Alumni

Aubrey M. "Roe" Neal ('55)

Aubrey "Roe" Monroe Neal, from Marianna, Arkansas, graduated high school in 1943 and was drafted immediately into the Navy as a second-class seaman in World War II. During the war, Roe was selected for the honor guard for three months and attended aviation ordinance mechanic school in Norman, Oklahoma. In 1945, he was assigned to learn how to equip and arm a secret weapon called the "Tiny Tim," but Japan surrendered before the weapon was used.

After the war, Roe returned to Marianna and worked at a service station for three years. In 1950, Neal began preaching at Highway 1 Baptist Church in Marianna, and in 1951, he enrolled at Union University through the GI Bill. Upon graduation from Union, Neal attended New Orleans Baptist Seminary for three years and received his Master of Divinity.

He served as a pastor for Griffin Street Baptist Church before entering the Chaplain Corps of the Navy in 1959 and was commissioned first lieutenant. As a chaplain, he traveled the world, teaching the Word of God. While he was stationed in Meridian, Mississippi, he even helped establish the first chapel on base. In 1967, Roe was sent to Norfolk, Virginia, to serve an elite assignment for President Johnson's presidential ship for two years. While there, he was promoted to lieutenant commander.

After 25 years of service, Roe retired from the Navy in 1979 and pastored Monroe Baptist Church in Arkansas for 10 years and Shaw's Chapel in Brownsville, Tennessee, for 16 years.

Danny Sinquefield

Danny Sinquefield is the senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tennessee, where he has served since 1994. Danny began his ministry at Lake Forest Baptist Church in Walls, Mississippi, as the minister of youth and music. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida, a Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Danny has been a leader in Southern Baptist life and a joyful participant in the Great Commission by supporting the North American Mission Board and International Mission Board as the author of several key resources and serving as president of both the Tennessee Baptist Pastor's Conference and Tennessee Baptist Convention. He has also been a member of the Southern Baptist Executive Committee and recently finished a term as a trustee of Union University.

Danny has been married to Rhonda for 30 years. They have three sons (one who graduated from Union) and six grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Mark Campbell ('96)

Mark Campbell was named the women's basketball head coach for Union University in 1999. Mark is currently in his 23rd season as the head coach of the Lady Bulldogs, compiling an overall record of 639-99. Mark spent five seasons as a player for the Lipscomb Bison basketball team. He graduated from Lipscomb University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from Union University in 1996 with a master's degree in education. After college, Mark joined Union's men's basketball coaching staff as the graduate assistant in 1994 and then became the full-time assistant coach in 1996 until being named the women's basketball coach in 1999.

Mark and his teams have compiled numerous records during his tenure as head coach. Mark led Union to an NAIA record of 48 consecutive No. 1 rankings in the national poll. From the preseason poll of 2007 through the final poll of 2011, Union was ranked No. 1 in the NAIA. In the 2007-08 season, he led Union to the first perfect regular season in Union women's basketball history. The Lady Bulldogs finished with a perfect 29-0 regular season mark in 2007-08. In 2018-19, he made college basketball history, winning his 600th career game faster than any coach in the history of the sport at any level, men or women. In the summer of 2019, Mark was selected as the head coach for the USA U16 Women's Basketball National Team. His team went undefeated in Chile, winning a gold medal for the USA in the American's Championship Tournament. Also in the summer of 2019, he was elected to the NAIA Hall of Fame as a coach.

In his career as Union's head coach, Mark's teams have won 16 conference regular season titles, 11 conference tournament titles, and five national titles. He has reached the 30-win plateau 13 times in his career and set a program record with 37 wins in 2008-09. He has also received numerous "Coach of the Year" awards at the conference and national levels.

Mark Campbell is married to the former Molly Graves of Jackson. They are the proud parents of their son Gray (a current Union student), daughter Ella, son Kalyan, and daughter Mia.

Gray Coyner ('08)

Gray Coyner earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in accounting from Union University in 2008. As a student at Union, he was awarded the Accounting Medal for having the highest accounting GPA and upon graduation, he received the Curtiss E. Scott Business Excellence Award for his combined high GPA and service to the community.

Gray is a principal with Thompson Greenspon, a Northern Virginia CPA firm, and has been with the firm since 2007. He first joined the firm as an intern and was hired as a staff accountant upon graduation from Union. Gray is responsible for providing accounting, auditing, and tax services to clients engaged in various industries such as construction, nonprofit, closely-held business, and employee benefit plans. He is the Construction Niche Group leader at the firm.

Gray is very active in the Northern Virginia construction industry and has taken leadership positions in the Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants Association (CICPAC) as an at-large member of the board of directors and the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association Future Leaders Committee as the vice-chair (chair-elect 2022). Gray is an avid traveler and has visited six of the seven continents.

Melissa Kay Lowe ('07)

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Robert and Martha Jelks Family

In the fall of 1936, Robert Mixon ("Bobby") Jelks arrived on Union's campus from Tylertown, Mississippi, on a scholarship to play football and basketball. He met Martha Moore Frey from Coopertown, Tennessee, and the Jelks family's legacy at Union University was born. It now spans 85 years and four generations.

As students, Bobby and Martha were active in student life. Bobby was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and Martha was a member of the first pledge class of Zeta Tau Alpha. Bobby also excelled on the basketball court and football field where he helped lead the football team to a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship.

After leaving Union, Bobby and Martha married in May of 1939 and made their first home in Gleason, Tennessee, where Bobby coached football and basketball. They made coaching stops in Sallis, Mississippi, and Lexington, Tennessee, before moving to Paris, Tennessee. Their first stay in Paris was interrupted by World War II. They moved to Jackson where Coach Jelks trained servicemen for the Army Air Corps for two years on Union's campus. After the war, Bobby and Martha returned to Paris where Coach Jelks led Grove High School athletics to unprecedented success.

In 1951, Union recruited Coach Jelks to return to campus as athletic director and head football coach. He served as Union's last football coach before the program was disbanded following the 1953 season. Bobby and Martha returned to Paris where they started an insurance agency, reared their family, and became active members of the community and First Baptist Church.

Even at their home in Paris, Union was never far from Bobby's and Martha's hearts and minds. They gave generously of their time and resources to Union. Bobby served for 21 years on Union's Board of Trustees. He was elected as Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 1974 and elected to Union's Sports Hall of Fame posthumously in 2006. He is also a member of the Henry County Sports Hall of Fame, the Pearl River Community College Hall of Fame and served for 10 years on the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Trustees.

Bobby and Martha were blessed with six children: Barbara, Beverly, Bobby, Cindy, Bill, and Jennifer. Four of their children attended Union and three graduated from Union.

Barbara Jelks Moore graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She was a member of Chi Omega sorority. Her late husband, Larry, graduated in 1961 also with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. They both briefly taught school in Florida before returning to Tennessee where Larry began a career in sales and Barbara became a stay-at-home mother. Barbara returned to teaching in 1985 and retired in 1998. She is now in her 23rd year of substitute teaching. Barbara and Larry have three children: Robert Moore, Rene' Moore Tinsley, and Michael Moore. Robert graduated from the University of Memphis. Rene' and Michael are Union graduates. Rene' received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and Michael received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in management/marketing. Michael's daughter, Presley, is a current Union student. She makes the fourth generation Jelks family member to attend Union. Barbara and Larry have eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Beverly Jelks Appleton and her husband, Roy, reside in Jackson and have three children, James Roy Appleton III ("Trey"), Traci Appleton Lowe, and Jill Appleton. Jill graduated from Union with a Bachelor of Science in Organization Leadership and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. A daughter-in-law, E'dee Appleton, is also a Union graduate. Beverly and Roy have three grandchildren, and one of their grandsons, Mixon Lowe, graduated from Union with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.

Robert ("Bobby") Moore Jelks Sr. graduated from Union in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in education. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Boals. Bobby taught physical education, wellness and driver's education in the Jackson Madison County School System and coached football, basketball, and baseball. The highlight of his coaching career was winning the 1996 TSSAA Girls' Basketball Championship as an assistant coach to Sandy Fitzgerald at Jackson Central Merry High School. Bobby and Sylvia have two children, Robert Moore Jelks, Jr. ("Trebor") and Summar Michelle Jelks Moser, and five grandchildren. Trebor graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Summar graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and has a master's degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Bobby's and Martha's daughter, Cindy, passed away while she was a student at Union in 1976. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. In her memory, Bobby and Martha endowed the Cynthia Jelks Scholarship Fund. The Jelks scholarship has provided financial resources to countless Union students from Paris and Henry County.

Bill Jelks and his wife, Debbie, live in Paris. Bill now owns Paris Insurance Agency that Robert Jelks first acquired in 1958. Debbie is the director of rehabilitation services at Henry County Medical Center. They have three sons, William, Andrew, and Ben.

Jennifer Jelks Teel and her husband, Jerome, graduated from Union in 1989. Jennifer received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Jerome received a Bachelor of Science in management. Jennifer was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and remains active in the Zeta Tau Alpha alumni association. Jerome was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. As Union alumni, Jennifer and Jerome have served in various leadership roles. Jennifer has been a member of the Union University Ladies Auxiliary and serves on the Union200 Bicentennial Planning Committee. Jerome has served as president of the Union University Alumni Association and was a member of the Board of Regents. They have three children, Brittney Teel Churchill, Carl Jerome Teel III ("Trey"), and Matthew Robert Teel, and one grandchild. Brittney and her husband, Brandon, are Union graduates, class of 2014. Brittney received a Bachelor of Science in nursing and is a nurse with West Tennessee Healthcare. Brandon received a Bachelor of Science in cell and molecular biology and is a family practice physician with University of Tennessee Family Medicine Center.

Commander George Ed Fullerton, Jr. ('52)

Chesapeake, Virginia

Anonymous Recipient

Health Care: Catherine Scarbrough ('00)

Cathie Scarbrough is the associate program director for the Gadsden Regional Family Medicine Residency Program in Gadsden, Alabama. She is also assistant professor of family medicine for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. Cathie is a 2000 graduate of Union University and finished a Master of Science degree in medicinal chemistry at the University of Sussex in Falmer, United Kingdom, through a Rotary Foundational Ambassadorial scholarship. She earned her medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed her family medicine residency at In His Image Family Medicine Residency in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Cathie then served in Central Asia with the Samaritan's Purse Post-Residency Program, teaching family medicine. Upon her return to the U.S., she spent two years in private practice prior to returning to academic medicine. Over the last 10 years, she has served as an associate program director, director of fellowships and medical education, director of clinical services, institutional coordinator, hospital department chair, and associate professor of family medicine at several programs. She also completed a fellowship in faculty development at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Cathie has been honored with her workplace's outstanding teaching or faculty award five out of the last eight years. She is a published author and has contributed to review textbooks and family medicine journals. She stays active both locally and nationally by serving as an Alabama Academy of Family Physicians congressional district representative since 2015 and has been an AAFP FMX (national conference) advisory board member since 2019. She is also a current speaker for the updated Faith Prescriptions series available through the Christian Medical and Dental Association.

Cathie's interests include global health, women's health, and international family medicine education. She has been to over 35 countries, serving, teaching, and sharing about whole-person medicine. She currently resides in Gadsden, Alabama, but still calls West Tennessee home.

Arts/Media: Thomas Willis ('12)

Thomas Willis graduated from Union University in 2012 with a double major in communication arts: broadcast journalism and business: marketing and management. A few days after graduation, he married Elizabeth Harland Willis, who had also recently graduated from Union, and started working at the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission. In 2014, he earned his dream job at the NHL's Nashville Predators. Over the next seven years, he revitalized the team's content strategy and fan experience as the Preds rose from a bottom team in major metrics to a premier club and reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2017. Thomas started as the director of digital content at EMF, the home of K-LOVE and Air1, a few months ago, and he's eager to use both his training received at Union and experience working at some top organizations to further the gospel through music and mission.

Just three weeks ago, he and his wife welcomed their second daughter, Maisie, joining 3 year-old Caroline. The Willises reside in Franklin, Tennessee.

Education: Jonathan Kee ('04, '10, '11)

Dr. Jonathan Kee is from Huntingdon, Tennessee, and is married to Heather Anne Kee, who is a former Union graduate ('04, '07, '10) and cheerleader. They are both proud parents to Livi Anne (7), Jon Wilson (5), and Adaline (5). Dr. Kee and his wife are currently members at First Baptist Church in Huntingdon. Outside of his work in public education, Dr. Kee and his brother raise commercial cattle, and he enjoys working on the family farm. He also enjoys spending time doing activities with his kids and hanging out with friends.

While at Union, Dr. Kee was a member of the men's basketball team from 2000-2004 and a graduate assistant coach during the 2004-2005 season. He was a two-time NAIA Scholar Athlete. Over the years, he has earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education (2004), Education Specialist in curriculum and instruction (2010), and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership (2011) from Union. Additionally, he earned a Master of Education in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University (2006).

Dr. Kee currently holds a Tennessee Professional Administrator License P-12 and a teaching license in Mathematics 7-12 and Physical Education K-12. He has spent the last 16 years as a public educator in the Huntingdon Special School District and has served in many roles. He has taught mathematics, coached tennis and boys basketball, been a school principal (Huntingdon Middle School-five years, Huntingdon High School-seven years), and is currently the Director of Schools in Huntingdon. In 2017, he was a mentor for the Governor's School Leadership Academy and is currently one of 12 representatives who serve on the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Legislative Council. According to Dr. Kee, his primary goal in education is to give back to others what has been freely given to him. He says, "I have been gifted so much more than I ever deserve. From the unconditional love and grace of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to the countless people who have invested in me, I simply want to give to others what has been given to me because it does make a difference." He credits his parents and loving family, teachers, and coaches for making a profound impact on his life.

He was named the 2021 West Tennessee Principal of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Secondary Schools and was one of 18 Principal of the Year nominees in 2017 by the Tennessee Department of Education. During his tenure in administration, students at Huntingdon High School have set 2 school records for ACT school average composite scores, and the school district has been recognized twice as an exemplary school district in Tennessee. Additionally, he has been recognized as an All-District Coach of the Year in boys basketball in 2007 and 2017. When reflecting on his achievements, Dr. Kee is adamant that Union University had a life-changing influence on him during his time as a college student. Kee says, "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Union. My experience at Union provided me the confidence and education I needed to be influential on others while living out my faith in Jesus Christ. I will always have a deep love for Union and credit the people who challenged and cared for me because they are responsible for shaping who I strive to be each day."

Church Ministry: Ricky Clark ('79)

Ricky Clark has served in the local church as a minister of music for over 40 years. Raised in a pastor's home, son of Dr. Paul B. and Doris Clark, he spent most of his childhood in Jackson, Tennessee, graduating from Union University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Music degree. He continued his education at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary completing a Master of Church Music degree in 1981. Including his siblings, children, in-laws, and their families, Ricky is one of 21 Union graduates and attendees from within the Clark family.

While at Union he was a part of the Union University Singers, Proclamation, and Alpha Tau Omega. He has served as minister of music at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Jackson, Tennessee; First Baptist Church, Greensburg, Louisiana; Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Gulfport, Mississippi; First Baptist Church, Humboldt, Tennessee; St. Andrew Baptist Church, Panama City, Florida; West Jackson Baptist Church, Jackson, Tennessee; and currently serves at First Baptist Church, Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was privileged to be a part of multiple choral groups including the recording and touring entity, The Century Men, the Tennessee Men's Chorale, and the West Tennessee Ministers of Music. Being a member of these groups placed him in tours throughout the United States and across the world including mainland China and Wales.

Opportunities beyond the local church have included serving as a guest lecturer in the field of worship, choral clinician, and choral and handbell adjudicator for both student and adult music groups. He was the interim director of Union University's Proclamation for one year and was chosen to be the director of the Jackson Choral Society, Jackson, Tennessee, in 2016, until his move to Bowling Green. He has led student and adult choirs on mission trips/tours throughout the United States in cities such as Chicago, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, and Kansas City.

Ricky and his wife, Sandra, have two children, Allyson Barden (Justin), and Austin Clark (Leah), and seven grandchildren. Being an alumnus of Union University has always been a source of pride for him, and he is grateful to the distinguished faculty and administration who have poured into his life.

Government/Public Service: Carma Dennis McGee ('93)

Carma Dennis McGee currently serves as a judge of the Tennessee Court of Appeals. A native of Savannah, Tennessee, she was appointed by Governor Bill Lee and confirmed by the State Legislature in 2019. Prior to her appointment to the appellate court, Carma served for five years as chancellor of the 24th Judicial District of Tennessee, a position to which she was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam, and subsequently elected in 2014.

Carma received her Juris Doctor degree from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis. Before joining the judiciary, she practiced law as partner in the firm of McGee and Dennis in Savannah.

Carma is a member and past president of the Savannah Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow. She was named Hardin County Woman of the Year in 2019. She is a member of Mount Hermon Baptist Church, where she has served in various capacities, and is currently the Youth Bible Drill coach.

Carma is married to Todd McGee, who is a teacher and coach with the Hardin County School System. They have two children, Sarah Beth, who is a sophomore at Union, and Caleb, a student at Hardin County High School.

Research/Sciences: Rebecca Wilkes ('96)

Dr. Rebecca Wilkes is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. She graduated from Union University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. Dr. Wilkes obtained her Doctor of Philosophy degree in comparative and experimental medicine from the University of Tennessee in 2007, with emphases in virology and molecular biology.

Dr. Wilkes is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists in both virology and bacteriology/mycology. She currently serves as the section head for molecular and virology lab sections at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University, and is an associate professor in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. Dr. Wilkes previously worked as a research assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine for several years prior to moving to the University of Georgia. She was the faculty supervisor for molecular and virology/serology sections at the Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory in Tifton, Georgia, from 2015-2018 and currently holds an adjunct position in the Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. While at UGA, Dr. Wilkes received both the John M. Bowen Award for excellence in animal/biomedical research and the Outstanding Laboratory Service Award from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. Dr. Wilkes is the 2021 recipient of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Award for Excellence in Service, largely based on her oversight and contributions to SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing on the Purdue campus for faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Wilkes has an extensive background in molecular test development, and her most recent work has involved design of targeted next-generation sequencing panels for detection of infectious disease of animals for syndromic testing. She also enjoys genetic characterization and phylogenetic evaluation of circulating strains of viruses to examine changes over time, with the expectation of translating the findings to improved detection methods and improved vaccines or antivirals for prevention/treatment of animal diseases.

Rebecca is married to her Union University sweetheart, Nathan Wilkes, and they have two children, Cooper and Taylor.

Humanities: Tim Henderson ('86)

Tim Henderson has been executive director of Humanities Tennessee since December 2012. Prior to that, he had been both director of operations and director of digital programs.

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Tim graduated from Union University and earned master's degrees in English and information science from Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, respectively. Since graduating from Union in 1986, Tim has dedicated his career to public and applied humanities.

Athletics: Micky Wolfe ('99)

Born in Selmer, Tennessee, Micky Wolfe had many hobbies, but only one passion — golf. After graduating from McNairy Central High School in 1994, Micky accepted a golf scholarship to Union University. During his time at Union, Micky was named to 26 All-Tournament teams, which remains a school record. During the spring of his freshman year, Micky earned All-Tournament status at the Berry College Invitational, the most prestigious tournament in the NAIA. His consistent play resulted in being named to the All-Conference Team multiple times.

As Micky approached his senior year at Union, his commendable performance at the NAIA National Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma, led him from 77th to fifth place after three rounds. Micky was named to the 1998 NAIA Men's Golf All-American Team. After graduation from Union in 1998, he served as assistant coach of the Union golf team for one year.

Mr. Wolfe earned membership in the PGA of America in 2002, winning over 20 tournaments in his professional career, including the Alabama PGA Championship in 2006, earning him an invitation to the 2007 National Championship in Sunriver, Oregon.

Micky is the director of golf Operation at The Huntsville Country Club. In 2007 he was awarded the Dixie PGA Section President's Plaque for outstanding contributions to golf. In 2009, he was inducted into Union University's Athletic Hall of Fame. He won the 2014 award for Player Development in the Alabama PGA and has coached in the Alabama Junior PGA State Championship in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

The Wolfes live in Madison, Alabama. Micky and Stacy, a 1998 Union alumna, have three children: Gentry (a current Union student), Ella, and Nolen. They are active members at Lindsay Lane Baptist Church, where Micky is a deacon and leads a young adult Bible study.

Not-for-Profit: Stephanie Laffoon ('97)

Originally from Tupelo, Mississippi, Stephanie Laffoon currently serves as capital campaign manager for the Dream Center of Jackson, Tennessee, a faith-based nonprofit that provides educational, job, and family support opportunities and housing for women who are homeless or going through personal struggles. The center offers classes to help the women become self-sufficient in their lives — emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

After graduating from Tupelo High School, she enrolled in Union University, where she had attended Centrifuge, a week-long spiritual camp on campus, as a member of East Heights Baptist Church's youth group years earlier. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Union and went on to earn her law degree from the University of Memphis in 2000. She practiced law and began volunteering at the Dream Center in 2005. In early 2017, the center's board of directors asked Stephanie to join the staff full time.

Stephanie is married to Michael Laffoon (also a '97 Union graduate), and they have five children (one who graduated from Union).

Business: Matthew Bleecker ('93)

Minnetonka, Minnesota