by jowens | Jul 11, 2014
Ashley Lockert has been named Welch College Head Volleyball Coach, according to Athletic Director Gary Turner. Lockert is a 2007 Welch College graduate and one of only a few volleyball players to have competed all four years as a member of the Flames.
As a student at Welch, in addition to volleyball, Lockert was involved in several areas of campus life. She was a student council representative, Charlotte Bronte Society Events Coordinator, Assistant Director of Musicals, and Concert Choir President.
Lockert has two things critical for success–a love of volleyball and a love for Welch College. She is determined to come in and advance the program. “I love volleyball,” Lockert stated. “Being able to return to my alma mater in this new position is very exciting. I am truly honored and humbled by this opportunity.”
“I am looking forward to working with Coach Lockert,” said Gary Turner. “Her enthusiasm and knowledge of the sport will definitely continue moving our program in the right direction.”
Lockert is currently a legal assistant/paralegal at Feeney & Murray P.C. She enjoys spending time with her family as well as musical theatre and “play” with the Cheatham County Community Theatre.
Ashley is married to Will Lockert, and they have two sons, Liam and Loghan. They attend Bethlehem Free Will Baptist Church where they are youth leaders and Ashley teaches pre-school children’s church.
by jowens | Jun 16, 2014
The Spring 2014 semester at Welch College ended with 120 students earning academic recognition, according to Provost Greg Ketteman. Twenty-eight students made all A’s and were placed on the President’s List—six seniors, eleven juniors, eight sophomores, and three freshmen. Ninety-two students earned a B average or higher and were placed on the Provost’s List—16 seniors, 23 juniors, 30 sophomores, and 23 freshmen.
President’s List: “A” Honor Roll
Barthelemy, Kaleigh (So.) GA
Brown, Charity (Sr.) TN
Brown, Reese (Jr.) TN
Cominskie, Derek (Jr.) VA
Congleton, Jacy (Jr.) NC
Conley, Jason (Fr.) TN
Dell, David (Jr.) VA
Douglas, Bethany (Sr.) TN
Grimsely, Anna (So.) GA
Henley, Lindsey (So. Post-Baccalaureate) TN
Hill, Elizabeth (Jr.) VA
Hollis, Michael (So.) NC
Lewis, Casey (Jr.) NC
Nelson, Melissa (Sr.) NC
Outlaw, Carson (Fr.) TN
Parrish, Emily (Jr.) NC
Riggs, Laura (Jr.) MI
Sample, Kayla (Sr.) IL
Scott, Benjamin (Fr.) TN
Sexton, Leah (So.) GA
Smith, Candice (Jr.) NB, Canada
Thomas, Larissa (So.) AR
Trotter, Audrey (Sr.) TN
Tucker, Gregory (Jr.) TN
Tuttobene, Cherish (So.) TN
Tuttobene, Jeannine (So.) TN
Wilkerson, Reid (Jr.) TN
Williams, Samantha (Sr.) AR
Provost’s List: “B” Honor Roll
Seniors
Bell, Victoria (NC)
Cloninger, John (TN)
Coker, Daniel (TN)
Coker, Taylor (TN)
Colvin, Nathan (TN)
Cyrus, Andrew (TN)
Deel, Austin (TN)
Easley, Phillip (MO)
Forlines, Joel (TN)
Fry, Katherine (TN)
Hutchinson, Tim (MI)
Manning, Jake (NC)
Montero, Julie (FL)
Mouser, Matthew (TN)
Pugh, Daniel (TN)
Truett, Cody (FL)
Juniors
Alexander, Loren (AR)
Bozeman, Stephen (GA)
Brimer, Nathaniel (VA)
Dunbar, Joshua (AR)
Fondren, Brooke (MS)
Greer, Taylor (VA)
Jackson, Matthew (TN)
Jenkins, Lesley (TN)
Lindsay, Deandra (TN)
Lute, Derreck (OH)
Mouser, Amanda (TN)
Nelson, Kelsey (NC)
Newland, John (TN)
Petty, Maria (IL)
Reeves, David (KY)
Snow, Elizabeth (TN)
Stox, Kevin (NC)
Taylor, Sean (VA)
Trimble, Alyssa (CA)
Trussel, Kristin (FL)
Walker, Brittany (FL)
Walters, Dustin (MS)
Zuniga, Zuri (AR)
Sophomores
Campbell, Anna (TN)
Clarke, Staci (TN)
Driggers, Camille (SC)
Driggers, Hannah (SC)
Droll, Morgan (IL)
Dunham, Hanna (OH)
Ford, Celeste (TN)
Forlines, Jared (TN)
Foust, Corey (TN)
Freeman, Shelby (VA)
Hampton, Rachel (TN)
Holdon, Trevor (AR)
Marable, Albert (TN)
Martin, Joshua (NC)
McDonald, Amy (TN)
Melvin, Jessica (TN)
Merkh, Caroline (TN)
Milling, Caleb (TN)
Morgan, Rebekah (TN)
Nichols, Leslie (TN)
Norris, Tyler (AL)
Owen, Melissa (GA)
Pate, Chris (TN)
Pope, Eric (NC)
Sample, Hunter (IL)
Skaggs, Hannah (KY)
Stonerock, Paula (OH)
Thorton, William (TN)
Thrasher, Emily (MI)
Vickery, Zachary (AL)
Freshmen
Blades, Autumn (TN)
Blake, Allison (TN)
Carey, Christian (OK)
Chandler, Jordan (TN)
Coleman, Nicholas (AR)
Crawford, Alexander (AR)
Dell, Daniel (VA)
Ferguson, Joslin (TN)
Forlines, Anna (TN)
Gedeon, Matthew (TN)
Guzman, Damaris (WV)
James, Megan (TN)
Johnson, Ashton (OK)
Kim, Daeun (TN)
Kimbrel, Kayla (SC)
Madden, Dakota (AL)
Montgomery, Caleb (AL)
Parrish, Ellen (NC)
Persinger, Travis (IN)
Romain, Akelam (Virgin Islands)
Saunders, Matthew (TN)
Strickland, Lauren (NC)
Walker, Hope (IL)
by jowens | May 27, 2014
Barry Simpson was recently named the Head Golf Coach for Welch College. After three years without a program, Simpson accepted the challenge to bring varsity golf back to Welch College.
He has hit the ground running, having met with current student-athletes who plan to play golf and has been on the recruiting trail as well, working hard to put together a solid team for the fall.
“This definitely wasn’t something I had thought about doing,” said Simpson. “But, when Gary (Turner) presented the idea, I was intrigued with the opportunity. I am really looking forward to the fall.”
“When we lost Coach (Sam) Horne after just one season, I was disappointed, to say the least,” said Gary Turner, WC Athletic Director. “I wanted someone who knows golf and understands Welch College. Barry will bring stability to our golf program and take it in the right direction. I am excited for what he is going to do for Welch College.
Simpson was born in Kansas City, KS and raised in Shawnee, KS, a suburb of Kansas City. After graduating from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in 1977, he served 4 years active duty in the United States Marine Corps. He attended Welch College from 1981-1986 graduating magna cum laude with a BA in Pastoral Administration. He served on the pastoral staff of New Hope Free Will Baptist Church in Joelton, TN for 22 years (1984-2006), 16 of which as Senior Pastor. He served as Director of Development for 4 years (2007-2010) at Free Will Baptist International Mission in Nashville, TN.
Currently, Simpson resides in Joelton, TN with his wife of 31 years, Jena Carrington Simpson and serves as Senior Pastor at the Heads Free Will Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, TN
The Simpsons have two sons and two grandchildren.
by jowens | May 27, 2014
Collyn Carter recently signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Welch College for the 2014-2015 school year. The 5’3” guard had a stellar high school career topped off by leading her team to the Alabama Christian Education Athletic Association, Division II championship game and being named tournament MVP.
During her senior year, the Decatur, Alabama, native had some very impressive statistics – averaging 14 points per game. She also led her team in assists, rebounds, and steals. For her career, she scored over 1,000 points.
“We are very excited to have Collyn join the Lady Flames for many reasons,” said Welch College coach Larry Bryan. “She is talented, athletic, energetic, and she loves to play the game. She is a person of character, a hard worker, a coach’s dream. Most high school players have to adjust to the shot clock, a faster-paced game and better competition at the college level and it won’t be any different for Collyn. What I like is her ability to tackle most any challenge. Her playing experience will help make the adjustment easier. We expect her to help us at both guard positions. I don’t think you can have too many players like Collyn. She is a welcome addition to the Flames’ program.”
Collyn will be a third generation student at Welch College, following her mother, Kelly (Carnes) Carter and grandmother, Linda (Kelly) Carnes.
by jowens | May 23, 2014
Christa Hill, a 2011 summa cum laude Welch College graduate, will join the Welch Library Staff as Library Manager this summer. Since graduating, Christa has worked at her high school alma mater, Wise County Christian School in Wise, Virginia, teaching 6th-12th grade English. She has been an integral part of campus life there, coaching volleyball and creative writing contests and even serving as mascot for the basketball teams. She has also been an active member of Central Free Will Baptist Church in Norton, Virginia, where her father, Rev. Gary Hill, pastors.
Christa worked in Welch Library for three years as a capable and dependable student clerk as she completed her B.A. in English. As part of the library staff, she will now assume responsibilities for managing circulation, periodicals, student workers, and the library website. She will also provide reference support for the evening shifts in the library and hopes to soon enroll in graduate classes toward an MLS degree.
“We are delighted to have a person of exemplary Christian character, academic excellence, and loyalty to Welch College as part of our staff here,” commented Librarian Carol Reid.
President Matt Pinson said, “I’m pleased to welcome Miss Hill to this position. She combines sterling intellectual skills with a heart for God, and she has a deep appreciation for the mission and vision of Welch College.”
Christa said, “I am immensely thankful for the time I spent at Welch College as an undergraduate, and I hope, as Library Manager, to impact the lives of students just as my professors, mentors, and bosses impacted me when I was a student.”
