Cross & Flame Awards

To strengthen the relationship between McMurry University and the local churches by recognizing persons for service to their church and to McMurry University.

2006 Award Recipients

June Park '66 and Jane Dement '66, identical twins, are part of a proud McMurry legacy. They share a rich McMurry heritage and are extremely proud to call McMurry their alma mater.

Their father Hubert Bell was a charter member of the McMurry Chanters and graduated from McMurry College in 1929. Jane’s husband, Ted, attended McMurry and June’s husband, Ernie, graduated from McMurry in 1966. Jane’s sons, Joel ‘87 and John ’92, and June’s son, Elliot ’92, all graduated from McMurry.

After graduating from Haskell High School, June and Jane attended McMurry. These sisters both graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. While at McMurry, they were members of Gamma Sigma Social Club and served as coordinators for T.I.P. Sing Song. Their love for music provided the twins many opportunities to represent McMurry, including performances with the McMurry Chanters just as their father did in the ’20s.

June and Jane serve God in their local church, First United Methodist Church in Clyde, Texas. Jane is a member of the church Board of Trustees and both June and Jane are members of the Adult Choir, the Administrative Council, and co-chairs of the Worship Committee. Both sisters are long time members of the Believers Sunday School Class and have been active in the Bryant Circle. June and Jane were instrumental in establishing the Upper Room, which is designed to represent The Last Supper.

Music has been a very important part of their lives of service to the church and community, as well. In addition to singing duet specials at church, they both have served as music leaders at women’s Christian retreats and numerous revivals. In addition, June and Jane have recorded a Christian album and opened for concerts featuring Christian artists Michael James Murphy and David Meece.

June and Jane both taught for 31 years in the Clyde public schools, where they were instrumental in establishing and leading the Sons of the Shepard (SOS), a student Christian organization. During their teaching careers, they encouraged many students to attend McMurry and to obtain an education in a Christian environment. It is their hope and desire that through their service to their church and their alma mater that many future students will attend the University.

For many years, Jolynn Galvin '75, D.D.S. of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has dedicated much of her time and talents serving McMurry University and the United Methodist Church. Jolynn is the McMurry Ambassador to her local church and acts as an advocate for McMurry to other churches in the Albuquerque area. She appreciates the United Methodist Church’s heritage of higher education and commitment to learning and hopes to rekindle passion for higher education in the local church.

Jolynn knew she wanted to attend McMurry at an early age. After graduating from Del Norte High School in Albuquerque, she attended McMurry College where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology in 1975. Upon completion of her degree at McMurry, Jolynn attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she completed her Doctor of Dental Science degree in 1981. Her ties with McMurry did not end after graduation. Jolynn served on the Board of Trustees for the University from 1994 to 2003 and recently rejoined the Board in 2005.

Jolynn serves God through her work in her local church, First United Methodist in Albuquerque. She chaired the Whipple Scholarship Fund and works with the Shadow of the Church, which provides meals, financial assistance, and other services to the poor and homeless in Albuquerque.

Jolynn serves God in the community through her work with the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Through this organization, she provides food, serves as an overnight chaperone, and recruits volunteers to help homeless families find permanent homes and jobs. Also, Jolynn serves with Christian Hands in Action (CHIA). Since 1982, she has gone on twenty-one missions to Mexico and South America providing dental help and spreading the message of Jesus Christ. During her most recent mission trip to the headwaters of the Amazon River in northern Peru, her son Patrick served as her “dental assistant.” While there they faithfully ministered to the Yaqua and Ticuna Indian tribes.

Jolynn is married to Steven Hooper and they have one son, Patrick. Her love for McMurry and the United Methodist Church are evident in her life and she hopes to serve them both for many years to come.

Nominations
Anyone may nominate and submit a resume of an alumnus/a, ex, or friend of McMurry who is recognized for performance or service to the University as a church leader, clergy or lay person, of the United Methodist Church. Each person nominated must be a current member of a United Methodist congregation.

Persons receiving this award could have made an impact by: longevity of service in a Sunday school class which continually sent students to McM; brought students to campus for preview days; served as Ambassador for their congregation; created or served in founding a new ministry; etc. The award may honor those who have served, but are not always the most honored.

Must be a member of a United Methodist congregation.

Be related to McMurry University in some capacity.

One recipient from the New Mexico Annual Conference and one recipient from the Northwest Texas Annual Conference will be chosen each year.

Criteria for final selection to be decided upon by the Church Relations committee of the McMurry University Alumni Association Board of Directors.