Ole Miss Alumni Review- Winter 2012

Winter 2012 Ole Miss Alumni Review Winter 2012 Vol. 61 No. 1

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Must-learn TV Students up to challenge of producing live newscasts

Mission impossible?

Not for CISS trainees School of Education lifts Delta schools

Looking for an Apartment?

Rent from a Rebel!

Cambridge Station 801 Frontage Road (662) 234-1801 • Basketball Court • Swimming Pool • Close To Campus

Old Taylor Place 2112 Old Taylor Road (662) 236-4300 • Balcony/Patios • Swimming Pool • Volleyball

Lexington Pointe

2000 Lexington Pointe Drive (662) 281-0402 • Covered Parking • Tennis Court • Clubhouse

Heritage Properties, Incorporated is owned by two Ole Miss graduates, George R. Walker, III and Wayne Pierce.

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Winter 2012

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Vol. 61 No. 1

features

20 Spies Like Us New generation of intelligence analysts trains at Ole Miss

By Tom Speed

28 Reality Show on the cover

Broadcast journalism is no dress rehearsal for students at media center

By Steve Mullen

34 Corps Values

School of Education programs boost Delta public schools

departments 6 From the Circle

The latest on Ole Miss students, faculty, staff and friends

16 Calendar 40 sports

Former Rebel joins Freeze Golf, tennis coaches share trait

44 arts and culture 46 Rebel Traveler

by Edwin Smith

50 alumni news

On the cover: Students prepare for a live broadcast of NewsWatch 99, which airs weeknights during the fall and spring semesters.

Photo by Robert Jordan

Ole Miss Alumni Review Publisher TimothyL.L.Walsh Walsh(83, (83) Timothy 91) Editor Jim Urbanek II (97) jim@olemiss.edu jim@olemiss.edu Associate Associate Editor Editor and and Advertising Advertising Director Director Tom Mullen Speed (91) Steve (92) tom@olemiss.edu steve@olemiss.edu Contributing Contributing Editor Editor Benita Whitehorn Benita Whitehorn Editorial Assistant Art Director Brandon Irvine John McCustion Designer Correspondents Eric Summers Kevin Bain (98), Rebecca Lauck Cleary (97), Correspondents KevinCorona, Bain (98), Tobie Baker Pablo Mitchell Diggs (96), (82), Rebecca LauckPatrice Cleary Sawyer (97), Lexi Combs, Jay Ferchaud, Guilfoyle, Mitchell DiggsRobert (82), Jay Ferchaud, Jen Hospodor, Jordan (83), Michael Harrelson, Robert Jordan (83), Barbara Lago (82), Nathan Latil, Nathan Jack Mazurak, Elaine Pugh,Latil, Edwin Smith (80, 93), Deborah Purnell (MAWeems 02) (97) Tom Speed (91, 03), Dabney Edwin Smith (80), Matt Westerfield Officers of The University Officers ofAlumni The University of Mississippi Association of Mississippi Alumni Association Richard Noble (68,73) Billpresident May (79), president Larry Bryan (74) Richard Noble (68), president-elect president-elect Jimmy Brown (70) Larry Bryan (74), vice president vice president Mike Glenn (77) Mike Glenn (77), athletics committee committee member member athletics Sam Lane Lane (76), (76) Sam athletics committee committee member member athletics Alumni Affairs Affairs Staff, Staff, Oxford Oxford Alumni Timothy L. Walsh (83, 91),director Timothly L. Walsh (83), executive executive director Joseph Baumbaugh, systems analyst III Joseph Baumbaugh, systems analyst Clay Cavett (86), associate directorIII ClayDollarhide, Cavett (86),systems associateprogrammer director Martha Martha Dollarhide, II systems programmer II Sheila Dossett (75),(75), senior associate director Sheila Dossett senior associate director Julian Gilner (04, 07), assistant director JulianKathryn Gilner (04), assistant director Sarah M. Hickman (03, 05), Sarah Kathryn M. for Hickman (03), assistant director marketing assistant director for marketing Port Kaigler (06), alumni assistant Port Kaigler alumni assistant and and(06), club coordinator coordinator Annetteclub Kelly (79), accountant Annette Kelly (79), accountant Steve Mullen (92), publications editor Tom Speed (91), publications editor Scott Thompson (97, 08), assistant director Scott Thompson (97), assistant director Jim Urbanek (97), assistant director Jim Urbanek (97), assistant director for for communications communications Rusty Woods (01), associate director Rusty Woods (01), assistant director for for information services information services James Butler (53, 62), director emeritus James Butler (53), director emeritus (60, 66),director WarnerWarner Alford Alford (60), executive executiveemeritus director emeritus The The Ole Ole Miss Miss Alumni Alumni Review Review (USPS (USPS 561-870) 561-870) is published is published quarterly quarterly by

by The The University University of of Mississippi Mississippi Alumni Alumni Association Association and and the the Office Office of of Alumni Alumni Affairs.

Affairs. Alumni Alumni Association Association offices offices are located at Triplett Alumni Center, 651 Grove Loop, University, MS 38677.

Telephone 662-915-7375.

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Chancellor Dear Alumni and Friends,

Each new year brings its own set of challenges, changes and opportunities, and as it begins, 2012 is already shaping up as a year full of promise for The University of Mississippi.

We begin a new calendar year building on some remarkable successes in 2011. Our Patterson School of Accountancy undergraduate program moved from being a top 20 school for six consecutive years to being a top 10 school. Our creative writing faculty garnered another major award. Jesmyn Ward, the 2010-11 John and Renee Grisham Writer in Residence, won the prestigious 2011 National Book Award for her novel, Salvage the Bones, completed while she was with us.

Our success always begins with our people, and we have new faces on the leadership team who bring enthusiasm, fresh ideas and a commitment to build upon the successes of their predecessors.

The first of these new faces is David Allen, who became dean of our School of Pharmacy on Jan. 1, replacing Barbara Wells, who retired after leading the school through 10 years of unprecedented growth. Allen, founding dean of pharmacy and professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the College of Pharmacy at Northeast Ohio Medical University, is already working hard to ensure our pharmacy program continues to move up the list of the nation’s top programs.

Hugh Freeze was named head coach of the football Rebels in early December, and he already has logged thousands of miles and hundreds of hours in efforts to assemble a staff, connect with fans and recruit the best players. Last season, Freeze led the Arkansas State Red Wolves to their best season ever, and he has a plan for rebuilding our football program and bringing home championships.

Finally, Mississippi native Tom Eppes joined us in mid-January as the university’s new chief communications officer. He brings more than 25 years’ experience in communications and corporate marketing. He and his staff are working to ensure that our success stories are shared with the broadest possible audience, helping maintain the university’s reputation for excellence and allowing us to attract the best students and faculty.

On the facilities front, 2011 was a landmark year for the Oxford campus. We opened the new Robert C. Khayat Law Center and Brevard Hall, the renovated Old Chemistry building that serves as administrative headquarters for the School of Engineering. The coming year looks even busier, with the Center for Manufacturing Excellence and the Insight Park building nearing completion. Later this year, we’ll celebrate the opening of three new residence halls and the renovated Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. We’ll also break ground on Phase 2 of the National Center for Natural Products Research, plus make major renovations to Coulter Hall, Johnson Commons and Lamar Hall. In Jackson, the new pharmacy education and research building is set to open soon at the Medical Center.

All this is just the beginning. Our Forward Together campaign for Intercollegiate Athletics is well on its way to providing the resources for a new basketball arena, north end zone expansion at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and major upgrades for other facilities. And our new UM 2020 strategic plan is helping provide a bold, clear vision for all our academic, research and service programs, ensuring that we continue to provide leadership for our state and region.

I invite you to join us in our efforts to make Ole Miss the best it can possibly be in all areas, and I hope you enjoy a successful and prosperous 2012.

Sincerely,

Daniel W. Jones (MD 75) Chancellor

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fromthe

President

Dear Alumni and Friends,

We have a new year, new challenges and definitely a new beginning at Ole Miss. Nothing like a change in attitude and a breath of fresh air to unite our fans, friends and certainly our alumni. I can tell you that as your representative on the search committee to hire our new football coach, we have the right man and a winner in Hugh Freeze. We will be proud that he is “ours,” and he can and will lead the Ole Miss football program. I congratulate Chancellor Jones and the others on the search committee for their unselfish devotion and work on behalf of Ole Miss.

At Homecoming, I spoke of The University of Mississippi and the Alumni Association in terms of “what WE can do” to make the best even better. First and foremost, be positive about Ole Miss; be proud of who we are and of all our accomplishments. Yet, more can be done by each of us: 1) Join and be a part of the Ole Miss Alumni Association; 2) Work with and attend your local alumni meetings and other university events in your area; 3) Help recruit students, and bring potential Ole Miss students to campus.

Our membership base will grow only if you help it to grow. Different generations of Rebels will be working together for the same goal. The opportunity for you is now. This is a new year for good things to happen. Get that gleam back in your eye because WE are coming, and you do not want to miss it!

The 2012 Ole Miss Luncheon Series kicked off Jan. 11 in Olive Branch with Chancellor Jones speaking on the state of the university. These informative sessions will continue over the next few months. Please make time to attend one near you.

Check the calendar in this issue for upcoming dates; a complete schedule is available on the Alumni Association website at www.olemissalumni.com.

As always, it is an honor to serve all of you as president of our Alumni Association. Hotty Toddy—Go Rebels!

Yours truly,

Richard G. Noble (BBA 68, JD 73) P.S. The photograph below is of the Noble family taken at Homecoming—all Rebels by the way …

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Ellen, Cancer Patient

Ellen, Cancer Survivor

My L i f e i s P r o o f.

A diagnosis of cancer changes everything. Trust University Cancer Care for the expertise and vast resources available at the state’s only Academic Medical Center. Our specialists have access to advanced research and technology – and our cancer physicians work in partnership with multiple University specialists who are also part of your University Cancer Care team – all of whom collaborate in your treatment planning. Today, there are more cancer survivors than ever before – which means more hope for those battling cancer. Join them. For more information about University Cancer Care, visit umhc.com/cancer or call 888.815.2005.

Dramatized to protect patient privacy

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The latest on Ole Miss students, faculty, staff and friends Photo by Kevin Bain

The Residential Colleges are reflected in Silver Pond.

Silver’s Sterling Legacy TRIBUTE HELD FOR COURAGEOUS HISTORY PROFESSOR

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early 50 years after he left The University of Mississippi in a storm of controversy, the late James W. Silver, a history professor and author of a well-known book on repression during the segregation era, was honored by the university during a pair of programs on Sept. 30.

A new body of water near the intersection of Sorority Row and West Jackson Avenue was dedicated as “Silver Pond.” A commemorative marker has been placed at the site, which is near Silver’s former home on the Ole Miss campus.

The dedication was followed by a symposium on Silver’s impact on Ole Miss and Mississippi. Silver, who studied at the University of North Carolina,

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Peabody College and Vanderbilt University, specialized in Southern history. He joined the Ole Miss faculty in 1936 and served as chair of the history department from 1946-57.

He was a close friend of William Faulkner and an influential figure among his students. Following the admission of James Meredith (BA 63) as the university’s first black student in 1962, Silver offered personal support and friendship to the embattled student.

During the segregationist era, Silver was frequently at odds with state political leaders but never daunted by them. He was a constant critic of racial taboos and spoke out against them, often in letters to the editors of various newspapers in

the region. His 1964 treatise, Mississippi: The Closed Society, became one of the most talked-about books to come out of the state during the period.

Silver took a leave of absence after its publication to teach at the University of Notre Dame and eventually joined the faculty at the University of South Florida. He died in 1988.

“His sterling legacy was that he challenged students and the public to think beyond their prior experience to a broad range of ideas, even controversial ones,” says John Robin Bradley (LLB 62), a UM professor of law for more than four decades and chairman of the Silver Commemorative Committee. AR

Promoting Acceptance PR CAMPAIGN ON DIVERSITY WINS BEST IN SHOW

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University of Mississippi public relations instructor and 14 of her students competed against industry professionals and brought home the top award in a multistate competition.

The campaign, called “Diversity Rocks,” won Best in Show from the Southern Public Relations Federation, an organization of more than 1,300 public relations professionals in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. The SPRF Lantern competition, held yearly, recognizes the best work from members.

Robin Street (BA 75, MS 97), a lecturer in journalism who specializes in teaching public relations, created “Diversity Rocks.” Street recruited 14 current and former students to help plan and conduct the multimedia and multifaceted campaign during the spring 2011 semester in the Meek School of Journalism and

New Media. “Diversity Rocks” celebrated diversity, whether through ethnic origin, sexual orientation or disability, with an emphasis on antibullying.

“What Robin and the students did was use a full complement of communications tools and programs to teach us to celebrate diversity as a strengthening force,” says Will Norton Jr., professor and dean of the Meek School. “They met outside of class, developed ideas, budgets, strategies, raised funds, shot and edited video, and scheduled campuswide events.

It was a comprehensive, professional, successful campaign, so it certainly deserved recognition by professionals.”

Winning the award was especially meaningful for Street for two reasons.

First, she and her students were competing with PR professionals and agencies with years of experience. Secondly, Street

created the campaign as a personal cause.

“I had the idea for ‘Diversity Rocks’ after learning about several young gay men nationally who killed themselves after being bullied,” Street says. “I also wanted to do something to honor my father, George Street, a former Ole Miss director of university relations, for whom racial reconciliation had been a critical issue in the last years of his life. So I thought of a campaign to promote acceptance of all minorities among our journalism students.”

Street and journalism school videographer Mykki Newton also won an award of achievement in the public service announcement category for the PSAs they produced for the campaign. Additionally, Street won both an achievement and an excellence award in the public relations writing category. AR Photo by Charlie Mitchell

UM journalism lecturer Robin Street and several of her students were recognized for their diversity campaign. Pictured, left to right are (front row) Ignacio Murillo, Molly Jarabica and Ray Mays. Back row: Kaylen Addison, Jajuan McNeil, Street and Kristie Warino.

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A Rose for Overby JOURNALISM CENTER NAMES SECOND SENIOR FELLOW

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eteran journalist Bill Rose (BA 69) was named a senior fellow at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics at The University of Mississippi.

Rose will write, lecture, conduct programs and work with students, says Charles L. Overby (68), chairman of the Freedom Forum, which funded the building and beginning operations of the center.

“Bill Rose is an accomplished editor and leader,” Overby says.

Rose was managing editor of the Palm Beach Post and a longtime reporter and editor at the Miami Herald. He was editor of Tropic, the Herald’s Sunday magazine, as well as national editor and deputy city editor. He covered the South for the Miami Herald for five years.

Rose joins Curtis Wilkie (BSJ 63), also a senior fellow, at the Overby Center.

Rose joined the faculty at the university’s Meek School of Journalism and New Media last year and directed “The Delta Project,” an in-depth report about poverty in the Delta that won the RFK national award for journalism excellence among scholastic entries.

Rose has won many journalism prizes for his reporting and editing work. He also served as a Pulitzer juror in 2007-08. AR

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STROKE EDUCATION TEAM WINS NATIONAL AWARD

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he National Stroke Association selected The University of Mississippi Health Care Multidisciplinary Team as a recipient of the inaugural Raising Awareness in Stroke Excellence (RAISE) Award. The UMHC team, recognized as Outstanding Group, was one of six winners to be honored for its commitment to stroke education.

The RAISE Award program was established in 2011 to give national recognition to individuals and groups that have exhibited commitment and innovation toward stroke-awareness

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efforts. The winners accepted the awards Oct. 28 at the Museum of Nature and Science in Denver.

The multidisciplinary team consists of UMHC administrators, nurses, physical therapists and others serving to educate the metro Jackson area on how to best detect a stroke and the various risk factors associated with stroke. Over the past year, the team has been responsible for performing risk assessments and educating more than 6,000 people through community outreach.

Kim Stonecypher, clinical director for adult services at The University

of Mississippi Medical Center, describes the award as “a well-deserved national recognition for the tremendous work that occurred both internally and externally of the team.

“We have participated in many health fairs and community projects throughout the state. We provided stroke screening and assessments, as well as educated people about prevention methods and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke,” Stonecypher says.

Actress Susan Lucci and actor Henry Winkler were among the six winners honored by the RAISE awards. They were recognized in the Best Media spokesperson category for their visual contributions to stroke education and awareness. AR

Promise Kept INAUGURAL PHARMACY ALUMNI CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

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aura Schrock of Durant, the inaugural recipient of the Pharmacy Alumni Chapter Scholarship, was introduced to members of the chapter’s board of directors during their meeting on campus this past fall.

“I want to say thank you,” Schrock told members of the board. “It is an honor to receive this scholarship, and it carries a responsibility along with it that I do not take lightly.”

The chapter’s board created the scholarship endowment a little more than a year ago to help the School of

Pharmacy recruit and retain qualified students. The endowment was funded mostly with proceeds from the chapter’s past two pharmacy weekend golf tournaments and gifts from other individuals and organizations.

“We take great pride in the fact that our idea of funding a scholarship is now a reality,” says chapter president James A. Pittman Jr. (BSPh 80) of Madison. “We also are pleased to see the scholarship awarded to a most deserving student. Our first recipient is an amazing representative of the type of student we are attracting

to Ole Miss, and I am happy that our chapter and its board of directors had a hand in making her education possible.”

Schrock is in the third year of the professional pharmacy program.

The Pharmacy Alumni Chapter Scholarship was created as part of the pharmacy school’s “Promises to Keep” campaign, which raised funds for merit and need-based scholarships and fellowships, faculty support and the new pharmacy building at the UM Medical Center in Jackson. AR Photo by Dabney Weems

Laura Schrock (third from left), with Marvin Wilson, associate dean of the School of Pharmacy; Barbara Wells, recently retired pharmacy school dean; and James Pittman, Pharmacy Alumni Chapter president.

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rom a window on the third floor in the original University Hospital, Gail Carlson snaps pictures of the early demolition stage of a construction project that’s been two years in the making.

Carlson, director of cardiovascular services for University Heart, which is part of The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, doesn’t see bulldozers and mounds of dirt but rather a modern, patient-friendly clinic. In the new clinic, instead of separate laboratory spaces, all labs and testing will be housed under one roof for hospital-based procedures. The construction on new clinic space is expected to begin in February.

“Our faculty has tripled, and our patient population is huge compared to what it was a few years ago,” Carlson says.

The $16.5 million, 69,325-squarefoot cardiovascular center will accommodate all the burgeoning patient and staff needs. The center will occupy space

in the basement and on the first, second and third floors.

Dr. Michael Winniford, chief of University Heart, says the new cardiovascular center will be a combination of renovated existing space and new construction. It will be adjacent to the old clinical area (where Student/Employee Health was located) and University Hospital.

For the last three years, the current catheterization lab has been located in a trailer behind the emergency room.

The electrophysiology lab has been in a modular building in the courtyard behind the Batson Children’s Hospital for the last seven years.

“That’s evidence of the fact we’ve outgrown our current facilities,” Winniford says.

Each month, 153 patients are treated at the catheterization lab, and 75 patients are seen at the electrophysiology lab. The space is going to provide new inpatient

cardiovascular lab facilities, including catheterization, electrophysiology and noninvasive testing such as echocardiograms, vascular and stress testing. The clinic area will have four cath lab suites, two EP labs and 25 outpatient prep/ recovery beds.

The facility will include a new conference room to enhance teaching of residents and fellows and meeting space for University Heart staff.

“The most dramatic impact will be on patient care and education,” Winniford says. “It will provide much better patient facilities, it will have improved patient access, and it will have a large recovery area. It’s a much more appealing space with the best equipment.”

Outpatient visits still will be at the University Physicians North Jackson, Grant’s Ferry and main campus clinics.

The construction project is scheduled to be completed by October 2013. AR Photo by Jay Ferchaud

John Fain (left) and Jeff Eckford, plumbers with Younge Mechanical, survey the construction site.

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Photo by Nathan Latil

A new UM initiative is focused on providing every Ole Miss undergraduate student with a greater understanding of science- and technology-related issues that affect every citizen.

Do the Math

UM POSITIONED TO BECOME REGIONAL LEADER IN STEM EDUCATION

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he University of Mississippi has launched an aggressive initiative to increase the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, aka STEM, in the state.

Alice M. Clark (MS 76, PhD 78), UM vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs, will direct the new effort. The announcement follows a year of planning, supported by a grant from NASA and the conclusion that the university is positioned to become a regional leader in STEM education.

“The University of Mississippi has had a long-standing commitment to STEM education and research, and has established a strong foundation for future innovations in STEM education,” Clark says. “In the coming years, The University of Mississippi will be at the forefront of STEM education, answering critical national needs.”

The Innovations in STEM Education

Initiative aims to substantially increase the number of STEM professionals educated in the state, thereby fulfilling critical national needs to sustain economic development and competitiveness, quality of life, homeland security and leadership in solving global problems related to energy, health and the environment.

“An important component of this initiative will be to identify and implement the most effective methods to prepare K-12 teachers to nurture scientific curiosity at an early age and instill the math and science foundations students need to pursue STEM degrees and careers,” UM Provost Morris Stocks says.

In addition to preparing scientists and engineers, the initiative will focus on providing every UM undergraduate student, regardless of major, with a greater understanding of science- and technologyrelated issues that affect every citizen, Chancellor Dan Jones (MD 75) says.

“American students face a rapidly

changing job climate and global competition,” Jones says. “Now more than ever, skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are essential to giving students the broadest range of career opportunities.”

The urgent need for enhanced STEM education and more STEM professionals has been recognized not only by the university, where this effort has strong synergy with the new UM 2020 Strategic Plan, but also within the Blueprint Mississippi 2011 workforce development goals and recommendations, he says.

As a key part of the Innovations in STEM Education Initiative—and to accommodate record growth in undergraduate enrollment, exploding demand for STEM courses and a commitment to increasing graduate enrollment—the university plans to enhance and expand facilities in its science complex, a row of 10 buildings extending west from Coulter Hall to just southwest of the Lyceum. AR Winter 2012 11

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Circle Heads-up Research STUDY YIELDS INSIGHTS ABOUT HIV-RELATED HEADACHES

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University of Mississippi study of headaches among HIV patients is being hailed as a critical step to improving treatment and reducing unnecessary medical costs among sufferers.

The article, “Headache among Pa t i e n t s w i t h H I V D i s e a s e : Prevalence, Characteristics and Associations,” is being published in a forthcoming issue of the journal Headache.

The study, which is attracting broad interest in the medical and mental health communities, was conducted as part of a doctoral dissertation by UM psychology alumnus Kale Kirkland (MA 08) while working in the Headache Research and Treatment laboratory under Todd Smitherman, UM assistant professor of psychology. The study was conducted in conjunction with clinicians from the University of Alabama Health Center in Montgomery.

Specifically, the results of the study show that headaches affect one of every two HIV/AIDS patients, but these are not your typical, run-of-the-mill tension headaches.

About 27.5 percent of the patients studied met criteria for “chronic migraine,” a rare headache condition in which a person has migraine symptoms—with or without other headaches—for 15 or more days per month. In comparison, only 2 percent of the general population is classified as having chronic migraines.

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among patients with HIV disease,” Smitherman says. “The strongest predictor of headache was the severity of HIV disease,

such that patients with more advanced disease had more frequent, more severe and more disabling migraines.”

This is the first study since the proliferation of highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART, medication to demonstrate that having HIV/AIDS portends a very high risk of headaches, particularly migraines.

These data highlight how important it is for physicians to regularly monitor CD4 levels, an indicator of immune system functioning, among this population and to pay close attention to headache symptoms among patients with more advanced disease. They also emphasize the importance of adherence to medication regimens among HIV patients.

“With the results from our study, we hope that infectiousdisease physicians will now be able to discuss with HIV patients what to expect in terms of headaches. This should also help prevent unnecessary medical costs, lessening the need to have expensive procedures—such as MRIs and spinal taps—ordered to rule out opportunistic infections.”

HIV-related infections were determined not to be frequent causes of headaches among patients in the study, but the authors caution that further studies that include neuroimaging procedures are needed to confirm these findings.

Because the study came from a psychological perspective, Smitherman and Kirkland say they hope to further educate mental health professionals on HIV, which should help improve treatment, given that HIV patients also have increased rates of depression and anxiety. AR

A New Pharmacy Leader DEAN TO TAKE SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL TO NEXT LEVEL Photo courtesy of NEOMED

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he University of Mississippi has selected Kentucky native David D. Allen as the new dean of its School of Pharmacy after a national search to replace Barbara G. Wells, who retired Dec. 31.

Allen, 49, is founding dean of pharmacy and professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the College of Pharmacy at Northeast Ohio Medical University and served as professor of physiology and pharmacology in NEOMED’s College of Medicine.

Allen’s UM appointment began Jan. 1. He also will serve as executive director of the university’s Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and professor of pharmacology.

“We are thrilled that someone with Dean Allen’s enthusiasm, experience and entrepreneurship will be leading our School of Pharmacy,” says Morris Stocks, UM provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “He is a notable leader and builder of pharmacy programs. He will be a wonderful dean, and we look forward to watching him make our pharmacy school, which is among the best in the country, the country’s best school.”

Allen earned his bachelor’s degree in

Allen

pharmacy at the University of Kentucky, then practiced pharmacy for several years before returning to UK to earn his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences. He has been licensed to practice pharmacy in five states and has been a visiting scientist in Chile, France and Switzerland, as well as at the Laboratory of Neurosciences’ Neurochemistry and Brain Transport Section

of the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Aging. There, he also was an Intramural Research Training Award Fellow for two years.

“Dr. Allen shows exceptional vision for pharmacy over the next five to 10 years,” says education Dean David Rock, who chaired UM’s search committee.

“He clearly recognizes that our School of Pharmacy is one of the top 10 schools in the U.S. With his energy, vision and leadership, he will continue to move our pharmacy school to the top of that list.

He is going to be a great, great dean.”

Allen, who says he is “ecstatic to be joining The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy,” plans to build on those accomplishments.

“Excellence in pharmacy education, research, patient care and service at the pharmacy school and the university are exciting traditions, and I am grateful to be afforded the opportunity to be part of their future,” he says. “There are great times ahead for the Ole Miss School of Pharmacy, and I look forward to working with a stellar cadre of faculty, staff and students, as well alumni and other stakeholders, to continue those traditions.” AR

SOCIAL WORK MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM EARNS ACCREDITATION

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he University of Mississippi’s Master of Social Work program was granted full accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The eight-year accreditation, retroactive from the program’s inception in 2008 through fall 2015, followed an official site visit by CSWE accreditation committee members, which took place in October 2010. Criteria met included curriculum, faculty-student ratio, resources and faculty credentials. Thirty-six students are enrolled in the three-year, part-time program.

“This is a win-win for the university and for people interested in the profession of social work in Mississippi, especially

North Mississippi, because it was so vitally needed,” says Debra Moore (MA 98, PhD 06), associate professor and interim chair of the Department of Social Work.

The program has six full-time faculty members, all of whom have terminal degrees. Candidates for degrees complete between 36 and 60 hours over three years. The program graduated its first class of 15 students last May. CSWE representatives began making unofficial annual site inspections in 2008. Each visit yielded recommendations and subsequent improvements, leading to the program’s successful official inspection.

“Our future goals are to have oneand two-year full-time programs as well as continuing the three-year, part-time program,” says Carol Boyd, interim dean of UM’s School of Applied Sciences.

“We’ll also begin preparing in 2013 for our re-accreditation visit two years later.”

The department has worked carefully to build an outstanding program with extensive influence, says UM Provost Morris Stocks.

“The university and the people of the state of Mississippi benefit from the strong efforts of this department,” he says. AR

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Circle World Class OUTSTANDING FRESHMEN NAMED 2011-12 CROFT SCHOLARS

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ix students from Mississippi and one each from Alabama, Tennessee and Texas entered The University of Mississippi in the fall on prestigious scholarships as members of the Croft Institute for International Studies.

The 2011-12 Croft Scholars each receive $8,000 per year for four years of undergraduate study. The Croft Institute, created in 1997 through a $60 million gift by the Joseph E. Bancroft Charitable and Educational Fund, ensures that students are prepared for leadership in business, public service, education and other fields with a deeper knowledge of an increasingly interdependent world.

Attesting to their abilities, the new scholars boast ACT scores ranging

from 31 to 34 and grade-point averages between 3.5 and 4.0. They include three class valedictorians, two International Baccalaureate Program graduates, a National Achievement Finalist and National Merit Semifinalist, and two National Merit Commended Scholars.

“These are among the most promising and competitive students in the nation,” says Kees Gispen, executive director of the Croft Institute. “They could have gone to pretty much any college or university in the United States, and we are fortunate to have them in our Croft program.”

The new Croft Scholars are Mary Margaret “Maggie” Spear of Kingwood, Texas, Alison Bartel of Harvest, Ala., Taylor Shantrell Brack of Ocean Springs,

Laura Elizabeth Bridges of Starkville, Andrew Michael DeLeeuw of Brandon, Kelly Elizabeth Kennedy of Germantown, Tenn., Sheila Arun Kumar of Starkville, Darley Jelgin “Bo” Solomon III of Grenada and Zachary Lee “Zack” Whitehead of Belmont.

As members of the Croft Institute, all the scholars have declared a major in international studies. Eight of the scholars are also members of the university’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, which provides students from all disciplines with a vibrant center of academic excellence to help them become outstanding in their fields and engaged citizens of their communities. AR Photo by Don Feitel

The 2011-12 Croft Scholars at The University of Mississippi’s Croft Institute for International Studies are (l-r front row) Andrew DeLeeuw of Brandon and Sheila Arun Kumar of Starkville; (l-r middle row) Bo Solomon of Grenada, Kelly Kennedy of Germantown, Tenn., and Alison Bartel of Harvest, Ala.; and (l-r back row) Taylor Brack of Ocean Springs, Zack Whitehead of Belmont, Laura Bridges of Starkville and Maggie Spear of Kingwood, Texas.

14 Alumni Review

Photo by Jay Ferchaud

Cutting the ribbon at the entrance to the Col. Harland Sanders Children’s Emergency Department and the Selby and Richard McRae Children’s Trauma Unit are Dr. Bev Evans (left), professor and former chair of pediatrics; Jennifer Stephen, nurse manager in pediatric emergency services; Dr. Ruth Black, director of pastoral services; Sara Ray, chair of Friends of Children’s Hospital; Richard McRae; Dr. James Keeton, vice chancellor for health affairs; Robin Robinson, president of the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning; Dr. Rick Barr, Suzan B. Thames professor and chair of pediatrics; and Guy Giesecke, CEO of Batson Children’s Hospital.

Dedicated to Children NEW EMERGENCY FACILITIES MORE COMFORTING TO FAMILIES

N

ichole Smyly’s last visit to the emergency room in Batson Children’s Hospital was a dreadful experience.

Recalling the hours she and her husband, Doug, spent waiting there after her son was injured in a car accident, she remembers desperately needing to escape the cramped waiting area. They found some empty chairs outside the restroom and sat down and cried.

On Nov. 15, she returned to the ER at Batson, but this time, she had no reason to cry.

Smyly was part of a large gathering of former patients, staff, faculty and donors that attended the dedication ceremony for the new Col. Harland Sanders Children’s Emergency Department and the Selby and Richard McRae Children’s Trauma Unit. Construction on the $5.8 million facility began in late 2009 and was partially funded by individual $1 million gifts from the Col. Harland Sanders and Selby and Richard McRae foundations.

“This is amazing,” she said. “It’s so child-friendly with the bright colors and the

artwork. It’s even comforting to me, so I can imagine how a scared little one will feel.”

The new 16,000-square-foot facility triples the treatment area available for the state’s only Level 1 pediatric emergency and trauma center and replaces a children’s ER built in 1982 to handle a 15,000-per-year patient volume. Currently, the children’s ER sees 32,000 to 35,000 patients annually.

The new space opened in December.

“This new children’s emergency department enables us to serve even more children in the Jackson area and throughout the state of Mississippi,” says Guy Giesecke, chief executive officer of Batson Children’s Hospital. “The additional space and better flow will significantly help provide better service and privacy to our patients and families, and optimally respond to major pediatric traumas as well.”

Dr. Magolia Castilla, associate professor and director of pediatric emergency medicine, says operating in such a confined space has been a challenge for the staff. She points out that not only has the volume of patients steadily increased to twice the size intended for the space,

but also the patients are sicker.

“There is a larger critical mass of patients coming through our doors that coincides with the children’s hospital’s expansion of its specialty and subspecialty programs,” she says. “Being in such a small space has required us to be very efficient in everything that we do.”

The existing ER has a small waiting area, one triage room and a jumble of treatment areas scattered throughout its 5,100 square feet, including one larger room divided into four separate patient areas and an area in an enclosed hallway with only a fabric curtain for privacy.

The new facility has 23 treatment rooms, including several reserved for patient overflow, as well as two designated trauma areas, two waiting areas and separate rooms for family consultation, cast treatments and triage.

“Children are our focus at Batson, and our staff is very excited to have this new facility for our patients and their families,” Castilla says. “We want to do the best thing for our children, and this is another step in that direction.” AR Winter 2012 15

Calendar Ford Series “The Color Purple” Feb. 12

weekend extravaganza. Events include a special Thacker Mountain Radio Show and the world premiere of the Oxford Film Festival’s second community film. More info: www.oxfordfilmfest.com or call 877-560-3456 (FILM).

11

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. Auburn, 6 p.m., Tad Smith Coliseum.

More info: www.olemisssports. com.

25

12

25

15

2

Ford Center Series Extra: Bruce Levingston with the Brooklyn Rider String Quartet and Friends, 7 p.m., Ford Center for the Performing Arts. More info: www.fordcenter.org.

2

-4 Ole Miss Theatre presents: Mississippi: The Dance Company’s “A Winter Collection.” Tickets can be purchased through the UM Box Office at 662915-7411 or www.olemiss. edu/depts/tickets.

16 Alumni Review

Spring Honors Convocation: Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College Spring Convocation featuring Garrison Keillor, 7:30 p.m., Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Reception following. More info: www.honors.olemiss.edu.

Ford Center Artist Series: Ron K. Brown/ Evidence, A Dance Company, 7 p.m., Ford Center for the Performing Arts. More info: www.fordcenter.org.

8

Ole Miss Luncheon Series: Tupelo, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., BancorpSouth Conference Center. More info: 662-915-7375.

9

-12 Oxford Film Festival and Oxford Music Festival: Partnership of the two popular festivals into one

24

Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. Alabama, 7 p.m., Tad Smith Coliseum. More info: www.olemiss­sports.com.

Ford Series: “The Color Purple,” 3 p.m., Ford Center for the Performing Arts. More info: www.fordcenter.org.

7

Ole Miss Luncheon Series: Birmingham, Ala., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., The Club. More info: 662-9157375.

-25 Leadership Ole Miss-Conference: for Alumni Association club leaders, Triplett Alumni Center and The Inn at Ole Miss.

More info: 662-915-1874 or port@olemiss.edu.

9

FEBRUARY

22

16

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt, 8 p.m., Tad Smith Coliseum. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

16

Applied Sciences Career Fair: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Ford Ballroom, The Inn at Ole Miss. More info: 662-915-7375.

21

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Arkansas State, 3 p.m., Oxford-University Stadium. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

Ford Series: “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” 7 p.m., Ford Center for the Performing Arts. More info: www.fordcenter.org.

Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity Founders Day 2012: The Inn at Ole Miss and various campus locations. Registration deadline is Feb. 15. More info: 662-915-7375.

25

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. LSU, 12:30 p.m., Tad Smith Coliseum. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

26

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. UNC-Wilmington, noon, Oxford-University Stadium. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

28

Men’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs. Memphis, 2 p.m., Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

28

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Memphis, 3 p.m., Oxford-University Stadium.

More info: www.olemisssports. com.

28

-March 3 Ole Miss Theatre: Lisa Loomer’s “Distracted.” To purchase tickets, contact the UM Box Office at 662-915-7411 or www.olemiss.edu/depts/ tickets.

MARCH

1

-3 Music of the South Symposium: Celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture’s master’s program in Southern studies and recognizes the varied and rich tradition of music research explored by students in the program. Barnard Observatory. More info: www. olemiss.edu/depts/south.

3

9

Softball: Ole Miss vs.

Chattanooga, 2:30 p.m.; Ole Miss vs. Troy, 4:45 p.m.

Ole Miss Softball Complex.

More info: www.olemisssports. com.

3

9

2

4

Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

2

-4 Black Alumni and Family Reunion 2012: The Inn at Ole Miss and various campus locations. Registration deadline is Feb. 23.

More info: 662-915-7375 or julian@olemiss.edu.

2

-4 Baseball: Ole Miss vs.

Miami (Ohio), 6:30 p.m.

Fri., 12:30 p.m. Sat., 1:30 p.m. Sun., Oxford-University Stadium. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

2

Men’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs.

Auburn, 2 p.m., Palmer/

Softball: Ole Miss vs.

Belmont, 12:15 p.m., Ole Miss Softball Complex. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. Alabama, 3 p.m., Tad Smith Coliseum. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

Men’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs.

Alabama, 1 p.m., Palmer/ Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

6

Baseball: Ole Miss vs.

Tennessee-Martin, 6:30 p.m., Oxford-University Stadium. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

7

Men’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs.

Virginia, 2 p.m., Palmer/ Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

Women’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs. Tennessee, 3 p.m., Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

-11 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Houston, 6:30 p.m.

Fri., 1:30 p.m. Sat., noon Sun., Oxford-University Stadium. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

11

Women’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs. Georgia, 1 p.m., Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

12 16

-16 Spring Break

-18 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Auburn, 6:30 p.m. Fri., 1:30 p.m. Sat., 1:30 p.m. Sun., Oxford-University Stadium. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

20

Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Southern Miss, 6:30 p.m., Oxford-University Stadium. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

21

Ole Miss Luncheon Series: Jackson, time and location TBA. More info: 662-915-7375.

21

Softball: Ole Miss vs. Central Arkansas, time TBA, Ole Miss Softball Complex. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

Oxford Conference for the Book March 22-24

22

-24 Oxford Conference for the Book: 19th annual conference celebrating writers and writing.

More info: oxfordconferenceforthebook.com.

Winter 2012 17

Calendar 23

Women’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs. South Carolina, 3 p.m., Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

23

-25 Softball: Ole Miss vs. Georgia, 6 p.m. Fri., 2 p.m. Sat., 1 p.m. Sun., Ole Miss Softball Complex. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

25

Men’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs. Florida, 1 p.m., Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

Women’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt

30

Men’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs. Arkansas, 2 p.m., Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

30

Softball: Ole Miss vs.

Auburn, 6 p.m., Ole Miss Softball Complex. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

30

-April 1 Baseball: Ole Miss vs. Florida, 6:30 p.m. Fri., 1:30 p.m. Sat., 12:30 p.m. Sun., OxfordUniversity Stadium. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

31

Softball: Ole Miss vs.

Auburn, 2 p.m., Ole Miss Softball Complex. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

31

-April 1 Ole Miss Theatre presents: “An Evening of Christopher Durang,” featuring two oneact plays, “The Actor’s Nightmare” and “’Dentity Crisis.”

To purchase tickets, contact the UM Box Office at 662915-7411 or www.olemiss. edu/depts/tickets.

18 Alumni Review

April 6

APRIL

1

Rebel Man Sprint Triathlon: Event includes a 440-meter swim, 21K bike ride and a 5K run, 8-11 a.m., Turner Center. More info: 662-915-5521.

1

Softball: Ole Miss vs.

Auburn, 1 p.m., Ole Miss Softball Complex. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

1

Men’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs. LSU, 1 p.m., Palmer/ Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

3

Softball: Ole Miss vs.

Jackson State, 5 p.m., Ole Miss Softball Complex. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

6

Women’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt, 3 p.m., Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

6

-8 Women’s Golf: Rebel Intercollegiate, all day, Ole Miss Golf Course. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

10

Baseball: Doubleheader vs. Central Arkansas, 3 p.m., OxfordUniversity Stadium. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

12

-14 Ole Miss Theatre presents: An Evening of Cinema, a screening of student-written, student-directed and studentproduced short films as well as the winning entries of the UM Cinema Competition.

To purchase tickets, contact the UM Box Office at 662915-7411 or www.olemiss. edu/depts/tickets.

13

Softball: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State, 6 p.m., Ole Miss Softball Complex. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

13

-14 Associated Student Body Reunion: First-ever reunion of Ole Miss Associated Student Body officers and committee members, The Inn at Ole Miss and various campus locations. More info: 662915-7375.

14

Softball: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State, 2 p.m., Ole Miss Softball Complex. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

14

Men’s Tennis: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State, time TBA, Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. More info: www.olemisssports.com.

15

Softball: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State, 1 p.m., Ole Miss Softball Complex. More info: www. olemisssports.com.

20 Alumni Review

>Spies Like Us New generation of intelligence analysts trains at Ole Miss

By Tom Speed

Photo by Robert Jordan Winter 2012 21

T >T Carl Jenson

he world of international espionage is known for its high intrigue, populated by high-tech gadgets, top-secret weapons and bald-headed super villains petting albino cats in elaborate underground bunkers—cloak and dagger, James Bondtype stuff, right? Wrong. It turns out real life is not exactly like the movies. For every James Bond James Bond wannabe out in the field, there’s also a team of behind-thescenes analysts who are making sense of all the information being gathered.

Increasingly, those analysts are being trained for this type of work at Ole Miss this type of work at Ole Miss. Students

are learning the ropes at the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies (CISS), Intelligence and Security Studies (CISS), which offers a minor in intelligence and security studies. The CISS was founded in 2008 as part of the School of Applied Sciences as part of the School of Applied Sciences. It’s a competitive minor, the only such program offered at Ole Miss and one of only a few in the nation. Students must first pass an introductory course (with a minimum grade of B), have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better 3.0 or better and pass a rigorous interview process just to be allowed to apply. After that, fewer than half of the applicants are selected.

“It’s highly competitive,” says Carl Jensen, director of CISS. If CISS were a Photo by Nathan Latil

FBI University of Mississippi Professor Days of Intrigue Carl Jensen, director of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies, teaches critical thinking, writing and briefing, skills he says are needed in the intelligence community.

22 Alumni Review

Photo by Nathan Latil

movie, then the affable Jensen would be the mastermind of a super spy school, picking and choosing the best and brightest and putting them through rigorous training before they go out into the world to get the bad guys. He has an intelligence background, having served 13 years as a special agent special agent in the FBI, and the students under his tutelage learn the very same techniques learned in the real world of intelligence analysis.

“We teach critical thinking, writing and briefing,” Jensen says. “Those are skills that are really needed in the intelligence community.”

But to get that chance, students must have all the intangibles as intangibles as well as the tangibles.

“We look at resumes, GPA and how motivated they are,” Jensen says. “On the night they show up, we give them three newspaper articles and say, ‘You have 15 minutes to synthesize this and prepare it in brief format like you’d give to a policymaker.’ We interview each of them. Then, from that, we decide who we are going to accept in the program decide who we are going to accept in the program. It has to be the right fit for them and the right fit for us.”

The program operates under a cohort model, meaning a group of students enter the program together and work hand in hand throughout their time together. A cohort can comprise anywhere from 10 to 15 students 10 to 15 students. However, there’s not a quota. If a student is qualified and the right fit, then he or she is accepted. The students’ backgrounds vary, and, because intelligence and security studies is a minor program, students’ major fields of study can vary as well. Still, the intelligence community does have an interest in seeking students with certain skills. Students majoring in languages such as Arabic and Chinese Arabic and Chinese are in high demand. Those who specialize in engineering and computer science are sought after. But then, the occasional art history major is accepted.

Jensen makes some effort to balance out each cohort group. And students are often sought out for their knowledge in surprising areas.

“In the Cold War, it was the Soviet Union,” says Jensen. “Today, it’s crime, terrorism, climate change, pandemics, financial markets, rising powers … a huge list of things.”

A student analyzes evidence collected from a test case. Though the cases are fictional, they are based on real-life situations and recent events.

One of those things is an international black market in stolen and counterfeit works of art, hence, the interest in art history majors.

Students who enroll in the program do happen to be among the best and brightest among the best and brightest. While only a 3.0 GPA is required, the average GPA of CISS students is 3.6. Among the students, more than 20 majors are represented. Also, an internship within the intelligence community is a requirement, and students are landing prestigious positions at key agencies.

Winter 2012 23

re da c

te d

Photo by Nathan Latil

CISS students have the opportunity to work with and learn from active officers and agents from the intelligence community as part of the annual Days of Intrigue competition.

The CISS is part of a growing national trend to educate and train students for a career in the intelligence community. The trend started earlier in the decade when the intelligence community—which comprises 17 institutions including the FBI, CIA, National Security Agency (NSA), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and Department of Homeland Security—underwent an intensive selfevaluation following what were regarded as intelligence-analysis failures leading up to 9/11 and the subsequent buildup to the Iraq War. It was determined that the failures resulted from incorrect analysis of the available information. The information was there; it just wasn’t being understood.

Thus, the community decided to place a heavier emphasis on the training of analysts—highly skilled individuals who are capable of quickly analyzing available intelligence and disseminating it in a usable form. Consequently, CISS was born.

>Days of Intrigue

A hallmark of the CISS program is the annual “Days of Intrigue.” It is a weekend-long simulation that pits students against developing intelligence reports, challenging them to solve a problem under pressure.

The scenarios are developed by project coordinator Melissa Graves (JD 07) and CISS webmaster Walter Flaschka. Each spring, the students are presented with an intelligence scenario, usually of the 24 Alumni Review

“ripped from the headlines” variety. So while the facts and situations are fictional, they are based on real-life situations and recent events. The students must analyze the information that comes from a variety of sources and make decisions about the veracity of the information, then provide a report to a policymaker, just like in real life.

“The idea behind it is that it lets students practically apply what we teach them in the classroom,” Graves says.

“They get to do their own analysis.”

The information comes from a variety of sources. Flaschka creates fake websites with tidbits of information buried in the nooks and crannies that may or may not be useful. Graves’ husband, Matthew Graves (MA 09), an award-winning videographer and a director at UM’s Media and Documentary Projects (see sidebar), produces lifelike news reports that relay information as it (fictionally) unfolds. He pieces together news reports from actual footage found on YouTube and elsewhere with original scenes shot with local actors, which produce an immersive and lifelike scenario for the students. Depending on the decisions the students make, a different news report or piece of information may be revealed, not unlike the old Choose Your Own Adventure children’s books.

This past year, Days of Intrigue became a lot more real. Active intelligence officers and agents from the FBI, CIA, DIA and NSA traveled to Oxford to participate in the exercise. At the end of the weekend, when the students were to present their findings and briefings to a policymaker, they did so to a real policymaker—U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (BA 73, JD 75).

The scenario involved many facets, including weapons trafficking, a fanatical religious cult, and a confrontation between Taiwan and China. Each of the students teamed up with one of the four agencies represented.

“The students were thrown into these agencies,” Graves says. “Each of the four agencies had different types of evidence for them to work through because the agencies handle slightly different things. It was great for them to have a real CIA case officer mentor them through the process and say, ‘This is how we would do this in the CIA.’” In years past, the exercise had a competitive component with each of the teams trying to outdo the other. But it wasn’t long before Graves and Jensen realized that type

of competition was counterproductive.

In fact, the lack of information sharing was one of the primary aspects the intelligence community cited as a failure during the post-9/11 self-examination.

“They were already highly motivated to solve the case,” says Graves, noting that all the students selected for the program are already highly motivated students. “Knowing that you are going to brief a senator at the end of the weekend is a pretty good motivation. Just like the real intelligence community does, you are going to have to collaborate and share the information. But, inherent in the way it’s structured, there is some competition because you want to be the agency that does the best.”

The biggest upside to the actual involvement of intelligence personnel was the exposure to the program.

“They gave us really great feedback,” Graves says. “We got the sense that this was good preparation for our students. And now we’ve built these great relationships, so they are helping us with next year.”

>Road Trips

Students have other opportunities to learn from actual practitioners. Two

events put them face to face with highranking members of the intelligence community each year.

In November, 11 students from the CISS program visited Washington, D.C., to participate in the 5 Eyes Analytic Workshop, sponsored by the DIA. There, they were not only observers but also participants in a series of panel discussions and conferences with key members of the international intelligence community from what is known as the “five eyes”: the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Ole Miss was one of only two American universities invited to attend. (The other was James Madison University.)

There, the students of CISS gave a presentation and then were subject to intelligence professionals’ questions.

“It’s one thing when they’ve been working on a presentation for six weeks and they do a good job,” Graves says. “But, then, at the end of the presentation we

nce e g i l l e t n Active i d agents an officers e FBI, from th NSA and CIA, DIA xford O o t d e travel te in a p i c i t r to pa ue]. g i r t n I [Days of

Breaking News and Analysis

Behind the scenes of CISSN, the fake news channel of ‘Days of Intrigue’

W

hen the students enrolled in the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies program begin their annual simulation exercises known as “Days of Intrigue,” the organizers want the experience to be as lifelike as possible. That’s why they enlisted award-winning director Matthew Graves to help out. Graves produces various audiovisual aids to help the students gather information in real time. Each year, students are presented with a new scenario. They are tasked with gathering various forms of intelligence and analyzing them for a policymaker, just like in the real-world lives of intelligence analysts. Here, Graves shares a few thoughts about his role in the exercise.

Creating news broadcasts “We worked really hard to find footage that would fit the scope of the story they were writing, and we pulled a lot of things off of YouTube and things like that and worked them into the narrative that they had written for this exercise. The type of information that is out there is so varied and visual that it’s not all like phone records, receipts and hard-line data. It’s on YouTube. It’s on Facebook. It is visual. That was exciting to me to be able to help them create a scenario that would be close to what they might see in a real-world scenario.”

Hiring local actors “We looked at a cult-like scenario [in which the cult] was going to plan some kind of attack, so, to create evidence that the students could discover, we created these home videos and audio recordings of the sermons that this religious extremist group was doing. We used some local actors in town, Johnny McPhail and Thad Lee, and we recorded them. [They] would create this evidence trail that would lead [the students] to figure out what their plans were. It was really neat to be able to create something visual for the students to look at, that’s not just on paper. It’s another way for them to look at the evidence.”

Creating the look of a ‘network’ “I tried really hard to make the news stories as believable as possible by creating graphics that didn’t look fake so that the students wouldn’t immediately dismiss it as some silly training exercise. [Project coordinator] Melissa [Graves] really wanted to create these stories that looked very accurate and believable, so it wouldn’t take the students out of the story. We created graphics and lower thirds (graphics placed in lower area of the screen) and crawling graphics with times and dates that were specific for the timeline of their story.“

Winter 2012 25

open it up for questions, and they have 100 people watching them, and these people have worked 20 years in the intelligence community or more, and they throw them all sorts of questions. The second [our students] opened their mouths, you could see they were totally familiar with what the person was talking about and could give an intelligent answer. They didn’t stumble.

They did a great job.”

Afterwards, the students were able to spend the afternoon at the Pentagon, visiting with FBI officials for briefings and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus (BA 69).

The other impending opportunity for CISS students is a new conference, scheduled to take place for the first time in spring 2012 in Great Britain. CISS students will collaborate with students at the University of Brunel in London.

The goal of the conference, says Graves, is to “bring together British and U.S. scholars to look at ways intelligence relates to journalism, marketing and other areas. And the idea is that we will carry this on for several years. It will start at Brunel this year in the spring, then come back to Ole Miss, and go back and forth.”

CISS students learn how to analyze information from a variety of sources and make decisions based on its accuracy before presenting reports.

26 Alumni Review

>Top Secret

While the goal of the CISS is to prepare students for a career in the intelligence community, not all graduates enter the field. Evaluating the success of placing graduates in the field is challenging. For one thing, the program is only 3 years old, so there are not many graduates from which to assess. Second of all, given that every student is a high-achieving, highly motivated student with another field of interest, many students go on to earn master’s degrees in their major field of study.

And last but not least, the nature of the business is that it is impossible to know.

After all, if a student lands a job as a top-secret spy, then it’s not exactly public knowledge.

“Some of the students actually can’t tell us if they’ve gotten in,” says Jensen.

“It’s a little hard to say.”

But based on the growing feedback from the community, the nascent program is on the right track. The funding for the founding of CISS was provided by a federal grant, and the involvement of the intelligence community has only increased.

“We have been getting tremendous support from [people in] the intelligence community,” Jensen says. “I was kind of shocked to see how much support they are giving. That shows that we are on the right track, not with just the Days of Intrigue but with the program in general. I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback and comments that the way we are preparing the students is exactly what they want to see.”

Few American universities are offering this kind of training. Fewer still offer a major degree. But Jensen says a major degree is not necessarily the goal.

“To me, the interdisciplinary nature of it is so essential that I’m resisting [making it a major] at this point,” he says. “But we are looking at graduate programming pretty heavily. We’ve been approached by several folks who are postbaccalaureate who said, ‘If it was here when I was here, that would’ve been great.’”

With or without an escalation of the program, it’s no secret that the CISS program is an extraordinary opportunity afforded to Ole Miss students that helps place them in an advantageous position in the world of academics and in their potential careers. Case closed. AR

28 Alumni Review

ast journalism c d a o r B

Reality Show

By Steve Mullen • Photos by Robert Jordan

od

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i

sn

res

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earsal for students

ia d e m at

c

Winter 2012 29

T

he scene in the TV station is controlled chaos.

Ne ws people are rushing about, putting the finishing touches on the evening newscast that is looming in just minutes. They’re polishing the rundown, the lineup of stories.

Prerecorded segments are being edited and dropped into place on newsroom computers. Revisions are being made to the script, which will be fed into a teleprompter in the studio for the anchors to read on-air.

The clock is ticking—specifically, the large digital clock in the station control room. Its bright red numbers keep official time to the second.

The date is Dec. 2. NewsWatch 99 has aired every weeknight of the fall semester, and tonight is the 69th and final broadcast until spring.

The place is the Student Media Center in Bishop Hall, a recently renovated edifice on the Ole Miss campus. The Student Media Center occupies most of the building’s second floor. It’s a prime example of a “converged newsroom.” Broadcast, print, radio and online operations share space and resources.

Students run the show. They are in training, yet are treated and expected to act like professionals. They have no choice—their work is broadcast live over the local airwaves and is streamed online.

‘Three, two, one … ’ Ole Miss junior Brian Spurlock enters the control room and puts on a headset. Spurlock is the NewsWatch station manager.

His job is equivalent to the editor of The Daily Mississippian, UM’s student-run daily newspaper; the manager of Rebel Radio; and the editor of the Ole Miss yearbook.

The station manager might be the boss, but everyone knows that, with minutes to go, the clock is in charge.

30 Alumni Review

Ole Miss student Mary Catherine Abernathy works on a story for the nightly NewsWatch 99 broadcast.

Students are buzzing about the newsroom, the control room and the studio, preparing for the cameras to go live. Amid the activity, they chatter.

“Lindsay, is what I wrote in the script for me?” one of the anchors asks.

“Ask Mary Catherine, she did the script,” comes the reply.

“Where is Camera 3?” someone in the control room says, as cameras are moved into position.

The anchors adjust their earpieces and joke back and forth as the clock ticks down, inevitably, toward 5:30. A student,

who was in shorts and a T-shirt moments before, reappears in a dress and makeup, her blond hair cascading in curls. She takes her place at the news desk, under the white, bright studio lights.

“I swear, y’all are divas,” someone jokes.

Spurlock stands watch over the control room. He launches into a mic check, making sure the on-air anchors can be heard.

“Aubry,” Spurlock calls out. No response. “Aubry, are you miked up? OK, start talking, Aubry.”

Anchor Aubry Killion reads a little from the script and is heard loud and clear

“Quite a number of people that I know, who are in the field now, would never have made it if they hadn’t had [the Student Media Center] to lean on, to go to, and learn.”

Amanda Pannell

over speakers in the control room. One by one, the other students in front of the cameras respond in turn.

The clock continues to tick.

With a few minutes to go, a minor crisis erupts—a video package is missing.

“It didn’t drop right,” technical director Stewart Pirani says. “Go redrop it.”

After a little hustle back and forth through the newsroom, the crisis is averted, and the video is found.

At the same time, Spurlock and another editor are dropping in more lastminute footage to run with a story.

“Commercial’s rolling,” someone calls out in the final seconds.

“Graphic’s rolling.”

One of the monitors in the control room shows what is being broadcast: the opening theme song and images of NewsWatch 99.

Spurlock counts down the last seconds.

“Three, two, one—mic and cue.”

They’re live.

‘Do all things’ NewsWatch provides students with extraordinary hands-on experience and offers positions including anchors, producers, assignment editors, reporters, camera operators, directors, audio engineers and graphic designers. A lot of work is involved, and students from many fields of study— not just journalism majors—pitch in.

“We try to find ways for any student who is interested to do something over here,” says Patricia Thompson, director of student media. “We try to help them find a spot as far as getting some experience.

“They are learning by doing,” Thompson says. “They do rise to the occasion.

They do make mistakes, but that is expected of students.”

And experience is the key to a career after college, especially in the evermorphing media world. No longer can

students expect to line up safely inside a defined “print” or “broadcast” path. The Internet and the rise of social media have ended those days.

“Journalism programs have had to change with the media landscape,” Thompson says. “Student journalists are given multiplatform training. They’re learning how to report for the Web, for social media, video and broadcast.

“Print students have to learn how to do video too,” she says. “Every student has to have some exposure and experience.”

‘Don’t just glide through’ Four or five journalism courses are taught in the media center, including Advanced Broadcast, with students preparing news reports that end up on NewsWatch. But it’s possible—though not advisable—to attain a journalism degree without participating in a media center broadcast or publication.

Students who “glide through” the journalism program do so at their own peril, says alumna Amanda Pannell (BA 07).

“Take advantage of it,” says Pannell, a producer at Fox 13 Memphis and a

former NewsWatch station manager.

“Don’t just glide through and think you’re going to be able to get a job after college because you’re not. You’re going to have to do internships. You need to be able to show work to get those internships; you’re not going to just be able to get a job out of school. You have to work for it.”

Pannell says many students did not take advantage of the journalism program’s assets when she was there. She did, and it shows. She was hired by Fox 13 right after graduation, with her experience at the Student Media Center making the difference for her employers. Last year, Pannell won a regional Emmy Award for a series of public service announcements for Fox 13.

“The Student Media Center brought me so many opportunities,” Pannell says.

“Quite a number of people that I know, who are in the field now, would never have made it if they hadn’t had that center to lean on, to go to, and learn.”

Pannell credits the converged newsroom with not just helping her find a job but also thriving inside her organization.

The fast pace demanded by Ole Miss’ daily

NewsWatch 99 anchors Mary Catherine Abernathy (left), Margaret Ann Morgan, Brittani Acuff and Sid Williams joke before going live.

Winter 2012 31

NewsWatch 99 station manager Brian Spurlock and Ole Miss student Olivia Rearick work in the Student Media Center minutes before broadcast.

newspaper and nightly newscast meant she was involved in a little bit of everything.

And today’s media companies—with the harsh realities of cutbacks and short staffs—demand multitasking from their employees.

“I’ve been an associate producer, I’ve been a promotions producer, I’ve been a Web producer, and now I don’t know what my job title is anymore because I do a little bit of everything,” Pannell says of her job at Fox 13.

That lines up nicely with her experience at the media center at Ole Miss.

“It really prepared me for what I would be facing in the real world,” Pannell says. “And, a lot of the people who were really involved in student media are the ones that went on to get good jobs.”

The jobs are out there, Pannell and Thompson both say. But they’re being filled by multitaskers—the type of students that train in the media center.

“There are all kinds of places looking to hire,” Thompson says. “A lot of the small- to medium-size newspapers in Mississippi have openings. At least several times a month, some of the TV stations 32 Alumni Review

in the region will contact us about some spots that they’ve got, some behind-thescenes kinds of things. So there are jobs out there. There’s no doubt, though, that the industry has changed, and some of the traditional jobs are gone or have decreased a lot. But there are still opportunities.”

Those entry-level jobs, Pannell says, go to students who have already been trained on a deadline—an experience that sets Ole Miss and its media center apart from others. Pannell says her faculty advisers drilled into her not just a sense of urgency but also a focus on professionalism.

“Anybody who is actively involved in student media understands that you weren’t playing,” she says. “You were writing for a paper that went out to thousands of people. You were going to be serious about it. You were going to be accountable. And you had to be credible.”

‘Imagine how good’ Supply is greater than demand when it comes to filling anchor spots for NewsWatch, Thompson says from her office in the newsroom.

“But, there are other things you can

do if you don’t get one of the anchor positions,” she says.

The converged newsroom means students are not just encouraged but also expected to try out as many different types of media as possible. They can choose from NewsWatch 99, The Daily Mississippian, the campus yearbook Ole Miss, and Rebel Radio 92.1, the campus radio station.

“We’re almost always looking for writers for the DM,” Thompson says. “We also have students audition for the DJ spots for the radio.”

Business and marketing majors are in the mix, selling ads for the Mississippian and Rebel Radio. This is a semiprofessional operation after all, and it generates income to cover costs, including hourly wages and stipends for the students.

The Student Media Center provides around 30 paid positions, from the hourly top editors and producers to the on-air broadcasters and writers, who are paid per story or per broadcast.

Students, from freshmen to seniors, are welcome—something of a rarity among campus media centers.

“We get a lot of freshmen over here,”

Stewart Pirani (right) and other Ole Miss students work in the Media Center control room during a live NewsWatch 99 broadcast.

Thompson says. “Some schools you can’t start as a freshman, but here you can. If you start as a freshman, imagine how good you’re going to be when you’re a senior.”

‘I know every job’ Spurlock, the current NewsWatch station manager, is one of those students who has been on board since he was a freshman. And he’s proof that all student majors are welcome in the media center. This manager of student journalists is a biology and chemistry major, with sights on a career in medical research.

“I’ve been involved with media with my church and other organizations for years, so I just started volunteering up here because it was similar to that,” says Spurlock from a workstation in the sprawling newsroom, over the chatter of other students as they prepare for the show.

“And then I kind of fell in love with the show and started putting a lot into it,” he says. “I’m not pursuing journalism professionally, but I want to make the show the best that it can be.”

He says his media center work is preparing him for his future career, even

though it won’t be in journalism.

“To put together good stories, it takes a lot of research, and I’ve had to do that a good bit,” he says, “helping people write stories or pulling together stories myself ... and that’s basically what you have to do to lay the groundwork for a research project.”

Spurlock, in his soft yet determined voice, describes his day and the daily juggle between classwork and station work.

“I schedule almost all of my classes in the morning, so I’m here all afternoon, a lot of times from noon or 1 until 7.

“I know every job, so any time somebody needs help, I help him or her with that,” he says. “When I first come in, I usually help the director do the rundown.

I make sure everybody’s going to come in and, if we need fill-ins, call everyone else.

I do payroll when that comes up.”

When it’s time for the show, he makes sure the camera people are in place and the control room is staffed and ready.

He brags on his student colleagues.

“You know, I have a great team, so that takes a lot of the time that I would have to spend off of my hands.”

‘OK, where we at?’

We’re back to watching the clock and the inevitable countdown before NewsWatch is transmitted, the 69th and final time for the fall semester, to the airwaves and Internet.

The team is gearing up.

“OK, where we at?” a student manager asks.

“I emailed that script …” someone trails off.

Minutes before broadcast, students are huddled in the control room, preparing graphics in Photoshop. In the newsroom, a student is emailing the script to the teleprompter computer, but it’s not coming through. Like most newsrooms, the students have developed ways to work around hiccups in the computer system.

“Look in the spam folder,” one student says. “Our system doesn’t like her email address.” Another minor crisis is averted.

As the broadcast begins, it’s clear that these students have developed a bond, professional and personal, that will follow them beyond their time at Ole Miss. AR

Winter 2012 33

North Panola High School teacher Golda Sharpe (left), teacher Kevan Wright, Principal Jamone Edwards, Mississippi Teacher Corps co-director Andy Mullins, and teachers Brent Bonds and Paul McAllister tout the success of the Teacher Corps program.

34 Alumni Review

Values

School of Education programs making huge difference in Delta area public schools

By Edwin Smith • Photos by Robert Jordan

Winter 2012 35

A

s economic woes continue to increase the disparities between the “haves” and the “have nots,” faculty, staff and students at The University of Mississippi School of Education are working harder than ever to close the gap with several programs aimed at improving educational quality and attainment in Mississippi Delta-area school systems.

The School of Education is making a positive difference in these low-income, quality-challenged public schools through such programs as the Mississippi Teacher Corps, Mississippi Principal Corps and the Center for Excellence in Literacy Education. Joining forces with local school officials, faculty, students and communities, these partnerships have yielded amazing results over the past few years. Thanks, in part, to the efforts of UM-trained teachers and administrators, one previously failing high school has become a success story and is equipping its students to succeed after they graduate.

At another school, an average elementary school in another Delta community, the faculty members aspired to make their school great. They hit their target and celebrated their new status as the Delta’s only “Star” school last fall.

Dozens of other schools across North Mississippi have a new vision for what they can achieve—and the difference they can make—thanks to instructional leadership produced through the Mississippi Principal Corps program.

Perhaps nowhere is this impact more dramatic than at North Panola High School, where Mississippi Teacher Corps graduates have helped engineer a spectacular turnaround. In 2007, the school was scraping the bottom of the barrel in academic achievement, as measured by Mississippi Department of Education rankings. Poor student performances on state math, English, science and history exams contributed to its then-“Failing” status and the school being put under MDE conservatorship in 2008.

Through teamwork, strategic planning and a concentrated effort to improve, NPHS has achieved Successful school status in this year’s rankings. MDE officials annually evaluate K-12 school systems statewide, using criteria that include accreditation status, graduation and completion data, state exam and 36 Alumni Review

ACT scores, expulsions and out-of-school suspensions. Labels from lowest to superior are Failing, At-Risk of Failing, Low Performing, Academic Watch, Successful, High Performing and Star.

“It fills my heart to see how well we’ve done, the strides we’ve made,” says lead teacher Patrick Lassiter, a former first-year teacher in the Mississippi Teacher Corps program. “Having those gains recognized across the state is very fulfilling.”

Since 2008, six courses at NPHS and junior high school have been taught by Teacher Corps teachers. Subject areas taught

by Corps teachers include Algebra I and II, English II and III, Biology and U.S. History.

“Before I started here, I remember thinking to myself, ‘How hard could teaching be?’” says Golda Sharpe (BA 09, MA 11), a UM alumna from Clarksdale in her third year as an Algebra I teacher.

“That first year was more challenging than I ever imagined it could be. My second year was much better. My expectations for my students grow each year.

“I’ve realized that North Panola can be a great school. We have great students who just need to realize their own potential. To have been a part of the school’s success to this point is something I’ll never forget. I’ve developed professionally and grown as a person.”

Golda Sharpe, a UM alumna from Clarksdale, teaches an Algebra I class at North Panola High School.

Hanna Oliver, a chemistry teacher at North Panola High School, was placed at the school through the Mississippi Teacher Corps program.

Having mastered the dynamics of classroom management and content, English III teacher Brent Bonds (BA 03) seeks to make students comfortable with taking tests and confident that they know the material.

“There is no ceiling to what I think our students and our school can do,” says the Iuka native. “I’m excited about working with Mr. (Jamone) Edwards (NPHS’s new principal). Under his leadership, we’re definitely making progress, and I want to remain a part of that movement.”

Two Teacher Corps alumni have advanced through the ranks to become chairs of the school’s math and English departments. Another Corps alumnus is lead teacher for the entire high school.

“This success story is most definitely a feather in the cap of our Mississippi Teacher Corps program,” says Andrew Mullins (PhD 92), UM chief of staff to the chancellor, associate professor of education and co-director of the Teacher Corps. “We’ve had plenty of other successes, but this has to be one of the most phenomenal ones to date.”

Besides the North Panola School District, Mullins has placed teachers at schools in Benton, Marshall, Noxubee and Tate counties, as well as in Hollandale, Holly Springs, Okolona, Meridian and Jackson public schools.

“We had requests for 13 more teachers

in three other districts (last fall) but weren’t able to fill those requests at this time,” Mullins says. “Those districts, along with the ones previously mentioned, have already requested teachers for the 2012-13 school year.”

The Mississippi Teacher Corps was created in 1989 by Mullins and Amy Gutman. At the time, Mullins worked at MDE, and Gutman was a journalism student at Harvard University, interning at The Greenwood Commonwealth.

While brainstorming ideas to help fill the impending teacher shortage in the Mississippi Delta, Gutman and Mullins came up with the program—founded on the ideals of the Peace Corps—in which recent college graduates from all over the U.S. would come teach in Mississippi. The two-year program trains non-education majors to teach in high-poverty public schools in Mississippi. For two years, participants live and teach in rural and urban Mississippi communities. While teaching, each participant earns a master’s degree in education from Ole Miss and receives training and support from MTC. Benefits include teacher training and certification, a full scholarship for a master’s degree in education, job placement that includes full pay ($32,000-plus) and benefits, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students in one of the country’s poorest regions.

Initially, the Corps was a one-year program funded by several foundations. In 1993, MTC became a two-year program based at Ole Miss. Participants complete a master’s in curriculum and instruction while in the program. In 1994, the Mississippi Legislature began fully funding the program.

Since 1989, more than 500 participants have taught in critical-needs school districts, reaching an estimated 100,000 students.

Another School of Education program, this one housed in the Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, takes teachers already in place and helps them aim higher. CELI results have been especially impressive at Dundee Elementary School, where for the past three years personnel have worked with the Tunica County school district’s administration, faculty and staff. UM faculty Ashley Parker (BAEd 05) and Tamara Hillmer (05) deliver professional development, work with the school’s literacy leadership team and mentor about 10 teachers.

Through teamwork, strategic planning and a concentrated effort to improve, Dundee moved up in the rankings this year, becoming one of 65 Star schools in the state and the only one in the Mississippi Delta. Principal Dexter Green attributes the school’s success, in part, to the CELI partnership.

“In our efforts to reach our lofty goal of becoming a Star school, we had to improve in the area of teaching language arts,” Green says. “Language arts teachers meet monthly with CELI consultants for ongoing professional development to learn innovative teaching strategies for reading and writing.”

Rising to higher expectations for student achievement, all teachers in grades 3-5 exceeded the state average on the Mississippi Curriculum Test, Second Edition (MCT 2) tests in language arts and math. Three teachers, fourth-grade teachers Natasha Bates (MEd 09) and Adrienne Sims and fifth-grade teacher Celeste Maugh, achieved Star-performing status for having a Quality of Distribution Index score of 200 and above.

Both Parker and Hillmer say they found collaborating with DES faculty and staff challenging and rewarding.

“Dundee teachers had some initial hesitation about our involvement when we began three years ago, but once we Winter 2012 37

overcame their fears, we were able to help them with their goals for improvement,” Parker says. “Over the years we’ve seen a positive shift in the confidence of both teachers and students. They are highly motivated, and the energy is infectious.”

“Personally, I feel as though I am one of the team at DES,” Hillmer says.

“There is such a supportive and familylike atmosphere within the school. The teachers and administrators are dedicated 100 percent to seeing their students succeed. They are willing to think outside of the box in doing what is best for DES students, even if it requires them to step out of their comfort zone.”

Third-grade teacher Marie McGowan says CELI has helped her become a more reflective teacher.

“I dig deeper into instructional strategies and implement them with my students,” she says. “CELI is an invaluable resource.”

DES scored as a Successful school in 2009 and a High Performing school in 2010. It has also been recognized among 73 National Title I Distinguished Schools in the country, one of only two in Mississippi.

“It is very affirming to know that we have played some small part in changing children’s lives because we know what happens to children who are not academically successful in the foundational early years,” says Angela Rutherford, UM associate professor of curriculum and instruction and CELI director. “They become statistics of dropout, crime and low wages, and low life expectancy. We love our work at Dundee and are so excited about our continued work.”

Third-, fourth- and fifth-graders from Dundee Elementary School visited the Oxford campus last November as guests of CELI. The 78 students toured the football Indoor Practice Facility, the Lyceum, civil rights monument, J.D. Williams Library, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Center for Manufacturing Excellence. They also met Chancellor Dan Jones (MD 75) and Provost Morris Stocks, as well as other UM faculty and staff.

“This was the first time many of these children ever set foot on a college or university campus,” Parker says. “These students are bright enough to successfully pursue professions in the hard sciences, but they first have to be made aware of what is available to them in terms of 38 Alumni Review

Parks Smith teaches English 2 to 10th graders during Mississippi Teacher Corps summer school at Holly Springs High School in this 2008 photo.

educational opportunities.”

Yet another example of UM’s leadership and vision for public education in the state of Mississippi is the Principal Corps program. Very much like the Teacher Corps, the program’s purpose is to prepare highly qualified educators for leadership excellence in academic and administrative capacities. The program is structured according to the following principles: use of sound research and theoretical perspectives, implementation of multiple delivery systems of education, modeling of effective instruction and maximal learning opportunities, support of community involvement and engagement, demonstration of an understanding and appreciation of diversity, and promotion of partnerships and collaboration.

Principal Corps benefits include earning a Master of Education or Educational Specialist degree, a $10,000 signing bonus when a graduate accepts an administrative position in a Mississippi school, school

district placement upon completing the program, free textbooks and other related course materials, experience as a full-time graduate student, structured internships to gain relevant experiences as an aspiring principal, exposure to highly qualified and capable faculty, professional networking, a living stipend while on campus, and the ability to maintain salary and benefits from their current school district.

Chris Chism (MEd 11), a Principal Corps graduate and assistant principal at New Albany High School, already had plans to teach in Mississippi but had to take a pay cut to participate in the program. The signing bonus helped him get his family back on its feet financially.

Chism, who was head baseball coach at Hernando High School for four years before applying for the program, said, despite the pay cut, the internship with the South Panola School District was worth it.

“I had been in education 12 years and was beginning to do principal things

already, so this was just a natural progression for me,” Chism says. “The Principal Corps allowed me to earn my master’s, while completing a valuable internship experience and receiving a salary courtesy of the Barksdale Foundation. It was really the best of both worlds.”

Principal Corps is designed for educators who have a desire to be principals.

Only 10 to 12 applicants are accepted each year. To be eligible, each student must have worked at least three years as a teacher in Mississippi. The lucky few who get into the program are able to learn firsthand while interning at different schools, where they are mentored by the principals of those schools.

In exchange, the school districts get another set of eyes and an accountability partner for each facility that hosts an intern. With the current class, the program will have produced 30 current or future Mississippi principals.

“This program is designed to create a different kind of leader,” says Susan McClelland (MEd 88, PhD 96), program director. “It was designed to create an instructional leader because we know and we understand how important the role of a principal is in the school.”

The program is set up so that every three weeks, students must return to Oxford for face-to-face class time on campus. In between, they intern at two schools, each of different grade levels, to get experience and mentorship in a variety of atmospheres.

“In this day of accountability and higher academic standards, our principals need to know and understand curriculum,” McClelland says. “They need to be experts in not only the design of the curriculum but also the methodology of instruction.”

The largest beneficiary of the Principal Corps is the state of Mississippi. Thanks to a generous donation by the Barksdale Foundation, each graduate has a $10,000 incentive to stay in the state—a feature that sets the Principal Corps apart from every other principal training program in the country.

With only three classes thus far, Principal Corps has been making great advances.

“I have been impressed with the quality of interns who have been placed in our schools,” says Charles Garrett, New Albany School District superintendent.

“They bring the technology edge oftentimes, and they bring enthusiasm. They

have a very positive impact on the district, and we welcome more interns, absolutely.”

Created in 1903, the Ole Miss School of Education is dedicated to preparing students for effective leadership and service in increasingly diverse schools, homes and communities. Its mission is to provide exemplary instruction, relevant research and effective service through collaboration with schools, businesses, community organizations and the public.

The Teacher Corps, CELI and Principal Corps are outstanding examples of the school’s innovative approach and commitment to the state of Mississippi. While success is celebrated, administration and

faculty are not satisfied with the current level of achievement.

“My vision is for the school to provide the highest quality programs at a state and national level, using innovation and advanced technology that are grounded in quality research,” says David Rock, dean of the School of Education. “We must ensure that faculty and staff support a studentcentered atmosphere that enhances the quality of programs at the undergraduate level and increases the strength of our graduate programs on a national level.

“Our goal is to achieve national recognition and become one of the top 50 schools of education in the country.” AR

Mississippi Teacher Corps Placement 2001-11

Sharkey

Winter 2012 39

Sports Familiar Face Returns FORMER REBEL JOINS NEW FOOTBALL COACH

O

Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Sports Information

le Miss head coach Hugh Freeze added a familiar name to his football staff, as former Rebel player and assistant coach Matt Luke (BBA 00) returns to Oxford as the offensive line coach.

“For a coach like Matt Luke to return to Ole Miss—a place where he is so loved and loves so dearly—is a home run for us,” Freeze says. “He is a tireless recruiter and is a great representative of our university.”

Luke spent the last four seasons as Duke’s offensive coordinator/ running game while coaching the offensive line. His line ranked among the Atlantic Coast Conference’s top five in fewest sacks allowed throughout his tenure, including finishing third in 2009 and 2010.

Luke went to Duke following two seasons at Tennessee, where he served as recruiting coordinator while coaching the tight ends and assisting with the offensive line. During his Matt Luke two-year stay (2006-07) in

Knoxville, the Volunteers went 19-8 with an SEC Eastern Division championship and two appearances in the Outback Bowl.

On the recruiting front, Tennessee’s 2007 class was rated third best nationally by Rivals.com and fourth best in the country by Scout.com.

A native of Gulfport, Luke lettered four seasons (1995-98) as a center at Ole Miss. A starter in 33 career games for the Rebels, he served as team captain in 1998, when Ole Miss posted a 7-5 ledger and defeated Texas Tech in the Independence Bowl. He was named the 1998 Ole Miss Most Valuable Senior by the Jackson Touchdown Club and twice earned Academic All-SEC honors.

Following his playing career, he served as a student assistant coach at Ole Miss in 1999, helping the Rebels to an 8-4 ledger with regular-season wins against Auburn, South Carolina, LSU and Arkansas, as well as a 27-25 triumph over Oklahoma in the Independence Bowl.

Luke then spent two years (2000-01) coaching the offensive line at Murray State before returning to his alma mater to guide the Rebel tight ends and offensive line for four seasons (200205). Ole Miss won two bowl games during that stretch, defeating Nebraska in the Independence Bowl to close the 2002 season and upending Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl a year later to cap a 10-3 campaign that included a share of the SEC Western Division championship. AR Photo by Nathan Latil

Hula Hoops MEN’S BASKETBALL INVITED TO TOURNAMENT IN HAWAII

T

he Ole Miss men’s basketball team has been selected to participate in the 2012 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic in late December.

At press time, seven of the eight teams had been announced for the fourth annual holiday tournament to be held at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. Competing alongside the Rebels will be 2011 NCAA Tournament teams Arizona and San Diego State, classic host Hawaii, Miami (Fla.), San Francisco and Texas Tech.

The 2012 classic in Hawaii is an eight-team men’s college basketball tournament, which will feature 12 games over three days. Each team will compete in one game per day, advancing through a bracket-tournament format. The two

40 Alumni Review

teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in a championship match.

The Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic is owned and operated

by ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN. The University of Southern California won the inaugural tournament in 2009, followed by Butler in 2010.

Ole Miss will make its second trip to the nation’s 50th state; the first was in 2001. The team has played in a tropical holiday tournament each year since 2007.

Destinations have included Cancun (Mexico), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and most recently St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands).

The Rebels have gone 11-4 in those tournaments over the last five years. AR

Ole Miss’ Murphy Holloway goes in for a dunk.

The Ole Miss men’s basketball team has been selected to participate in the 2012 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic in late December.

Sports Photos courtesy of Ole Miss Sports Information Seeing double: Ole Miss boasts two twin sports coaches. Pictured are golf coach Ernest Ross and brother, Ralph (left), and men’s tennis coach Billy Chadwick and brother, Barney.

Playing Doubles GOLF AND TENNIS COACHES SHARE A COMMON BOND

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wins are rare. How about this for rarer still? Ole Miss employs two head coaches who are twins—Ernest Ross (BBA 74) of men’s golf and Billy Chadwick (MBA 85) of the men’s tennis team. Both are identical twins.

‘Not always so friendly’ sibling rivalry

Ernest Ross and his twin brother, Ralph (BBA 75), had a rivalry on the golf course that Ernest described as being “as intense as anything you can imagine.”

Growing up in the small town of Grenada, the Ross brothers were not the stereotypical twins who did everything together and acted the same way.

“My mother always tried to raise us as individuals,” says Ernest. “She never dressed us alike or anything. And we hung out with our own group of friends.”

Nevertheless, the two were inevitably linked in many regards.

Not only did the Ross twins have to share a bedroom and a car growing up, but they also had to share the same golf course.

Ralph played golf with Ernest from childhood through their collegiate careers at Ole Miss in the 1970s.

Though they played on the same teams, the two developed a fierce rivalry on the links—one in which neither could consistently gain advantage over the other.

“It was tough because you are competing with someone with the same size and physical ability as you, and sometimes it just 42 Alumni Review

boiled down to who wanted it more,” Ross says. “And we both hated to lose.”

It was not necessarily a rivalry in the friendly sense, either.

Tempers boiled over to the point where fights between the twins would break out on some occasions. Ernest recalls one such occasion in Grenada, saying, “A Grade-A wrestling match broke out on the fairway.”

When the two left Ole Miss, the sibling rivalry subsided.

Each went his own way, and the two are very close. Ernest continued his career in golf, taking over as the head coach of his alma mater in 1979 and staying until 1987. After working as the head professional at the Country Club of Jackson for 16 years, he returned to Ole Miss as coach in 2004.

Ralph pursued a career in accounting and currently serves as the head of the tax department at an accounting firm.

While the rivalry may have crossed the line at times, Ernest says he feels as though it was good for both in that the two constantly pressed each other to become better players.

“We competed hard against each other, and that taught us to compete hard against others,” Ross says.

Who really is the men’s tennis coach at Ole Miss?

Is Billy Chadwick really the men’s tennis head coach at Ole Miss, or is his name really Barney Chadwick? Billy and Barney are identical twins, and on the day they were brought home from

the hospital, their ID bracelets somehow came off.

“That’s a true story,” says Billy, born three minutes before Barney. “My mom had no idea who was who, so there was nothing she could do but guess.”

Billy says he has not had any issues being identified with his brother and vice versa, except for one time.

“My favorite story is one time a member of our church stopped me after church and said, ‘Praise the Lord, I met your brother.’ He said he was in New Orleans with his wife, and they were getting on the elevator, and in walks who they thought was me with another woman. Needless to say they met my brother.”

Billy and Barney were competitive just like the Ross twins but in a good way.

“We figured out early on that whatever one of us did, we both got credit for [it]. That was an extremely useful tool in eliminating a lot of the competitiveness that goes hand in hand with being a twin.”

The two grew up playing junior tennis together, and, yes, there were the occasional shenanigans.

“There was one time at a junior tournament in Greenwood. It was 110 degrees, and Barney was playing. He split sets. It used to be in the juniors that if you split sets you got a 10-minute break and could leave the courts. He left the courts. We negotiated, and he said, ‘How much is it going to cost me for you to go out

there and take care of this guy?’ It’s a possibility I went out there and finished the match,” says Billy with a smirk.

The twins led Wingfield in Jackson to the state high school title in 1970, winning the singles and doubles titles. The two moved on to collegiate tennis at Belhaven, helping lead the Blazers to a No. 6 national ranking in 1974. They even played doubles together.

“When we graduated high school, there were not many programs that gave out athletics scholarships in tennis. We got an offer to Belhaven, and it was a package deal. They wanted both of us,” Billy says.

Out of college, the two were named as directors of Tennis Center South in Jackson. But then things changed.

“We were going to work together. At the same time, Julie (MSP 91) and I got engaged,” Billy says. “She was in the middle of her [master’s] program up here, so she either had to drop out of the program, or we would have had to commute for a year and a half, or I could move up here. I wanted to get my MBA, so I talked Warner Alford (BBA 60, MA 66) into paying for my school work and [hiring me as] the head women’s tennis coach.”

The rest as they say is history for Billy. His career accomplishments are well-documented. His brother went on to be the director at Bridges Tennis Center in Jackson for 12 years. He then ran River Hills Tennis Club in Jackson for another 12 years before recently moving to Oxford to start Goose Creek Tennis Club. AR

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This organization receives financial support for allowing Liberty Mutual to offer this auto and home insurance program. *Figure based on a February 2008 sample of auto policyholder savings when comparing their former premium with those of Liberty Mutual’s group auto and home program. Individual premiums and savings will vary. **Discounts and credits are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; except in Massachusetts, not all applicants may qualify. †Accident Forgiveness coverage subject to terms and conditions of Liberty Mutual’s underwriting guidelines and is not available in all states. Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA. A consumer report from a consumer reporting agency and/or a motor vehicle report, on all drivers listed on your policy, may be obtained where state laws and regulations allow. Please consult a Liberty Mutual specialist for specific details. © 2008 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. All Rights Reserved.

Winter 2012 43

arts &

Culture Jane Roy Brown, of Conway, Mass., is a freelance travel and garden writer who focuses on historic gardens and landscapes.

Clay’s photographs can be found in museums in Paris, London, Ne w Yo r k , C h i c a g o , Ne w Orleans and Jackson.

One Writer’s Garden: Eudora Welty’s Home Place by Susan Haltom and Jane Roy Brown, 304 pages, $35 (Hardcover), ISBN: 9781617031199 Thoroughly researched and richly detailed, One Writer’s Garden: Eudora Welty’s Home Place records the planning of the garden by Welty’s mother, Chestina, and its development and care through the years by mother and daughter. It also reveals the garden’s inspiration to Welty, traces the history of gardening in early 20th-century America, and shares references in Welty’s correspondence and writing to flora and gardens.

The authors illustrate this garden’s history with images from contemporary garden literature, seed catalogs and advertisements, as well as unique historic photographs.

Noted landscape photographer Langdon Clay captures the restored garden through the seasons.

Susan Haltom (BFA 75), of Ridgeland, is a garden designer and preservation and maintenance coordinator of the Eudora Welty garden. She has published in Mississippi magazine, Mississippi Gardens, Old House Journal and Magnolia, the bulletin of the Southern Garden History Society.

44 Alumni Review

Diar y of a Mad Fat Gir l by Stephanie McAfee, 371 pages, $ 1 5 ( Pa p e r b a c k ) , I S B N : 9780451236494 Gr a c e l i a “Ac e” Jo n e s i s a sassy high school teacher, known in her small town of Bugtussie, Miss., for an outsized presence and a mouth to match.

Ace needs a vacation, but she’s not going to get it. What she gets instead is a good dose of scandalous smalltown politics that takes her on a wild quest for truth and redemption. Things get really complicated when the love of her life, who she hasn’t seen or heard from in more than three years, shows up and vows not to leave town until she agrees to marry him. Diary of a Mad Fat Girl is the story of Ace and her friends as they delve into illegal surveillance, stalking and covert operations in a strip club.

Stephanie McAfee (BA 00) is a self-published author who has sold more than 50,000 copies of Diary of a Mad Fat Girl, her debut novel. The book was on The New York Times best-seller list for more than six weeks. She has signed a threebook deal with Einstein Thompson and is working on the second book of the Ace Jones chronicles. She resides in Pensacola, Fla.

The New Encyclopedia of Souther n Culture, Volume 19: Violence by Amy Louise Wood, 320 pages, $45 (Hardcover), $24.95 (Paperback), ISBN: 9780807872161 With more than 95 entries, this volume of The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture explores the most significant forms and many of the most harrowing incidences of violence that have plagued Southern society over the past 300 years.

Following a detailed overview by editor Amy Wood (MA 95), the volume explores a wide range of topics, such as violence against and among Americ a n In d i a n s , labor violence, arson, violence and memory, suicide and anti-abortion violence. Taken together, these entries broaden our understanding of what has driven Southerners of various classes and ethnicities to commit acts of violence, while addressing the ways in which Southerners have conceptualized that violence, responded to it or resisted it.

Wood is associate professor of history at Illinois State University. She has published one other book: Lynching and Spectacle: Witnessing Racial Violence in America: 1890-1946.

Information presented in this section is compiled from material provided by the publisher and/or author and does not necessarily represent the view of the Alumni Review or the Ole Miss Alumni Association. To present a recently published book or CD for consideration, please mail a copy with any descriptions and publishing information to: Ole Miss Alumni Review, Ole Miss Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677. AR

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o f

M i s s i s s i p p i

2012

rebel

raveler T

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he Ole Miss Alumni Association is offering a number of spectacular trips for 2012.

Alumni and friends obtain group rates and discounts. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change until booking. Airfare is not included unless noted. For a brochure or more information, contact the Alumni office at 662-915-7375. You also can find the most current and complete listing of trips and prices on the Ole Miss Alumni Association’s website at www.alumni. olemiss.edu.

VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY: WONDERS OF THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS FEB. 24-MARCH 3, 2012 This incredible nine-day journey introduces you to the remarkable Galápagos Archipelago, a nature lover’s dream destination and UNESCO World Heritage site, with a four-night cruise aboard the state-of-the-art M.V. Santa Cruz. This exploration vessel is fully equipped with everything necessary to make your Galápagos experience complete, from a fleet of Zodiacs and a glass-bottom boat to a highly qualified team of certified naturalists and complimentary snorkeling gear.

Visit seven islands and see the exotic birds, animals and plants that inspired Charles Darwin, including species unknown elsewhere in the world. With few natural predators on the islands, the abundant wildlife is nearly fearless and accepts human company up close. You can almost touch spiny-backed iguanas and snorkel alongside tropical penguins and playful seals. On mainland Ecuador, enjoy deluxe hotel accommodations in Quito and Guayaquil. See the magnificent colonial churches of Quito, a 46 Alumni Review

Galápagos Islands

UNESCO World Heritage site, and visit the colorful Andean market of Otavalo.

The six-night post-program option features Peru’s legendary “lost city” of Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and the historic cities of Lima and Cuzco.

—From $3,595 SAMBA RHYTHMS FEB. 25-MARCH 9, 2012 Travel where pulsating rhythms, natural beauty and colorful traditions thrive along South America’s east coast while cruising on the elegant Oceania Cruises’ Insignia, a haven of superb accommodations, exceptional service and the finest cuisine at sea. Enjoy spectacular views of Sugarloaf Mountain or Rio de Janeiro’s famed beaches before setting sail for Buzios, the St. Tropez of Brazil, and the beautiful island of Ilha Grande.

Stroll past charming Portuguese colonial architecture in Parati, visit vibrant São Paulo, savor the beautiful Emerald Coast

of Porto Belo, and wander the gracious old squares in lovely Rio Grande. Leaving Brazil behind, spend a day in the chic beach resort of Punta del Este, and explore charming Montevideo before concluding your voyage in the elegant city of Buenos Aires. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, each with something distinctive to experience.—From $6,598 THE MASTERS APRIL 2-8, 2012 The Masters Tournament is the first of the four major championships in professional golf. The Masters, unlike the other major championships, is played every year at the same location: the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. The packages feature a ticket to the selected day’s round, world-class hospitality at The Executive Club, which includes valet parking at arrival, private outdoor patios and lounge areas with high-definition monitors and

numerous buffets accompanied by a complimentary full-service bar. Expert travel and concierge services are available to handle special requests.—From $495 CELTIC LANDS APRIL 22-MAY 1, 2012 Cruise for eight nights aboard the exclusively chartered, deluxe M.S. Le Boréal from Honfleur, France, to Ireland, Wales and Scotland. By special arrangement, University of Pennsylvania professor Dwight David Eisenhower II, grandson of former president Dwight D. Eisenhower, and historian Celia Sandys, granddaughter of former prime minister Winston Churchill, will join you to provide exclusive lectures and personal insights. Enjoy guided excursions in each port of call, including three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy; Caernarfon Castle in Holyhead, Wales; and the Neolithic Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae on the Orkney Islands. View treasures of rich Celtic heritage in Dublin, including the Book of Kells; walk in the footsteps of medieval princes in North Wales; and lose yourself in the austere beauty of Scotland’s Highlands and the Inner Hebrides isles of Iona, Mull and Skye. Complement your cruise with the Paris two-night pre-cruise option and the Edinburgh two-night post-cruise option.—From $5,395 LONDON—AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2012 London, one of the world’s oldest cities, still begets new chapters in history, breakthroughs in science, an ever-blossoming arts community and an eternal fascination from this side of the pond. Even today, a new vitality is palpable as the city prepares to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. This specially planned journey allows you to discover London behind the scenes. Relax in stylish accommodations at The Lans­ downe Club, one of London’s exclusive private clubs. Learn about life inside the palace walls from Ken Wharfe, a former bodyguard of Princess Diana and her sons. Explore historic Windsor Castle, the world’s largest occupied castle.

Go behind the cameras at the BBC

during a tour of the vaunted network’s studios. Discover the tools of the trade at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and venture behind the scenes at the National Theatre. Visit Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s birthplace. Then travel through the Cotswolds en route to Oxford. Experience Dickens’ London during an excursion that takes you to the sites associated with this beloved author’s novels.—From $3,020 SPRINGTIME IN PARIS MAY 1-8, 2012 Paris is a city of glamour, romance and culture whose very name conjures up a multitude of wondrous images. Experience its fabulous restaurants, street cafés, colorful markets and spectacular haute couture shops. Marvel at the majestic Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame and the impressive Louvre Museum. Go behind the scenes at the world-famous Eiffel Tower, and tour the Palais Garnier, Europe’s largest opera house. Enjoy another view of the city’s attractions as you cruise the Seine, one of the world’s most romantic rivers, or while dining at 58 Tour Eiffel, taking in spectacular panoramas of the city below. Explore the magnificent Palace of Versailles and Claude Monet’s beloved garden estate in Giverny, or journey to the famous beaches of Normandy, a special landmark in American history. The City of Lights, one of the world’s most exciting destinations, is filled with wondrous treasures for you to enjoy. Enhance your visit with an optional three-day extension to Bordeaux, the elegant city at the center of the famous wine region in southwest France.—From $3,549 THE KENTUCKY OAKS AND THE KENTUCKY DERBY MAY 3-6, 2012 The Kentucky Derby is run annually in Louisville, Ky., on the first Saturday in May. This one-and-a-quarter-mile race at the famed Churchill Downs is known as the “most exciting two minutes in sports” or the “Run for the Roses,” named for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. The attendance at the Kentucky Derby ranks first in North America and usually surpasses the attendance of all

other stakes races. Travel packages are available for the Kentucky Derby and can be paired with the Kentucky Oaks, scheduled for the day prior, to give you access to both events. Room packages include three nights of hotel accommodations at the Hampton Inn, Country Inn & Suites or Holiday Inn Express; lounge access and celebrity jockey meet and greet; food and bars provided from morning to sundown; as well as transportation to and from the track on Oaks and Derby days.—From $1,299 VILLAGE LIFE IN ENGLAND’S COTSWOLDS MAY 12-20, 2012 For one full week, immerse yourself in England’s Cotswolds, the quintessential English countryside. Enjoy accommodations in the stately 19th-century Queen’s Hotel, ideally located on the tree-lined promenade of splendid Cheltenham, an acclaimed spa destination since the 18th century, still defined by its dignified Regency houses, immaculate gardens and quaint family-owned shops. By special arrangement, meet Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill, Sir Winston Churchill’s cousin and brother of the present Duke of Marlborough, for a guided tour of Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a private lunch. This exclusive itinerary also features visits to the Norman Gloucester Cathedral, the fabled quads of Oxford, the fairy tale castle of Broughton, the impressive Hidcote Manor and Garden, and the storybook villages of Bibury, Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden. A specially arranged village forum with local residents provides a personal perspective on daily life in the Cotswolds. Unpack just once, and experience charming villages that time has left unchanged, stunning natural beauty, rich cultural traditions and grand historic landmarks at an exceptional value.—From $3,195 UNDISCOVERED ITALY: APULIA MAY 22-30, 2012 Kissed by the Adriatic sun, Apulia has witnessed the comings and goings of numerous peoples. Settle into Polignano a Mare, a town with a decisively Greek feel with a spectacular coastal setting Winter 2012 47

2012 rebel

Traveler and sparkling white architecture. Travel along the Puglian Coast, and visit hilltop towns perched above aquamarine seas.

Sample simple but exquisite cuisine crafted from the region’s seafood, meats, olive oil, pastas and wine. See Apulia’s architectural treasures from the sassi cave houses to the conical trulli, from Norman castles and churches to southern baroque monuments. It’s easy to see why this sun-bleached land of olive trees has been settled, and contended for, since time immemorial.—From $2,540

Santorini, Greece

HISTORIC REFLECTIONS— ATHENS TO BARCELONA MAY 25-JUNE 5, 2012 History comes to life on this extraordinary voyage that reflects the heart and soul of the Mediterranean. Uncover cultural and historical treasures as you sail the shores of Greece, Turkey, Italy and France aboard the new Oceania Cruises’ Riviera, an elegant vessel replete with breathtaking services and amenities. Beginning in the ancient 48 Alumni Review

capital of Athens, sail to the Greek isle of Santorini, whose whitewashed hilltop towns overlook the sea, and onward to Turkey, where the ancient ruins of Ephesus await. Explore the lovely hill towns of Sicily, walk the romantic shores of Amalfi and Positano, and revel in the rich history and architectural wonders of Rome and Florence. Leaving Italy behind, sail west to colorful Marseille, and explore the renowned countryside of Provence before your journey ends in Barcelona, Spain. From the famed Library of Celsus in Ephesus to Amalfi’s 12th-century Capuchin monastery, from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in Rome to Florence’s fabled Renaissance architecture, old-world history comes alive on this seafaring adventure.—From $3,799 LIVING ABROAD IN ECUADOR—CUENCA JUNE 3-JULY 3, 2012 The Alumni Association, though AHI Travel, is pleased to present a different concept in educational travel: an authentic, extended introduction to living abroad. This exceptional opportunity is in Cuenca, Ecuador, one of South America’s most alluring and captivating colonial cities. Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been anointed

by International Living magazine as one of the top places to retire. Cuenca is a modern city with historic flair. Reside in your own apartment in Cuenca’s historic center for four weeks with AHI staff always available to support and enhance your experience. Enjoy individual language instruction combined with an immersion in the lifestyle, customs, history and cuisine of Cuenca, courtesy of your own accomplished and experienced lifestyle guide from the eminent Simón Bolívar Spanish School. An excursion to the villages of Gualaceo is also included, featuring a lively Sunday morning market, and Chordeleg, noted for its ceramics, gold and silver filigree jewelry, Panama hats and pre-Inca ruins.

Discover more of Ecuador’s treasures— magnificent Cajas National Park, the

fascinating Ingapirca Ruins and the beautiful Pacific coast—during optional excursions. An added convenience: Ecuador’s official currency is the U.S. dollar.—From $3,245 CHANGING TIDES OF HISTORY— CRUISING THE BALTIC SEA JUNE 4-15, 2012 Experience the cultural rebirth of the Baltic States and the magnificent imperial riches of St. Petersburg on this 11-night program, cruising for 10 nights under the spectacular “White Nights of Summer” aboard the exclusively chartered, deluxe M.S. Le Diamant, launched in 2010. By special arrangement, enjoy a rare opportunity to hear an enriching speech by Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union. Spend one night in the cosmopolitan Swedish capital of Stockholm, then, in the tradition of ancient Viking mariners, sail across the Baltic Sea. En route to the historic Hanseatic port of Bergen, Norway, discover the stunning architecture of Helsinki, Finland, and Copenhagen, Denmark; revel in the medieval charms of Tallinn, Estonia, and Riga, Latvia; immerse yourself in the cultural renaissance of Gdansk, Poland; and cruise through the fjords of Norway.

This enlightening cruise features one night in regal St. Petersburg, including an earlyopening tour of the world-acclaimed State Hermitage Museum and a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress. A post-cruise option in Bergen is offered.—From $5,995 CRUISING ALASKA’S GLACIERS AND THE INSIDE PASSAGE JUNE 21-28, 2012 Join this magnificent seven-night cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia, through the pristine waters of the Inside Passage, to Seward, Alaska, aboard the six-star, all-suite M.V. Silver Shadow, providing an unmatched small ship experience. This splendid opportunity offers free airfare from 22 gateway cities, and a host of complimentary features aboard ship are included: all onboard

gratuities; port taxes; complimentary personal butler service; complimentary beverages in your suite, with every lunch and dinner, and throughout the cruise; and even complimentary fitness classes.

Pass towering mountains and untouched coastlines, and watch for whales, harbor seals, porpoises, sea lions, sea otters and eagles in their natural habitat. Cruise up close to the Sawyer and Hubbard glaciers. Call at the historic towns of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka, where you will step back into the Gold Rush era and discover the living heritage of the Tlingit people. A pre-cruise option to Vancouver and Victoria and a postcruise option to Fairbanks and the heart of the great Denali National Park are offered.—From $4,384, including airfare COASTAL LIFE ALONG THE ADRIATIC SEA: VENICE, DALMATIAN COAST, DUBROVNIK June 24-July 2, 2012 Explore the Adriatic Sea’s stunning, island-dappled Dalmatian Coast on this seven-night cruise aboard the exclusively chartered, deluxe M.S. L’Austral, which launched in 2011 and features Gen. Wesley Clark, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (1997-2000). Visit six UNESCO World Heritage sites, fortified walled cities, ancient Roman ruins and pristine blue waters. Stroll through Emperor Diocletian’s vast retirement palace in the lively and historic center of Split; explore the walled city of Korčula, birthplace of Marco Polo; walk along the medieval fortifications of Kotor in Montenegro, one of the world’s newest nations; step back into the 15th century on the winding streets of Dubrovnik’s perfectly restored Gothic and Romanesque quarters; tour the historic city of Mostar or the pilgrimage site of Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators in the great Roman Arena in Pula. To further enhance your experience, this comprehensive itinerary includes an exclusive village forum with local residents, a folk music performance onboard and a specially arranged lecture by a leading expert on the restoration of Dubrovnik. Experience the art and romance of Venice on the two-night pre- or post-cruise options offered.— From $5,195

ALASKAN DISCOVERY CRUISE AUG. 8-15, 2012 Travel to a place of stunning landscapes and unspoiled wilderness, a place where nature reigns supreme—spectacular Alaska. Discover America’s last frontier from the elegant decks of the Seven Seas Navigator, a remarkable cruising experience where everything is included. From the deluxe suites, gratifying luxuries and unsurpassed service to world-class cuisine and a myriad of shore excursions—it’s all included so relax and enjoy. Depart from cosmopolitan Vancouver and on through the scenic Inside Passage to Ketchikan, the former “Salmon Capital of the World.”

Pass through Tracy Arm, a breathtaking fjord with icy-blue tidewater glaciers and soaring granite cliffs, to Juneau, the capital and former gold mining hub of Alaska, before stopping in historic Skagway, a town known in earlier days as the gateway to the gold fields. Follow the Alaskan coast to Sitka, the former Russian capital of North America, whose pristine waters are filled with otters and whales. Continue to the immense Hubbard Glacier, the longest of its kind in Alaska, before ending your cruise in the picturesque harbor of Seward. This Alaskan cruise is truly an unforgettable adventure.—From $4,999, including airfare BLACK SEA SERENADE AUG. 17-30, 2012 A stunning array of treasures awaits your discovery as you sail the beautiful shores

of the Black Sea aboard Oceania Cruises’ elegant Regatta. Depart from Athens, and travel through the scenic narrow straits into the Black Sea, stopping first at Nessebar, Bulgaria’s lovely Byzantine town. Explore archaeological and folk museums in the Romanian city of Constanta, then continue to Ukraine and the lovely city of Odessa, home to a stunning five-domed cathedral and remnants of Catherine the Great’s Odessa fortress.

Head to the port city of Sevastopol, where ancient Greek walls and a fascinating theater still stand, then continue to Yalta and its summer palaces of czars Alexander III and Nicholas II. Experience the bustling city of Sochi, Russia’s venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics, and visit Georgia’s semitropical resort city of Batumi, whose leafy, low-rise streets lined with 19th-century buildings are absolutely charming. Head to Turkey and see historical buildings such as the Hagia Sophia and the stunning Sumela Monastery, built into the face of a cliff, in Trabzon. Discover more of Turkey with a stop in Sinop, once a prosperous, fortified Greek colony, which lays claim to a wealth of religious structures and an excellent archaeological museum. This amazing cruise concludes in the magnificent city astride two continents: Istanbul.

—From $4,799, including airfare Visit www.olemissalumni.com for more information on these trips and others scheduled for 2012. AR

Alaskan totem pole Winter 2012 49

News alumni

Photos by Steve Mullen

Tim Walsh (BPA 83, MEd 91) (left), executive director of the Alumni Association; Sheila Dossett (BAEd 75), senior associate director; Hazel McCarty (BA 55) and Phil McCarty (BPA 55); Clay Cavett (BBA 86), associate director; and Port Kaigler (BA 06), club coordinator, pose with items donated to the Association by the McCartys.

History’s Hidden Gems ALUMNI DONATE MEMENTOS OF OLE MISS DAYS

F

or years, the keepsakes remained boxed away or forgotten in the attic of Hazel and Phil McCarty’s Clinton home. But the couple’s treasure trove of Ole Miss mementos has found new life at the Triplett Alumni Center.

Along with an antique silver tea set, the McCartys donated freshman beanies, handbooks, dance cards and other items owned by them and Hazel McCarty’s father, also an Ole Miss graduate.

Hazel (BA 55) and Phil (BPA 55) met at Ole Miss in 1952 at a fraternity dance as sophomores. They married the same year they graduated and eventually moved to Clinton, where Phil taught religion at Mississippi College. Along for the ride were random mementos of their time at Ole Miss—Phil’s freshman beanie, an M Book, even a student parking permit (expired Aug. 31, 1955).

The couple also came into possession of items belonging to Hazel McCarty’s father, Hugh McCain (BA 18) of Memphis, including his brown leather beanie, a dance card from the 1917 Red and Blue Club Easter Formal, and another dance card and a leather-bound Commencement program from 1918.

The McCartys hadn’t given the items much thought. But when 50 Alumni Review

they decided to give an antique silver tea service as a gift to the Alumni Association, they wondered if the Association wouldn’t

A cheerleading letter worn by Lois Pegram Shipman (50) is on display in the Triplett Alumni Center; Phil McCarty’s (BPA 55) 1955 student parking decal (inset)

also want their stash of Ole Miss artifacts.

The McCartys came to Ole Miss in December and presented the gleaming silver tea service to Alumni Association Executive Director Tim Walsh (BPA 83, MEd 91).

Walsh says the McCartys’ gifts will be displayed in the Alumni Association’s offices along with historic items donated by other Ole Miss graduates.

The McCartys aren’t alone in generously sharing their Ole Miss memorabilia with other Association members. Several new items are on display in the Alumni Association office, including a varsity cheerleader letter recently donated by Henry Paris (BBA 52) of Indianola, who was an Ole Miss cheerleader from 1949-51, and one from Lois Pegram Shipman (50) of San Antonio, Texas, who was a cheerleader from 1947-48.

“While some of these smaller items are often discarded or forgotten, we consider them priceless treasures and are blessed to receive them,” Walsh says. AR

A freshman beanie belonging to Phil McCarty (BPA 55), a female student’s handbook belonging to Hazel McCarty (BA 55), and a 1941 summer session handbook were among the items the couple donated to the Alumni Association.

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Winter 2012 51

News alumni

Class Notes ’40s

Elise V. Winter (BA 48) of Jackson was recognized by Habitat for Humanity on the 25th anniversary of its founding. Habitat for Humanity honored Winter with the organization’s first Elise Winter Founders Award for her tireless service.

’50s

Sen. Thad Cochran (BA 59, JD 65) of Jackson was one of 11 awarded the Mississippi Medal of Service by Gov. Haley Barbour (JD 73). The award recognizes the recipients’ significant contributions to improve their communities and state.

’60s

Jim Barksdale (BBA 65) of Ridgeland was one of 11 awarded the Mississippi Medal of Service by Gov. Haley Barbour (JD 73). The award recognizes the recipients’ significant contributions to improve their communities and state.

Robert Khayat (BAEd 61, JD 66) of Oxford was one of 11 awarded the Mississippi Medal of Service by Gov. Haley Barbour (JD 73).

The award recognizes the recipients’ significant contributions to improve their communities and state.

Guy Mitchell III (JD 68) received the first Lawyer Citizenship Award by the Mississippi Bar Association. He is an attorney and a shareholder of Mitchell, McNutt & Sams in Tupelo.

Lucius F. Sams Jr. (BA 61, LLB 63) was included in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in commercial litigation and medical malpractice law. Sams is an attorney for and president of Mitchell, McNutt & Sams in Tupelo.

William C. Spencer (BA 67, JD 70) was included in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in the product liability litigation. He is an attorney at Mitchell, McNutt & Sams in Tupelo.

Charles J. Swayze Jr. (BBA 66, JD 69) was recognized in the annual The Best Lawyers in America for the sixth consecutive year. He practices in the areas of mediation and arbitration at Whittington, Brock, Swayze in Greenwood.

Dennis W. Voge (BA 67, JD 71) was included in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in worker’s compensation law. He is an attorney at Mitchell,

52 Alumni Review

McNutt & Sams in Tupelo.

’70s

Deborah H. Bell (JD 79) was recognized for her pro bono work at a reception hosted by the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project as part of National Celebrate Pro Bono Week. She is a professor of law at The University of Mississippi.

Mark A. Chinn (JD 78) was recognized for his pro bono work at a reception hosted by the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project as part of National Celebrate Pro Bono Week.

He practices family law at his own firm, Mark & Associates in Jackson.

R. Joe Durastanti (BSPh 76) of Madison was appointed an at-large member of the Mississippi Pharmacists Association Executive Committee.

Michael D. Ferris (BA 77, JD 80) was included in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in real estate law.

He is an attorney at Mitchell, McNutt & Sams in Tupelo.

Edward Masso (BAEd 77) of Sterling, Va., was appointed chairman of the board of the nonprofit organization Not Alone, whose services include personal clinical care, face-toface counseling and a range of support for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dr. William Mayo (BA 75) of Oxford is serving as president of the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure. He also serves on the board of trustees of the American Osteopathic Association.

William J. Mosby III (BSPh 72) was elected 2011-12 president of the Mississippi Pharmacists Association. He runs Mosby’s Drug Store in Canton.

Robert J. Sawyer (BPA 79) was re-elected board chairman for 2012 for the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television, which is responsible for the administration, operation, control and supervision of Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Sawyer is the managing director of Trinity Investment Services in Gulfport.

Karl Steinberger (BA 73, JD 76) was appointed to a three-year term with the Mississippi Bar Association’s Ethics Committee.

Steinberger is a shareholder and attorney of Heidelberg, Steinberger, Colmer & Burrow in Pascagoula.

’80s

Doug Boone (BBA 86) of Jackson joined luxury retailer Saks Inc. as senior director of project management and quality assurance.

Mark Byrne (BA 81) was awarded the Pacific Northwest Month of July MVP award. He works for Crossmark and represents Kraft Foods as a marketing specialist in the South Puget Sound region of Washington.

D. Andrew Phillips (BPA 86, JD 89) was included in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in bankruptcy, creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law. He is an attorney at Mitchell, McNutt & Sams in Oxford.

Col. Cliff Wheeler Jr. (BA 88) completed studies at the Industrial College of Armed Forces, National Defense University and was awarded an M.S. in national resource strategy. Wheeler is assigned to a joint position in Washington, D.C.

’90s

Christopher L. Haley (BAccy 97, MAccy 01) was named chief operating officer of Knowledge Infusion, a global leader in the HR consulting industry in Minneapolis.

Joseph Reid (BA 92, JD 95) was selected to 2011 Missouri/Kansas “Super Lawyers” in the field of medical malpractice defense. He is an attorney at Lathrop & Gage in Springfield, Mo. Vicente Rodriguez (BSEE 94, MS 96, PhD 99) was voted vice president of the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association during the AMTA annual symposium. He is a senior principal antenna design engineer for ETSLindgren in Cedar Park, Texas.

Jeffrey C. Smith (BBA 90, JD 93) joined the board of directors of the Tennessee Justice Center. He was recently honored as TJC’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for his work with TennCare patients. He is an attorney at Adams and Reese in Memphis.

’00s

Beau R. Cox (BSPh 03, PharmD 05) of Brandon

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accepted a position at Lincare in Flowood in the company’s home infusion pharmacy.

Jillian J. Foster (BSPh 02, PharmD 04, MBA 08) was appointed an at-large member of the Mississippi Pharmacists Association’s Executive Committee. She is the director of pharmacy services at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.

Logan O’Connor (BBA 09) was named president of the St. Louis Ole Miss Club. He works as insurance producer for Huntleigh McGehee.

Elton O’Neal (BBA 01) of Marietta, Ga., was promoted to advisory and assurance director for Cox Enterprises in Atlanta.

William Alex Sanders (MAccy 01) was named manager of Grantham Poole’s new Oxford office.

Mark Woods (BAEd 08, JD 11) of Taylor joined the Oxford law firm of Dunbar Davis.

’10s

Elizabeth Saunders Johansen (BBA 10) of Jackson joined the Mississippi Technology Alliance as an intern at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

54 Alumni Review

WEDDINGS Emily Elizabeth Davis (BSFCS 07) and Mark Randal Embrey (BSChE 06), Sept. 17, 2011.

Camille Jesse Lynn Allen and Drew Landon Snyder (BBA 03), Oct. 29, 2011.

Mary McKay, daughter of Lauralee Scanlon Hise (BA 02) and James Chase Hise III (BSCvE 00), Feb. 3, 2011.

Merideth Kathryn, Felicity Anne and Carolynn Violet, daughters of Mary Kathryn Hughes (BA 11) and Jonathan Corwin Hughes (BA 11), Aug. 25, 2011.

Carla Marie Williams (BBA 97) and Wade Newgard, Sept. 16, 2011.

Kelsey Elise, daughter of Kristi Duncan Kennedy (JD 97) and Brad D. Kennedy, Sept. 23, 2011.

BIRTHS Esme Adeline, daughter of Stephanie Bailey Cavender (BA 98, JD 01) and John Kevin Cavender (BA 93, JD 01), Sept. 1, 2011.

Mary Alice, daughter of Alison Doty Rawson (BAEd 92, MEd 94) and Win Rawson (BBA 88, MBA 91), Sept. 1, 2010.

Michael Gray, son of Diala Husni Chaney (BA 01, JD 04) and Phillip Chaney, April 8, 2011.

Wright Newman, son of Brooke Newman Driskell (JD 04) and Mitchell Orvis Driskell III (JD 00), Aug. 1, 2011.

Walker Lee, son of Robin Lee Frazier (BAEd 01, MEd 02) and Robin F. Frazier, Nov. 21, 2010.

Matthew O., son of Heather L. Hawks and Timothy B. Hawks (BSES 96), Sept. 9, 2011.

Kathryn Ann, daughter of Mary Kylie Lindsey Ruff (BBA 02, MEd 11) and David Clifton Ruff (BAccy 00), Dec. 22, 2010.

Lucie Caroline, daughter of Emilea Finney Tackett (BAEd 06) and Brandon Tackett, July 21, 2011.

Wayne Winston II, son of Kyna Robinson Woollery (BA 99, MS 01) and Wayne W. Woollery (BA 01), Aug. 11, 2011.

Mary Liddell, daughter of Annabeth Freeman Wyatt (BA 02) and Matthew Joel Wyatt, July 18, 2011.

Photo by Pablo Corona

Quarter Century of Service FACULTY, STAFF AWARDED FOR 25 YEARS OF WORK

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he Ole Miss Alumni Association hosted an annual luncheon in December honoring faculty and staff who have worked for the university for 25 years. Ole Miss Alumni Association president-elect Larry Bryan presided, and Chancellor Dan Jones presented the awards. Honorees included Sandra W. Allen, Jeanni Atkins, Deborah King Binkley, Floyd Brooks, Scottie S. Casey, William F. Chappell, John D. Cleary, Walter E. Cleland Jr., John Conlon, Steven Mark Davis, Martha C. Dollarhide, Alan M. Gross, Glenda F. Hankins, Richard Murff Harden, Mary Harrington, Del Hawley, Vicky Johnson, Ann Mason, Walt Mayer, Tyrus A. McCarty, Ben W. McClelland, James McIntosh, Belinda K. Moore, Deborah R. Prestage, Barbara Kinds Reynolds, Vicky Taylor, Doris J. Vickery, Jeannine M. Walters, Nancy Rhea Wiggers and Vicki Wortham. AR Winter 2012 55

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Photo by Tim Walsh

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Seventieth Anniversary The University of Mississippi Freshmen of 1941 held their annual get-together last summer at the River Hills Club in Jackson, marking 70 years since they entered Ole Miss. In attendance were (seated, from left) W.G. Mize and Clif Maxwell and (standing, from left) Joel Varner, Leigh Adkins, Bill Threadgill, Harold James, Ken Foose, Bubber Fletcher, Bob Bobo, David Steward, George Thatcher and William Winter.

IN MEMORIAM 1930s Ida Katherine Patterson Hathorn (BSC 36) of Oxford, Aug. 28, 2011 Blanton Duncan McBride (37) of Fort Myers, Fla., Sept. 3, 2011 Jack Edwin Tindall (32) of Brookhaven, Oct. 7, 2011 1940s Albert George Abide Jr. (49) of Greenwood, Oct. 11, 2011 Howard Albert Brown (BBA 48) of Flowood, Sept. 28, 2011 Peggy Patrick Budlowe (BA 44) of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 2, 2011 Virginia Melvin Burgess (BBA 48) of Columbia, Oct. 15, 2011 Mary Cates Caldwell (BA 49) of Tupelo, Oct. 7, 2011 Jack Cheatham (BSHPE 46, MEd 51) of Philadelphia, Sept. 14, 2011 Perry Thompson Egger (BSPh 48) of Clinton, Oct. 17, 2011 Henry Jamison Fair (41) of Chesapeake, Va., Sept. 20, 2011 James Rufus Fish (MedCert 45) of Seattle, Wash., Oct. 1, 2011 Margaret Johnson Gober (BAEd 45) of Austin, Texas, Oct. 6, 2011 James Oswald Goldman (BA 41) of Marks, Aug. 17, 2011 Louise White Gooch (BAEd 48, MEd 68) of Oxford, Nov. 9, 2011 Frances Hague Harding (41) of Enterprise, Ala., Sept. 4, 2011 Jeremiah Henry Holleman (MedCert 41) of Columbus, Nov. 7, 2011 Calvin Virgil Holmes (BA 47, MA 48) of La Mesa, Calif., Oct. 5, 2011 James W. Jackson (BSHPE 49, MEd 50) of Jonesboro, Ark., Nov. 6, 2011 John Knox Keyes (LLB 48) of Collins, Oct. 16, 2011 Kitty Bailey McIntosh (49) of Montrose, Mich., Oct. 1, 2011 Beatrice Congdon Nieuwenhuyse (BAEd 47) of Winnetka, Ill., Oct. 19, 2011 Elizabeth Head Osborn (BAEd 49) of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 22, 2011 Alice Harton Ratcliffe (BA 43) of Monteagle, Tenn., Feb. 5, 2011 Sidney Graham Roper Sr. (MA 49) of Bartlesville, Okla., Oct. 30, 2011 Mildred Cresswell Stewart (42) of Jackson, Oct. 15, 2011

Wilbur A. Thomas Jr. (BA 41, MedCert 44) of Clarksville, N.Y., Sept. 7, 2011 Margaret Fowler Tuttle (BSC 42) of Yazoo City, Sept. 24, 2011 Albert Allen Wilson (BA 43, BS 44) of Asheville, N.C., Sept. 2, 2011 1950s John McLaurin Allred (BA 55) of Lockhart, Texas, Aug. 19, 2010 Hubert Ray Blasingame (BA 58) of Greenwood, Oct. 30, 2011 Webb Arnold Boswell Sr. (BSPh 50) of Noxapater, Sept. 4, 2011 Robert Vreeland Brickell (MEd 57) of Clayton, N.C., Oct. 29, 2011 Lees Broome (BSEA 51) of Bossier City, La., Sept. 17, 2011 Cary Egbert Bufkin (LLB 52, BA 52) of Jackson, Sept. 20, 2011 Alice Barnes Carroll (BA 58) of Jackson, Aug. 31, 2011 M. Lyle Carroll (BBA 55) of Jackson, Sept. 9, 2011 Cary Lamar Cheatham (BA 51) of Albany, Ga., Aug. 25, 2011 Thomas Harold Craig (BBA 55, MBA 56) of Houston, Oct. 13, 2011 Odein Ingram Daniel (BAEd 58) of Bruce, Nov. 8, 2011 James Edward Darnell (BA 50) of West Monroe, La., Sept. 2, 2011 David Ragland Davis (BAEd 56, MEd 62) of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 1, 2011 Jane Wailes Derivaux (50) of Vicksburg, Oct. 8, 2011 Arene Edwards Gulledge (BAEd 58) of Bruce, Nov. 4, 2011 Robert Eldon Hadley (53) of Roanoke, Va., Sept. 26, 2011 Charles Brukett Herrin (BBA 50) of Hattiesburg, Nov. 3, 2011 Jack Armond Hill (BA 51) of Austin, Texas, Oct. 22, 2011 Ann Curry Hutchison (BA 56) of Gainesville, Fla., Jan. 4, 2011 C. Jeff Jones (53) of Collierville, Tenn., Aug. 27, 2011 William Henry McGreger (BSPh 58) of Rogersville, Ala., Oct. 18, 2011 Jean Mauldin Moore (BSC 53) of Pascagoula, Oct. 17, 2011 Merle Levett Nelson (BAEd 51) of Iuka, Sept. 24, 2011 Oscar Wilkins Ponder (BE 57) of Dallas, Texas, Aug. 29, 2011

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News alumni

Evan Fletchall Ragland (MEd 52) of Augusta, Ga., Sept. 11, 2011

Larry Arnold Riley (BBA 64) of Quitman, Sept. 24, 2011

Jack Vaughan Rice (BBA 59) of Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 24, 2011

James W. Schriver (MEd 60) of Monroe, Wis., July 17, 2011

Myrtis Burkes Richardson (BAEd 59) of Philadelphia, Oct. 9, 2011

Edward Arthur Spencer Jr. (BSChE 61) of Nesbit, Sept. 9, 2011

Madeline Occhipinti Sciacca (BSPh 53) of Slidell, La., Sept. 5, 2011

Eloise Wilkins Tenney (MEd 66) of Summit, Aug. 29, 2011

Van Luther Stewart Jr. (MEd 51) of Natchez, Oct. 10, 2011

Karol Keye Voge (BAEd 64, MEd 69) of Saltillo, Sept. 24, 2011

Robert Jefferson Sykes (MEd 52) of Thibodaux, La., Aug. 24, 2011

Robert Hayden Worsham (64) of Corinth, Aug. 27, 2011

Page B. Talley (MEd 59) of Sebastian, Fla., Oct. 15, 2011

William Roy Young Jr. (MEd 66) of Oxford, Nov. 10, 2011

Bennett Dale Thompson Sr. (BSPh 53) of Diamondhead, Sept. 23, 2011 Sam S. Vinci (53) of Saint Francisville, La., Sept. 7, 2011 Alice Hammond Wooster (BA 52) of Carlisle, Pa., July 25, 2011 Charlotte Coward Yarborough (BA 51) of Hattiesburg, Aug. 25, 2011

1970s Robert Hudson Atkins (79) of Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 21, 2011 William Dixon Brooks Jr. (BA 74) of Kosciusko, Oct. 15, 2011 James L. Bynum (73) of Ridgeland, Sept. 3, 2011

1960s Wilbourne Lee Anderson Sr. (62) of Kilbourne, La., Aug. 30, 2011

David Franklin Dean (MA 70, BA 70) of Ridgeland, Sept. 8, 2011

George Meisner Conwill (BBA 65) of Gulfport, Sept. 30, 2011

James Judson Dudley Sr. (MEd 76) of Calhoun City, Oct. 7, 2011

Laurie Hird Freeman (BA 62) of Grey Eagle, Minn., April 27, 2011

Hollis Walter Dunagin (BBA 79) of Dallas, Texas, Nov. 6, 2011

Gayle Louise Garth (BAEd 65) of Germantown, Tenn., Sept. 23, 2011

Linda Luke Estes (73) of Tempe, Ariz., Aug. 25, 2011

Bobby Carroll Hamblin (BSHPE 67) of Pittsboro, Nov. 7, 2011

Jack Ray Gordy (MPA 77) of Brandon, Sept. 26, 2011

Betty Adams Hammond (BAEd 68, MEd 76) of Guntersville, Ala., Aug. 29, 2011

William Lee Griffin Jr. (JD 75) of Booneville, Aug. 28, 2011

Larry Curtis Hardy (62) of Charleston, Sept. 17, 2011

Martha Black Gwatney (EdD 72) of Vienna, Va., Sept. 25, 2011

Kenneth Mickle Hayward (BSCvE 62) of Oxford, Nov. 10, 2011

Martha Jones Hall (BAEd 72) of Caledonia, Oct. 5, 2011

Sander Paul Margolis (MA 66, JD 69) of Bentonia, Sept. 30, 2011

Walter Greer Haynes (BSPh 74) of Germantown, Tenn., Nov. 1, 2011

Dora Hayward McHenry (BA 60, MA 67) of Boulder, Colo., Sept. 12, 2011

James Arthur Hester (BBA 78) of Steele, Mo., Sept. 27, 2011

James D. Minor (BA 69, JD 72) of Oxford, Oct. 17, 2011

James H. Holstein II (BPA 75) of North Richland Hills, Texas, Nov. 6, 2011

Edwin Reed Orr III (MD 61) of Pontotoc, Oct. 27, 2011

Henry Douglass Lindsay III (BA 70) of Suffolk, Va., Sept. 23, 2011

Ann Faulkner Paine (BAEd 64) of Jackson, Oct. 24, 2011

James Phillip Maxwell (MA 77) of Ridgeland, March 2, 2011

Herbert Ray Pearce (MD 61) of Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 7, 2011

Hugh C. McLeod III (BA 72, MD 76) of Marietta, Ga., Sept. 30, 2011

Richard N. Read (BA 60) of Picayune, July 12, 2011

Charles Shivers Metcalf (70) of Boyle, Oct. 4, 2011

William Tucker Dixon III (MCS 74) of Tallahassee, Fla., Oct. 17, 2011

Photo by Pablo Corona

58 Alumni Review

Top Alumni The Ole Miss Alumni Association honored eight individuals with its highest annual honors during Homecoming 2011: Patrick Krutz (BBA 01) (left), who received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award; Alumni Hall of Fame inductees James H. Creekmore (BBA 59, JD 68), Wade H. Creekmore Jr. (BBA 56, JD 67), Winfield Dunn (BBA 50), Jim Weatherly (64) and Scott Wegmann (BBA 80); and Mike Ely (BBA 77), who received the Alumni Service Award. Not pictured is Frederick W. Smith, who received the inaugural Honorary Alumni Award.

Photo by Jim Urbanek

Providing Care When You Can’t Be There Mike Glenn (left), Larry Bryan, Richard Noble, Jimmy Brown, Sam Lane and Tim Walsh are the Ole Miss Alumni Association officers for 2011-12.

Leading the Way

NEW ALUMNI OFFICERS NAMED AT HOMECOMING

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s part of the 2011 Homecoming activities, the Ole Miss Alumni Association announced the organization’s 2011-12 officers. Richard Noble (BBA 68, JD 73) of Indianola was named president, a one-year term that changes each Homecoming. Noble is an attorney and partner with Crosthwait, Terney & Noble, PLLC. “I am honored and privileged to serve as president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association,” Noble says. “I hope as president to encourage all alumni and friends to reconnect with the university, attend local meetings, visit our beautiful campuses, become dues-paying members of the Alumni Association and, most of all, encourage high school and community college students to attend Ole Miss.”

Alumni Association immediate past president Bill May (BA 79, JD 82) of Newton says the Nobles’ dedication to Ole Miss is inspiring.

“Richard will lead us well, and I thank him for his great service to our association and to Ole Miss,” May says.

Larry Bryan (BBA 74) of Memphis was elected president-elect. Bryan is the CEO and principal of Diversified Trust Co. Jimmy Brown (BBA 70), area president of Regions Bank in Grenada, was elected vice president.

Athletics committee members include T. Michael Glenn (BBA 77) of Memphis and Sam Lane (BA 76) of Jackson. Glenn is executive vice president of market development and corporate communications for FedEx Corp. Lane is senior vice president of First Commercial Bank in Jackson. Alumni Association Executive Director Tim Walsh (BPA 83, MEd 91) serves as treasurer. AR

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News alumni

Photo by Pablo Corona

On (Long Distance) Call LONGTIME OB/GYN TEACHING STUDENTS ABROAD

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r. Charles Farris Jr. (BA 47, BS 48) estimates that he has brought 15,000 babies into the world during his 60 years as an obstetrician/ gynecologist.

Now, Farris is helping bring more young people into the world—as doctors. The Ole Miss Alumni Association member was appointed senior lecturer at Queensland Medical School in Australia, helping to birth a new generation of physicians.

Farris lectures students of the Australian school via teleconference. He is no stranger to the classroom, for years having been a clinical associate professor in Tulane School of Medicine’s Department of Gynecology.

In addition to training new doctors, Farris still practices medicine, though his focus has shifted to hormone replacement therapy and menopause management. He operates a private practice and is a practicing physician at Ochsner Baptist Medical Center in New Orleans.

Farris’ lectures to the Queensland students are part of a group rotation that includes Tulane and LSU. Ochsner’s staff includes 815 physicians with 45 in the OB/GYN section.

Farris is a member of both the North American and International Menopause societies. He received his M.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1951. AR

HERE’S YOUR LICENSE TO BRAG! Now you can sport the official University of Mississippi license plate!

For an additional $50 a year — $32.50 of which returns to Ole Miss for educational enhancement — you can purchase this “license to brag” about your alma mater. When it’s time to renew your license plate, simply tell your local tax collector you want the Ole Miss affinity license plate. It’s an easy way to help your University.

This particular tag is available to Mississippi drivers only. Some other states, however, offer an Ole Miss affinity license plate. Check with your local tax collector for availability.

60 Alumni Review

Trudy Jo Miles (79) of New Braunfels, Texas, April 1, 2011 Jackie Lantrip Mulvey (MA 77) of The Woodlands, Texas, March 20, 2011 Andrew John Nelson II (MSS 72) of Stratford, Conn., July 31, 2011 Frank William Roe (PhD 77) of Milford, N.J., Oct. 29, 2011 Clayton Richard Rowland (PhD 72) of Williamsburg, Va., Nov. 6, 2011 Cynthia Lee Ryan (73) of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Oct. 21, 2011 Raymond Eugene Smith (PhD 79) of Collierville, Tenn., July 21, 2011 Jo Rinehart Sorrell (MEd 78) of Madison, Ala., Oct. 28, 2011 Alma Carter Stewart (MEd 70) of Hazlehurst, Aug. 7, 2010 Eugenia Walker Towles (BAEd 79) of Batesville, Aug. 27, 2011 Ira Otis Tubbs (BBA 76) of Batesville, Oct. 21, 2011 Katharine Schmidt Vance (JD 79) of Columbus, Sept. 25, 2011 Joe D. Washington Sr. (MEd 75) of Tupelo, Oct. 23, 2011 1980s Jack L. Batton (BA 81) of Meridian, Sept. 8, 2011 Dorothy McCullar Clements (BAEd 81) of Mount Vernon, Ill., June 6, 2011 Lisa Lynn Cole (BAEd 88) of Holly Springs, Sept. 5, 2011 Christopher Alan Dyson (BS 87) of Jackson, Nov. 4, 2011 Lula White Owen (MEd 80) of Oxford, Nov. 3, 2011 David Glen Robinson (BAEd 81) of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Nov. 2, 2011

More than 170 years on the Oxford Square.

Owned and operated by proud Ole Miss Alumni in the gracious tradition of the University.

HUGE ASSORTMENT OF OLE MISS APPAREL, GIFTS, & COLLECTIBLES SOME OF THE LAST COLONEL REB MERCHANDISE EVER

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DECK OUT YOUR TAILGATE

Winter 2012 61

News alumni

George Colby Watts (BA 85) of Suwanee, Ga., Feb. 18, 2011

James Brooke Furrh Jr., of Jackson, Aug. 27, 2011

Bobby Varnell Whitaker Jr. (BSCvE 81) of Kansas City, Mo., July 25, 2011

Betty Zachry Harrington, of Oxford, Oct. 22, 2011

2000s James Franklin Caldwell Jr. (BBA 00) of Miami, Fla., Oct. 10, 2011 Mitchell Douglas Crawford (BBA 00) of Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 4, 2011 Keona Fernandez Fields (BAccy 08) of Okolona, Oct. 28, 2011 David Barrier Mitchell (01) of Sumrall, Oct. 23, 2011 Patrick Angelo Monolo (04) of Beaverdam, Va., Sept. 15, 2011 Monique Marie Preau (00) of Baton Rouge, La., Nov. 5, 2011 Jennifer Nicole Stephens (08) of Nesbit, Sept. 18, 2011 2010s Kevser Ermin (MSES 10) of Oxford, Oct. 7, 2011 Charles Walker Kelly (11) of Madison, Oct. 30, 2011 Samuel Clayton Kelly Jr. (11) of Madison, Oct. 30, 2011 Bryant Mason Wilbanks (11) of Madison, Oct. 30, 2011 Faculty and Friends Thomas Upton Black Jr., of Greenwood, Oct. 25, 2011 Homer T. Denham Jr., of Laurel, Sept. 17, 2011

William David Heck, of Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 5, 2011 Thomas C. Miller Jr., of Beaumont, Texas, July 30, 2011 Walter R. Miller Jr., of Port Gibson, Nov. 1, 2011 William Samuel Pharr Jr., of Buckhead, Ga., Oct. 4, 2011 Gary Alan Quarles, of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 26, 2011 Austin Henderson Russell, of Meridian, Nov. 1, 2011 Edgar Dwight Sandefer, of Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 7, 2011 Frank Wiebe, of Tupelo, Nov. 1, 2011

Due to space limitations, class notes are only published in the Alumni Review from active, dues-paying members of the Ole Miss Alumni Association. To submit a class note, send it to records@alumni.olemiss.edu or Alumni Records Dept., Ole Miss Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 386771848. Class notes also may be submitted through the Association’s website at www.olemissalumni.com. The Association relies on numerous sources for class notes and is unable to verify all notes with individual alumni. AR

Judy Davis Ellis, of Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 25, 2011

GOAL: 24,000 ACTIVE MEMBERS Only you can help your Ole Miss Alumni Association reach this important milestone!

Make your Alumni Association the strongest in the SEC and the nation by renewing your alumni membership each year and encouraging classmates, friends, neighbors, fans and Ole Miss supporters to also join and remain active.

Even fans who didn’t graduate from Ole Miss can join as Associate Members with full benefits.

Single Membership __$40 Annual __$800 Life __$850 Life Plan ($170 x 5 years) Joint Memberships __$50 Annual __$995 Life __$1,050 Life Plan ($210 x 5 years)

62 Alumni Review

Last Name: ________________________First:_______________________ Middle Name: __________________Maiden Name: ___________________ Address: ______________________________________________________ City, State, Zip, Country: ________________________________________ E-mail: ________________________Phone:_________________________ Window Decal Preference: Inside _____

Outside _____

Go online to renew your membership and update your contact information at <www.olemissalumni.com> or fill out this form and mail to Membership, Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677. Phone 662-915-7375 CODE: REV

Serving Oxford, Lafayette County and the University of Mississippi

TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2010

INSIDE

DIRECT DIGITAL CROSS MEDIA DESIGN GREEN

BY ALYSSA SCHNUGG Staff Writer

The Lafayette County Planning Commission has ordered the owners of Williams Equipment Co. to

Ole Miss left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz was named as the recipient of the 2010 Cellular South Ferriss Trophy given to the top collegiate baseball player in the state of Mississippi. For more details on the honor, see Page 6.

struction in the summer of 2008 on its new home for the commercial business on 4.3 acres of land located on Highway 6 West. Since construction began, neighbors have complained the runoff from the graded property has caused silt to run onto their lawns, destroying grass and bushes, as well as cause local flooding.

A year ago, a cease and desist order was issued until erosion problems were handled.

“We have had some problems with erosion out there that we’ve been dealing with for a year and a half,” Britt said.

When 3 inches of rain fell in Oxford within 30 minutes last week, the issue resurfaced when silt and water caused erosion on some of the adjoining landowners’ property.

See SOLUTION on Page 2

Oxford schools set budget hearing

BUSINESSMAN ARRESTED A local businessman who has been on the lam from the law was arrested last week. Get the details on Page 2.

EDUCATION NEWS Turn to Pages 6 and 7 of Education to find out what’s happening with local teachers and students.

ONLINE

The Oxfo rd Eagle E-Edition helps you keep up w ith your home awa y from ho me Complete Coverage o Ofocuses le Monisother BP probe companies’ workf s Sp orts BRUCE NEWMAN

Many of the students graduating from the University of Mississippi earlier this month were from the Oxford area.

Turn to Pages 5 and 10 to read the names of the locals who picked up a diploma.

INDEX

Classifieds 12-13 Local 2-3 Comics 14 Obituaries 2 Editorial 4 Sports 8-9 Education 6-7 Weather 2

Brittney Deonna Jeffries (from left), Wesley Lane Carroll and Kimberly Annette Wilson throw their caps at the Scott Center’s graduation ceremony on Monday afternoon. Also graduating were Laura Leeann Brower and Dillon Lee Hopkins.

Report: Oversite workers accepted gifts from oil companies

Number 1 Daily in Mississ ippi (Circula

BY GREG BLUESTEIN AND

MATTHEW DALY

Associated Press Writers

Guinness finds Minn. man is tallest in US

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produce a plan of action on how it intends to solve erosion issues once and for all at its construction site located across from the Cumberland subdivision.

“I need a schedule of how this is going to progress with a time frame I can put my hands on by June 1,” County Engineer Larry Britt said at Monday’s Planning Commission meeting.

Williams Equipment started con-

GRADUATION CELEBRATION

POMERANZ HONORED

UM GRADS

Creative & Innovative Solutions

Run-off solution sought E-Edition booming Erosion problems wash away county officials’ patience

PRINT

142ND Year, No. 169 — 50 CENTS

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — Guinness World Records has recognized a Minnesota man as the tallest man in the United States.

The Guinness World Record Association measured Rochester’s Igor Vovkovinskiy (voh-kov-IN’-ski) at 7 feet, 8.33 inches tall during NBC’s “The Dr. Oz Show” on Monday. He edged out Norfolk, Va., sheriff’s deputy George Bell by a third of an inch.

The 27-year- old Vovkovinskiy is originally from Ukraine but moved to Minnesota with his mother when he was 7 years old for treatment at the Mayo Clinic for a pituitary disease that spurred his rapid growth.

Vovkovinskiy now attends the Minnesota School of Business and is pursuing a degree in paralegal studies.

Guinness says the world’s urkey’s Sultan tallest man is Turkey’s Kosen. He measures in at 8 feet, 1 inch tall.

also owned the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

The other three areas of focus for the investigation involve the cementing and casing of the wellhead, which was Halliburton Inc.’s responsibility.

COVINGTON, La. — Oil giant BP said its internal investigation of Assessing decisions the unchecked Gulf oil spill In BP’s release, Chief is largely focused on work Executive Tony Hayward done by other companies as stopped short of assigning a new government report responsibility. President today showed workers at the Barack Obama has blasted federal agency that oversees executives from the compaoffshore drilling accepted nies for blaming each other sports tickets, lunches and during Congressional hearother gifts from oil and gas ings this month. companies.

“A number of companies BP PLC said in a release are involved, including BP, that an initial investigation and it is simfound mulply too early tiple control “...it is simply — and not mechanisms too early — and not up to us — should have to say who p r e v e n t e d up to us — to say who is at fault,” the accident is at fault.”

Hayward that started said. with an oil — TONY HAYWARD G e n e rig explosion Chief Executive, BP Beck, a April 20 off petroleum the coast engineer of Louisiana that killed 11 at Texas A&M at College workers.

Station who worked in the Seeking the cause drilling industry for two BP, the largest oil and decades, said the list of gas producer in the Gulf, Gulf problems BP is investigating listed seven areas of focus appears exhaustive. But he as it hunts for a cause. Four said the company also needs involve the blowout pre- to look at decisions made by venter, venter a massive piece of people on the rig. machinery that sits atop the “That needs to be inveswellhead and should have tigated: Why did they do acted as a safety device what they did?” Beck said. of last resort but did not.

“They need to ask themThat was manufactured selves that very very, very serious

by Cameron International question: ‘Why did we make Corp. and owned by these choices?”’

Transocean LTD, which

PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar (center) speaks at a press conference in Galliano, La., Monday. Standing behind Salazar are Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Meanwhile, a new Interior Department report released today found that staffers in the Louisiana office of the Minerals Management Service violated a number of federal regulations and agency ethics rules, including accepting gifts from oil and gas companies and using government computers to view pornography. pornography The report by the department’s acting inspector general follows up on a 2007 investigation that revealed what then-Inspector General Earl Devaney called a “culture of ethical failure” and conflicts of interest at the minerals agency. agency

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar called the latest report “deeply disturbing” but stressed that it only covered a period from 2000 to 2008. He said he wants the investigation expanded to include agency actions since he took office in January 2009.

BP filed its site-specific exploration plan for the Deepwater Horizon in February 2009.

The Obama administration has come under increasing pressure as frustrations build, oil washes up in delicate Louisiana wetlands, and efforts to cap the well prove unsuccessful.

City school officials are basing their budget on the funding equation that provides Oxford the lowest amount of state funds.

The board will not request any increase to the city’s tax rate, but the district still expects to experience an increase in revenue collections due to the additional taxes it projects to increase from new homes.

Revenue is expected to be up about $420,000 from 2009-2010 for a total of $29.5 million. Mississippi Adequate Education Program funding is slightly down to $12.54 million from $12.56 million the year before. Ad valorem tax collections will go up from $14.1 million to $15.4 million. With athletic admission tickets expected to be down about $10,000, the district may have to dip deeper into its reserve funds.

After the hearing, the board will vote on the budget.

In other business, the school board: — Approved salary scales for employees, teacher assistants and administrators.

— Approved a resolution in memory of the late Patricia P Aschoff SPED teacher at Aschoff, Oxford Learning Center.

Marcia Cole accepted the plaque and resolution on family behalf of the family.

—melanie@oxfordeagle.com —melanie@oxfor

www.oxfordeagle.com 662-234-2222 www.oxfordeagle.com

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BY MELANIE ADDINGTON

Members of the Oxford School Board set a public hearing for June 14 at 5 p.m. for the public to discuss the district’s 2010-2011 budget.

Despite continued budget cuts from the state during the past several months, the Oxford School District has put together a budget for the coming school year that ensures no jobs will be cut.

The school board has a proposed $29 million budget that, while not yet finalized, won’t cut jobs and won’t raise the tax rate.

On Monday, Gov. Haley Barbour signed the FY 2011 education funding bills, House Bill 1622 and House Bill 1059, Mississippi Department of Education Superintendent Tom Burnham said.

“HB 1622 is the primary funding bill that we recommend (districts) develop the FY 2011 budget around,” Burnham said. “HB 1059 is contingent upon the passage of federal legislation that would extend the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.”

www.OxfordTownHouse.com or call Kay at 662-801-6692

News alumni

About Our Members

Alumni by State The Ole Miss Alumni Association comprises members from all 50 states and numerous countries outside of the United States.

Its 23,900 members are residents of the states below.

Outside of the U.S. 124

Membership Summary

Sustaining Life Membership

Annual

Life

Total

2010

16,314

7,168

23,482

2011

16,729

7,376

24,105

2012

16,389

7,511

23,900

The Sustaining Life Membership program is a voluntary way for Life Members to provide additional annual support to the Ole Miss Alumni Association at one of several tax-deductible levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Blue and Red. These contributions are used to support necessary programs to engage Ole Miss alumni and friends, and to help create future alumni leaders through student involvement, scholarship and leadership programs.

2010: 184 2011: 185 2012: 202

Fiscal year is July 1-June 30. Figures above are as of Dec. 1, 2011. For current information, visit www.olemissalumni.com.

64 Alumni Review

The University of Mississippi Alumni Association P.O. Box 1848 University, MS 38677-1848 (662) 915-7375 www.olemissalumni.com

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