Truett McConnell University Alumni Association Executive Committee

Tate Gaines (’17), President

Tate Gaines graduated from TMU in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. He was a student-athlete on campus, playing for our baseball team all four years of his undergraduate program. Tate now resides in Covington with his wife, Meghann (his high school sweetheart), and their two daughters, Maggie and Payton. He is currently the Vice President of Knight and Gaines Insurance Group while partnering with his wife to operate their vacation rental property management and online sales businesses. Tate serves in his local church;’s men’s groups, participates in multiple leadership and mentorship organizations, and enjoys golf, the Atlanta Braves, and following college football. He is an avid reader and enjoys traveling with his family.

Sarah Newton (’21), Vice President

Sarah Newton graduated from TMU in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. She currently serves as the Academic Program Specialist in the Pilgram Marpeck School of STEM and is the Head Coach of Women’s Lacrosse. Sarah is completing her Master’s degree in Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science at Auburn University, with graduation set for December. She has been married to her husband Aaron for three years, and they are expecting their first child in May 2025. Sarah also enjoys volunteering with Habersham FFA Alumni and spending time with her family.

Maggie Smart (’24), Secretary

Maggie Smart graduated from Truett McConnell University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. She now works  as a 9th grade ELA teacher at Berrien High School. Maggie was very involved in Student Life during her time at TMU, and was the student worker for the Alumni department for 2 years. She loves anything to do with Georgia football and a good Diet Coke!

Glenn Jones (’73), Treasurer

Glenn Jones graduated from Truett McConnell College in 1973 with an Associate of Arts degree, continuing his education at Valdosta State College, where he earned a B.A. in 1975, an M.A. in 1976, and an M.Ed. in 1977. In 1993, he furthered his expertise with an Ed.S. from the University of Georgia. Glenn dedicated over 30 years to education, serving in the Habersham County School system from 1977 until his retirement in 2008. Throughout his career, he contributed to the growth and development of countless students, leaving a lasting legacy in the Habersham County community.

Preston Bowen (’12)

I am a lifelong resident of Cleveland, GA. I attended White Creek Christian Academy, which was founded and operated by my grandparents, Garvis and Judy Kinsey. My grandfather worked in the financial aid department at Truett-McConnell for over 30 years while also serving as headmaster of WCCA, making Truett a part of my life from a very early age. Upon graduation from high school in 2010, I was blessed to be able to attend Truett-McConnell where I would pursue a business degree with a concentration in sports management. In 2013 I was presented with an opportunity to become part owner of a restaurant. As Co-founder and CFO, we have been operating as Midtown Grill for 11 years, specializing in unique burger combinations. We are located in Cornelia, GA and have been thankful for the support of the community. My wife Hannah and I were married in 2014 and have been blessed with 2 boys, Grayson (8) and Ezra (4). We are members of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Cornelia.

Amy Willis Clegg (’91)

Jaye Copeland (’77)

Vicki Doud (’75)

Garrett Erath (’14)

Garrett was born and raised in Georgia and enrolled at Truett-McConnell after being led to pursue business and ministry in high school. He is married to Grace, who also attended TMU at the same time, and they have 4 beautiful children together. They spend their free time with the family outdoors and traveling to US National Parks. Garrett started Exodus Design Build with his freshman roommate, Brad Scarberry, where he works with the team as visionary and head of new construction. The Erath family are active members of Emmaus Church in Buford, where they have been members since they graduated college in the summer of 2014.

Andrea Gray (’88)

Andrea Gray, an 1988 alumna of Truett McConnell, went on to earn her degree in Education from Mercer University and later a Master’s in Education from the University of Georgia. She has enjoyed a fulfilling career in teaching, having served in schools across Rockdale County, Georgia; Mansfield, Texas; and Fayette County, Georgia. Andrea married Johnathan Gray, the brother of a dear friend and fellow Truett alum. Johnathan has dedicated his life to ministry, formerly serving as a pastor and now as President of the Georgia Baptist Foundation.

Together, they have four children who continue the family’s legacy of faith and service. Myra Ashley, married to Levi Woodard, is a Truett McConnell graduate living in Portland, Maine, where she works in refugee ministry as an English Program Coordinator and serves as a lay leader in a young church. Emilyn, a recent graduate of Mississippi College, is now the Digital Content Coordinator for Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, Mississippi. Ellie is currently a junior at the University of Alabama, studying business, while Landon is a senior at Bremen High School.

Truett McConnell holds a special place in Andrea’s heart, with the Folsom Fountain named in honor of her father, who began a legacy of family members attending TMU. The university’s impact continues to inspire her family, who serve in various ministries and communities across the country.

Hyatt Hendrix (’21)

Hyatt Hendrix graduated Truett McConnell University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in December of 2020. He is currently employed as a Portfolio Specialist at United Community Bank. He spent three years employed at TMU, serving in the campus mailroom. Hyatt met his wife, Gideon, at TMU and the couple has been married been since 2021. He is a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan and loves all things related to Disney history.

Maria Kayondo (’19 & ’21)

I grew up in Uganda -Africa and moved to the U.S right before my 16th birthday. I came to TMU in 2015 and graduated nursing school in 2019 and worked through the pandemic as an oncology nurse. In 2020 the Lord called me back to TMU to pursue my master’s degree in counseling and mental health which I used in the Georgia prison system. Over the last few years, I have come to the know the Lord as my savior, been to over eight different countries on medical mission trips and seen so many lost people come to know Jesus through the Holy Spirit and my calling as a nurse. Because of how TMU changed my life, I started a ministry on TMU campus for specifically nursing students called maranatha – which means come lord Jesus. We just celebrated 3 years of this ministry blessing TMU junior and senior nursing students through Bible studies and worship nights.

Brad Scarberry (’16)

Brad was born in Duluth, MN but claims Georgia as “home.” Residing in Georgia for 15 years, he attended Mill Creek High School then graduated from Truett McConnell University earning his Bachelor’s in Business. After graduating, Brad and Garrett gave life to their passion for woodworking and dreams of business and co-founded e36 Creations (as of recent re-branded to Exodus Design Build). While Brad serves in a little bit of every area at Exodus, he provides point leadership to sales and marketing teams. With his forté being problem-solving, this role fits him perfectly as he is able to efficiently come up with resolutions while remaining level-headed and people-oriented. His dreamer’s heart and creative mind make him an invaluable asset to the team. Brad just celebrated his ten year anniversary with his wife, Bricey, and together they have four lively children. Outside of work, he enjoys vacationing with his family, golfing, boating, and on Saturday mornings watching College Game Day.

Barry Thompson (’73)

Dr. Barry W. Thompson, a native of Lithia Springs in Douglas County, Georgia, now resides in Carrollton, Georgia, with his wife and ministry partner, Kay Thompson. His educational journey began at Truett McConnell College (now University) in Cleveland, GA, followed by Mercer University’s Atlanta campus and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Dr. Thompson currently serves as Pastor of Care, Prayer, and Connections at Midway Church in Carroll County, GA. His previous ministry roles include serving at FBC Decatur in Alabama, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Sandy Springs, New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Dunwoody Baptist in Dunwoody, MacArthur Blvd Baptist Church in Irving, TX, and Brookhaven Baptist Church in Atlanta.

In addition to his pastoral roles, Dr. Thompson has served in various leadership capacities. He was a member of the Truett McConnell University Board of Trustees for 15 years, including three years as chairman, and the Board of Visitors at Truett McConnell for nine years. He also served eight years on the Board of Trustees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His academic contributions include teaching as an adjunct professor of Leadership and Discipleship at New Orleans Seminary College in Marietta, GA, for two years. Dr. Thompson is also a growth consultant, specializing in organizational development, staff training, and building growth for evangelical churches and organizations.

Michael Tull (’75)

Margie Webb (’60)

I am a lifelong resident of Cleveland, Georgia, with deep family ties to Truett McConnell University and the community. My journey began at White Creek Christian Academy, a school founded and operated by my grandparents, Garvis and Judy Kinsey. For over 30 years, my grandfather served in the financial aid department at Truett while also leading WCCA, making Truett an integral part of my life from an early age. After graduating high school in 2010, I was blessed to attend Truett McConnell, where I pursued a degree in business with a concentration in sports management. My time at Truett was transformative, not only in academics but also in discovering my path and purpose, thanks to the influence of supportive faculty and mentors who embodied Christlike values.

In 2013, I was presented with an exciting opportunity to co-found and become the CFO of Midtown Grill, a restaurant in Cornelia, Georgia. For over a decade, we’ve specialized in unique, creative burger combinations, earning the loyalty and support of the Cornelia community. Midtown Grill has grown beyond a business; it has become a hub for connecting with friends and family over good food. In 2014, I married my wonderful wife, Hannah, and together we have been blessed with two sons, Grayson (8) and Ezra (4). We are active members of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Cornelia, where our faith continues to guide and strengthen our family. Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the ways Truett McConnell and the Cleveland community have shaped me, and I’m excited to see TMU continue to impact lives through Christian education.