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Alumni Archives

Alumni Success Stories

Ronona Twyman Jones '95

My name is Ronona (Twyman) Jones. I graduated from Swcc in Spring of 1995. My husband is also an alumnus, Jesse Maurice Jones (’98). We have five children: Jada 8, Myles 5, twin boys Jalen & Joshua 4 and Nadia 1. We currently reside in Lancaster, Texas, and attend Mountain View Church of Christ, where my husband serves as the Assistant Minister. I have been employed with AT&T (formerly SBC) for the past 6 years. Recently I have ventured into entrepreneurship. My business is Homemade Gourmet. Check out my website: www.homemadegourmet.com.

My community service includes being a member of the AT&T Pioneers. These community minded individuals participate in the activities that include disaster assistance, literacy, park cleanups, food distribution to the needy and special athletic competitions for the physically challenged. I am also a member of the Dallas Black Academy of Art and Letters, a nonprofit organization working to stimulate, preserve and promote the work of African Americans in the fine, literary and performing arts. Within the Mountain View congregation, I have worked as a bible class teacher, on various committees, in the chorus and served as an active role in the Hurricane Katrina Relief.

During my years at SwCC, I was in the Acapella Chorus, Freshmen Ensemble, Summer Tour 94-95, Mu Alpha Nu, Drama Club and worked in the Alumni Office. I am forever grateful to my Alma Mater. I love you Southwestern!

Years at SwCC: 1993-1995

Education after SwCC: Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Management Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts

SwCC Roommate: Carole (Burnett) Hamilton, Derneeka (Childers) Clark, Keara White, & Stephanie (Coleman) Stewart

Classmates with whom I keep in touch: Carole (Burnett) Hamilton, Jamell Hamilton, Andre Thompson, James Cruthird, Shelena Jones, Monica Brooks, Suporia Archie, Victor Adams and more….

Funniest memory at SwCC: The guys from JS Winston Hall snuck in Mary Carpenter Hall and tied all of the girls’ doors together so that we couldn’t get out of our rooms. We finally opened it, looked down the hall and saw that every doorknob was tied to another doorknob with rope! That was a classic. Pure genius.

What I treasure most about my experience at SwCC: Being a part of the world-renowned SwCC A Capella Chorus under the direction of the great Veronica E. Williams is an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life. I was blessed to be in the last chorus of her era. It was through her collegiate standards and professionalism that I have such a greater appreciation of music. I consider the chorus to be the core of my SwCC experience and because of it and Veronica E. Williams, I would do it 100 times over.

Abraham Chambers III '99

My name is Abraham Chambers III, but I usually go by Abe. I was born to Abraham and Elva Chambers on September 21, 1978 in Vicenza, Italy. I have six siblings and their names are Kim, Celina, Seydia, Hope, David, and the youngest of the family is Renee. I am the second youngest. Once my father retired from the military we moved to Lubbock, Texas, and have been here ever since. I graduated from high school in 1997. The following fall semester I enrolled at Southwestern Christian College. I finished in May '99. I then transferred to Harding University where I received my B.A. in Christian Ed.

When I graduated from Harding in 2002 I took the opportunity of evangelizing in Italy for two years. My first year I lived in Florence and my last year I relocated to Rome. It was a great experience. I am now back in the states (in Lubbock) where I am pursuing life in the Air Force just as my father did. In the meantime I am happily serving the Lord at Parkway Drive Church of Christ, teaching the college class. My ultimate goal is to serve in the Air Force and to continue my degree in Bible. I enjoy teaching the Word of God. Seeing how the Truth opens the eyes of people is something I never get tired of witnessing.

Years at SwCC:1997-99

Education after SwCC: Harding University

SwCC Roommate: Justin Houston

Classmates with whom I keep in touch: Marcus and Tracy Thomas, Justin Houston, Darrell Winrow, Chris Edmerson, Gerald Burnett, and C.J. Holt. I’d also like to keep in touch with Vernon Cathey but he’s hard to find.

Funniest memory at SwCC: C.J. Holt and Maurice Thomas were involved, but I’ll just leave it at that.

What I treasure most about my experience at SwCC: SwCC taught me how to appreciate myself as a Christian. This is where my foundation started and I will always be grateful for that. I also treasure the permanent friendships that I have made.

One more thing: I'm single and I have no children.

Aaron Ray Sayles Sr. ‘ 70

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Aaron now resides in Mesa, Arizona. After Southwestern, he attended Oklahoma Christian University receiving a B.S. and later received a M.S. degree from The University of Phoenix. As a single parent, he has raised his now grown son and namesake, Aaron Ray Sayles, II, since he was 7 years old.

I am an active member of the Phoenix Big Brother Organization where he has been matched with my little brother Alex for the last five years. He is also a Board member of the Girls Ranch of Arizona and the Mesa, Arizona YMCA. He enjoys working with young people and currently serves as the Youth Minister f or the Tonto Street church of Christ.

Aaron is employed at Intel as an Operations Manager. In 2002, Aaron received the Distinguished Alumni Award from SwCC.

Years at SwCC: 1969-1970

SwCC Roommate: Terrell Williams

SwCC Classmates and Friends with whom I keep in touch: Everybody! Terrell Williams, Aldine & Betty (Cowan) Cloud, Glynda Mayo Hall, Barbara Moore Fluellen, Hope Cook Holt, Richard Burnett, Harold & Willie Rufus Burnett, Bruce & Shirley (Meadows) Maxwell, Diana Potts Robinson, Bernadette Scott Threets, Bertell Berry, William McKinney, Camilla Gibbs Woods, and Carlton Holt, to name a few!

Funniest memory at SwCC: 1970- About 10 of the guys lived in the house on the campus located this side of the railroad tracks. One of our classmates would always ask his roommates if he could have some of their food, but would never share any of his snacks. His roommates decided to play a joke on him and bought a can of dog food to make sandwiches. When he came home, he asked for food as usual. As he ate, they all began barking! The names are withheld to protect the guilty and the innocent. I, of course, am only going on memory because I was sleeping when the incident took place.

What I treasure most about my experience at SwCC: The friendships I made with the Christians my age which helped me to understand God’s word. Harold Burnett told me about SwCC and encouraged me to attend. Other special friends Bertelle Berry, Terrell Williams and others are what I treasure most. I have taken it upon myself to try and keep my SwCC friends and classmates up to date on our SwCC classmate’s lives.

Just getting to meet and getting to know so many young people who loved the Lord while I was a student there totally changed my life.
 

Brandi McIntosh Lee ‘93

Brandi is an elementary school counselor in the Duncanville Independent School District.
She and husband Laymonde are the proud parents of one-year-old Evan Laymonde Lee. They attend Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ in Dallas and are also owners of Lee’s Slow Smoke Barbecue.

At SwCC, she was active in Freshman Ensemble, Summer Tour where she led “City Beyond the Blue.” She was also a member of the A Capella Chorus, Mu Alpha Nu, Yearbook Staff, and worked at the Thelma Holt Dining Hall. After SwCC, she entered the University of North Texas, in Denton, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor is Special Education. In 1999, she received a Master of Education in School Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Her hobbies include traveling, working with youth, and public speaking.

Years at SwCC: 1991-1993

SwCC Roommate: Ayanna Cabrera

Classmates with whom I keep in touch: Darron Jones

Funniest memory at SwCC: working in the kitchen with Albert Rice

What I treasure most about my experience at SwCC: my Summer Tour/Chorus/Mu Alpha Nu (when the late Damien Reed washed our feet and the guys cried). I have learned that everyone isn't as fortunate as I was/am and that true friendship is really rare and hard to come by and it must be cherished, nurtured and preserved in order for it to grow. Most importantly, the exposure that I received to the Church of Christ through Summer Tour/Chorus is invaluable and it has helped me to appreciate my home congregation, Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ.

Carlotta Jo Mixon

Carlotta is a native Dallasite born to Edream and Louise Mixon. After receiving her Associates degree at SwCC, she matriculated at the University of Texas at Arlington where she obtained the Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in RATV and a minor in Journalism. She’s also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. One of her goals is to one day receive a Doctorate in Sociology and become a full-time counselor. Currently she’s in pursuit of a business venture to have its inaugural late November 2005.

As a member of Light of the World Church of Christ in Dallas, Carlotta has been a faithful participant of the music ministry, women’s ministry as well as the ladies softball team. She also served as Bible schoolteacher for the Education department. In her spare time she along with other choir members volunteer to assist serving meals and encouraging hospice patients in a local facility.

She’s currently employed by SBC as a Global Markets service order specialist.

Years at SwCC: 79-80

Education after SwCC: B.A. RATV from The University of Texas at Arlington

SwCC Roommate: Doris Majors 78/Paula Settles 79

Classmates with whom I keep in touch: Pat Waters Teamer, Paula Settles, Rhynett Chatman, Vonda Lacy Bush, Addison Doby, Darryl Payne, Wayne Stark, Herman Wesley, Yvonne Turner, Ulysses Turner and too many to name.

Funniest memory at SwCC: Sitting on one of the benches with a very dear loved one and a pigeon decided to let him have what he had for lunch but not in a very nice way.

What I treasure most about my experience at SwCC: I will never forget the opportunity I had while at SwCC to meet so many people from all across the country with whom I’ve established life long associations and friendships. Attending a historically Black college of this kind did so much for my ability to interact with people from all walks of life as well as all nationalities and customs. It also afforded me more one on one assistance and guidance from the professors and staff members that’s not always available at a large university.

Malik Aaron Crowder

Malik is a housing director at the University of Texas and works in the division of housing and food at Jester Hall. He has been a leader in student affairs for over eight years working for Abilene Christian University & the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York City, were he directed housing, campus life and special events.

Malik has a bachelor’s degree in family studies and a master in human development, both from Abilene Christian University. During graduate school, he was elected as the president for the graduate class. He also served as an officer in the Taylor county NAACP as chairman of press & publicity. Malik currently serves as the chairman for entertainment with the East Austin Relay for life which is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

He also has served as a youth director with the Treadaway Church of Christ. He and his wife participate on many cancer charities including the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Malik is married to the lovely Sharon Crowder of Abilene, Texas. He credits her term as a board member for the American Cancer Society in getting him started in professional volunteer work.

Years at SwCC: 2

Education after SwCC: Masters of Science in Human Development (Abilene Christian University)

SwCC Roommate: Chris McKenzie, Robert Allen

Classmates with whom I keep in touch: Mostly the Texas and New York crew.

Funniest memory at SwCC: I wonder how I survived the food.

What I treasure most about my experience at SwCC: The bonds made with Christian brothers and sisters across the brotherhood.

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