Sewanee Community Council: Meet the Candidates


by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

On Nov. 5, the Sewanee Community Council will elect one representative for each of the four districts and two at-large representatives. Read on to learn why the candidates want to serve on the council and what special skills and qualifications they will bring to the role of council representative. Note: At the time of publication, the Messenger had not received information on candidates for some districts.

Katie Gohn, Candidate for District 4. Gohn is a librarian and faculty member at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Gohn is quick to point out her most important qualification for serving on the council is being a member of the Sewanee community. She has lived in Sewanee for the past seven years. Gohn is the wife of a fulltime Sewanee employee and the “mom” to two daughters who attend school at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee and Sewanee Elementary. Why does Gohn want to serve on the council? “I’m interested in not simply talking about problems,” Gohn said, “but in finding mutually beneficial solutions that make Sewanee the best place to live, work, learn, and raise a family.”

Bill Harper, District Four Candidate. If elected, current at-large representative Bill Harper will begin a second council term. A University graduate with a career as a Wall Street financial advisor, in 2006 Harper and his wife Knowles bought a second home in Sewanee and became fulltime residents in 2009. An enthusiastic volunteer, Harper has served as a University trustee, President of the Sewanee Club, President of the Greek Alumni Council, served on the task force on narcotic and alcohol abuse and South Cumberland Community Fund board, and with Knowles co-chaired the Community Chest fund drive. “I appreciate that the University is interested in the perspective of the broader community,” Harper said, “and believe I can help provide that.”

Evelyn Patton, At-large Candidate. Born in Sewanee in what is now a residence hall, Patton was in the last graduating class at the Sewanee Academy. Following graduation from the University EMT program, Patton served as a Franklin and Grundy County EMT for many years. In 2017, she joined the Wellness Center staff as Medical Office Senior Patient Coordinator. She has served as an appointed council representative since March 2023, is a member of the Pink Ribbon Society, and also serves as President of the St. Mark’s Community Center where she has inspired enthusiastic community involvement in restoration and recruitment campaigns. Why does she want to serve on the council? “The community needs representation from folks that love this community.”

Phil White, At-Large Candidate. White has served 18 years on the council where he worked to resolve the airport light issue and actively and successfully campaigned for reduction of the transfer fee, creation of the Sewanee Dog Park, and establishing the annual community spring cleanup. A graduate of Sewanee and Peabody of Vanderbilt, White came to Sewanee as a student in 1959 and never left. He taught and coached at the Sewanee Military Academy, the Sewanee Academy, and St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School. “I have always maintained close relationships with both University employees and local residents,” White said. “I want to continue to work for the good of the community.”

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