Verhulst – 15

       

      • John Wilson Wells – 49
      • Carlton Wilkes – 58
      • Arthur Everett Wood* – 46

       

      Exceptionally

      Thoughtful

      Unfortgettable People

      Tony Floyd (#88), Current President of Mars Hill University

      Beverley and Dan Lunsford, former MHU First Lady and President, 2002-2018

      A. Max Lennon* and Ruth Lennon (#36), President and           First Lady of MHC, 1996-2002 

      Jeanne Threatt Hoffman (#53) with portrait of her late husband, Richard Lee “Dick” Hoffman

      Former Provost John Omachonou (#92)

      Sylvia M. Murphey (#22)

      Donna Robertson (#50) and Julie Fortney (#30)

      George Peery (#40)

      Everett “Buddy” Gill (#12)

      C. Robert Jones (center) with the authors of Through the Long Years, Walter Smith, Darryl Norton, and Robert Chapman. Also pictured: Pat Smith (left) and Rachel Chapman (right)

      Charles Tomlinson (#41)

      David Riggins (#26) with his interviewer, John Hough (#11)

      C. Robert Jones interviews legendary Appalachian folk musician and singer, Betty Smith (#39)

      With former MHC First Lady, Doris Bentley (#20)

      Jay Ledford (#48) with Richard Dillingham (#73)

      Katharine Meacham (#47) with Carol Boggess (#91) 

      Jones pictured with Mathematics professors, Susan Kiser and Emmett Sams (#8)

      Kathy Meacham (#47) and C. Robert Jones sharing a good laugh

      Nancy Fosson (#23) with her interviewer, C. Robert Jones

      The portraits of Dr. Fred Bentley and Doris Bentley (#20) also posing in foreground

      With SART founder, James W. Thomas (left) (#17)

      Virginia Hart (#35) and JoAnne Alexander (#34)

      The Religion faculty’s interview was a team effort (#19) Thomas Sawyer, Earl Leininger, Robert Melvin*, and Page Lee*, with C. Robert Jones

      Betty Hughes* (#94) and Wayne King

      The Founders & Friends of SART included in interview #17 are James Thomas, Earl Leininger, Bill Gregg, and C. Robert Jones. Pictured, but not in the interview, are Dewitt Tipton, Kathy Adkins, Kimberly Myers, and actress Susan King (center)
      Photo was taken after a performance of The Belle of Amherst, 2016.

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