Alumni Association
Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat
Every BGA alumnus, regardless of age, job, or location – or whether you graduated from the old campus or Glen Echo – has an unbreakable bond that connects you at every stage of life.
The BGA Alumni Association exists to connect our 3,500+ alumni to each other and to BGA, to celebrate milestones, and to support you when life changes. There’s no better time to explore your peer network, inspire a new generation, and continue to make lasting memories.
Connect with Your Alumni Network
Re-connect with classmates, search for jobs, and expand your professional network through BGA Connects, our online alumni networking and information website.
Alumni News
Retired BGA principal Dr. Lucas Boyd turns 90
Alumnus' lifetime friendship with FDR inspires ship name
BGA to Host Ignite Series
Battle Ground Academy will host its fall entrepreneurial event, Ignite Series: Impact of Venture Capital in the Nashville Area, on Thursday, November 17 from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. in the school’s Sondra Morris and Robert N. Moore, Jr. '52 Center for Arts and Entrepreneurship. The event is sponsored by Boyle Investment Company.
BGA Names Three to Board of Trustees
Battle Ground Academy recently announced the addition of Lucibeth Mayberry, John B. Jewell IV ’86 and Eric Schultenover ‘92 to its board of trustees. Matt Ligon ’87 has also succeeded Mark Puryear ‘85 as board chair and Colleen Hoke ’87 will now serve as vice chair.
Chico Bennett '23 Ready to Make Comeback at Virginia
It's been a long road for Battle Ground Academy alum Chico Bennett Jr. to find himself back on a Virginia football field.
BGA Names Brad Dennis '87 as the New Director of Entrepreneurial Leadership
Join us in congratulating Brad Dennis, BGA Class of 1987, as the new director of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. A life-long educator, Dennis will direct all aspects of the program including the experiential senior capstone course.
Paul Clements '65 Launches New Collection of Stories, "Tell Them We Were Rising"
Author Paul Clements recently hosted a book launch at the Williamson County Public Library for his newest title, "Tell Them We Were Rising," a collection of 23 stories about "individuals of color through slavery and Jim Crow, in Nashville, and beyond." The book is available at Landmark Booksellers in Franklin and on Amazon.
Connor Mitchell '18 Named Best of the Best by National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Conner Mitchell, BGA Class of 2018, for his recent recognition as a a top scholar athlete at Rhodes College in Memphis. Connor's accomplishments, both on the field and in the classroom, were celebrated at a black tie dinner hosted by the Memphis Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
George Plaster '77 Inducted into Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame
Join us in congratulating BGA Alumni Hall of Fame member George Plaster '77 for his recent induction in the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame, Class of 2022. His broadcasting career spans 30+ years from play-by-play announcer for Vanderbilt Athletics, to hosting a sports talk radio show and a sports tv show. For years, he was a staple in Nashville Sports Radio beginning at Supertalk 997 WTN, later moving to 104.5 The Zone (WGFX), 102.5 The Game WSM-AM, and now WNSR.
BGA Named Best Private School in Williamson County in 2022 Sizzle Awards
FranklinIs, The Online Voice of Williamson County, announced the 2022 Sizzle Awards Winners (The Best Businesses of Williamson County, TN), with over 300,000 local votes cast, and we're pleased to announce BGA was voted Best Private School.
Chas Morton '89 Spotlighted by Swimming World Magazine
BGA swimming legend Chas Morton '89 was recently featured by Swimming World Magazine. Highlights include his early years training with the Nashville Aquatic Club, achievements as an age-group phenom, being named three times to the USA Swimming National Team roster, and a team captain at Stanford.
Matt Ligon '87 Named Managing Broker at Parks-Village-Pilkerton
Congratulations to Matt Ligon '87 who has been named the Managing Broker at Parks-Village-Pilkerton, effective February 15. Ligon was formerly an agent with Pilkerton Realtors which merged with Parks-Village Real Estate in January, creating Parks-Village-Pilkerton, the largest real estate firm in Tennessee with over 1,400 agents and $6.5 billion in annual sales volume.
Henry Dambach '18 Named Furman Fellow
Join us in congratulating Henry Dambach '18, recently selected as a 2022 Furman Fellow, an awarded given annually to five members of Furman's senior class who’ve shown unique leadership skills and an ability to make a difference in the world and in the lives of others.
Law Enforcement Leader Chip Kain '02 to Serve in Dual Role with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) recently announced the appointment of law enforcement veteran leader William “Chip” Kain (BGA Class of 2002) to serve in a dual role as the new executive director of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) and as the new executive secretary of the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (POST).
Alumna Wrenne French Named Second Team All-SEC in Women's Soccer
Join us in congratulating Wrenne French '17 who has been named Second Team All-SEC in Women's Soccer at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville where she is an anchor for the Tennessee back line. While at BGA, Wrenne helped lead the Lady Wildcats to a state title in 2014, was a member of the National Honors Society, and Digamma.
Cmdr. Kelechi Ndukwe '97 and USS Halsey Return to Pearl Harbor after 5-Month Deployment
Cmdr. Kelechi Ndukwe '97 led the USS Halsey (DDG 97) and its crew back to its homeport at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on October 4, after successfully completing a scheduled five-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. More information about Halsey's recent deployment and mission can be found here.
Dyan Damron '98 Cooks Healthy for Talk of The Town on NewsChannel 5
Health coach and “recipe remixer” Dyan Damron, BGA Class of '98, was a recent guest on Nashville's News Channel 5 Talk of the Town show making her Greek Nachos recipe. Find more of Dyan’s recipe makeovers at www.coachdconsulting.com.
BGA Inducts New Hall of Fame Members During Homecoming Weekend
On Saturday, October 2, Battle Ground Academy inducted five new members into its Alumni Hall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition, the school honored Peter Kropp, Ph.D. as its Distinguished Young Alumnus in a ceremony held at BGA’s Sondra Morris and Robert N. Moore, Jr. ’52 Center for Arts and Entrepreneurship as part of the school’s Homecoming Weekend festivities.
Municipal Court Judge Deana Hood '89 Announces Candidacy for Circuit Court Judge
BGA alumna Deana Hood '89 recently announced her bid for circuit court judge for the 21st Judicial District Division II seat in Williamson County.
Dr. Eleanor Fleming '96 Receives 10 Under 10 Award from the American Dental Association
BGA alumna and former Trustee Dr. Eleanor Fleming ‘96 was named one of the 2021 recipients of the American Dental Association's 10 Under 10 Awards, which recognizes new dentists who demonstrate excellence early in their careers. More information may be found here.
Claire Givens Crunk '02 Launches Startup Venture through Franklin Innovation Center
BGA alumna and serial entrepreneur Claire Givens Crunk ‘02 is among the inaugural class of startups at the new Franklin Innovation Center. More information may be found here.
BGA Football Remembers Beathard '16 and Trapini '16 with Jersey Honor
This season, BGA Football remembers Clay Beathard ‘16 and Paul Trapini ‘16 by electing two deserving Wildcats to wear their jerseys. More information may be found here.
Roberts Toyota Owner Eddie Roberts '69 and GM Cackie Walker '00 Celebrate 50 Years of Business
Eddie Roberts ‘69 and daughter Cackie Roberts Walker ‘00 celebrated Roberts Toyota’s 50th anniversary on Tuesday, August 10. Roberts Toyota is the oldest family-owned Toyota dealership in Middle Tennessee and the second oldest in the state.
USS Halsey, Commanded by Kelechi Ndukwe '97, Provides Emergency Aid to Merchant Vessel in Arabian Gulf
On July 27, the guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97), under the command of Keleche Ndukwe ‘97, provided emergency assistance to an Indian-flagged merchant vessel and its 15 mariners in the international waters of the Arabian Gulf.
Will Powell '02 Cuts the Ribbon for New Branch of FirstBank
Will Powell ‘02 served as master of ceremonies for the ribbon cutting at FirstBank's new branch in Nolensville, Tennessee. More information about the event is in the Williamson Herald.
GET & STAY CONNECTED
The BGA alumni network reaches far and wide, and our Office of Advancement and Alumni Association Board work hard to keep Wildcats connected. Whether you live in Franklin or on the other side of the world, we have multiple opportunities for you to stay engaged.
Alumni Events & Calendar
Join us on campus and in major cities across the country for upcoming alumni celebrations and networking events.
Make a Difference at BGA
Give to the BGA Fund and help us ensure we can continue to fulfill our mission. The dollars you give provide resources to attract and retain a highly talented and committed faculty; purchase and support necessary classroom technology; create and sustain numerous clubs, sports, arts, and extracurricular activities; and, finally, support the school’s ability to offer financial aid to deserving students who would not otherwise be able to attend the school.
2022-2023 Alumni Board
President — Courtney Smith '00
President-Elect — Gilmore Conners '11
Past-President — Sterling Smith '84
Directors
Julianne Isaacs Cantey '08
Kathryne Anderson Coonce '00
Elizabeth Pope Goodwin '06
Jacqueline LaFont '07
Michael McClellan '99
Eric McElroy '00
Daniel Parker '09
Alan Treadway '79