Homecoming 2006

Driving rain cleared to blue skies by mid-morning providing a beautiful day for Homecoming 2006 celebrations. Highlights of the day included reunions for the Classes of 1966, 1981 and 1996, numerous specialty tents and the Alumni Tailgate (which set a new record of 1,500 attendees). The Society of Alumni extended personal invitations to R-MC students, who were of age, to attend the Alumni Tailgate this year, and offered free barbecue, beverages and all the trimmings for a fun and festive student and alumni networking event. Following the football game, everyone was invited to the post-game party that featured music provided by The Remnants-Rock-n-Soul.

During the annual meeting of the Society of Alumni, the following alumni were elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the coming year: Returning board member: Shelby Clayton Salley ’77; first term members: James Simpson Mathews, Jr. ’96; Eloise Goddin Piccolo ’45; Mary Elizabeth Puccinelli Quist ’94; Carl Ridgeley Schlaich ’78; Scott Muir Stroh III ’92 and Scott Carter Sutton ’87. In addition, Robert Bolling Lambeth Jr. ’71 was elected to fill an unexpired term on the board.

The Society of Alumni presented the Alumni Distinguished Service Award to Robert H. Saunders ’51 and the Young Alumna Service Award to Cristin Bauby Traylor ’97 during the annual meeting.

Additional key events that took place during the week of Homecoming included the Tim Armoska Memorial Golf Tournament at The Crossings Golf Club, the Alumni/Student Career-Networking Reception at Washington and Franklin Hall and the festive Homecoming parade.

The weekend concluded with a special worship service at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church. The Rev. Dwight Zavitz, pastor, and the Rev. Edward Johnson ’00, associate pastor, invited Dr. William T. Franz, interim dean of the college and professor of physics, who preached the sermon titled, “Who Am I and What Am I Doing Here?” In addition, R-MC students of the A. Purnell Bailey Pre-Ministerial Program for Ordained Ministry participated in the service.

Special thanks go to Sue Schick ’84, chair and the entire Homecoming Committee for organizing the weekend’s schedule. To see more photographs from the weekend, please visit the R-MC Alumni Office web site at www.rmc.edu/alumni/.

Robert H. Saunders ’51 Receives Alumni Award

Robert H. Saunders ’51 was presented the Alumni Distinguished Service Award during the Society of Alumni annual meeting. The award recognizes Saunders’ continued contributions of time and resources; his dedication, devotion and support to his alma mater; and his commitment to alumni activities. He is a past president of the Society of Alumni serving from 1993 to 1995 during which time he also served on the college’s Board of Trustees. He served for many years as chair of the Society of Alumni’s Homecoming Committee and as a member of the SOA’s Development Committee. He has served on his class reunion committees, most recently for his 50th Reunion in 2001. He is also a member of the Presidents Society and the R-MC Heritage Society and has always been willing to help the college in the area of student recruitment.

Saunders is a native of Suffolk, Virginia. He attended Virginia Military Institute for his freshman year of college before transferring to Randolph-Macon in 1947. In 1950 he joined the United States Army for a two-year commitment. After serving in the Army, he returned to Randolph-Macon to complete his degree. Saunders graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history but has a fondness for being associated with the Class of 1951 when he began his studies at Randolph-Macon. While attending Randolph-Macon, he was a member of the football team, track team, a brother of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and was a scholarship recipient.

Saunders’ professional life was spent with General Motors Acceptance Corporation where he rose through the ranks to the position of manager and credit supervisor. He retired in 1983 after 30 years of service with the company.

Saunders is a former board member of Westhampton United Methodist Church and has been active with the Masons throughout his life.

Cristin Bauby Traylor ’97 Receives the Young Alumna Service Award

The Young Alumna Service Award was presented to Cristin Bauby Traylor ’97 at the Society of Alumni annual meeting. The Young Alumna Service Award was created in the spring of 2006 and is given to an alumna within ten years of graduation who has demonstrated outstanding service to Randolph-Macon College. Traylor has continued to maintain her active relationship with the college by serving on the Greek Alumni Advisory Committee and the President’s Associates Executive Committee. She has been a Class Agent since 2003, an Annual Fund Volunteer Solicitor and has returned to campus to interact with students during the Sociology department student/alumni Career Symposium.

Traylor graduated from R-MC cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and psychology. In May 2000 she earned her Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, Connecticut.

Traylor was admitted to practice law in Virginia in 2000 and in the District of Columbia in 2001. She is a member of the Richmond Bar Association, the Virginia Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers. She currently is an associate with McGuire Wood’s Commercial Litigation department and focuses on white collar crime and government investigations. Her practice includes work on alleged accounting and prescription fraud, and court-appointed federal criminal appeals. In her free time, Cristin volunteers with several organizations including the SPCA Associate Board, the Free Spirit Horse Rescue Foundation, and the Dooley Noted Society.

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