Alumni

Jeff Perkins ('89)

Jeff Perkins has served as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Union University since 2023 and has been a trustee for more than 10 years. He is also a member of the university's Foundation Board and serves on the Board of Directors for Bank3 in Memphis, Tennessee.

In addition to his roles at Union, Perkins has been the worship leader at Bethel Baptist Church in Greenfield, Tennessee, for more than 25 years. He is an ordained deacon, teaches a Sunday school class and has led various initiatives, including chairing the building committee for a new worship center and educational space. He also served on the Weakley County School Board for 14 years, representing his hometown district.

Perkins recently retired from Akin and Porter Produce, a family-owned wholesale produce distributor, where he was vice president and chief operations officer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in management and marketing from Union.

He is the author of two books, Reflective Leadership, a Bible study for young men, and Your Journey Through God's Plan, which encourages readers to trust God in their daily lives. Perkins has been married to his high school sweetheart, Tammy, for 38 years. They have four children and thirteen grandchildren.

Sandra Williams ('65)

Sandra Williams has dedicated her life to education, ministry, and community service, influencing countless lives through her work. With degrees from Union University, the University of Tennessee, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Williams has spent over four decades as an educator, primarily at Union University, where she taught both full-time and as an adjunct professor from 1966-2024. Her passion for teaching extended to other institutions as well, including Carson-Newman University and Tarrant County Junior College.

Williams' career also includes significant roles outside of the classroom. She served as youth minister at Central Baptist Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, and as elementary physical education coordinator for Briarcrest Christian School. Her dedication to service was evident in her work as a preschool director for East Park Baptist Church, a donor recruiter for Lifeline Blood Services, and an activities director for Jackson Oaks Retirement Village.

Deeply committed to her community, Williams has volunteered for numerous organizations, including Samaritan's Purse, Hospice, and Operation Christmas Child. She has also been involved in supporting international students through the Parents to ASIE Students program and has contributed her time to Camp Wings, the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, and Browns Church.

Williams attributes her accomplishments to the encouragement and influence of those around her. She takes great delight in her 42 years of teaching at Union University and in seeing her former students and youth ministry members grow into successful leaders, educators, and community servants.

Larry & Betty Standridge

Larry and Betty Standridge have made significant contributions to education and community service throughout their lives, embodying a commitment to learning and mentorship that has influenced countless individuals.

Betty Ellis Standridge, originally from northwest Tennessee, completed her early education in the Martin, Tennessee public school system before graduating from Eastern High School in Lansing, Michigan. She attended Campbellsville College in Kentucky and completed her undergraduate degree at Belmont University. Betty earned a master's degree in elementary education from Michigan State University while teaching in the Lansing Public School System.

During her career, she supervised more than a dozen Michigan State student teachers and participated in experimental programs aimed at improving teacher effectiveness for grades one through six. Following her retirement from the Lansing School District, Betty continued to shape the next generation of educators by supervising student teachers at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Larry Allen Standridge was born in Oklahoma and completed his high school education in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He began his college studies at Oklahoma College for Women (now the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma) before transferring to Baylor University. Larry earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Ohio State University, specializing in research and adult education, while also leading a church plant near the university. He graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and later served as pastor in southern Oklahoma.

Larry's career in education included a pivotal role in developing a nontraditional adult degree program at John Wesley College in Owosso, Michigan, and managing Lansing Community College's off-campus classes. Under his leadership, the program expanded to serve more than 6,000 students in central Michigan. He also served as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University and Western Michigan University, focusing on adult education. In the latter part of his career, Larry directed student research in a private doctoral program in East Tennessee, guiding more than 150 dissertations for students from the Caribbean and Christian ministries around the world.

Hannah Daniel ('20)

Hannah Daniel serves as director of public policy for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. In this role, Daniel advocates for vulnerable populations in the realm of public policy. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, she now lives in Washington, D.C.

During her time at Union, Daniel earned a degree in business administration with a focus on economics. She was active in student government, undergraduate admissions and the women's soccer team. Since graduating, she has volunteered extensively with Student Leadership University, where she combines her interest in politics and government with her desire to mentor young leaders.

Daniel is an active member of King's Church in Washington, D.C., and enjoys exploring the city in her free time.

Katy Restum ('13)

Katy Restum serves as the director of boards and commissions for Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Before her current role, she worked as deputy director of constituent services in the governor's office.

A native of Marion, Arkansas, Restum began her career in public service after serving on the campaign for Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge during her successful run for Arkansas attorney general in 2014. She spent eight years in the attorney general's office, eventually becoming director of public affairs, where she organized key conferences and events, including the Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards and the Never Forgotten — Arkansas Takes Action Missing Persons event.

In addition to her work in public service, Restum sat on the Arkansas Woman of Inspiration Committee in 2021, which raised funds for the Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas. She and her husband, Josh, live in Benton, Arkansas, with their 2-year-old son, Rhett. They are expecting their second son, Rush, in December.

Lisa Rogers ('83)

Lisa Williams Rogers is a dedicated physician and advocate for women's health, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology at The Jackson Clinic, where she has served since 1991. A native of Kentucky, she earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from Union University, where she also received the Excellence in Biology and Chemistry awards.

She went on to complete her medical doctorate at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1987, receiving the Excellence in Surgery award, followed by her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Rogers has been an active member of The Church at Sugar Creek in Humboldt and is deeply involved in her community. Her commitment to pro-life values is demonstrated through her volunteer work with the Birth Choice Crisis Pregnancy Center and her membership in the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. A Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rogers has also contributed significantly to medical education and care.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Rogers has a passion for service beyond the clinic. She has supported animal rescue and transport initiatives and has given back to her alma mater through her role on Union University's Board of Trustees, where she served as chairman from 2014-2018.

Rogers is married to Kenny, and they have three children: Kristi Rogers Brown (married to Dave), Rebecca Rogers Powers (married to Paul), and Dr. Austin Rogers (Union University class of 2018, married to Barrett). She is also the proud grandmother of Turner Rogers. In her free time, Rogers enjoys Union basketball games, Mississippi State football games, and Kentucky basketball games.

Richard Lewelling ('73) Family

Richard L. Lewelling is the director of missions for the Sequatchie Valley Baptist Association in Jasper, Tennessee, and plans to retire at the end of 2024. Originally from Jackson, Tennessee, Lewelling earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Union University, a Master of Religious Education in social work from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in social ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

His ministry experience includes serving as associate pastor at Alta Loma Baptist Church in Madison, Tennessee, and West Lonsdale Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. He also served as director of Montgomery Village Baptist Center and as associate director of missions at Big Emory Baptist Association before his current role.

Among the highlights of his life, Lewelling counts his trip to the Holy Land in 2018 and the privilege of watching his son Ryan graduate from Union University.

Business: Chris Allison ('92)

Chris Allison, a Jackson native, has built a successful career and legacy of service in the Jackson community. After graduating from Union in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in economics and finance, Allison co-founded Allison Insurance Group, where he has served as partner and president since 1989.

A respected leader in the insurance industry, Allison has been deeply involved in the BIG I-Insurors of Tennessee, serving as chairman of the board in 2018, and holding numerous other roles, including Executive Committee member and Young Agent Chair. He has also earned awards such as the Arch E. Northington Young Insuror of the Year and the Outstanding Chairman Award.

Beyond his professional work, Allison has made significant contributions to the Jackson community. His leadership extends to numerous boards, including the Business School Advisory Board and Foundation Board at Union University, the Boys and Girls Club and the Exchange Club/Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, where he currently chairs several committees. Additionally, he serves on the advisory board for Jackson's AMP at the Market and volunteers with the AMP Summer Music Series.

Allison's commitment to service is evident through his involvement with the Jackson Rotary Club, where he is a Paul Harris Fellow, and his contributions to the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Jackson, and numerous charitable organizations. A dedicated member of Northside Church, he has also volunteered as a mentor and trustee.

Chris is married to Suzanne Ramsey Allison, a Union alumna, and they have a daughter, Ashlee Catherine Allison, who is pursuing her MBA at Union, expected to graduate in December 2024.

Health Care: Denese Shumaker ('92)

Denese Shumaker has spent her career in healthcare serving and supporting the Memphis community. She came to Union after completing degrees at both Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis). In 1992, Denese graduated from Union with a B.S.N. and returned to the University of Memphis to complete her Master's degree in Nursing.

Her education complete, Denese established a career within Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Here she served in various capacities, ending her more than 35 year stint with Baptist in the role of Director of the School of Nursing. In 1997, Denese transitioned to teaching within Baptist College of Health Sciences where she served as the Executive Director of Administrative Services, the Executive Director for the HOPE Health Center for the Homeless, and an Assistant Professor. Amongst her many honors, she has received the Memphis Business Journal Health Care Heroes Award in 2000, the Tennessee Hospital Association Nurse of Distinction Award in 2002, and was inducted into the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association Hall of Fame in 2021.

Upon her retirement in 2006, Baptist Memorial Health Care System established the Denese Shumaker Award "in recognition of her commitment to the nursing profession as a practitioner, an educator, a community leader, and a mentor to countless nursing students and colleagues." Denese's dedication to her community extends beyond her daily working efforts. Whether she was serving as a member of the Council of Diploma Programs National League for Nursing, mentoring young students through East High School HOSA Advisory Board, or sitting on the Board of Directors for the Greater Memphis Interagency Coalition for the Homeless, Denese was always seeking avenues to give back to a community she holds so dear.

Her passion is seen in her many publications, staff workshops, and honors. It is evident the Lord has used her gifts and heart to minister to many in the Memphis community. She has truly represented the Kingdom of Christ and the mission of Union University in all she has done.

Education: Bob Sparks ('08)

Bob Sparks is dedicated to fostering student success through critical thinking and communication skills. Now in his 17th year in public education, he teaches English, speech, and creative writing at Jackson Central-Merry Early College High School in Jackson, Tennessee.

Sparks also plays an active role in school leadership, working with the administrative team on the Innovative Career Model project, managing social media, and leading professional learning initiatives. He co-sponsors the Student Government Association and The Brotherhood mentoring program and oversees the Creative Writing Club, which publishes the school's literary magazine, The Cougar Chapbook.

Sparks has taught in both high schools and middle schools in Madison and Decatur counties. A lifelong learner, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Christian studies and a Master of Arts in education from Union University. He also earned a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing an Education Specialist degree through Arkansas State University.

In 2017, Sparks was named a Teacher Educator Fellow by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education later served as regional lead for the West Tennessee Educator Fellow cohort. In 2022, he was recognized as Jackson-Madison County School System's Teacher of the Year and the Southwest CORE Region Teacher of the Year Finalist.

Outside the classroom, Sparks is actively involved in public education advocacy, engaging with local and state leaders to elevate educators' voices. He serves as associate pastor of discipleship at Historic First Baptist Church in Jackson. Sparks and his wife, Joanna, reside in Three Way, Tennessee, with their three children.

Church Ministry: Shawn Parker ('91)

Shawn Parker has dedicated his life to ministry and leadership within the church. He currently serves as executive director-treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, a role he has held since 2019. Before assuming this position, Parker spent 17 years as pastor of First Baptist Church in Columbus, Mississippi.

Parker felt called to ministry as a teenager and pursued his calling by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Union. He went on to complete both a Master of Divinity (1995) and a Doctor of Philosophy (2000) from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His pastoral career includes serving at Lakeview Baptist Church in New Orleans from 1993-2000 and at Metairie (Louisiana) Baptist Church from 2000-2003 before moving to Columbus.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Parker enjoys spending time with his family, reading and being outdoors. His greatest spiritual passion is studying and teaching God's Word, with a focus on helping others grow as disciples of Christ.

Parker is married to Elizabeth, and they have two children, Ana (married to Lawson Varner) and Nathan, as well as one grandchild, Park.

Research/Sciences: Jennifer Carson ('88)

Jennifer Powers Carson completed her Doctor of Philosophy in biochemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1993. She taught chemistry and biochemistry at Kennesaw State University for 21 years, supervising 39 undergraduate students in various biochemistry-related research projects.

From 2014-2016, Carson completed a clinical chemistry fellowship at the University of Utah and received certification from the American Board of Clinical Chemistry. Since 2016, she has been employed by Washington University in St. Louis, where she is an associate professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research and serves as laboratory director of the Core Laboratory for Clinical Studies, a CLIA-certified laboratory.

In addition to providing research and clinical support to researchers and clinicians at Washington University and collaborating with outside vendors on new diagnostic assays, she conducts her own research projects focused on diabetes. Her research on the biomarker glycated albumin for use in women with diabetes during pregnancy received an AACC Academy Award in 2022, and another related poster won the 2023 AACC Pediatric and Maternal-Fetal Division Best Abstract Award.

Humanities: David Clark ('05)

George David Clark is an accomplished poet and editor. He is the author of Reveille (Arkansas University Press), which won the Miller Williams Prize, and Newly Not Eternal, forthcoming from Louisiana University Press in 2024. He has also co-edited Playing with Fire: Christian Poets Reflect on Faith and Practice, forthcoming from Baylor University Press.

Clark's poetry has been featured in numerous prestigious journals, including Agni, The Believer, The Georgia Review, The Gettysburg Review, The Southern Review, and Virginia Quarterly Review. Since 2011, he has served as the editor-in-chief and executive director of 32 Poems.

In addition to his Bachelor of Arts in English from Union, Clark holds a Master of Fine Arts in poetry from the University of Virginia and a Doctor of Philosophy in English from Texas Tech University.

His writing has earned honors such as the Meringoff Prize in Poetry, the Olive B. O'Connor Fellowship, the 30 Below Prize, the Walter E. Dakin Fellowship, and the Lily Postdoctoral Fellowship. He is currently an associate professor of creative writing at Washington & Jefferson College.

Clark lives in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania with his wife Elisabeth, a fellow Union alum, and their four children, continuing to inspire with his creative work and contributions to literary scholarship.

Athletics: Andy Rushing ('76)

Andy Rushing is in his 10th season as Union University's head golf coach in 2024-25. In January 2024, Rushing was named head coach for both the men's and women's golf programs, after returning as interim coach in September 2023.

He previously led the men's golf team from 2006-2015 and launched the women's program in 2012. In addition to his coaching duties, Rushing continues to teach in Union's Department of Physical Education, Wellness, and Sport.

Rushing most recently spent three seasons as an assistant baseball coach, following a nine-year tenure as Union's head golf coach. Under his leadership, the Union men's golf team won five TranSouth Conference titles, and Rushing earned four Conference Coach of the Year awards.

He previously served as head baseball coach for 17 years, amassing 580 wins at Union and 664 total wins over a 21-year career. He led Union's baseball team to 11 straight seasons with at least 30 wins and secured multiple conference titles, regional tournament appearances, and postseason honors. He was named TranSouth Coach of the Year twice, NAIA Region Coach of the Year twice, and earned several other accolades throughout his baseball coaching career.

Rushing played baseball at Union as a standout catcher and served as team captain for two seasons. He earned his master's degree from Memphis State University in 1980. Rushing began his coaching career at South Side High School in Jackson and later coached at Lambuth University, where he also started the modern-era football program.

Rushing is a member of the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame and has coached and taught at Union since 1989. He is married to Susan Clark of Jackson, and they have three children, Amy, Jennifer, and Kelly.

Not-for-Profit: JoAnn Reyes ('65)

JoAnn Reyes has spent her life dedicated to education, community service, and empowering low-income families. A graduate of Union with a teaching certificate in biology and chemistry, Reyes went on to earn a Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She began her career teaching eighth-grade science in the Fort Worth Independent School District, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 1970.

Reyes' passion for community impact led her to co-found the Fort Worth HOPE Center, which distributed nearly $8 million in in-kind donations to individuals and food pantries throughout the Metroplex in 2023. She also founded the School of HOPE, a program that provides low-income individuals with OSHA-compliant certifications to operate forklifts, preparing them for warehouse jobs across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Her commitment to affordable housing led to the development of The King's Land Development, which has remodeled over 130 homes for families in low-income communities. She also established Royal Lending, an FHA mortgage brokerage firm that helps low-income families secure loans to achieve the dream of homeownership.

Reyes has been a keynote speaker and trainer at international women's conferences in Nigeria, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Ukraine, sharing her knowledge and inspiring others to make a difference in their communities.

She considers her family, including her children, Kim, Sonya, Amy, and Jon, her greatest joy.

Arts/Media: Dusty Doddridge ('86)

Dusty Doddridge is an accomplished landscape photographer based in Nashville, Tennessee. For more than 20 years, Doddridge has been captivated by the interplay of light on natural landscapes, a passion that began during backpacking trips to the Arctic regions of Sweden and Norway.

Doddridge leads photography tours across the United States and internationally, including locations such as Iceland, Norway, Finland and Canada. He is also a frequent speaker at photography organizations and conferences and has written e-books on composition and personal expression in landscape photography. His work has been featured in publications like Lenswork and On Landscape.

In addition to his photography career, Doddridge has over 30 years of experience training university and corporate audiences. Before pursuing photography full-time, he served as director of the Career Center at Middle Tennessee State University and held leadership positions at Columbia State Community College and Oklahoma State University.

Doddridge holds a Bachelor of Science in business and psychology from Union and a Master of Science in counseling from the University of Memphis. He lives in Nashville with his wife, Kim, whom he met on Union's campus in 1982.

Government/Public Service: George Boyte ('84)

George Boyte is in his 28th year of public service with the State of Tennessee's Office of the Attorney General and Reporter, where he serves as deputy of the Real Property and Transportation Division. After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Union, Boyte earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee in 1987.

Early in his career, Boyte combined private law practice with service as area director of Young Life West Tennessee, a gospel outreach ministry for teenagers. In 1987, he joined the State Attorney General's Office and spent 20 years representing the Tennessee Department of Transportation in jury trials and other litigation throughout most counties in West Tennessee. Today, he manages and mentors a team of state attorneys and staff across four offices, providing legal counsel to TDOT and other state agencies on real property acquisitions, eminent domain actions, and property rights disputes.

Boyte and his wife, Lori, live in Jackson and have been married for 33 years. They have two adult sons, one of whom, Griffin, is a 2019 Union graduate. Boyte has served in teaching and leadership roles at Northbrook Church, Englewood Baptist Church, and Fellowship Bible Church.