I just wanted to let everyone know that there is going to be an ALL 80s REUNION in Ashville October 24-26, 2008.

It is a huge undertaking. There will be some of the time spent on the old campus that has had a major facelift. Time alone will be spent with each class as well as time as one large group. If you ever attended BL during the 80s you are invited to come.

Overall coordinator and class of '83: Wendy (Mullinax) Arnim

Class of '85 coordinator: ME

Class of '87 co-coordinators: Carolyn Lednum and Debbie Cochran Fierst

I wish I knew all the coordinators, but if you don't see the contact for your class listed here please contact Wendy Arnim and she will put you in touch with someone for more information. Each class is staying grouped in several years together, but we don't all fit at one place. Lodging and meals need to be booked soon, so please contact someone if you are thinking about coming.

If you can't make it, we still want to hear from you too. We need updated contact information and also we'd love a note to know what you are doing or hope to do in the future. We miss you all and that's why we are doing this. Come and connect in Ashville October 2008!

– Signed on Monday, June 02, 2008 at 03:36:25 (CDT)

Back in the US since 2003 after 13 years in France, living in California, with the wife (2nd time lucky) and 2 adopted kids (1 each from China and Taiwan so constant war), girl 7 and boy 4.

– Signed on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 11:45:23 (CDT)

Hey Becky,
Please add me to the list and my info.
It's so great to see all the entries of so many of my friends on here and to read what all has been going on in your lives since leaving BL.
I met my husband at Mount Vernon Nazarene College and married in 92, had three children and moved to North Georgia where we now live. I am a stay at home mom and will be returning to college to finish my degree in Nursing this Spring. I hope to hear from you and I remember many of you and it brings back such good memories.:) Please contact me through my e-mail if you any of you remember me and we can get caught up with all the years we have not kept in touch.:)
Mahima Cooper

– Signed on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 08:26:37 (CDT)

It is definitely a flash back to the good times of Ben Lippen reading all the messages posted here. I read of the joys and sorrows life brings to us all. My heart breaks to hear of those the Lord has taken home, but at the same time I remind myself of the blesing we have had to hear the message of salvation through Ben Lippen.

For those of you who remember me … hmmm rolling the VW Bug into the main building hallway! What a hoot! Festo … sorry for the chocolate Ex-Lax …. That was soooooo funny. Creating the Sr. "lounge" and rigging a unathorized TV …. The talent show where we sang Johney be good. Hey what about the wrist rockets over to the girls trailers? Some of the times are poping into my head as I type. I have spoken to Festo last year and he seems to be doing quite well with wife and family. Tim Heggarty was one of my groomsmen at my wedding … WOW was that 18 years ago. Yup. So here is the quick update since BL:

1986: Attend Gordon College on soccer and hockey scholarship
1987: Move interests to Salem State College
1988: Join Army / Military Inteligence "to find calling" \
1988: Marry Heather Burwell (college sweetheart)
1989: Moved to Germany with wife
1991: Sent to Kuwait for Desert Storm
1991.5: Realize that I don't like Army life
1992: Move to Vermont and finish college track at UVM and start internet provder Together Networks
1994: Become IT Manager for Dynastar Ski Company
1997: First child born (Seth)
1997: Started IT consulting firm
2000: Second child born (Ian)
2001: Become IT Manager for Rossignol Ski Company
2003: Third child born (Sage)
2006: IT Manager for the State of Vermont (State Infrastructure Manager)

So there you have it. I am blessed with a beautiful family and wonderful church (www.essexalliance.org). My prayer for you this day is that you all look to the Lord each day for your strength and direction. I truly hope to join all of you in our next class reunion with stories of laughter and tears.

I love you all my brothers and sisters in Christ.

God Bless

Erik Amaliksen
erik@misgroup.net


– Signed on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 02:45:27 (EDT)

Greetings Classmates, guess I've been out of touch for quite a while. I have been working at DMV Headquarters at the Drivers License Help Desk for the last 17 years. I live in Smithfield NC, still single and have 2 dogs - Rock and Dottie. I've been in contact with Robin Peterson, Seivright (when you can find him) and a couple of other drunk phone calls -sorry about that- did'nt mean to scare you. Love all, miss you, would love to hear from you. Please feel free to email. More soon. Luv ya! Reg*

– Signed on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 09:44:15 (CST)

I am currently Senior Engineer with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control based out of Orlando FL, but working with the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, KY. Between Deployments, I have a beautiful wife and a daughter who just got married in June of 2007.
Was pleased to find this site and catch up with so many of you.

I made it to the tenth reunion, where my class packed up and went home to Asheville. Columbia just didn't do it for us. Missed the 20th, since I was back in Iraq. Going back to Afghanistan or Someotherstan this December. Look forward to hearing from you all.....

– Signed on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 11:32:02 (CST)

Wow, it is amazing what you can find from an Internet search. I did a search today after getting an e-mail from a Ben Lippen classmate and found this site. It was great to see what had been happening in the lives of all of those who have found this site. It brought back a lot of memories, and I had to drag out my yearbooks to connect names, faces, and events. Unfortunately, my kids saw the yearbook and started laughing at all of us. It was also a bitter-sweet time as I found out that my roomate, David Rogers, had passed away six years ago after we lost touch after College.

As far as my life, after BL I went to Wheaton College and bumped into a few former classmates. After the influence of all the great teachers I had my two years at BL, I decided to get into Education and Literature. After graduation and teaching a few years, I decided to return home, in a way, and get my Masters by going to Columbia Biblical Seminary in South Carolina. I got to see the new Ben Lippen and a lot of my teachers and former classmates. From Columbia the Lord called me to the mission field, and I returned to Mexico where I met my wife, Damaris, and we got married in 1996. Since then we have had three kids: Anne (10), Caleb (7), and Daniel (5), been back and forth between the US and Mexico, and are now currently serving in Merida, Mexico. I am an assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel Merida and director of Calvary Christian School which we started two years ago. We now have 54 students from nursery to 4th grade, and the Lord is greatly blessing the ministry. We send out a monthly newsletter with information about the ministry in Merida and our family. If you would like to get it, send me an e-mail, and I will add you to the list. May the Lord bless you all, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Robert Aguayo

– Signed on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 16:53:33 (CST)

Some of you might remember me. I went to Ben Lippen my freshman and sophomore years. Although I was only there two years, those years were some of the most memorable and influential in my life. I moved back to Connecticut to be with my grandmother for my junior and senior years. I then went to the University of Vermont and got my elementary school teacher’s license. I never left Vermont. I have been living here since I was 18. I have taught kindergarten and first grade for the last 16 years. I have a very witty, bright 16 year old son named Franklin. Even at his young age, he loves to travel. Most recently he has been to Nepal, China and London. I am not married. I'll spare you the details!

About 5 years ago I bought 200 acres of land in central VT. I would like to have a herd of dairy cows, make maple sugar, cheese, etc. Every day I am doing things that I have never done before and often have no idea how. Somehow, I accomplish them anyway. Right now I am building a house, raising pigs, and working in the woods as well as teaching. I am not religious, but I do have a spiritual life. I pray, read the Bible, and I have been trained to do energy work because of my desire to heal like Jesus. I am also quite politically active.

About 18 years ago I took a trip around the United States and I stopped in at the old campus. It was sad to see it empty and the window to my sister’s old dorm room was broken. Speaking of my sister, some of you might remember Sara Bonafine. She is living in the Catskills region of New York with her husband and 4 children. She is still as wild as ever. As everyone says, it was so nice to discover this website and read what many of my old classmates have been up to. I would love to hear more, since many entries are now about 10 years old. It would be nice to have any news of Cheryl Bradney, Nicole Benton, or Joe Thomas. It was great to read Alicia’s, Brit’s, Jonathan Brown’s, Kristy’s entries as well as all the others. Love to you all!

Love,
Julia Bonafine


– Signed on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 17:43:22 (CST)

This is such a great idea. I am way behind though, apparently. Here's my update...I got married in 1996. We have 3 children: Kayla (9), Brad (5), Brooke (5). We have lived in TX and several different cities throughout NC. I have been in touch with some of my classmates throughout the years but was currently attempting to get in touch with Festo Mutagaana. I see where he had posted in the past. I also read the entry from Mark, David Rogers brother and would love to get in touch with him as well.

Thanks again!
Leslie

– Signed on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 1:52 PM

Just a little update on address and email address from me. Wanted to say hi to everyone that has stopped by to this site. Great site…too bad not everyone could stop in. email address is techframer@yahoo.com and am living in missouri close to where my parents are living and brother and sister. Would love to hear from anyone.

– Signed on Sunday, November 26, 2006 5:40 PM

Hi Becky,

Great website!

I spent only one year at Ben Lippen, in 11th grade in 1981-82, which would make me class of '83 had I finished up there. I am currently Vice President of Information Systems for Advance Auto Parts in Roanoke, Virginia.

I don't have a ton of memories from my time in Ben Lippen, but the one that stands out as fun was delivering the invitations to the Senior Prom by flying an airplane over the campus and tossing them out the window. We sort of missed and they landed in the woods behind one of the dorms, but at least they still landed on campus. No word on whether the pilot of the plane still has his license.

I enjoyed seeing a few names I recognized from my year there. Thanks for taking the time to put all this together!

Best Regards...Mike

– Signed on Sunday, November 27, 2005 12:48 AM (EDT)

My name is Kicki (Nordenstam) Hellquist. I live in Stockholm, Sweden, and graduated in 1988. My e-mail is kicki_hellquist@hotmail.com.

I was so glad to see this page and read entries by people I remember so well and have so many great memories of. I live in Stockholm with my husband (since 11 years back, wow time flies...) and our two children, Clara who is 5 and Theodor, 3 years.

I work at General Electric right now, but I have also worked in printing & publishing for a few years, which I really enjoyed, and I also worked in missions for a few years. My husband and I spent 3 years in Singapore, which was a great experience. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me.

Bye for now, Kicki.

– Signed on Thursday, November 17, 2005 1:12 PM (EST)

Hi Becky,

Lovely site. My name is Nancy Hightower, and I attended Ben Lippen in 1985 and '86. I finished out high school in Colorado since my parents moved there. I then went to college in Durango, CO (beautiful campus), and went on to get my Masters and Ph.D. in Literature. I teach at the University of Colorado at Boulder now, and am really just having a blast. I've been teaching college kids for the past ten years! Wow, how time flies. I really did love my time at BL, and would like to hear from anyone that might remember me! My email is nhightow@du.edu.

Many Thanks,
Nancy

– Signed on Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 16:00 (EDT)

This web site is a life saver in that more and more people show up here. To update: My husband and I are back in Seattle, but praying about possibly moving to Atlanta, GA. All you people in the Atlanta area will have to tell us the advantages of living there. I just had a son on Father's Day this year (2005). You can see him on www.stillion.com on my husband Martin's side of the site on his blog, plus pictures of us. In the past few years I've traveled a lot to France several times (yes, met with John Stauffager and his wife), Ireland, Scotland, England, and Greece.

Right now the big thing is our class 20th reunion. Somehow, I got elected to organize it. Bill Edgar has helped me do this. We are having it in a couple of weeks October 28-30 at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain. Anyone from other classes are welcome to come, but it has been hard even getting the word out to our class. About 15 families are signed up to come at this point and a few more last minute people might come. Please, if you are near Asheville COME!

We'd like to have an all 1980s class get together in Asheville. I think we should take 5 years and organize it (contacting people is the biggest thing!). Taking that amount of time, maybe the people that do live overseas have a fighting chance of being able to plan to come? That's the thought. We need a champion for each class to contact me to plan this. Then we need an overall champion to organize us all. I elect Wendy (Mullinax) Arnim from the class of 1983 for overall champion! What do you all think?

Let me know.
Sarah (Walton) Stillion

--From the First Update, Seattle, WA --

I just wanted to update my old entry! I graduated with my Master of Fine Arts in May 1999. We moved back to Seattle in July. I have been freelance teaching drama as well as auditioning and writing. I would love to hear from people. How can we get everyone on line?

--From the First Entry, Canyon Country, CA --

It has been an adventure after the BL days. I've been a missionary in several countries and then finally graduated from Northwestern College, Orange City, IA in 1992 with a degree in theatre and a minor in theatre ministries. While I was in college I interned at a Christian theatre company in Seattle, WA. I met my best friend Martin and now husband in Seattle. We were married there in 1994. Since then I have worked numerous jobs including being a professional actress. Now we are in California just outside of LA. I am pursuing my Master's of Fine Arts at California Institute of the Arts. I will graduate in June 1999. Martin is an editor and writer and also great musician.
When we came to Columbia for the 10 year class reunion it didn't feel like a real reunion until we all drove up to Asheville. Martin was stunned by the beauty of the campus and understood the deep feelings we all had for the place. Thank you Becky for the pictures. They are a beautiful reminder of BL.

– Signed on Tuesday, December 23, 1997 at 15:20:34 (EST)
– Updated on Tuesday, December 21, 1999 at 14:08:23 (EST)
– Updated on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 04:38 (EDT)

Melissa Matthews Kight (Class of 1988)
Graduated from Furman University in 1993
Married in 1996
M.S. in Community Counseling from Western Carolina University in 2001
Daughter Lily born in 2003
Currently live in Asheville


– Signed on Thursday, October 6, 2005 at 23:49 (EDT)

Greetings all, so great to see continuous posts and updates here :). A small update here, I have been on the move for many years following work from state to state, and gladly have settled into new job in my home state of Alaska for good. I see so many familiar names here, and would love to trade emails with all my old friends. I am also seeking any information on Christina Torres (class of 85') She and I were very close, then during a move I somehow lost many addresses to my friends. I regained all addresses but hers, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all :)

– Signed on Monday, August 25, 2003 at 03:00:49 (EDT)

Hello everyone.

After reading all the comments it feels as if I were back on campus, catching up. I don't know how often I think back to the days of Ben Lippen, and remember all the great things we all experienced. Like the Roger Seivright/Reggie Skinner fight we had in our room. If it wasn't for Coach, I think Roger might have an iron-shaped face even now! It's funny how you look back on times past and realize most of the time that you really had it good. There were tough times at BL, but what I learned and the atmophere there has made memories I cherish.

Well, I guess most everyone has probably thought I died or dropped off the face of the planet. I guess I pretty much have as far as keeping up with the BL clan, but I thought I might give an update for those interested.

After graduation, I went to Oral Roberts University and received a B.S. in Business Management. I then went to work for my father's construction company. After a few years, he dissolved the company and I went to work for various companies, none of which lasted. I was finally working at UPS and decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in Entimology or the like. While enrolled at the local community college, I met my wife. We both completed the semester and then made plans to be married that next April. We married April 8th, 1995. Just before we married, I started my own construction company, and have been going strong ever since.

We have five children now, Emmagail 7, Elizabeth 5, Robert III 3, Levi 2, Elaina 3.5 months. We do plan to stop now that we have figured out what's been causing them :) Actually we took precautions with surgery, but God felt we needed another, so I had to have "it" done again. I hope God doesn't think we need more, I'm tired of buying and changing diapers! But we love them dearly, and I can't imagine life without them.

Anyway, anyone that would like to, feel free to drop me a line. And one question, has anyone heard from my old roomie, Reggie Skinner? I have been out of touch for so long now I haven't heard from him since my college days.

Thanks,
Bob Bowers

– Signed on Monday, July 14, 2003 10:12:03 (EDT)

Hi Becky, please add my information to the alumni list:

Susan Wise Byers
sbyers@yahoo.com
Class of 1989

Thanks for keeping up this website. Great tool to keep in touch with everyone!

Quick update....
Since graduating in '89, I attended CIU and then transferred to Midlands Technical College while working full time. After a number of medical complications my mother passed away unexpectedly in '97. I've since moved to Atlanta to pursue career opportunities in Corporate Real Estate and Facility Operations. I'm now very happily married to my husband Todd, have been blessed with a successful career, no children (coming soon we hope), and own a home in Atlanta.

I've unfortunately lost touch with my classmates and would love to keep in touch. Look forward to hearing from you! Miss you guys!

Susan Byers
(formerly Susan Wise)


– Signed on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 21:45:00 (EDT)

Dear Becky,

Although we've never met, I've always felt a special bond with any of the Ben Lippen alumni. So it was good to hear from you! Hope all is well with you and yours and thanks for the guestbook too bye the way.

My name is Tammy (formerly Mathis) Hawkins class of 1985. I, like you, found out some of the emails were wrong too. I wish I had a better way to get in touch with my old class mates. 'Cause ya know if they don't "sign" the guest book with a more recent email address no one can get in touch with them. So here's hoping you've gotten in touch with some of them.

Need to go, have more computer work to do, but hey, if you're curious, I have a website for part of my rental property business. This part is vacation rental. The address is http://www.newfoundcottage.com. I got married and still live in Asheville, Leicester area actually where Ben Lippen was located, and pass by the entrance to the school on a daily basis almost. And so my vacation rental is just up the mountain from where I live now in the Newfound area of Leicester. Makes me sad sometimes when I pass the school though.

Well, I'll let you go. Have a good weekend.

Tammy M. Hawkins

Previous Entry:

Dearest friends!

Wow! I found this site accidentally you guys! I'm so excited to find you!

Quick update. Went one year to Covenant College then came home to Asheville and graduated in August '90 with a degree in General Office from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College. Met my husband Matney (or "Matt" for short) in November '89, thru his sister, got married September '90 and will have my twelve year anniversary Sept. 22 this year (2002). After A-B Tech. though I went back to school at Haywood Community College and graduated '96 with a diplima in Cosmetology. Worked in that area for almost a year then quite to start another aspect of mine and my husband's business. Still cut hair out of my home though (friends and family mostly). Started taking a correspondence course in interior decorating (2001). Will finish that this year and hopefully licensed by next year. No kids yet during all this as you can probably guess. Although I've never felt the need or want of kids, my husband and I are now trying. He says he wants one, but I think two would be over all a wiser choice.

You may at this point be wondering what exactly the business is I mentioned earlier. Well we have three full-time rental properties, and recently built with our very own hands, a "vacation" rental cottage. It's known in the industry as "vacation" rental because it's rented to people who come to this area to vacation for different lengths of time from a weekend to a month. Unbeknownst to my husband and I, the "vacation" rental business is very lucrative in most all of the United States, but more so here in the mountains and coastal areas. We named the vacation rental "Newfound Cottage" (that's the area right outside Asheville we live in) and have a web site for it too (www.newfoundcottage.com). Our web site just went on-line in May.

Feels eerie telling you guys this since we're all so fond of the old campus, but I pass by there on a weekly basis. I live just minutes from it. And have since I got married. It was bought by another school some years ago, but the school had financial problems and declared bankruptcy I think is what I heard. I haven't driven up onto the campus since the ten year reunion when we all came up from Columbia back to the campus that day. Can't remember who all ended up there except for me and Elizabeth Shuman. Haven't heard from her either since then.

Would love to hear from some of the '85 alumni. Email me if you can. hawkinstmhawkins@aol.com.

God bless and I love you guys.

Tammy (Mathis) Hawkins


– Updated on Friday, May 16, 2003 at 22:36:39 (EDT)
– Signed on Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 23:11:52 (EDT)

This is a great website. Thank you for creating this for the BL alumni. I really enjoyed reading the entries from former classmates and faculty. I graduated in 1984. I tried college for a while, but didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life. So, I worked retail for quite awhile. Then I decided to go to school to earn my degree in Elementary Education. I graduated from Mars Hill College in 1995. I am currently teaching first grade at Glen Arden Elementary School (in Arden). I met Bryan in January of 2000 and we were married in June of that same year. He has two children (from a previous marriage) that live with us full time. In June of 2002, we had a baby girl (Grace). She has really completed our family. I would love to hear from former classmates and faculty. Thanks again for the website!

Patti (O'Leary) Ogle
Class of 1984


– Signed on Thursday, April 03, 2003 at 22:00:00 (EDT)

Quick update. We had our son, Pierce Jordan, on July 26, 1998. He is a kick and a huuuuge NASCAR fan. It's rubbing off on me but he is still the bigger fan. I was promoted in 1998 to Director of Rooms at Hilton Waikoloa Village and I'm back in school to finish my degree as the hotel was shocked when they found out I was degree-less. God moves in interesting ways.

Drop a line if anyone gets a chance. Would love to hear from old friends.

Previous Entry:

I attended Ben Lippen from 1983-1984. My father worked for the US Government in Greece at the time. I was a bit of a rebel when I attended Ben Lippen, God got a hold of me many years later. My wife and I are expecting our first child on July 26, 1998. I am the Assistant Director of Front Office Operations at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, a 1240 room resort on the Big Island of Hawaii.

I have fond memories of the friends I made at Ben Lippen, I would love to hear from some of them! Visitors are welcome!

Thanks for your time and efforts in providing a wonderful Web Page for Ben Lippen Alumni!

God Is My Rock!

Larry Marr

– Updated on Monday, October 21, 2002 at 03:39:20 (EDT)
– Signed on Tuesday, May 5, 1998

Just an update since 1999. My husband and I now live in Las Vegas, Nevada with our two cats. We feel God lead us here, and we are doing well. No Kids yet, but hopefully we will be blessed soon. Anyone interested in chatting please email. I would love to hear from you. My home is always open. Love in Christ, Kris

Previous Entry:

It think this is a wonderful site and I have enjoyed reading about some of my schoolmates. Mark Rogers introduced me to this site. Thanks Mark. I didn't get to finish my high school career at Ben Lippen, but I did get two wonderful years there. I left Ben Lippen after my sophomore year because of financial and family reasons and returned to Dacula, GA. I finished high school at the local public school and went on to a local small college. I spent many years moving around the Atlanta a rea working in the Medical field mostly in the insurance and billing areas. My family moved to Croatia in 1993 (my father is croatian). Life was very hard over there. It was like stepping back to the 1940's or so. The war was going on over there during the time I spent there. At night we could hear the mortar fall at the border town of Ogulin on the Croatian/Bosnian border. We were also in the flight path from the air base in Aviano Italy to the Bosnian no flight zone, so we go buzzed by jets often. I returned to the states in May of 1994 and started my life over again. I started working for a large Orthopaedic Clinic (Peachtree Orthopaedics) where I made wonderful friends and started enjoying life again. I know now that all the trials we go thru in life make up who we are today. God has plans for all of us and sometimes we need the trials to make us strong enough to meet his need for us. In 1997 I met my husband online, yes in an AOL chat room. He is a wonderful man. We spent our dating life on the phone and flights back and forth between Atlanta and Salt Lake City. He asked me to marry him in May of 1998 and we were married in Salt Lake City in September of that year. I have been here in Provo for 13 months and love it. (especially the weather). NO HUMIDITY! Summers aren't that hot really, but yes the winters are cold, but not a bad cold. i have 12 ski resorts within 1 1/2 hrs from me and 6 are within 40 minutes. So come visit my house is always open. Thanks for letting me be included, I guess I am an alumni, just not a graduate. Love in Christ, Kris

– Updated on Sunday, October 20, 2002 at 03:21:51 (EDT)
– Signed on Sunday, October 10, 1999 at 14:13:51 (EDT)

I realized it had been such a long time since I visited this sight. Such sadness when I saw that David Rogers had passed. But such awe at the strength of his family.
My kids are now 7 and 5. My how time has passed. Both are now in school. We are hoping to survive the kindergarten year with my son Alex as his strong will has shown its true form with many "visits" with the principal the first month of school(this has improved). I am now working part time and adjusting to the life of single mom. My husband Rock lost his battle with cancer on October 22, 2000. He was shockingly diagnosed in July of 1999 after a cold that wouldn't get any better. He was the strongest of men through the whole ordeal and his faith never waivered. As we approached his second stem cell transplant he told me he knew he would not come back home from Birmingham, but yet he still wanted to go through it. He said "what can be bad about being with my Lord". We still miss him terribly, but know he is watching over us. It is hard to have anger as my life was so enriched by his love and spirit. I know that the love we shared will be hard to find again. God has his plan for our lives and it is often hard to see or is misunderstood, but what joy when you experience something wonderful, even if for a short time.
I think of my classmates often and hope your lives are deeply enriched by God's love and compassion. With love
Becca

Previous Entry:

I am really excited to see BL on the internet. I have really lost track of most of my class. Here's a quick update. After BL I attended Covenant College for three turbulent years -- that's how long it took me to realize that Elementary Ed was not for me. I moved back home with my mom and dad who soon moved to Grenada, Mississippi. I went with them since York Alabama had no people my age, etc etc

In Grenada, I worked for a CPA for awhile and then for a dialysis clinic where I found what my calling was. Two LONG years later I completed my Nursing Degree. My last year in nursing school, I met my husband Rock. We both knew on our first date that we were looking into the eyes of our future spouse. One year later, exactly, we were married. We now have 2 kids -- Sarah, 3 and Alex, 2. They are great fun. However, I don't recommend having them that close together. Rock owns his own co and I recently "retired" to be Mom for awhile (highly recommended) and help him run the business. Hope to hear from some of you soon.

Becca (Perry) Buice

– Updated on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at 17:04:52 (EDT)
– Signed on Friday, April 9, 1999 at 17:17:44 (EDT)

Greetings to all!

I didn't actually graduate from Ben Lippen and barely made it through 1 year (too many pink slips!) but in that time I did meet some wonderful people!

Since Ben Lippen I moved back to NY and graduated. I attended Nyack College and met my still wonderful husband, Daniel. We married in 1988. I earned my Psychology degree at NC State in North Carolina and we settled down in Raleigh. Currently, I am fortunate to stay at home with our almost 4 year old daughter (she is a cutie and so smart!). I organize and throw fashion, art & music events on the east coast and own a vintage clothing and accessories webstore on-line at http://www.favoritecousins.com. We are working on opening a storefront record lounge/vintage boutique in the triangle area of North Carolina.

Life is really fun! The Lord has blessed us.

Drop me a line! I would love to hear from anyone that might remember me.

Take care and check out http://www.glamooreproductions.com to see what kinds of trouble I have been into lately (website will be fully on-line by December 2002)

Take care,
Stephanie Johnson Moore

– Signed on Monday, September 30, 2002 at 20:03:58 (EDT)

The class of 1987 just had our 15-year reunion in Asheville a couple of weeks ago -- it was awesome! There was some talk about having a "reunion of the '80s" where we could see people from all different classes like the old BL homecomings. Any interest? If so, please e-mail me and put "Ben Lippen" in the subject heading so I can find it amongst all the SPAM. And if you were ever in our class and we have not contacted you, please e-mail and let me know where you are!

Previous Entry:

After college (2 years of Nyack College and eventually graduating from UNC-Asheville), I decided to go to grad school and become the eternal student, but I have finally come to my senses and gotten out of academia and gotten a real job. I spent two years at Virginia Tech, and then I moved up to Long Island to get my PhD in political science, with the plan to eventually teach. Even though I wasn't thrilled with living on Long Island, I figured I could live here for 4 years just to graduate from a good school.

So now it is 5 years later, and I am still living here and have no degree. Anyway, after leaving grad school, I decided to try to stay here since there are more job opportunities than in Asheville (where my family lives, and probably my first choice to live), and I ended up getting a job doing market research analysis for the entertainment industry. I love doing this, and I am SO happy that I'm out of academia and in something I truly enjoy -- basically everything I liked about research in academia is part of my job, but without all the other stresses that come along with it! So I will still be in NY for the foreseeable future -- even though it isn't my ideal place to live, I love my job and have friends here, so I'm happy. I'm not married, and the only love of my life at the moment is my little dog Kip. (Sadly, I've discovered that the stereotypes about single people treating their pets like kids are mostly true -- I really need to get married!)

This fall will be our 15th reunion, and we are starting to make plans for getting together in Asheville, possibly along with the class of '82 and anyone else who would like to come. Please contact me if you have any ideas or suggestions, or if you have not heard from me -- this means I don't have your current address!

Thanks Becky!
Carolyn

– Updated on Friday, September 27, 2002 at 13:45:06 (EDT)

– Signed on Friday, February 28, 2002
– Originally Signed on Saturday, July 19, 1997br>

HI! My husband and 3 sons returned to live in Asheville last August, 2001. We have lived here for the past year enjoying every minute! We still work for Freedom In Christ Ministries and are now developing materials for them in the area of the family. Tomorrow is the start of our 20 year BL Class of 1982 reunion here at Ridgecrest...I can't wait to see everyone again! (and I can't believe it has been 20 years!!!!)

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near Chattanooga, TN, USA

Hi Everybody! My husband just found this site for me and I have had fun reading all the entries. I also signed up in ClassMates.com - They put us under "Lippen". I left my heart in Asheville and after living in Los Angeles for 4 years, my husband (Brian) and I moved to Asheville and spent 4 great years there. Craig Lindsey was the nurse who wheeled me up to labor and delivery when I was having my first son!:) (Nathaniel is 5 yrs. old, Ian is 3 yrs. old, and Christopher is 10 months old), We then moved here near Chattanooga in 1996. We work for Neil Anderson (author of Victory Over The Darkness and The Bondage Breaker) in Freedom In Christ Ministries, and look forward to going back to Asheville some day....maybe to start an international training/retreat center there?!! I look forward to hearing from any fellow BL grads!

– Signed on Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 21:41:58 (EDT)
– Signed on Wednesday, September 13, 2000 at 15:48:05 (EDT)

17 years... it's hard to believe. Quick update... graduated from LeTourneau University in 1990, headed up a flight program at Lancaster Bible college for 6 years, currently working as a pilot for US Airways Express out of Harrisburg, pa.. I'm married and have a 6 year old son who looks just like me. Hoping for a couple of more in the next few years.. but the clock is beginning to tick... 40 is around the corner. If you are ever in the Lancaster, pa. area please stop by or call.

– Signed on Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 09:45:58 (EDT)

Thanks Sarah for all your work on the newsletter! Haven't seen it yet, but I know with all your work it will be a masterpiece. Also thanks for this web address-hi everybody form hicksville Washington!!

– Signed on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 23:31:47 (EDT)

I read through my previous entry and it is definitely time for an update.

My husband retired from the Air Force 2 years ago. We are in MN, where most of my family lives. My sister is only 20mi away, and that has been a wonderful blessing. Life since retirement has been hard, and many times we have wished we could return to the job security of the military. After 2 layoffs in 6 months, and several months of unemployment, Sid now has a part-time job as we wait for the market for computer jobs to revive. I am working part-time as a home health aide for a handicappped man.

Our daughter Ginny will be a Junior this fall at the local high school. She's a straight "A" student which I like to think is a result of all those years homeschooling.

Our son John will be a 3rd grader this fall and has always been homeschooled.

In 1999 we were surprised with the arrival of Timothy, now about to turn 3.

It's great to see entries from so many old friends. I'll keep looking back for more from my old friends. If any of my friends see this, e-mail me!

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Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND, USA

I'm so excited that I found this page. What a great way to keep in touch.

After graduating at 16, I spent some time just growing up. In the spring of 83 I followed in my Dad's and sister's footsteps and joined the Air Force. I went to school to be a medical technician. I was stationed in Grand Forks, ND, where I met my husband, Sid, also in the AF.

In 86 we had a daughter, Ginny, and I separated from the AF. In 89 we were transferred to Cheyenne, Wy. In 93 I started homeschooling Ginny after two unsatisfactory years of public school. In 93, after 5.5 yrs of infertility treatments, God blessed us with a son, Johnny. As of 95 we are back in ND. Sid's training is in nuclear missiles and there are very few bases we can go to. This year Ginny is in 6th grade at the base school. She desperately wanted to find out what it was like, and we hope to have her back home next year. Meanwhile, I am starting preschool with John, now 3.5 yrs.

We have 2 years left until Sid retires from active duty. What happens then is in God's hands, but we are presently hoping to retire in Omaha.

– Updated on Thursday, July 04, 2002 at 00:14:09 (EDT)
– Signed on Tuesday, September 23, 1997

Hey everyone,

I just discovered this sight, a really great idea!!
To catch everyone up on myself....

I graduated from Messiah College in 1991, I worked with J.Riggings for about 7 years before attending CIU to get my Master's degree in Christian Education in 1999.

I am now teaching Bible in a public high school just outside of Charlotte.

I just got engaged to Beth Hornish (former principal of Ben Lippen Elementary/currently principal at Evangelical Christian Academy in Madrid, Spain). We will be getting married on Dec. 21, 2002 in NY....we will be living in Charlotte for the next 2 years before, Lord willing, returning to Spain. That is my story, hope to hear from some of you all.
JIM

– Signed on Thursday, June 27, 2002 at 12:01:22 (EDT)

Cool!

It's great to read up on alot of people. I have been a resident of Seattle for 4 years having moved here to get a Master's in counseling. Didn't happen. Got a Master of Divinity instead. I am still trying to figure out what I wanna be when I grow up - it's been mostly fun!

I am trying to locate Cecilia Munuzuri. Anybody know where she is and how I could contact my 1st real girlfriend ever?

I hope many of you have found what you are looking for. This creed helps me keep looking for what I have found...

The Storyteller's Creed
by Robert Fulghum

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge,
That myth is more potent than history,
That dreams are more powerful than facts,
That hope always triumphs over experience,
That laughter is the only cure for grief,
And I believe that love is stronger than death.

Take care,
John




– Signed on Saturday, June 08, 2002 at 21:37:00 (EDT)

Some things change and some things stay the same. Reunion #15 is coming up and time for a diet. HA! The family has grown since the last note, Madelyn 2 1/2 and Davidson 10 mos. Things in Charlotte are growing like crazy and keeping us busy. I'll look for info about the reunion. See ya soon.

Previous Entry:

Thanks Becky, this Ben Lippen site is a great idea. It seems so long ago that we were back at Ben Lippen. Since then I went to Liberty University in Virginia where I met Teresa my wife of six years. No kids, but we have the coolest yellow lab named CHAMP. I have a landscape business in Charlotte, NC which is coping well in this hot, humid summer. The reunion in Asheville is the best idea to come along in some time.... schedules are conflicting for that weekend but we will try to attend.


– Updated on Thursday, May 30, 2002 at 16:46:20 (EDT)
– Signed on Tuesday, August 19, 1997 at 10:57:55 (EDT)

Better late than never.

Anyway, it's me. I'm older now. I have more stuff. My hair has yet to fall out, which is a good thing.

I have just recently married (April 20th) and am deliriously happy. I'm so happy it's silly. You'd throw up if you saw me right now, honestly.

I graduated from Lee University in 1995 (do the math...it doesn't quite work out, does it?) with degrees in both English and Communications. This led me to the wacky world of television. I am currently the station manager of WELF-TV in Chattanooga.

Anyway, life is good. I've been eating well. But I just feel good that when I do skip a meal, I have no accompanying yellow notes from Miss Woodring. This is the life...

– Signed on Thursday, May 23, 2002 at 14:15:17 (EDT)

Thank you to Betsy Layman for steering me to this site!!! I was not in touch with any BL classmates until recently and then all of a sudden I've been able to catch up with quite a few(Ruby Tuggy, Ismael Sapoval, Karen Newton and now Betsy). Let's see, where to begin. I attended Montreat Anderson College for one year after BL and then fell "in love" and decided not to return. I fell "out of love" a few years later and returned to school( actually a number of them) and ended up being a bartender for the next 10 years. I met my husband and returned to school yet again to finish up just in time to have our son and decide to become a stay at home mom. It's the best job I've ever had!! We have moved around between Asheville and OKC,OK (yes, I was there during the bombing, working 2 blocks away). We have settled in Aiken SC for my husband's job-he's in Federal law enforcement - and this is where we plan to stay. I would love to hear from any old BL classmates. I have so many great memories of that old mountain. If anyone has heard from Debbie Marsh or Miriam Grossman would you please let me know? Thanks for the website!!!

Michele Rich

– Signed on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 at 17:18:51 (EDT)

I happened to find this wed site and started to read a lot of the entries. Talk about memories. We sure had some fun at Ben Lippen. Maybe too much (for those of you who know me)
Since Ben Lippen I've done a lot and moved a lot. Currently I'm in San Diego and yes, I'm still messing around with electricity, only the higher voltages. I work as lineman repairing power lines. If any of you are ever out this way look me up. Would love to hear from you and as always, Live Adveturously. "The Animal"

– Signed on Sunday, March 24, 2002 at 01:21:54 (EST)

Hello to all! its been a LONG time since i talked to most of you and its been a pleasure browsing through names of old friends and stirring old memories! I live in Swannanoa now (about 15 minutes from the old campus) and have been here since 1990.. my mom and dad (you may remember Melinda McClung, music director?) are retired and live in Statesville, NC. i'm a machinist by trade and have been doing this for 9 years or so now.. i enjoy it.. i have two beautiful children, darien (girl), age 9 and derrick, age 7. i've been divorced now for 7 years but have remained active in my church (i go to Trinity Baptist in Asheville and am in the choir) and am very happy and at peace.. i'm not NEARLY as shy as i was at Ben Lippen, and have become much more outgoing (thank goodness!).. i hope to come back and write more later, so this will have to do as an intro to how i've been.. enough about me... how have YOU been?
in Christ, John McClung

– Signed on Saturday, March 09, 2002 at 19:42:59 (EST)

I was so excited to find this web site!! It has been years since I have have heard from most of the people that I graduated with (21 years ago - are we really THAT OLD?) I live outside of Memphis, Tennessee with my husband and 3 children Alex 11, Meagan 7 and Trenton 6.
I got my degree in Interior Design from Northeast Louisiana University and worked full time until my oldest was 2 1/2. Since then I have done freelance work and now I am a distributor for a nutritional company and am loving it!
I went up to BL this past summer when I was visiting my parents (they are in Weaverville). It was fun showing my children where I grew up and where so many things happened in my life. Alex is just a little older than when we moved on campus.
I would LOVE to hear from my old classmates and fellow faculty brats!! I guess as you get older you get more nostalgic =)

– Signed on Tuesday, February 26, 2002 at 17:43:59 (EST)

Thanks to Mark Rogers for introducing me to this sight. Thank you Becky for putting it all together.

Divorced with a four year old son. Recently changed jobs, but still in offshore trust and company management.

I would be more than happy to hear from any BLs 1982 to 1987. If you are in the Islands please give me a shout.

I have some great memories of BL and am just getting over the painful ones.

Has anyone a contact number/address/e-mail for Warren Hatthway and family and Andy Anderson and family? I would appreciate your help.

– Signed on Sunday, January 27, 2002 at 18:27:05 (EST)

UPDATE
This website is still a great idea! Just a quick update, Carson and I have 5 children now, the youngest is 3 months and his name is John Douglas. He is adorable of course! Quick question. Does anyone know how to get in touch with Rachel Gorman, class of 1986? If so I would love to know how.


– Signed on Tuesday, January 08, 2002 at 22:34:23 (EST)

UPDATE - December 23, 2001
Hey Becky,

I am writing on behalf of my brother, David Rogers - BL 86 and sister, Beth - BL 82. I wanted to have an update on the alumni page for David but was unsure of how to go about it. David went home to be with the Lord 12/15/2001. He had been sick but it was and still is quite a shock.

There will be a memorial scholarship fund set up at Ben Lippen that is accepting contributions. There will also be a memorial service Jan 13, 2002, 3pm at Calvary Church in Charlotte, NC. (for those in the area).

Here is a copy of the final prayer e-mail that went out:

Becky, sorry I don't know you, but this is a great idea! Thanks to Festo for letting me know about this.

After BL, I went to Houghton College and received a B.S. in Sports Management. After college I joined the Army National Guard as an MP. I since completed Officer Candidate School and am now a 2LT.

In April of '96 I married Laurie Pence, who went to Nyack College. We have no kids yet, but do have a black lab who is 6.

I am working as a computer network technician for a small company in the NYC area. Lord willing I will be hired by Bell Atlantic as a Web Coordinator after developing web pages for them.

The second best highlight of last year was my activation by the NY National Guard for the Olympics in Atlanta. I spent 2 1/2 months there, and Laurie was able to come down for a week during the Games.

Please visit our web site or email us.

– Updated on Sunday, December 23, 2001 at 09:25:37 (EST)
– Originally Signed on Saturday, July 26, 1997

married, 3 kids, working at Fidelity Investments, give us a yell if you're going to be in Cincinnati!

– Signed on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 22:59:26 (EST)

Dear Ben Lippen graduates,

It has been a very long time and I was so glad to hear from Susan Gordon about this web site !

After Ben Lippen, - (I did not graduate from Ben Lippen) - I attended Public High School, graduated, and then went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

At the moment, my husband and I have four children.
Elizabeth Ann 14, John Joseph 13, Margaret 9, Mary-Frances 8. (We would like to adopt a child and are asking God to open up the doors for that to happen.)
I am a stay at home (home schooling) mother, which I thoroughly enjoy. My husband (Rob) is a life-specialist for Banker's Life and Casualty.

We live in Reading, Pa .

Ben Lippen holds a very dear place in my heart. It was a time and place which God used for my good and I am very thankful that God gave me the opportunity to attend. What a sacrifice my parents made to pay for such a wonderful experience !

(Amazing how our attitudes change once we are now parents ourselves.)

Many thanks to the faculty and staff for their service to God and the students of Ben Lippen. I am amazed as I read other's stories about how God used the experiences of Ben Lippen to draw his children to himself.

If any of you are ever in the Philadelphia or surrounding areas, Please call as we would love a chance to visit with any of you. (610-378-0953)

Through God's great grace,


Susan Waggoner Kanowicz

– Signed on Wednesday, September 26, 2001 at 15:51:42 (EDT)

I have been in the Mobile area since graduation. I am married and have two boys. I am a nurse for a local hospice. Would love to get the Class of 82 together for our 20 year reunion!

– Signed on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 19:07:24 (EDT)

What is the status of the reunion for this year? Did I miss it?
would love to hear of all the updates from that year. I am looking for Sara Woodring, Mirjam Lahdeaho, and Sherry Long (Faculty). There are a lot of others I would love to hear from if possible.

The years have passed quickly. My husband retired from the air force last December and we decided to stay here on Guam so that my oldest son could finish high school here. I also have a very profitable business selling Tupperware.
Chris, my oldest, is attending college in Texas this year and David is a senior in High School. Not much longer until the nest will be empty. Garry is in the states right now settling Chris in and taking care of business in Louisaina. We are all anticipating his return.
God has blessed us in many ways and we are rejoicing over the changes God is bringing.
Blessings to all-Kim


– Signed on Monday, September 10, 2001 at 05:36:13 (EDT)

Ben Lippen will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for a great website, Becky!

– Signed on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 at 14:44:42 (EDT)

I am not sure why it has taken me so long to find out about this site.
I have been living here in Cary (outside of Raleigh, NC) for about a year to take a job with Siemens - their e-Center of Excellence division. Previously, I was living in Charlotte for about 5 years working in the electrical distribution business.
I was married in 1994 - and now have two boys - Derek Spencer born in 1997, and Ryan William born this past March. My wife, Liz, stays at home with the boys - I have been very fortunate.
I still am in touch with Festo and his family. In fact our boys have become great friends. I have recently just got back in touch with Roger S. and Sebastian O.
I have been trying to get in touch with James Bischoff - I haven't seen him since 1993. Please email me if you know where I can reach him.
By the way, my sister Darcy (Class of 1986) lives in Asheville and has a 1 year old son, Cole.

Derek Duin

– Signed on Monday, August 06, 2001 at 12:15:39 (EDT)

Back in Salisbury, would love to hear from you!

– Updated on Thursday, December 7, 2006 at 20:49 (EDT)

What a flash back I've had! Incredible amounts of things have happened since graduation.....too numerous to list here! Our 15 is coming up next year and I can't even fathom that! If anyone is interested, please e-mail me! Would love to hear from you!

– Signed on Thursday, August 02, 2001 at 22:05:05 (EDT)

After graduating in 1984, I attended Western Carolina University. I graduated from WCU in 1989 (yes, five years - too much basketball and not enough studying) and I left there with a business degree. I ended up in Atlanta doing sports photography for five years. This was a great job that gave the opportunity to travel the country and to meet a lot of people. It was during this time that I met my wife and decided to plant some roots. I made a career change to become a computer geek and currently work in Atlanta as a System Administrator.

I haven't been to a homecoming yet- but I keep kicking myself every year for missing out. Maybe this will be the year. Would love to hear from old friends.


– Signed on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 08:51:04 (EDT)

Hey Everyone!!
I didn't get to come back for my senior year due to family difficulties, but I still view B.L. as my high school home. I would love to hear from any and all of you!! I hope your lives are happy and fulfilled, or at the very least interesting. Write Me!!! ! LOVE, ALECIA

– Signed on Monday, July 30, 2001 at 16:11:22 (EDT)

Hi all! What a great site! It seems that I am several years late at finding out about this! I have sent individual notes to many of you, but many other people are missing, so I hope that eventually they find this site as well and get in touch!

A quick run-down of events: Attended Emory Univ. (Atlanta, GA) for 3 semesters and left until I could figure out "what I want to be when I grow up." Since I have not yet grown up, that question is still in the air! :) Just kidding!

I met my husband Keith while attending Emory. We were married in March 1989 and presently have two sons: Stephen will be 7 in August and Ethan will be 2 in Sept. The age difference was not planned, but has been ideal and proof that God knows what is best, even when we are convinced we do!

My dream of being a stay-at-home Mom and home schooling came true last August. I am still working 4 hours a week for the company I was with for 13 years (a corporate legal service company). I go in one evening each week to keep my "feet wet" and get a break, as well as help them out. It's a great opportunity for me. Home schooling is difficult and fun at the same time. We are taking it a year at a time, to see what God wants us to do. I find the most challenging aspect is not the teaching of academics, but the teaching of character.....mine is getting worked on daily! I honestly have everything I ever dreamed of way back in high school, with the exception that my dream of 6 kids dropped after the experience of the birth of the 1st! Once again, I live and learn!

Hope to hear from all of you and know how you are!

Love, Laura (Thrasher) Connor

– Signed on Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 17:23:52 (EDT)

Hi everyone! This is the first time I have made any attempts to contact anyone from Ben Lippen. Since graduating, I went to Western Carolina University where I received a degree in Clinical Sciences. I worked almost 10 years in the physician and hospital labs. I became very burnt out and decided I needed a change. Around this time, my Mother had a bad accident and I took time off to take care of her. Thankfully, she has recovered. I have been working in the medical field for the past few years now in billing and collections. I am currently the Supervisor for the Billing and Collections Department of Mission-St. Joseph's Hospital. I never imagined myself in this field. I would really love to hear from some of my old friends from BL.

– Signed on Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 18:40:56 (EDT)

Hi Class of '81. Great site. Hope all is well.

Who is coming to the reunion this year?
Charlie McClendon called me last week. I talk with Bob McMath regularly. He also lives in Alabama.

– Signed on Monday, April 30, 2001 at 23:21:48 (EDT)

Hi everyone, anyone?

I just found this site today - by accident! Where have I been?
I'm surprised there are not more addresses from Class of '81 on the board. I thought surely I am not the only one getting nostalgic as the big 20 approaches. All I have is a dead address list from 10 years ago; if anyone has updates I would appreciate them, not that I'll write, of course. Seriously, it is nice to know where everyone is.

Here's my nutshell: Married to Jim; 4 great children- Gabe, 16 and driving (pray for me), Jessica, 14, Rebekah, 11, and Sarah, 9(where have those years gone?); actively involved in Old Time Baptist Church/Academy since 1985; I was a Homeschool Mom for 8 years and for the past 2 1/2 have kept the books for Jim's remodeling business. The Lord has been blessing in all areas; oh, we're far from perfect, but He still blesses. God is so GOOD!

I'm planning on getting to Homecoming this year; hope to see you there for the 20th. I used to think 40 was old; well, unless something incredible happens in the next 2 years, I was wrong!

Keep in touch,
Lois Carpenter Donath

– Signed on Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at 14:49:41 (EDT)

I would enjoy hearing from all my friends!

– Signed on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 at 02:30:52 (EST)

If anyone knows how to reach Betty Paas Glass, please let me know. Also, any information on Darlene Anderson, Barb Lester, and Renita Morgan would be great.
Thanks!

---------- Original Entry ----------

Betty Paas Glass-I've trying to find you!!!!!

– Updated on Tuesday, December 05, 2000 at 22:39:08 (EST)
– Originally Signed on Saturday, November 11, 2000

Still living in Miami. Married and have a 3 Years old daughter named Eden. Worked the last 3 years at Trinity Int. Univ. as Director of Student Life. Graduate with MA in Religion in May. Currently teaching in public school and hope to get into local college or university position. Thanks for your prayers as Barby had open heart surgery back in April. She is doing well, is back at work, and is being treated with an anti-coagulant (cumidine). This has been a memorable year. It has served for some great sermon illustrations in church. Bye for now, and feel free to write. God bless.

– Signed on Saturday, December 02, 2000 at 22:09:43 (EST)

I just wanted to let you know that I've seen pictures from the Millenium Mountain reunion, and they are great! I wish I could have gone. The mountain is apparently open for reunions and families to rent or lease.
Recently an old friend from summer camp at Ben Lippen Camp found me through this site. He didn't sign in here, but maybe the camp & conference people could have a space here or somewhere else too. Probably the students wouldn't remember them, but the faculty & their children might.
I've been extra busy lately since my youngest got diagnosed with high functioning autism. Keep my parents, who are highly involved with all my son's education, and my family in your prayers.

---------- Original Entry ----------

I liked the pictures of the Weeber/Fortosis group. Yes, Claire Anne. She was the youngest, but still attended Ben Lippen Camp with me.
I am divorced, and have 4 sons. The exact opposite of my parents and their 4 girls. What an experience I have been {yes} blessed with. My 2nd son is autistic, so I am now a stay at home Mom, and with the help of my Mom run an in home based program for my son. Zachary is 9, and attends a local Christian school {NOT Ben Lippen}, Thomas is 7 and autistic, John is almost 4, and Ricky is my baby at 2.
I worked for years in a local pathology lab doing all kinds of gross tests (that's a pun by the way). I have a house @ 3 blocks from the Weebers who take Zack to church on Wed. nights.
I haven't kept up with many BL grads, but I've seen a few at Homecoming or around town. I do keep up with Allison Bates of '84. She and her brother Jordan are back in Asheville.
Also for a generation younger than myself: Christy Layman and Jay Eager, class of '92 are now married and living in Georgia. Johnny Layman, class of '93 lives in Orlando, and Katie Layman, class of '92 is in England with the Air Force. For info on my older sisters see Sara Layman Leonard's post.
I would like to hear from others in my class. Keith and Wendy are no longer at their posted addresses. Oh, and I do know of Michael Watterson, who graduated med school at Vanderbilt and got married this summer, and his brother Kevin Watterson who is married and practicing medicine in Richmond, Va.
Looks like I kept up with more than I thought.
Also Willy Armstong is now in Charlotte, N.C., and Alecia Armstrong is married and living in Asheville where she's also finishing up an art degree at UNCA.

– Updated on Tuesday, October 17, 2000 at 22:43:02 (EDT)
– Originally Signed on Friday, September 24, 1999

Hi everyone. Glad that a classmate told me about this website. I am living in Daphne AL.
I am married with two children, Drew (5) and JohnPatrick (9 months). I am working as a hospice nurse in Mobile, AL for Mercy Medical. I love my job and my family. I do miss many of my BL friends. I hope to find
some of you through the internet and would love to hear from my class. We need to start plans for our 20th reunion.
Hope to have it in Asheville. Take care, Susan

– Signed on Wednesday, September 27, 2000 at 19:20:49 (EDT)

I just found the site and enjoyed the updates. I currently Live in Due West, SC (yes, that really is the name of the town and it Barely made the map) and work at Erskine College. I graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Master's in Adult Education, moved to Evansville, Indiana, married Steve Lowe in 1994 and moved here in 1998. We don't have any children but did recently buy our first home (does anyone care?). I'm the Director of Educational Services - basically I oversee the tutoring program for first-year students. My husband is the Associate Dean and Professor of Christian Ed. at Erskine Seminary. I hope to see many of you at our 15th (can that really be?). As for other BL'er updates: Jessie (Thomas) & Ryan Oliver have a baby girl, Shallie (Jones) & Paul Schacht have 3 kids and Lisa (Walbridge) & Lane Friesen have 2 kids. Scott Walbridge married this summer (2000) and that's all I know!

– Signed on Monday, September 18, 2000 at 16:35:07 (EDT)

Hi to all my Ben Lippen Buddies,
Our class is getting ready to celebrate our twentieth reunion. We are going back to "the Mountain of Trust" in Asheville for this event. Any and all alumni and faculty are welcome to be there too! The dates are Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2000. We are going to have a blast!!

I live in Clemmons, NC (just outside Winston-Salem). My husband, John, works for GlaxoWelcome Pharmaceutical Company. We have four beautiful children-3 boys and 1 girl ages 12-4. After leaving Ben Lippen, I went to Bryan College in Dayton, TN and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. A few years later I went back to school in WV and received my Masters in Special Education for the Gifted. I am currently not teaching. I am a "stay at Mom" and that keeps me very, very busy. I would love to hear from some "old" Ben Lippen friends! :)

---------- Original Entry ----------

Please keep me informed to changes of the Ben Lippen Web page. This is wonderful. How can I send a note to Mr. Edgren or straight to Ben Lippen School? I will send in an update about myself for the web page soon. Thanks for doing this. Oh, I also graduated from Bryan College. Class of 1984. Small world isn't it? :)

–Updated Email on Sat., May 17, 2003 at 17:22 (EDT)
– Updated on Wed., September 13, 2000 at 18:38 (EDT)
– Originally Signed on Monday, March 22, 1999

– Updated on Sat., May 17, 2003 at 19:38:14 (EDT)
– Updated on Friday, September 01, 2000 at 01:32:14 (EDT)
– Originally Signed on Monday, July 07, 1997

It was really wonderful to read about the many different paths that we have all taken. Here's a brief update:

I went to BL for my sophomore and junior years. Since my parents were missionaries to Central America and returned for furlough, I sadly didn't graduate. We moved to Jacksonville, FL where I graduated. We then moved to Columbia, SC where my dad became Admissions Director for CBC/CIU. He is now a pastor in Columbia. My brother, Rick, who graduated before me, is an engineer for IKON in the Columbia, SC area. He and his family attend my father's church. My younger brother, Ken, lives in Atlanta and is an Occupational Therapist.

I attended Columbia Bible College where I graduated in 87 with a BA in Bible and Christian Education. I married my college sweetheart, Larry, following graduation. I followed Larry to Ft. Worth, TX so he could get his Masters at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and since then Larry has pastored three churches. We now live in historical Newberry, near Columbia, SC. We have two great boys, Justin, 12 and Ian, 10. To make the male numbers even higher in our home, we also have a dauchsand named Oscar.

I work for a large Presbyterian church in Lexington, SC as the Director of the Child Development Center. We have a preschool program during the school year and an afterschool program that runs year long. We average around 250 children and 35 staff. I love working with children and using my gifts and talents to creatively teach staff, children and parents. It's hard work, but I love it!

Just like many of you, the Lord has taken me through some difficult times to bring me closer to Him. I would love to hear from any one who remembers me. I remember many of you fondly and would love to see you face to face, but until that day, staying in touch this way is fantastic!

– Signed on Wednesday, August 02, 2000 at 21:37:15 (EDT)

I can't believe it has been 15 years! I look forward to hearing from any of my classmates or friends from BL. I have really enjoyed reading all your updates.

After BL I went to Miami Christian College where I majored in Communications and Biblical Studies. I was planning to go into missionary radio, but found radio to be extremely boring. I did work at a Christian radio station and then a Christian TV station, but I could not get into it.

The most important part of the college years was finding my wife Ani. She is of Cuban heritage and grew up in Miami. We have been married for 11 great years. We have three kids: Andrew(8), Josh(5) and Steven(2). Ani is doing a wonderful job homeschooling our boys; every bug found, camping/fishing trip, computer game is an educational opportunity.

I am working for Bell South as a cable splicer. I enjoy being outdoors all the time even though the summers are so very hot here in Miami.

We would love to visit with anyone coming to the South Florida area.

– Signed on Saturday, July 15, 2000 at 16:48:56 (EDT)

I was thrilled to come across this site. Thanks for getting it started Becky.
After graduating from BL, I went to Bryan College for 4 yrs and got a degree in education, which I never used. I then returned to BL and spent 11 yrs working w/ Mrs. Hathaway in the kitchen. And coached field hockey 2 yrs. I then 'retired' w/ the Hathaways and came to Raleigh, NC to live w/ a great aunt who is now 94 and planning to see 100! I've been here 4 years and presently work as a supervisor in the food service at Meredith College.

– Signed on Saturday, July 08, 2000 at 12:59:18 (EDT)

I just got back from the 1985 class reunion held in Asheville. It was great fun to see friends from the old days and to see the old campus. And to hear about what is going on with everyone and how we can now reflect about what a huge impact God had on our lives through Ben Lippen. I was so pleased to see that the new "retirement community" is going to retain some of the old campus buildings and much of the look of when we were there. I can't believe they aren't tearing down the boys dorm and instead making it into an inn.

I actually met and spoke with the owner/developer while we were on our "tour" and he seemed very nice and sympathetic to retaining some of the history. His attorney is actually a BL alum. The land there is absolutely beautiful. The roads he has put in on top of the mountain and the clearing he has done has really opened it up back there. I'd much rather have it still be the BL campus, but if it has to change, at least it appears that it is going to be done right and look beautiful.

It was awesome to see Ms. Harden. I can't believe she actually still had our mini-autobiographies that we wrote in her class - all filed away neat and nice. Talk about organized! It was funny to read mine from 22 years ago. Being in Ms. Harden's class back then has served me well during my life. I am excited that our class is going to start an effort to reconnect folks and try to get together an 80s reunion in the summer of 2008. I hope that happens. It would be awesome!

As far as a personal update: I am still at Deloitte Tax and am now a senior manager still working mainly with airlines. My wife and I now have 3 children: Violet - 6, Carter - 5, and Anabel - 3 months. They keep us busy. We are homeschooling and have found a church near our home that we enjoy immensely.

Anyone from the classes of the mid-80s, please drop me a line sometime. My work e-mail is kevinthompson@deloitte.com. Home e-mail is kell0880@bellsouth.net. God bless!

- Kevin

-- Previous Entry --

Great job on the website. I had a friend and former classmate, Andrew Brunson, tell me about it. Looks great! You are providing a very valuable service to us former BLers.

Life since BL: Attended Kennesaw State in Marietta, GA and graduated with an accounting degree. While in college I traveled abroad to visit my brother who was working overseas at the time - once in South Korea and once in Spain. Funny story: While in Seoul, I actually ran into Joel Choi completely by chance. What are the odds of that happening? Out of millions and millions of people, and halfway around the world, I ran into a former BL classmate! Unbelievable. We ended up going out to dinner and had a great time catching up.

Going to BL definitely gave me a love for traveling and getting to know others from different cultures. It was such a wonderful experience to live amongst kids from literally all over the world in a Christian environment. I wouldn't trade that for anything. The whole time I was at BL, I only roomed with one American, Mark Corey, and even he was raised in the Dominican Republic as an MK.

Upon graduation from college, I went to work for Atlanta Gas Light as a tax accountant. I received my CPA license in 1995 while working there. I stayed there 5 years and then went to work for Delta Air Lines in their tax department. I was married in 1992 and my wife, Kelly, and I traveled the world while I was at Delta (it was easy then because it was pre-kids). We had fun enjoying the flight benefits while I was working there. We actually had 3 meals in 3 different cities all in the same day just to see if we could do it. About 6 months ago I left Delta and am now working for a Big Five accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, as a senior consultant. I specialize in utility, industrial and transportation property taxes.

We have a beautiful one year old, Violet Naomi, and are expecting our second child in November 2000. I am very excited about the 15 year reunion and catching up with everyone. Kelly and I went to the 10 year and had a great time.

We just saw Andrew Brunson, his wife Norine, and their family this past week. They are on furlough from Turkey and were in Atlanta speaking at a church that supports them and their missionary work. It was great to see them. They have two beautiful little kids. Anyone that wants, please e-mail me when you get a chance so we can catch up.

Kevin

– Signed on Friday, May 26, 2000 at 16:27:35 (EDT)
– updated on Wednesday, November 02, 2005 10:53 (EDT)

Flying a Citation jet for a charter company, married a hot CA chick on June 8th in Vegas!

Previous Entry:

I started a successful flight school in Santa Monica, which I left in 1999. I am still living in Santa Monica CA and flying for Korbel Champagne Cellars as a corporate pilot

– Updated on Monday, July 01, 2002 at 01:29:09 (EDT)

– Updated on Wednesday, April 19, 2000
– Originally Signed on Monday, June 8, 1998

This website was such a neat find. Thanks! Sarah Woodring also of the class of '81 told me about it. I have been a missionary with Africa Inland Mission in Kenya these past five years. This being my furlough year, I am getting a Master's Degree in education at the University of Arkansas. I am going back to Africa in June of this year. My address in Africa is Rift Valley Academy, P.O. Box 80, Kijabe, Kenya. I would love to hear from you all. It was so good to read about Judy Harms. (Judy, write me when you get a chance!) and all my other friends. Does anyone know how Kiki Sekemachi (Shinault) is doing? Or Gloria Preston? They were good friends of mine.
I would love to hear from anyone out there.
Martha Pontier

– Signed on Saturday, April 15, 2000 at 15:02:01 (EDT)

Hiya!

Wanted to give an update. I still live in Durham, NC, in an old farmhouse alone, doing restorative work and working at a hardware place. My new email is ginger4paz@aol.com, though I still receive some mail at littleditty.

Hope all is well - lovin' life - missin' friends - and gettin' older! LOL

Peace,
Ginger

- former entry -

Hi there fellow classmates and others from a blast from the past, isn't it grand that we now can email what who and why our lives and try to reconnect with each other. I am married and have four point six children (i am completely kidding with that entire statement) I am living with my partner in Durham, NC and do old house renovations, kinda like Bob Villa hope to hear from the past ginger

– Updated on Saturday, May 17, 2003 15:31 (EDT)

– Signed on Thursday, April 06, 2000 at 12:22:44 (EDT)

Hello All -

Update #3...guess finally turning 40 has me thinking about loose ends that need to be tied up - as in updating my info on the web page. I have been working in site cleanup and emergency response for nearly 5 years for the US EPA in Philadelphia. I am happily divorced (yes, some times it is a happy event!) and living in the Philly suburbs. Life is busy and very full. I missed the '85 reunion due to the first of three deployments to hurricane Katrina - I had hoped to catch up with classmates then, but it was not to be. Hopefully I can make a 25 year reunion. I had a chance to go to the mountain a year or so ago while I was in Asheville for training. Believe it or not I managed to find my way there on instinct and memory. I am happy that the place does seem to be having a second life - much better than the run-down disaster of several years ago - but it is bittersweet to see so much change. Time marches on and I do hope that I am able to hear from some classmates at some point. I still keep in touch (not very frequent) with Robin Peterson Robertson and Cristina Torre Larsen. Blessings to all - Ann

----- Former Entry -----

Bear, Delaware, USA

Hello to all - I can't believe that it has been 15 years since graduation! I was hoping to make it to the reunion this year but cannot go this year - maybe the 20th. After visiting the old school after the 10 year it was very de pressing to see how run down it was. We walked into several old buildings - and houses (Skip Midkiff's) and found them to be abandoned. Also there were large quantities of school records from the 40's, 50's and 60's in one of the buildings. It was creepy feeling that we were traveling back in time - when only 10 years had passed. It makes me feel old....

As for an update from my last entry, the only thing that has changed is my husband's job - he is now a REAL computer geek for W.L. Gore. I still work for the State Superfund happily assessing and cleaning up hazardous sites. We are planning a month long trip to Britain this summer then maybe we will settle down and have a kid - but the whole thing scares me to death! I was happy to see that so many of my class mates were happily parenting...maybe someday. I will be contacting those class mates that are listed - but if anyone else surfs in, please drop me a note!

----- Original Entry -----

Greetings to all my classmates who may be browsing online! It's been a busy almost 12 years since graduation. I went on to Capernwray Bible School in England after graduation, and then landed in the Biology program at Houghton College after that. Jobs were not around for me after graduation, so I went back to grad school for a MS in GeoEnvironmental Studies (Shippensburg University, PA). I finally was hired as an environmental scientist by Delaware's Department of Natural Resources. For the past 3++ years I have been working on state superfund sites. It is a rewarding vocation! I met my Husband, Bill, here at work (he is a geohydrologist, and aspiring computer guru). We own a house in Bear, about 15 minutes south of Wilmington (the only city in DE you may know). We have 2 cats, and no Kids yet (thankfully!). Would love to hear from all of my classmates who may read this update. See ya from Bear, Delaware!

– Updated on Monday, October 08, 2007 at 20:22:32 (CDT)

– Updated on Tuesday, March 28, 2000
– Originally Signed on Friday, March 14, 1997

Hi, I just came across this and thought that I would add to it too. After graduating from BL I went on to Columbia Bible College and graduated in 1988 with a degree in Bible/Christian Ed. I worked at UPS for 6 years in Columbia, SC before moving up to Philadelphia are to work in a residential facility for emotional disturbed children for 2 years and then for 2 years I built airplane instruments. In 1996 I was accepted with UFM (Unevangelized Fields Mission) to go to Brazil. However, in 1998 I married Scott, who was also with UFM going to Italy. We are currently in Italy studying the language. If you are interested in keeping informed with our ministry we have a website: www.maclean.8m.com. We would love to hear from anyone. Also, if you are ever in Italy and need a place to stay your welcome to stay with us.
Submitted: 3/19/00

– Signed on Sunday, March 19, 2000 at 14:47:37 (EST)

Hello Everybody,

Reading all these comments is like stress relieve from the hectic world that we live in. This is my second entry as my first is outdated now

As you all expected i am a bum on the street and was hoping that some of my more wealthy schoolmates if they feel so led can send donations to Roger Seivright
Penthouse
Ritz Carlton
Montego Bay Jamaica
It's approx around 15 years from when everyone has graduated and right about now feeling tired of the spouse cant deal with the commitments sick and tired of the boss

well i have the answer
Come to Jamaica

You can vist Sebastian and me

bye

-- From the Earlier Entry --

Short Update

Living in Jamaica, married with a 2 year old daughter

Presently I have a consulting firm and a retail computer store. I keep in touch with all the Jamaican Alumni and will email them this info.

– Updated on Friday, March 17, 2000 at 15:53:52 (EST)
– Originally Signed on Tuesday, February 18, 1997

We are now living in the Tampa area where I am stationed at MacDill AFB working with CENTCOM as the Information Assurance Branch Chief. I am responsible for protecting all the military computers and networks in the Middle East. I am currently in Bahrain supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and will return in the fall. This will be complete my 18th year with the Army, and we will probably retire in 2 years. I just celebrated my 19th wedding anniversary with Colleen, and our two sons Stephen (14) and David (13) are doing well. Colleen teaches for the Red Cross all across Tampa. It is great to be able to keep in contact with old friends from BL.

STEPHEN M. ROSS
LTC, US Army
TCCC OIC
- former entry -

It is great to read news from old friends after all these years. I am finishing up my 16th year in the Army. I am a major working with the Signal Corps on computers and networking. We are on our second tour in Germany. I am married to my college sweatheart Colleen, and we have two boys, Stephen - 11 and David - 9.

– Updated on Sunday, May 18, 2003 at 03:02:34 (EST)
– Signed on Friday, March 17, 2000 at 03:18:34 (EST)

Hello to all! Great to hear from so many of you, and looking forward to hearing from many more. Feel free to contact me anytime.
Steve aka "hoppy"

– Signed on Thursday, March 02, 2000 at 11:58:03 (EST)

I withdrew before graduation, but would love to be included in alumni information, if possible.

– Signed on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 at 18:04:18 (EST)

Hello Ben Lippen friends,
David Crawford here, the Class of 1980. I live in Oak Park,
land of Ernest Hemingway, Frank Loyd Wright and Edgar Rice Burroughs.
I am currently engaged and scheduled to be married (for the first time!) in April in Oak Park.
I worked for the Nordstrom Co. for four years, but left in September of '99, went to Paris for a week, and decided to pursue music full-time. You may want to check out my Web site: http://members.aol.com/pamrecords which includes recent photos, a bio, reviews of my latest album and other information.
I will be visiting my parents in Black Mountain in mid-March with my fiancée Kim, and would love to hear from any of you wherever you are. If anyone knows Paul Copan's current address, please let me know.
A lot of water under the bridge, eh Ben Lippen graduates?
David Crawford

– Signed on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 at 17:27:38 (EST)

Love the photo of the Inn. Come to the Millennial Reunion on the Asheville Campus September 29,30, and October 1. Feel free to drop me an e-mail for details... All alumni welcome.

– Signed on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 at 16:33:09 (EST)

A reunion on the hill for the year 2000 should be open to the classes 78-82.

– Signed on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 at 16:32:58 (EST)

Hello,
I hope this works. It looks as though many of the entries are a few years old. There are so many people I'd love to hear from, please feel free to write. If anyone is in New york City You have a place to stay. Anyone heard from Whitney Hamby? I can't get in touch with him. may bee this will help. And John Whitman. Anyone heard from him? Write back. BEN LIPPEN and the rock. Those were good times.
Take care,
Lee Norwood class of 88'

– Signed on Monday, February 07, 2000 at 10:20:06 (EST)

Wow! This is a great web page. I don't have to time to do the whole life story thing right now but I am a teacher living in the cold north country (Michigan). I'm married and have two boys (Beau, 13 and Parker, 9). I'd love to hear from former classmates.
linda

– Signed on Wednesday, January 26, 2000 at 14:15:38 (EST)

Believe it or not, I just discovered this website! Thank you, Becky! I am sitting at my school not getting any of my work done because I have been reading about everyone. I really need to get back to work though, so I will comment more later. I would love to know anything about Michelle Hatchett, Kelly Huffman, Debbie Anderson, & Caroline Okumu...I'm sure I'll think of more friends later...my brain is fried. I do have four children and a wonderful husband that not only tries to understand me, but puts up with me as well. Hope to hear from anyone soon!!!!

Okay...so Betsy Layman and I have been keeping in touch. Thanks, Betsy for telling me how to get in the 1982 groove. I'm going to be late for work and my three year old is attacking our kitten. I'll talk more later, because you all know that I love to talk!!!!! Susan

– Signed on Wednesday, October 06, 1999 at 12:51:48 (EDT)
– Updated on Wednesday, October 27, 1999 at 06:13:46 (EDT)

Hey everybody - Black Sheep here :) chuckle - just kidding - Dorothy and Jaybird, I saw your post but no email address - I think of you often Dorothy - Mistye Godsey, you out there woman? -

Let's see, since being expelled, I ran off and joined the Navy and traveled the world - liked that a lot - got married had a baby, got divorced, had another baby - daughter Lauren is now 14 and son Logan will be 9 in December - I am self employed, and am VERY happy in my life now - it took years of searching to find what I needed was inside of me all along - I would welcome any correspondence from any of my old friends - and I see Dawn Fowler is now Dawn Garlow - so that's NOT a rumor?? You married Gene Garlow??? How on earth did you meet him ???

Take care everybody!

Hey everyone - would LOVE to hear from y'all

– Signed on Saturday, October 16, 1999 at 16:50:34 (EDT)
– Updated on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 at 16:50:24 (EST)

Great site! So good to get updates and email addresses.

– Signed on Thursday, September 30, 1999 at 09:31:55 (EDT)

Ben Lippen 1984. Columbia International University 1988. Covenant Theological Seminary 1991. Married Laura Park October 17,1992 (Covenant College 1987). Deanna Marie born July 30, 1993. Isaac Solomon born March 17, 1995. Pastor of South Point Presbyterian Church (PCA) 1992-1996. Presently Mission to the World (MTW)Church Planting Missionary in Viña del Mar, Chile.

– Signed on Thursday, September 30, 1999 at 09:29:56 (EDT)

Great page. I have visited the guestbook over the years and have enjoyed reading the entries, especially from the older grads. I guess since it's coming up to my 15th reunion I now fit into the 'older grad' category. As Homecoming approaches, I have been reminiscing about my days at BL: Baseball... getting tapped...finding out that having your school burn down isn't as cool as you always thought it would be... cinnamon toast... the time we bought a TV on the trip to the mall and John Godfrey had it wrapped up like a present so nobody would know what it was... forgetting to fill up the girls' dorm oil tank so they all had cold showers and no heat in the winter... my date to the Jr/Sr, Tracey Jackman, stuffing her purse full of rumballs from the restaurant upstairs so we could eat them later... and who could forget the FRIED eggs on Monday mornings. I think I can finally eat a fried egg. There were a lot of good times, good friends, and even good teachers. As I look back I thank God that Ben Lippen was a part of my life.

After Ben Lippen, I graduated from Columbia Bible College and then went home to NJ to work for the State with troubled youth. It was during this time that my brother, David '86, set me up with my wife. We met during the summer of 89, got engaged that Christmas (with the agreement with her father that we would wait until she graduated from college to get married), BUT got married the following December (12/22/90). As Paul says, 'It is better to marry than to burn'. Then it was off to Buffalo, NY so she could finish college. It was great up there and we would probably still be there but God had other plans. I decided I needed a career change so we quit our jobs, packed up our things, and moved to Columbia, SC with the plan of getting a Master's in teaching. As with most things in life, our plans are not always in line with God's plans. I went to work as a roofer and then with the Department of Mental Health while my wife earned her Master's in teaching.

Seven years and three wonderful kids later, Connor - 6, Tyler - 4, and Janelle - 5 months, we still live in Columbia. After a summer in NJ, because of family health concerns, I resigned my position with Mental Health and will finally go back to school in January. Right now I have the privilege of taking care of Tyler and Janelle. It is one of the best decisions I ever made. I can see that I am going to be in trouble as Janelle already has me wrapped around her finger. Hopefully my days with Ms Harden have served me well, but just in case please forgive me for any 'dangling participles' and any other Harden 'sins' that I have committed in writing this entry.

– Signed on Monday, September 27, 1999 at 15:26:06 (EDT)

Impressive!

The smells of fall trigger old and found memories, usually of school, football, and laughing in fallen leaves. These ruminations help break the fast-paced life of an internet mechanic and entrepreneur. In anticipation to taking the
bike out for a cruise up the road to this fall's Homecoming, I began surfing the web for Ben Lippen and found this site. What a wonderful idea!

I live in Atlanta in a townhome "on the Hooch." I'm starting up a software consulting and internet products company, and just to prove I still have a rebellious side, I regularly drive my '86 Honda Magna to and from my clients with the laptop strapped on my back or in the saddlebags.

I will not stand on any soap boxes here, buy any of you may feel free to ask me about my personal beliefs any time. During the candlelight service of '89, I hinted at the need for self-reexamination. I succeeded. Rather thoroughly at that. Let's just say, I'm wagering *against* Pascal.

Salutations, as well as insults and donations, gladly accepted at tim.shelling@technologist.com.

Cheers,

tjs

– Signed on Wednesday, September 01, 1999 at 02:35:15 (EDT)

Hi Becky,

Just found out about the BL web page. How do I update?

Thanks
Britt Balkcom 'Class of '86

– Email Address Updated on Friday, May 12, 2006
– Signed on Wednesday, May 26, 1999 at 09:50:41 (EDT)

Hey Everyone

After school I went to Chicago for a while and then did a bit of missionary work in Mexico City. I went to school at Covenant in Chattanooga, TN and then to University of New Orleans. That period was pretty crazy...played in some bands...got the tattoos, drugs, general insane, ego-centric behavior... completely lost touch with God and my own brain, for that matter. I got pretty hopeless, gave up and God really met me when I needed Him.

I became a great deal more focused and took an offer to run clothing company that I had done some sales work for in Chattanooga called Jensen Smith (remember the shotgun jeans --- jeans actually shot with shotguns?) and then moved back to New Orleans when my mom got sick. My dad is now 76 and needed some help with her...she died 2 yrs ago.

I then met Suzanne, my wife, decided to really try to grow up, and jumped into the computer business. I used my French major and other language skills learned at Ben Lippen to take a position as European Director for an American software company... my position was in Paris...fun... I now own part of a computer networking and telephony firm here in New Orleans specializing in Computer Telephony Integration, Call Centers, wide area (VPN-Frame-Wireless Data), and larger cable jobs. We're actually entertaining a few fairly attractive buyout offers... we are holding our breath. Who would have figured me for a computer geek? I'm still scratching my (now hairless) head in disbelief.

All is well. I am still committed to Christ and love my family and work as well. I really miss the days at Ben Lippen. I have become a little less rebellious since then, but I'm still just as goofy. I've been forced to calm down some since the birth of my INCREDIBLY brilliant, charming, and dashing son, Jonathan Noah Brown (we call him Noah). He's 6 months old, and he is really funny. He is the most animated, intelligent, handsome child ever conceived, and will surely be president someday...or some Jonas Salk/Stephen Hawking/Michael Jordan combo. Really... I'm not just being a proud dad.... :)

I haven't really kept in touch with anyone, so please feel free to email me at bigjonbrow@aol.com or jbrown@conn-sol.com

Check out my company site