Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

The 乐播传媒 has presented two long-term faculty members emeritus honors upon their retirement. Dr. Tina N. Jones has been named Vice President Emerita, and Dr. Alan Brown has been named Professor Emeritus. The two were recognized at the University鈥檚 Employee Recognition Ceremony at the end of the spring semester.

Dr. Alan Brown
After 40 years of service to students, colleagues, and the discipline, Dr. Alan Brown retired from 乐播传媒 in May 2026, earning the status of Professor of Emeritus of English and Folklore.

In his nomination letter, Dr. Kendrick Prewitt, Chair of the Department of English & History, noted that over Brown鈥檚 40 years at 乐播传媒, he made his mark through his passion for teaching American literature and composition to generations of students, his 34-year stewardship of the 乐播传媒 Writing Center, and his extensive research into ghost lore and regional folklore.

Prewitt also noted that Brown is a rare example of a scholar who has successfully translated academic scholarship for broader public audiences through book clubs, public libraries, senior centers, radio broadcasts, podcasts, and cemetery history reenactments.

Known for meeting deadlines, efficiently handling administrative responsibilities, and traveling frugally on departmental funds, Brown has received the McIlwain Bell Trustees Faculty Award twice and the Nellie McCrory Faculty Service Award. Prewitt described him as setting a consistent standard for the College of Liberal Arts.

Brown has published more than 20 books and numerous articles on ghost lore and folklore, his primary area of interest. His scholarly work also spans the history of Sumter County, composition pedagogy, gothic literature, and studies of authors including Poe, Hemingway, Faulkner, and Twain.

He is well known on campus and beyond for his ghost tours, distinctive mustache, homemade brownies, daily peanut butter and jelly lunches, and his large looping lecture notes handwriting.

Dr. Tina Naremore Jones
Dr. Tina Naremore Jones, a longtime professor of English, retired from 乐播传媒 as Provost on September 30 after 38 years at the institution, earning the status of Vice President Emerita of Academic Affairs.

In her nomination letter, Jones was recognized for decades of leadership and service to the university, first as a student, then faculty member, and later in multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Economic Workforce Development and then as Provost, becoming the first woman at 乐播传媒 to be named vice president and first to serve as provost. Over the years, she played an integral role in shaping the University鈥檚 academic programs, strengthened its outreach, and helped define what it means for the institution to serve not only its students, but the entire region.

It was also noted that Jones consistently “led with intention, listening carefully and leading thoughtfully.” Her nomination letter described her conduct as “marked by a level of grace and integrity that is rare, setting a standard not only for leadership, but for how people are treated.”

鈥淭ina believed in this place, and it鈥檚 people,鈥� said Provost, Dr. Amy Jones during the recognition ceremony. 鈥淧eople often assumed we were related鈥攁nd in many ways that never felt entirely wrong, because she had that kind of lasting, personal impact on so many of us at 乐播传媒. That impact will be felt for generations鈥攊n our programs, across this campus, and in the lives of the students and communities we serve.鈥�

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

For years, Armand Barnard found his voice on stage and on screen. But beyond the spotlight, his ambitions run deeper: to understand people, not just perform for them.

After earning his undergraduate degree at Stellenbosch University, Barnard started exploring opportunities to continue his education in the United States, where his brother was already studying in Texas. Through the international recruitment agency, , he connected with Dr. Mark Davis, dean of at the 乐播传媒.

Barnard said he felt an immediate connection. 鈥淚 could tell right away that this was someone I wanted to work with.鈥�

With guidance from Davis, Barnard chose 乐播传媒, drawn not only to its master鈥檚 degree in 鈥攃linical psychology option鈥攂ut also to the sense of community in Livingston.

鈥淚 knew it would be an adjustment coming to the States,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut the South, the people of Alabama, the Christian landscape and the strong sense of community here felt closer to my home country and Afrikaans culture.鈥�

An actor and musician from South Africa, Barnard has built a growing list of screen credits, appearing in productions such as Troukoors (Wedding Fever) (2021), its follow-up series (2021鈥�2022), and the television drama Die Byl (2025). He also appeared in the 2024 music video for 鈥楢-Okay,鈥� released by Sony Music Entertainment Africa.

鈥淪ince I was little, I鈥檝e always been interested in people and why they do what they do,鈥� Barnard said. 鈥淎cting lets you explore that in one way, but I wanted to understand it on a deeper level.鈥�

While studying at 乐播传媒, Barnard focused on global perspectives, preparing a thesis on Japanese attitudes toward therapy, which he said are more positive today than in years past. He hopes to visit the country one day to further explore its culture and evolving views on mental health.

As graduation approaches, Barnard is applying to clinical psychology Ph.D. programs, a highly competitive path he said can be as selective as medical school admissions.

After commencement, he plans to attend Nashville Music Night, hosted by Friends of South Africa, celebrating both his academic achievement and his South African roots alongside his mother and fianc茅e. The couple plans to marry in December, marking a new chapter in a year of transition.

Although his future plans remain uncertain, Barnard said that he draws strength from one of his favorite Bible passages, Jeremiah 29:11: 鈥淔or I know the plans I have for you,鈥� declares the Lord, 鈥減lans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.鈥�

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Story by: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

Working as a mental health technician at a psychiatric hospital in Tuscaloosa led Syndi Stevenson to study psychology at the 乐播传媒.

The Tuscaloosa native began studying kinesiology at Shelton State Community College after high school. Tired of taking online classes, she transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi. But she failed out, and the experience crushed her.

That鈥檚 when Stevenson decided to take a gap year鈥攁n experience that helped her realize she was in the wrong field.

鈥淚 struggled at USM and knew kinesiology wasn鈥檛 the right fit for me,鈥� Stevenson said, 鈥渂ut I didn鈥檛 know what I wanted to do. After working for a year at Bryce Hospital, I knew I wanted to learn more about the field of psychology.鈥�

Stevenson said Livingston鈥檚 proximity to her hometown and the low teacher/student ratio drew her to the 乐播传媒.

As a first-generation college student, she admits she floundered at times. Graduating from high school during the COVID-19 pandemic only added to the challenge.

鈥淭here was so much I didn鈥檛 know, especially all the opportunities that are out there and the different career paths you can take,鈥� Stevenson said. 鈥淚 am forever grateful to the people at 乐播传媒, the professors and others who have helped me along the way.鈥�

Looking ahead to her next step, the once-shy transfer student will begin graduate school at 乐播传媒 in the fall, with a goal of becoming a counselor working with young adults.

鈥淥ne of my favorite things about my time at 乐播传媒 is being a resident assistant,鈥� Stevenson said. Several RAs, including my own, reached out to me after my first semester and told me I should apply. I have enjoyed it so much, and it has reinforced that I鈥檓 on the right track with my career path.鈥�

The oldest of five, Stevenson is encouraging her siblings to go to college as well.

鈥淚 have a sister graduating high school in May who applied to two colleges, so I鈥檓 really excited about that. Even though she didn鈥檛 want to at first, it鈥檚 enough for me to know I made an impact and encouraged her to give it a try.鈥�

On the Dean鈥檚 list the past three semesters, Stevenson credits her faith for getting her to this point.

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be here if it wasn鈥檛 for the Lord. Everything worked out just like it was supposed to,鈥� she said. 鈥淕od had a purpose for me, even when I thought I couldn鈥檛 do it. I see that now.鈥�

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