Term ending December 31, 2020
Cathy Geist Cathy Geist (’96) attended Truett McConnell from 1994-1996, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree. She went on the University of Georgia, graduating in 1998 with a degree in secondary education. Cathy lives in Canton, GA with her husband and two children. She and her husband began SEEK Ministries in 2009, from which sprang Hide and Seek Day Camp.  Cathy has been the executive director since that time. The time spent at Truett McConnell was life changing for her.  The lessons learned and friendships gained are irreplaceable in her life.
Tom Goldston Tom Goldston (’71) is retired from a twenty-five year career at CMH Flooring. He is now employed part-time at All South Flooring.
TMu alum Jesse Norton Jesse Norton (’11) is married with three children. He met his wife at Truett McConnell in 2009 and has been married for 8 years. Jesse is the middle school and assimilation pastor at Concord Baptist Church in Clermont, GA.
Carolyn Whitmire Carolyn Whitmire (’60)

Graduated from Truett McConnell in 1960. I have four children (counting my son’s and daughter’s spouses) and four grandchildren. My wonderful husband of 56 years passed away three years. ago I have been in the same community and church for the past 55 years, and enjoy volunteering in both. Favorite activities include sports, reading and Bible study and I work part-time in a public library near me. TMU (then TMC) had an impact on my life that I have never forgotten and I still cherish many friendships I made more than 60 years ago.

Term ending December 21, 2021
Chris Childs Dr. Chris Childs (’90) attended Truett McConnell from 1988-1991 and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree. He then attended the Medical College of Georgia and graduated in 1995 with a D.M.D. In 1997, Dr. Childs returned to Truett McConnell to restart the women’s soccer program.  He coached for four years, finishing with three 3rd place finishes in GJCAA and a runner-up finish in 2000. He also worked for student development as Residence Director until 2003. As a Gainesville native, Dr. Childs returned to Gainesville in 1995 to open his practice with a focus on restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry.

  • Graduate of The Dawson Center for the Advancement of Dentistry
  • Member of the American Dental Association
  • Named Fellow in the Pierre Fauchard Academy
  • Member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Delegate, Committee Chairman, and named Honorable Fellow of the Georgia Dental Association
  • Past President of the Hall County Dental Society
  • Staff member of Northeast Georgia Medical Center
  • Faculty member at Augusta University (formerly the Medical College of Georgia)
  • Scholar, The Dawson Academy Alumni Association
  • Named Fellow of the American College of Dentist
  • Member of the Hinman Dental Society
  • Member of the International Dental Implant Association
Robin Churchwell Robin Churchwell (’90) attended Truett McConnell from 1988-1990. She lives in Cleveland with her husband, whom she met while at Truett McConnell, and her three boys. Robin is a special education teacher at White County Middle School. She loves how her experience at Truett McConnell changed her life and gave her friendships that have lasted over 30 years, and she appreciates that TMU continues with the  legacy of building experiences for young people that will last a lifetime.
Doug Lawson Douglas P. Lawson, Jr. (’75) cares deeply about people, all people from every imaginable walk of life and especially those who find themselves in difficult and challenging situations. Whether it be in their personal or professional lives, Doug has always dedicated himself to their spiritual, mental, emotional and relational health.

It is a concern that has manifested itself in his educational choices, his career, and his personal interests. Doug attended Truett-McConnell College from 1974 -1975, after graduating from Crisp County High School in Cordele, Georgia, where his dad was the Minister of Music and Youth at First Baptist Church, Cordele. While at Truett McConnell, Doug was an active member of the Baptist Student Union and the Acapella Choir under the direction of Bob Snead. He sees Truett McConnell as being very instrumental and formative in his life and counts his time at the institution as one of the most important times in his life. After transferring from TMC in 1975, Doug graduated from Mercer University with a B.A. in Theology and Psychology. While at Mercer he pastored Shady Grove Baptist Church in Dublin, GA. Upon graduation from Mercer, he earned Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Douglas served as pastor of several churches in Kentucky while in seminary and moved back to Atlanta in 1995 to pastor Parkwood Hills Baptist in Decatur and Twin Oaks Baptist Church in Thomaston and went onto pursue certification individual and family counseling. Never one to shy away from the difficult topics, Doug founded Wellspring Ministries and the GriefPath Center for Grief and Loss.  Douglas has made the big “Ds”: death and divorce center stage in two of his career’s most notable achievements, GriefWalk™ & LifeQuest™ curricula.

In addition to a demanding speaking schedule, Douglas serves as a board member for the nonprofit Urban Youth Media Training Center that helps at risk inner city youth in Atlanta. He has recently worked as a background actor for several studios in Atlanta and has been featured in several episodes of television shows like “The Resident” and “Ozark.” He has also been seen in movies directed by Clint Eastwood and Ron Howard and recently worked on a documentary film for National Geographic based on the life of Aretha Franklin.

But there’s more to Douglas than help for families, ministers, and hurting children and adults. He is also an outstanding and challenging corporate trainer, acclaimed for his excellence as a speaker and resolver of workplace challenges. He has an uncommon ability to cut through all the interpersonal clutter and deliver an empowering, life-altering message with skill and humor. Doug has married for the past 22 years to his beautiful wife, Lorraine Lawson, who is the Facilities Manager at Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He has one daughter, Meagan Whitney Lawson of Nashville, Tennessee.
Jonathan Peacock ’15

 

Term ending December 31, 2022
Mike Anchors Mike Anchors (’60) has had only one job in his career. He has been a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for more than a half century.  During that time, he presented Continuing Education Courses to CPA’s in more than 48 states and was recognized by the Florida and Texas CPA organizations as the Outstanding Presenter for that year.  In his spare time he served as Governor of the Georgia District  of Optimist International, Treasurer of the San Antonio YMCA, Treasurer of the Baptist Children’s Home, President of the Business and Professional Toastmasters’ Club, Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for the Christian School of Castle Hills, Chair of the Finance Committee and Deacon of Mission City Church, and currently is a member of the Executive Committee of the Truett McConnell University Alumni Association.Mike and his wife, Brenda, have two grown children and two adult grandsons.  Some of the activities they have enjoyed include golf, cycling, jogging, traveling, and studying God’s word with Bible Study Fellowship.
TMU alum Amelia Beaudry Amelia Beaudry (’17) grew up in South Georgia and came to Truett McConnell during her junior year. She graduated from TMU with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree and is currently working as a recruiter for Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. She is also the adviser for the Hubmaier School of Theology and Missions. In her spare time, she loves to hang out with friends, drink iced coffee, explore the outdoors, listen to music, and watch TV. She has a passion for missions and a passion for people.
Grace Henson Grace Henson (’19) graduated from TMU in 2019 with a B.S. in Education with a concentration in Middle Grades Math/Science. She currently works at White County Middle School as a seventh grade math teacher and head soccer coach. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, spending time outdoors, and reading.
TMU alum Tim Smith Dr. Tim S. Smith (’82) is on the Church Strengthening Team of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and serves as the Northwest Discipleship Consultant. The focus of his work is partnering with pastors and leaders to strengthening churches in their mission of making disciples that make disciples. He is able to assist churches with their Sunday School, small groups, discipleship as well as men’s ministry, singles, and other church administration areas. Each year, he works with hundreds of churches, associations, and other state conventions.

Prior to his current position with the GBMB he served the lead state missionary for Groups & Faith Development, specialist for Sunday School & Small Groups, team coordinator/leader for Sunday School & Open Groups, and consultant for Bible Study Ministries.  Dr. Smith has been with the GBMB since 1999.

Before coming to the GBMB, he served the following churches: Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, First Baptist Church in Dallas, Wake Crossroads Baptist Church in Raleigh, Bowdon Baptist Church in Bowdon, Midway Church in Villa Rica, First Baptist Church in Douglasville, New Holland Baptist Church in Gainesville, and Glen Forest Baptist Church in Mableton.

Dr. Smith earned his Doctorate of Ministry degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.  He received a Master of Divinity with Christian Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.  He earned a degree of Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia; and from Truett McConnell, he received an Associate of Arts degree in Religious Studies.

He has authored, co-authored or contributed to several resources including; Lead Your Group, Bringing LIFE to Adult Sunday School, Basics of Preschool/Children/Youth and Adult Sunday School series, Sunday School that Really Excels: Real Life Examples of Churches with Healthy Sunday Schools, Be a Catalyst: Start New Groups, The Sunday School Leadership Course, Training Your Sunday School Leaders, The Power of 10, Key Strategies of a Healthy Sunday School, Coaching a Winning Team, Evangelism through the Sunday School, and Training the Adult Sunday School Class Leadership Team.

He is a native of Georgia.  Tim and his wife Cathy live in White, Georgia.  They have adult two children and two grandchildren.
alumni officer Margie Webb Margie Webb (’60) graduated Truett McConnell College with a business degree in 1961. She met Jim Webb in 1960 at TMU, and they married in 1962. They had been married almost 54 years when Jim passed away in 2016. Margie has two daughters, one of which graduated from Truett McConnell, and ten grandchildren. She was a stay at home mom for 15 years before working with, and eventually retiring from, Cobb County Schools. She and Jim moved home to Gainesville in 2004 where lives today.

Some of Margie’s accomplishments and activities include: serving for several years as PTA President; serving several terms on TMU Alumni Executive Board; awarded Alumnus of the year; chairing of Truett McConnell Hall County Chapter Committee (formed 2019); Church WMU Director; College Career Director; Sunday school and church training/missions groups; senior adult director, choir member, and member of various church committees.