The Duck Pond Wall: Recent Episodes
WEHC
Emory & Henry's duck pond wall has been a gathering place for conversation for years. So it's only fitting that alumni would return to the wall to share stories of success, love, and laughter.
Bishop Richard Looney has spent his entire career in the United Methodist Church. He grew up as a "preacher's kid," studied at E&H, Candler, and even in Edinburgh. And in this interview he shares some surprising and wonderful memories as he gets ready to celebrate his 70th graduation anniversary.
Brent Treash has been part of Bristol Rhythm & Roots for 17 years so he is just the person to offer us advice on how to make the best of this beloved festival.
Listen in as Leola Griffin discusses her passion for birds and the new bird festival in Saltville she's helping organize!
It sounds like the makings of a great novel: a 4th-grade school teacher for 9 months of the year, but in the summer you'll find him in the jungles of Belize working to save jaguars.
But for Stephen Michaluk it's a true story! Find out how he ended up wielding a machete, battling bug bites, and swimming in humidity -- all for the support of conservation and reserach.
Caroline went to Emory & Henry to learn theatre...but something made her walk away from that notion and she really thought that dream was over and done. But all that changed recently and now she's a professional actor starring in a movie she's producing herself! Listen in to find out about the meaningful move back to her dream.
Bobby Justus has a difficult job as director of the Washington County (VA) Animal Shelter, but he has a soft heart for the animals he comes in contact with. He also has some advice about some big challenges in the county.
While vacationing, Stan and Sharon noticed many of the places they visited had great kids books with a simple, sweet story that also taught about the flora and fauna of the community. Noting that they had never seen anything like that about the animals in Appalachia, they have set out to create a beautiful library of children's books that help kids and adults better understand the natural world.
Alan Hardwick has a fascinating and true story to tell of an elderly man who takes a treacherous journey to return his wife's ashes to Japan. In Mia's Wake will be available by June 15 at Barnes and Noble, the Book Cellar, Wolf Hills Coffee, and the Abingdon Commons.
Is it cake? Only Julie McAllister knows for sure! She was recently one of the hot-shot bakers featured on Netflix's hit show "Is It Cake?" and that is just one of the amazing opportunities she has had since becoming one of the country's most sought-after bakers. Listen in as she talks about how she taught herself to whip up the amazing creations of Julie McAllister Cakes.
Jamelyn Gillespie has found a way to combine her love of science with her compassion for people -- and she has just opened a new massage therapy clinic in Marion, Virginia, where we can benefit from that winning combination.
Dana Johnson is teaching 1,500 miles away from where she grew up -- but she feels right at home.
Danville, Virginia is getting quite the renovation. And Austin Bunn is one of the people behind all the hard work of revitalizing old buildings for exciting new businesses!
What happens when Dungeons and Dragons meets outer space? That's the question Christina Mitchell posed as she developed a new adventure for table-top role playing fans. Learn more about The Lost Universe and how she convinced NASA to play the game.
Two Emory & Henry students are headed to Copey, Costa Rica soon, and they are both ready for the adventure...but in very different ways! Get to know Camden Jones and Katelyn Sierkerka.
Stacy has a new novel hitting the shelves in October of 2024. The Crescent Moon Tearoom has been chosen as Atria publishing's favorite book for the fall season. Enjoy a sparkling conversation with the author.
Major Warner had a Kindergarten teacher who told him he was going to be special in this world. These days, as Superintendent of Fauquier Public Schools, he tries to give that same encouragement to the kids in his district. Don't miss this insightful and touching conversation.
Colin has graduated from law school at Berkely and he's now a Presidential Management Fellow in the Whitehouse -- but he feels his best accomplishment might be the lessons he's learning about how to serve others.
Amanda Gray is a tourism specialist who is excited to be back in her old stomping grounds promoting the region of Southern Virginia as a perfect place to visit on your next vacation!
Do you love feel-good stories? Then you'll love hearing about how Susan and her neighbors fought back against the odds and saved the little community of Richwood, West Virginia!
Ed Morgan has been a public service for most all of his life...and he's taking those skills to a new level as director of the College for Older Adults (COA) in Abingdon, Virginia.
Caroline Mosteller is a residence director for a building so large it houses almost as many people as the on-campus student body from her E&H days!
Garrett Butler is using his career to serve his community -- by creating amazing sports events for student athletes!
Fresh off the news of a major award honoring his research, Corey Davis reveals that the secret to much of his success as a scientist was his time spent with the E&H English Department.
Dr. Will Gibbons is the Dean of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, and he has been doing some fascinating scholarly work on the connection between classical music and video games.
Ariel literally accepted her Emory & Henry diploma then drove straight to North Carolina where she kicked off her post-student acting career. Listen in with Ariel to find out how she likes being a professional actor.
Jess didn't realize she was destined to be an outdoor adventure leader for teenagers, but she's enjoying every hiking, paddling, climbing, splashing minute of it!
Amy Lemco Jaramillo has just published a book about the fascinating story behind Dr. Gilbert Mason: the physician in Biloxi who let the work to desegregate the public beaches there. The title of the book is "Wading In: Desegregation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast."
David Cahill started in the banking industry before he even graduated. And he has a strong personal commitment to community service. Get to know an inspirational young professional.
She's a graphic artist who is using her design skills to create delicious and beautiful cakes. Enjoy a fun conversation with Terica West as she divulges her secret weapon in making great baked goods.
Eric Young wants the new mural in Tazewell to inspire children to be their best. It's a mural that is bold, and bright, and tells a broader story of Southwest Virginia. And Eric's leadership is one of the reasons this great piece of art has come to life.
Noah Dean finds himself in a rare position of protecting rare properties: in particular, land that includes a wetland. Learn more about the importance of wetlands, and find out about the cool work Noah is doing.
Paul Russo was always planning to be a basketball coach -- and now he finds himself coaching doctors in the operating room.
Victor is a professional actor turned school psychologist who has just authored his first children's book! "Gilroy's Good Heart" is available on Nov. 3, 2023.
Dr. Winger and Dr. Clark have written a book together that will help us all better understand the confusing world of data. What can we trust? What is trying to confuse us? What are the standards by which we can judge all this data we read about?? Aris and Kyle have a recipe for success!
Fresh out of college and already covering the news! We check in with Madi to see if this exciting world of news reporting is all she thought it would be!
There was a moment in Adam Parks' life where he realized he didn't look as healthy as his classmates in high school. Fast-forward to today, and he is a personal trainer and health consultant helping others live a healthier lifestyle. This is an interesting story of his journey that also includes some tips on making improvements for ourselves.
Jimmy Wilmouth had his sites set on being a medical doctor -- until he fell in love with research. Listen in to find out how he landed at a cutting edge research facility in London!
Cornelious, or "Corn" as he likes to be called, is doing an internship in the E&H Alumni Office in the fall of 2023. He'll be graduating in December -- and we hope you'll get to know him before he leaves campus. Listen in for some insights from this astute young man.
Lauren Rhea is doing wonderful work to support and strengthen her community in SWVA...but she's simultaneously pursuing a degree from Harvard. Listen in to find out the surprising research path she's on!
Bill Williams has just concluded a term as president of the Virginia Society of Ornithology, and the VSO is getting ready to celebrate a 100th anniversary! Listen in as he tells us about the organization and how to get in on their upcoming birding events!
Carolee recently had a big life experience: she's had a double lung transplant. Listen in as she tells a fascinating story of what brought her to that moment and how she was back on the hiking trails as soon as she left the hospital.
The Friends of Copey organization has just celebrated a 10th anniversary -- and it is a great time to reflect on what it has meant to connect this beautiful town in Costa Rica with this beautiful campus of Emory & Henry.
Our summer alumni college is celebrating a 30th anniversary this year, and Ann and Patty have been to nearly every event! They talk a little about why this lifelong learning event is still going strong.
Confused about what's going on the United Methodist Church these days? Rev. Moody helps us sort it out.
Ernie Braganza ('87) and Karen Moore ('85) have just returned from a student/alumni trip to Cuba and they agreed to talk with us about some of their impressions. At the end you'll hear a discussion of a Tocororo...check out a photo of this beautiful bird!
Would you believe that arguing with his mom led to Spencer Mathis becoming a lawyer? Let's just say that even she was impressed with his skills at thinking fast and talking well!
This week's podcast is a little bit of history...with two very fine story tellers! They share a family story, but I bet most of you have encountered an iconic little landmark that recalls this tale.
As Emory & Henry adds lacrosse to the athletics line-up, we thought it might be fun to tell the story of how lacrosse first made an appearance at E&H -- waaaaay back in the '70s! This is a fun conversation with some of the guys who were there!
Josh Mancuso describes himself as an actor, comedian, and filmmaker. But it might be more precise to say he's a professional smack-talker!
Missy Jones recently bought the store she has worked in since she was 15 years old! Find out how a mass comm and history double major is using her academic background at Wicked Thrift.
Alex Elkins wants us to know a new word: decarceration. She's working on an MSW, and she's getting the chance to work in a program that is the first in the country to offer alternatives to felony incarceration.
Adam Bolt is a singer/songwriter with a new live album coming out in 2023. His songs reflect his life -- and lately the songs have been especially good.
Brooklyn Belk is the first EVER Deputy Chief of Professional Standards for the Knoxville Police Department. Listen to find out how she's approaching this opportunity.
Emily Jones is a Park Ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, serving at John Kerr Reservoir (also known as Bugg's Island Lake). She's doing great work as an interpreter, educator, volunteer coordinator, safety trainer -- and she is excited about learning something new all the time!
David Graybeal has written a book called Faith in the West Wing about issues of religion and faith in the television show West Wing. David is a professed "Wing Nut" -- and as a United Methodist pastor, he's also a big fan of faith!
Hobnobbing with Opera and Gwyneth Paltrow and Barack Obama is just part of a day's work for Chris Epperly. Listen in to find out how he stays calm while organizing enormous events for big clients.
It was almost the Peddling Goat; but Peddling Jack's is the name that won out for Derek and Anna's hip new downtown Abingdon specialty store. Listen in to find out just how many E&H friends have part of this very cool business venture.
Mike says he's always been a little crazy: and that's a trait that has proven useful as he has just revived a turn-of-the-century country store in Blackwell Chapel. Spoiler alert: the business is going gangbusters!
Shew Properties is a real estate company, but Monica and Daniel Shew have the community's best interest at heart. They even have a mission statement!
While Jeff was in the Air Force, he got to hobnob with some dignitaries at Andrews AFB. Want to hear some fun stories about the rich and famous?
Amelia Terry is a Bonner Scholar student at Emory & Henry and her Bonner project is an innovative program called C.H.A.T.S. Listen to learn more about this program aimed at improving communication and listening skills for community members.
Nancy Bolmeier Fisher co-founded The Origin Project (TOP) with Adriana Trigiani. This meaningful writing program for grade-school students encourages kids to ask questions about their family stories, and then write their own personal story. Their fearless leader who works hours to make the TOP program run like a top, is E&H alumna, Linda Neff Woodward.
Bonnie is an Emmy-winning member of the 7News team in Washington D.C., but she is as well known for her work in the community as she is for her work in the newsroom.
Bonnie is an Emmy-winning member of the 7News team in Washington D.C., but she is as well known for her work in the community as she is for her work in the newsroom.
Law school during the pandemic was a challenge -- but realizing what a law degree could do for the great good was worth all the work.
Stephanie Edwards Compton is part cancer researcher, part nutritionist, and part social media star!
Mollie Rorrer Gore is the Corporate Communications and External Affairs director for Santee Cooper Power based in Monks Corner, South Carolina. And she is filled with hope about what energy will look like as we move forward in this world!
Brian Serway is an artist himself -- but his new business venture shines a spotlight on other artists in the region who create what he calls "neo-Appalachian" art. And it's so cool, it'll make you want to holler. Check out his new gallery called https://hollerhousebristol.com/ (HOLLERHOUSE).
It's hard to pin down exactly what Cristin Colvin does: musician, composer, vocalist, director? It's not easy to contain this much talent into a single word!
Donald Thurston is living a life of promise: and he's setting a great example for young people to follow.
Unfortunately, Gail Weaver Norwood knows about grief. But her experiences have led her to record some observations and advice for all those who will make that journey. Her book is "Escape from Grief Prison: A Story of Love, Loss, and Healing," and you won't want to miss this conversation about some of the lessons she has learned.
There's a big Labor Day event coming up in Saltville -- but this is a small town with an eye on a future that's even farther down the road. And they are promising to do it with an eye on nature.
Kelli Landreth is a traveling occupational therapist, and she says it's the greatest profession in the world.
Matt is a partner in his own law firm, Bowen Ten Long and Bal, but he has some great advice about how to find other good lawyers!
Chanel Burke Santiago is working with U.S. Military Veterans who find themselves in need of mental health counseling. The work is not only rewarding, but also intensely personal for this Iraq war veteran.
Rachel Edwards is lending her voice to a new career -- literally! Listen in as we hear about her work for Audible.
Not only does Asia have interesting insights on the funeral business, but she also has some stellar advice about living!
Dave Charlton says he's retired, but he's working awfully hard for an exciting community project. You might say he's putting his heart and soul into https://bountyandsoul.org/ (Bounty and Sou)l.
Avery is a Smyth County, Virginia native who has his eye set on an opera career -- and he just got a foot in the door!
Rev. Spiegel has just been named the bishop-elect for the diocese of Utah in the Episcopal Church...and she is ready to do some exciting work.
Hannah is an assistant editor for Harper Collins, a fan of Tolkien, and freelance writer, and a bit of a philosopher!
Dr. Will Bodfish is on the faculty at the E&H School of Health Sciences...and he's on a mission to help us catch up with SHS alumni!
Cody's drone footage just landed him national attention on NBC's "America's Song Contest." Don't you wonder what's next for this energetic entrepreneur?
You simply can't put Megan Bost in a box: she's part attorney, part equestrian, and all impressive!
Emaly is a living history interpreter -- and a TikTok star with a shocking number of viewers!
Thuy is a Vietnam war refugee and has an amazing story to tell. Her book, https://www.malaprops.com/search/site/last%20surviving%20child (Last Surviving Child), is a memoir about her experiences. This conversation with Thuy was so touching and so inspiring that it was really difficult to edit out the parts that took us past our 30-minute slot on WEHC. So this version is a bit extended...and includes some great moments about her family and her projects that we had to edit for the on-air version.
How did a geography and history major end up as an award-winning author of fantasy and young adult novels? And why is the newest one of particular interest to E&H folks? Listen in to find out!
Mary is taking her art talents into a new venture -- an art studio aimed at giving kids the freedom to create!
As a 2020 graduate, Victory has had more than his share of curve balls thrown at him. But this young professional has figured out how to knock it out of the park.
Alex Versen is the assistant director of the E&H Outdoor Program -- and he says outdoor activities follow a person long past graduation.
Jonathan is the Artistic Director for the Texas Boys Choir; so in addition to a fun conversation, get ready for some beautiful music.
Virginia Energy is the name you'll want to remember -- but that new short title has a lot packed into it!
Stacie Woolard is a cancer researcher at St. Jude Hospital. And she loves getting to meet the kids who benefit from the work she's doing.
Before you complain about the chilly, consider where Natalie Bright Graham is hanging out these days...it's very very chilly in Alaska.
Lisa is a four-time teacher of the year at Ross N. Robinson Middle School. She's seen a thing or two.
Erica Drake-McGregor is a urology nurse in Memphis -- and she has some simple and good advice for all of us!
He's a nuclear engineer. He's a magician. He's both! And he's headed off to the Magic World Championship in 2022.
Andrew tells us all about the brand new Bob Johnson Classic Basketball Showcase featuring 10 high school teams -- each one coached by an E&H alum.
Erika Wright, E&H Class of 2011, talks with us about her family traditions in the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Tribe -- one of Virginia's indigenous Native American tribes.
In our first ever LIVE show, The Duck Pond Wall guest was Jeff Link, Emory & Henry Class of 1971. A retired Air Force Colonel living in Waipahu, Hawaii, Jeff had just returned home after visiting campus for his 50th Anniversary Class Reunion, where he got to walkaround campus and reminisce about his days as a DJ for the E&H campus radio station (WLRC). Ivy Sheppard served as co-host and engineer as we played some of Jeff's favorite tunes from the late 1960s and asked him about his student days during the Vietnam era, life as a DJ on AM radio, and why Emory & Henry people get so excited about the Mama's and Papa's version of Dancin' in the Streets.