Centennial Honorees
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Joyce D. (Dunham) Akins
Education: AB degree from ECTC in French and English
Travel Abroad: Travel to Mexico, and Stratford, Ontario
If Retired, From What Career? Retired in 1995 from teaching French, English. Began teaching career by teaching Spanish in 1943
Other Information: Married to John Akins in 1951, three sons: Jon Dunham Akins (55) is an electronics specialist, Dr. Robert Akins (53) is a professor of molecular biology and physics at Wayne State University Medical School in Detroit, and James Akins (51) is a professor in the music department at OSU and in the lower brass section of the Columbus, Ohio Symphony. Five beautiful granddaughters, two step-grandsons, and five dear great-grandsons. East Carolina has been close to my heart since 1939.
Robert Albanese
Education: 1981, BA in foreign languages and literatures from ECU (1981); MD from Brody School of Medicine at ECU (1988); internship at the University of Virginia (1988-1989); residencies/post doctoral at the University of Virginia (1989-1993)
Present Position: Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine, Public Psychiatry Division at the Medical University of South Carolina
Other Information: Robert P. Albanese, Jr., M.D. is an internist and psychiatrist, having done a residency in internal medicine and psychiatry at the University of Virginia, where he was chief resident in psychiatry in 1992-93. He is an associate professor of internal medicine and psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He is the program director of the combined residency in internal medicine and psychiatry at MUSC. He is the co-author of Primary Care Medicine for Specialists and Non-Specialists: A Practitioner’s Guide, published in October 2002 by Kluwer Academic Publishing. His primary interests are cardiovascular disease in the patient with major mental illness, the stigma of mental illness and humanism and the humanities in medicine.
Ann Morris (Mayo) Allred
Education: AB (1957); BS in French social studies and pre-nursing ; Certificat d’études from the Sorbonne, Université de Paris
If Retired, From What Career? 1957-1987: Taught French in the public high schools of NC – Edenton, Roxboro, Reidsville and High Point. 1988-1999: Worked as a travel consultant in designing and escorting special interests and arts related tours to six of the seven continents
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: American Association of the University Women Scholarship for Study Abroad in 1957. Outstanding Young Women of America in 1970. Outstanding Secondary Educators of America in 1973. Recipient of Rotary Fellowship for exchange program in France in 1982. Lay Person of the Year for First United Methodist Church in High Point in 1994. Delta Kappa Gamma education honorary society international.
Other Information: Mother of twin daughters, Martha M. Bunch and Susan M. Doss, Grandmother to John Bunch and Caroline Doss. In October 2007, she attended her 50th class reunion. Interestingly, among her group of friends, all of whom had prepared for teaching careers, Ann was the only one who had actually accomplished what I set out to do – teach. I still consider teaching a noble profession. One of the most valuable influences on my life was being mentored by and groomed for teaching French and understanding the French culture in depth by the Foreign Language Department Chair James L. Fleming. Married twice, first to the late John E. Morris and currently to the Reverend Dr. Howard Allred.
Theresa A. Bell
Education: 1984 BS in French with a concentration in Spanish, MLS from ECU (1999)
Travel Abroad: 1989 Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, Montreal ; 1990 European Travel ; 2004 079 Educational Technology Endorsement ; 2005 Intel Teach to the Future Master Teacher/Trainer ; 2007 Level 1 Certified Satyananda Yoga Teacher Present Position: Director of Partnership Development/Instructional Specialist, Center for Quality Teaching and Learning
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: 1997 Teacher of the Year, Williamston Primary School ; 1999 Mildred D. Southwick Award, ECU ; 2008 McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence – Judge
Other Information: Theresa frequently is a presenter at state, regional and national education, leadership and technology conferences across the United States. She recently trained members of the NC Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 21st Century Skills. Theresa lives in Roanoke, VA with her husband Mike. They enjoy traveling gardening, and hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Mary C. (Dixon) Bellamy
Education: AB from ECU (1947); Master’s from UNC-Chapel Hill (1952)
Travel Abroad: Fulbright Scholarship, University of Burgos, Spain 1965.
Present Position: Retired Assistant Professor Emeritus, UNCW, 1988
If Retired, From What Career? Teaching Public Schools and UNCW
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Residents of Old Wilmington, Served as President, Helped to organize Foreign Language Association of North Carolina (FLANC)
Other Information: Three children, Dr. Mary Louise Bellamy, Heyword Clifton Bellamy (2 degrees from ECU) and George Frank Bellamy.
Diane H. (Harris) Bowen
Education: BA in French from ECU (1976); French Civilization Diplome from Institut d’Etudéants Etrangers (1978); MA in French education from Appalachian State University (1992)
Travel Abroad: 1974 spent the summer in Paris as “au pair” ; 1977-78 spent year in Aix-en-Provence as “au pair” and attended the Institute of French Studies for Foreign Students ; 1989-90 planned trips to Quebec at Easter for students ; 2001 Planned a 3 week trip to Europe in June for Students ; 2007 spent Easter week in Paris with a colleague and 22 students ; Plan to be in Paris for Easter 2008 Present Position: French and Spanish teacher at Kinston High School, NC
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Phi Sigma Iota (romance language honor society) 1975; Pi Delta Phi (National French Honor Society) 1991; 2006-2007 Beta Sigma Phi “Woman of the Year”
Other Information: For the 17 years that I have sponsored the KHS French Club we have adopted a foster child each year at Christmas. In 2007 the club held a 4-day “Loose Change for Great Change” campaign; we collected $693 and presented a $500 check to the Lenoir County Homeless Shelter.
Sylvia D (Domaratsky) Briley
Education: BS in English and French (1969)
If Retired, From What Career?: French Teacher for 37 years
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: National Board Certified (WLOE), Leadership Award (Rose High School) ECFLEC co-director for many years, ECU Advancement Council
Other Information: Retired to the beach with her husband. Plays tennis and enjoys cooking and taking long walks on the beach. Tries to visit her two grandsons as often as possible. Sometimes finds time to substitute at the local high school.
Michelle Suddarth Camarena BSN, RN
Education: BS in Spanish from ECU (1993); BS in nursing from ECU (1997); MS in nursing from ECU (anticipated May 2008)
Travel Abroad: Travel to Europe, Costa Rica, the Caribbean Present Position: Nurse Clinician I, UNC-Chapel Hill Campus Health Services
Other Information: Married to Paul Camarena ’95 since 1999. We have no children and two dogs. Member of Sigma Theta Tau, Beta Nu Chapter, International Honor Society of Nursing.
Paul Camarena
Education: BS in Spanish from ECU (1995); MA in health education and promotion from ECU (2002); certified health education specialist. Present Position: Director Hispanic Outreach, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine General Clinical Research
Other Information: Married to Michelle Suddarth Camarena ’93, ’97. Hobbies: photography, volleyball, and biking.
Javier Y. Castillo, Jr.
Education: BSBA in management from ECU (2000); BSP Spanish (2000)
Travel Abroad: Independent Study Costa Rica (2000), Semester abroad at Universidad San Francisco, Quito, Ecuador (1998) Present Position: President, Castillo Language Services, Inc.
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Federally Certified Court Interpreter, State Certified Court Interpreter, U.S. Department of State Seminar Interpreter, U.S. Department of State Administrative Interpreter
Other Information: President/Founder Castillo Language Services, Inc., Married to Paola Andrea Castillo, Father of two girls, Andrea Sophia (age 2) and Gabriela Lucia (6 weeks).
Karel L. (Kiefer) Chirico
Education: BS from ECU (1976); ML from University of South Carolina (1978)
If Retired, from what Career?: Project management and development.
Other Information: I have been married to my wonderful husband Jim for nearly 18 years. We have one teenage son. We love to travel together, and have explored southern Germany and France, as well as most of North America.
Robert Currier Christesen
Education: ABD, ECU/NCSU combined doctoral program in educational administration; EdS, MAEd in education administration from ECU; graduate work at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ibero-American & Scandinavian Studies (PhD minor) ; BA, BS from ECC in Spanish and social studies
Travel Abroad: Undergraduate study abroad; University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Universidad de las Americas, Mexico City, Mexico Present Position: Assistant Principal, West Cary Middle School , Wake County Public School System
If Retired, From What Career?: Opera Singer, Frankfurt & Dortmund Opera, Resident Ital. Baritone
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Club of Wake Forest, Rotary International 2005 ; NC certifications: Administrative-Superintendent, Supervision, Principal , Teaching Academically Gifted, English, French, German, Mentor, Music, Social Studies, Spanish, Theater Arts ; Raleigh Arts Council Artist Certificate of Achievement 1995 ; Principals’ Executive Program, John McCall Award, UNC – Chapel Hill in 1995; Fulbright Travel Grant, Voice, Geneva, Switzerland, Summer 1974 ; Marshall Scholarship, American Scandinavian Association, Scandinavian art song 1972 ; Manhattan School of Music, full scholarship 1970-1972
Other Information: Was an Opera Singer in residence for 13 years in Germany.
Lynn F.H. (Hanold) Cline
Education: BA in French from ECU (1976); MA in French language and culture, University of California, Santa Barbara (1979)
Travel Abroad: Although she did not do a “study” program abroad, she lived in France as an “au pair” the summer of 1975 looking after the children in exchange for room and board to get immersion into the language and culture Present Position: Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Operations. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Selected for the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive in 1997 and 2004. Received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) International Cooperation Award in 1998; Fellow of the American Astronautical Society, An Associate Fellow of the AIAA and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics. Received the NASA Exceptional Performance Award in October 1997 ; Received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in March 1988 and again in 1993 ; Received the women in Aerospace International Space Year Award in September 1992; Received the Federal Republic of Germany Friendship Award in December 1983; Served as Vice President – International of the American Astronautical Society (AAS) from 2000-2002
Other Information: I credit my career at NASA to the cooperative education program ECU had in place with NASA at the time I attended ECU. I initially took a 3-month assignment at NASA Headquarters in the Office of International Affairs during my senior year of undergraduate study, as recommended by the Chairman of the Foreign Language Department. That led to me establishing a new career goal, and after a second student Internship, converting to a full-time NASA employee. From that early start at NASA, I took on increasingly responsible positions, eventually leading to positions in senior management. As NASA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Operations, I am responsible for oversight of a broad variety of capabilities across the NASA spectrum of space operations programs, which includes the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station, space communications and navigation, acquisition of commercial launch services for NASA missions, and crew health and safety. From June 1997 to March 2003, I was Deputy Assistant Administrator for External Relations. In this capacity, I was responsible for NASA’s interaction with Executive Branch offices and agencies and for international relations. I led U.S. delegations to the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. I was the NASA lead negotiator of the agreements with Canada, Europe, Japan and Russia for the International Space Station, a facility currently operating in space. I also led negotiations for the agreement with the European Space Agency for the Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn and its moon Titan. This mission was launched in October 1997, reached Saturn in 2004, and continues to send back data from Saturn and its moons.
Ann C. (Colson) Coker
Education: BS BA in French
Travel Abroad: Chaperone for two student trips to France and one to Quebec, 8-week France travels in 1970, other European trips for pleasure
If Retired, From What Career?: Teaching
Other Information: Taught in Edgecome County for 20 years and Pitt County for 10 years; 2 years in Pitt County Schools remediation.
Robert W. Copeland, Jr.
Education: BS in Spanish education (K-12) from ECU (1992); MA in middle grades education from Fayetteville State University (2000); nursing degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College (2007) Present Position: Spanish teacher (grades 7-9) at Department of Defense Schools; Spanish instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: 2002 Instructor of the Year at Fayetteville Technical Community College; two-time Cumberland County Coach of the Year for Varsity Soccer
Other Information: Married to a wonderful wife, with 2 loving children. For 6 years now, I have served as Head Interpreter for a group of 8-10 doctors/medical team that travels to South America each summer. I am working on traveling to every Spanish speaking country before I retire. Over the last 5 years, I have helped to create and implement a very successful curriculum program for “Spanish Community Interpreters and Translators” at Fayetteville Technical Community College which continues to grow each year.
Tracy H. (Haddock) Coston
Education: Bachelor’s in Spanish from ECU, Master’s in school administration from UNC-Wilmington
Travel Abroad: 2 week study abroad in Ecuador in the summer of 1998 Present Position: Assistant Principal of Southport Elementary
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Principal Fellows Scholarship, Leadership Brunswick County
Other Information: Taught Spanish at the high school level for two years in Martin County. After getting married, I moved back to my home county, Brunswick, and taught at the elementary level for 5 years. I decided to go back to school for administration and I am currently in my fourth year as an assistant principal, three years at the middle level and this year at the elementary level. I am also currently looking into programs for at risk youth and alternatives to the traditional school for those students who struggle with the motivation, academics, and behavior. I am working with my Superintendent and county office to offer an “out of the box” approach for reaching those students.
Anne S (Magbenga) Dalrymple
Education: B.A. French and Hispanic Studies Present Position: Bilingual Mortgage Specialist at SunTrust Mortgage
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Sigma Iota Member, Presenter and Awarded 1st place at the 4th undergraduate research and creative activities symposium at ECU ; Presenter at the 2nd Annual State of NC Undergraduate Research and Creativity
Other Information: Awarded special recognition from the department during spring 2006. Outstanding senior award in French 2006-2007 ; graduated Magna cum Laude with 3.8 GPA, Fleming Perry Scholarship for 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 Awarded Certificate of Recognition of High Academic Achievement by Ledonia Cultural Center.
Frances Daniels
Education: Bachelor’s (1949) and Master’s (1956) from ECU; Ed. D. from University of Tennessee
If Retired, From What Career?: Retired as Professor Emeritus from the Department of Business Education and Administrative Services in 1988
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Pi Omega Pi graduate service award established in her name; established scholarship foundation for business education majors
Other Information: Active with the Salvation Army, served on the administrative board as past president of the Methodist Women organization at Memorial Methodist Church.
Ann H (Williamson) Davis
Education: Diplôme Supérieur (Mention Très honorable) Alliance Française
Travel Abroad: Lived in France for 8 months and Switzerland for 6 years. Present Position: Teacher, French and International Baccalaureate English
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Milken National Educator, 1996 ; National Board Certified Teacher, 1998 (renewed until 2018) ; Nash-Rocky Mount Elementary Educator of the Year 1996
Other Information: Charter Officer and Past President of Nash-Rocky Mount Council of the International Reading Association ; NC Certification in French K-12, Elementary Ed K-12, English 9-12 and Gifted Ed K-12 ; One daughter, Claire, graduated 2005 from Duke University.
Diana B (Burnette) Dean
Education: Clemson University, Post-Graduate Study, French ; University of SC, Spartanburg, Post-Graduate Study , French
Travel Abroad: Study of French Family Unit – Hendaye, France ; Study of Lycee System and Basque culture , Hendaye, France, Bilbao, San Sebastian,
Spain Present Position: President and CEO of Dean Agency, International, Ltd. – matches, foreign firms to US clients
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Selected as nominee for 1st annual award from Charlotte Observer for Business Women of the Year, Charlotte, NC; Acted as liaison between the Mexican Consul in Charlotte, NC and Mexican Consulate in Washington, DC ; Letter of Commendation for Volunteer Work in the Kanawha County Schools, Charleston, WV ; Selected by the Union des Constructeurs de Matériel Textile de France as their official representative to the Comité Européen des Constructeurs de Matériel Textile (CEMATEX) for ATME-1 ; Nominated for Award for “Women in Unusual and Outstanding Careers” by Greenville, SC daily newspaper (Daily News) for work as Trilingual Interpreter at American Textile Machinery Exhibition ; One of 3 awards given in NC by a national sorority for Outstanding work and Loyalty to the Community and Sorority ; Recipient of one of only 20 scholarship awards granted in the US by the French Government, the Grenoble “stage de perfectionnement”; Developed French courses for US corporations merging with French corporations.
Other Information: She has a son, Jonathan, 29 and a daughter, Courtney Dean Schreibeis, 31. Her husband is Howard Dean, ECU ’67.
Leo P. Franke
Education: B.A. ECU 1975 ; M.A. UNC Chapel Hill 1980 Present Position: French Teacher, Person High School, Roxboro, NC ; Cross Country Coach also
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Person Senior High Outstanding Young Educator Award 1984 and 1985 ; Person Senior High Teacher-of-the-Year 1987 ; 1988 he created an exchange program, which will celebrate its twentieth anniversary in March between Person Senior High School and Lycée Professional Andre Siegfried in Haguenau (Alsace) ; Tarheel Chevrolet Excellence in Education Award in 1995 ; National Board Certification in 2005
Other Information: Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop 226 from 1991-2002 ; Founded High Adventure Explorer Post 226 and served as Post Advisor ; Lea’s Chapel United Methodist Church Lay Person of the Year in 2001; Married since 1975 to the former Joyce Edwards ; Two Children, Erica and Nathan, and one granddaughter, Adrienne ; A few years ago, one of the French students who had taken part in the 1991 visit to Roxboro called to say he had named his first son Leo.
Donald R. Franks
Education: B.S. Spanish 1967, M.A.Ed. Administration/supervision 1973
Travel Abroad: Mexico (4 trips), Spain, France, Canada, Germany, Austria, Italy, England Present Position: Work part-time in Real Estate
If Retired, From What Career?: Retired from Supervisor for Second Languages, Teacher Wilson county, NC
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Outstanding Young Educator 1972, Local and District Teacher of the Year, State Finalist Terry Sanford Award, Developed and Coordinated the Best K-5 Spanish Curriculum in NC.
Other Information: All Degrees from ECU
Katharine M. (Demnicki) Garner
Phone: 252-813-9300
E-mail: kgarner@nrms.k12.nc.us
Education: BS French, MAEd Counselor Education, Sorbonne
Travel Abroad: Traveled with students to England and France in ’93, ’95 and ’98 Present Position: School Counselor
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Nash-Rocky Mount School System Teacher of the Year, 2002-2003
Other Information: Became the mother of Samantha Marie at the ripe old age of 39!
Kara C. Ginter
Education: at ECU was vice-president of Alpha Phi Sorority in charge of scholarship, a member of Phi Sigma Iota, an International foreign language honorary society, and an Ambassador serving as hostess for receptions at the Chancellor’s house, giving tours of campus and greeting invited guests at special events on campus ; a chairperson for Ambassador Emeriti Gala ; Assistant to the Director of the Study abroad program at ECU to the Sorbonne, University of Paris ; 1993 – Taught ESL at Lenoir CC and French and Spanish at Kinston High School ;
Travel Abroad: at age 15 was selected to receive a rotary scholarship to study for a year in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Present Position: since 2002 a French and Spanish teacher at Eugene Ashley High School in Wilmington, NC
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: 2004 – coordinated and taught a women’s issues class and an ESL class concentrating on work specific English for Hispanic women at the Centro Latino of New Hanover County. 2004 – was selected to be an educational advisor to the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington DC. In 2007, became an educational advisor for the United States Achievement Academy Scholarship Foundation
Other Information: volunteers weekly to teach high school students in the Lower Cape Fear Region ; supports the Duke Children’s Hospital Teddy Bear Ball by attending ; She is trilingual – English, French, and Spanish.
William L. Gore
Education: B.A. Geography ECU 1990, B.S. equivalent in French ECU 1991
Present Position: French Teacher Washington HS
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Teacher of the Year Washington High School 1997-98, 2007-08
Other Information: Has conducted seven travel abroad experiences for high school students.
Katrin Y. Haege
Education: B.A. German, B.A. French in May 2006
Travel Abroad: Exchange student at Université François-Rabelais in Tours, France (January – June 2005)
Present Position: Student
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Fulbright Scholar for a 2006-2007 Teaching Assistantship in Germany, Outstanding Senior Award for German, EC Scholar, Honors Student.
Carole R. (Rankin) Hall
Education: A.B. degree from ECC in Spanish and English
Travel Abroad: Travelled around the world with Pan American World airways for 21 years
If Retired, From What Career?: Taught high school Spanish for 4 years, stewardess / flight attendant for Pan American World Airways
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Helped establish the first female dominated work union in the Airline Industry
Other Information: Still have love for languages, studying French at this time. Love playing tennis and five years ago discovered the world of horses. Rides horses at least twice a week.
Kimberly I. (Ives) Hampton
Education: BS French Education (K-12), Master’s in counseling and guidance, Certified K-12 in Spanish
Travel Abroad: Spent 1 semester abroad in Paris, France Present Position: School Counselor
If Retired, From What Career?: Teacher, French and English
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Helped develop middle school Spanish program in Pitt County Schools; completed Master’s degree; received Rivers Scholarship for study abroad while at ECU; spent one semester at Ecole Supérieure du Commerce Exterieur in Paris, France.
Dolly O. (Overton) Hathaway
Education: B.S. B.A ECU and New York University in Madrid
Travel Abroad: ITESM in Monterrey, Mexico Present Position: Teacher
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Outstanding Senior in Foreign Language Department in 1969, Charter member of ECFLEC, department chair 10 years; member of the Foreign Language and Literatures Advancement Council.
Carolyn P. (Pippen) Howard
Education: 1950 B.S. in French and English, Library Science Certification
Travel Abroad: 1970 Traveled to Europe including France and all other countries Present Position: Retired after 30 years with Pitt County Schools
If Retired, From What Career?: Teacher, French and English
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Member of Delta Kappa Gamma International, Supervised numerous student teachers in French and English, Teacher’s Society member, Entre Nous Book club, Member Hooker Memorial Christian Church where she served as Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and Elder for 16 years
Other Information: Married to Milton Howard for 54 and 1/2 years until his death in 2004. One daughter, Lynn Howard, a social work case manager with Pitt County Memorial Hospital. I enjoy my church work and traveling and was able to visit Hawaii, California and the Caribbean in 2007.
Arminda B. (Batista) Israel
Education: East Carolina University, B.S. Spanish, Secondary Education, 1983 Boston University, M.Ed., Counseling, 1987
Travel Abroad: After graduating from ECU, my husband, John, and I moved to Florida for two years where I worked as an elementary school teacher. Then, we moved to England for two years where I worked as a test administrator for the U.S. Air Force and completed a master’s from Boston University’s campus in England. In 1987, we moved to Holland for three years where I continued to work for the U.S. Air Force as a counselor. During that time, we traveled throughout England, France, East and West Germany, Spain, and Czechoslovakia. We returned to the United States and lived in Maine for two years where I worked as a school counselor and Spanish teacher. For the past 15 years, I have been working at Old Dominion University, initially as a counselor for student support services and for the last nine years in the school of education as a program advisor in teacher education. Currently, we love living in Norfolk, Virginia.
Present Position: Program Advisor, Teacher Education Services, Darden College of Education, Old Dominion University
Other Information: Dedicated supporter of the Pirate Club, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, and Life Member of the East Carolina Alumni Association.
Jonathan B. Keathley
Education: MA in classics, Tuft University, Boston 2006 ; MA in translation, Laval University, Quebec, 1983; teaching assistantship, Lycée Voltaire, Paris, 1979 ; MA in French linguistics, Indiana University, Bloomington (1978); BA in French from ECU (1975)
Present Position: Retired from working as a freelance translator
If Retired, From What Career?: I worked as a translator in the Quebec public service for 20 years (1985-2007) specializing in fiscal and legal translation
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Margaret H. Thomson Prize awarded by the Classical Association of Canada for Greek sight translation, 1999
Other Information: I plan to devote my retirement years to working for a PhD in classical studies (Greek and Latin).
Karen G. (Gordon) Klaich
Education: BS in French from ECU; National Board Certification in English/Language Arts in 2002 ; Holocaust Council ; The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching ; Advanced Placement Training (2004, 2006)
Present Position: English Teacher at South Central High School (Advanced Placement language & Composition, Journalism, and Literature of the Holocaust) ; She has taught at South Central since 2002, and before that she taught at AG Cox Middle School for 16 years.
If Retired, From What Career?: Still Teaching and loving it!
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Teacher of the Year (2004) for South Central High School ; Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority ; NCAE Member ; Mentor certification and previous Lead Mentor for South Central High School ; Bright Ideas Grant Recipient (2006 and 2008) ; North Carolina Middle School Grant Recipient (2001)
Other Information: Married to Mark S. Klaich ; mother of four children (Jennifer 20, Kathryn 18, Joseph 16 and Mark II 10) ; member and deacon of the Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville ; daughter of Dave and Gwen Gordon of Greenville and Etsil Mason and Dr. Alex Robertson of Farmville.
Elizabeth “Ann” (Brandon) Laliotes
Education: ECU degrees: BA in Spanish and history (1969) and Master’s in Library Science (1973)
Present Position: Prospect Research Manager in ECU Advancement Services
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Developed and taught one of the first “Internet for Health Sciences Librarians” courses. Awarded NC State Outstanding Adult Programming for Literacy program, and Outstanding Children’s Summer Reading Program. Received outstanding re-accreditation for PA-CME program. Served as officer in multiple medical library consortiums.
Other Information: While studying at ECU my roommate (French major) & I often dreamed of being interpreters together at the UN in NYC. An excellent liberal arts/foreign language background benefitted me in my varied career primarily in public, academic and medical librarianship. Along the way, I instituted a Spanish language reading section in the public library as well as providing resources and links to consumer/patient health education available in Spanish from the hospital library. I served as director of North Carolina & Florida library systems, bookstore manager in Siesta Key (FL); records manager for the Miami Dolphins (football), and Director of Library Services & Continuing Medical Education at mid-sized Bucks County (PA) medical center. Married to husband John, they enjoy Pirate Sports, gardening, and car caravans.
Christina M. LaRaia-Gray
Education: BS in Spanish education from ECU (1998); Master’s of Arts in foreign languages from George Mason University (2001)
Travel Abroad: Universidad de Cantabria, Spain 1996 ; Universidad de Hérédia, Costa Rica 200 ; ESOL Teaching Endorsement, George Mason University 2005
Present Position: ESOL Assessment Specialist – Prince William Country Public Schools
Other Information: Married to Christopher Gray (ECU ’98) and we have a two year old son, Derek.
Nell J. (James) Lewis
Education: BS in French from ECU (1972); MAEd in school administration from ECU (1988)
If Retired, From What Career?: Educator, Author, Humanitarian
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Director: Ledonia Wright Cultural Center, ECU 2000-2003 (her work in this position brought national recognition to our campus and ignited a campus-wide focus on the work of diversity at ECU) ; Author of book, 1 Day and 3 Hours (This book chronicles her journey of faith in the workplace) ; Recipient of Best-Irons Humanitarian Award 2003 (Presented by the Greenville Human Relations Council, Greenville, NC for work with non-profit organizations and leading an unprecedented connection between the African American community and ECU through her work as the Director of the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center) ; Executive Producer and Host of ECU campus TV show; Diversity Moments with Nell ; Motivational Speaker and Presenter (including National Association of Black Cultural Centers and National Conference on Race and Ethnicity) ; Honoree: 100 Incredible ECU Women, 2007 (Centennial Honor sponsored by the ECU women’s Roundtable).
Eric K. Mason
Education: BA in German and psychology from ECU (2002); MA in international studies from ECU (2005); Fulbright Scholar 2002; Working on MS in substance abuse and clinical counseling at ECU
Travel Abroad: Studied in Freiburg, Germany for one year under Fulbright scholarship ; spent a semester abroad at the University of Freiburg in Germany during junior year at ECU
Present Position: Case Manager/Counselor at a Mental Health Agency
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Fulbright Scholarship 2002 ; Flemming/Perry Scholarship 2002; Thomas Rivers Scholarship 2001 ; TA and Molly P. Brooks Scholarship 1998-2002 ; Cum Laude
Other Information: He travels to Germany as much as possible, and continues to study and practice German. He hopes to be able someday to combine his interests in mental health, international studies and German. In the Near future he would like to become a substance abuse/mental health counselor with a mental health agency that serves American military personnel and their family members living in Germany. Other future plans of his include earning a PsyD. “I would like to thank all the excellent professors in the German program. Learning German has opened up so many amazing opportunities for me!”
Kathleen L. (Brewington) McLamb
Education: Associates (1991), Bachelor’s (1994), Master’s of School Administration (1999). Beginning Doctorate program at ECU in summer of 2009.
Travel Abroad: Visited Puebla, Mexico and Puerto Rico
Present Position: Principal of Cleveland Middle School in Johnston County, NC
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Assistant Principal of the Year (2002), Growing Future Leaders participant, participant in Center for International Understanding trip to Puebla, Mexico.
Other Information: Mother of 3 children (Katherine, 15; Noah, 3; and Zachary, 2) and married to Brian McLamb. My education at East Carolina has afforded me many opportunities to travel and to meet people from other countries. It has impacted my relationships with the students that I serve.
Linda McMahon
Education: BA in French from ECU in 1969
Present Position: CEO and co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and serves on the company’s board of directors. She guides global strategic direction and oversees day-to-day business operations and the development of technical and administrative functions.
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Recognized as one of ECU’s “100 Incredible Women” in 2007, was named one of Multichannel News’s Wonder Woman award recipients recognizing her accomplishments with WWE and as a leader in the US cable television industry, and negotiated and implemented the first licensing deal in the wrestling industry with a toy company that produced the WWE line of Superstar action figures.
Other Information: I enjoy time with family, especially my 3 grandchildren (3, 1, and almost a year – and a 4th on the way).
Ursula F. McRae
Education: German degree from ECU (1995)
If Retired, From What Career?: Taught Spanish at Roanoke High School in Robersonville, NC
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Roanoke High Teacher of the Year for 1999-2000 and 2004-2006. Advisor for the Spanish Club, took students on cultural field trips and organized a yearly International Food Fiesta.
Barbara G. (Allen) Miller
Education: Masters Degree Sec Ed. ODU 1989, Middlebury College French 1978, ECU B.S. French, A.B. Spanish 1965
Travel Abroad: Study Abroad S. Korea at the invitation of the S. Korea Embassy in 1993, Study in Russia 1988, Traveled to Spain, Italy, Mexico, England, Canada, Switzerland, Russia, S. Korea and numerous trips to France.
Present Position: Retired
If Retired, From What Career?: ESL Coordinator for Newport News, VA Public Schools, 1982-1995. French and Spanish ESL teacher K-12 from 1965-1982 in Newport News, VA.
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Recipient of 2 NDEA study Programs 1966 Manhattan College, NY French, 1967 Université de Lyon, France, French. Member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International 1972-2005, Iota State VA Outstanding Young Woman in 1976, Recipient of 2 scholarships from Iota State, DKG. Receipt of 2 NDEA Institutes, Assistant Director of Japanese Academy for former Governor Baliles of VA 3 years (89, 90, 91) Presenter at TESOL International, San Francisco, CA 1986
Other Information: Sang in Episcopal Church Choirs, Member of the Junior League of Hampton Rds, 2 sons Will (1997 grad of ECU, Max (1990 Grad of Elon) and 4 grandchildren, husband Michael (ECU 1963). Hobbies include language acquisition, foreign travel, collecting antiques. Taught Spanish and French 2005-2007 at Washington Academy Upper School in Williamsburg, VA. Volunteer with Colonial Williamsburg, VA. Spanish Interpreter for Latinos at Early Childhood Center at ECU Medical School 1997-2003.
Catherine P. (Pfeiffer) Moore
Education: BA from ECU
Present Position: Stay at home person
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Received Outstanding Senior Award and successfully used TPRS my last 2 years of teaching high school.
Other Information: I was born in Nicaragua (Managua), and lived there until I was 17.5 years old. I survived the earthquake of 1972, which destroyed the city of Managua for the third time.
Katie Earle Owen Morgan
Education: Undergraduate degrees from ECU in French and English, graduate degrees in English and supervision administration.
If Retired, From What Career? Education
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Recognized as one of ECU’s “100 Incredible Women” in 2007, member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Honor Society for Women Educators, inducted into ECU College of Education Hall of Fame (2002), wrote project proposal and implemented the first federal program adopted by Harnett County Schools – Neighborhood Youth Corps (1966).
Other Information: My greatest accomplishment was involving my daughters Margaret M. Holmes and Mary Morgan, successful lawyers and mothers, and foster son, Rupert Tart, successful businessman and ECU graduate, in our civic, social, and political endeavors throughout the years, which helped instill in them the value of community service. I’ve only missed 4 Homecoming weekends at ECU in the sixty-one years since graduation!
Martha A. (Fisher) Moses
Education: M.A. Journalism and Public Affairs, specialization in Interactive journalism, School of Communications, American University, Washington DC 2002 ; Graduate translation training in Spanish and French, Monterey Institute of International Studies, California 1982-1983 ; B.A foreign languages and literatures, Latin American Studies, ECU 1979
Present Position: Technical Writer-Editor, Chemonics International Inc., Washington D.C. ; Editor, Local Action Global Change; Bilingual Editor, Latin American and Caribbean Bureau, USAID/Washington.
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Most Outstanding Student in Foreign Languages, ECU 1979 ; Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, ECU 1979 ; Phi Sigma Iota Foreign Language Honor Society, ECU 1979
Other Information: Current Project: Writing a Screen Play All Saints Day.
James M. O’Donnell
Education: ECU 1995 ESL Certification ; 1988 Fulbright Teacher Exchange to France ; UCSB 1987 M.A. Langue et Culture Françaises ; ECU 1984 B.S. French ; ECU 1983 B.A. Anthropology
Travel Abroad: Extensive travel in Western Europe, Ireland, England, Denmark, France, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium and also in Morocco and Turkey
Present Position: Professor of French at S.H.A.P.E. American High School, S.H.A.P.E. , Belgium. Teaching French II, III, IV and AP Language
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Member of Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honor Society, currently he is the moderator of Apexchanges, a Yahoo group for AP French Teachers.
William S. Pierce
Education: ABA Louisburg College, 1990 ; BS ECU, 1993.
Travel Abroad: Study abroad program in Humaçao, Puerto Rico. I have frequently travelled to many parts of Central America and The Caribbean.
Present Position: Spanish teacher / lead mentor / department chair for Foreign Language department at South Central High School in Winterville, NC
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: 2006 & 2008 Teacher of the Year at South Central High School
Other Information: My beautiful wife and I just adopted a wonderful son (Ian Fidelio) from Guatemala this past September. He is a joy and an incredible addition to our family.
Paul Popov
Education: ECU AB French/Spanish; Middlebury College – Master’s in Russian, NYU – PhD in Slavic Linguistics and Philology (1969)
Present Position: Professor Emeritus – The University of Georgia
If Retired, From What Career?: Teaching Russian Language, Literature, Culture, Linguistics. Retired June 2001
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: NYU founders Day Award for outstanding academic achievement ; NYU career Achievement award for 31 years of service at UGA
Other Information: Proud to be ECU alumnus and to have been a “Pirate” ; He sang in the Three Sisters play before each act.
Robin Morgan (Roberson) Potts
Education: B.S. in English, B. S. in French, MA in Business and Professional Writing, Internship at National Spinning, Inc.
Travel Abroad: Summer study at the University, Sorbonne in Paris, Summer study for Global Perspective at the University of Denver through the American Field Service, Leader of Student Tours to England and France and Italy
Present Position: Musician with a specialty in French Music: violin with the Beaufort County Community Orchestra, Accordion for “Washington’s Music on the Streets” and festivals and special events, Volunteer at Rest Homes
If Retired, From What Career?: Retired from Teaching French in high school and elementary schools, Teaching English at Martin County Community College, Leading Travel Tours for Beaufort County Community College
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Created and carried out first foreign language program for all elementary schools in Washington, N.C.; Washington and Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce Grant to French students performing so all could sing in red berets with shoulders draped in tricolor, Published a journal of V.A. Mother’s Victory
Other Information: The capacity in the young for foreign language is awesome. Everywhere I go students who started at “bonjour” with me at age 5 are still singing and greeting in French. Thank you East Carolina University Department of Foreign Language for the passion for French Literature and the reverence for the exquisite French language of professor Nicole Aronson, for the joy of the French culture, French family and friends, the French perspective and French history with Professors Grace Ellenberg and Marguerite Perry. Thank you, too, Professor Manolita Buck.
Mayme Clyde H (Williams) Pryce
Education: B.A. Spanish ECU 1966, B.S. French ECU 1966, M.A.Ed. Supervision George Washington University 1978, Doctoral Studies in Staff Development University of Maryland 1993
Travel Abroad: Study and Travel in Spain, Italy, British Isles, Mexico, Canada during the 1970s
Present Position: Retired
If Retired, From What Career?: Public School Educator
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Outstanding Foreign Language Graduate 1966 ECU, Prince George’s (MD) county schools Honor Educator 1999
Other Information: After the death of my first husband, I began life again in my 60s with a new spouse, Henry Pryce (B.S. ECU 1966) at a new locale, the beautiful Outer Banks. Still learning new skills including surf fishing, billiards and quilting.
Margaret Ann (Parker) Rabon
Education: AB & BS in French from ECU (1963, 1964); summer study at La Sorbonne in Paris, France (summer of 1962); summer foreign language study at Appalachian State University (summer of 1966)
Present Position: Work part-time at Rabon Insurance Agency (Nationwide)
Other Information: I live in Lake Park Subdivision where my younger son, his wife, and three children (two girls & one boy) live. My other son, his wife, and two girls live in Holly Springs NC. I enjoy being with my grandchildren and am very involved in Faith United Methodist Church. A friend of mine and I began a senior program at our church called the M&M’s (Mature and Methodist) about three years ago, and I am in charge of this program. We visit the Lake Park Nursing Home monthly and present a program of songs and devotions.
Lynne Hollis Reynolds
Education: BS in French from ECU (1974)
Travel Abroad: I have traveled extensively, especially with my many years with the airline. We have been fortunate to be able to travel to Paris, London, St Martin, Hawaii (5 times, my husband’s favorite), and many other places.
Present Position: Disability Examiner for the State of Colorado. I adjudicate the medical decision for Social Security Disability. I was with US Airways as a Customer Service Supervisor for 24 years, mostly in Denver.
Other Information: I have been married for 18 years, and I have a daughter, age 29, from a a previous marriage, and a 6 month old grandson. One of the most influential people in my life was Nicole Aronson. I worked for her as her research assistant from 1970 to around 1973.
Dorothy M. (Maynard) Riddle
Education: BS in music and French (1947); certification in English from UNC-Chapel Hill; took organ lessons from Meredith College.
Travel Abroad: Traveled extensively including France, all western Europe, England, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
If Retired, From What Career?: Teaching at Broughton and Sanderson High Schools in Raleigh, NC (total of 35 years)
Other Information: Served as organist at several churches in Raleigh and Cary. Loves to travel and read. “Glad to be alive and doing well!”
Leroy Salazar
Education: BS in Spanish; K-12 Licensed Educator
Present Position: Spanish teacher, Wakefield High School, Raleigh, NC
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Foreign Language Association of North Carolina member since 2001 and Allied Organizations Liaison 2007-2009, American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese member since 2001 and Treasurer 2003-2007, National Spanish Exam Coordinator 2003-2006, North Carolina Association of Educators member since 2002, ECU Educators Collaborative member 2001-2006, Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica Advisor, NHR Outstanding America’s Teachers 2005-2006, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers 2002-2003 and 2005-2006, Honored by Rose High School Parents at End-Of-Year Banquet may 2004-2005; J. H. Rose High School Teacher of the Year Nominee, May 2004; Golden LEAF Educational Consortium Board Member 2001-2002; Outstanding Initially Licensed Teacher, Pitt County Schools, May 2002; Resident Advisor of the Year ECU May 2001.
Joanna W. (Woods) Sayblack
Education: BA in political science with a minor in international studies (Latin American discipline) from ECU (2000); BS in Hispanic studies/education (2003)
Travel Abroad: Traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica 2005 for vacation ; Traveled to Vienna, Austria ; Bratislava, Slovakia ; Budapest, Hungary ; Venice and Avian, Italy 2006 for Vacation
Present Position: Spanish teacher at Williamston High School in Williamston, NC
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Chosen as a Tech Trekker Technology Participant in Martin county (2005-2006) ; Chairperson of the AYP Improvement Committee at Williamston High School (2006) ; Lead Sponsor of the National Honor Society at Williamston High School (2006-Present) ; co-sponsor of the Spanish Club at Williamston High School (2005-Present)
Other Information: I became a first time mother to Daniel Alexander Sayblack on January 3, 2007.
Georgia Hooks (Hooks) Shurr
Education: BS BA from ECU (1964); University of Geneva (1964-1965); MA (1967) and PhD (1971) from UNC-Chapel Hill
Present Position: Retired; Adjunct Professor ECU 2008
If Retired, From What Career?: Professor of French
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Best Teacher of the Year, University of Idaho 1979 ; President of American Association of Teachers of French, Idaho Chapter, 1978 ; Director, Tennessee Governor’s School for the Humanities
Other Information: Joint National Committee for Foreign Languages, representing South Atlantic Modern Language Association ; Director, Tennessee Governor’s Academy for Teachers of Foreign Languages ; President American Friends of Marguerite Yourcenar; author of books and essays about French writers.
Jean F. (Fisher) Smith
Education: BS from ECU; graduate studies in Spanish at Middlebury College
If Retired, From What Career?: Teaching high school
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Elder, Presbyterian Church ; 48 years of Marriage
Other Information: Happy Wife and Mother, active in community affairs ; ESL Volunteer Teacher ; Adult Education (Spanish) “ECU and Mrs. Perry prepared me well. I shall always be grateful for my education there and for all my cherished memories.”
Stephen C. Smith
Education: Spanish degree with a minor in economics from ECU (1972); MBA with an international finance concentration from Widener University in West Chester, PA (1985)
Present Position: Part-time Career Services work for two of ECU’s Colleges since moving to the area.
If Retired, From What Career?: 31 year career with the DuPont Company in a variety of sales, sales management and finance positions.
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: 4.0 GPA in MBA program. Served 5 years on Board of Lutheran Senior Services, a Wilmington, DE non-profit that provides housing and assisted living to low income seniors.
Other Information: Throughout my career, my wife (we met at ECU) and I enjoyed the opportunity to live in many US locations. On retirement, we were very happy to return to Eastern NC and renew ties with ECU. My wife and I wear our ECU pride on our sleeves and are thrilled with the growth and development of ECU into a major University since we were students.
Sandra M. (Matlock) Stinson
Education: BS and AB in Spanish and French, NBPTS (National Board Certified)
Travel Abroad: Numerous trips to Spain, Mexico and Costa Rica
Present Position: Spanish Instructor at J.H. Rose High School
If Retired, From What Career?: Plans to retire in July
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: NBPTS (National Board Certified), Mary McConnell Teaching Excellence Award 2005
Other Information: Serves as a Differentiated Instruction Trainer with the N.C. Teacher Academy, providing staff development in schools across the state. Happily married to her husband of 42 years. They have two grown daughters.
Alisha L. (Hill) Stratton
Education: BS in Hispanic studies with a minor in music
Travel Abroad: Study Abroad at El Centro De Lenguas Modernas in Granada, Spain (full course load)
Present Position: Spanish Teacher at Woodward Academy in Atlanta, GA
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Outstanding ECU Senior Award in 2005 (4.0 GPA), National Spanish Exam Coordinator and Winner (many of my students placed first nationally in 2007) Successful in creating new Spanish curriculum (7th and 8th grade)
Other Information: Spanish Clubs teacher/leader for elementary, recently married (July 2007), Soccer and Cheerleading coach (Woodward Academy middle school) AATSP member, resides in Atlanta, GA.
Cristina G. (Roncaglia) Sturm
Education: MAEd (2007)
Travel Abroad: Student Leader France and Italy 2005, 2007, Adult Leader to France and Italy 2008, Travel to Lebanon 2004, 2006, 2008
Present Position: French Teacher, High School Level
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: MCTLC,STAR Award 2007 (Study, Travel, Achievement and Recognition), Outstanding Graduate Final Paper, Saint Mary’s University 2007
Other Information: Member of ACTEL, the AATF-Minnesota and the Minnesota Council of Teaching Languages and Cultures.
Margaret B. (Bays) Tankovich
Education: BS and MA in French from ECU (1969, 1973); one year of post-graduate study at Fordham University
Travel Abroad: Served as a liaison officer to the French forces during several NATO exercises. Also served in Germany and Korea.
Present Position: Owner and operator of a home-based network marketing business, Consultant for Uniformed Services Almanac.
If Retired, From What Career?: U.S. Army
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Other Information: Taught French part-time for almost 20 years at El Paso Community College and Northern Virginia Community college. Co-author of The National Guard Guide to Paying for Your College Education 2000-2007.
Elizabeth K. (Kittrell) Taylor
Education: BS in Spanish and mathematics (1944)
Present Position: Retired from NACA-NASA – 16 years
If Retired, From What Career?: Started as computer specialist and became a mathematician at the National Advisory Commission on Aeronautics that became the National Aeronautics and Space Agency.
Second Career: raising three children through college.
Other Information: Worked with special education grant for 10 years. Taught special education children while my children were in college. Taught at Yorktown Elementary School after my children were grown.
Janet L. (Lee) Thomason
Education: BS in French and library science from ECU (1969)
Present Position: Manager, Circulation and Building Services, Vanderbilt University Library
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: 25 year employee of Vanderbilt University Library
Other Information: Mother of 2 sons: Alan N. Thomason of Cary, NC, and Eric L. Thomason of Marietta, GA.
Sonia S. Torres-Quinones
Education: BS ECU; post-graduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico and summer studies at the University of Salamanca. Recipient of a fellowship by the National Endowment for the Humanities Project-Authentic Songs and Dances from Spain, summer of 1994
If Retired, From What Career?: 32 years in Education. Retired, Regional Director of Placement and Consultant for the Visiting International Faculty Program.
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: First recipient from the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina (FLANC) for Foreign Language Teacher of the Year 1992-1993 ; Outstanding Educator Award from ECU Council for Teacher Education February 1992.
Other Information: Author of many children’s educational books, cassettes and videos. Co-author of !Atrevete! Spanish College Text Book, Holt Rinehart and Winston.
Ann Marie Trotta
Education: BA in French from ECU
Travel Abroad: Frequently Vacation in France
Present Position: Program Manager for Outreach, NASA HQ
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Numerous NASA Awards, including NASA Exceptional Achievement Award
Other Information: Share the excitement and benefits of NASA’s missions and programs with external audiences, such as the US Congress, the entertainment industry, and students.
Christopher C. Turner
Education: Graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Spanish education (1995)
Travel Abroad: World View – One of three Cumberland County Schools Teachers selected to participate in Study Program to South Africa
Present Position: Project Manager, Universal Meeting Management, Raleigh, NC
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: 2004 Academically/Intellectually Gifted Teacher of the Year, Cumberland County Schools, Fayetteville, NC.
Kim A. (Wise) Undrosky
Education: German major with a minor in business from ECU (1996)
Present Position: Substitute School Teacher (Grammar)
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: 1997-2007 Worked at company which imported fine tabletop goods (i.e. porcelain, crystal, silver)
Other Information: Collector of Vintage Recipes/cookbooks and classic films.
Susan W. (Wilkins) Valentine
Education: BS in French from ECU, MALS from Mary Washington College
Travel Abroad: 8 trips to France, 1 Home stay in Corsica during junior summer
Present Position: French Teacher, Upper School, Fredericksburg Academy
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Outstanding French Senior, Who’s Who Among American Teachers 1998, Advancement Council for Languages and Literature at ECU 2007-2008
Other Information: As of September 2008 she will mark her 25th year of teaching French. She has two daughters, Meredith and Lauren and husband, Ian Valentine. Daughters went to UVA, Meredith is headed to graduate school to work on her MBA.
Mary A. (Whichard) Vars
Education: BS in education with majors in Spanish and communication
If Retired, From What Career?: ECU staff
Other Information: Staff member for 13 years in the office of Rep. Herbert C. Bonner, US House of Representatives; staff member at various ECU departments, retiring after 12 years in the Department of Theater and Dance; member of the Summer Theater Board of Directors; volunteer for the Joy Soup Kitchen, community shelter, Meals on Wheels, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; co-chair of St. Paul’s food pantry which operates weekly and is an agency partner with Food Bank of Central and and Eastern North Carolina, participating in the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP); serve on the Anti-Racism Commission for the Diocese of East Carolina.
John Patrick Von Suskil
Education: BA in foreign languages with a concentration in German and a minor in business administration
Travel Abroad: 2 semesters study abroad at the Universitat Konstanz, Germany, German Language Instruction at the Carl Duisberg Centrum Koln, Germany (C2 mastery level of German), Semester study in Political Science at the Rubrechts-Karl Universitat Heidelberg, Germany
Present Position: Currently awaiting acceptance to Middlebury College’s Russian or Arabic Schools with the goal of applying to Alpha Fellowship Program or Pat Roberts Intelligence Scholar Program. This supports his ultimate goal to enter the United States Foreign Service. Patrick is anticipating a career in foreign relations and business
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Two-time recipient of the Rivers Foundation Scholarship; co-founder of the East Carolina University German Club; President of the Delta Phi Alpha German Honor Society; Senior Award for German
Other Information: Recently returned after spending this past year in Heidelberg, Germany as a participant in the competitive Congress-bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals, which is a work/study professional development program supported by the American Congress and German Parliament. Patrick thanks East Carolina University for its support and encouragement as an alumnus of the Foreign Language Department.
Lucy O. (Overton) Watson
Education: BS in Spanish (1973)
Present Position: Office manager for Watson, Cooke & Jones, PA (CPA firm)
If Retired, From What Career?: Taught high school Spanish for 13 years
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Deacon at First Presbyterian Church, Smithfield, NC
Other Information: Married 36 years to Neil E. Watson with two daughters: Dr. Meredith Locklear (2004 Brody School of Medicine graduate) and Emily Morgan (2006 & 2007 NCSU architecture graduate).
Vivian F. Whiteman
Education: BS from ECU (1967-1970); MA in education from ECU (1972-1976)
Travel Abroad: 6 week travel in Europe (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy) upon graduation from ECU ; Travel with students to Canada and France, Spain and England ; Study in Avignon, France (summer 1980)
If Retired, From What Career?: Teaching French in High School for 30 years
Honors / Awards / Accomplishments: Teacher of the Year (school nomination); AATF scholarship to study in Avignon, France ; WRAL weekend in Paris; Teacher of the Month (school) ; Foreign Language Chairman (school, 1978-2000) ; Induction into Gamma Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Cindy M. (Matthews) Wooten
Education: BS Hispanic Studies, 2002
Travel Abroad: Summer Culture and language institute 2002, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain; History and Culture de Chile, Gaia School, Olmue, Chile, summer 2004
Present Position: Graduate student in linguistics and TESOL, ECU Department of English
If Retired, From What Career?: Teaching high school Spanish.