Ole Miss Alumni Review - Fall 2022

OLE MIS S ALUMNI RE VIE W

A L U M N I

R E V I E W

FA L L 2 0 2 2

FALL 2022

The Mission Continues: Building Upon the Legacy

UNIVERSITY HONORS JAMES MEREDITH, COMMEMORATES 60 YEARS OF INTEGRATION

VOL . 71 NO. 4

Ole Miss Alumni Association celebrates 2022 distinguished alumni Alumna works as legal counsel for Blue Origin

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Contents

VOL. 71 NO. 4 | FALL 2022 A L U M N I

R E V I E W

Departments 2 4 6 20 38

| Chancellor’s Letter | President’s Letter | From the Circle | Calendar | Ole Miss Sports

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Six named to M-Club Hall of Fame KD Hill receives 2022 Chucky Mullins Courage Award Eli Manning named to 2022 SEC Football Legends Class

46 | Just Published 48 | Rebel Traveler 52 | Alumni News

Features

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22 | C elebrating Service and Excellence

Ole Miss Alumni Association honors 2022 distinguished alumni

Alumni Association

By Jim Urbanek

welcomes 2022-23 officers

Three UM alumni recognized for outstanding reporting

28 | T he Mission Continues:

Building Upon the Legacy

University honors James Meredith, commemorates 60 years of integration

By Clara Turnage

34 | R eady for Launch

Alumna works as legal counsel for Blue Origin

By Annie Rhoades

ON THE COVER

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James Meredith (BA 63) integrated the University of Mississippi 60 years ago, and the university is marking this anniversary with a yearlong series of events, including ‘The Mission Continues: Building Upon the Legacy,’ organized to honor Meredith and his continuing efforts to bring about racial equality. | Photo by Logan Kirkland

Ole Miss Alumni Review PUBLISHER Kirk Purdom (BA 93) EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jim Urbanek II (BA 97) jim@olemissalumni.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR AND ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Annie Rhoades (BBA 07, MBA 09) annie@olemissalumni.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Benita Whitehorn ART DIRECTOR Amy Howell CONTRIBUTORS Kevin Bain (BA 98), Bill Dabney (BA 89), Kiana Dale, Mitchell Diggs (BSJ 82), Andrea Wright Dilworth, Joe Ellis, Dana Engelbert, Jay Ferchard, Erin Garrett (BAJ 11, MS 20), Thomas Graning (BAJ 17), Cristen Hemmins (MA 96), Robert Jordan (BA 83, MA 90), Logan Kirkland (BAJ 16), Joshua McCoy, Annie Oeth, LaReeca Rucker (BA 97, MA 16), Edwin B. Smith (BA 80, MA 93), Patrick Smith (BAJ 11), Christina Steube (BAJ 11, MA 16, MA 18), Melanie Thortis, Clara Turnage (BAJ 17) OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Bill Reed (BA 72, JD 77) president Karen Moore (BS 82) president-elect Jeff Hubbard (BBA 80, JD 83) vice president Todd Sandroni (BSPh92, PhMD 97) athletics committee member Bruce Ware (BBA 99) athletics committee member ALUMNI AFFAIRS DIRECTORS Kirk Purdom (BA 93), chief executive officer Joseph Baumbaugh, assistant director for information services Sunny Brown (BSFCS 09, MA 11), assistant director Clay Cavett (BBA 86), associate director, campaigns and special projects Michelle Coughlin (BAccy 93, MAccy 94), chief financial officer Junae Johnson (BBA 15), assistant director Jessica Lynch (BSES 05), assistant director Steve Mullen (BA 92), assistant director for marketing Annie Rhoades (BBA 07, MBA 09), assistant director for communications Mary Kate Smith (BS 18), assistant director Scott Thompson (BA 97, MA 08), associate director, engagement Jim Urbanek (BA 97), associate director, communications and marketing

from the Chancellor Dear Alumni and Friends, What an amazing and historic time for Ole Miss! The atmosphere this fall has been absolutely electric across every corner of our campus as we have welcomed so many alumni back to our beloved university for a multitude of events and festivities.

Paying tribute to distinguished alumnus James Meredith (BA 63) and commemorating the 60th anniversary of his enrollment has been an incredibly powerful experience. This anniversary has been a time for remembrance, reflection, commemoration and celebration. We honored how James’ impact extends beyond this university and stretches across higher education, throughout our state and country. That point is evident in how our students flock to James whenever he returns to Oxford because they want a chance to engage with living history. I’ve treasured getting to know James and Judy Meredith over the last few years, and I’m grateful for their continued involvement in our university community.

We are excited about our growing enrollment. All Mississippi public universities will release official enrollment numbers in November, but we can share that we welcomed our largest-ever freshman class this fall, a class that far surpasses in number the 2016 freshman class of 3,984 students. What a testament to all that our university offers, including a legacy of academic excellence, accomplished and dedicated faculty, a beautiful campus in America’s best college town, myriad student success programs and a distinctive student experience.

Great things continue to happen on the health sciences front. Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, is the newly elected chair of the board of directors for the Association of American Medical Colleges. In this influential role, she leads the organization representing the nation’s academic medicine employees. She’s also a great example of the extraordinary talent we have in our state.

In athletics, I’m proud that Ole Miss won both the men’s and women’s divisions of the David M. Halbrook Trophy awards, which are presented to Mississippi colleges and universities with the highest percentage of graduating student-athletes. These awards are the best indicator of how our student-athletes want to achieve both academic and athletic excellence, and their performance is a great reflection on our university.

I’d like to share a special thanks to Dr. Bob Warner (BA 79, MD 83), immediate past president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association, for his tremendous leadership and service.

He has worked diligently to help us keep the Ole Miss family strong and moving forward. I look forward to continuing the great work with our new president, Bill Reed (BA 72, JD 77).

We are in good hands.

I’m also deeply thankful for our enthusiastic, passionate alumni and all that you do to continue to grow our university’s legacy of extraordinary achievements. We’re so grateful for your enthusiasm and support for our university and our students. It is always a great time to visit your alma mater, so we hope to see you on campus soon!

Hotty Toddy!

Rusty Woods (BBA 01), associate director for information services The Ole Miss Alumni Review (USPS 561-870) is published quarterly by the Ole Miss Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Affairs.

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

Telephone 662-915-7375.

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Glenn F. Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) Chancellor

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from the President Dear Alumni and Friends, I am extremely honored to serve as 2022-23 president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association. With the help and much appreciated support of my wife, Cindy, I will make every effort to build upon the many successes of our immediate past president, Dr. Bob Warner. During the last year, Bob and his wife, Mary Ellen, provided great leadership to the Association and represented Ole Miss with humility and grace. Thank you, Bob and Mary Ellen!

Several of my friends recently have asked me to explain the role the Alumni Association plays at Ole Miss. Simply put, the overall mission of the Association is to provide quality services and programs that unite the university and its alumni. Among other things, the Association organizes the activities of 77 alumni clubs located across the country, publishes the Ole Miss Alumni Review, operates The Inn at Ole Miss and McCormick’s bar (still hard to believe!) and grill, annually awards more than 350 academic scholarships, sponsors the Rebel Road Trip, and hosts numerous reunions, meetings and on-campus events. All these activities are seamlessly coordinated by the Association’s CEO, Kirk Purdom, and his very talented team.

This year, both the Alumni Association and the university have enjoyed tremendous growth. The Association’s membership is back to pre-pandemic levels and well on its way to reaching 30,000 active members. Official numbers had not been released at press time, but the university welcomed a record freshman class, including a large increase in Mississippi residents, African Americans and Hispanics. Total enrollment on the Oxford campus also increased significantly from last year. Good luck finding a place to park or an empty residence hall room!

Student-athletes continue to be a source of pride for all Rebels. The baseball team capped an amazing year by winning a National Championship, and the football team to date has compiled a very strong 7-1 record. In addition, based on impressive showings in 18 men’s and women’s sports, Ole Miss Athletics placed 20th nationally in the prestigious LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings. While achieving success both nationally and in the always tough SEC, our 375 student-athletes compiled an overall GPA of 3.04 and a graduation success rate of 88%! Kudos to Athletics Director Keith Carter and his staff for their focus and insistence on academic excellence.

For decades, the Triplett Alumni Center has been the home of the Association and many of its on-campus activities. I am excited to report that plans for a bigger and better facility are well underway. The new four-story, 46,000-square-foot building will be in the same spot facing the Grove, and will provide greatly increased meeting and function space for alumni, students and faculty, a new M-Club Room/museum to house trophies and other athletics memorabilia, and an impressive first stop for prospective students beginning to tour the beautiful Ole Miss campus. You may donate to this more-than-$30 million project through the University of Mississippi Foundation.

Hotty Toddy!

Bill Reed (BA 72, JD 77) President Ole Miss Alumni Association 4

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from the Circle

THE L ATEST ON OLE MISS STUDENTS, FACULT Y, STAFF AND FRIENDS

Official Naming THE GERTRUDE C. FORD STUDENT UNION DEDICATED

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ertrude C. Ford valued anything and everything that helped education and young people, says Stephen Sims, president of the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation.

That is why it feels right to name The Gertrude C. Ford Student Union at the University of Mississippi in her honor.

The naming became official Aug. 26 during a brief ceremony held inside the Student Union.

“This building fosters a sense of community by serving so many people and purposes,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) says. “That’s one of the reasons why it is fitting to name this building in honor of the late philanthropist Gertrude C. Ford and pay tribute to her transformative passion, far-reaching influence and lasting impact on this university.”

The university began renovations and expansion in 2015, and the new Student Union opened in 2019. The project added more than 173,000 square feet, including an 8,000-square-foot ballroom.

Larger lobbies and dining spaces, as well as increased conference meeting spaces, were needed to better serve the growing student population with a more modern and engaging hub of student life.

“I’m so proud that The Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union is for all students — and prospective students,” says Bradley Baker (BA 05, MA 10), Student Union director. “Our

continued and cherished relationship with the Ford Foundation has impacted countless aspects of the Ole Miss campus, but one of the biggest impacts is on the commitment to our students.

“This is especially evident with The Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union and the M-Power Extended Orientation Program, which are both integral to our students’ continued success and how they will build their legacies at our university.”

Sims says the Ford Foundation welcomed partnering with the university for the expansion.

“The Student Union is the center of campus, so I think this naming is fantastic,” Sims says. “Students are in it all the time, and the ballroom is impressive. It’s so much more than anything we’ve ever had before.”

The Ford Foundation initiated its longtime support of the university when it contributed $25 million for the 88,000-square-foot Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts, opened in 2002.

The foundation’s support of other university initiatives includes the Gertrude C. Ford Ballroom in The Inn at Ole Miss, the Daniel W. Jones, M.D. Chair for Faculty Support on the Oxford campus, the Suzan Thames Chair of Pediatrics on the Medical Center campus and essential land for Gertrude C. Ford Boulevard, providing the first new north-south thoroughfare on campus for the ever-growing Oxford-University community.

Student Union Director Bradley Baker (left) and Chancellor Boyce (right) with Gertrude C. Ford Foundation representatives Gayle Papa, John Lewis, Helen Lewis, Cheryle Sims and Stephen Sims at the official naming ceremony in August | Photo by Kevin Bain 6

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from the Circle UM RANKED IN TOP 100 BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

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he University of Mississippi remains one of the top public universities in the nation, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

The university was listed at No. 72 among public universities in the U.S. News “Best Colleges” for 2022-23 report, which was released Sept. 12. This makes Ole Miss the highest-ranking university in Mississippi.

UM has been in the top 100 for 12 consecutive years.

“At the University of Mississippi, we offer an outstanding atmosphere of academic excellence, achievement and access combined with a nationally recognized student experience,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) says.

“The USNWR national ranking reflects these aspects of our campus life as well as our focus on student success, our commitment to value and our climbing outcomes like retention and graduation rates.”

The university is widely known for offering one of the most competitive and affordable tuition rates in the country. This was confirmed as it is ranked No. 40 among public institutions in the U.S. News “Best Value Schools” report. This also makes UM the best value in the state.

The Best Value Schools report determines which colleges and universities offer the best value for students, factoring in academic

quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid.

“As a state flagship institution, we place a major emphasis on affordability for our students,” Boyce says. “This is reflected in how we are the highest-ranked university in the state in the Best Value category and in the top 10% of public universities nationally.

“We know this is a very important indicator for our students and their families, and we are proud to offer one of the most affordable tuition rates in the country.”

Ole Miss is also ranked highest in the state for its veterans’ support programs. In the “Best Colleges for Veterans” list, the university came in at No. 68 among public universities.

In addition, the university’s undergraduate business program significantly improved its ranking by 22 spots this year. The program is ranked No. 52 in the nation among public universities.

The undergraduate accountancy program is ranked No. 28 among public institutions. This news comes as the Patterson School of Accountancy is planning an 110,000-square-foot building overlooking the Grove in the heart of campus.

In its 38th year, the Best Colleges rankings evaluate more than 1,450 colleges and universities on up to 17 measures of academic quality.

High Calling STOCKS NAMED BEST COLLEGE PROFESSOR IN 2022 BEST OF OXFORD

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orris Stocks has been named Best College Professor Stocks has paused his teaching to fill several administrative in The Oxford Eagle’s 2022 Best of Oxford, as deter- roles during his tenure. He has served as associate provost, vice mined by a vote of the newspaper’s readers. chancellor, accounting dean, provost and interim chancellor.

Stocks is a longtime professor and Don Jones Chair of “I would be hard-pressed to think of another person who Accountancy in the University of Mississippi’s Patterson could surpass his contributions to the University of MissisSchool of Accountancy. sippi,” Wilkin says. “In each of these roles, he has made Noel Wilkin, UM vice chancellor and executive the university better.” vice president for academic affairs, says Stocks, Stocks returned to teaching in the accounwho has earned repeated recognition for his tancy school — the job he says he always teaching, is deserving of the award. wanted — in 2017.

“Dr. Stocks strives for excellence in “The fact that I could come back to everything he does,” Wilkin says. the faculty after 18 years and be accepted “This drives him to go to extraorby the students and faculty speaks dinary measures to assist students and volumes of the quality people in our help them to understand the material program,” he says. and pursue their full potential.”

Stocks earned his bachelor’s degree A 31-year veteran in the school, Stocks in accounting from Trevecca Nazarene teaches intermediate accounting. He has University in 1977, then began his career earned seven Ole Miss awards for outstanding in accounting. He accepted a part-time teaching and research, has twice been named the teaching role at Trevecca to fill in for a professor accountancy school’s outstanding teacher of the year and soon discovered that he loved teaching.

Morris Stocks and is a three-time researcher of the year.

He would later add a master’s degree from Middle “I love teaching,” he says. “There isn’t a better job. It’s a high Tennessee State University and a doctorate from the University calling to help students define their professional futures.” of South Carolina before joining the UM faculty.

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from the Circle

Next-Level Leadership ETHEL SCURLOCK NAMED DEAN OF UM HONORS COLLEGE

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thel Scurlock has always been a trailblazer, and in her community of citizen scholars.” new role as dean of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Scurlock is a trusted and experienced leader who underHonors College at the University of Mississippi, she stands the importance of creating outstanding academic hopes to exceed everyone’s expectations — even her programs for students, Wilkin says. own.

“This is a historical moment that is important After serving a year as interim dean, to our university, and Dr. Scurlock is to be Scurlock is the first African American to commended and congratulated for being lead the Honors College in its 25-year the first Black female to hold the title of history. Previously, the associate profesdean on the Oxford campus of the Unisor of English and African American versity of Mississippi,” he says. studies served as senior fellow of the “S h e k n o w s t h at c h a l l e n g i n g Luckyday Residential College and chair programs require compassionate of the Department of African American approaches and has the ability to meet Studies. students where they are and help them Scurlock says she is grateful to reach their next levels of achievement inherit an Honors College that is growing and success.” and bustling, thanks to the leadership of Scurlock outlined her goals for the Honfounding director Elizabeth Payne as well as ors College: the vision of Douglass Sullivan-González, who • Advance the university’s national reputation in Ethel Scurlock served as dean for almost 19 years. Building upon the honors education achievements of her predecessors, Scurlock hopes to leave a • I ncrease the capacity to serve more students in the quantifiable legacy of her own.

Honors College by adding student-facing staff members “I hope that people will be able to say that I treated every • Recruit more students from rural areas of Mississippi honors student, staff member and faculty member with care • Create opportunities for more students to get involved in and concern,” Scurlock says. “I want to be able to deliver undergraduate research measurable increases in our enrollment, our graduation rates, our national rankings amongst honors programs and our • Strengthen alumni ties endowment.

• Be more intentional about diversity, equity and inclusion “More than anything, I hope that we will work to create a in every aspect of honors education deep sense of belonging for all of our constituents, so that we • Build an endowment to make sure that future generations all understand that we play a crucial role in making sure the can reap the benefits of the Honors College Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College is able to serve The Honors College is challenging a generation of stufuture generations.” dents who interact with the world in such a different way, Scurlock says.

“The faculty members who teach in honors represent the best scholars at the University of Mississippi,” she says. “They work to meet students where they are, challenge them to think deeply about issues and often invite students to participate in research that results in published works.”

The university is a better place thanks to Jim Barksdale’s (BBA 65) transformative gift that established the Honors College in 1997, Scurlock says, noting that she is honored to be a steward of Barksdale’s investment and the gifts of many other stakeholders.

Scurlock joined the Ole Miss faculty in 1996. Among her Scurlock says she appreciates the support the program many accolades, she was named the College of Liberal Arts receives from Chancellor Glenn Boyce and Provost Noel Outstanding Teacher of the Year and UM Humanities Teacher Wilkin, adding they are committed to “ensuring our Honors of the Year in 2003 and received the Elsie M. Hood OutstandCollege has the resources we need to continue advancing our ing Teacher Award in 2011.

‘She knows that challenging programs require compassionate approaches and has the ability to meet students where they are …’ — NOEL WILKIN

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from the Circle

Tread Lightly UM BIOLOGIST, STUDENTS PROMOTE RESEARCH ON SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM

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cotourism is a billion-dollar industry that gives travel enthusiasts an intimate look at the world’s most breathtaking natural environments. While ecotourism is often thought to be synonymous with sustainable travel, its recent growth in popularity could have a negative impact on local wildlife and ecosystems.

“Many of us hope to one day experience the thrill of seeing elephants strolling the African savannah, or the

Buchholz, director of the UM Center for Biodiversity and Conser vation Research, is working to organize an international research network focused on investigating the behavioral effects of ecotourism and developing more sustainable recommendations.

When the pandemic brought worldwide travel to a halt, one positive outcome came to light. The absence of human disturbance in natural areas allowed wildlife to emerge and become

Ecotourists explore a rainforest in Costa Rica. UM biologist Richard Buchholz is organizing an international research network focused on examining the effects of ecotourism on the environment. | Submitted photo

colorful fishes and anemones that adorn a tropical coral reef, or some other fascinating creature in its natural habitat,” says Richard Buchholz, a University of Mississippi biology professor. “Unfortunately, as the human population grows and international travel becomes more accessible, these natural places won’t survive the onslaught of tourists without careful management.

“If we want future generations to be able to see the planet’s wonders firsthand, rather than just read in books about ‘what used to be,’ we have to learn how to live sustainably.”

more visible, Buchholz says.

“Clearly, the mere presence of humans was having a negative effect on animal behavior,” he says. “We realized that we would need an international approach to understand the ways that different human cultures might have an impact on wild species ranging from butterflies to whales.”

Buchholz and several of his doctoral students traveled to Costa Rica in July to help run a workshop at the Animal Behavior Society’s annual meeting.

The workshop, “Intersections Among Animal Behavior, Conservation and

Ecotourism,” served as a jumping-off point for scientists, students, economists and industry representatives to begin discussion around sustainable ecotourism.

Jessica Stamn was one of those students. The willingness of the group to address conser vation problems impressed her, she says.

“Not only did I get to meet some really interesting people who worked on really cool projects, but I was also exposed to a ton of conservation-related jobs that I had not been aware of before.”

Stamn and her Ole Miss classmates will work with national and international collaborators to compile information from the workshop and highlight the top questions surrounding ecotourism and animal behavior. These questions addressed how ecotourism influences species reproduction, communication patterns and ecological soundscapes, among other things.

Buchholz plans to use the connections he made at the meeting to continue building a research network.

“We’ll investigate sources of funding that could allow the network to compare and contrast the answers to those research questions in different study systems — that is, different types of animal-tourist interactions — around the world,” he says. “Ultimately we will tie these into the United Nations’ goals for a sustainable future.”

The UM Office of Global Engagement awarded Buchholz an International Collaboration Grant to fund the project. The Office of Research and

cbcr.olemiss.edu Sponsored Programs, Department of Biology and Graduate School also contributed travel support.

For more information about the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Research, visit cbcr.olemiss.edu.

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from the Circle UM CHAPTER OF MORTAR BOARD WINS GOLD TORCH AWARD

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he University of Mississippi chapter of Mortar Board, an honor society for college seniors, won two top honors during the national organization’s annual awards program.

The UM Tassels chapter met all the requirements necessary for a Gold Torch Award. The group also was named the Freeman and Fox Most Improved Chapter. Mortar Board chapters exemplify excellence in scholarship, leadership and service.

“The chapter began the 2021-22 academic year with the principle, ‘Begin with the end in mind,’ etched in our collective conscience, and everything undertaken throughout the year was predicated on improving the chapter and strengthening the membership,” says Brent Marsh, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students who serves as the chapter adviser.

“This special recognition is a testament to the determined effort of the officers and support of the members and our alumni.”

Accomplishments for which the chapter excelled in the area of

scholarship included initiating 51 new members during the 2021-22 academic year, having three members chosen as Truman Scholarship finalists and one student as a Goldwater Scholarship finalist.

Leadership achievements included the induction of two members into the Ole Miss student Hall of Fame.

Excellence in service for which the chapter was honored included serving as greeters for a campus diversity lecture and hosting its annual tradition, The Last Lecture, to conclude the academic year.

“We would not be receiving these awards without the hard work and dedication of Langston Ables (BS 22), [2021-22 president] and Dr. Marsh,” says Kelly Li, the chapter’s 2022-23 president. “They are a testament as to why all students should apply to join this honors society and be a part of what we are building.

“I am excited to keep growing our chapter of Mortar Board with new future members and continue representing and doing great things for our university, community and state.”

It’s Elemental UM RESEARCH FOCUSES ON PLANET FORMATION

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arbon is the go-to element when studying molecules in The result? Interactions between aluminum hydride and space. It is necessary for life, easy to study and forms water can form a variety of molecules. Some of these could be unusually strong bonds with other atoms. important precursors to common minerals in the Earth and With more than 90 other naturally occurring elements in other rocky planets. the periodic table, however, a University of Mississippi chemist “This is the first time, to my knowledge, that anyone has is asking why scientists are limiting their scope of research. taken simple hydrides and created complex large nanocrys“The periodic table does have other elements,” tals,” Fortenberry says. says Ryan Fortenberry, associate professor of There are a number of ways to build upon chemistry and biochemistry. “Although the these findings. chemistry isn’t as rich, and they are more “What we constructed is a very clean difficult to study. A lot of the other materiand pretty ideal set of circumstances, but als can be dangerous, poisonous or lethal.” nature is messy,” he says. “So, we want Some inorganic molecules could to explore the messiness with imperfect have implications in the formation of starting materials and see if they still planets, so Fortenberry and his research lead to crystalline products. team have used computer models in “We’ve also done this with a cona study to illustrate this. He presented venient system: aluminum. We’d have their findings at the American Chemical to be more creative with something like Society’s fall meeting Aug. 23 in Chicago. silicon. We can mix together other mole“If you want to make big rocks, you have cules that we know exist in space and see how to start with small rocks, which had to start from they progress.” even smaller rocks — this is the nanoscale,” Forten- Ryan Fortenberry This work opens the door to possibilities for berry says. “We have a pretty good idea of how we can future collaborations, says Heather Abbott-Lyon, get from these dust particles to bigger rocks and then to big past chair of the ACS astrochemistry subdivision and associate rocks like the Earth.” professor of chemistry at Kennesaw State University.

Think of molecules like Lego pieces, he says. Carbon, for “(Dr. Fortenberry’s) ability to engage his audience and example, has the capability for four other pieces to stick to it. In effectively communicate his science at ACS meetings is crucial Fortenberry’s study, the team “stuck” three hydrogen molecules to advancing the conversation between chemists and astronoon an aluminum molecule and simulated its reaction with water. mers,” she said.

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from the Circle

Musical Icon DOR LAUDED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO GHANAIAN MUSIC, CULTURE

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his summer, George Worlasi Kwasi Dor visited his home country of Ghana as a renowned music professor at the University of Mississippi. He returned as an icon.

The University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts named Dor an Iconic Composer of Ghanaian Art Music.

The school also declared him a Distinguished Contributor to the Development of Contemporary Ghanaian Music and African Musicology.

The University of Ghana, Salt and Light Ministry and Ghana National Theatre punctuated Dor’s trip home with a three-hour concert in his honor. Choral Music TV of Ghana broadcast the event globally from the National Theatre via Facebook and YouTube.

“I am happy that my contributions are acknowledged, and that my compositions continue to be meaningful to audiences in Ghana and beyond,” Dor says. “The event serves as an inspiration for me to do more, and I believe it will motivate others to contribute in like manner.”

The concert itself was a celebration of Dor’s compositions and drew a national audience. Performers included the Ghana Police Band, Ghana National Symphony Orchestra and the Harmonious Chorale. Dor discussed his original music during an in-concert interview with Ghanaian music professor Daniel Avorgbedor.

Dor’s research and creative activity widen the scope of culture and humanity, says Nancy Maria Balach, UM chair and professor of music.

“Dr. Dor connects the University of Mississippi globally,” Balach says. “Dr. Dor has engaged in successful recruitment efforts in Africa and established a key partnership initiative between the University of Mississippi and three African universities. We applaud Dr. Dor for this esteemed and well-deserved honor.”

Since 2005, Dor has been the initiator, coordinator and producer of the

annual Black History Month Concert that brings together diverse groups of performers and showcases guest artists at Ole Miss. In 2012, the Black History Month Concert was key in the celebration of 50 years of integration at the university, and Dor composed a commemorative song that included a tribute to James Meredith.

E a c h s e m e s t e r, D o r l e a d s t h e Ole Miss African Drum and Dance

Ensemble. In 2007, the LOU community celebrated the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s independence as Oxford Mayor Richard Howorth and the Board of Aldermen declared March 6, 2007, as “Ghana Friendship Day in Oxford.”

Dor was a 2019 Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow/Visiting Professor at the University of Port Harcourt. He was also awarded the UM 2021-22 Diversity Innovator Award.

UM music professor George Worlasi Kwasi Dor (left) receives a citation presented by Adwoa Arhine (center), head of the Department of Music in the University of Ghana School of Performing Arts, and Benjamin Amakye-Boateng, a lecturer in the department. | Submitted photo

The Ghana National Symphony Orchestra plays a composition by music professor George Dor during the televised ‘An Evening with George Worlasi Kwasi Dor’ concert. | Submitted photo FA L L 2022

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from the Circle

Leaders for Tomorrow FRESHMEN AWARDED ANNEXSTAD SCHOLARSHIPS

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hree students in the University of Mississippi’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College have been awarded scholarships from the Annexstad Family Foundation.

The foundation awards three Leaders for Tomorrow national scholarships each year to Ole Miss students who have exhibited leadership in their schools or communities, says John Samonds, associate dean of the Honors College.

“Our 2022 recipients have demonstrated that they have the drive to accomplish anything they set their minds to,” Samonds says. “We hope that this scholarship will enable them to do just that.”

Freshmen Brady B ass, Destiny Kirksey and Manjot Nagra are setting big goals for their time at the university.

O r i g i n a l l y f rom O x f ord , B a s s learned about hard work from his family’s business, Bassco Foam in Tupelo.

COVID-19 had an incredible effect on the polyfoam fabrication company when a stay-at-home order was issued in March 2020.

“While many of the workers could go home, we still had orders coming in that needed to be taken care of to keep the business afloat,” Bass says. “We were let

out of school, so I began working.”

B a s s , a l ong w it h ot h e r f am i l y members, worked every weekday from March to August, barring one week that summer.

“I was able to return to school with the proud feeling that I had helped keep my family’s business from potentially collapsing,” he says.

Bass is grateful for the scholarship, which will ease his financial burden as he plans to attend medical school.

Kirksey, who hails from Philadelphia, Mississippi, hopes to ultimately use her studies at the university to help families through genetic counseling. This mission is near and dear to her heart.

“I have a cousin who was diagnosed with autism when he was 12,” she says.

“My brother also exhibits symptoms, though he was never diagnosed.

“By becoming a geneticist, I could assist by telling the parents about any genetic risk that could happen to their future child.”

The biology major says she hopes to specifically study genetic variations and those that could be hereditary.

Helping others is vital to Kirksey.

During the pandemic, her mother was infected with the Delta variant of

COVID-19 while working as a licensed counselor at Weems Community Mental Health Center. The community stepped in to help take care of her family.

“People would drop off food, disinfectant, medicine and anything else we might have needed,” Kirksey says. “The community even made sure my brother and I attended school. They helped me continue on the path towards higher education.”

Kirksey is also grateful for the opportunities that this scholarship will provide — namely saving for medical school.

“Years from now, I would like to say I accomplished my goals, helped many families and helped my community,” she says.

The eldest d aug hter of Indi an immigrants, Nagra is a first-generation college student. She became interested in health care during high school and has selected biomedical engineering as her major.

“The medical field has always caught my eye, but when I started shadowing physicians from the Tupelo area, it really made me feel like this is the job I was meant for,” Nagra says.

“I am very passionate about science, and as the oldest sibling and first continued on page 13

Brady Bass 12

A LU M N I R E V I E W

Destiny Kirksey

Manjot Nagra

from the Circle continued from page 12

grandchild in my family, caregiving comes naturally to me. I hope to use these qualities to become a pediatric surgeon one day.”

Nagra often helped her parents by caring for her younger brother and sister.

Even with these obligations at home, the Tupelo native excelled at school and has kick-started her education by becoming a certified nursing assistant during the summer.

“I learned so much — the biggest realization was that nurses are truly the

backbone of the health care field. Overall, I now have a huge amount of respect for CNAs.” Nagra says that the scholarship will allow her time to study and conduct research while going to classes. She also plans to pursue research programs and internships during the summer before applying for medical school.

C athy and Al Annexstad, with their family, created the foundation in 2000 to focus on helping young people earn college degrees. They’ve been

awarding scholarships at Ole Miss since 2015. The foundation, based in Minnesota, has provided more than 1,000 scholarships to deserving students across the nation.

For more information about the Annexstad Family Foundation Leaders for Tomorrow scholarships, visit annexstadfamilyfoundation.org. To make a gift to Honors College programs or scholarships, visit give.olemiss.edu or for more information, contact Brady Bramlett at bradyb@olemiss.edu or 662-915-3081.

JOURNALISM STUDENTS PLACE IN PRESTIGIOUS HEARST COMPETITION

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wo members of the University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media have placed in the top 20 in the annual Hearst Journalism Awards competition.

Rabria Moore, an Ole Miss senior, and Billy Schuerman (BAJ 21) were among the winners of the prestigious national contest, placing in the team digital news/enterprise category.

Their project, examining water supply problems in the Lafayette County community of Taylor, was published during the 2021 spring semester. They worked on the package under the guidance of editor-adviser Ellen Meacham (BA 90, MA 03), instructional assistant professor of journalism.

The project tied for 16th place in the Hearst contest with a project from Elon University, says Patricia Thompson, former director of the university’s S. Gale Denley Student Media Center. The top five winners in that category were students from Western Kentucky University, Syracuse University, University of North Carolina and the University of Oregon.

“We are always proud when our students are recognized for their outstanding work, but it’s especially gratifying when that work exemplifies the core tenets of journalism — giving voice to the voiceless and holding the powerful accountable,” says Debora Wenger, associate dean for partnerships and innovations and professor of journalism. “I know that both of these students will be making a positive

Rabria Moore

Billy Schuerman

difference in the world for many years to come.”

A native of Durant, Moore is majoring in journalism and political science. She is editor-in-chief of The Daily Mississippian for 2022-23.

“I was very excited to find out I received a Hearst award for this project,” Moore says.

“When I started this project, I didn’t think about winning any awards. My main goal was to tell a story about a woman who’s been fighting for access to water, and hopefully bring attention to the issue of water access, especially in Mississippi.

“I’m happy to receive the award, but I definitely take more pride in knowing that the story has reached a broader audience.”

Schuerman, from Houston, Texas, just completed his first year in the visual

communication master’s program at Ohio University. He spent winter break as a photographer and writer at a newspaper in Colorado and had a photo internship this summer at the Virginian-Pilot.

He says he was elated to hear that their hard work was recognized in the competition.

“I am more hopeful that this recognition helps provide a future for the community we reported on,” Schuerman says. “Awards are secondary to the communities we serve.”

He says the project was meaningful.

“Before we are journalists, we are humans, and this is a human story,” Schuerman says. “This was not a project we could just walk into. We dedicated our time to telling a meaningful story about something that really matters.”

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from the Circle

Trailblazer SLAUGHTER-HARVEY NAMED UM LAW ALUMNA OF THE YEAR

U

niversity of Mississippi alumna Constance Slaughter-Harvey (JD 70) was named the School of Law’s Alumna of the Year, becoming the first African American female to receive the award.

She accepted the award July 15 at the Ole Miss Alumni Association luncheon during the Mississippi Bar’s annual meeting in Sandestin, Florida. The award has been presented annually by the Alumni Association’s Law Alumni Chapter since 1974.

Slaughter-Harvey has spent her life as a trailblazer. Originally from Forest, she completed her undergraduate degree at Tougaloo College, where she was elected the first female student body president. In 1970, she became the first African American female graduate of the UM School of Law. In an effort to create a space and system of support for Black students in law school, she joined students from across the country as a founding member of the National Black Law Students Association, or BLSA, when it formed at Rutgers University in 1968.

“I see so much change, but I know we still have a long way to go,” she says. “I’m so proud of Dean (Susan) Duncan’s commitment to doing the right thing and leading the school toward more diversity and inclusion initiatives.”

Inspired to attend law school by Medgar Evers, Slaughter-Harvey began her career with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to advocate for the rights of others. In 1976, she became the first African American female to be appointed as a judge in Mississippi.

“Constance truly is a trailblazer for not only our school but the legal profession,” Duncan says. “Her path to becoming the first African American woman to graduate from UM law in the 1960s was incredibly difficult due to the constant negative treatment she received, but she persevered.

“UM law is committed to creating an inclusive environment to ensure that all students feel welcome here, and this progress could not happen without her support. We are so proud of her many accomplishments throughout her career, Constance Slaughter-Harvey (center) accepts the Alumna of the Year award presented and we are incredibly grateful for her support of by the Law Alumni Chapter of the Ole Miss Alumni Association during the recent our law students.” annual meeting of the Mississippi Bar in Sandestin, Florida. She is congratulated by Slaughter-Harvey is a life member of the Girl her grandson Tre’ Burwell (left) and Jeffrey Hubbard, president of the Law Alumni Scouts of America, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Chapter. | Submitted photo National Bar Association, American Bar FounBestowed upon an alumnus who has encouraged excel- dation, NAACP and the Magnolia Bar Association. lence in legal education and has actively participated in the In her storied career, she has received more than 5,000 betterment of the school, the award is one of the top honors awards, including Hall of Fame inductions into the National given by the law school and Alumni Association.

Bar Association, UM and its School of Law, and Tougaloo “When I say I was honored, that’s an understatement,” College.

Slaughter-Harvey says. “On four occasions, the law school has Slaughter-Harvey is lauded alongside Fannie Lou Hamer recognized me and each time, I feel the sacrifices made by my and Evelyn Gandy as one of 10 notable Mississippi women of parents, their prayers and the support I was given. the 20th century.

“When I get an honor by the university, I don’t think about “I hope I’ve contributed what was needed and more to me — I’m just a vessel. I don’t accept it for me, but for my the law school and its students,” Slaughter-Harvey says. “I’m parents, my family, my law school roommate and those who comfortable knowing that I’m doing what God put me on supported me.”

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from the Circle

Skin Deep EDUCATION KEY TO DIAGNOSING SKIN CANCER IN DARKER SKIN, SAVING LIVES

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elanin, the natural pigment that gives skin its color, is in abundance in darker skin. But it does much more than create varying shades and hues.

It comes with a perk: Melanin absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays and helps protect the skin from sun damage. That’s a double-edged sword of sorts because it can create a false sense of security that those with melanin-rich darker skin are immune to developing skin cancer.

But don’t be fooled. That security blanket is a myth. Skin cancer can develop regardless of the amount of melanin in your skin, and though far less common in Black people, they are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage and therefore less likely to survive.

In fact, the five-year survival rate from 2011 to 2016 for Black patients with melanoma, considered the most serious form of skin cancer, was 66%, compared to 90% for white patients, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

One reason is that melanoma, in its earlier stages, is harder to recognize in Black patients.

That’s in part because melanoma manifests differently on darker skin. Though normally found on parts of the body exposed to sunlight — the face, torso or lower legs — in lighter-skinned patients, melanoma in Black patients usually develops on the palms, soles or under fingernails or toenails, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is therefore often overlooked until it is more advanced.

A 2021 review of dermatology medical student resources used to identify skin conditions found that almost all photos were of white patients. The study found that “across all images, only 15% were of skin of color,” which can put medical students at a disadvantage in diagnosing certain skin conditions, like melanoma, in darker-skinned patients.

“Currently there is a big movement in all the dermatology publications to increase photos of skin conditions in African Americans,” says Dr. Jeremy Jackson (MD 06), chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

“At UMMC, we are fortunate to have a more diverse patient population than many academic institutions. African Americans make up almost 40% of our state’s population, and this is also reflected in our dermatology clinics. This provides a great opportunity for our medical students and residents to observe and diagnose dermatologic conditions in skin of color. This experience is absolutely critical so we can better serve the people of our state and recognize conditions like skin cancer sooner, which hopefully leads to better outcomes.”

Dr. Thy Huynh, UMMC assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics, and director of Clinical Trials in Dermatology, says diversity in training materials should be a priority.

“When you have a darker pigmentation, it is very hard to see 16

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Photo courtesy of UMMC

some of the redness that is underneath the skin tone,” she says.

“It can mask it, especially in pictures. Even when you take the picture, the picture just does not highlight that degree of redness that is very obvious in lighter skin tones, and I think that could potentially contribute to some of the pictures that are selected.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics has been advocating for more awareness of the need for diversity, she says, and a few new books focusing on skin of color have been published recently. To contribute to awareness in the medical community, Huynh and two of her residents also published an article in June on dermatologic differences among different skin tones.

Even as the medical community gains more experience in diagnosing skin cancer in diverse groups, it is important that those with darker skin know not only what symptoms to look for on their own bodies but also how to prevent it.

Dr. Robert Brodell, UMMC professor and founding chair of the Department of Pathology and former founding chair of dermatology, says to see a doctor if you notice a brown or black, flat or raised growth, especially one that is growing, changing or ulcerating.

“Patients with totally asymptomatic lesions on their palms and especially the soles of the foot often do not seek treatment until they are quite large,” Brodell says. “By then, it may be too late.”

Fortunately, most skin cancers are preventable, according to the Mayo Clinic, which offers these tips: • Avoid the sun during the middle of the day.

• Wear sunscreen year-round.

• Wear protective clothing.

• Avoid tanning beds.

• Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications.

• Check your skin regularly and report changes to your doctor.

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from the Circle

Orthopaedic Care CREAKY, PAINFUL KNEES: WHEN IS IT TIME TO SEE A DOCTOR?

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chy knees can often be written off by baby boomers and now members of Generation X as part of being 40 and older, but orthopaedic care can take the twinges out of bending and moving your knees.

“If you are experiencing pain in the knee and hip that’s interfering with you doing recreational activities you enjoy or participating in family outings and it’s not responding to over-the-counter medications, then you should seek orthopaedic care,” says Dr. Spencer Montgomery, assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s School of Medicine.

Care for painful knees can range from nonsurgical options such as prescription medication or steroid injections to minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to knee replacement.

Knee replacements such as this can restore patients to an active lifestyle. | Photo by Melanie Thortis

“We have patients come in using a wheelchair because of their knee pain,” says Hannah Taylor, an LPN in the orthopaedic clinic in the University Physicians Pavilion on the UMMC campus. “After 18

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From left are nurse practitioner Tripp Purviance, LPN Hannah Taylor and Dr. Spencer Montgomery, assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at University Physicians Orthopaedics. | Photo by Melanie Thortis

following their course of treatment, pain isn’t keeping them from walking.”

Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent knee conditions UMMC orthopaedists see, says nurse practitioner Tripp Purviance (BSN 04), along with inflammatory arthritis conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and lupus.

Imaging is an essential part of diagnosing knee pain, Purviance says.

“X-rays can show the cause of the pain, which could be arthritis, damage from an injury or, in rare cases, cancer.”

The frequency of osteoarthritis, a wear-and-tear arthritis that breaks down the cartilage that cushions movements of the knee joint, could be lowered with weight loss, Montgomery says.

“Weight plays a significant role in osteoarthritis,” he says. “A healthy weight can help prolong the life of your knees, and for overweight patients experiencing knee pain, losing weight can help reduce symptoms and reduce the risk of complications if surgery is required.”

The knees bear about one-and-a-half times the body’s weight, so a 200-pound person’s knees are experiencing 300 pounds of force.

If you’ve overdone it or think you may have injured your knee, rest, elevation and ice can ease the pain. It’s time to seek medical attention if your knee pain limits regular daily activities or persists despite a bit of rest. Knee pain that’s getting progressively worse and interferes with activities or wakes you up from sleep is also a reason to see a specialist.

“Getting care for knee pain can make an enormous difference in your enjoyment of life,” Montgomery says.

Knee pain caused by an injury warrants emergency care if the leg appears deformed or your knee can’t bear weight.

Intense pain, sudden swelling or a popping sound at the time of injury are also indications for emergency care. Also, knee pain that is associated with swelling and redness of the skin around the joint that’s warm to the touch and fever may indicate an infection that needs to be dealt with quickly.

“The sooner a diagnosis is made, t he b etter a p at ient’s out lo ok is,” Montgomery says. “Trying to tough it out through severe symptoms for too long can limit the treatment options available and require more specialized equipment.”

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Calendar Pharmacy Alumni and Friends Tailgate NOV. 12

Photo by Thomas Graning

NOVEMBER

Through Nov. 18 Exhibit: “14 Black Classicists: A Photographic Installation.” Farrington Gallery in Bryant Hall.

Exhibit open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays.

Visit events.olemiss.edu.

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Museum Milkshake Mash-ups: For middle schoolers and teens (grades 6-9). UM Museum, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

11

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Florida Atlantic. The SJB Pavilion, 6 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

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Musical: “Anastasia.” Tony Award-winning musical. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7 p.m. Ticket required. Call 662-915-7411 or visit olemissboxoffice.com.

15

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Chattanooga. The SJB Pavilion, 6:30 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

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-26 Volleyball: Ole Miss vs.

Florida. Gillom Center, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday. Visit olemisssports.com.

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Volleyball: Ole Miss vs. Auburn.

Gillom Center, 6:30 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

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25

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11

Football: Ole Miss vs. Alabama.

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Time TBD. Visit olemisssports.com.

Football: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State. Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, 6 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

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Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Southern Miss. The SJB Pavilion, 6 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

Mini Masters: MiniAstronauts.

Parents and toddlers alike enjoy these drop-in art classes for the youngest budding artists. UM Museum, 3:454:30 p.m. $5 for each drop-in session.

Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

Tailgate: Pharmacy Alumni and Friends Tailgate. Three hours prior to kickoff. Faser Hall front lawn.

Visit olemissalumni.com/events or call 662-915-7375.

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SouthTalks: Zoë Burkholder presents “An African American Dilemma: A History of School Integration and Civil Rights in the North.”

Barnard Observatory, Room 105, 7 p.m.

Visit events.olemiss.edu.

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

UT Martin. The SJB Pavilion, 6:30 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Texas Southern. The SJB Pavilion, 6 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Alabama A&M. The SJB Pavilion, 6 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

DECEMBER

2

First Friday Free Sketch Day: Look for the UM Museum’s gallery sketching stools, generously provided by a grant from Lafayette Oxford for Tomorrow (LOFT), and explore the galleries in this informal, free sketch session for all skill levels. UM Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (drop-in).

Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

Calendar

2

SouthTalks: Fall Documentary Showcase. A celebration of the work by our documentary students. Barnard Observatory, Tupelo Room and Gammill Gallery, 6 p.m. Visit libarts.olemiss.edu.

3

Family Activity Day: “Winter Woodland Wandering.” Families will create seasonal projects and explore as the museum comes to life as a woodland filled with wonderful creatures.

UM Museum, 9 a.m.-noon (drop-in).

Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

5

Reception: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Conference: Mississippi Reception.

Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, 5:30-7 p.m.

Email marykate@olemissalumni.com or call 662-915-2377.

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Performance: Black Violin, “Give Thanks” Tour. Grammy-nominated album tour employs storytelling, whimsical string melodies and hard-hitting beats to highlight the unifying pillars of the holiday season. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Ticket required. Call 662-9157411 or visit olemissboxoffice.com.

10

Museum Milkshake Mash-ups: For middle schoolers and teens (grades 6-9). UM Museum, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Visit museum.olemiss.edu.

10

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Valparaiso. The SJB Pavilion, 2 p.m.

Visit olemisssports.com.

11

Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Jacksonville State. The SJB Pavilion, 1 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

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Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. Auburn. The SJB Pavilion, 6 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

JANUARY

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Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. Jacksonville. The SJB Pavilion, 11 a.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

UCF. The SJB Pavilion, 6:30 p.m.

Visit olemisssports.com.

Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

McNeese State. The SJB Pavilion, noon. Visit olemisssports.com.

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Temple. The SJB Pavilion, 4 p.m.

Visit olemisssports.com.

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

North Alabama. The SJB Pavilion, 2 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Tennessee. The SJB Pavilion, 4 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Vanderbilt. The SJB Pavilion, 6 p.m.

Visit olemisssports.com.

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Auburn. The SJB Pavilion, 8 p.m.

Visit olemisssports.com.

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Georgia. The SJB Pavilion, noon.

Visit olemisssports.com.

Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs. Alabama. The SJB Pavilion, 4 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Missouri. The SJB Pavilion, 6 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Mississippi State. The SJB Pavilion, 8 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

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Black Violin, ‘Give Thanks’ Tour DEC. 8

Performance: “The World of Musicals, Broadway Musical Revue.” Production of famous Broadway musical songs, live in concert. Gertrude C. Ford Center, 7:30 p.m. Ticket required. Call 662-915-7411 or visit olemissboxoffice.com.

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Men’s Basketball: Ole Miss vs.

Kentucky. The SJB Pavilion, 8 p.m. Visit olemisssports.com.

For a complete and latest listing of Ole Miss sports schedules, visit olemisssports.com.

For more Oxford events, news and information, go to visitoxfordms.com or call 662-232-2477.

Photo courtesy of the Ford Center

FA L L 2022

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Celebrating &

SERVICE

EXCELLENCE

Ole Miss Alumni Association honors 2022 distinguished alumni

T

BY JIM URBANEK

he Ole Miss Alumni Association recognized 10 distinguished alumni and friends with its highest annual awards as part of Homecoming 2022, inducting five alumni into the Alumni Hall of Fame as well as an Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient, an Alumni Service Award recipient and three Honorary Alumni Award recipients.

OMAA hosted a gala for the honorees on Sept. 29 in the Gertrude C. Ford Ballroom at The Inn at Ole Miss. The recipients were also recognized at the Association’s annual meeting and during halftime of the Rebels’ football victory over Kentucky.

“We are excited to honor some of the university’s most successful and notable alumni and friends,” says Alumni Association CEO Kirk Purdom (BA 93). “This is the largest group of inductees we’ve ever had, and they have all made Ole Miss proud with their accomplishments in their careers and their service to Ole Miss and their communities.”

Inductees to the Alumni Hall of Fame for 2022 are Teri G. Fontenot (BBA 79), of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Dr. Dan Jones (MD 75), of Hazlehurst; Don Kessinger (BBA 65), of Oxford; James Mattox Reed (BPA 76), of Grayson, Georgia; and Curtis Wilkie (BSJ 63), of Oxford.

Created in 1974, the Hall of Fame honors select alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their country, 22

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state or the university through good deeds, services or contributions that have perpetuated the good name of Ole Miss.

Edith Hickonbottom Kelly-Green (BBA 73), of Memphis, received the Alumni Service Award for service to the university and the Alumni Association over an extended period.

Nicole Tisdale (BA 06, JD 09), of Washington, D.C., received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, which honors graduates who have shown exemplary leadership throughout their first 15 years of alumni status in both their careers and dedication to Ole Miss.

Robert Dorsey, of Tucson, Arizona; William B. Rayburn, of Oxford; and Dennis S. Tosh, of Oxford, each received the Honorary Alumni Award, which recognizes individuals who, though not graduates of the university, have consistently demonstrated extraordinary commitment, support, dedication, loyalty, leadership or service that has enriched the substance of and contributed to the advancement of the university’s or Association’s missions, reputation or prestige.

Event photos by Bill Dabney

FA L L 2022

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Teri G. Fontenot

Fontenot is a Mississippi native and first-generation college graduate. She retired in 2019 as president and CEO of Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, a women’s and infants’ tertiary health care system that became a national leader in women’s health.

During her 23-year tenure, assets grew five-fold through diversifying revenue, transforming underperforming assets and building a dominant position with 80% market share, and employee, patient and physician engagement above the 95th percentiles. The flagship facility was moved to a new $350 million campus in 2012, and services were expanded throughout Louisiana.

The hospital team also evacuated and cared for hospitalized obstetric patients and 122 infants in NICUs in five flooded New Orleans hospitals following Hurricane Katrina.

Fontenot guides companies as a board director and strategic adviser. She serves on two publicly traded boards and is a member of the audit, nominating and governance, risk, corporate development, and clinical quality committees.

She is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the American Hospital Association. She was named by Modern Healthcare magazine to its inaugural list of the “Top 25 Women in Healthcare” and twice selected as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.” She is also the recipient of the inaugural Health Hero Award from the Louisiana Department of Health and was named the Baton Rouge Businessperson of the Year.

Fontenot has two daughters and four grandchildren. She recently lost her husband of 40 years, Gerald, who attended LSU but became an Ole Miss supporter.

A Biloxi native, Fontenot grew up in Clinton and commuted from Tupelo while pursuing her accounting degree. She credits the university for challenging her and providing the skills and courage to be an independent thinker and confident leader.

Dr. Dan Jones

The university’s 16th chancellor, Jones guided UM from 2009 to 2015. Before that, he was vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the UM School of Medicine.

Under his leadership, the university undertook a major initiative to promote diversity and experienced a construction boom, including new academic, residential and athletics facilities. One of Jones’ passions is volunteer service, and he led Ole Miss faculty, staff and students to contribute thousands of hours to causes across the Oxford community and around the world.

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A native Mississippian, Jones graduated from Mississippi College in 1971. After earning his M.D. and completing his residency in internal medicine at the UM Medical Center, he had a private practice in Laurel before moving his family in 1985 to South Korea, where he served seven years as a medical missionary.

His research activities focused on prevention of cardiovascular disease and racial and economic disparities in health outcomes. He was the first principal investigator for the landmark Jackson Heart Study, a National Institutes of Health-sponsored study focused on identifying causes of disparate rates of heart disease in African Americans.

Active in the American Heart Association, Jones was the 2007-08 national president and for years has served as a national spokesperson on high blood pressure.

He was named one of the “Best Doctors in America” from 1996 to 2008 and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society.

His work in racial reconciliation, including service as chair of the board for the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, was recognized with the Mississippi Center for Justice 2015 Champions of Justice Award and as one of two honorees at the 2016 Jackson Friendship Ball. He is married to the former Lydia Channell, of Jackson, and has two children and six grandchildren.

Don Kessinger

Kessinger, a native of Forrest City, Arkansas, was an All-State and All-America athlete for the Forrest City Mustangs. He came to Ole Miss in 1960 and went on to earn All-Conference, AllSEC and All-American honors in both basketball and baseball.

He was signed by the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1964, after which he married Carolyn Crawley, also from Forrest City.

During his time with the Cubs, Kessinger was named the starting shortstop for the National League All Stars six times between 1968 and 1974, won two Gold Gloves and set a major league fielding record for shortstops in 1969 with his 54th-straight errorless game. Before Kessinger retired in 1979, he went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals and was a player/ manager for the Chicago White Sox. More than 30,000 fans in Chicago came together at Comiskey Park on Sept. 8, 1978, to celebrate Don Kessinger Day. Kessinger returned to Ole Miss as head baseball coach in 1990, bringing national recognition to the program with its first 40-win season in 1995. In 1996, he moved into an administrative role as associate athletics director. He retired from the university in 2000 and joined the family business, Kessinger Real Estate, as president until his retirement in 2020.

“D.K.” has received multiple honors, including receiving

the Danny Thomas Memorial Award for exemplary Christian Spirit in Major League Baseball, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Night of Tribute and being named an SEC Legend for basketball and baseball. He was inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame, Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, National High School Sports Hall of Fame, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame.

Ole Miss retired Kessinger’s No. 11 baseball jersey during the 2021 season.

“I still love watching my cherished Rebels play and am honored to be named to the Alumni Association Hall of Fame,” he says.

The Kessingers have two sons, Keith (BBA 89) and Kevin (BSHEC 92), and four grandchildren.

James Mattox Reed

Reed graduated from Meridian High School in 1972 and attended UM on an athletics scholarship, where he and the late Robert “Gentle Ben” Williams were the first African American athletes to play football for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Reed graduated from the university in 1976 with a degree in public administration and law enforcement and minors in political science and sociology. He was drafted in the spring of 1976 by the Cleveland Browns.

After a brief stint with the Browns, he returned to Mississippi and began a 36-year career in law enforcement, starting in 1976 with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office as an analyst and investigator in the Organized Crime and Consumer Affairs sections. In March 1979, Reed was hired as a probation and parole officer by the Mississippi Department of Corrections in the 10th Judicial Circuit Court District.

In 1985, he was hired as a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. During his 26-year NCIS career, Reed served as a criminal, counterintelligence and counterterrorism investigator at NCIS field offices across the U.S. and internationally.

Reed also conducted numerous high-profile temporary duty assignments throughout the U.S. and abroad, including Australia, Bangladesh, Guam, Italy, Japan, Malta, Okinawa, Thailand, Singapore, Sigonella, Sri Lanka and Crete. He retired from the government in 2011 at NCIS Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

From 2012 to 2013, Reed served as chief of the Meridian Police Department. An ordained deacon, he also served as assistant superintendent and superintendent of the New Hope Baptist Church’s youth and adult Sunday School departments.

Reed and his wife, Melinda, have two children, Bradley J. Reed and Ashley N. Reed. He is also a member of the Eta Zeta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. FA L L 2022

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Curtis Wilkie

Wilkie began his newspaper career at the Clarksdale Press Register shortly after getting a journalism degree from Ole Miss in 1963. The Summit native discovere d t hat his lo ca l ne ws assignments would include the civil rights movement — the biggest story in the country.

The challenge of reporting almost daily on the clash of protesting Blacks and segregationist whites in the Delta became a frame of reference for the rest of his life.

He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1969, after receiving a Congressional Fellowship from the American Political Science Association. He worked two years on Capitol Hill, then joined the staff of the News Journal papers in Wilmington, Delaware.

Wilkie joined the Boston Globe in 1975. He covered eight presidential campaigns and served as a White House correspondent before he began concentrating on conflicts overseas. He established the Globe’s Middle East bureau in Jerusalem, lived there for several years and reported on events in the region from the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 to the first Gulf War in 1991.

After returning to the U.S. and enduring a couple of punishing winters in New England, Wilkie persuaded the Globe to let him move to New Orleans and use the South as a base for national reporting.

He retired in 2000 and began writing books, publishing six to date. He also agreed to teach journalism classes for one semester at his alma mater. That “one semester” ballooned into 18 years on the Ole Miss faculty, with Wilkie rising to associate professor.

When the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics was founded, he was named its first fellow, a position he held for 14 years. He retired at the end of 2020.

“My experience in Oxford has been my happiest: finding a lasting home, renewing old friendships and reconnecting with the university,” Wilkie says.

He has two children, Carter Wilkie, of Boston, and Leighton McCool, of Oxford, as well as six grandchildren.

ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

Edith Hickonbottom Kelly-Green

Demonstrating an affinity for numbers at an early age, Oxford native Kelly-Green gravitated to accounting at Ole Miss. In 1974, she became the youngest Black person — and one of the first Black women — to pass the CPA exam in Tennessee. This led to a position at Touche Ross, now Deloitte, one of the big-eight accounting firms of the day, where she was the first African American on the professional staff.

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After she became a senior auditor in 1977, an opportunity arose that was the beginning of an almost 30-year career with FedEx, where she served in many roles. She was the first African American female vice president at FedEx and received three Five Star awards during her tenure, the company’s highest performance award.

Kelly-Green retired in 2003 and in 2005 started the KGR Group, whose primary investments are Lenny’s Grill & Subs franchises and Wimpy’s Burgers and Fries restaurants in the Memphis area. Her first Lenny’s store was in Oxford, and the KGR Group expanded from one location in 2005 to 13 Lenny’s stores in Memphis, Nashville and northern Mississippi. The KGR Group still has the largest number of Lenny’s locations (five) in the 90-unit system.

She serves on the boards of directors of MAA (Mid-America Apartment Communities) and Sanderson Farms Inc., as well as Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and the Hattiloo Theatre.

Kelly-Green was the founding chair of the UM Women’s Council for Philanthropy and has endowed multiple scholarships at Ole Miss for African American females in accounting, including the Christine Mitchell Hickonbottom Scholarship in Accountancy, named after the grandmother who instilled the values of hard work and education in her.

Kelly-Green is a member of the Patterson School of Accountancy Hall of Fame and the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame. She is a Leadership Memphis graduate and member of The Links Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Kelly-Green’s family includes her son, James M. Kelly Jr., her daughter, Dr. Jayna M. Kelly-Pearson, five grandsons and one granddaughter.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

Nicole Tisdale

Tisdale has more than a dozen years of civic participation and national security experience at the White House, U.S. Congress, 2020 presidential transition team and Mississippi Innocence Project. She most recently served as a key senior adviser on the president’s National Security Council and previously on the House Committee on Homeland Security.

As director of legislative affairs at the NSC, she led the White House’s legislative and oversight portfolios on issues of cybersecurity, intelligence, disinformation, counterterrorism, election security and foreign policy developments for the Western Hemisphere.

As a congressional staffer, Tisdale actively created, managed and assisted the homeland security committee with more than 96 congressional hearings and the passage of 354 bills through the House of Representatives. She also represented the U.S. on official delegations to more than 35 nations to discuss and negotiate a range of policy issues.

In 2019, after a decade on Capitol Hill, she founded Advocacy Blueprints, where she worked with individuals and organizations to accelerate policy issues and increase advocacy efforts to create changes in their communities. To help advance civic education and participation, Tisdale wrote and published a book, Right to Petition, to help others exercise their First Amendment right to advocate.

Before her time in Congress, the Nettleton native served in a number of bipartisan and nonpartisan policy and political fellowships and internships. She is also one of the founding board members of the Washington, D.C., Ole Miss Club.

A former government and social studies substitute teacher and liberal arts tutor, Tisdale continues to volunteer with advocacy and education groups.

After completing her time in the Biden-Harris administration in April 2020, Tisdale returned to Advocacy Blueprints, where she is focused on scaling and building civic participation workshops and national security awareness campaigns related to disinformation and cybersecurity.

HONORARY ALUMNI AWARDS

D

orsey, Rayburn and Tosh founded FNC Inc., an Oxford-based Tucson. He serves on the board of mTrade. mortgage technology company that pioneered real estate colRayburn focuses on innovation in financial technology. He lateral information for financial institutions. served as chairman and CEO of FNC from inception until the sale Two numbers are required to originate a mortgage: a credit of the company to CoreLogic in 2016. After FNC, he co-founded rating on the applicant and a collateral number, or appraisal, on mTrade with Lois Lovelady (BBA 90). Today, he serves as the the property. FNC developed a way to open an appraisal and score company’s chairman and chief executive officer. mTrade streamit, very similar to how credit is scored. The company achieved a lines debt capital markets by building and expanding a software dominant market position in the U.S. financial technology market. platform used for the buying and selling of residential mortThe company employed 250 people at its headquarters in gages. The company began as a subsidiary of FNC, and its assets Oxford and at locations throughout the U.S. FNC was purchased by were purchased from CoreLogic at the time of the sale by mTrade’s CoreLogic in 2016. co-founders.

Dorsey was born in Atlanta, but his asthma led the family to A former finance professor at the University of Mississippi, Raymove to Tucson when he was 7. He earned a degree in physics at the burn holds a doctorate in finance from the University of Memphis.

University of Arizona and worked as a nuclear physicist at the U.S. He is a member of the Appraisal Institute and is a chartered finanArmy Electronic Proving Ground, as a mining engineer at Magma cial analyst. He has written numerous academic publications and Copper Co. and varseveral textbooks. ious positions at the Tosh was born University of Arizona, and grew up in Nashincluding risk manville. He earned his ager and assistant bachelor’s degree in to t h e e x e c u t i ve banking and finance vice president for from Baylor Univerbusiness. sity and his master’s When he was in economics from 35, Dorsey and his Middle Tennessee wife, Carol, spent a State University. Tosh year touring Europe. Robert Dorsey completed his Ph.D. William B. Rayburn Dennis S. Tosh When they returned, at Georgia State he pursued a doctorate in economics. Upon graduation, he took a University with an emphasis in real estate and land economics. faculty position in the UM Department of Economics. After 10 years, During that time, he was a faculty member at LaGrange College he joined Rayburn and Tosh to build FNC, where he served first as chief and the University of Baltimore. operations officer and then as chief analytics officer.

Since moving to Oxford in 1980, Tosh held the chair of real estate During this time, the Dorseys’ son died, and they adopted his in the UM School of Business Administration and then co-founded a 18-month-old daughter. When she was in middle school, they hosted consulting firm that ultimately evolved into FNC. seven female exchange students for their junior year of high school.

Tosh and his wife, Beth, are the parents of three children, all Ole They then hosted four of the girls who returned after high school to Miss graduates, and five grandchildren, two of whom are Ole Miss attend and graduate from Ole Miss.

Rebels. He and his family are members of Oxford-University United Af ter FNC was sold, Dorsey and his wife moved back to Methodist Church.

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THE MISSION

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CONTINUES:

Building Upon the Legacy University honors James Meredith, commemorates 60 years of integration

by Clara Turnage

Special Collections, University of Mississippi Libraries

Special Collections, University of Mississippi Libraries Photo by Robert Jordan

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ulminating nearly a year’s worth of planning, University of Mississippi representatives, alongside city, state and national officials, said thank you on Sept. 28 to the man who moved history forward 60 years ago.

A crowd of hundreds of students, faculty, staff, community members, U.S. marshals, and national, state and local government representatives gathered in the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts to honor James Meredith (BA 63), who in 1962 became the first African American student to enroll at the university.

The event, “The Mission Continues: Building Upon the Legacy,” was organized to honor Meredith and his continuing efforts to bring about racial equality on the national stage.

“Make no mistake about this, Mr. Meredith’s impact stretches far beyond this university,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce (BAEd 81, EdD 96) said. “He literally changed the trajectory of tens of thousands of lives — and that’s just today. Think about the generations ahead.”

Keynote speaker Ethel Scurlock, dean of the university’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, said she thinks of Meredith’s struggle when she finds herself in hardship, and that she knows the university is working to accomplish and continue his goals.

“We all are working; we are making sure that your mission continues,” Scurlock said. “We cannot repay you for your risk.

We can only say thank you, Mr. Meredith. So tonight, we say

thank you, from people across the globe who benefited from your courageous stand.”

Among the awards given to Meredith or made in his honor were scholarships, student awards, the Mississippi Humanitarian Award, commemorative photos and posters, the publication of a book and an honorary deputization into the U.S. Marshals Service.

“Thank you, University of Mississippi, for this occasion,” Meredith said, standing before the crowd in an off-white suit and a blue Ole Miss hat. “I can assure you, in my opinion, this is the best day I ever lived.”

James Meredith speaks during the signature event honoring the 60th anniversary of his enrollment at the University of Mississippi. | Photo by Kevin Bain

James Meredith receives applause from the crowd at the Ford Center, including his wife, Judy (left), during ‘The Mission Continues: Building Upon the Legacy’ event. | Photo by Thomas Graning 30

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Meredith shares a laugh with Don Cole, retired UM administrator and mathematics professor, after the evening’s program in the Ford Center.

Photo by Thomas Graning

Nic Lott, first Black president of the Associated Student Body, and Kimbrely Dandridge, first Black female ASB president, were among the Legacy Celebration speakers. | Photo by Kevin Bain

Shawnboda Mead (standing), vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement and chair of the 60th anniversary of integration committee, gives James Meredith a gift of appreciation for his presence during the week. | Photo by Kevin Bain

Ole Miss Alumni Association Past President Rose Flenorl pays tribute to James Meredith during the Legacy Celebration. | Photo by Kevin Bain

Ronald L. Davis, director of the U.S. marshals, recalled the more than 170 individuals who guarded Meredith during his time on campus and said that Meredith’s bravery changed the course not just of the university, but also the nation. Davis called the event, “the greatest day of my tenure in the Marshals Service.”

“I am standing here because of you,” Davis said, moments before he deputized Meredith. “You chose a path that was not traveled. Because of that, I can stand here and say I’m the director of the Marshals Service. It’s because of you that the Marshals Service is what it is today.”

The crowd applauded as Boyce announced that Meredith had received the Mississippi Humanitarian Award.

The award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership qualities that affect human welfare and create social reform in the university and state, has been given only four other times since its creation in 2001. (see sidebar) Lee Cohen, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, announced the James Meredith Changemaker Award, which will recognize graduating students of the college who have helped broaden access, participation and opportunities in higher education for minorities or individuals from underrepresented groups. Meredith graduated from Ole Miss in August 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Boyce also announced the James H. Meredith Legacy Scholarship, which will be given to a student who has taken up the legacy of Meredith’s mission to enact equality for all. Fundraising for the award, established by alumnus Dr. Steven Blake (BSPhSc 13, DMD 18), began this year with plans to award it beginning fall 2024.

Shawnboda Mead (EdD 19), UM vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement, highlighted several other university initiatives and gifts that honor Meredith.

The James Meredith Speaker Series will bring speakers to campus each year who embody Meredith’s mission, Mead said.

The university, in conjunction with Yoknapatawpha Press, published James Meredith: Breaking the Barrier, a commemorative collection of essays chronicling the university’s integration.

The Columns Society, made up of 30 UM students chosen each year to serve as hosts and hostesses of university events, named its 2022 class the “James Meredith Class,” and the university’s incoming Class of 2026’s challenge coin is a commemorative depiction of the 60th anniversary logo. Also, the UM Museum has designed its annual collectible keepsake holiday ornament in honor of the anniversary.

Mead handed Meredith a bound book of nearly 100 letters that the Associated Student Body, Black Student Union and Graduate Student Council collected during the “Dear Mr. Meredith” campaign.

The letter-writing campaign will remain open until February 2023, at which time the university will bind the remaining letters into a second volume to give to Meredith, Mead says.

Oxford Alderman Kesha Howell-Atkinson (BSFCS 03, BAEd 06) announced that the board of aldermen has adopted a proposal to henceforth name the first of October “James Meredith Day.” Noel Wilkin, provost and executive vice chancellor for FA L L 2022

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Chancellor Glenn Boyce and Shawnboda Mead, vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement, present James Meredith with the Mississippi Humanitarian Award. | Photo by Kevin Bain

Mississippi Humanitarian Award

J

ames Meredith became the fifth individual in the University of Mississippi’s history to receive one of the university’s most prestigious honors, the Mississippi Humanitarian Award.

Announced during “The Mission Continues: Building Upon the Legacy,” the signature event of the university’s commemoration of the 60th anniversary of integration, the Mississippi Humanitarian Award is an honor rarely bestowed, to those who have shown commitment to bettering society and creating lasting change in the state.

The award has been given to only four other changemakers since it was established. The first award was given in 2001 to philanthropist and education champion Jim Barksdale (BBA 65) and his late wife, Sally McDonnell Barksdale (BSC 65). In 2003, the late former governor of Mississippi, William Winter (BA 43, LLB 49) and his late wife, Elise Winter (BA 48), received the award. In 2013, the university honored Myrlie Evers-Williams, wife of slain civil rights icon Medgar Evers. The most recent recipient was the late U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (BA 59, JD 65) in 2018.

“With the addition of Mr. Meredith, you can see this award recognizes and celebrates remarkable individuals whose extraordinary leadership and advocacy have withstood the test of time,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce said during the signature event. “His example propels this university’s ongoing commitment for every person to thrive … to be where dreams and aspirations are built and made.”

Boyce said Meredith earned the award both for his work at the university and his longtime advocacy efforts across the state.

Meredith empowered the advancement of society, compelled others to acknowledge the equality of all individuals and inspired others to stand up to inequality.

The award was not simply a recognition of what Meredith did in the past, he said, but a mark of appreciation for the lasting impact he continues to make.

“We recognize him as a brave and bold humanitarian,” Boyce said. “He is a living reminder that we all must be willing to demonstrate selflessness, courage and dedication through our words and, perhaps even more so, through our actions to forge a just society that holds steadfast to improving the lives of all.”

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academic affairs, in his closing statements, called Meredith a hero to the university and the state.

“We must take stock in the significant events that transformed this institution, but more importantly, we celebrate the brave people who made it possible,” Wilkin said. “While I fully understand that you did not set out to be a hero, you became one when you enrolled in this university.”

The event was sponsored by the offices of the Chancellor and the Provost, Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, School of Education, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and the Gertrude C. Ford Center for Performing Arts. The signature event was one of dozens of events during a week of commemoration honoring the 60th anniversary of integration on campus.

In addition to the signature event, activities and events signifying the integration anniversary began in the fall and are slated throughout the entire 2022-23 academic year. Some of the highlights include: Sept. 12-Oct. 13: Civil Rights in Oxford Town: The Integration of Education tours Sept. 26-30: Week of Service, a childhood literacy project centered on the four pillars of courage, opportunity, knowledge and perseverance Sept. 27: “Meredith and the Media: The Legacy of a Riot.”

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics hosted a panel of journalists to discuss how media coverage of Meredith’s enrollment and the ensuing riot has shaped perceptions of the university.

Sept. 30: “Legacy Celebration,” alumni celebration of African American firsts at UM Oct. 1: On-field recognition of Meredith during the Ole Miss vs. Kentucky football game Oct. 2: Longest Table, an opportunity to share a meal and connect with others at a table that spanned the Circle Jan. 31: Open Doors, dinner and conversations with university administrators Feb. 7: Black History Month keynote address featuring Judy Meredith Feb. 17: Black Student Union’s 10th annual Black History Month Gala Through March 2023: UM Libraries exhibit “Paving the Path: James Meredith and the Integration of the University of Mississippi” April 11: Celebrating Diversity Excellence, end-of-year celebration Through July 2023: UM Museum exhibit “The Fall of 1962,” collected artifacts and stories of the Ole Miss riot Speaker Series: A series of interactive dialogues and conversations throughout the academic year

READY FOR Alumna works as legal counsel for Blue Origin

By Annie Rhoades

S

tanding in front of Blue Origin’s Orbital Launch Site on Florida’s Space Coast, alumna Jessica Sewell (BA 13 (international studies), BA 13 (Chinese)), legal counsel for Blue Origin, can’t help but think that while her childhood dreams haven’t come true yet — she’s getting closer.

“Working in outer space was always a dream of mine,” Sewell says. “When I was a little kid, I either wanted to be a paleontologist or an astronaut.”

While she didn’t become an astronaut, Sewell is “as close to a real-life space lawyer as it gets.”

A NASA intern and standout graduate of Kingwood High School in Kingwood, Texas, Sewell wanted to move away from her home state, and a full scholarship to the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi sounded like a great offer.

“I probably applied to 20 different schools,” Sewell recalls.

“I visited campus, fell in love with the school and realized that this was going to set me on a slightly different track than maybe what I thought I would do as a kid.”

Stellar Student

A Taylor medalist and member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity, Sewell dove headfirst into her coursework at the Croft Institute for International Studies.

It was there that her interest in China grew, and she spent time studying abroad in Qingdao, China, as a student in the Chinese Language Flagship Program.

“It was a very intensive, emergent program, essentially where you take the whole first year of Chinese the summer 34

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before freshman year, and then the summer after freshman year you go study abroad. I later went back to Qingdao the summer after my sophomore year as a teaching assistant for that prior year’s program.”

While living in China was a “wild culture shock,” Sewell quickly fell into the rhythm of her study abroad program.

“Not a lot of people speak English in Qingdao, so it was really a ‘you speak Chinese or starve’ kind of situation,” she laughs. “I learned a lot. There are really beautiful parts of China. I got to climb a mountain called Laoshan and had some incredible food. I am amazed to this day, looking back at myself at 19, that I was able to do that. It was scary, but I’m so glad I did it.”

After completing her studies at Ole Miss, Sewell wanted to experience graduate studies in a big city. The Texas native set her sights on the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. While in law school, Sewell worked as a summer associate in the Houston offices of law firms Mayer Brown and Baker & McKenzie. After completing her degree, she joined Mayer Brown as a corporate and securities associate for about a year before returning to China.

“After I did a year at Mayer Brown, Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017 and shut down the city for a month,” Sewell says.

“Our office building was flooded for two weeks, and one day I walk into my office and the managing partner in charge of

LAUNCH

Sewell at Blue Origin’s Orbital Launch Site on Florida’s Space Coast Photos courtesy of Jessica Sewell and Blue Origin

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my practice group comes in and says, ‘Hey Jessica, remember when you expressed interest in that four- to six-week training opportunity in Hong Kong? Well, the good news is we’re sending you. But it’s going to be for a year.’”

a large law firm proved to be challenging, and Sewell found herself seeking out employment opportunities that would “bring her joy.”

“The idea of having a job that made me happy was something that was so foreign to me because I was so used to the lawyer grind,” she says. “I thought, what is [a job] that would make me happy, if that’s a thing?”

After some Googling, Sewell tapped back into her interest in space and came across Blue Origin. On a whim, she looked to see if the company was hiring.

“The job description sounded exactly like what I had been doing for the past five years, so I dropped a resumé blindly,” she recalls. “I figured I’d probably never hear anything but at least I tried. The next week I got a call and went through the interview process.”

For the Benefit of Earth

Sewell and her husband, Dustin Muir, check out the Blue Moon lunar lander mock-up at Blue Origin’s headquarters in Kent, Washington.

Working Abroad

After making a few calls and discussing the opportunity with loved ones, Sewell was headed back to China. But this time the experience would look a little different.

“Working abroad is very different from studying abroad,” she says. “You actually feel like you live there, and there’s more of a sense of permanence even if it is a timed contract assignment.

Hong Kong is gorgeous — it’s almost like a Hawaiian island that has Manhattan on it. I loved living there, and [my husband, Dustin, and I] had a beautiful flat that had a view of Victoria Harbour. But I was working insane hours as a capital markets attorney.”

Functioning on Hong Kong business time and New York business time simultaneously proved to be a grueling, 24-hoursa-day schedule. And the work itself wasn’t quite fulfilling.

“I wasn’t really getting that sense of personal fulfillment from the work I was doing, and that’s part of why when I was coming back to the states, I thought I would like to work somewhere that I at least support the mission of what they’re doing.”

Upon returning to the U.S., Sewell accepted a position with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, as a managing associate in the energy and infrastructure practice group focusing on renewable energy and public infrastructure.

While the work was fulfilling, the grind of working for 36

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Having accepted the position with Blue Origin in March, Sewell is still learning the ins and outs of the company and what day-to-day life is like for a business lawyer at a space company.

Blue Origin LLC is a privately funded aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company headquartered in Kent, Washington. Founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, founder, executive chairman, and former president and CEO of Amazon, the company has a vision of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth.

“Blue Origin envisions a time when people can tap into the limitless resources of space and enable the movement of damaging industries into space to preserve Earth, humanity’s blue origin,” according to the company’s website.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the legal implications of a commercial space station like the Orbital Reef,” Sewell says.

“We’re really looking at how space laws would apply in that context. That makes me feel like a real-life space lawyer.”

According to friend and former classmate Elizabeth Younger (BA 12), Sewell is not only “smart and hardworking,” but also savvy.

“She knows exactly how to succeed in everything she pursues,” Younger says. “She’s open to new experiences and willing to take risks because she can see the bigger picture. I know that whatever Jessica does in the future, it will be genuinely fascinating!”

A lot of Sewell’s time is spent advising teams and supporting the company’s corporate development and enterprise facilities functions.

One of her favorite parts of her new job is the energy surrounding a booming company that still has a “startup culture” feel to it.

“The energy around what we’re doing, of sending people back to space — it’s just cool to be around that,” Sewell says.

“You can tell everyone that joins this company has a lot of passion for the mission.”

And working for a company that can still fulfill her dream of going to space is a bonus.

“Oh, hell yeah, I would do it,” Sewell exclaims. “I really like the trajectory I’m on right now. None of us can honestly answer the question of where you see yourself in 10 years, can we? But hopefully in 10 years, I’ll be traveling in space.”

Ole Miss Sports On Top of Their Game SIX NAMED TO M-CLUB HALL OF FAME

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le Miss welcomed six Rebel greats into the M-Club Hall of Fame this fall as part of its 2022 class in an induction ceremony on Oct. 13 at The Inn at Ole Miss. This is the first full group to join the Hall of Fame since 2019 after no induction class in 2020 and a limited one in 2021 that featured Eli Manning (Hall of Fame) and Pete Boone (Lotterhos Service Award).

The 2022 M-Club Hall of Fame class includes Joakim Appelqvist (men’s tennis), Kristi Boxx (women’s tennis), Chris Coghlan (baseball), Johan Hede (men’s tennis), Sam Kendricks (men’s track & field) and Dexter McCluster (football).

Additionally, Tim Ellis (football) will receive the George Lotterhos Service Award.

“We are excited to welcome such a great inductee class in 2022 with individuals

who have shown dedication and passion to the University of Mississippi,” says M-Club Director Jessica Lynch.

Joakim Appelqvist

Kristi Boxx

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JOAKIM APPELQVIST Men’s Tennis (1994) Joakim Appelqvist (BBA 94) saw his lone season with the Rebels cement him in Ole Miss men’s tennis history after claiming the 1994 SEC Indoor Doubles Championship title alongside teammate and fellow M-Club Hall of Famer Ali Hamadeh — one of just three Rebel pairings in program history to ever earn the conference title in doubles. For his efforts, Appelqvist came away with All-American and All-SEC honors in 1994, becoming the seventh All-American in program history. Appelqvist aided in the Rebels’ capturing the 1994 NCAA Region

III Championship title, where he and Hamadeh would also claim the Rolex Region III Doubles Championship.

Appelqvist was the first Ole Miss m e n’s t e n n i s p l ay e r t o re a c h t h e NCAA Final Four at the 1994 NCAA Singles Championships. Following his illustrious 1994 season playing for the Rebels, Appelqvist turned his attention to playing tennis professionally for the remainder of his time on the court.

KRISTI BOXX Women’s Tennis (2009-12) Kristi Boxx (BS 12) ended an outstanding career in 2012 as just the second Rebel to amass 200 wins combined in singles and doubles. She was a four-time All-American for the Rebels, earning the honor in both singles and doubles in 2010 and 2012 as one of just nine Rebels ever to

Chris Coghlan

Ole Miss Sports do so in both at that point. The Grenada native earned top-10 national finishes in doubles with two different partners during her career, and finished her senior campaign in 2012 ranked No. 17 nationally in singles and No. 6 in doubles.

Boxx was a crucial component to four consecutive NCAA Tournament teams for Ole Miss during her career, highlighted by what was then the eighth Sweet 16 appearance for the Rebels during her sophomore campaign in 2010.

In total, Boxx was an eight-time NCAA qualifier with those four aforementioned All-America nods, in addition to being a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member and just the second player in program history to earn FirstTeam All-SEC all four years of her career.

She ended with 92 career singles wins, and on the ITA level was 2009 regional doubles champion with Karen Nijssen, 2011 singles champion and the 2012 ITA Southern Region Senior of the Year.

shortstop for the Rebels from 2004 to 2006. Coghlan was a three-time All-SEC selection and led the Rebels to 131 wins across those three seasons, securing an SEC West Championship in 2005 and an outright SEC title in 2006 alongside two NCAA Super Regional appearances in those years. In the 2005 Oxford Regional, he was named MVP following a 4-for-6 outing with five runs scored in a 20-5 Ole Miss victory over Oklahoma.

Coghlan is one of just seven Rebels to be selected in the first round of the MLB Draft, going No. 36 overall to the Florida Marlins as part of the supplemental picks in the first round. Coghlan went on to a 13-year career in professional baseball, including nine years at the MLB level, which began with him winning National League Rookie of the Year in 2009 with the Marlins. Coghlan is one of 13 Rebels to win a World Series Championship, earning a ring in 2016 with the Chicago Cubs.

CHRIS COGHLAN

JOHAN HEDE

Baseball (2004-06) Chris Coghlan (BUS 22) was a threeyear letterwinner in baseball, playing

Men’s Tennis (1994-97) Johan Hede (BBA 97) proved dominant on the tennis court for the Rebels,

stringing together records and accomplishments that still have yet to be matched in the Ole Miss men’s tennis record book. Hede garnered numerous on and off court accolades during his time at Ole Miss, being named a threetime All-American, three-time All-SEC member and two-time ITA Academic All-American honoree. Hede’s most dominant season for the Rebels would come in 1996, when he would claim the 1996 SEC Singles Championship and SEC Player of the Year titles after completing the season with a perfect 11-0 record in conference play on the year. Hede’s dream season reached all the way to the 1996 NCAA Singles Semifinals.

Netting an overall singles record of 135-41, Hede still sits as the winningest singles player in program history for the Rebels. On a team level, Hede helped the Rebels punch their ticket into the 1995 NCAA Team Championship Final, the furthest the Rebels have ever advanced in an NCAA Team Tournament in program history, along with an additional NCAA Team Final Four appearance in 1997. continued on page 40

Johan Hede

Sam Kendricks

Dexter McCluster Photos by Bill Dabney

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Ole Miss Sports continued from page 39

SAM KENDRICKS Men’s Track & Field (2012-14) Hometown icon Sam Kendricks (BGS 15) has helped put Oxford on a pedestal as one of the greatest pole vaulters in world history. As a Rebel, Kendricks dismantled the Ole Miss record book en route to two NCAA Outdoor titles in 2013 and 2014, an NCAA Indoor runner-up finish in 2014, five total All-America honors and two SEC titles before going pro early following the 2014 season. His outdoor collegiate best of 5.81 meters (19’ 0.75”) ranked fifth in NCAA history at the time and still ranks within the top 10 in a tie for No. 8 (as of 2022).

Kendricks then set course on a professional career that catapulted him onto the world stage as a dominant competitor at home in the United States and a serious medal threat around the globe.

Kendricks is a two-time Olympian for Team USA, qualifying for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio and then again for the delayed 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo — making him the first men’s athlete in Ole Miss history to have qualified for multiple Olympiads. He took home the bronze for Team USA in 2016 following an epic competition in the rain in Rio, which was further highlighted when Kendricks — a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve — garnered worldwide headlines for stopping during the middle of his warmup to stand at attention for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Kendricks was the 22nd global member of the 6-meter club, and he currently ranks fifth in world history at his American outdoor record of 6.06 meters (19’ 10.50”) from the 2019 U.S. Outdoor Championships. He is a five-time World Championships qualifier, a four-time medalist and a two-time World Champion in 2017 and 2019 — joining former world record holder Sergey Bubka as the only people in world history to ever repeat as the world champ. He owns three of the top-10 clearances outdoors in American history, owns nine total 40

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U.S. titles (six outdoor, three indoor), and he was the first American to ever win six straight U.S. outdoor men’s pole vault titles from 2014 to 2019.

DEXTER MCCLUSTER Football (2006-09) Elusive utility man Dexter McCluster (BUS 21) stands as one of the best all-purpose players in Ole Miss football history. He was chosen as a first-team All-American in 2009 by the All-American Football Foundation following a superb senior season that saw him end his Ole Miss career No. 2 on the Ole Miss career all-purpose yardage list at 4,089 (behind only Deuce McAllister’s 4,889) and No. 7 among all-time rushers with 1,955. McCluster also capped his career off by becoming just the second back-to-back MVP in the history of the Cotton Bowl Classic in 2009 and 2010, joining SMU’s Doak Walker. For his Cotton Bowl heroics, McCluster was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in 2020.

McCluster’s versatility was recognized both nationally and among his conference peers, earning All-SEC honors twice as an all-purpose player, as well as both a wide receiver in 2008 and 2009 and as a running back in 2009. McCluster received the National Running Back Trophy from the College Football Performance Awards, and was named to Athlon’s SEC All-Decade team for 2000-09. He was the first player in SEC history with 1,000 rushing yards (1,169) and 500 receiving yards (520) in the same season in 2009 — still the second-most single-season rushing yards in Ole Miss history. He was selected in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 36 overall pick, beginning a pro career that saw him make the Pro Bowl in 2013 and be selected as an All-Pro. McCluster ultimately had a nine-year NFL career, playing for Kansas City, Tennessee and San Diego/Los Angeles, as well as one season with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts.

Tim Ellis

2022 LOTTERHOS SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT TIM ELLIS

(1974-77) Following his football career at Ole Miss, Tim Ellis (BBA 78) has played a key role in the success of the M-Club Alumni Chapter, having served as president and also as a member of its board of directors.

Ellis also served a term on the Ole Miss Athletics Committee and the Ole Miss Alumni Association board of directors.

When Ellis completed his Ole Miss eligibility at the end of the 1977 season, he ranked second in career passing yardage (2,339) and fourth in total offense (2,965). Currently, his career passing yardage ranks 16th and his career total offense 19th. As a senior, Ellis came off the bench in the fourth quarter to lead a 20-13 comeback victory over eventual national champion Notre Dame, on Sept. 17, 1977, completing three-of-four passes for 68 yards and a touchdown toss to James Storey. After the win against the Fighting Irish, Ellis was named Co-Back of the Week by the Associated Press. He also helped the Rebels to wins over Tennessee, South Carolina and Vanderbilt later that season. He finished his Ole Miss career 171-of-355 (48.2% completion) with 17 touchdowns.

The Future Alumni Network is the student level of membership in the Ole Miss Alumni Association.

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Ole Miss Sports

Photo illustration courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

No. 38 Honors KD HILL RECEIVES 2022 CHUCKY MULLINS COURAGE AWARD

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le Miss senior defensive tackle KD Hill (BSES 22) was named the winner of the 2022 Chucky Mullins Courage Award in August.

A native of Eufaula, Alabama, Hill is the 32nd recipient in the 33-year history of the award. Hill will wear Mullins’ No. 38 jersey throughout the 2022 season.

The award, sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, honors the late Chucky Mullins, who had his Ole Miss career come to an end during the 1989 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt when he was paralyzed after making a tackle. After returning to his studies at Ole Miss, Mullins died May 6, 1991.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be able to wear the No. 38,” Hill says. “I will play my hardest with this jersey on, and I’ll represent it well, on and off the field.

“I’m just so thankful. Ever since I committed here, one of my goals was to be able to one day wear No. 38. This means so much to me. This is just proof that if you keep grinding and keep working, good things will happen.”

Hill has appeared in 34 career games for the Rebels, including 10 starts at nose tackle last season. The two-year starter for the Rebels registered 24 total tackles on the season in 2021, including two tackles for loss.

Hill was selected from among several veteran defensive players by head football coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebel coaching staff. The award is presented annually to an Ole Miss upperclassman defensive player who embodies the spirit of Mullins — courage, leadership, perseverance and determination.

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Hill, who already graduated from Ole Miss with a bachelor’s in exercise science, has also made a tremendous impact to the Oxford community and is an exemplary role model on and off the field. He has contributed to the community through both the Ole Miss Athletics program and local organizations.

Along with Ole Miss MBA students, Hill has taken part in the Grove Grocery Mission, which helps raise money for the University of Mississippi Food Pantry. Through the athletics department, Hill has engaged in the Adopt-A-Basket program every year, which assists families in need throughout the Lafayette-Oxford-University community with Thanksgiving baskets.

He has made an extraordinary effort to benefit the education system in the community as well, having volunteered at both Oxford and Lafayette Elementary as a car buddy, welcoming students to school by opening doors and waving to them to start their day. Hill has also participated in the Feed the Sip program, which helped collect nonperishable food items to donate to elementary schools in Tunica and Quitman County.

Former Chucky Mullins Courage Award recipients are Chris Mitchell, Jeff Carter, Trea Southerland, Johnny Dixon, Alundis Brice, Michael Lowery, Derek Jones, Nate Wayne, Gary Thigpen, Ronnie Heard, Anthony Magee, Kevin Thomas, Lanier Goethie, Jamil Northcutt, Eric Oliver, Kelvin Robinson, Patrick Willis, Jeremy Garrett, Jamarca Sanford, Marcus Tillman, Kentrell Lockett, Deterrian Shackelford (twice), Jason Jones, Mike Marry, Mike Hilton, John Youngblood, Marquis Haynes, C.J. Moore, Austrian Robinson, Jaylon Jones and Keidron Smith.

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Ole Miss Sports OLE MISS TO CELEBRATE BASEBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN NOVEMBER

O

le Miss announced plans to celebrate its 2022 baseball national championship Nov. 9-12, surrounding the Rebels’ home football game against Alabama.

Highlighting the week will be members of the title team being honored at halftime of the football game, sporting their championship rings that they will receive that week. They will also participate in the Walk of Champions and other fan activities.

The week’s festivities begin with the premiere of “Belief,” a documentary film from Ole Miss Sports Productions that gives an unprecedented inside look into the title run. A special private screening is planned for Wednesday, Nov. 9, in Oxford before the film is released online and on ESPNU. Details on Oxford viewing opportunities

for the general public will be announced closer to the premiere.

On Thursday, Nov. 10, the Rebels will pay a visit to the state capital for a luncheon at the governor’s mansion. The Jackson trip also includes a stop at Children’s of Mississippi Hospital.

In June, the Rebels claimed the title of National Champions in their sixth appearance in the College World Series. As the last team chosen for an at-large bid, the Rebels took advantage and won the title with a 4-2 victory against Oklahoma, after claiming a 10-3 win against the Sooners the previous day.

The Rebels finished the season 42-23, winning 10 of 11 games during a magical run through the postseason.

It is the first baseball national championship in program history.

Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

Manning Recognized ELI MANNING NAMED TO 2022 SEC FOOTBALL LEGENDS CLASS

F

ormer Ole Miss quarterback and 2003 Maxwell Award winner Eli Manning (BBA 03) is one of 14 members of the 2022 Southeastern Conference Football Legends class, the league office announced on Oct. 6.

The class will be honored at the 2022 SEC Football “Weekend of Champions” Dec. 2-3 in Atlanta, highlighted by the annual SEC Legends Celebration on Friday, Dec. 2, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Manning, a four-year letterwinner for the Rebels from 2000 to 2003, won the Maxwell Award as a senior, an honor given to the best all-around player in college football. He set or tied 47 Ole Miss single-game, season and career records during his time in Oxford.

The New Orleans native became the highest draft pick in program history when he was selected No. 1 in the 2004 NFL Draft.

Manning, who finished third in the 2003 Heisman Trophy ballot following his senior season, finished his illustrious Ole Miss career with a school-record 10,119 career passing yards and 81 career TD passes. He also set new Ole Miss career records for completions (829) and passing attempts (1,363), and both marks ranked fourth on the SEC career lists.

During a historic senior campaign in 2003, Manning won the Maxwell Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and numerous All-America honors after throwing for 3,600 44

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Photo illustration courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

yards and 29 TDs. He earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year, helping lead the Rebels to a 10-3 record and a win over Oklahoma State in the 2004 Cotton Bowl.

After being drafted No. 1 by the San Diego Chargers, Manning was traded to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers.

Manning would go on to don a Giants uniform for 16 years, retiring shortly after the 2019 season. He was named to four Pro Bowls and was a two-time Super Bowl champion and twotime Super Bowl MVP. Manning was awarded the 2020 Bart Starr Award, which is given annually to an NFL player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community.

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Just Published

Sparring Partners by John Grisham (JD fiasco falls into the lap of Diantha 81), 320 pages (hardcover; also available in paperback and Kindle), Doubleday, ISBN: 978-0385549325 John Grisham is the acknowledged master of the legal thriller. In his first collection of novellas, law is a common thread, but America’s favorite storyteller has several surprises in store.

Homecoming takes us back to Ford County, the fictional setting of many of Grisham’s unforgettable stories. Jake Brigance is back, but he’s not in the courtroom. He’s called upon to help an old friend, Mack Stafford, a former lawyer in Clanton, who three years earlier became a local legend when he stole money from his clients, divorced his wife, filed for bankruptcy and left his family in the middle of the night, never to be heard from again — until now. Now Mack is back, and he’s leaning on his old pals, Jake and Harry Rex, to help him return. His homecoming does not go as planned.

In Strawberry Moon, we meet Cody Wallace, a young death row inmate only three hours away from execution. His lawyers can’t save him, the courts slam the door and the governor says no to a last-minute request for clemency. As the clock winds down, Cody has one final request.

The Sparring Partners are the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty, two successful young lawyers who inherited a once prosperous firm when its founder, their father, was sent to prison. Kirk and Rusty loathe each other and speak to each other only when necessary. As the firm disintegrates, the resulting 46

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Bradshaw, the only person the partners trust. Can she save the Malloys, or does she take a stand for the first time in her career and try to save herself ?

writer and college tutor in Oxford.

She has used her CPA to found two nonprofits for Sudanese children who escaped war and ultimately settled in her hometown of Jackson.

Confessions of a Southern Beauty You Will Know Vengeance b y W.A. Queen b y Julie Hines Mabus (BA 73), 256 Pepper (BBA 01, MBA 03, PhD 14), 356 pages (hardcover, also available in Kindle), University Press of Mississippi, ISBN: 978-1496840127 In the late 1960s, Patsy Channing, a stunningly beautiful young woman, was suspended from the venerable Mississippi State College for Women for breach of conduct. The resulting scandal reached all the way to the Columbus courthouse, and the press ate it up. But Patsy’s story starts long before that, living with a preoccupied and troubled mother in Memphis. As Patsy grows up, she buries the memories of her unspeakable childhood trauma and is determined to have a normal life. Music becomes her ticket out and a vehicle for the one thing she covets most — a chance to be crowned Miss America.

In Confessions of a Southern Beauty Queen, Julie Hines Mabus provides a peek into that world — a world struggling through the civil rights movement, reeling from the death of JFK, and cutting loose with the musical innovations from Memphis and Detroit. Patsy develops a close friendship with a guitarist at Stax Recording Studio, giving her firsthand exposure to the early Memphis soul sound created by such greats as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes and Sam & Dave.

Julie Hines Mabus is a freelance

pages (hardcover; also available in paperback and Kindle), Hustle Valley Press, ISBN: 978-1958011027 A government plot. A con who holds all the cards. Can a young man protecting his fellow inmates stop a killer without losing his soul? Skilled hacker Tanto finds inner quiet in the ways of Bushido.

So, after SWAT drags him to a hidden compound to entrap other code jockeys, he spends the next eight years drawing on his inner strength to bring honor to his peers. But when the peaceful warrior takes a terrified and badly beaten newcomer under his wing, he’s shaken to learn the kid was brutalized by an old nemesis. As if things could not get worse, the same monstrous enemy lands in his cellblock.

Now, Tanto fears for the tribe he’s grown to love like family. And with the guards turning a blind eye to the rival’s calculated atrocities, Tanto plans desperate measures that could trigger deadly results. Can he maintain his sworn discipline and avoid leaving a bloody legacy?

W.A. Pepper writes suspenseful thrillers. You Will Know Vengeance is his award-winning debut novel. He is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestselling author for his contribution to the business anthology Habits of Success.

Just Published

O v e r c o m i n g t h e E m o t i o n a l Squall in the Gulf b y Candace Cox The Circus Is in Town: Sport, CelebStigmas of Infer tility: Barren Wheeler (JD 81), 335 pages (hardcover), rity and Spectacle b y editors Lisa But Not Ashamed by Frances Jones Dogwood Press, ISBN: 978-1735554563 Doris Alexander and Joel Nathan Rosen (BAccy 92, MAccy 94, MA 96), 168 pages (paperback; also available in Kindle), Heart Desires Fulfillment Press, ISBN: 978-1735634005 Author Frances Jones writes: “Do you feel like a failure because you cannot conceive or carry a baby to full term?

Are you ready to transform from a mindset of defeat and low self-esteem to one of victory, freedom and peace? “ There was a t ime w hen I s aw myself as damaged goods. I was hard on myself, felt unworthy because of my infertility, and was tormented by negative thoughts and emotions. The worst part was that I didn’t know how to stop.

Then a miracle happened: I had an awakening. The crippling pain, heartache and toxic thoughts associated with infertility no longer control my life and my self-esteem. I now feel worthy as a mother, wife and woman, and I coach others who are dealing with infertility.

I hope that the story of my journey inspires you and guides you through your infertility challenges.”

Jones holds master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi in accounting and educational leadership. She is a certified professional coach, Energy Leadership Index master practitioner and the founder of Heart Desires Fulfillment Coaching LLC.

As the Roaring 20s come to a close, it is a great time to live, work and play on the Mississippi Coast. But beneath the calm surface of the warm Gulf waters, a storm is brewing at the height of Prohibition.

The highly anticipated sequel to Cradle in the Oak, Squall in the Gulf continues the story of heroine Carrie Burns and husband David Tauzin. But it is the next generation who takes center stage in this thriller, which features appearances by celebrity gangster (and one-time Ocean Springs resident) Al Capone and jazz great Louis Armstrong. Judith Harlow and Daniel Hebert, teens during Cradle in the Oak, are now respected journalists.

What brings them together in adulthood is a new mystery — an ominous black hand holding an hourglass that seems to appear at every turn — which they swiftly discover is a matter of life and death. Sit back and enjoy the good life, especially the scenic 12-mile journey to the legendary Isle of Caprice. Just hope the captain piloting your pleasure boat is not pulled over by the Coast Guard, and the stranger sitting a few feet over is not after you.

A fourth-generation Biloxi native, Candace Cox Wheeler is a partner in the law firm of Wheeler and Wheeler PLLC, where she has worked alongside her husband, David, since 1981 and raised two sons. Squall in the Gulf is her second novel.

(MA 93, MA 95), 332 pages (paperback; also available in hardcover and Kindle), University Press of Mississippi, ISBN: 978-1496836557 In this fifth book on sport and the nature of reputation, editors Lisa Doris Alexander and Joel Nathan Rosen have tasked their contributors with examining reputation from the perspective of celebrity and spectacle, which in some cases can be better defined as scandal. The subjects chronicled in this volume have all displayed phenomenal feats of athletic prowess and artistry, and all have faced a controversy or been thrust into a situation that grows from age-old notions of the spectacle. Some handled the hoopla like the champions they are, or were, while others struggled and even faded amid the hustle and flow of their runaway celebrity. While their individual narratives are engrossing, these stories collectively paint a portrait of sport and spectacle that offers context and clarity.

Joel Nathan Rosen is associate professor of sociology at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is author of The Erosion of the American Sporting Ethos: Shifting Attitudes Toward Competition and From New Lanark to Mound Bayou: Owenism in the Mississippi Delta, and co-author of Black Baseball, Black Business: Race Enterprise and the Fate of the Segregated Dollar, published by University Press of Mississippi.

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.

FA L L 2022

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Rebel Traveler

T

he alumni travel program is a service the Ole Miss Alumni Association offers as part of its mission to unite its alumni and keep them connected to Ole Miss and one another.

OMAA has partnered with several tour operators that specialize in alumni travel to offer a broad selection of educational tours. Alumni and friends obtain group rates and discounts. Listed prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and pricing and dates are subject to change until booking. Airfare is not included unless noted. Visit olemissalumni.com/ travel for a complete listing and the most up-to-date information.

Due to the continued effects and uncertainty on travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, these offerings and itineraries are subject to change or cancellation. OMAA strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance. For a

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy 48

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2023

brochure or more information on a trip, contact the Alumni office at 662-915-7375 or email travel@olemissalumni.com.

or a post-program option in Machu Picchu, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and Lima. — From $9,995

WONDERS OF THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS FEB. 10-19, 2023

FLORENCE IN THE SERENE SEASON MARCH 3-11, 2023

Tour Operator: Gohagan Immerse yourself in the unique ecosystems that inspired Charles Darwin with an extraordinary cruise aboard the intimate, all-suite Silver Origin. This exquisite vessel was designed specifically to navigate hard-to-reach Galápagos archipelagos and features a team of expert Ecuadorian guides, eight Zodiacs and unparalleled luxury — including personalized service and authentic regional cuisine. Visit six islands to observe exotic birds, reptiles, mammals and plants. Extend your journey with a pre-program option in Quito, Ecuador,

Tour Operator: AHI Experience the true essence of beautiful Florence during a quieter time of year on this seven-night, small-group journey. Stroll through the city’s intimate streets and romantic piazzas, a veritable outdoor museum of Renaissance glories, and take more time to enjoy Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi’s priceless art.

Admire the eye-catching, ornate Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, topped

by Brunelleschi’s magnificent dome, and cross the Arno River by way of the Ponte Vecchio. At one of the city’s oldest cafés, delve into the social rituals behind

2023 Italy’s passion for coffee. Venture into rural Tuscany and take in the medieval brilliance of hill towns San Gimignano, Colle di Val d’Elsa and Siena. Sip Italy’s iconic wine in the breathtaking Chianti countryside, plus watch and learn as a local chef whips up an authentic Tuscan lunch! A generous meal plan and wine with dinner are included. Simply unpack once at your deluxe hotel and savor la dolce vita. — From $3,395

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Tour Operator: Premier World Discovery Hawaii is known as the “Paradise of the Pacific.” With many exotic beaches, flowers, mountainous landscapes, breathtaking views and magnificent waterfalls, travelers will be amazed everywhere they travel within this incredible island state. Start with three nights in Honolulu and a Honolulu city tour featuring Pearl Harbor with a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial, dedicated

to the fallen heroes who lost their lives on Dec. 7, 1941. Later, see the beautiful sights of Punchbowl Crater and the Hawaii State Capitol, where a statue of King Kamehameha stands proudly.

Then spend two nights on the Big Island (Hawaii) learning about the unique geological and cultural landscapes found at Volcanoes National Park, where you will see an active volcano. Also see a black sand volcanic beach and spend time in the historic fishing village of Kailua-Kona, or Kona town, as the locals call it.

Continue to Maui for a three-night stay and more spectacular sights of majestic waterfalls, and the lush tropical foliage surrounding the Iao Needle, a rock formation rising 2,000 feet from the valley floor.

More of those incredible landscapes will be found on the journey to Mount Haleakala National Park or “House of the Sun” as we travel to the top of Maui’s massive dormant volcano, 10,000 feet above sea level. Marvel at the unbelievable sights that can be found at this ancient location. Complete the tour with a traditional Hawaiian luau,

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AUSTRIA AND SWITZERLAND Ole Miss Only

MARCH 22-APRIL 1, 2023

Tour Operator: Alpine Adventures Enjoy four nights in Innsbruck, Austria, and five nights in Lucerne, Switzerland, on this special trip designed exclusively for Ole Miss alumni and friends. After arriving in Munich and a short orientation tour, continue on to the 700-year-old city of Innsbruck, which will be home base for four days to experience Bavarian castles and the resort village of Seefeld in Austria, as well as time in Italy to take in the Dolomite Mountains, see Ötzi the Iceman in Bolzano and enjoy a wine tasting. Visit the famous Passion Play village of Oberammergau and see the Linderhof Palace, built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

Then head on to Switzerland to explore Liechtenstein, and get the famous stamp on your passport before moving on to Appenzell into the mountains for a typical Swiss lunch and arriving in Lucerne that evening. Spend the next day on a city tour, concluding the afternoon with a cruise on Lake Lucerne. While based in Lucerne, we will visit the Black Forest and Lake Titisee, drive to Interlaken at the footsteps of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains that form part of the Swiss Alps, and visit Lauterbrunnen and take a train ride to the famous ski resort in Wengen. This unique tour promises beautiful scenery, magnificent art and architecture, excellent food and wines, and the fun of traveling with Ole Miss friends. — From approximately $4,241

EUROPEAN COASTAL CIVILIZATIONS APRIL 24-MAY 3, 2023

Chapel Bridge, Lucerne, Switzerland

Tour Operator: Gohagan Explore the legacies and dynamic cultures of coastal Portugal, Spain, France and England, and commemorate the historic D-Day landings on this uniquely designed itinerary. Walk in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims in Santiago de Compostela, visit Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim Museum and see Mont St. Michel’s impressive abbey.

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Rebel Traveler 2023 Plus, our thoughtfully planned shore excursions allow you to customize your time, from walking tours to cycling adventures and wine tastings. This unforgettable cruise features all meals, including wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. No single supplement for solo travelers. — From $5,695

WORLD WAR II IN POLAND: HOLOCAUST, RESISTANCE AND REBIRTH MAY 9-16, 2023

Budapest, Hungary

Special guest Dwight D. Eisenhower II, historian and grandson of former general and president Dwight D. Eisenhower, accompanies you to the hallowed beaches of Normandy. Enhance your voyage with the Lisbon pre-program and/or London post-program options. — From $5,995

TREASURES OF NORTHEASTERN SPAIN APRIL 25-MAY 5, 2023

Tour Operator: AHI Discover distinctive, captivating facets of Spain, from Catalonia to Basque Country, on this rewarding, nine-night, first-class journey through the northeast. In beautiful Barcelona, Catalonia’s jewel along the Mediterranean, admire magnificent architecture by the great Catalán Modernist masters, including Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familía. Enjoy a hands-on Catalán cooking session and a guided walk in the Gothic District, plus choose to tour an exquisite modernist home or explore the city’s Jewish heritage. In Zaragoza, Aragón’s capital, delight in its splendid baroque cathedral.

Head into Navarra, where you’ll savor romantic Olite’s storybook castle and winding medieval lanes. You’ll also stroll along the famous streets of Pamplona, its capital, and relish a tasting of flavorful Navarra wines. In Basque Country, take in stunning San Sebastián on La Concha 50

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Bay, acclaimed for its world-class dining scene. Chat with local Basques over dinner and marvel at the shimmering Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. This small-group experience includes enrichment from expert guides and lecturers and an ample meal plan with wine at dinner. — From $4,295

CRUISE THE HEART OF EUROPE MAY 5-20, 2023

Tour Operator: AHI Sail through Central Europe along the storied Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, legendary waterways with fascinating histories. Unpack once aboard an exclusively chartered, first-class river ship and settle in for a 14-night cruise, enjoying an intimate look at five distinct countries, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. Awaken each day to medieval villages and vibrant capitals, enchanting vistas and lauded UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Centuries of heritage unfold in Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, cities steeped in the legacies of great empires. Glide by idyllic landscapes of fairytale villages, castle-crowned hilltops and the beautiful Middle Rhine and Wachau valleys.

Along the way, join local experts for enriching discussions and take part in immersive cultural experiences, including a traditional German Frühschoppen.

Tour Operator: National WWII Museum To fully comprehend World War II, one needs to understand its origins. As Hitler launched the war by invading Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, the Nazis unleashed a hell that would cause immense suffering and leave the country vulnerable to Stalin’s postwar ambitions for Soviet expansion. Through the German occupation and the following decades of S oviet oppression, the Polish people held strong in their push for freedom. This unique educational journey traces the history of Poland from 1939 to the fall of communism and the rejuvenation of a country and its people. Travel through Poland, exploring historical sites and reflecting on how the Nazis rose to power and then brought destruction and misery to Europe. Visit battlefields, museums, memorials, and interact with locals and become immersed in the heritage of the Polish people. — From $6,399

CRUISING THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST MAY 10-18, 2023

Tour Operator: Gohagan Valletta, Malta, featuring Tunisia, Sicily Bask in sun-dappled islands at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and explore coastal cities that date back more than 7,000 years. This exclusive cruise itinerary takes you from the antiquities of Malta to the ancient sites of Tunisia and Palermo on the Italian island of Sicily. Enjoy views at Trapani, Sicily, before journeying back to Taormina and Syracuse. Enhance your journey with the Malta pre-program option. — From $4,995

2023

NORWEGIAN FJORDS AND THE MIDNIGHT SUN MAY 28-JUNE 7, 2023

Tour Operator: Gohagan Get set for an amazing adventure in Norway, one of the world’s most beautiful countries! On this ninenight, small-group journey, delight in first-class stays in cosmopolitan Oslo, enchanting Bergen and far northern Tromsø above the Arctic Circle. Like a little bit of heaven on Earth, Norway’s sublime landscapes of lush fjords and snowcapped mountains will take your breath away. Thrill to spectacular scenery on the famed Flåm and Bergen Railways, and cruise through the pristine, glacier-carved Aurlandsfjord.

You’ll also experience the phenomenon of the midnight sun, northern Norway’s endlessly golden summer sky! Delve into fascinating facets of Norwegian history and culture, including skiing, seafaring, the impressive art of Edvard Munch and the Hanseatic heritage of Bergen’s colorful wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Plus, discover what life above the Arctic Circle is like as you visit a dogsledding kennel, learn about the traditions of the indigenous Sami people and tour a botanical garden. Includes expert guides, enlightening lectures and a generous meal plan. — From $4,995

SCOTTISH ISLES AND NORWEGIAN FJORDS JUNE 2-10, 2023

Tour Operator: Gohagan Trace the legacies of Viking and Celtic clans on this extraordinary voyage across the pristine natural beauty of Norway’s mighty fjords and the mist-enshrouded peaks of Scotland. Cruise into ports accessible only by small ship. Take in the views during your specially arranged ride on Nor way’s legendar y Flåm Railway. Discover the Orkney Islands’ fascinating Neolithic history, featuring a special presentation by archaeologist Nick Card. Enjoy a full-day, scenic excursion into the glens of the Scottish Highlands. Enhance your journey with the Norway/Copenhagen pre-program and/or Edinburgh/Glasgow post-program options. — From $5,395

UTAH’S MIGHTY NATIONAL PARKS JUNE 4-11, 2023

Tour Operator: Premier World Discovery Welcome to Utah’s Mighty National Parks, renowned for awe-inspiring views, impressive rock formations and otherworldly landscapes that must be seen to believed. Enjoy five nights at one hotel on this relaxed tour that features Canyonlands and Arches national parks along with Dead Horse Point State Park and Monument Valley.

Begin your tour with a scenic byway drive from Grand Junction to Moab. Enjoy a Colorado River cruise to view the canyon walls and ancient Indian petroglyphs.

Explore Canyonlands National Park, carved by Utah’s two mightiest rivers.

Rebel Traveler

Please review the itinerary details and count the extras. With roundtrip airfare included, we hope you can join us on this amazing trip. — From $3,599

ENGLAND – COTSWOLD’S ESCAPE JULY 6-14, 2023

Tour Operator: AHI Soak up the magic and distinctive charm of the English countryside. Unpack for seven nights in the Georgian town of Woodstock and encounter the Cotswolds, where floral pathways and storybook scenery evoke a quiet beauty. Venture out each day to honey-colored villages and customary gardens, cast together with centuries-old tales. Travel to Oxford to stand beneath the ivory towers of its

Bergen Railway, Norway

Stand 2,000 feet above a gooseneck in the Colorado River at Dead Horse Point State Park for a breathtaking view of vertical cliffs. And visit and walk along one of our country’s great national parks to see the stunning collection of natural sandstone formations at Arches National Park.

Journey on a guided, scenic drive to explore Monument Valley Navajo Tribal area and experience one of the most majestic points on Earth. View the area’s oddly shaped monoliths, buttes and mesas of red sandstone and stop at famous John Ford’s Point, the location of many classic Westerns. Conclude your tour with wine tasting and a cowboy cookout with incredible views of the surrounding mesas.

storied university. Uncover the lives of William Shakespeare and Sir Winston Churchill in Stratford-upon-Avon and the stately Blenheim Palace. Spend a day amid the limestone houses, stone bridges and shop-lined streets of Cotswold villages, including Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden. Engage with a Cotswold family at a traditional farm and visit Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage city filled with archaeological wonders and beautiful Georgian architecture.

Plus, choose between visiting Blenheim Park or Hidcote Manor Garden. This handcrafted, small-group journey features first-class accommodations and an extensive meal plan. — From $3,795 FA L L 2022

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Alumni News

The 2022-23 officers of the Ole Miss Alumni Association are (from left) Kirk Purdom, Todd Sandroni, Jeff Hubbard, Bill Reed, Karen Moore and Bruce Ware. | Photo by Jim Urbanek

New Leadership ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WELCOMES 2022-23 OFFICERS

T

he Ole Miss Alumni Association announced elected officers for 2022-23 at its annual meeting on Oct. 1 as part of Homecoming activities. This year’s meeting was held in Butler Auditorium in the Triplett Alumni Center.

Bill Reed (BA 72, JD 77) of Jackson, senior counsel in the law firm Baker Donelson, was named president, a one-year term that changes each Homecoming.

Reed served as president and chief operating officer of Baker Donelson from 1998 to 2005. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2001 and recently was named by Super Lawyers as one of the top 50 attorneys in Mississippi. As an undergraduate at Ole Miss, Reed was president of the Associated Student Body, a member of the Hall of Fame and Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi fraternities. He graduated first in his class in law school and 52

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served as editor-in-chief of the Mississippi Law Journal.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as president of the Alumni Association and to build on the many successes of our immediate past president, Dr. Bob Warner,” Reed says.

Karen Moore (BS 82) of Nashville, president of nonprofit Project Redesign, was named president-elect. Jeff Hubbard (BBA 80, JD 83) of Madison, partner in Hubbard Mitchell Williams & Strain, was elected vice president.

Athletics Committee members include Todd Sandroni (BSPh 92, PhMD 97) of Tupelo and Bruce Ware (BBA 99) of Dallas.

Sandroni serves as director of the Cardiovascular Risk Management Clinic with Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi.

Ware serves as a corporate vice president with DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500 health care company. Ole Miss Alumni Association CEO Kirk Purdom (BA 93) serves as treasurer.

Alumni News

Class Notes ’60s

ANN J. ABADIE (MA 62, PhD

FRANK TRAPP (BA 69, JD 72) of Oxford,

EDDY EDWARDS (BBA 76, JD 78), senior

73) of Oxford has released a book titled Faulkner and Mystery. The book explores arguments about the role and function of mystery in William Faulkner’s fiction through a series of 12 new essays.

senior partner with Phelps Dunbar LLP, was named to The Best Lawyers in America’s 2023 list in the areas of Antitrust Law, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar.

partner with Phelps Dunbar LLP in Jackson, was named to The Best Lawyers in America’s 2023 list in the areas of Business Organizations, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates.

LEN BLACKWELL (BA 63, JD 66), a retired

attorney in Biloxi, was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mississippi Bar at its annual meeting in Destin, Florida.

’70s

HARRIS H. BARNES III ( J D

DAVE NELSON (BBA 77) of Eau Claire, Wis-

72) of Flowood was recently recognized by the Mississippi State Bar and the University of Mississippi School of Law for having practiced law for 50 years.

consin, has accepted a six-month assignment with the American Red Cross to serve in Poland through April 2023.

JIM O’MARA (BA 62, JD 67), counsel with

Phelps Dunbar LLP in Jackson, was named to The Best Lawyers in America’s 2023 list in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor/ Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization laws.

JOHN CASE (BA 72) of Slidell, Louisiana,

was honored for the third time as a firstplace winner by the Press Club of New Orleans. His award category is columns, and his contributions are short stories.

CONSTANCE SLAUGHTER-HARVEY (JD 70)

of Forest was awarded the Alumna of the Year award presented by the Law Alumni Chapter of the Ole Miss Alumni Association on July 15 in Sandestin, Florida. She is the first African American female to receive this top honor.

JAMAL CYRUS THE END OF MY BEGINNING

A presentation in the Myra Green and Lynn Green Root Memorial Exhibition Series

This exhibition is sponsored by:

Carolyn & Chris Ray

This exhibition is sponsored by:

ON VIEW OCTOBER 29, 2022-MARCH 5, 2023 380 SOUTH LAMAR STREET • DOWNTOWN JACKSON • MSMUSEUMART.ORG • @MSMUSEUMART ARTWORK: Maude Schuyler Clay, Forked Road, Rodney, MS. Sepia toned black and white silver gelatin print. 16 x 20 in. Collection of the artist.; Jamal Cyrus, Untitled (Grand Verbalizer What Time Is It?), 2010. Collection of Ric Whitney & Tina Perry-Whitney. Image courtesy of the Artist and Inman Gallery, Houston.

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Alumni News ELLEN WEAVER (BA 73) of Atlanta was rec-

BLAKE TELLER (BBA 88) of Vicksburg,

MITCHELL O. DRISKELL (JD 00) of Oxford

ognized by the Georgia Restaurant Association as one of three inaugural inductees to the Georgia Restaurant Hall of Fame for 2022, distinguishing her as one of the top individuals in all aspects of the industry.

partner at Teller, Hopson & Schrader LLP, has assumed the role of president of the Mississippi Bar.

joined the law firm of Tannehill Carmean.

He will serve as lead counsel in civil litigation with additional work in criminal and family law.

’80s

SUZANNA BAKER ( J D 8 0 ) ,

senior partner with Phelps and Dunbar LLP in Jackson, was named to The Best Lawyers in America’s 2023 list in the area of Real Estate Law. CHARLES JIM BECKETT (JD 82) of Bruce

was appointed by Gov. Tate Reeves as executive director for Mississippi Public Utilities Staff. A special election will be held to fill his position as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives for District 23.

JAMES TRUAX (BSChE 83) was recently

promoted to general manager of Greif Corp.’s paper mill in Tacoma, Washington, having previously served as general manager of Greif ’s paper mill in Baltimore, Ohio.

’90s

was inducted by popular vote into the 2022 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame honors athletes, coaches, administrators and others who have made significant contributions to Arizona sports.

DEWEY HEMBREE (BBA 83, JD 86) of Mad-

ison, managing member with McGlinchey Stafford PLLC in Jackson, was named to The Best Lawyers in America’s 2023 list in the area of Commercial Litigation.

DEREK HORNE (BBA 87) of Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, a previous director of athletics for two NCAA Division I institutions, is now overseeing marketing and promotions, ticket sales and video production for Temple Athletics.

02), shareholder with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC in Jackson, was presented the Distinguished Service Award by the Mississippi Bar at its annual meeting in Destin, Florida.

Dunbar LLP in Jackson, was named to The Best Lawyers in America’s 2023 list in the areas of Employment Law, Management; Labor Law, Management; Litigation and Labor and Employment.

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of Oxford recently received recognition when two of their restaurants, The Sipp on South Lamar and YŪGŌ, were recognized at Wine Spectator’s 2022 Restaurant Awards. Both won for their selection of wines offered to patrons.

MATTHEW S. MCKENZIE (BBA 03, JD 06) of

PhD 99) of Suwanee, Georgia, was the recipient of the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association 2022 Distinguished Achievement Award.

Oxford joined the law firm of Harper, Little & McKenzie as a partner. He will be primarily handling real estate closings/titles and wills and estates.

JOHN T. ROUSE (MBA 01) of Ridgeland,

ROGERS D. STEPHENS (BBA 93) of Olive

Branch graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a master’s degree in computer science.

’00s

attorney with McGlinchey Stafford PLLC in Jackson, was named to The Best Lawyers in America’s 2023 list in the area of Product Liability Litigation.

JEREMY BECKER (BSCJ 08) of

RICHARD “RICKY ” WOOD (BBA 09) of

Buena Vista, Virginia, CEO of Becker Digital, was selected to join the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association Homeland Security Committee. The committee works to identify threats, alleviate risks and promote collaboration between government agencies and the private sector.

Atoka, Tennessee, accepted the position of general manager with Wealth Hospitality at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Olive Branch.

AIMEE BERTRAND (BA 03) of Kingwood, TOMMY SILER (JD 83), partner with Phelps

mond, Virginia, a gastroenterologist, achieved partner at his practice, Mitchell Endoscopy, in August.

CLAIRE (BBA 07) and AJ KIAMIE (BBA 03)

JENNIFER HALL (BBA 99, JD

VINCENTE RODRIGUEZ (BSEE 94, MS 96, JENNIFER GILLOM (BAR 87) of Phoenix

GEORGE M. HENRY (BS 07, MD 14) of Rich-

Texas, was named New Executive Officer of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders Executive Officer Council for her work as CEO of the Greater Houston Builders Association.

’10s

MARIE BARNARD (PhD 12)

of Oxford, an associate professor of the University of Mississippi’s School of Pharmacy, was named the Distinguished Cotton Lecturer in Pharmacy Administration. This appointment is intended to honor and reward a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to the Department of Pharmacy Administration in research, teaching, service and collegiality.

Your SPRING FORECAST:

100% CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

Ole Miss Athletics

Ole Miss is leading the state in academics, athletics and alumni involvement. Your membership in the Alumni Association is critical to keep up the momentum.

Join, extend your membership or become a Sustaining Life Member by Jan. 15, 2023, and you will be entered into a chance to win two tickets to the Arkansas baseball series at Ole Miss April 6-8, and a three-night stay at The Inn at Ole Miss!

Thank you for being an active part of the Alumni Association.

olemissalumni.com/join

Alumni News DAVID DELLUCCI (BUS 19) of Baton Rouge,

JESS WALTMAN (BAccy 13, JD 16), attor-

Louisiana, an analyst for baseball on the SEC Network, was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 on July 30.

ney with Davis & Crump in Gulfport, has assumed the role of president of the Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar. LANCE YOUNG (MBA 17) was promoted to

GARRET T OZBUN ( M BA 1 1 ) of C ap e

Girardeau, Missouri, a Merrill Lynch wealth management adviser, was recently recognized among the nation’s top 1,000 next-generation wealth managers on the 2022 Forbes “Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth.”

manager of clinical analytics and informatics at St. Francis Healthcare System in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in January.

’20s

MORRIS STOCKS of Oxford, an accoun-

tancy professor and former administrator at the University of Mississippi, was named Best College Professor in The Oxford Eagle’s 2022 Best of Oxford.

LOUIS RONEY (BBA 22) started

a job at Kleberg Bank in Corpus Christi, Texas, in July as a commercial credit analyst.

HOMECOMING HIGHLIGHT

B

ALUMNI FRIENDS

Photo by Kiana Dale

ob Warner, 2021-22 president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association, along with Eliza Peters, 2022 Homecoming queen, and Kyle Gordon, 2022 Homecoming king, were recognized on the field during the Rebels’ game against Kentucky.

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Four Generations Later, our response-ability to you is still the same.

PRINT

DIRECT MAIL

DIGITAL

GREEN

LARGE FORMAT

DESIGN

ImPRESSive SOLUTIONS 247 Industrial Drive North • Madison, MS 39110 hederman.com • 601.853.7300

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Alumni News BIRTHS

Lillian Virginia Gillespie Brock (MA 52) of Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 7, 2022

Holland Joy, daughter of Erin Blair Henry and George Mark Henry Jr. (BS 07), Oct. 10, 2021.

Vance Walden Brown (MEd 55) of Booneville, Aug. 18, 2022

Eloise Olivia, daughter of Caroline McCormick Stevens (BAccy 11, MAccy 12) and James G. Stevens, Aug. 18, 2022.

Hazel Ann Allen Butler (BAEd 59) of Houston, Texas, Aug. 17, 2022

Clara Rose, daughter of Nancy Virginia Stewart (BA 03, BA 04) and Jeremy Wayne Stewart (BA 04), March 12, 2022.

Clinton Varner Butler (BBA 51) of Knoxville, Tenn., July 2, 2022 Francis Daniel Cerniglia (BSPh 59) of Cordova, Tenn., Aug. 15, 2022 Mark James Chaney Sr. (BAEd 51) of Vicksburg, July 8, 2022 Wayne Poe Cockrell Sr. (MedCert 54) of Daphne, Ala., Aug. 26, 2022 William Robert Collins (51) of Huntsville, Ala., July 8, 2022

WEDDINGS Rebecca Bramlett (MCJ 17) and Kealy Moriarty, Oct. 15, 2022.

Kelly Claire Chadwell (BS 22) and Braxton Scot Wilson (BAEd 20), July 16, 2022.

Grace Nemitz Conger (BAEd 54) of Rosedale, Aug. 18, 2022 Carroll Marshall Crull (BSCvE 55) of Houston, Texas, Sept. 19, 2022 Ruth Williams Crutcher (BA 58) of Ridgeland, Sept. 16, 2022 Thomas Eugene Curtis (BBA 59, MBA 60) of Olive Branch, Aug. 23, 2022

Anna Kathryn Colbert (BS 18, MS 20) and Joshua David Dwyer (20), Aug. 27, 2022.

Rome Augustus Emmons Jr. (BBA 50) of Hattiesburg, July 16, 2022

Ellen Bracey Morgan (BBA 22) and Daniel Dean Baxter (BAccy 19, MADA 20), May 21, 2022.

Gerald Alexander Gafford (LLB 58, JD 68) of Oxford, Sept. 15, 2022

Adelyn Parker Spees and William Burdette Kneip (BA 16), June 4, 2022.

Edward Greer Furner (BBA 54) of Venice, Fla., Aug. 28, 2022 Patricia Cousins Weatherly Graves (58) of Gulfport, Sept. 9, 2022 Dewitt Talmadge Hicks Jr. (LLB 59) of Columbus, Aug. 10, 2022 Parker Blake Higdon Jr. (BBA 55) of Madison, Aug. 8, 2022

IN MEMORIAM 1930s Samuel Bedwell Olden Jr. (BA 39, MA 41) of Yazoo City, Aug. 12, 2022

1940s

Jean Gale Joel (BSHPE 51) of Clifton Park, N.Y., July 29, 2022 Charles Dewayne Johnson (BA 59) of Booneville, July 12, 2022 Ellie Don Leech (BBA 57) of Amory, June 30, 2022 Hattie Eloween Oakes Lewis (55) of Oxford, Aug. 9, 2022 Falton Orlander Mason Jr. (BBA 58, LLB 62) of Oxford, Aug. 9, 2022

Roy K. Clark (42) of Cleveland, Aug. 29, 2022

Burwell Beeman McClendon Jr. (BA 52, LLB 52) of Jackson, July 4, 2022

Lucius Bryan Dabney Jr. (LLB 49) of Vicksburg, Aug. 11, 2022

Dorothy Easom McCormick (BSC 53) of Waco, Texas, July 6, 2022

Gloria Sisk Fyke (BAEd 45) of Madison, Sept. 7, 2022

Betty Hadad Namey (BBA 50) of Jacksonville, Fla., June 28, 2022

Martha Sparr Gary (48) of Memphis, Tenn., July 11, 2022

Joseph Gwin Oliver (BSPh 55) of Oxford, Sept. 20, 2022

George Franklin Heberer (BSC 43) of Greensboro, N.C., July 14, 2022

Roy Octavus Parker Sr. (LLB 59) of Tupelo, July 25, 2022

Margaret Bourgeois Henderson (47) of Cleveland, Oct. 5, 2022

Gus Angelo Primos (BBA 51) of Flowood, Aug. 10, 2022

Sara LeMaster Linton (BSPh 48) of Tupelo, Oct. 3, 2022

Marshall Cornwell Ramsey Jr. (BA 52) of Columbia, S.C., July 28, 2022

Joseph Hugh Luckett Jr. (BBA 49) of Collierville, Tenn., Sept. 25, 2022

Samuel Leroy Reed Jr. (BS 58) of Mount Pleasant, S.C., July 2, 2022

Mary Margaret Granberry Tatum (BAEd 46) of Hattiesburg, Aug. 15, 2022

Louise DeLoach Reynolds (51) of Hoover, Ala., July 20, 2022

Clarence Thomas Thompson (MedCert 45) of Tulsa, Okla., June 17, 2022

James William Roberson (BSHPE 51) of Oxford, Sept. 13, 2022

Sara Myers Turner (BA 47) of Arcata, Calif., May 24, 2022

Joe Paul Sheffield (BSCvE 58) of Mantachie, Aug. 22, 2022

Marion Mayers Winkler Jr. (48) of Tupelo, Aug. 15, 2022

Margaret Mullin Shelmire (BA 56) of Dallas, Texas, Sept. 26, 2022

1950s Raymond Lewis Bauer Jr. (57) of Princeton, Ky., July 16, 2022 58

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Jerry Alvon Simmons (BS 57) of Acworth, Ga., Oct. 3, 2022 Nancy Reed Stone (BSC 58) of Gulfport, July 17, 2022 Aristide Earl Ton (BSHPE 51) of Shreveport, La., June 30, 2022

Alumni News

The Real Story THREE UM ALUMNI RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING REPORTING

U

niversity of Mississippi alumni Torsheta Jackson (MA 07), Nick Judin (BA 12) and Grace Marion (BAJ 22) were recognized at the 2022 Diamond Journalism Awards for reporting published by the Mississippi Free Press.

T he aw ards , sp ons ore d by t he Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, honor work by students and professionals in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Jackson and a team of MFP reporters won the print/online special section

category with “Black Women, Systemic Barriers and COVID-19 Project.” Jackson also was a finalist in two categories for her reporting on “Black Women, COVID-19 and Education in Noxubee County,” along with Kristin Brenemen and MFP editor Donna Ladd.

Judin received the Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder Award for Public Service Journalism for “What the Jackson Water Crisis Exposed.” He also was a finalist for print/online reporting with “Solutions for Health Equity in Mississippi.”

Marion, with Christian Middleton,

earned the Robert S. McCord Freedom of Information Award for “Drug Unit Travails Hidden from Public View.”

“All of their work follows our guiding and shared belief that great and impactful journalism is not stenography or done via email,” Ladd says. “Journalists have to go to sources and look for the real story, not just chase a headline and sound bites.

“These three journalists of different ages, training and experience levels all embody the MFP ethos, including dedication to teamwork and collaboration.”

Torsheta Jackson | Photo courtesy of MFP

Nick Judin | Photo courtesy of MFP

Grace Marion | Photo by Cristen Hemmins

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Alumni News 1960s

Robert Lee Martin (BM 62) of Dallas, Ga., Sept. 16, 2022

Barry Burleigh Aden (MD 64) of Jackson, Sept. 3, 2022

James Neal McCallum (BA 61) of Roseville, Calif., Aug. 4, 2022

Gul Ghanshamdas Advani (MS 64) of Pewaukee, Wis., Sept. 8, 2022

Barbara Jo Moses McConnell (61) of Oxford, Aug. 22, 2022

Paul William Avaltroni (BBA 63) of Cleveland, July 2, 2022

Joseph Bledsoe Murphey (MS 65) of Oxford, Aug. 28, 2022

William Fredrick Barkley (BAEd 63) of Grand Bay, Ala., July 11, 2022

Robert Walker Paine (BBA 63) of Kennett, Mo., Aug. 30, 2022

Thomas Gordon Barnes III (67) of The Woodlands, Texas, July 13, 2022

Anthony Joseph Palukaitis (BBA 69) of Mars Hill, N.C., Aug. 27, 2022

Kye Bethany Jr. (BSPh 60) of Madison, Aug. 17, 2022

Gerald Thomas Parker (BS 63) of Murray, Ky., July 27, 2022

John Robert Bryan (BBA 64) of Jackson, Aug. 17, 2022

William Skidmore Pickens Jr. (BBA 64) of Mooreville, Aug. 31, 2022

Dale Hattox Bullen (BBA 61) of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Sept. 19, 2022

Carolyn Jo Vowels Ponder (61) of Southlake, Texas, Aug. 15, 2022

Jeffrey Lynn Butler (60) of Oxford, July 17, 2022

Daniel Rabinowitz (BBA 67, MBA 71) of Fort Payne, Ala., July 15, 2022

Caroline Haig Case (62) of Milwaukee, Wis., July 14, 2022

Millard Wray Ramsey (BS 60, MD 63) of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., July 11, 2022

Sigrid Beck Catanzaro (63) of Nolensville, Tenn., Oct. 6, 2022 Sarah Kathryn Caldwell Cockroft (BA 65) of Germantown, Tenn., Oct. 2, 2022 William Burt Cooper Jr. (BS 63, MS 71) of Canton, Aug. 31, 2022 Gerald R. Coppenrath, USA (Ret) (JD 67) of Clinton, Mass., July 17, 2022

Lois Anne Mailfald Reddan (BSC 62) of Ooltewah, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2022 John Reeves (BSPh 67) of Scottsboro, Ala., Sept. 13, 2022 Shedric Hill Roberson Jr. (BA 60) of Ormond Beach, Fla., March 8, 2022 Richard Harold Russell (BSPh 65, MD 71) of New Albany, Aug. 28, 2022

Jerry Sterling Daniels (BSHPE 64) of Long Beach, Sept. 9, 2022

Dorothy Butler Sconyers (BA 69) of Easton, Conn., Aug. 16, 2022

Walter Elzie Danley Sr. (EdD 65) of Memphis, Tenn., July 24, 2022

Nolan E. Shepard (MA 60, PhD 70) of Oxford, Aug. 24, 2022

Harold Dean Edwards (BSPh 67) of Columbia, Sept. 17, 2022

Lillye Jane Collins Simon (BAEd 68, MA 72) of Gulf Shores, Ala., July 5, 2022

Sandra Daniel Farra (BBA 69) of Alpharetta, Ga., Oct. 1, 2022 Anna Margaret Bee Foote (BA 67) of Brandon, Aug. 23, 2022 Bessie Louise Ford (63) of Montgomery, Ala., Aug. 26, 2022 John Warren Ford (BSEE 65) of Shreveport, La., Oct. 4, 2022 Wilfred Wyatt Geisenberger (BA 60, JD 65) of Natchez, Sept. 9, 2022 Frank Rowan Halbert (BAEd 62) of Terrell, Texas, July 4, 2022 Donald LeRoy Hall (MD 65) of Shreveport, La., Sept. 27, 2022 George Carlisle Hamilton Jr. (MD 61) of Brandon, Oct. 3, 2022

Hazel Evelyn Terry (BSN 61) of Meridian, July 26, 2022 James Conrad Thompson (BA 63) of Knoxville, Tenn., Aug. 16, 2022 Lether Lee Thornton Jr. (BSPh 67) of Madison, Ala., Sept. 19, 2022 Dorothy Ann Tiser (MEd 68) of Greenwood, Oct. 5, 2022 Donald Ralph Todd (BS 61, MD 64) of Gulf Breeze, Fla., Oct. 3, 2022 Jimmy Lewis Warren (63) of Cleveland, July 20, 2022 James Woodrow Welch (BBA 68) of Germantown, Tenn., Oct. 2, 2022

George Edward Hargraves (BSCvE 68) of Memphis, Tenn., June 28, 2022

1970s

Bryan Brand Harper Jr. (BBA 67, JD 71) of Meridian, Aug. 25, 2022

Alta Faye Adams (BSN 73, MN 76) of Hattiesburg, Aug. 30, 2022

Curry Lockman Hendrix (MCS 64) of Selmer, Tenn., July 20, 2022 Milton Gayle Hill (BA 69) of Frisco, Texas, Aug. 12, 2022

Clayton Jerry Malone Adkinson (JD 73) of Defuniak Springs, Fla., July 12, 2022

Malcolm Ronald Holmes (BBA 60) of Madison, July 1, 2022

John Avaltroni (BA 70, MS 71) of Vilonia, Ark., June 10, 2022

Darryl Alden Hurt Sr. (LLB 61) of Lucedale, July 26, 2022

Lottye Rye Beasley (MEd 72) of Tupelo, Aug. 4, 2022

Catherine Virginia Purnell Kilgore (BAEd 69, MA 72, JD 75) of Oxford, Aug. 9, 2022

William Michael Beasley Sr. (BBA 73, JD 75) of Belden, July 11, 2022

Kenneth Forst Lange (BA 68) of Atwater, Calif., Feb. 23, 2022

John Wade Bounds (BSHPE 73) of Oxford, July 5, 2022

Jimmy Cooper Long (BBA 65) of Tupelo, Aug. 3, 2022

Byron Norman Brown III (BBA 74, MBA 75) of Collierville, Tenn., Aug. 20, 2022

Nicki Walker MacDonald (BAEd 61) of Mobile, Ala., Aug. 6, 2022 60

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Jesse Gilbert Bergeron (MEd 76) of Yellville, Ark., July 29, 2022

Alumni News Gaye Oakley Calhoun (MM 73) of Oxford, Sept. 22, 2022

Larry Allen Krohn (BSPh 74) of Gulfport, July 5, 2022

Francis Ledford Childers (MEd 71) of Kingsport, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2022

Sam Thames Lloyd III (BA 71) of Sewanee, Tenn., Aug. 31, 2022

Anne Cashman Cole (BA 71) of Vicksburg, July 10, 2022

David Lafayette Long (BBA 78) of Jonesboro, Ark., Sept. 10, 2022

Donald Paul Diffine (PhD 75) of Searcy, Ark., Aug. 29, 2022

Walter Gautier Mayfield (BSPh 72) of Lilburn, Ga., Aug. 12, 2022

Stanley Harold Dillon Sr. (BSPh 73) of New Albany, July 10, 2022

Ira Harrison Moore (MD 79) of Austin, Texas, July 4, 2022

Roy Alexander Dumas (BBA 78) of Walnut Grove, Sept. 11, 2022

Martin Murphree Newcomb Sr. (MD 73) of Jackson, Jan. 4, 2022

William Jeffress Fanning Jr. (MA 70) of Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 7, 2022

Joseph Carol Pearson (72) of Richland, Sept. 22, 2022

Charles Lamar Floyd (BAEd 73) of Gulfport, July 7, 2022

Montine Gray Posey (MA 71) of Tupelo, July 14, 2022

Steven Wayne Foxx (BBA 71) of Indianapolis, Ind., July 15, 2022

Carl Edward Powe (73) of Columbus, July 28, 2022

William Rankin Francis (MS 73, PhD 76) of Athens, Ga., Oct. 2, 2022 Robert Paul Fuller (BA 72, MD 76) of Oak Ridge, Tenn., July 23, 2022

Forest Crown Ratchford III (MBA 73) of Clarksville, Tenn., July 15, 2022

Ronald Edwin Gray (MD 79) of Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2022

Martin Cary Roy (BAEd 70) of Moss Point, July 13, 2022

Mike Lee Gunn (BBA 76, BSPh 83) of Corinth, July 6, 2022

Paul Eugene Sapoch (BSPh 72) of Nolensville, Tenn., July 22, 2022

David Webster Hall (JD 78) of Natchez, Sept. 22, 2022

Tom Burkett Scott III (JD 79) of Jackson, Aug. 28, 2022

Charles Hardy Henderson (BA 78, MD 82) of Hattiesburg, Sept. 22, 2022

Charles Stevens Seale (BA 75, BA 75, JD 87) of Hattiesburg, Aug. 25, 2022

Paul Bradford Henderson Sr. (JD 76) of Brandon, Sept. 5, 2022

Jim Bartley Sheofee (PhD 70) of Blytheville, Ark., Sept. 23, 2022

James Williams Henley Sr. (BBA 76, JD 78) of Hazlehurst, Aug. 30, 2022

William Dean Stark (JD 73) of Starkville, June 19, 2022

William Everett Pollard (BBA 79) of Oxford, July 31, 2022

Billy Glen Inmon (BBA 72) of Tupelo, Sept. 27, 2022

Mari Jean Smart Stockton (BAEd 70) of Covington, Tenn., Aug. 19, 2022

Dennis Alton Jones (BA 73) of McComb, Sept. 25, 2022

James Carlos Thompson (BBA 74) of Columbus, Oct. 3, 2022

Joyce Hall Judson (BS 74, MEd 82) of Water Valley, Sept. 7, 2022

David Jace Watkins (BA 78) of Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 12, 2022

Leland Ray Kendrick (BSPh 75, MD 89) of Waveland, July 29, 2022

William McDonald Watkins (77) of Canton, Sept. 8, 2022

Robert Alexander Kennedy (BA 71, MD 76) of Oxford, Aug. 9, 2022

Jeffrey Robert Weber (BBA 79) of Clarksville, Va., June 28, 2022

FA L L 2022

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Alumni News Susan Kay Morris Williams (MA 77) of Hattiesburg, July 1, 2022

Cornelius McNeil (BBA 93) of Dallas, Texas, Aug. 14, 2022

Evan Homer Wood (BSPh 73) of West Plains, Mo., July 3, 2022

2000s 1980s

Christopher Michael Boring (BBA 00) of Belden, July 24, 2002

James Clifton Allgood Jr. (BSEG 86) of Oxford, July 22, 2022

Ellen Wright Douglas (BAEd 02, MEd 11) of Oxford, Aug. 5, 2022

Frances Allen Barbour (BAEd 80) of Yazoo City, Sept. 23, 2022

Robyn Dawn Gaunder (BSES 06) of Newalla, Okla., Aug. 26, 2022

Anne Everett Barton (83) of Memphis, Tenn., July 31, 2022

Christine Gilchrist McRae (PhD 05) of Brooklyn, N.Y., May 17, 2022

Robert Holcomb Bass (JD 82) of Jackson, Sept. 28, 2022

Thomas Iverson Ott (BAccy 05) of Tallahassee, Fla., June 25, 2022

Sally Baskin Buntin (JD 86) of Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 20, 2022

Katherine Fokakis Patterson (MD 03) of Indianola, Sept. 4, 2022

Michael Eliam Carter (BBA 80) of Oxford, Sept. 4, 2022

Randy Andrayus Sandifer (BSCJ 09) of Lithonia, Ga., Aug. 25, 2022

John William Champion (BBA 83, JD 92) of Hernando, Sept. 4, 2022 Geneva Jackson Cooper (MS 82) of Murray, Ky., Sept. 14, 2022

2010s

John Keith Dunlap (BA 85) of Oxford, Aug. 5, 2022

Ben Chase Callon (BSCvE 15) of Aberdeen, Aug. 24, 2022

Coy Anthony Fitts (BBA 83) of New Albany, Sept. 13, 2022

Andrew Raymon Higginbotham (BSES 13, BSN 15) of Brandon, Aug. 20, 2022

Lawrence Prestidge Gwin Jr. (JD 85) of Bay City, Texas, July 4, 2022 Dorothy Soderback Harrelson (BBA 81) of Tupelo, Sept. 2, 2022 Donald Hubert Haynes (BSPh 83) of Marks, July 19, 2022 Kenneth Mickle Hayward Jr. (BSEE 84) of Oxford, Sept. 7, 2022 Peggy Hughes Higgins (BAEd 83) of Hernando, July 14, 2022 Margaret Coaker Judice (BA 86) of Hattiesburg, Oct. 6, 2022 Dale Wigley Kelman (PhD 87) of Palo Alto, Calif., Oct. 4, 2022 David Wayne Lindsey (BM 88) of Anniston, Ala., Aug. 5, 2022 Jonathan Dennis Love (BBA 88) of La Grange, Ky., Jan. 15, 2022 Jonnie Tatum Manning (BBA 80) of Oxford, Aug. 8, 2022

Christopher Michael Lalo (BAccy 11) of Mountain Brook, Ala., Aug. 16, 2021 Ann Burgett Logan (BA 13) of Moss Point, July 31, 2022

2020s Jacques Nicholas Allain (BBA 20) of Houston, Texas, July 24, 2022 Luke Forrest Knox (BA 22) of Brentwood, Tenn., Aug. 17, 2022 Medley Jane Morgan (BA 20) of Olive Branch, Aug. 20, 2022

Olivia Teter Opello (MA 87) of Fayetteville, N.Y., Aug. 18, 2022

STUDENTS

Mary Payne Still (BSPh 80) of Madison, Sept. 20, 2022

Christopher Thomas Bruni of Gulfport, July 31, 2022

Howard Earl Tucker (BA 87) of Belzoni, July 30, 2022

Lakito Tarraze Bynum II of Fayetteville, N.C., Oct. 1, 2022

Margaret Popple Vining (MN 85) of De Kalb Junction, N.Y., July 13, 2022

Jacob Michael Casagrande of Cypress, Texas, Oct. 4, 2022

Billy Schedell Walley (MD 82) of Muscle Shoals, Ala., Aug. 10, 2022

Caroline Francis Roth of Marshall, Texas, July 14, 2022

James Oran Webber (JD 89) of Fayetteville, Ga., July 19, 2022 Mary Johnson Windon (83) of Canton, Ga., July 12, 2022

FACULTY, STAFF AND FRIENDS Rose Wanda Hedge Andrews of Hayti, Mo., March 4, 2022

1990s

Jim P. Bain of Saltillo, Aug. 29, 2022

Patrice Marascalco Adcock (MEd 93) of Oxford, Sept. 10, 2022

Suresh Bandari of Oxford, Sept. 6, 2022

Andy Turner Arant Jr. (JD 99) of Oxford, Aug. 3, 2022

Charles Lawson Burandt of Prosper, Texas, Aug. 20, 2022

Elisa Garland Luckey (BA 92) of Germantown, Tenn., June 29, 2022

Martha Stuckey Chambless of Oxford, Sept. 9, 2022

Carl Laverne Mabry (BBA 93) of Searcy, Ark., July 12, 2022

Dorothy Tucker Cole of Jackson, Aug. 17, 2022

Debra Angelia Mathis (BAEd 94, MEd 96, MEd 99) of Holly Springs, Aug. 16, 2022

Betty Caruthers Crystal of Ridgeland, Sept. 23, 2022

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Vernon Tharpe Davis of Clarksdale, July 9, 2022

Alumni News Debbie Clark Dayton of Oxford, July 7, 2022

Frank Eugene McLain of Dallas, Texas, June 18, 2022

Brinkley Lewis Gaia of Germantown, Tenn., July 30, 2022

Mildred Jeanne Smith Meaders of Oxford, Sept. 24, 2022

Kenneth D. Gibson of Frankfort, Ky., July 28, 2022

Barbara Ashford Mood of Oxford, Oct. 4, 2022

Bill Hannan of Grenada, Sept. 16, 2022

Maryanne Richards of Belden, Aug. 28, 2022

Kevin Paul Hatfield of Oxford, Aug. 30, 2022

Donald Houston Roy of Abbeville, Sept. 20, 2022

Marian Marjo McManus Hewes of Gulfport, July 27, 2022

Willis Gerald Sanders Jr. of Fulton, May 31, 2022

Michael Ellis Jabaley of Madison, July 12, 2022

Lent Ervin Thomas Jr. of Batesville, Aug. 2, 2022

S.T. Jamison Sr. of Oxford, Aug. 4, 2022

Pamela Dabney Truett of Jackson, Sept. 12, 2022

Joan Dorsett Johnson of Oxford, Aug. 20, 2022

Rosie Thompson Wadley of Abbeville, July 30, 2022

David Joseph Seymour King of Oxford, Aug. 28, 2022

William Jennings Waldrup of Batesville, July 9, 2022

Colby Haight Kullman of Oxford, Aug. 9, 2022

David Gilmer Wharton of Oxford, Sept. 25, 2022

Kellen Daniel Leach of Chesterland, Ohio, Sept. 15, 2022

Ray Wilburn of Abbeville, Sept. 11, 2022

Linda Kay Newman McBroom of Gautier, Aug. 14, 2022

Winnie Ruth Morris Wilks of Hattiesburg, Sept. 21, 2022

Peggie Wayne McGregor of Thaxton, Sept. 27, 2022

Margaret Marquez Wooten of Pass Christian, July 9, 2022

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@olemiss.edu or Alumni Records Dept., Ole Miss Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848. Class notes also may be submitted through the Association’s website at olemissalumni.com. The Association relies on numerous sources for class notes and is unable to verify all notes with individual alumni.

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63

Alumni News

Success Stories NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR 40 UNDER 40 AWARDS

T

he Ole Miss Alumni Association has opened nominations for its second annual 40 Under 40 Awards.

Year after year, the University of Mississippi graduates some of the most influential young leaders in a broad range of industries. They forge partnerships, solve problems, blaze trails and serve their communities wherever they may be. The Ole Miss Alumni Association 40 Under 40 awards program spotlights alumni across a variety of vocations for having made a significant impact in business, research, leadership, public service and/or philanthropic endeavors.

Selected from over 500 nominations, the inaugural 2022 class included an NBC News producer, a U.S. Space Force commander, a specialist for talent relations and awards at Netflix and a director of the National Security Council.

“Our young alumni population is growing tremendously, and they are doing remarkable work in their fields,” says Sunny Brown (BSFCS 09, MA 11), OMAA assistant director and 40 Under 40 coordinator. “We are excited to continue this program as a way to recognize and celebrate some of our outstanding young alumni. In addition, the winner of the Alumni

Association’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award, which is presented at Homecoming, will be selected from this group of 40 Under 40 recipients.”

To be eligible, nominees must be active members of the Alumni Association, have made a significant impact on their industry or field, have civic or professional achievements, aspire to uphold the core values of the University of Mississippi Creed, have earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with the University of Mississippi and OMAA. Nominees also must be 39 years of age or younger on Jan. 15, 2023, to be considered.

Nominators should fill out an online form with the nominee’s name and email address only. The nominee will then be asked to complete the application process.

Nominations for the Class of 2023 may be submitted through Dec. 2, 2022. Recipients will be announced in the spring and celebrated with a reception and ceremony.

For more information, visit olemissalumni.com/40under-40.

SHOW YOUR PRIDE! If you live in Mississippi, get your Ole Miss affinity plate today!

Affinity plates are $51 a year, $32.50 of which comes to the university to support student scholarships and keep the Grove and Circle vibrant.

Ole Miss affinity license plates also are available in AL, GA, TN, TX, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit olemissalumni.com.

64

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Active members of the Alumni Association receive 10 percent off hotel rooms.

120120 Alumni Drive Alumni Drive • University, MS 38677 • Reservations: 662-234-2331 or TheInnAtOleMiss.com University, MS 38655

Ole Miss Alumni Association P.O. Box 1848 University, MS 38677-1848 (662) 915-7375 olemissalumni.com

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