Dolores Covington Palmer (BS ’69, MED ’87) retired after 29 years in Texas education. After teaching for 15 years, she served as principal of Shackelford Elementary, Waxahachie ISD, and Dripping Springs Intermediate, Dripping Springs ISD. She married Charles Michael Palmer on August 4, 2000. They reside in Palm Beach County, FL.

Jack L. Tucker (BBA ’69) was recently named senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of Town North National Bank in Dallas. Having 30 years of banking experience, he is responsible for bank operations, human resources,

the note and credit department, loan review, and compliance. A native of Longview, he is active in numerous civic and charitable organizations.

1970-74
Judge Richard W. Carter, Ret. (BA ’70) is the new executive director for Crime Stoppers International, Inc.

Ken Cash (MED ’70) has recently been selected as natural resource manager for three counties in west Texas. He lives in Abilene and has been with the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, for 35 years.

Dr. Charles Hickox (MS ’70, MED ’92, PHD ’94) has been appointed director of continuing education and professor of educational instruction and leadership at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK.

Marty Walker (BS ’72, MS ’79), English teacher at H. Grady Spruce High School in Dallas, was recently awarded the University of Texas at Austin’s 2000-2001 Zarrow Lecture Series Award. She spoke on “Fire in the Teacher’s Eyes—Keeping Your Passion” at the First Annual New Teacher Conference in Austin on Monday, October 2, 2000.

Dee Miller Evans (BS ’73) was recently recognized at the JC Penney Golden Rule awards held in Plano, TX. This national award was initiated by JC Penney in 1982 to recognize and encourage people to

volunteer in their communities. She was nominated by Rockwall Women’s League for her volunteer contributions in the field of education. She was the founder and past board president of the Rockwall Academic Booster Club, will serve this year as chairperson for the first Scholarship Fundraising Drive, has co-chaired the Citizens for Better Schools Committee, is currently a member of the District Improvement Committee and Campus Improvement Committee, and has served as member and officer of PTA boards, all at Rockwall ISD.

Cortis (Mac) U. McGuire, III (BS ’73) recently retired from the military after 30 years of service. He is president of McGuire and Associates Consulting and is a University of Texas Fellow, teaching in several departments. He is scheduled to receive his doctoral degree in 2001.

James R. Morton (BS ’73, MED ’79) was hired as the superintendent of Prairiland ISD on December 1, 2000. He had previously been serving as superintendent at Sulphur Bluff School District.

Judy G. Spring (BS ’73) taught home economics for 19 years in Daingerfield, Clint, Iowa Park, and Jacksboro ISDs. She assisted in starting a school of choice/alternative education program at Jacksboro in 1993 and recently was hired by La Vega ISD as the administrator for the school of choice campus, which assists students from the Waco area.

1975-79
Gene Hawkins (BA ’75), a native of Sulphur Springs, was promoted to assistant commander of Law Enforcement for the Special Crimes Services in the Texas Department of Public Safety on September 6, 2000.

Paul Kern Baker (BS ’76) has received his MSFS degree and he and his wife, Jane, live in Camp Hill, PA.

Kelton Kupper (MED ’76) retired from teaching and coaching after 27 years. While rehabbing and recovering from heart transplant surgery, he wrote Texas history short stories for the Virtual Texan web site. He now substitute teaches and speaks to Texas history classes, as well as to groups on the topic of organ donation. His Texas stories can be viewed at http://www.virtualtexan.com/writers/kelton/index.htm.

Kathy L. Vann (BS ’76, MED ’79), after teaching adult education classes for over 20 years, has recently started a new career as a MR service coordinator with Andrews Center in Canton.

Sandy Whitten Cox (BS ’77), a math teacher at Crockett Middle School in the Paris ISD, has won election as district eight director for the Texas Classroom Teachers Association. District eight covers 11 counties, including Lamar, Red River, Bowie, Delta, Hopkins, Franklin, Titus, Morris, Camp, Cass and Marion. She will represent her district, help set policy for the statewide association and assist leaders of TCTA in the 11-county area.

Rick Hammer (BMED ’77), after 15 years at Redwater ISD, has taken a job as head band director at Pleasanton High School, which is located near San Antonio. He and wife, Teresa, live in Pleasanton with their six-year-old son Cody. Their daughter,

Kim, graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce in December.

Areatha Simmons Jones (MED ’77, EDD ’82) was recently honored by having a facility, the Areatha Simmons Jones Auditorium, dedicated in her honor at Robert L. Thornton Elementary School in the Dallas ISD. She was a long-time educator and former principal at the school, retiring in 2000.

Jana Miller Bowers (BBA ’79, MBA ’83) is the director of Skills Development and Workforce Training at Northeast Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant. She has been employed at NTCC since 1995.
Steve Trachier (BS ’79, MS ’81) is principal at Grapevine Middle School, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. He is married to MacheleMyers (BS ’81), who works as a computer technologist for the school district.

1980-84
Melvin L. Willis, Jr. (MS ’80), on January 7, 2000, retired from the Mesquite Police Department, Mesquite, TX, after more than 22 years of service as an officer. During his career, he received 49 commendations, including the Police Commendation. He now lives on a subtropical barrier island with his wife of 30 years, KJ.

Ruth Ann Donges (MED ’82) retired from teaching after 27 years. For the past 15 years, she taught sixth-grade mathematics at Bedichek Middle School in Austin, TX.