UNIVERSITY NEWS Opposite: Former University of Memphis student Kameron Whalum (second from left) with Bruno Mars and other members of The Hooligans during a sold-out performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden in July. Whalum, a part of the Grammy-nominated group since 2011, first started playing the trombone while at Sea Isle Elementary in Memphis.
trombone players. I just wanted to be different.” With Mars and The Hooligans, Whalum says the music is “throwback.” “It brings back the Ohio Players, the Commodores, a James Brown-type of feel that music wasn’t getting for a long time. It takes people back to a good place in their minds.”
“When I went to Overton High, my thoughts were to play basketball and to play in the band. I love them both, but my band director, Mr.
The audience ranges from pre-teens to seniors. “At my church, there is a guy who is
(Chris) Piecuch, put a stop to that. He was like
70-something, and after we did the Super
‘No, while you are here, you are in the band
Bowl, he said from that point he has been lis-
and you’re going to focus on what you are
tening to Bruno and watching us on YouTube.”
doing in the band.’”
Whalum often returns to Overton, which he
Which might have fans of pop music saying, “Thank you, Mr. Piecuch.”
says he “owes everything to” and gives masterclasses for current students as well as young
Whalum hails from a rich music tradition. His
people at the Stax Academy downtown.
uncle, Kirk, is a Grammy Award-winning saxo-
“From seeing all the stuff they see in the
phonist — the instrument of choice for most of
bad areas, it is easy to stop dreaming. I try to
his relatives.
give them something they can see where they
So why trombone?
can look at me and say he came from this city,
“My brother and my uncle play saxophone —
someone who came from the public schools
almost everyone in the family does. I knew trum-
here in Memphis and made it.”
pet players. I knew sax players, but I didn’t know
Encore!
We caught up with Whalum again near the end of the current tour and asked him five more questions: Favorite city so far and why? Memphis. I’d been looking forward to playing at home since I started. Favorite city as far as food? Osaka, Japan. I watched them cook live lobster right in front of me! Current favorite Tiger? Shaq Goodwin. We haven’t had a dominant big man like that since Joey Dorsey. Most unusual tour moment? When we had to run off stage after the first song in Hawaii (because of a bomb threat) and then coming back and picking up right where we had stopped. Favorite moment with Bruno? Taking him around Memphis a little, Graceland. And being able to get in the studio with him at the famous Royal Studios.
— by Greg Russell
Murry, Weddle-West assume new roles at U of M Two longtime University of Memphis
Weddle-West takes the place of Rudd,
employees have been promoted to new
who assumed the U of M presidency on
roles: Melanie Stovall Murry has been
May 16.
named University Counsel and Karen
“Throughout her career, she has dem-
Weddle-West is serving as interim provost.
onstrated that she puts students and their
Murry replaces Sheri Lipman, who was
Melanie Stovall Murry
needs first in everything she does,” says
named U.S. District Judge for the Western
Rudd. “She is innovative and inclusive in
District of Tennessee in May. In addition to
how she approaches solutions. Her depth
providing leadership to the Office of Legal
and breadth of knowledge, expertise and
Counsel, Murry will also oversee the Univer-
understanding of our academic programs
sity’s Immigration Services.
across campus is unparalleled.”
“During her time at the University, Melanie has demonstrated a remarkable depth of
Karen Weddle-West
Weddle-West was appointed the University’s director of Diversity Initiatives in 2012
knowledge, broad range of legal expertise and competence that will serve
and has also served as vice provost for Graduate Programs since 2003.
the University of Memphis well. I have great confidence in her leadership
As diversity director, she has been the conduit for programs, services,
of the Office of Legal Counsel,” says U of M President M. David Rudd.
funds and resources designed to promote, sustain and enhance campus
Murry has been with the University since December 2002 and has
diversity in higher education. As vice provost for Graduate Programs/dean
served as both associate and assistant University Counsel. She is also
of the Graduate School, she has overseen all programs and initiatives of
an adjunct faculty member for the doctoral program in higher education
the Graduate School. Notable accomplishments during her tenure include
administration for the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences,
facilitating the launch of more than 60 new graduate programs and chair-
as well as an instructor for the University’s Tennessee Institute for Pre-Law.
ing or serving on more than 100 dissertation committees.
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