The Talon, September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023
The Talon

THE TALON

A grip on news in the Huntingdon College Community

September 19, 2023

WHAT’S NEW?

2024-25 FAFSA Changes—How the FAFSA Simplification Act Affects You

Big changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the 2024-2025 aid year! The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress in 2020 and represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, the need analysis that determines federal aid eligibility, changes in terminology, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs.

Historically, the FAFSA has been available beginning October 1 each year. However, because of significant changes to the application and the rebuild of the FAFSA processing system, the 2024-25 FAFSA will not be available until sometime in December 2023. We’ll keep you updated through communications and through the website as we learn more.

Time for Mid-Terms!

Can you believe it? It’s already mid-term, which means we’re halfway through the semester. Mid-term grades are due Monday, Sept. 25. Hawks, if you are experiencing difficulty in any of your classes, there are so many paths available to you toward improving your grades. Do not let yourself fail! Here are two important steps you can take:

Meet with the faculty member who teaches the class in which you are struggling. Talk it through. Faculty love to talk with students and they love to help. Let them do what they do!
Go to the Staton Center for Academic Enrichment for extra help with academic coaching in a particular class or subject, or with writing, or with study skills and habits. You can do this! You invest time and practice in your sport or other activities, invest just as much time in your academic success!

Homecoming Is on the Horizon!

“The Name that Sets Our Hearts on Fire,” a line borrowed from the alma mater, is the theme of this year’s Homecoming celebration, October 13–14, 2023. There’s something about that name, and Huntingdon has had four of them: Tuskegee Female College (1854), Alabama Conference Female College (1872), Woman’s College of Alabama (1909), and, since 1935, Huntingdon College. We’re celebrating all the names of the College and all the names who have been part of the College at this Homecoming—including yours! See a detailed schedule for alumni and reunion groups if you are part of our Forever Hawks, but everyone is invited to the Homecoming football game vs Maryville College at 1:00 p.m. on the 14th, which includes the crowning of Mr. Huntingdon and the Homecoming Queen; to the Alumni Convocation and Recognition Ceremony at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 13 in Ligon Chapel; and to the Athletic Hall of Fame Recognition Ceremony at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, October 14, in Roland Arena. Wrestling, men’s soccer, men’s lacrosse, and Esports also have events in store that weekend. Parents are welcome! Tickets for the football game are $10 at the gate.

Crowning our Hawks

Homecoming is such a great celebration each year, and part of that celebration is the crowning of Mr. Huntingdon and the Homecoming Queen. Students, you are part of that process. See your email for detailed messages from CHRIS MAYER in the Office of Student Development on how your campus organizations can nominate candidates and how the voting process will transpire. Good luck to all of the candidates!

10 Freshman Senators Elected

Ten Huntingdon freshmen who are part of the Freshman Leadership Initiative have been elected by their peers to serve as freshman senators to the Student Government Association. We congratulate:

OLIVIA CARTER, Phenix City, Ala.
CARRYNE CHANCEY, Enterprise, Ala.
MEGAN COCHRAN, Dothan, Ala.
LYRIC GREEN, Eight Mile, Ala.
ISAIAH MATTHEWS, Huntsville, Ala.
PIPER MESSICK, Southport, Fla.
BRENNAN PARKS, Phenix City, Ala.
KALEE RUSSELL, Greenville, Ala.
EMMA GRACE SAMPLES, Gadsden, Ala.
ALEX WASDEN, Perdido, Ala.

Huntingdon Adds Flag Football

Huntingdon College Athletics has announced the addition of Flag Football and named ANGELA ROWE as the inaugural head coach. Coach Rowe joins the Hawks after serving one and a half years at Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, where she was the head coach of their flag football team. A native of Atlanta, Ga., Coach Rowe comes to Huntingdon after a coaching career including flag, flex and tackle football. She was a defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Phoenix, a contact football program in Atlanta where she crafted and implemented game plans. Her playing experience is in flag, flex and tackle football. She also has experience coaching a variety of different levels from middle school to professional flag and tackle teams. Athletic Director ERIC LEVANDA said, “Women’s Flag Football’s growth is exactly why we connected with Coach Rowe. This is a sport that has caught fire at the high school level. It has an inclusiveness that brings young women with different skills and from different walks of life together. I am excited to help grow the game for young women who want to continue to play at the NCAA level and who share Angela’s passion for it, both in the state of Alabama and in the Southeast.”

Upcoming Events

(Note: this schedule does not include athletic events or club, SGA, intramurals, or regularly scheduled meetings or events. Check your meeting schedules for that information.)

Kappa Kappa Psi Donut Sale, DH foyer, Monday–Friday, Sept. 18–22, lunch hours.
Hobbs Honors Program Colloquium, Tues., Sept. 19, 12:30 p.m., Ligon Chapel
TONIGHT: Constitution Day Event on the First Amendment, presented by Saundra Schuster, former dean of student affairs at The Ohio State University, and sponsored by Houghton Memorial Library, Presidential Fellows Politics, Culture, and Civic Engagement Team, and the Hobbs Honors Program, “Whose Right Is It? Addressing the Challenges of Free Expression,” Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m.; virtual; watch your email for Zoom information
Psi Chi Inductions, Wed., Sept. 20, 12:30 p.m., Flowers 217
Mental Health Awareness Committee (MHAC) Karaoke Night, Wed., Sept. 20, 8:00 p.m., Howard BSU Center, open to all
Huntingdon Counseling Services Wellness Fair, Thurs., Sept. 21, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., DH Foyer
CCV Seminar: Email Etiquette Explained, Thurs., Sept. 21, 12:30 p.m., Stallworth Dining Room inside the DH; bring your lunch and learn good stuff
BCBS/Medicare Representative on Campus, Fri., Sept. 22, 8:30 a.m., Wilson 104, for members of faculty and staff who are approaching retirement
FLI Community Leadership Field Trip, Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, Fri., Sept. 22, 9:00 a.m.–noon (for members of FLI)
“Through the Looking Glass and Beyond the Wardrobe,” annual Houghton Memorial Library Mini-Conference, Tues.–Wed., Sept. 26–27, 6:30–8:00 p.m., Library Atrium
CCV Professional Head Shots, Wed., Sept. 27, 12:30 p.m., The Green
CCV Employer in the Foyer, Thurs., Sept. 28, 11:00 a.m.–lunch hours, the DH
Cornhole on Jackson Lawn, Thurs., Sept. 28, 12:30 p.m.
Movie Night, Fri., Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m., Blount Hall Courtyard
Greek Sister Social, Fri., Sept. 29, 9:30–10:30 a.m., Scarlet & Grey Shop; all Huntingdon sororities invited.
New Faculty Forum, Mon., Oct. 2, 12:30 p.m., Wilson 104 (for new faculty)
Alabama Connection Graduate School Expo, Tues., Oct. 3, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Faulkner University Multiplex
Hobbs Honors Program Colloquium, Tues., Oct. 3, 12:30 p.m., Library Atrium
FLI Lunch and Learn, Thurs., Oct. 5, 12:30 p.m., Stallworth DR, DH
Carrying the College Load with Miss Huntingdon (Making DIY Tote Bags), Thurs., Oct 5, 7:30 p.m., Top Stage on the Green; RSVP to studentdevelopment@hawks.exxxk.com by Sept. 28 to ensure there is a tote bag waiting for you!
CCV Accounting, Business, and Forensic Fair, Fri., Oct. 6, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Wilson Gym
Spike Ball on Jackson Lawn, Fri, Oct. 6, 12:30 p.m.
ALABAMA NATIONAL FAIR, Oct. 6–15. See schedule (when available) and order tickets at alnationalfair.org.
Homecoming Week and Greek Week! Oct. 9–14
HCCS Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness, Tues., Oct. 10, 7:00 p.m., Top Stage
Trivia Night, Wed., Oct. 11, 8:30 p.m., Jackson Home Lawn
Hawk Basketball Madness, Thurs., Oct. 12, 7:00 p.m., Roland Arena

Events and Discussions

Huntingdon Bands held a Band Day, Saturday, Sept. 16, with dozens of high school musicians joining the Marching Scarlet & Grey on the field during the Hawks vs. Guilford game. It was great to see all of the colorful uniforms and smiles and to hear the booming sound from our guest musicians. Thank you for joining us, high school bands!
The Center for Career and Vocation hosted a Student-Athlete Career Development Workshop this week in partnership with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Faculty Athletic Representative, Dr. SARA SHOFFNER, associate dean of faculty. At the workshop, spring and winter student-athletes had the opportunity to begin the evening networking with alumni and community members, followed by an alumni panel, and ended with breakout sessions on the topics of graduate school and applying to jobs. The student-athlete alumni panel included BETSY JONES CAGLE ’07, Alabama Dept. of Public Health, (women’s basketball; CALEB TONEY ’20, law enforcement, (men’s basketball); and HUNTER SMITH ’14, Warren Averett accounting firm (baseball).
The Presidential Fellows Politics, Culture, and Civic Engagement Team and the Department of History and Political Science hosted a campus-wide discussion on the book, “Built From the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, America’s Black Wall Street,” with author Victor Luckerson present, Wed., Sept. 13.
The Loyola Society hosted a discussion with member s of the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word, Catholic nuns based in Irondale, Ala., for Catholic students and other students interested in learning more about other religions, Wed., Sept. 13.
The FBI met with students as the first in a series of Employer in the Foyer events this year, presented by the CCV, Aug. 31.
BRITTNEY MCCURRY WINGARD ’11, founder and human resources consultant for The Region HR Consulting Firm; SAMANTHA BLOUNT ’20, human resources business partner at American Family Care; and Dr. CHRISTOPHER CLARK ’07, vice president for risk management, college diversity and equity inclusion officer, in-house counsel, and assistant professor of accounting, presented a seminar for the CCV on “What Employers Are Looking for in New Hires,” 8, 2023.

Wisdom in Service

The Kingswood Initiative Campus Activities Board held a canned food drive last week for the Heart of Montgomery Food Bank.
Dozens of student and staff volunteers helped with the annual Breakfast for Babies fundraiser sponsored by Chappy’s Deli, Fri., Sept. 15. The event raised more than $70,000 for Baptist Hospital NICU units in Montgomery.
Last week the annual Faculty and Staff Campaign resulted in 122 staff and faculty contributing nearly $33,000 in pledges and gifts for the coming year. What better testimony is there than faculty and staff who believe in and support the mission of their workplace? Hawk ’em!
Members of the Black Student Union collected school supplies for Montgomery Christian School children last week.
Lambda Chi Alpha members have been volunteering for Mercy House in Montgomery.

New Club

CALE CHAMBLISS (chamblissc@hawks.exxxk.com) invites interest in a new Sewing Club on campus that will meet Wednesday nights in the library. Contact Cale if you are interested in learning more.

News Since the Last Talon

Hawk Talk

Composite Sports Schedule

Basketball: Schedules: Men, Women
Cross Country; Schedules: Men; Women Three Huntingdon runners swept the CCS Runners of the Week awards Sept. 11, as KATE SMITH ’24 led the Huntingdon women’s team to a first place finish in the Hawk 5K, while MAC BROOKS ’24 led the men as the individual first place finisher and MICHAELA MOORE ’27 earned Rookie of the Week honors, finishing third overall. Hawk’em!
Esports: Schedule In their first intercollegiate play, the League of Legends team defeated Tarleton State but lost to Kansas State University, 1-0. The Rocket League defeated Murray State Univ. and Carthage College. The Fortnite teams defeated two Grand Canyon University teams and lost to the University of N. Texas and Palm Beach Atlantic Univ. The Overwatch Team defeated the Univ. of Puerto Rico and Murray State. Team play continued during the weekend and is scheduled regularly for the rest of the month. Club teams have been added to the ESports offerings.
Football: 2023 Schedule. The Hawks won the Wesley Cup for the second consecutive year after beating Birmingham-Southern 16-0 in the annual stand-off. On Saturday, Sept. 16, the team chalked up a second win against Guilford College, 40-14, with two players, QB CARSON DANIEL ’24 named USA South Offensive Player of the Week, and ANTOJUAN WOODY ’27 named USA South Offensive Rookie of the Week. The Hawks begin USA South play this weekend with an away game at LaGrange.
Golf: 2023–2024 Schedules: Men; Women. Both golf teams begin their fall season in September. The men’s team sent the B team to the SAA Preview Tournament, and the team won, tied with Oglethorpe. We wish all the golf teams well as the men begin play in the Gate City Invitational and the women begin the Lee and Joe Duncan Invitational Sept. 18.
Soccer: 2023–20243 Schedules: Men; Women. The men’s and women’s teams each stand at 2-4-0. Three Hawk women swept the CCS Player of the Week honors Sept. 11, with LANEY BISHOP ’26 earning Offensive Player of the Week; ZOE GERLACH ’25 earning Defensive Player of the Week; and LIBBY WILLIAMS ’27 earning Rookie of the Week recognition.
Tennis: The Hawks hosted the annual John McWilliams Tennis Tournament over the weekend, with the men’s team defeating LaGrange 5-1 in singles; falling to Coastal 1-6 in singles and defeating Coastal 2-1 in doubles; and falling to Marion, 0-6.
Volleyball: 2023 Indoor VB Schedule. It’s been a rough start for the indoor team, but the women are fighting back and expect to be killing it soon.
Wrestling: Schedules: Men, Women.

HAWKStars

LANDON ADAMS ’22 has been named the recreation director of for the city of Geneva, Ala. He is overseeing the creation and construction of a new multi-million dollar soccer complex for the city.
BAILEE IKNER BRANTLEY ’14 and her husband, Jeremy, welcomed a son, Tucker Dean, July 21, 2023.
DAVIS DALTON ’16 married Paige Mullenix, Aug. 5, 2023.
KYLE DAVIS ’02 serves as head football coach and teaches for DAR HS in Owens Cross Roads, Ala.
WALKER GARRETT ’07 and his wife, Kelsea, welcomed a son, Griffith Keith, Aug. 9, 2023.
NICK HAAS ’17 married Laura Simmons, Aug. 5, 2023.
BRYANT HALL ’12 and his wife, Andrea, welcomed a daughter, Addisyn Grace Hall, March 28, 2023.
TAYLOR ’15 and SJOHNA PIERCE HUGHES ’15 welcomed a son, Jackson Pierce, July 24, 2023.
THOMAS HUGHES ’13 and his wife, Hannah, welcomed a son, Mason Thomas, Aug. 25, 2023.
P. KIRCHER ’11 has been named head men’s golf coach for Colgate University.
KYLE ’17 and TAYLOR BLACKWELL LANCASTER ’17 welcomed a daughter, Emilia Mae, Aug. 10, 2023.
ALYSSA LEAR ’22 and Bryan Folds welcomed a son, Andrew Wesley Folds, Aug. 15, 2023.
ALEX MOORE LIVINGSTON ’17 and her husband, Chandler, welcomed a daughter, Ellie James, Aug. 8, 2023.
ZACH MCGRADY ’17 married Kayla Davis on Aug. 19, 2023.
TIFFANY DEAN MCNELLEY ’12 and her husband, Justin, welcomed a son, Oliver Dean, in August 2023.
MICHELE SCHARFF OLSON ’86, senior clinical professor of sport science, is quoted in an article in ACE, “Building the Body’s Foundation, How to Safely Progress Core Training,” August 2023.
KATY MESSICK SHORT ’16, and her husband, Alex, welcomed a son, Cooper Reynold, July 17, 2023.
Last week, JESS SKAGGS ’13, chief of staff for Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, spoke with Dr. Chris Primiano’s American Government class about his work in the lieutenant governor’s office.
CHUCK TIDMORE ’15 and his wife, Erin, welcomed a daughter, Sunny, in August 2023.
AARON TRIPLETT ’17 completed a master’s degree in history from Jacksonville State University in the summer of 2023.
LOT TURNER ’21 and his wife, Blake, welcomed a son, Leonard Owen Turner IV, July 31, 2023.
JILLIAN VAN-BLAIR ’13 married Scott Schneider, Aug. 25, 2023.
JAY WARE ’17 and his wife welcomed a daughter, Jessa Lynda, July 11, 2023.
MACY MARTIN WILLOUGHBY ’18 and her husband welcomed a daughter, Elaine Pace, July 20, 2023.
GEOFFREY MARVIN WILLIAMS ’89, chief operating officer for Cunningham Bounds, has taken office as international president of the Association for Legal Administrators and its board of directors for the 2023–2024 academic year.

Prayers and Sympathy

DONALD (DON) G. BROWN ’58 died August 27, 2023 in Gulf Breeze, Fla. We extend our condolences to Don’s wife, Pearle King Brown‘61, and to their grandson, Joshua Dick ’18.
EVERETT COLE ’75, a US Marine who served in combat in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart, died Sept. 1, 2023.
PHILLIP CRUNK ’63 died September 5, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Dr. Crunk was an administrator and educator at the University of Alabama School of Social Work, a Fulbright Fellow to Taiwan and Poland, and a member of the Alabama Social Work Hall of Fame. The Crunk family designated Huntingdon College among the memorial options in his obituary, for which we are grateful.
MARGARET GOTHARD SHAW ’49, who began her career in the test kitchens of PET Milk and kept cooking until her death at age 95, died Aug. 10, 2023, in Boonville, Ind.

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The Talon is produced by the Office of Communications and is e-mailed to students, faculty, and staff, and to those parents, friends, neighbors, alumni, and others who have requested to receive it. If you would like to change your e-mail address or be added to or removed from the list, simply send your request to Su Ofe at news@hawks.exxxk.com (be sure to include your relationship to the College so that you can be added to or removed from the correct list).

Suellen (Su) Ofe

Vice President for Marketing and Communications
(334) 833-4515 | news@hawks.exxxk.com

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