Our Graduates Reach for Greatness and Attain - Thompson, McGlohon & Barefoot
This article describes three ECU alumni, Jerry Thompson, Loonis McGlohon and Anne Farley Barefoot. This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: "Our Graduates Reach for Greatness and Attain," ECU Report, Volume 16, No. 1, January 1984.
Each week the Alumni Office receives press releases about the achievements of our graduates.It is gratifying to read the accomplishments of so many ECU success stories in such diverse areas of employment. On these pages we single out three outstanding graduates as but a sample of the East Carolina University alumni family.
BANKER -- Jerry Thompson
When Jerry Thompson came to East Carolina in 1962, he was preparing for a career in business. "My family was in the business world, and with the good reputation this school had in that area, I decided on East Carolina." When he graduated in 1964 someone suggested he talk with Austin Britt at Wachovia Bank. Britt convinced him he should be in banking. After four years in Wachovia's Greenville office, Jerry was transferred to the home office in Winston-Salem. There he was an assistant vice president and the eastern regional manager in charge of the time payment loan department.Thompson was impatient for advancement and decided in 1972 his goals could better be achieved with a smaller bank. The move to Decatur, Georgia as an assistant vice president for the First National Bank of DeKalb County was just the ticket Jerry wanted. By 1975 he was the executive vice president and was named president that year.
First DeKalb Bank has grown from assets of $12 million when Jerry began there to $57 million. They have received recognition on state, regional, and national levels for inovative approaches to banking. "Much of our recognition has come thorugh our involvement with small business," said Jerry. Int eh fall he went to the White House to accept the award for the National Banker Advocate for Small Business. The Small Business Administration commended the First DeKalb Bank for their primary objective to promote the prosperity and growth of the small business sector.
A native of Goldsboro, Jerry's parents still live there and recall that as a youngster Jerry was an average student who liked a variety of activities from sports to dramatics. "He was always very ambitious," said his mother, "and also very independent."
Jerry's philospophy in serving smaller businesses stems from the belief that it is a natural relationship for a smaller institution such as First National Bank of DeKalb. "Several years ago we said we can't be all things to all people. What we can do best is serve consumers and small business." The bank has developed special services to its small business customers, including a management assistance program which offers cash management alternatives and critiques for financial health.
The First DeKalb Bank considers itself a vital part of the community. The officers and staff take active roles in many charitable and community service organizations. Jerry has had a leadership role in numerous organizations and is currently president of the 2200-member DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. He occasionally finds time to play golf and looks forward to occasions when he and his two daughters can fish together.
MUSICIAN -- Loonis McGlohon
Everyone who reads these words has heard the music of Loonis McGlohon for he has written over 1000 pieces of music which have been recorded by mnay of the world's greatest artists. Themes for the ACC and Charles Kuralt's "On the Road" series as well as countless pieces for radio and television broadcasts have all come from the creative genius of this East Carolina graduate who grew up in Ayden.This artist who has performed around the world, lauded and loved by critics everywhere, has received numerous honors, such as the Peabody's Award which is broadcasting's highest honor and been named "North Carolina Composer of the Year" and most recently received the "Religious Composition of the Year" award from the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs.
Although Loonis writes in different idioms, he is most well known as a composer and performer of jazz. "Much of my inspiration comes from my early years in eastern North Carolina. 'Dinner on the Grounds' which was my first piece to be copyrighted in the mid-fifties is an example of this," said Loonis. "As young as 13, I was allowed to go to Greenville to hear black jazz bands performing in tobacco warehouses. I was also drawn to black church music."
Loonis speaks warmly of his growing up years and the college days at East Carolina. "A liberal arts education was the best thing for me. I think it gives someone going into the arts a broad education -- for you come in contact with people from various backgrounds with varied interests -- and this gives a creative atmosphere," he said.
He servered an apprenticeship with the East Carolina dance band and was proud of his three dollar pay for a night's work. During those years Loonis played with the Big Bands during the summers and between quarters. " I was tempted sometimes to set aside college, but after some slim times when I got pretty hungry, I decided the degree was the most important thing I should accomplish.
"My junior and senior year I lived with an aunt in Greenville (I commuted the first two years) and worked part time in the music department doing instrument maintenance. This is also when I began dating Nan Lovelace. I managed to get a deferment so I could graduate and a week later I was Ft. Bragg. The following year Nan and I were married."
The McGlohons have lived in Charlotte since 1947 and are pleased their three children and four grandchildren all live in North Carolina. They are also pleased their children have careers in education. Son Reeves is the assistant to Superintendent of Public Instruction Craig Philips. Daughter Fan is in special education with the Newton-Conover School System, and Laurie is an art teacher in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System.
The Charlotte News describes Loonis as the "down-home music man who has proven he cares about people first." Such concern has been demonstrated time and time again as the Loonis McGlohon Trio gives at least 20 benefit performances a year. He said he is fortunate to have two talented performers who share his philosophy that, "If you have a gift, it should be shared. The community and state have been generous with me and this is my way of thinking them."
EDUCATOR -- Anne Farley Barefoot
Countless students have been the beneficiaries of the dilemma which faced Anne Farley Barefoot after she received her degree in 1956. She did not want a teaching career. Her real desire was to apply her love of science in the laboratory setting, however, when she went back to Columbus County, she found few opportunities other than teaching. "In my first interview, the principal said I should have taken Latin; the second principal siad he wanted a man science teacher, and the third hired me simply because he needed a teacher," said Anne."I had a very good model for teaching in my mother, Mildred Norment Farley, who got her degree from East Carolina. She was excellent, but I saw all the work she put into her job and I thought I wanted something else," says the woman who has recently been recognized as one of the finest science teachers at the state and national levels. This past year North Carolina selected for the first time top science teachers from its eight districts and Anne Barefoot was chosen from her district. It was also the first year the National Science Foundation honored the outstanding contributions of math and science teachers. Mrs. Barefoot was one of 104 teachers throughtout the nation to receive this high recognition.
The science department at Whiteville High School, where Anne teaches three chemistry and two physics classes, received a grant of $5,000 from the National Science Foundation to supplement its program. Each teacher received a personal computer.
Undoubtedly Anne's enthusiasm for her subject matter has contributed to her great success in teaching. She is not a demanding person, but she does expect hard work from her students. "There is daily homework which is checked and also long-range assignments. Cheating is not a problem for I take a hard line on that the first day of class. I tell them their integrity is their greatest asset. No one can take it away from you but yourself."
There has been a large measure of hard work put into Anne's career. She said teaching is certainly more than a 40-hour work week. Seldom a year goes by that she doesn't go back to the campus to keep abreast of her subject. She feels academic renewal along with wide reading in her field enable her to give enrichment to the students.
Anne is highly complimentary of the North Carolina Science Teachers Association, calling it one of the finest in the country. She also remarked that the science division in the department of the education in Raleigh offers excellent support.
She is hopeful that her profession will be viewed in a better light within the next decade. "None of my top students is planning on a teaching career, and I hope the correct events will occur so education will attract these individuals. If I would have been the sole support of my family, I would have had to leave teaching." She said her husband has been a strong supporter in her career and is most understanding of the time she devotes to it. The Barefoots have a married son and daughter and two grandchildren, all living in North Carolina.
