Passing of parent and College staff member, Lance Ott

The Austin College community is saddened by the death of Lance Ott, office coordinator in Adams Center. Lance died Saturday, October 17, in an automobile accident. Obituary information and details regarding services will be posted as available on the Austin College Web site.

College Mourns Loss of J. Forrest Bryant

Longtime Austin College faculty member, associate dean, and registrar J. Forrest Bryant, 97, died October 16 in Sherman. A 1941 graduate of the College, he returned in a professional capacity in 1948 and remained until his retirement in 1977. Further details about his Austin College career and funeral arrangements will be posted as available on the Austin College Web page.

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Remembering Dick ...

The Austin College community recieved word of the sudden death of Professor Emeritus Carl Richard "Dick" Neidhardt on Saturday, August 22.

Dr. Neidhardt joined the faculty at Austin College in 1967, where he was professor and Art Department chair for the next 19 years. He was honored with a Danforth Grant for advanced research, a Cullen Grant for research in Egypt, and Richardson Research Grants in southern France and Greece.

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Remembering Ed ...

One of Austin College’s most honored professors, Edward Hake Phillips, passed away August 15 after complications caused by a recent fall.

Dr. Phillips, who earned his Ph.D. at Harvard, taught at Rice University before joining the Austin College history faculty in 1959 after being recruited by Dr. John D. Moseley. Phillips went on to be one of the leaders in creating a new curriculum and a stronger liberal arts program. “I took a cut in pay and an increased teaching load because I shared Dr. Moseley’s vision,” he remembered.

Remembering Marsha ...

The Austin College community was saddened to learn of the sudden death of Marsha K. Gathron at a local area hospital on Tuesday, August 4.

Dr. Gathron, who made her home in Colbert, Oklahoma, had been a member of the Austin College education faculty for 12 years, and was a beloved colleague and teacher.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Ernest Gathron, Jr.

A memorial service, led by Austin College Chaplain Dr. John Williams, is scheduled for Thursday, August 13 at 6 p.m. in Wynne Chapel on the Austin College campus.

Remembering Tom ...

The Austin College community mourns the loss of Tom Baker, professor of education, who died Monday, June 29, of a fatal heart attack. He was on vacation in Estes Park, Colorado, at the time of his first mild heart attack over the weekend, and died after a second attack Monday evening.

Baker joined the Austin College faculty in 1975. Tom and his wife, Connie, lived in Sherman. The couple has two children, daughter Jennifer, a 1994 Austin College graduate, and son Chris.

Please share your memories and condolences.

John D. Moseley dies at 93

Innovative president of Austin College from 1953-1978

The Austin College community and higher education have lost a pioneering leader, spirited advocate, and good friend to many in the death of John D. Moseley, president emeritus of Austin College.
President of Austin College from 1953-1978, Dr. Moseley was responsible for tremendous growth at the College in the 1950s and for the school’s innovative curriculum initiated in the 1960s and 1970s. Also a lifelong leader in the Presbyterian Church, Moseley died Wednesday, March 11, at the age of ­­93.

Press Release

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Family visitation will be at the Moseley home in Sherman Friday, March 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, in Wynne Chapel at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made the John D. Moseley Alumni Scholarship Fund at Austin College or to the memorial fund at Covenant Presbyterian Church of Sherman.

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Remembering Shellene ...

Austin College mourns the loss of Shellene Kelley, associate professor of computer science, who died Monday, March 2, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Shellene joined the Austin College faculty in 2001 after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Wichita State University in Kansas. She previously had served as vice president of technology for Corporate Lodging Consultants and worked for several years with Cargill, Inc., and SeaArk Marine, Inc.

Shellene and her husband, Don, lived in Pottsboro, Texas.

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Remembering Zach

On February 9, Zachary Swirczynski, a sophomore from Muenster, Texas, collapsed while playing a game of pick-up basketball with his football teammates at the Williams Intramural Complex. After being rushed by ambulance to Wilson N. Jones Hospital, Zachary was eventually pronounced dead. The cause is currently unknown and will be investigated by a medical examiner over the coming weeks.

Head Football Coach Ronnie Gage described Zachary as well-liked and always in a good mood, and regarded by fellow players as a wonderful teammate who was a strong competitor with a passion for life.

Please share your memories!