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Today's Featured Biography

 
Charlene Morse (RALIO)

Graduation in June of '74 was soon followed by marriage (I think it was September, but gosh, that was soooo long ago) and shortly after living in Washington DC compliments of the US Army. Soon divorced (it should be against the law to marry at 18!) and having a child to support, I went to work in the consumer finance industry as a collector. Yeah, I was the "repo man" in skirts. The company transferred me to LaGrange, Georgia and I am thankful every day for that transfer. Months after the move I meet the love of my life, John Hines, and less than 4 months after our first date on Valentine's Day, we married. I continued working in the finance industry, but as the president of a my own company, one John and I opened soon after our marriage. Sold that company after 10 years and went back to work for a division of Ford Motor. Applied for a position as a AVP, and despite having 20 plus years experience, was turned down due to not having a college degree. So, at the grand old age of 40, I quit my job and enrolled in LaGrange College as a freshman. Yes, I was often older then some of the prof's! Earned a BA in History in 3 1/2 years while working full time as a bank loan officer for my husband at his bank, graduating summa cum laude. I enjoyed the experience so much decided to go to graduate school.Why not? We sold the bank and John was retired. During my last semester of course work for the PhD, on Valentine's Day, my darling husband was diagnosed with cancer. I lost him 8 months later. We were happily married for 18 years, 4 months and 1 week. Now I am ABD for the PhD in History at Auburn, and employed by Auburn University (War Damn Eagle!) as the Military Liaison with 4-H and Youth Development. Currently serve as a Trustee for LaGrange College, where I am a member of the Quadrangle Society, a Fellow of LaGrange College, and where the John R. Hines, Jr Conference Room was dedicated March, 13, 2009 in the new Lewis Library. My lovely daughter is also an alum of the College, class of 2008, and also works for Auburn University. As adjunct professor at LaGrange College, I was honored to present Christy with her diploma as her grandparents and sister watched the ceremony. Christy misses her dad, but knows he is proud of her for finishing school and being the great mom she is to our grandson. She and my wonderful grandson live a few blocks from me, so I am able to see them almost every day. We miss John every day, but right now life is good.

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