Pinpoints Summer 2019 | Page 17

Tim Alford Eunice Beatty Tim Alford and wife Mary Bruce Gray Alford ’99, with their children, Gray ’27, Virginia ’30, and Stella ’31, combine the strength of their Mississippi family with the strength of their Kentucky family, and The Lexington School is the stronger for it all. From Kosciusko, Mississippi, with stops in Sewanee, Boston, Nashville, and Jackson, Mississippi, Tim arrives at TLS with his Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Religion from Sewanee – the University of the South; a master’s in theology, literature, and religion from Harvard Divinity School; and a master’s in leadership and organizational performance from Vanderbilt University. Tim illustrates the broad reach of The Lexington School. While at Vanderbilt, he made the warm acquaintance of Susan Touchstone, Lower School Head at the University School of Nashville. Many in the TLS family fondly remember Susan’s tenure as TLS Lower School Head from 1998 to 2002. Retired now and living in San Francisco, Susan shares in TLS’s happiness at having Tim in Lexington, saying, “I knew Tim when he was working on his Master of Education degree in Leadership and Organizational Performance at Vanderbilt. As part of his professional development experience there, he sought out the University School of Nashville’s Head of School, Vince Durnan, as a mentor. During that year, Tim participated in all of our administrative meetings. It was during these meetings that I came to know him. The thoughtful manner in which Tim engaged with the staff endeared him to all of us. He always had relevant and meaningful ideas to share, but, maybe more importantly, I remember him being an active listener. He was universally liked, and we all knew he was bound for great things. The Lexington School is fortunate to have Tim ... and Tim is fortunate to be at TLS.” Eunice Beatty and her husband, Anthany, are both natives of Lexington, Kentucky. Her TLS grandchildren Kennedy ’18, Peyton ’23, and Embry ’23, live within four miles of her; thus, it is not unusual to find Eunice and Anthany enjoying their grandparenting roles. Eunice describes the joy and happiness of their grandchildren learning at TLS, scheduling playdates, and participating in afterschool activities as reasons Anthany first found himself serving on the TLS Board of Trustees, followed by Eunice in the same role. Then came a new chapter in the life of TLS. In early 2019, Una was selected to become the incoming Head of School. Eunice predicted a dynamic new chapter because of Una’s passion for teaching and learning, her leadership style, and the ways she engaged parents. What Eunice did not predict was Una’s ask: “Will you serve as Interim Lower School Head?” Eunice says, “Saying yes to something you believe in is easy! A career in higher education, service as church Youth Director, and starting a foundation to help children and youth, are lifetime journey experiences that affect young people and develop minds.” And, as her journey continues, Eunice enthusiastically awaits the first day of school as Lower School Head. Eunice is a retired licensed dental hygienist, college professor, and college administrator. Her educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling, and Marriage and Family Science, a Master of Science degree in Education (Curriculum and Instruction), and a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Eunice is a national W.K. Kellogg Fellow and a recipient of the National Master Teacher Award. Eunice is saddled up at the Home of the Colts, and ready to ride. The Lexington School is fortunate to have Eunice Beatty in our lower school stirrups. 15