Post Valerie M. Parry Dean Emerita, Libraries Valerie M. Parry (1946-2016) grew up on the east end of Long Island, N.Y.; she was to discover a love for libraries that led to a career of more than 40 years. Accustomed to small town life, Parry attended Bridgehampton, a school that housed kindergarten through the 12th grade, and she graduated […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Jack Partain Professor Emeritus of Religion Jackie “Jack” Gene Partain (1933-2010) was born to Charles Forris and Una Jean Partain in Erath County, Texas. After struggling to start their farm in the midst of drought and depression, his parents moved to the Dallas area, where his father worked in retail sales and his mother in the fashion […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Patricia Woodward Partin Professor Emerita of Psychology and Counseling Patricia Woodward Partin (1938-2012) was born in Albemarle, N.C., to J. Floyd and Pauline Willis Woodward. Her mother was a teacher for 40 years, and her father was a superintendent in the Wilkes County school system. She had one sister, Gail. Partin graduated from Wilkes Central High School and […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Phil Perrin Professor Emeritus of Music Dr. Philip D. Perrin (1940-2025), son of Bruce and Fern Perrin, was born Dec. 4, 1940, near Knoxville, Tenn., and passed away on May 14, 2025. He grew up in a rural setting, graduated from Knoxville Central High School in 1958, and earned a Bachelor of Science in music education at […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Launita ‘Lonnie’ June Eye Proctor Professor Emerita of Physical Education Launita “Lonnie” June Eye Proctor (1929 -2014) was born in Rantoul, Kan., to Dr. Boyd Franklin and Mary Jane Sutton Eye. She and her two brothers were reared in Philadelphia, Pa. Proctor spent her early years just outside of Philadelphia until moving to Missouri. She graduated from Central High School […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Paul John Stacy Professor Emeritus of Biology Paul John Stacy (1907-1991), a native of Cleveland County, N.C., was the son of the late Lucius and Sarah Stacy. He had one sister, Mary Elizabeth Stacy. Upon completion of high school, Stacy attended Duke University. He also did graduate work at Duke in cancer research. Stacy was professor of biology […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post James Orville ‘J.O.’ Terrell Dean Emeritus James Orville “J.O.” Terrell (1900-1988), university professor of history, dean and vice president of Gardner-Webb, was born in Whittier in Jackson County, N.C., the son of Joel K. and Viola Cooper Terrell. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in English from Western Carolina University (then Western Carolina […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Sophia Steibel Professor Emerita, School of Divinity Born in January 1955 to the Rev. David and Mrs. Haydee Suman Gomes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sophia Steibel was raised in the Baptist faith. When her first-grade teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, the answer was a teacher and a missionary. She […] Office of University Communications | August 24, 2022
Post Oland Summers Professor Emeritus of Music Education Dr. Oland Summers (1934-) was born in South Bend, Ind., to Charles and Gladys Summers. He graduated in 1952 from James W. Riley High School in South Bend. He then earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music teacher education at Indiana State University, his education specialist degree in music […] Office of University Communications | August 24, 2022
Post Helen Tichenor Emerita of International Programs Helen Tichenor was born June 18, 1934, in Long Island, N.Y., to Swiss immigrants who had come to America separately. Her father was from Lucerne, Switzerland, and her mother from Zurich. They met in Chicago, Ill., when both joined a group for Swiss natives. Her parents became U.S. citizens and despite […] Office of University Communications | August 24, 2022
